No Strict Rule of Law for Taxpayer's Money in Prince William County

Apparently, Corey Stewart, Prince William County Supervisor only believes in the strict "rule of law" for undocumented immigrants, but not for his use of taxpayer's money

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PRINCE WILLIAM SUPERVISORS
Some Angered by Chairman's Use of Tax Funds for Mailer
By Christy Goodman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, October 14, 2007; Page C06


The Prince William Board of County Supervisors chairman has used taxpayer money to mail postcards about a meeting on a resolution to crack down on illegal immigration, angering board colleagues and others.

The postcard, from Corey A. Stewart (R), calls on residents to voice their opinions on the controversial resolution before and during a meeting Tuesday. The board will vote on funding and "implementing its policy to crack down on illegal immigration and cut off taxpayer-funded services to illegal aliens," according to the postcard.

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Even members of Stewart's party questioned the use of taxpayer money for publicizing a vote on an issue that is key to the chairman's reelection. Stewart faces voters Nov. 6 and has made the illegal-immigration crackdown his signature issue. The postcard says it is from Stewart and does not mention other supervisors.

"If this is on the up-and-up, it is probably close to the line. I wouldn't have done it. It looks like electioneering," said Supervisor W. S. Covington III (R-Brentsville).

...Some residents who received the postcard also were upset that county money, and not Stewart's campaign fund, was used. "I've lived in the county for over 20 years. I have never received this sort of mailer before. Never," said Mildred Cruz-Friedman, 59, a retired school principal. "This guy has some nerve."

Julie Phillips, 50, a Woodbridge resident who said she is against the resolution, agreed. "I read that [as] telling me which way to voice my opinion on the resolution, not to voice my opinion," she said. "You look at it, and it just doesn't seem right."

Other board members also questioned the use of the discretionary fund.

Supervisor Maureen S. Caddigan (R-Dumfries), who supports Stewart's opponent in the election, said she was "appalled" when she saw the notice and said, "We are being bullied into doing something. . . . This is terrible. This is not how we govern."

Supervisor John D. Jenkins (D-Neabsco) wondered why Stewart did not tell the board before the mailing went out, as is the usual custom. "Citizens saw it before the board members saw it. . . . Over the past few years, we always announced an intent if we were going to use discretionary funds," he said. Establishing a public hearing and advertising in the local newspaper would have been a better use of public funds, he said.

The county's cable station and printing press are two other cheap ways of informing the public, said Vice Chairman Martin E. Nohe (R-Coles). "I don't think there are a whole lot of people in the county who aren't aware we are discussing immigration policy," said Nohe, questioning the value of the mailing.



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