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WPCNR CAMPAIGN TRAIL. From Press Office of Frank Cantatore. August 7, 2003: County Legislative candidate Frank Cantatore (R – White Plains) called on Legislator William Ryan to stop misusing public funds by distributing taxpayer-financed communications for his own benefit. Such activity violates the spirit of a key Board of Legislators rule that specifically forbids misuse of taxpayer funds.
“Mr. Ryan must learn that the hard working residents of Westchester County do not struggle to pay their taxes in order support Bill Ryan,” said Cantatore. “It is clear that he is using taxpayer dollars in a futile attempt to save his re-election campaign. When the spotlight is on, Mr. Ryan claims to support campaign finance rules, but sadly, when he thinks the people are not watching, he helps himself to taxpayer resources.”
Ryan’s plan to use taxpayer resources for his personal gain was discovered when many citizens, who were upset at Ryan’s misuse of public funds, complained that Ryan and / or his assistants were distributing misleading flyers at various public places around the district including several busy shopping centers in White Plains. The flyers, produced by Westchester County Board of Legislators staffers, using county resources, featured a dated picture of Ryan and contact information for his legislative office in White Plains.
“Unintentional misuse of public resources for personal gain is bad enough,” Mr. Cantatore continued, “however, Mr. Ryan, with full knowledge that the rules of the Westchester County Board of Legislators specifically prohibits the use of taxpayer resources for personal advancement or gain, has chosen to ignore the rules and thereby hurt the taxpayer, again.”
A rule entitled “Activities Prohibited During Political Campaigns For County Office” adopted by the Board of Legislators in 1998 specifically forbids incumbents who have filed designating petitions for a county office from using county resources to finance, prepare and mail newsletters “for the purpose of communicating Board activities and achievements to residents of such member’s legislative district.” Ryan voted for the rule.
Mr. Cantatore’s campaign staff has filed a freedom of information request with the Board of Legislators to uncover extent of the misuse of public funds.
“Ethics and the high public trust that a Legislator must adhere to and protect cannot be conveniently disregarded. Again, Bill Ryan must learn, apparently the hard way, that the taxpayer’s money is not his own; he should pay back every cent that he misused with money from his campaign and pledge, as I have done, to put the taxpayer first,” Cantatore demanded.
The Cantatore campaign, in contrast to his opponent, has pledged to use only private donations to finance his election effort. All donations to Mr. Cantatore’s campaign, and related expenses, are open to public review.
“Career politicians too often forget that government was not invented to provide them with a salary, a pension and every perk imaginable; hard earned taxpayer dollars must be diligently protected, unfortunately, sometimes even from elected officials.” Mr. Cantatore concluded, “when elected, I will protect the public trust and ensure that each and every taxpayer dollar is appropriately spent, or perhaps more importantly, saved and as a first step if elected I will not accept a salary from the county. Those monies I will ask go towards defraying any future tax increases.”
