Trustee Candidate Says Incumbents Violate Election Law
Village of Cary literature has come under scrutiny of improper use for trustee incumbents election campaign.
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Recently, the incumbent candidates for Cary Village Trustee made baseless charges against our candidacies for violating State of Illinois Election Law.
They offer nothing in the way of facts or evidence, but simply pull ideas from thin air.
We believe the State of Illinois Elections Laws should be followed and appropriate disclosure be done.
That is why we are very disturbed at the gross negligence by our opponents to distribute yard signs, fliers and advertisements without attributing who “Paid for” or “Authorized” these forms of political speech. It is deceptive to our neighbors and it violates the State of Illinois’ Election Law.
Additionally, we find it increasingly disturbing that our citizens’ tax dollars are being utilized by the incumbents for political speech. We are attaching two examples paid for by taxpayer dollars where the incumbents’ names are clearly portrayed in an attempt to deceptively gain votes. Couple that with a “Weekly” e-mail newsletter that is now appearing almost daily supporting the incumbents’ message; we cannot sit idly by without calling them out on it.
It is time for a new way of doing things in Cary. Cary residents deserve better.
Statements:
Karen Lukasik: “In these tight economic times, I find it troubling that our Village is using our tax dollars to promote the incumbents.”
Bruce Kaplan: “We have been very careful and conscious not only to support the letter of the Election Law, but the spirit of it.”
Robert Bragg: “I think it would be the honorable thing for the incumbents and the Village to come clean and stop these underhanded election practices.”
Jeff Kraus: “I have run a campaign on transparency and trust. The incumbents should have been following the law before they began leveling hypocritical charges against my candidacy.”
Signed,
Bruce Kaplan
Concerned Citizen
5:09 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
Interesting that Mr Kaplan posted this for all of the "New Voices". I don't know if you (or all of you) broke any laws. But I think your actions lead people to believe that you have done more then just pool your money. Hiding behind the election law is not transperency. I think the citizens of Cary should know what business have been solicted for funds and have decided to contribute. I think if you are elected we would want to make sure there was accountability when votes came before the board.
Concerned Citizen
5:31 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
I could not see the examples of where the incumbents used tax dollare for campaigning but it could be a user error on my part. Also why not state exactly what has happened with the weekly newsletter. By saying it is appearing "almost daily" one could think that many things. What is the fact. In the last 12 weeks citizens have received the weekly magazine x times. I think less adjectives and more facts will help. The other fact I learned post the canidate forum was that Mr Bragg has a spouse at the Village Hall. Will that mean you will need to recluse yourself from any business realting to the staffing of the Village Hall, budget discussions, and the performance of the Village Administrator. Not saying you were hiding this but I don't recall it coming up in the forum.
Concerned Citizen
9:23 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
Wasn't sure if anyone from the New Voices would respond. In Nov 5 were sent, Dec 3, Jan 4, Feb 8 (three realted to the snow storm), and 5 in March. Feb stands out but take away the snow storm and it seems sort of normal. This is based on what I have in my email. Is that really almost like daily Mr. Kaplan.
And the flyers for Clean Up Day and Cary Pride Day contain ALL the Village Board names not just those running. PR for sure. I am not a legal expert on campaigning law but what is it they did wrong.
B. Mercer
1:39 am on Saturday, April 2, 2011
Concerned:
Is the fact that the Village of Cary is being reviewed by the Illinois Attorney General for possible violations of the Freedom of Information Act for at least the second time in less than 2 years tell you that the Village of Cary is Transparent? If four people share the cost of a purchase, does that make them a slate? And you really need to check your addition, I got at least 11 newsblasts from Cary in March.........
B. Mercer
1:47 am on Saturday, April 2, 2011
One last thing,
How do you see it as being fair with Cary Putting the names of the Trustees, in giant type, on signs and handouts etc., all at the taxpayers expense? Go to the home page of Thc Village of Fox River Grove. Unlike Cary's, instead of looking at pictures of the incumbants, they list ALL of the people running for office in the Village.
Oh, and while your at the Village of Cary's webpage, click on the link on the left that will tell you for the sixth time in two week on how successfull the recycling day was and shows about 10 pictures of the incumbant's at the event. NOW THAT'S CAMPAIGNING!!!!!!
JHummel
8:48 pm on Saturday, April 2, 2011
I wonder when we can expect elections to be about the issues at hand and our community. Or when the campaigning starts before the election not the day after the last election. And last, Cary has enough to do to show our residents that the Village Government is working for us, how many people volunteer at recycle day or do random acts of kindness? Are they in the newspaper? just a thought.
Steve
3:57 pm on Sunday, April 3, 2011
The four people who are running against the incumbents, whether elected or appointed are trying to run on issues. When and incumbent suggests thaty they are breaking the law, with and has nothing to back that up, well you tell me who is running on the issues.
Adnonimous
9:22 pm on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
I don't understand why everyone is bitching about blah blah blah......they are just stating. Jesus how old are we 12? you people are grown adults. Act like it. They are running against them. NO NEED FOR COMMENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. I hope all the people that wrote this letter kicks everyone's butt.