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"...she is someone who has a history of beating the odds." –The Sheet
"Use yard sign graphics to choose a candidate," The Inyo Register, June 4, 2022
"Kody Jaeger used blue and orange, another break from tradition, and included a stylized Native American symbol in her tagline, “Stronger Together.” She was also the only candidate to list a webpage on a sign in a nod to our modern digital world."
Since Election Day is just around the corner we can assume all true-blue, freedom-loving American patriots in Inyo County already have filled out their ballot and sent them in to be counted.
But there is always an indecisive minority still clinging to their ballot because they haven’t made up their minds. These are diligent participants in our Republic (say the word “democracy” and I will club you with a column full of definitions and Founding Fathers quotes). They are trying to make the right choice and are pouring over webpages, news articles, advertisements, watching video replays of candidate night discussions, and grilling friends, neighbors, strangers in line at the grocery store and baristas for their opinions.
Even with all that information, some might still be harboring doubts, fears and fantasies about the slate of local candidates.
That leaves one final means of judging a candidate: assessing the graphic style of each candidate as displayed by their yard signs. Those little square boards on tiny metal sticks stuck in lawns throughout the town can reveal deep and abiding truths about those who approved the colors, graphics, layout and wording
A good yard sign, in other words, can turn a doubting Thomas into an eager supporter.
Let’s look at the candidates for Sheriff first.
Current Sheriff Eric Pritchard used blue and gold stripes and a simple message. Putting aside blue and gold are the colors of the Ukrainian flag, it was a bold choice to forgo red, white and blue, so maybe he’s not tied to tradition.
Stephanie Rennie went with blue and red and white lettering with a layout that doesn’t scream but gets the message across. She added the catchphrase, “Building Unity With the Community,” suggesting that might be currently lacking.
Kelvin Johnson went all in with the patriotic colors and added an American flag motive, to boot. He’s also the only candidate to state his sign was paid for by his election committee. A letter of the law move.
Joe Vetter went for visibility with lettering on the white part of his sign and the tagline, “Leadership & Integrity,” which can be seen as a promise or a hint of what he sees as needing some work.
The two supervisor races resulted in some interesting sign choices. Let’s start with District 1, basically north of Bishop.
Tina Orrill was to the point with a red sign and white letters with “Orrill 1st District Supervisor.” No tagline and the only candidate to leave off a first name implying most folks know her and what she stands for.
Jeff Gabriel got all sorts of graphic, with brown swoops, light blue background, a little boxed graphic and generally bucking the red, white and blue cliché to set himself apart. His tagline, “Genuine * Service * Leadership.”
Carl Hoelscher was the only candidate using his photo, a shot of him smiling in his American Legion hat to go along with an American flag. Clear messaging, there.
District 3 includes the entire Bishop Paiute Shoshone Reservation, a chunk of West Bishop and on up the hill.
Kody Jaeger used blue and orange, another break from tradition, and included a stylized Native American symbol in her tagline, “Stronger Together.” She was also the only candidate to list a webpage on a sign in a nod to our modern digital world.
Scott E. Marcellin didn’t do much graphic design, with just a small photo of the Sierra and his name on a white sign, banking on his existing name recognition.
Todd Vogel was the only candidate to go vertical with his sign, which makes sense since he’s a mountain guy who goes “vertical” routinely. Big blue background and red waves are a break from the routine sign approach.
David Lent went red, white and blue with straight lines and no flourishes, signaling a direct, straightforward approach.
There you have it. Take your pick.
([The author] Jon Klusmire of Bishop considers reading deep meaning into yard signs is a skill akin to reading Tarot cards.)