Using a charity's mailing list to further a political campaign is just wrong

On June 17 a subset of Sudbury residents received a mailing addressed to “Friend of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail” from the Simon for Selectman campaign.  This mailing is an overtly political piece of campaign literature signed by candidate Leonard Simon.

The candidate mailed this literature using a mailing list belonging to the Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail (FBFRT).  Mr. Simon is a board member of the FBFRT.  This organization has obtained a 501(c)(3) tax-favored designation from the IRS.  A 501(c)(3) organization is specifically prohibited from intervening in political campaigns; in particular, supplying a mailing list to one candidate violates this prohibition.  Mr. Simon, a lawyer, should know this.

Mr. Michelman, chairman of the FBFRT, declares that Mr. Simon’s campaign used the list without his (Michelman’s) knowledge. In his enthusiasm for his cause Mr. Simon employed his charity’s information for his own political advancement, thereby endangering the FBFRT tax-favored status.  The FBFRT, to maintain their neutrality, provided the list to Mr. De Pompei’s campaign when requested to do so. 

We need to elect individuals who understand and follow the rules, and who recognize that the rules apply to everyone alike.  Even the perception of a town official taking personal advantage of his status diminishes respect for and credibility of local government.  However great Mr. Simon’s commitment to his version of a rail trail, using his privileged information as a FBFRT board member for political advantage is wrong.

Sudbury needs clear open processes, where everyone knows and follows the same set of rules.  Please vote for Dan De Pompei as Selectman.

Pat Brown

Treasurer, Committee to Elect Dan De Pompei