Jayne Schadeck was driving with her five-year-old son on the outskirts of Drayton Valley when she was offended by sign with a picture of Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and the words “I don’t have a F@#%!@ Clue.”
Schadeck’s son is learning to read and she didn’t want to have to explain the sign to him.
“If this is the level of political discourse, we’ve got a very large problem,” Schadeck said Tuesday. “This is the sort of thing you say drinking beer with your buddies. It doesn’t belong on a sign on a busy street where children can see it and you’re representing the entire community.”
Schadeck’s complaint marks the second time in just over a month that an image of Notley used in a political context has drawn ire from the public.
In June, the organizer of a golf tournament in Brooks placed a picture of Notley on the course as a target. Schadeck says the Drayton Valley sign stems from similar frustrations and is not the way for displeased voters to deal with their feelings.
“I don’t see this is as free speech,” she said. “I see this as acting like a spoiled 12-year-old that didn’t get his way. You’re going to pout and do it publicly. If you have legitimate criticism, go about it in an appropriate way in an appropriate forum.”
“Most people think it’s great. They just say, ‘Good on ya.'”
– Tim Sekura
Farmer Tim Sekura had the sign made at a printing shop, and put it up in December to voice his displeasure with the current Alberta government.
“Just to show the frustration with the NDP government and her (Rachel Notley),” Sekura said. “They don’t have a clue as far as running a business and the province is a very big business. They think that there’s no end to the money. They just tax more and spend more.”
He said the sign has nothing to do with Notley being a woman, and that television shows worse things than a censored swear word. This is the first time he’s heard any negative feedback about the sign since he put it up, he said.
“Most people think it’s great. They just say, ‘Good on ya.'”
Sekura said other signs around Drayton Valley are voicing similar frustrations. But he said his is the only one with the premier’s face displayed. He said it’s a way to express unhappiness with the government.
“They don’t seem to get it when thousands of people protest at the legislature against the carbon tax and Bill 6. I don’t know what’s the proper way to get their attention.”
Drayton Valley doesn’t plan any action
Sekura said he was planning to move the sign but hasn’t considered taking it down.
Schadeck wants it taken down immediately.
But a spokesperson for the town of Drayton Valley said the sign is on private property, doesn’t break any community standards bylaws and there’s only been one complaint. They will not be taking any action.