The campaign to elect Fred Messerle continues to pull in support from special interest groups. Earlier this month the Coquille Tribe contributed $1,500 and the Coalition for a Healthy Oregon has contributed $2,000 bringing Messerle’s total haul at $23,670. According to FollowTheMoney.org the coalition is a registered lobbyist representing health maintenance organizations. Based on the last update at OreStar the coalition rarely invests in local races and focuses primarily on state legislative candidates including Arnie Roblan.
Will be interesting to see how this coalition will benefit from seating Messerle as a county commissioner.
“Besides – what’s worse, Messerle taking money from voters who support him, of Bob Main spending thousands of his own money to keep his coveted job?”
Fredo speaks again.
See? About as deep as Formica.
Susan – I believe Clark’s concerns with Super PACs are the same as my own: undo political influence from corporations and unions. I don’t think Clark has a problem with the citizens of Coos Bay contributing money to a candidate’s cause. Whether those personal contributions go directly to the candidate or through a local PAC is of little consequence.
Besides – what’s worse, Messerle taking money from voters who support him, of Bob Main spending thousands of his own money to keep his coveted job?
Al, I recalled more. To help you, it was your pal Clark who called PAC donating “sneaky and degrading”. It was your pal Defazio who called PAC spending “to purchase America”. And, it was your pal Knutson, who donated $2,000 directly and through the PAC to Messy, who is the author of that slimy piece in the paper a few days ago, who attacked Main for not helping ORC; the same Knutson who did not hesitate to work with your pal Sauce to put his competitor our of business for which Deception or Sherman told us that the Salem politician friend was rewarded.
Ask your fellow Chamber officer and pal Clark at the World that one Al. And, we would all like to see Clark’s answer. PAC’s donate because they expect something in return. CCAP expects Messy to be more downtown Coos Bay business (of all types) friendly than Main. What does the Multnomah PAC expect from Messy? What does the Tribe expect? It appears that Messy would sell his soul to the devil for a few bucks. What happened to Sherman or Deception (I can’t remember which you are and which he is) since he told us of how the Sauce PAC donations were directed to be spent as kick back? Curious, what also is the status of your ethics compliant against the sheriff?
What’s the difference between me donating money to Fred directly, or me donating money though the PAC? None. What should be noted here is that the majority of Fred’s donations have come from private individuals with no “agenda” other than electing a Commissioner who knows the County is in financial trouble and is doing what he can to fix the problem.
While some Commissioners prefer to have “fun”, others are trying to clean up the mess and move the County into the 21st. Century.
Messy needs the money. He has started posting some beautiful large expensive banners – not yard signs – throughout Coos Bay North Bend and Charleston. Messy must not have read the World paper editorial saying its bad to take PAC money. He now has plenty.