11032007 - News Article - Pappas: Don't include me on campaign flier - Clerk-treasurer doesn't support Olga Velazquez

Pappas: Don't include me on campaign flier
Clerk-treasurer doesn't support Olga Velazquez
NWI Times
Nov 3, 2007
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/pappas-don-t-include-me-on-campaign-flier/article_91671ef2-5872-5f53-9b33-a5739ba1e148.html
PORTAGE | Democratic Clerk-Treasurer Donna Pappas is crying foul over a campaign mailing sent to residents by her own party's central committee.

The mailing, which was paid for by the Porter County Democratic Central Committee, lists the full slate of Democratic candidates in the city of Portage, along with platform points and voting information.

On Friday, Pappas said the appearance of her name on the campaign literature makes it look like she is endorsing her fellow Democrats, but she has been outspoken in her opposition to Democratic mayoral candidate Olga Velazquez, who is running against Republican James Snyder.

"I'm running unopposed, my name doesn't need to be on there," Pappas said. "In the past, whenever we've done something like this, they've always asked permission to include the person."

Porter County Democratic Chairman Jeff Chidester acknowledged that Pappas was not notified about her inclusion on the campaign mailing, but said the intent is to get residents to vote Democratic.

"We're trying to get the Democrats elected in the city of Portage. She's part of that team, so we went ahead and did the whole slate," Chidester said.

Pappas has said she is not supporting Velazquez because the mayoral candidate has not responded to Pappas' concerns that residents are being promised things the city cannot afford.