2nd UPDATE Oct 7: Rep Jessica Wooley admits her van involved in thefts of campaign signs, blames volunteers
UPDATE by Andrew Walden Oct 1:
A search of the Hawaii Judiciary database shows that the license plate NDU-549 is associated with Richard Fale’s opponent, incumbent State Rep Jessica Wooley.
During a September 28 campaign rally at Hauula Elementary School, a Fale supporter reported that a white van pulled up next to Fale campaign signs outside the rally. A passenger jumped out and stole several signs. The witness recorded license number NDU-549.
In parking ticket cases 1DTP-08-042950 (March, 2008) and 1DTP-07-164554 (October, 2007), Wooley paid fines on a vehicle with the license plate number NDU-549. The same license plate received parking tickets twice in 2009, but its owner was not identified in those files.
Earlier this year Wooley was involved in an incident at Ahuimanu Elementary in which she attempted to stop a Republican from videotaping a public meeting at which she and other legislators were speaking.
Wooley's husband is environmental lawyer and 2006 Democratic Lt Governor primary contender David Henkin.
A "white van" was also described by a homeowner who witnessed a Charles Djou sign being stolen from her front yard earlier this year. Both Djou and Fale have reported losing dozens of signs to thieves. Fale says he has lost nearly $1000 worth of campaign signs.
A copy of the Hawaii Judiciary database printout is available >>> HERE (Go to "Vehicle Search" and enter NDU549)
You can expect those crack investigative reporters from the Star-Advertiser to jump on this story any second now.
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From www.RichardFale.com
Mahalo to all of you who stopped by my campaign kickoff last night at at Hau'ula Elementary. It was great to see so many of you from across the district and to be able to connect with all of you on community news and concerns.
There was one disappointing occurrence last night (Sept 28), however. One of my supporters, while setting up for the event, saw a white van with the license plate NDU-549 stop across the street from Hau'ula Elementary while a passenger jumped out and stole a few of my signs. A police report has been filed so any information you may have will be helpful to the HPD.
I have had nearly $1,000 worth of signs stolen so far. It's not the money that concerns me but the values of those who are doing this, values that are contrary to those I know we in the community hold. If you have any information on signs being taken or have had signs taken from your community, please let me know so I can replace them. I am very grateful for those of you who have agreed to put signs up as a display of your support and I will continue to replace signs where they are taken. Dirty tricks and theft will not hurt our resolve to make Hawaii and the Windward/North Shore communities a better, brighter place for generations to come.
I also wanted to remind you that the deadline to register to vote is next Monday, October 4. Visit my website at www.richardfale.com for links to voter registration and absentee ballot forms as well as a link to find out if you're registered and where your polling place is.
Looking forward to seeing you on the campaign trail in the weeks to come!
Mahalo nui loa,
Richard Lee Fale