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Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2009 > September > 02
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Nix: “Oh, did I inadvertently break the law?”
The morning after sending a late-night e-mail to hundreds of people requesting support for her announced Butler County commission race, county Treasurer Nancy Nix said she realized her mistake.
Several of the people on that list were county employees, including a couple who are employees of her office. Someone called, she said, and pointed it out. “I went, ‘Oh, did I inadvertently break the law.”
She followed with another e-mail to those people the next morning:
“So sorry, guys, your county email was inadvertently in my email blast last night and should not have been. Please disregard last night’s email. You won’t be receiving anymore email blasts at work pertaining to campaign. Sorry again.”
She said she also called a couple county employees and apologized, and checked with the county prosecutor to see if she had inadvertently broken the law.
Ohio Elections Commission Executive Director Philip Richter said state law expressly forbids an elected official asking for financial contributions from current or future employees.
“That person could solicit contributions from recorder’s office personnel, auditor’s office personnel…but there are limitations as it relates to a person for whom that person will be supervising officer or is currently a supervising officer,” Richter said.
But Nix’s e-mail did not ask for money, only “support” and “help with phone calls, mailings or other organization.”
The law doesn’t speak directly to this, Richter said. And no written complaint has been filed, so his office will not conduct a query into the issue.
Nix, along with other prominent Republicans, is challenging Commissioner Gregory Jolivette for the GOP’s nomination. This follows revelations that Jolivette hired his son and daughter as county employees, though Jolivette said he was unaware he was doing anything wrong.
Jolivette said he doesn’t plan on making Nix’s e-mail into a campaign issue at this time.
“Everyone is entitled to a mistake,” said Jolivette.
Here is Nix’s e-mail, with the addresses of people it went to. This was taken from an anonymous letter, though its content was confirmed. You’ll have to zoom in pretty far to read the e-mail addresses. The underlining is mine.
(Click on the top right corner to enlarge)
What do you think?
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We want to hear your healthcare concerns
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Butler County roundup - Paying for pay cuts, Monroe miffed
We have two stories out today featuring Butler County commissioners:
- In this story, commissioners discuss hiring a firm to look at the county’s pay rates and determine if it can save the county money on payroll. The company said it saved Vandalia a bundle, but the study itself is not cheap. The story has drawn a ton of comments.
- In this story, Monroe city officials send Commissioner Gregory Jolivette a map because they’re concerned he may not know what county Monroe is in (Spoiler alert: it’s in Butler and Warren counties).
- And for those looking for more info on the Tea Party rally, Dave Greber has a preview story here.
Any thoughts on any of this?
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