Curran Campaign Targets Cary Academy parents

[dhyatt]

In what may turn out to be a move that backfires, the Curran for Council campaign mailed out a flyer specifically targeting Cary Academy parents. At least one other candidate did this four years ago (while addressing the very real issue of Cary Parkway extension to Trinity Rd, right past CA) and got thoroughly thrashed. That candidate didn't use *any* CA stuff on the letter either... The Curran campaign may pay a price for this one.

http://carypolitics.org/Curran_CA_flyer.pdf

[Brent]

The Curran campaign may pay a price for this one.

http://carypolitics.org/Curran_CA_flyer.pdf

I can find at least three things wrong/bad/not allowed in this letter.

Who wants to open the bidding?

[Laurie]

The Cary Academy PTAA does not seem to be a PTA unit. (Don't know for
sure.) So they may not have to follow their rules. But if they are a
registered 501 c 3 organization, Curran may have violated IRS
rules. The PTAA could lose their nonprofit status.

Here is the NC Board of Election rule they may have violated:

Every advertisement appearing in the print media, on television
or on radio that constitutes a contribution or expenditure under
the Campaign Reporting Act must state who paid for the ad. TV
ads require a visual legend.

The name that is used in saying who paid for an ad must be the
formal name. The name that appears on the statement of
organization filed with the Board of Elections when the
committee was formed.

In a print media advertisement, the height of all disclosure
statements must constitute at least 5% of the height of the
printed space on the advertisement, provided that the type shall
be at least 12 points in size.

Legend required:
Mass mailings (over 500 pieces)*
*These types of media advertisements are added to those requiring a
legend and other additional disclosure for the first time in 2000
Elections. In these now considered media advertisements, the
legend and other disclosure is required if the item, the pamphlet,
flier, mailing, or card includes support or opposition to clearly
identified candidates or the candidates of a clearly identified
political party. A card, regardless of the size, that expressly
advocates the election or defeat of a candidate must have a legend
that is 5% of the height of the card, but no smaller than 12 point
type. Refer to N.C.G.S. 163-278.14A to determine advocacy.

[Lisa]

You know what truly worries me about this whole thing? Is the fact that Mike is targeting only the wealth portions of Cary. God bless the people that can send their children to a private school at $15,000 a child...

Who will he respresent...I think it is set in stone already.

Please someone name a write in candidate for the seat! I running the other way now....


8O

[Brent]

Good point, Lisa (although you can get into the big fundraiser for as little as $250...but you have to buy your own booze 8O :-X

[Brent]

The Cary Academy PTAA does not seem to be a PTA unit. (Don't know for
sure.) So they may not have to follow their rules. But if they are a
registered 501 c 3 organization, Curran may have violated IRS
rules. The PTAA could lose their nonprofit status.

[snip]

Ding! Ding! We have a winner.

Two of the 3 items I noticed are actually wrapped up in Laurie's first observation (apparent use of CA mailing list, implied endorsement by CA). And the third is an apparent violation of campaign finance law (paid for by...well, whom? The letter doesn't tell us).