There are sure to be those calling out Damon K. Roberts for his decision to challenge Council President Anna Verna. He was one of the reform candidates who lined up in front of the city's election bureau last Tuesday and called for an end to frivulous ballot petition challenges. The candidates reserved the right to challenge for fraud and gross errors.
I'm sure you'll hear the getting his cake and eating it, too line. Whether that's a legitimate dig will depend on how legitimate you find his arguments against Verna.
First, what could be considered small:
Roberts says Verna failed to report that she's a United State Electore (can someone share what this is?); or that she serves as a member of various boards on institutions including the Franklin Institute and Art Museum.
From today's Inky:
Verna aide Tony Radwanski said Verna hadn't seen the complaint and couldn't comment, and that he believed her board seats were mainly ex officio.
Roberts also cites that Verna checked a box for candidate but not for current public official. (Not exactly a gross error, is it?)
Then, what could be considered a bigger error:
Verna fails to list that she receives income from her husband's Verna Funeral Home. She also doesn't list any creditors.
Challenging fraud or eating cake, you and the judges can decide...
Isn't a United States Elector one of the people who form the Electoral College and cast the votes that actually elect the President?
Posted by: ElectoralCollege | March 14, 2007 at 04:38 PM
Right. The "e" threw me off..
Posted by: Josh Cornfield | March 14, 2007 at 04:43 PM
the "e" is because she is an Italian Elector.
Posted by: Ruby Legs | March 14, 2007 at 05:14 PM
Just a great example of a failing candidacy that was DOA from the start. Desperate measures for a fake me out reformer. Roberts' challenge is a setback for reformers that are really trying to make the city and the process better. Go away...
Posted by: Eddie | March 14, 2007 at 10:17 PM
Actually, Verna lists income from the Verna Funeral Home on her disclosure form. She doesn't list whether she actually owns a stake in it. And while it is difficult to believe in today's debt ridden society that someone has no creditors, there are those who pay their bills every month. Sounds like fiscal responsibility to me.
Posted by: johanna | March 15, 2007 at 02:19 PM