GLOVERSVILLE — Authorities are investigating a hateful, politically-charged sign allegedly posted outside the home of a Democratic committee member in northern Gloversville.The sign, which contains a crude reference to tampons and transgender individuals in bathrooms, appeared attached to a wooden fence on Kingsboro Avenue at some point between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.So far, no suspects have been identified.“The specific applicable offenses, if any, remain pending,” said Gloversville police spokesperson Bradley Schaffer in an email.Fulton County Democratic Chairman Edmund Jasewicz called the sign “disgusting” and “despicable.”The incident occurred in the city’s Fifth Ward, one of two Democratic-occupied districts on the Fulton County Board of Supervisors. Gregory Young is the ward representative.“I'm really shocked,” Young said. “It's very, very offensive and threatening and it's really out of character for our community. I'd have to say.”Gloversville Republican Committee Chairman Charles Potter, who also serves as a county supervisor, condemned the messaging while appearing to blast the city’s current Democratic administration under Vincent DeSantis.“This happening within the city limits is really just uncalled for and I hope when the new [city] administration gets elected that we can hopefully clean up some of these quality-of-life issues,” Potter said. DeSantis, who is retiring this year from the city mayoralty, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. So far, only one Republican has announced a bid to replace him.Gloversville historically leans Republican per voter enrollment. However, unlike much of Fulton County, it's more evenly balanced in terms of Republican and Democratic enrollment — or, in political parlance, more purple.Still, Jasewicz said that he’s never seen anti-Democrat rhetoric posted that was nearly as specific as the sign composed of four pieces of paper on Kingsboro Avenue.Jasewicz said he believes the vulgar, hateful message is symptomatic of the political rhetoric and polarization that's swept the nation in recent years. “Is this what we're going to have to deal with for the next how many years?” said Jasewicz, a resident of Perth. According to a Gallup poll released earlier in January, ideological polarization between Republicans and Democrats is at an all-time high.The incident comes the same week as Republican President Donald Trump took office. On Monday, Trump rolled back protections for transgender individuals to combat “gender extremism” and slashed federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs.Potter doesn’t believe the recent incident has anything to do with Trump. He called it a “random city issue.”Jasewicz clarified that he would be upset with anyone who put up a similar sign targeting a party member.“I just thought it was disgusting that somebody would do that to a Democrat or Republican or a Conservative, whoever it may be,” he said.The last incident of the like in the area to gain attention occurred in 2023. In September of that year, two swastikas and a racial slur were found spray painted on a “Black Lives Matter” sign at a liberal-leaning white couple’s Oppenheim home. Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino said there have been multiple suspects, but no arrests.In Schenectady County, Michael Coleman was bumped as chief executive of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region after allegedly vandalizing a pro-Trump lawn sign in Duanesburg with two Nazi-style swastikas and stealing conservative signs last fall. Authorities slapped him with petty larceny and, later, fourth-degree criminal mischief.More:

Gloversville police probe hateful sign posted on Democratic committeeman's fence

So far, no suspects have been identified. Gloversville historically leans Republican per voter enrollment. However, unlike much of Fulton County, it’s more evenly balanced in terms of Republican and Democratic enrollment — or, in political parlance, more purple.Jasewicz said he believes the vulgar, hateful message is symptomatic of the political rhetoric and polarization that’s swept the nation […]

So far, no suspects have been identified.

Gloversville historically leans Republican per voter enrollment. However, unlike much of Fulton County, it’s more evenly balanced in terms of Republican and Democratic enrollment — or, in political parlance, more purple.Jasewicz said he believes the vulgar, hateful message is symptomatic of the political rhetoric and polarization that’s swept the nation in recent years.Fulton County Democratic Chairman Edmund Jasewicz called the sign “disgusting” and “despicable.”Jasewicz clarified that he would be upset with anyone who put up a similar sign targeting a party member.“I just thought it was disgusting that somebody would do that to a Democrat or Republican or a Conservative, whoever it may be,” he said.The sign, which contains a crude reference to tampons and transgender individuals in bathrooms, appeared attached to a wooden fence on Kingsboro Avenue at some point between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.“This happening within the city limits is really just uncalled for and I hope when the new [city] administration gets elected that we can hopefully clean up some of these quality-of-life issues,” Potter said.Still, Jasewicz said that he’s never seen anti-Democrat rhetoric posted that was nearly as specific as the sign composed of four pieces of paper on Kingsboro Avenue.