State House hopeful ripped for use of township-paid pager (Howard Dillman, Livingston County)

Livingston County Press ^ | 4-5-2002 | Kasey Everly

[Dan from Michigan]

State House hopeful ripped for use of township-paid pager

As well as being criticized for hiring his administrative assistant to serve as his campaign manager, Hamburg Township Supervisor Howard Dillman is also under fire for using his township-paid pager as his campaign committee's contact number.

Dillman, a Republican, is running for the 47th district state house seat in August's primary. The other candidates for the seat so far include Republicans Dave Domas, chairperson of the Livingston County Board of Commissioners, and Greg Bogdanski, supervisor of Hartland Township.

According to Hamburg Township Clerk Joanna Hardesty, the township has paid $184.61 for use of Dillman's pager through July.

The supervisor's campaign ethics were first called into question during a February township board meeting. During that time, four township residents -- including board member George Majoros and Treasurer Roberta Balon-Vaughn -- questioned Dillman regarding his campaign.

Township resident Mary Ann Lamkin, who has called for Dillman's resignation, was first to accuse him of using the pager for campaign business during that meeting.

Dillman responded at that time saying he had used the pager "a long time before I came here," and was under the impression the township had only paid for use of it for the prior year.

Hardesty said Dillman has not yet offered to reimburse the township for use of the pager for campaign business. She would not comment further on the issue.

Majoros is opposed to Dillman's appointment of Douglas, calling it "inappropriate."

Dillman did not return calls requesting comment, but has said in the past that Douglas' appointment was accepted based on her own free will; he denies the accusation that she is promoting his campaign on company time.

Majoros also believes Dillman should reimburse the township for any personal use of the pager.

Majoros has suggested the township board consider adopting an ethics policy that would address some of the contribution questions raised during Dillman's campaign.

So far, little has been done to examine such a policy; however, Majoros said he plans to look into the issue further in the weeks ahead.

Julie Pierce, spokesperson for the Michigan Secretary of State's office, wouldn't comment on the specifics of the Dillman campaign; however Pierce commented there are laws to regulate use of campaign contributions.

Section 57 of the Campaign Finance Reporting Act states "a public body or individual acting for a public body shall not use or authorize the use of funds, personnel, office space, property, stationary, postage, vehicles equipment, supplies or other public resources to make a (campaign) contribution or expenditure."

"So the question is: 'Does a pager constitute equipment and is it being used by an individual as a contribution?'" Pierce said.

[Dan from Michigan]

I haven't met Domas yet. I have met Bogdanski, and he seems like a good guy. I do not know Dillman at all.

This district isn't mine(I vote in the 66th), but is right across the street from my permanent address(I have two).

I have some experence in campaign treasury. This don't look too good for Dillman. He wouldn't get my vote.