Forys challenges Maher use of taxpayer funds for political newsletter

Democrat Victor Forys’ Campaign Calls on Opponent to Refund Taxpayers for Cost of Publicly Funded Campaign Propaganda

Forys calls on Patrick Maher to refund taxpayers for cost of printing and mailing campaign propaganda on Orland Park Fire District newsletter.

Chicago, November 27, 2009— Dr. Victor Forys’ campaign is calling on their opponent to refund tax dollars used to print and mail the Orland Park Fire District newsletter to promote his campaign.  

“With the election less than 70 days away, it is absolutely unacceptable and potentially illegal for Patrick Maher to use taxpayer dollars to promote his campaign,” said campaign spokesman Rick Bohn. “In a time when people are struggling to make ends meet and pay their bills, he’s using their hard-earned tax dollars to defend his campaign positions.  People are tired of being used by corrupt politicians and they deserve better.  I call on Patrick Maher to use his campaign funds to reimburse the cost of printing and mailing the newsletter, and I’d ask that he use better judgment in the future. ”

Republican incumbent, Liz Gorman, issued a press release claiming Maher’s views on property taxes were incorrect and not representing the truth.  Patrick Maher then issued a front page response on the Eagle, the Orland Park Fire District newsletter, refuting those claims.

“I think it sets the wrong precedent for how he’d use the taxpayers’ money,” Bohn said. “Mr. Maher obviously doesn’t believe there is a clear line drawn when it comes to using public funds for political purposes.  I think this is indicative of the corrupt culture of Cook County Board politics and I think that’s wrong.  He should apologize to the community for such an improper use of tax dollars.”

The Orland Park Fire District is funded through tax dollars paid by residents of Orland Park.

Victor Forys has pledged to run an ethical campaign free of patronage and pay-to-play corruption.  Forys will use his seat to increase transparency on the Board and find ways to save taxpayer dollars.

Keeping up with the technology and the letters ...

I get so many emails but I do my best to answer everyone of them. I appreciate your writing and sharing your views. I will try to regularly post the best on the blog to share. Make sure to let me know if you do not want to share a view, although I leave out last names.

My new newsletter went out this week. Better design but complicated and difficult to use -- Constant Contact is not all it is cracked up to be. It's amazing how difficult some software companies make their product. Theya re written by geeks and never use the system in practical ways, so the systems often lack the fundamentals that are most wanted by the public. Theys hould hire normal people to test these systems out and make the changes to make the programs better.

Still, my biggest challenge is proofing the newsletter before it goes out. Some typos get in and I HATE typos ... but, what can you do?

Never let a typo trip you up from a great idea or thought. But I'll do my best to nail and then correct them.

I'm only going to send the newsletter out once each week. I'll update the web site with new guests and changes. State Sen. Mike Jacobs will be joining the show today to talk about possibly running for governor. And Thursday's guest looks like it's going to be Ray Long, the veteran Springfield correspondent now with the Chicago Tribune.

Anyway, I also lightened up a bit this week with interviews of guests from the theater and also some book authors. Not all politics. But politics is important.

-- Ray Hanania
www.RadioChicagoland.com