Political Donations - Leasing Suites Mean Nothing

Donating to a political campaign is not against the law. While some may raise the issue that by a person donating to Mayor Richard's political campaign and then doing business with the city is questionable is wrong. This alone does not amount to anything illegal or even underhanded.

Years ago laws where passed making campaign donations reportable and be disclosed to the public by various filing procedures. Since they are disclosed, and do not apparently exceed any legally set financial maximum amounts then, there is nothing to say.

If you reviewed the political donations made to former Mayor Helmke, the odds are very high, people and companies listed did business with the city while he was the Mayor. It is also not that odd to find people or companies donating to both candidates for running for the same office. If the donations are disclosed and meet all other legal requirements the issue is mute.

A number of Mayors Richard's previous donators, via their companies, have leased suites at the pending ballpark is not an issue. The simple argument could be made they are supporting the project. There is nothing illegal and additionally becomes mute.

A stand alone issue, regardless if it is Harrison Square or any other business the city has conducted, are conflicts of interest and/or preferential treatment. This could arise from having obtained information before it being made public or other potential bidders. Assisting, writing, or voting on an issue that provided one company with an undue advantage over others, when legally not necessary. Finally, anyone elected or appointed to a unit of government that promotes, discusses, or votes in a meeting that said person has a potential conflict of interest without proper disclosure or recuse themself is at least morally wrong, if not legally wrong.

I will defend any person, company, or political action committee the right to donate any amount of money they wish to a candidate's campaign while it conforms to the law. The mere action of donating to a given candidate does not, cannot, and should not take their right a way of the donators from attempting to do business with some government entity. If people do not like the law then it needs to be changed. Until then, "These are the rules the game is played by!"

In closing, I am not the sharpest tack in the box nor am I an attorney. It is just what I perceive as common sense in my simple mind.