Fletcher Campaigning Questioned
Posted by Andy on July 26th, 2006
Ramsey County Sherriff Bob Fletcher has had a long hostory of questionable campaign practices. I remember that his deputies were caught in the past distributing lawn signs while on duty. But there is a new charge, albeit filed by his opponent, about his deputies once again working for the campaign while in uniform.
A complaint by a Falcon Heights man suggests a Ramsey County sheriff’s deputy may have been campaigning for Sheriff Bob Fletcher’s re-election while on duty, wearing what appeared to be a badge and driving an unmarked squad car this spring.
Bryan Olson lodged a complaint with the Ramsey County attorney’s office in June, according to records released Tuesday. Both the Ramsey County attorney and the city attorney for Falcon Heights, Martin Costello, have declined to file charges in the matter. In a letter, Costello cited insufficient probable cause.
The campaign manager of former St. Paul Police Chief William Finney, who is running against Fletcher this year, accompanied Olson when he made his complaint, records show. The case file also indicates that St. Paul attorney Alan Weinblatt, a prominent DFL elections lawyer, helped Olson write an affidavit about the matter.
Who knows how legitimate the complaint, but I can tell you this. There are Fletcher signs up all over in St. Paul. Unless I am wrong (which I may be, feel free to correct me) but it is too early for lawn signs. Campaign laws don’t allow signs up until August 1st. I assume this because I got an email from a Hennepin County Sherriff candidate, which is next to Ramsey County that stated that date as the earliest signs could be put up.
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July 26th, 2006 at 8:31 am
It looks like you are right. According to Minnesota law, “In any municipality … all noncommercial signs of any size may be posted … from August 1 in a state general election year until ten days following the state general election.” Minn. Stat. 211B.045 (http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/stats/211B/045.html). I image we will find out for sure next Tuesday.
July 26th, 2006 at 11:16 am
According to a conversation I had with Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer a couple of months ago - the statute was written to ensure that all municipalities allow signs after Aug. 1. That does not mean that local ordinance could have an earlier date established. It merely states that no municipality may ban the establishment of lawn signs after August 1st by local ordinance.
Also, DFL attorney Alan Weinblatt has his hands in these frivolous complaints on a regular basis. Every two years Weinblatt files a complaint on behalf of Betty McCollum against her Republican opponent. Weinblatt was also involved with filing the complaint against Sue Ek, the Republican candidate in SD15 (St. Cloud) during last year\’s special election, and it\’s of no surprise that he is involved in this. It\’s just another frivolous attempt at generating bad news against DFL opponents through use of the court system.
July 26th, 2006 at 2:32 pm
211B.045 Noncommercial signs exemption.
In any municipality, whether or not the municipality has an
ordinance that regulates the size or number of noncommercial
signs, all noncommercial signs of any size may be posted in any
number from August 1 in a state general election year until ten
days following the state general election.
July 26th, 2006 at 4:06 pm
Where do you stand on this Andy?
Is there anything that says goodbye America like having uniformed law enforcement soliciting votes?
How stupid is Fletcher?
July 26th, 2006 at 5:02 pm
He’s done it before, and he will do it again.
No comment on the last one. The guy knows who I am.