Those receiving the mailout below might assume that Dr. Sylvia Atkinson is running for BISD Trustee, but she is not. She is already a board member, currently holding Place 7, a position not up for election this year.
Her letter below asks for contributions in various denominations so that she can create a board majority and push her agenda through successfully.
The normal, ethical method for promoting a certain agenda is to create a Political Action Committee with duly appointed officers, a careful record of contributions and contributors as well as expenditures.
Dr. Atkinson's approach below bypasses, circumvents the P.A.C., puts monies in her sole control, creating a Swiss Army Knife of potential ethical issues.
For example, Atkinson could offer contributions to certain candidates, but only if they promise to "play ball" with her agenda.
Certain candidates could even suspend or limit their own fundraising, expecting help from Sylvia, only to be denied unless they "cooperate."
Atkinson might not do this, but there is the possibility of a threat of funding opposition candidates to any trustee not performing or voting along with her.
The possibilities of abuse here are almost endless.
Those considering a contribution to this fund, may want to rethink.
Do you really want to give one trustee this much power and control? Remember this line from Shakespeare: "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
Who are her candidates?
ReplyDeleteDrue Brown, Priscie Roca-Tipton
DeleteI’m not sure if you are aware of a somehow similar practice being conducted here, by some precinct chairs of the Republican Party. I live on 511 and my friends and relatives live on Southmost, and we are constantly being asked to buy and/or donate for candidates, some of whom are not even running??
ReplyDeleteAre there any laws to prevent these people from scamming us??
I hope you look into it.
Thank you,
A reader of your blog
Names or it’s bullshit. And if you don’t have names how do you know they are precinct chairs? Total and utter bullshit. Lollolol Chances are barton will write a whole series of stories though on your comment. That’s how far blogging has sunk.
DeleteThank you, James Zavaleta. Still surfing the internet at work?
DeleteDoes James have a job?
DeleteSylvia didn’t endorse her brother in law?
ReplyDeleteWill you let her take the damn high ground for once? wink wink
Delete