Letter in response to CRI
Osky News
Editors Note: The views and opinions expressed in this editorial are not necessarily the views or opinions of Oskaloosa News.
On October 29th, 2013 CRI release a news article that was titled “TARA-PAC Discloses Financials.” While the article itself is seems fairly innocuous in the surface, it is missing some facts that I clearly gave on the phone interview with CRI. I want to make sure these facts are disclosed since they do change the tone of the article.
First, I want to quote the following
” ‘TARA’ is a 501(c)4 non-profit that was formed in late May. The corporation can spend 50% of it’s funds to advocate for a political issue, but not a political campaign, according to Drake University professor of politics Arthur Sanders. TARA is the parent-entity of TARA-PAC. That means TARA-PAC can utilize the resources of TARA including administrative costs such as salary, printing, and postage, according to the Iowa Ethics Board website.”
I specifically told CRI that NO TARA money has been used for campaign purposes. We specifically created TARA-PAC to keep the activities and money separate from TARA. I have received confirmation from the Treasurer of TARA that this is the case. Why then do we continue to insinuate that TARA is backing TARA-PAC and these candidates with funding. This simply isn’t true. We have spend most of our funds in TARA for legal fees and advertising for the TARA meetings held this summer. I request that the media stop insinuating that this is the case.
Let me address the signage issue. When the signs were printed we were unclear as to the quagmire of rules pertaining to campaign signs. Therefore, “paid for by TARA” was printed on them. As a result of understanding the rules and the need to be more diligent we have tried to correct our error by updating the signs post-printing. This was simply human error. We, specifically Tim and I, are not perfect, we are not lawyers, we ARE passionate about protecting our land, family, and neighbors liveliness. I don’t apologize for that. But, I want to be clear that there is NO intent to deceive and I DO apologize for any perception of that.
I totally understand that this is an Oskaloosa election. However, once the 28e agreement was signed that gave Oskaloosa and Pella authority over OUR lands and property, we were brought into the concerns of this election.
To think that we should just keel over and turn over our land to two entities whose current interests and targets lie outside their city limits would be unreasonable. We have had NO representation outside of the county supervisors, who have spoken up for our desires. There have been nNO landowners represented on the SCRAA board. We are simply expected to keep our mouths shut, stay out of the city of Oskaloosa’s business and give up our land for their needs.
This simply won’t happen until our voice is heard.
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Thanks,
Rob Hammann
