How does breaking the rules as a candidate convince voters that you will respect the rules as an elected official? Am I missing something?

As you may or may not know by now, Anchorage is only about ten days away from electing a brand new mayor and some new school board members.

As we get closer to liftoff the rush to get publicity for the candidates has been ratcheted up quite a bit.

We have seen more billboards cropping up around town and their commercials have started to clog the airwaves. So far I have to say that most of the advertisements have been pretty positive and there have been no real attacks or political dirty tricks. (Though there was some gentle ribbing from Mayoral candidate Sheila Selkregg directed at Mayoral candidate Eric Croft in this television ad.)

All in all I have to say that the field of candidates for both the School Board seats and the position of Mayor have behaved like grown ups.

Until now.

Outlaw candidate billboards planted along Anchorage's busiest streets are causing a ruckus in the final days leading up to city elections, and at least one state legislator is pushing for a more lenient law.

State law bars political signs within 660 feet of state-owned roads, which include most major streets in Anchorage. But enforcement of the law, state officials say, is unlikely.

Anchorage School Board Seat B candidate Jeannie Mackie and mayoral candidates Eric Croft, Dan Sullivan and Sheila Selkregg are some who seem to have illegally placed signs along major roadways. Mackie is drawing intense criticism from her opponents.

I guess it could be argued that in the sometimes dirty business of politics this action is fairly tame. And I would agree. But....

These are individuals asking to be given a position of authority in this city. They are saying to the voters "Hey trust me to do the right thing." But how can you trust somebody to follow and enforce the rules as an elected official if they disregard them as a candidate? Especially a candidate who wants to run this city and will be called upon to reinforce the very laws that they are now breaking?

And what excuse do they offer for this infraction?

She (Jeannie Mackie) defended the signs, though. "I have not been notified by the state or the municipality that any of my signs are in violation," she said. "If people decide to enforce it, then I will be more than happy to do whatever they tell me to do."

She's waiting for that notification before taking action, she said.

Sullivan, whose signs are prominent on several major city arteries, said he contracted the work out and relies on the contractor to know the rules. "It's not something I'm focused on," he said.

Okay let me get this straight. These candidates are not going to follow the rules unless somebody MAKES them follow the rules? So if there is no punishment, then it is not wrong? How long has that been the ethical guidelines in this state? After all that is how Ted Stevens conducted himself. And John Cowdery. And Vic Koehring. And Pete Kott. And that is how Sarah Palin continues to conduct her self.

Is it not time that we elected people who know how to follow the rules BEFORE they get slapped on the wrist?

I am just asking.

P.S. I am totally not making this up, but I saw the husband of School Board candidate Jody Smith outside of his house this morning. When I asked him what he was doing up so early in the morning he told me that he and a buddy were going to put up signs for his wife, and then he emphasized "in only LEGAL places". Isn't it nice to know that some people can follow the rules without having to be reprimanded by the authorities first?