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seabiscuit
Senior Forum Member
USA
1476 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 24 2009 : 2:48:40 PM
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The Kirk/Thompson campaign has made me uneasy. The "joint ticket", the "spiffy" flyers that came in the mail, their political signs at Freshwater's church, the automated phone messages.........
all seem unprecedented for a small local school board campaign.........
and all seem to be an effort to "buy" the election.........
My discomfort lead me to go and get the finance reports for all candidates for the school board from the Board of Elections to see what I could gleen from them.
Okay, here's what I found:
POINT 1: As of 10/21, Paula Barone had spent $608.71 with $765.95 In-Kind contributions; as of 10/14, Ian Watson had spent $280.00; as of 10/22, Stephen Thompson had spent $4,871.23 and as of 10/21, Robert Kirk had spent $6,508.51 with $552.00 In-Kind contributions. There was no financial report for Mr. Hughes. This would indicate that he has not spent any money on his campaign obviously using the "Meet the Candidates" meetings and the newspaper coverage of candidates to get his message out.
OBSERVATION: Thompson and Kirk have spent an unprecedented amount of money on a small town school board campaign. I find what they're spending exhorbitant given the fact that this is for a local school board campaign which has a stipend pay of $1500.00 a year.
OBSERVATION: Both Barone and Watson have spent their expenditures with local businesses/companies (i.e. MTV athletic boosters, Progressive Communications, Printing Arts Press, KnoxPages.com)..................In contrast, Thompson and Kirk have spent the majority of their expenditures with businesses outside of Mt. Vernon like Majority Designs Invoicing in Oklahoma City, Mathew D. Parker & Assoc., Campaign Consultants, Columbus, Ohio; Strategic Media Placement, Inc., Radio Advertising, Delaware Ohio.
Ok, wasn't it Thompson that criticized the School Board for using a consulting firm outside of Mt. Vernon to assess the Freshwater case? Does Thompson say one thing but do something else? I guess it's okay to use an outside consulting firm if it benefits him, right?
POINT 2: Thompson and Kirk have spent $1275.60 and $1228.90 respectively for their campaign signs. Hughes has spent nothing to date, Watson has recycled his signs from the previous campaign and Barone didn't order wire bales for her signs, using wire that the Barone's had and then shaped so her signs were only $424.
OBSERVATION: Who's showing how to cut costs in this situation??????
POINT 3: Kirk appears to have committed several violations of the campaign contribution law.
OBSERVATION: Kirk has several businesses/corporations listed as campaign contributors which is a violation of the revised code.
http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/Upload/candidates/CFGuide/chapters/02Candidates08-06.pdf
http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/Upload/candidates/CFGuide/chapters/09CorporationsLaborOrganizations08-06.pdf
Contributors can only be individuals. Also he has an LLC listed which, if not incorporated, he is required to list all owners separately with their individual interest in the company stated.
OBSERVATION: Based on the copy of two checks attached to Kirk's Finance Report, he has "co-mingled" private funds and campaign funds. It is clearly stated that there must be a separate campaign account and since the check #'s on the copied checks are 2621 and 2620, it is likely that these checks were written on his personal checking account.
Bank Account
A campaign committee must establish a bank account that is separate from a personal or business account of the candidate or of a member of the candidate’s campaign committee. All monetary contributions received must be deposited into this account. All expenses paid from this account must be disclosed. [R.C. 3517.10]
http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/Upload/candidates/CFGuide/chapters/02Candidates08-06.pdf
OBSERVATION: Does Kirk understand the rules of campaign contributions? If not, why not? If he can't follow campaign rules, can we expect that he will understand and comply with the rules dictated in his role as a school board member?
POINT 4: Thompson has listed a total of $750 on his statement of contributions received which are not itemized. I believe that he must list every contributor separately. If these funds were contributions from a fund raising event, then he must list them on Form 31E.
NOW REMEMBER, we're in the final 10 days before the election so there are still expenditures which are not listed in the paperwork I was able to get from the Board of Elections. It doesn't appear to me that the cost for the flyers that were received in the mail have yet been itemized into the Kirk or Thompson Finance reports.
I have to ask the question, if Kirk and Thompson stand for being more fiscally responsible or doing more with less, than how is it that they are outspending their opponents?
If they stand for doing something different, then I'm a bit concerned with their current spending habits and their "just throw some money at it" approach. |
Edited by - seabiscuit on Oct 24 2009 2:49:32 PM |
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truthbknown
Regular Forum Member
171 Posts |
Posted - Oct 24 2009 : 4:21:37 PM
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Wow, that's a lot of information. That gives us all a lot to think about.
Thanks! |
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FTM
Regular Forum Member
USA
357 Posts |
Posted - Oct 24 2009 : 6:33:53 PM
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| Wow, Seabiscuit, who else do you hate? |
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seabiscuit
Senior Forum Member
USA
1476 Posts |
Posted - Oct 24 2009 : 7:00:36 PM
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FTM
You don't have any better response than that? |
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curious mind
Senior Forum Member
19920 Posts |
Posted - Oct 24 2009 : 7:07:52 PM
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FTM's response left me speechless, well, sortakinda anyway
btw - since when does educating ones self about the facts = hate? 
"You might have to fight a battle more than once to win it" - Margaret Thatcher
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cateyes
Senior Forum Member
USA
2930 Posts |
Posted - Oct 24 2009 : 11:48:49 PM
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Seabiscuit...I find what you posted interesting...will be watching to see what next??? if Columbus Dispatch will do a story on it..with more details.
quote:
Originally posted by seabiscuit
FTM
You don't have any better response than that?
“On every unauthoritative exercise of power by the legislature must the people rise in rebellion or their silence be construed into a surrender of that power to them? If so, how many rebellions should we have had already?” —Thomas Jefferson
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cateyes
Senior Forum Member
USA
2930 Posts |
Posted - Oct 24 2009 : 11:55:18 PM
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Oh and as far as Steve Hughes....havent seen any signs...or I would have one in my yard..next time I see or talk to Steve I will ask him...IF he has any.
But I think he is as was said...just using the candidates nights for people to hear him or ask him questions..as I said..he is not afraid to answer questions.
OH, and he also had NO PROBLEM saying the property taxes the state is collecting is UN CONSITUTIONAL...according to OUR STATE CONSITUTION... he has publicly let it be known..that is corrrect..but legislator has not and is not addressing it.
That is respectful...and deserving of our revoting for him...most dont even know that is fact!!
But back to the expenses incured...I bet Steve Hughes has little. He could afford to throw LOTS of money into this run..but that is not him.
“On every unauthoritative exercise of power by the legislature must the people rise in rebellion or their silence be construed into a surrender of that power to them? If so, how many rebellions should we have had already?” —Thomas Jefferson
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sea breeze
Senior Forum Member
Jamaica
3770 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2009 : 08:31:55 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by FTM
The question I would like to hear the answer too, which was ask Ms. Barone on the radio.
Is when Mr. Freshwater wins his case, how will the new board treat or handle him?
And, if this goes to civil court, will the board waste more money on lawyes or settle out of court?
I would ask that each person running for the office would sign-in and answer this question.
What I would like to know is why YOUR 2 candidates wont even allow questions regarding Mr. Freshwater to be asked of them. |
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curious mind
Senior Forum Member
19920 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2009 : 09:18:43 AM
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I'd bet even money FTM and a few others who won't listen to facts may well have purchased one of these
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VRe6E5L8a04/SAq5Qzjt_GI/AAAAAAAAALM/szUhZTsKV8A/s1600-h/img308.jpg
"You might have to fight a battle more than once to win it" - Margaret Thatcher
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seabiscuit
Senior Forum Member
USA
1476 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2009 : 10:25:52 AM
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I just recently heard the new commercial for Thompson and Kirk on WMVO.
While I was looking over the candidates' websites again, I found this sound bite ad for Paula Barone that I hadn't seen before.
It is an endorsement from Dr. Sonja Smith, Dean of the school of Education and Professional Studies at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University.
You have to download it to listen to it but here's the website link:
http://www.paulabarone.com/Site/Radio_Ads.html
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cateyes
Senior Forum Member
USA
2930 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2009 : 12:46:02 PM
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Because of the ongoing hearing....they are not suppost to discuss it...not sure WHY that is..they are NOT board members now...so dont know why the subject cant be addressed...unless it is feared that subject would be all that was discussed instead of a varity of subjects..
quote:
Originally posted by sea breeze
quote:
Originally posted by FTM
The question I would like to hear the answer too, which was ask Ms. Barone on the radio.
Is when Mr. Freshwater wins his case, how will the new board treat or handle him?
And, if this goes to civil court, will the board waste more money on lawyes or settle out of court?
I would ask that each person running for the office would sign-in and answer this question.
What I would like to know is why YOUR 2 candidates wont even allow questions regarding Mr. Freshwater to be asked of them.
“On every unauthoritative exercise of power by the legislature must the people rise in rebellion or their silence be construed into a surrender of that power to them? If so, how many rebellions should we have had already?” —Thomas Jefferson
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seabiscuit
Senior Forum Member
USA
1476 Posts |
Posted - Oct 26 2009 : 1:13:08 PM
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cataeyes
I just listened to Paula Barone's interview with Adam Taylor. It is well worth listening to. So far, she is the only candidate to take questions live from callers with responses regarding the Freshwater issue. She has done her research about issues and is knowledgeable.
I thought some more about your question regarding any candidates business background and would just like to say this........
Obviously having a business background doesn't ensure that a candidate knows how to follow rules or directions since 2 of the candidates who have business backgrounds are currently not following standard campaign law and procedures.
I do believe that Paula has the necessary background to be a strong school board member which includes experience with business venues. I believe that it is important for the various candidates to have expertise in other areas as well so that each board member is able to bring new ideas and different perspectives when issues are brought up for discussion.
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maremayfuss
New Forum Member
USA
38 Posts |
Posted - Oct 26 2009 : 2:11:50 PM
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The recent financial facts presented by Seabiscuit on this forum are not surprising. While preaching financial responsibility to everyone else, Thompson and Kirk are playing by their own set of rules. Imagine that...what makes it worse are the new radio ads by these same 2 blaming the School Board for financial difficulties within the school system. Does it help a school's financail situation when someone raises money so the school can be sued? Now THATS financial responsibility.
Also, I wonder if Thompson will be that great stand up guy we all know he is when Ariel starts laying people off in the next 2-3 months because business is tanking? I expect he'll take responsibilty for that. Actually, I've heard from several people that they have received phone calls from Ariel employees who were on-the-clock making phone calls to drum up votes for Thompson. What's that all about? Is that considered Corporate Sponsorship? |
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mountvernon1805
Forum Member
USA
50 Posts |
Posted - Oct 26 2009 : 6:45:30 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by maremayfuss
The recent financial facts presented by Seabiscuit on this forum are not surprising. While preaching financial responsibility to everyone else, Thompson and Kirk are playing by their own set of rules. Imagine that...what makes it worse are the new radio ads by these same 2 blaming the School Board for financial difficulties within the school system. Does it help a school's financail situation when someone raises money so the school can be sued? Now THATS financial responsibility.
Also, I wonder if Thompson will be that great stand up guy we all know he is when Ariel starts laying people off in the next 2-3 months because business is tanking? I expect he'll take responsibilty for that. Actually, I've heard from several people that they have received phone calls from Ariel employees who were on-the-clock making phone calls to drum up votes for Thompson. What's that all about? Is that considered Corporate Sponsorship?
The only candidates that have come close to "raises money so the school can be sued" are the ones on the school board now. Those board members voted for the partial settlement with the "Doe" family. The payment, when it is made, will in effect help fund the family's continued lawsuit against the teacher and the school. (The settlement explicitly states that school is still liable for Mr. Freshwater--I have a copy of the settlement on my website if you are interested.)
Talk about financial responsibility!
Would the students, and tax payers, been better served if the board had only agreed on a payment--if there really was a need to pay the suing family--on the condition that the lawsuit IN ITS ENTIRITY be dropped?
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design
Regular Forum Member
USA
808 Posts |
Posted - Oct 26 2009 : 7:23:33 PM
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A Church or any other Non Profit is not allowed to put campaign signs on their property.
They lose non profit status if they do. TAX TIME!!!
No election sign can have stars on it unless the person is running for Sheriff. (Centerburg School Board sign!)
design |
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