Milford Billboard Calls Obama an 'Entry Drug to Socialism'

This article originally appeared on Milford Patch.

A billboard on the corner of High Street and Boston Post Road in Milford reads 'Obama = The Entry Drug to Socialism.'

This sign has created tension between Fayez Ghaly, the owner of USA Fuel, the gas station and market abutting the billboard, and DeForest Smith, the owner of the billboard and President of .

The Business Owner

"I'd like to see the sign down," said Ghaly. "I don't want to get involved with the politics."

Ghaly alleges that a representative from 'Milford Zoning' told him that the billboard was 'in violation.' Ghaly went on to claim that when he told the official he didn't own the billboard, the official left, but promised to return. Ghaly alleges that the official has never returned.

Milford City's Response

There is no evidence that a Milford zoning official ever spoke to Ghaly, though the office did not deny that such a conversation took place.

When asked about the billboard and the alleged conversation with Ghaly, Milford Permitting and Land Use Director Jocelyn Mathiasen sent an email stating: "No one in our office has issued any orders related to the bilboard."

The Billboard Owner

DeForest Smith noted that while the billboard space is usually used for business purposes, his company has put up this 'Obama' sign for their own purposes.

"We put it up," Smith said. "It's our belief." 

Smith addressed the issue of Obama's relationship with Socialism saying, "Take a look at France or Italy, they're all going bankrupt. Debt is out of control."

Smith went on to say that Obama "borrowed 5 or 6 billion dollars."

What do you think of the billboard? Does it interfere with USA Fuel owner Fayez Ghaley's hope of not getting 'involved with the politics'? Or should the sign stay up because DeForest Smith owns the billboard and should be able to put up any sign he wants?