Members of the West Deerfield Republican Township Team
WEST DEERFIELD – West Deerfield Township's most recent newsletter looks more like campaign literature than township information, a reported complaint filed this week with the State Board of Elections alleges.
The West Deerfield Republican Township Team that are challenging the incumbents agree.
In a press statement released Wednesday, Clerk candidate Yale Gordon spoke on behalf of the slate: "We believe that this mailing was either deliberately timed to increase voter awareness of the incumbent candidates or reflects a stunning lack of judgement on the part of Supervisor Feiger."
"The newsletter appears more like a campaign piece for Supervisor Alyson Feiger and Clerk Kristen Scott – complete with vote logos accompanying their articles and photos – than a piece informing residents of the services provided by the township."
"Oh," the newsletter articles seem to say, "And we're running for re-election. Vote us back in!"
The mailing is estimated to have cost West Deerfield Township taxpayers $13,000 – an amount the challengers want reimbursed to the taxpayers.
"We urge our opposition to reimburse the township for the estimated $13,000 in costs incurred to produce and mail this piece that has clearly blurred the lines between informing residents about township services and promoting the candidacies about township services and promoting the candidacies of the incumbent Supervisor and Clerk," the release said.
As a slate, the West Deerfield Republican Township Team has pledged to cut their own pay by 40% and to waive all benefits such as pensions and health care insurance. Those funds would go to services for seniors, food "insecurities" and a lower tax levy for township residents.
Louis Stone, the slate's candidate for Supervisor, said the newsletter is an example of wasteful spending his fellow slate members would end.
"Neighboring townships have switched to online-only distribution" of the newsletter, he said.
