The Ellis County Press: Councilman files complaint over advertising

Councilman files complaint over advertising
================================================================================
Megan Gray on 12/02/2010 18:58:00


LANCASTER - Councilman Todd Love, district 2, successfully filed a complaint
with the Texas Ethics Commission about flyers placed in The Ellis County Press
drawing attention to the city’s public hearing for their tax increase.
This was Love’s second attempt at filing the complaint.
The first complaint, filed in October, wasn’t filled out properly.
According to the TEC, Love alleged the newspaper of not placing the required
disclosure for political advertising.
The flyer Love is apparently upset over was inserted into the Thursday, Sept. 9
issues of ECP.
Representing the ECP, Attorney Rodney Ramsey cited the TEC law doesn’t apply
to circulars or flyers costing in the aggregate less than $500 to publish and
distribute.
ECP charged $85 for the flyers to be inserted  provided by concerned resident
James Adams.
Ramsey also stated “political advertising” means a communication supporting
or opposing a candidate for public office or office of a political party, a
political party a public office holder or a measure the respondent, ECP , denies
the flyers advocate or defeat, support,  or election of any other candidate for
public office or “measure” before the voting citizens of Lancaster.
“I believe the state of Texas should have recognized the frivolous action of a
disgruntled councilmember when filed,” said Publisher Charles D. Hatfield Jr.
“The newspaper was just doing its job to inform the citizens of the community
what’s going on in their council chamber.”
The council passed the 9 percent tax increase Monday, Sept.13 , with Love
approving via a 4-3 vote.
Love is up for re-election next May.