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Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2009 > September > 02 > Entry
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?
Permalink | Comments (15) | Post your comment | Categories: County Commission
Comments
By Snoopy
September 2, 2009 8:33 PM | Link to this
Who is kidding who here?? I can read all of these names and e-mail addresses: Alan McCoy from AK Steel, and Dini Minici for two, come on people, wake up and smell the coffee.
By WTF?
September 2, 2009 9:41 PM | Link to this
So I would be pretty furious that the Journal News published my email address online for every spammer to see and copy. What a horrible newspaper for doing that. You dont need to have that in the article to get your point across. Please delete the photo so that you dont further contribute to the loss of privacy.
By Send Nix to E-mail 101
September 2, 2009 10:35 PM | Link to this
You’re right in being concerned, but blame Nix. The Journal could eliminate the names but as she sent it to county employees it’s now a matter of public record. Not a very computer literate move by her at all.
By wow
September 2, 2009 10:39 PM | Link to this
So many email addresses - so much for confidentiality.Josh, do you have no censor team,or even just a common sense team?
By w
September 3, 2009 8:35 AM | Link to this
anything to try to increase circulation……….disappointing but not surprising
By Benny
September 3, 2009 9:47 AM | Link to this
I always wanted Don Dixon’s private email address, and I note emails to the sheriff’s office, the sheriff’s secretary Pam Stroup that will come in handy. thanks Josh.
By ben
September 3, 2009 1:02 PM | Link to this
This comes after the banner ad for her office on the County website, looking for all intents and purposes like a campaign poster, name in big stars-and-stripes letters, office title in small background letters. Voters in this county are sooo stupid.
By Kellee
September 3, 2009 3:09 PM | Link to this
So when a Dem does this will you make a blog post calling them out about it Josh? I’ll bet not.
By Ned
September 3, 2009 8:32 PM | Link to this
Speaking of county websites, look at Roger Reynolds (note I didn’t say county auditor site). It has the same color, type face and layout as his campaign posters had. The Butler County officials are all about their survival and could care less about the offices and the public.
By faux pas
September 3, 2009 10:39 PM | Link to this
Looks like we have ourselves an EWI. Emailing While Intoxicated.
By What A City!
September 5, 2009 6:47 PM | Link to this
Oh, did I inadvertently not vote for you Nix?
By isis
September 5, 2009 7:07 PM | Link to this
I guess no one can make a mistake anymore?? Don’t throw stones at glass houses. Aren’t there bigger problems facing us all, healthcare and our economy are two that come to mind!!! Nancy you have my vote!! You go girl!!
By What A CIty!
September 6, 2009 9:02 AM | Link to this
Isis- Do you live in Middletown? If so, you know Nix’s track record on city council. She voted for all tax increases. She was a puppet for the small group controlling Middletown. She was basically a non-factor in any decision making. She was pretty much worthless. Her performance on Midd. City Council should prevent her from climbing the political ladder any further. She didn’t help Middletown and she won’t help Butler County.
By LDC
September 6, 2009 1:03 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry but if she cannot get this basic fact after being in office this long, she does not deserve to be in any elected office in the future. PERIOD! END OF STORY!
By Mickie
September 7, 2009 8:51 PM | Link to this
Let’s put her on the commission where her caretaker Don Dixon can tell her what to do.