03132015 - News Article - Fines considered for late campaign reports

Fines considered for late campaign reports
Post-Tribune
March 13, 2015
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-elect-board-meeting-st-0315-20150313-story.html

VALPARAISO – Candidates who aren't filing their campaign finance reports on time are officially on notice.

The Porter County Election Board is moving forward with steps to let candidates and their treasurers know that there will be penalties for filing late reports, including sending them letters in the coming weeks.

"This is notice to everyone that this is it. They've got to file in a timely fashion," said board president David Bengs, a Republican, during Friday's meeting. He added some candidates, including those in major races, didn't file their reports, and faced no penalties for their inaction. "The game's over."

The matter first came up because Portage Mayor James Snyder, a Republican seeking his second term in office, didn't file his report on time because he got a new campaign treasurer, Kenard Taylor, who's also executive director of the county's Republican Party.

With the proper steps in place, which are being put together by board attorney Ethan Lowe, candidates will have a remediation process if they are fined for a late report, and the board can set the fine on the side for good cause, said board member J.J. Stankiewicz, a Democrat.

"I understand Democrats are going to get hit as well as Republicans, but our credibility is starting to take a hit," he said.

Bengs said "it's all over the board" how other counties handle late campaign reports, and Porter County isn't alone.

"No one even knows the last time there's been a fine. That's how long it's been," he said.

The board also addressed concerns raised by the county's Democratic Party about Snyder's campaign finances, including receiving more than the $2,000 that's allowable by state statute from a single corporate donor, and donations received from four companies sharing the same Portage address.

"We found a number of discrepancies I felt were egregious," said Democratic Party Chair Jeffrey Chidester.

At a minimum, he said he wanted proof to the election board that Snyder was paying back the extra funds, and clarification over the donations from the businesses with the same address.

Taylor said he has been hand-delivering the checks to the donors who went over the limit and explaining the state statute to them, so they won't make the mistake in the future. One business made a donation to a round table and then paid to be in a golf outing, without knowing that the fee for the golf outing was considered a campaign contribution.

"A lot of these are smaller corporations and they don't understand the rules," he said.

The refunds will be reflected on Snyder's pre-primary report, which is due April 17. Any penalty for a donation that's over the limit is against the donor, not the candidate, Bengs said.

He also said it's not unusual for different companies to have the same address.

"It does look fishy, but you can have multiple corporations in the same building," he said.

Additionally, the board approved early voting locations, times and dates. Early voting will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, starting April 7, in Room 309 of the County Administration Building, 155 N. Indiana Ave; in the North County Government Complex, 3560 Willowcreek Road, Portage; and Chesterton City Hall, 1490 Broadway.

Early voting also will be held at those times in those locations on the Saturday before the election, May 2. Early voting ends at all locations at noon on May 4.

03132015 - News Article - Final notice for candidates who file late finance reports

Final notice for candidates who file late finance reports
NWI Times
Mar 13, 2015
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/valparaiso/final-notice-for-candidates-who-file-late-financereports/article_4077567e-53c4-5410-b562-435ba3400697.html
VALPARAISO | No one can remember if or when a fine has ever been imposed on political candidates in Porter County for not filing their financial reports on time.

That could change.

The Porter County Election Board on Friday agreed to send a "final warning" to all candidates who file late, that an Indiana statute will be followed and fines can be imposed.

The warning comes on the heels of the Porter County Democratic Central Committee filing a complaint against Portage Mayor James Snyder for not filing his campaign finance report on time.

Democrat Party Chairman Jeff Chidester said he felt it was important to send a message to all the people who have not filed their reports in a timely fashion and that it will no longer be tolerated.

"Regardless if it's Democrats or Republicans," he said.

Election Board President David Bengs said the board has to give them a chance to let them know it's coming.

"Game's over," he said. "It's time. (We'll) send out a notice that we'll  start following the statute. This is the rule, this is the law, it's time to start following it."

Fines for late filing can reach up to $1,000.

The board also plans to look at how to address candidates who file defective reports just to get them in on time.

The board also addressed a Democratic Central Committee's complaint that Snyder's reports had violations such as corporation contributions disguised as "other organizations" that have donated more than the limit imposed by the state of $2,000.

Kenard Taylor, Snyder's campaign treasurer, said they have begun that refund process by hand delivering refund checks. Taylor said Snyder's primary election finance report will show all of the checks and amounts that have been returned. Primary finance reports are due by noon April 17.

The board also approved three early voting sites. In Valparaiso, it will be room 309 in the Porter County Administration building. In Portage, it will be at the clerk's office rotunda in the Porter County Annex building on Willowcreek Road. Chesterton's location will remain at Town Hall.

03112015 - News Article - Embattled Portage mayor eager for re-election bid

Embattled Portage mayor eager for re-election bid
Chicago Tribune
Jerry Davich
March 11, 2015
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/opinion/ct-ptb-davich-portage-mayor-st-0309-20150311-column.html

Despite campaign finance report misstep and possible investigation, mayor still giddy to be in office

Despite consistent attacks from critics, recent allegations of missteps involving campaign finance reports, and investigators sniffing around his office, Portage Mayor James Snyder still appears giddy to be in public office.

"I'm a little more measured than I used to be, but I'm still very excited," said Snyder, who has been unapologetically optimistic since I met him four years ago.

Last month, Snyder, a Republican who is unopposed in the May primary, declared his re-election bid as mayor of the third largest city in Northwest Indiana, a surprise to no one. His State of the City address last month doubled as his first campaign speech, full of boasting about Portage's growth, lower crime rates and new developments.

Still, he knows that his Democratic mayoral challengers in November – either Portage Township Trustee Brendan Clancy, Leo Hatch Jr. or J. Robert Casko – will use against him the "self-inflicted wounds" regarding his mishandled campaign finance reports. Snyder missed the deadline to file his 2014 financial report, which ended up more than $18,000 in the red. The Porter County Democratic Party filed an election law complaint against him.

"No excuses. I should have had my campaign finances in order, period," he told me last week at City Hall.

Snyder raised nearly $140,000 in campaign funds last year and expects to raise $300,000 this year, an election year.

"I'm not independently wealthy but I've worked hard and campaigned hard for that campaign money," said Snyder, who still operates his mortgage company in the city.

He insists he has nothing to hide and nothing to be worried about. But when the investigators come for your records, it would shake anyone, even Snyder, a father of four who's had to use campaign funds for legal fees.

In his State of the City speech, he labeled 2012 as the "year of correction," focusing on trash collection automation, health insurance and cost savings. The next year was the "year of communication" to better relate with residents, and 2014 was "year of construction," including the new $5.5 million street department building.

The same can't be said for the proposed new fire station and police station renovations, as plans for both are on hold with city officials until their March 18 meeting. There has been talk of housing the police station inside the Portage University Center on Central Avenue, where a glaring amount of empty space is available. Snyder said he won't allow it.

"What would this say about Portage if we build a building for higher education and then use it for a police station?" he asked. "I'm going to fulfill the initial vision for that building."

Despite the dilapidated police station – which had its last major renovation in 1976 – crime in the city has dropped each of the past three years, according to police records. In 2012, by 17 percent, in 2013 by 13 percent and in 2014 by another 10 percent.

"This is the first time in our history we have had three straight years of crime decreases," Snyder said.

He gave all the credit to his city department heads, who he claims are the most talented, hardest-working personnel in Northwest Indiana, although the majority of them don't agree with him, ideologically speaking.

"They work so hard," he said.

It's no secret that Snyder has battled against a Democrat-dominated City Council since his first week in office, and every department is filled mostly with Democrats, too. With an eye on his re-election bid, Snyder said he has the support of city firefighters and is still courting city police, who served as his political muscle back in 2012.

The city has seen noticeable growth since then, reflected by a total of 2,000 new jobs created by year's end, he said. The breakdown ranges from 150 jobs at Monosol to 300 jobs at Meijer to an estimated 50 to 60 jobs at Mercy Diagnostics, which will be located in the Old Port Tavern.

If you're scoring at home (or running against Snyder for mayor), here is a more detailed breakdown, according to City Hall records: Ratner Steel – 30 jobs, Phoenix Services at the Port – 80 jobs, Green Sense Farms – 20 jobs, Pet Supplies Plus – 10 jobs, and Brain Balance – five jobs (look for an upcoming column on this intriguing new business).

This spring, Founder's Square will be opening with its new 2,300-square-foot splash pad underneath the downtown water tower. And construction will be starting soon at the property that once housed Don's Motel, the eyesore on U.S. 20 that was finally razed.

Snyder could barely contain himself over a new recreational development coming to just south of the Marina Shores property, south of U.S. 12. It involves a 180-acre proposal and purchase agreement for what would become the "biggest attraction in the Chicago area," he insisted.

"It's already approved and all the preliminary work is done," said Snyder, promising the deal will close by next month.

I'm skeptical about such promises, especially during an election year. But that's my job, not Snyder's, who enjoys engaging with residents on social media.

"Because of social media and Facebook, it's a new era in politics and public office," he said.

Snyder also hinted about a big name, high-profile national chain restaurant arriving in Portage, with a public announcement coming soon. "It will be a game-changer for this city," Snyder said.

I know what's (allegedly) coming but I promised not to reveal it, citing the obvious lack of big name, high-profile restaurants in my city of 35 years. Snyder disagreed, though acknowledging the lack of variety of stores and restaurants in Portage.

"There isn't a city in this country with a population of 40,000 that has a Bass Pro Shop on one end and an Imax theater on the other end," Snyder said.

Possibly, but if he truly wants to score brownie points with voters in the city, all he needs to do is land an Olive Garden. And no, that's not the promised game-changer.

03112015 - News Article - New Snyder campaign complaint on panel's radar

New Snyder campaign complaint on panel's radar
By Amy Lavalley
Post-Tribune
March 11, 2015
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-porter-election-complaint-st-0312-20150311-story.html

VALPARAISO – Portage Mayor James Snyder raised the ire of the Porter County Democratic Party when he missed the deadline to file his campaign finance reports in January.

Now that those forms are in, the Democratic Party has filed a formal complaint with the county's election board, noting that Snyder, a Republican seeking his second term this year, accepted more money than he should have from contributors, and four of those contributors share an address.

"They are attacking businesses that are supporting James to cut finances for his upcoming campaign," said Kenard Taylor, who took over as the treasurer for Snyder's campaign at the start of the year. Taylor also is executive director of the county's Republican Party.

Jeff Chidester, chair of the county's Democratic Party, disputed that charge.

"This is about transparency and ethics," he said.

State statute limits contributions from a single corporation to $2,000 in an election cycle. Snyder is in the process of returning any excess donations that were over the limit, said Taylor, who also amended four years of Snyder's campaign finance reports when he took over the campaign's finances.

"We documented in the report that we are in the process of returning excess funds," he said, adding corporate donors don't always know what the state limits on donations are.

The FBI paid a visit to the county's Voter Registration Office in July, seeking copies of Snyder's campaign finance reports from 2007, when he first ran for office, through 2013. They also sought reports from a political action committee from his run for mayor in 2011.

According to the Democratic Party's complaint, four businesses share an address at 1201 Marine View Drive in Portage, including Rediehs Freightliner; Chief Freightliners; Combined Steel Carriers; and Combined Transport Systems. The contributions between the four total $10,400.

As far as Snyder's campaign understands it, all four of the businesses are separate corporations.

"It's not the campaign's responsibility to determine if they are different corporations or not," Taylor said, adding that job belongs to the election board.

Chidester wants clarification about the separate nature of the companies sharing the same address, and questioned how Snyder can return any excess funds when, according to his 2014 annual campaign fund report, the campaign has $621.45 on hand. The report states that Snyder raised $140,902.61 last year.

03102015 - News Article - Complaint filed against Portage mayor's campaign report

Complaint filed against Portage mayor's campaign report
NWI Times
Mar 10, 2015
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/complaint-filed-against-portage-mayor-s-campaignreport/article_9a54f926-2a71-5c8d-b1aa-b90edb0f982e.html
The Porter County Democratic Central Committee filed a complaint Tuesday against Portage Mayor James Snyder for campaign finance violations.

Democratic Party Chairman Jeff Chidester is requesting the Porter County Election Board open an investigation in the alleged campaign finance violations and demand related evidence and documentation from the Citizens for Snyder committee to explain any discrepancies.

Kenard Taylor, Snyder's campaign treasurer, said it's Chidester's job to attack the Republicans "and I think he's trying to scare off James Snyder's donations and donors."

Among the violations alleged by Chidester in the mayor's report are corporation contributions disguised as "other organizations" to circumvent donation limits.

The complaint lists corporations disguised as contributions by "other organizations" that have donated more than $2,000 each to the Snyder campaign despite a limit imposed by the state of $2,000 in aggregate in annual corporate donations to all "local" candidates.

The complaint also alleges that corporation contributions in excess of annual contribution limits have been made to the campaign and multiple contributions have been made from the same or similar entities, which is prohibited. Among those listed are Rediehs Freightlines, Chief Freightliners, Combined Steel Carriers and Combined Transport Systems -- that have contributed a total of $10,400 to the Snyder campaign and all of which list an address of 1201 Marine View Drive, Portage.

Chidester is also requesting the Election Board immediately require the Citizens for Snyder committee to return all corporate contributions in excess of the annual aggregate contribution limits to the respective donor.

Chidester also wants the board to require the committee to fully disclose any and all relationships with those companies listed at 1201 Marine View Drive, to ensure their significant donations made are not in violation.

Taylor said if the Election Board does anything, it should go after the corporations and labor organizations that don't realize different classifications and don't realize the contribution limit.

Taylor said when filling out the reports they found several companies in which they didn't know what kind of corporations they were.

"We contacted them, asked them for guidance, and based upon that information we used it to put them in the classifications that we did," Taylor said. "We filled out the best information we could to the best of our ability in time restraints."

Taylor said they could have hidden the information in the reports but instead showed that several companies had overpaid and that "we are in the process of issuing checks back to them for over payments."

"We didn't have to have the Democrats tell us that -- we showed it in our reports and we said we are issuing checks to return the money," he said.

As far as the contributions from similar entities at the same address, Taylor said as long as they are individually incorporated, it's an acceptable thing to do.