NORWALK, Conn. A complaint has been lodged against the campaign of Norwalk Democratic mayoral candidate Andy Garfunkel by the head of the Norwalk Republican Town Committee.
Art Scialabba pointed out to the State Elections Enforcement Commission that an email sent to advertise a fundraiser for Garfunkel, who is challenging incumbent Republican Richard Moccia, did not contain a required phrase. "What is in question is the legal attribution required of all candidates to append to any 'written, typed or printed communication, or any web-based written communication' (according to Section 9-621(a) of Connecticut's General Statutes,)" Scialabba wrote in a statement.
Councilwoman Nora King sent the email, and Scialabba also complains about who received it. "What is also extremely disturbing is the fact the a sitting councilwoman had sent these electronic invitations to city employees' and department heads' municipal email accounts, without their approval, seeking contributions for her party's mayoral candidate," Scialabba wrote.
His email contains this complaint: "Sending these invitations may not be a direct violation of Section 9-622(12), of the General Statutes, which prohibits municipal employees from soliciting funds for the benefit of any candidate, but it comes extremely close and violates the spirit of the law."
Democrats had sharp words in response. "This is obviously a ploy on Art Scialabba's behalf because he is unhappy that they don't have a successful message during this campaign season," King wrote in an email. "Doesn't he have anything better to do?"
The email was sent to a mailing list, she said. "This is the type of email system that anyone can add names to it. It is a viral message and anyone can add up to 10 names to it or forward it on their own."
"Six weeks before an election this is what the Republican Town Committee and what the mayor wants to talk about," said Marc Bradley, head of the Norwalk Democratic Town Committee. "The voters are smarter than that."
"Art needs to focus on crime, education and ensuring we have safe walkways," King said "This is petty and really sad that this is what the head of the Republican Party has to focus on. Once again he has lost focus on what is important and those are the issues."
To reach Nancy Chapman email [email protected].
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