News Photo by Steve Schulwitz This screenshot from a video shared with The News appears to show Alpena Public Schools Board of Education candidate George Pena getting into an altercation with an Alpena man at Mich-e-ke-wis Park on Saturday. Police are investigating the incident.

ALPENA — A candidate for the Alpena Public Schools Board of Education was apparently involved in an altercation near Mich-e-ke-wis Park on Saturday afternoon.

A witness at the scene said the alleged victim provoked the altercation and was the first to get physical. The alleged victim denies that.

Law enforcement is investigating.

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The candidate, George Pena, did not return multiple messages seeking comment.

Pena was working with other candidates handing out political yard signs at the park when he was approached by Alpena man John LaCross, who questioned the legality of the event on city property.

A video shared with The News by LaCross shows Pena grabbing him in the area of the neck, with the metal legs of a yard sign pressed against LaCross’s throat. A photo, also shared by LaCross, shows bruises and a scratch he says came from the physical contact.

The video does not show what transpired before LaCross started filming, but a witness at the park, Martha Minnick, said LaCross instigated people near the booth and shoved Pena, which escalated the situation.

LaCross denies shoving Pena.

LaCross said he goes to the park often and on Saturday noticed people distributing the political signs. He said he approached the stand with the intent to seek information about whether permission was granted by the city.

City Manager Rachel Smolinski said Republicans and Democrats both had the city’s blessing to use the park.

LaCross said his intent was never to make a scene and he was just seeking information. He said Pena lost his cool when he demanded answers.

The video begins with LaCross saying Pena “pushed up on him” and bumped him forcefully with his stomach. In the video, the two men get face to face and Pena attempts to block the camera and tells LaCross to “get the phone off of me before you get hurt.” The recording then shows Pena placing his hand and a portion of the sign on LaCross’ neck.

“I was clear from the start that I didn’t care if it was Republicans or Democrats and it was just about the fact that I found it inappropriate to distribute political yard signs at the park,” LaCross said. “It wasn’t politically motivated, because I don’t support either party.”

Minnick said she told police she saw LaCross shove Pena before Pena made any physical contact.

Minnick said she was working the table at the nonpartisan school board tent when LaCross drove his bike up and approached. She said he was being unruly and was asked to leave the area of the table stand.

“We told him we had permission from the city and asked him to leave, but he didn’t,” Minnick said. “He came across as aggressive and confrontational and I personally witnessed this man push Dr. Pena with his hand.”

The News has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Alpena Police Department, requesting the police report from the investigation.