Matthew Arlen is a police officer for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. Last year he wanted to run for school board. The United States Office of Special Counsel told him he couldn’t. The Hatch Act, a federal law that forbids political candidates from campaigning for federal, state or local offices if their job is paid for even partly with federal funds, was in effect. And Arlen’s bomb-sniffing dog was paid for by the federal Department of Homeland Security.
Same story with Terrence Hurley. He wanted to run for a county office in Albany, New York. But he was the Port of Albany’s chief financial officer, and the port had just received federal stimulus dollars to have its dock and wharf rebuilt. So Hurley couldn’t run.
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It’s now Frank Meeker’s turn. Meeker is a Palm Coast City Council member. He is also a senior regulatory scientist with the St. Johns River Water Management District, where he’s paid $85,000 a year. He’s running for a Flagler County Commission seat against fellow-Republican Dennis McDonald. The winner will face Independent Abby Romaine in November.
Tuesday evening, Albert Cordwell, a Palm Coast resident and a member of the Ronald Reagan Republican Assemblies (the local insurgent group that’s been trying to overthrow establishment Republicans, and that backs McDonald against Meeker), told the Palm Coast City Council that “a federal complaint has been filed regarding Mr. Meeker’s running for the Board of County Commissioners.” (Meeker had been at the meeting briefly, but had by then left to take part in a forum hosted by the Hammock Conservation Coalition.)
Cordwell continued: “I believe this is a federal violation of the Hatch Act, which restricts partisan political activity of individuals principally employed by state and local agencies, who work in connection with programs financed in whole or part, by federal moneys. As many of you know, Mr. Meeker is currently a full-time, well-paid state regulator with St. Johns Water Management trust that is federally funded by the Congress by the 1972 Clean Water Act.”
To say that the St. Johns Water Management District is federally funded is a stretch. The district’s current budget is $205 million. Federal dollars account for 0.4 percent of that, or $800,000.
In April 2010, Meeker asked William Reischmann, the Palm Coast city attorney, whether Florida law prohibited Meeker from holding or running for a partisan office while working at the water management district. Reischmann told him there was no such prohibition, because district employees “are not employees of the state,” and as such don’t fall under state restrictions. “Because you are not a career service employee of the state, or even a state employee for that matter, you would not be prohibited from holding or being a candidate for a county-wide ‘partisan’ office,” Reischmann wrote.
Meeker unearthed the memo after the Tuesday night meeting and sent it to reporters, saying he was in the clear. But he isn’t, quite: the memo addresses Florida law. The Hatch Act is federal law. The question is whether the dollars in the water management district’s budget are significant enough to trigger the Hatch Act. Meeker says the state law referred to in the memo covers him for the Hatch Act as well.
Meeker has the sympathy of the head of the federal agency that administers and judges the Hatch Act. Carolyn Lerner heads the United States Office of Special Counsel. That’s where Hatch Act complaints are filed. In 2010, the office advised individuals 4,320 times on it, and faced a caseload of 526 complaints. Lerner thinks the current application of the Hatch Act is somewhere between ridiculous and absurd.
“Increasingly,” she continued, “the act is being used as a political weapon to disqualify otherwise well-qualified candidates, even when there is no indication of wrongdoing. An allegation that a candidate has violated federal law — simply by stepping forward to run — can cast a cloud.”
That, of course, is the intention against Meeker. Though a Republican, Meeker is only the latest in a series of targets by the Ronald Reagan Assemblies, whose candidates or their campaign supporters have used creatively merciless ways to undermine the credibility of their opponents or lock out voters from certain races.
Reached by phone this afternoon, Cordwell would not say who had filed the complaint against Meeker. He would not say whether he, in fact, had written the statement he delivered to the council. “Yes and no, how’s that?” he said, when asked who had written the statement. “”I’m like the messenger, how’s that?” On whose behalf? “I’d rather not say.” Why not? “It’ll come in due course,” he said.
Cordwell had one suggestion: “Call Abby Romaine. She can give you information on that.”
Romaine, the independent candidate in Meeker’s race, said she had nothing to do with the complaint. But she’s familiar with the Hatch Act. “I was coordinating a federal grant for the U.S. Department of Justice, and since my position was paid for by the grant from the federal government, I’m covered by the Hatch Act and had to resign to run,” Romaine said. She was puzzled by Cordwell’s reference to her.
The reference was not puzzling after all. Romaine is the vice president of the Hammock Conservation Coalition, where she has spoken about her resignation due to the Hatch Act. Bob Hamby is a member of the coalition, and knows Abby well, at least through the coalition. He was at the forum Tuesday evening, “smiling and shaking hands with me,” Meeker said. Hamby is the president of the Ronald Reagan Republican Assemblies.
According to McDonald—Meeker’s rival in the Republican primary—Hamby had been contacted by members to file a complaint about Meeker’s alleged Hatch Act citation.
Hamby did not return a call this afternoon.
Last fall, Lerner, the head of the agency that oversees the Hatch Act, sent Congress proposed legislation to fix the Hatch Act “by removing restrictions on state and local government workers who want to run for elected office,” she wrote. “This would not cost taxpayers anything. It would demonstrate respect for the independence of state and local elections, and would allow qualified candidates to serve their communities as elected officials.”
McDonald supports the complaint, which was only half the issue Cordwell brought up to the council Tuesday evening. The other half was Meeker’s eligibility to apply for and retake his own seat, by appointment, should he lose the election on Aug. 14.
By choosing to resign the way he did, just after a certain deadline, Meeker precluded the city from holding an election for the seat he’s vacating. Meeker sent in his letter opf resignation days after the deadline passed. Had he done it earlier, the city could have held an election in conjunction with the primary or the general election to fill his seat. Instead, Meeker said he’d retain his seat until Nov. 6, and resign only then—meanwhile, running for the county commission, and forcing the council to appoint his replacement.
That appointment will take place after Nov. 6, when the remaining four council members, including the mayor, will interview applicants and take a vote, or many votes, until they have a majority appointment.
Cordwell asked whether Meeker would be eligible to apply to have his own job back. City Manager Jim Landon said he would be. “Then he will be like any other applicant if he does apply, as just a citizen that’s not running,” Landon said. “Then it will be up to city council to consider that application along with any other citizen in District 2 that meets the qualifications as per our charter.”
A dozen people have applied. McDonald doesn’t mince words about Meeker’s plans: “If he’s given up the seat, he’s gone. That’s what I think.” Meeker this morning was cagey about whether he would apply, saying he’s concentrating on his commission race. This evening, he said he would apply “if they asked me, I suppose,” meaning his current council colleagues, but reiterated that for now, he’s “not going there yet.”
Debi Peterson says
Really? Hang in there Frank. I don’t vote for anyone that tries to get the office through whining, and wasting valuable time digging dirt of any kind. We are smart enough to do our own research on who we will vote for.
Kendall Clark-StJacques says
Meeker wasn’t going to get my vote but if he’s the newest target of this group of lunatics I’ll gladly support him.
Jan Reeger says
It is sad that an organization attacks just to “overthrow established Republicans” without considering the individual. Frank Meeker is one of the few office holders I know who is honest, knowledgeable and sincerely cares about Flagler County. Folks need to stop playing malicious games and let the candidates speak for themselves on their own merits.
Anonymous says
Did Meeker use tax-payer’s money to obtain the opinion of the City of Palm Coast’s Attorney ( on the Hatch Act for his own personal benefit?
Quote from the above article:
“In April 2010, Meeker asked William Reischmann, the Palm Coast city attorney, whether Florida law prohibited Meeker from holding or running for a partisan office while working at the water management district.”
Donna Heiss says
This is what the RRR does. They will stop at nothing. No one is immune except their paying members who they support. It’s all about control.
Vote Flagler County. Our future depends on it.
John Boy says
I threw these (Husband & Wife) off my property several months ago, I guess I had good foresight. When they started [preaching their religious bullshit, I knew it was time to get rid of them. I will do everything I can to keep these bigots from getting electd in any attempts they make to get elected.
tulip says
Let’s see, the RR Club has manipulated some races, filed an uncalled for lawsuit on a candidate, stating more incorrect charges on another candidate, and the list goes on. According to the paper, McDonald still thinks Meeker is “guilty”—–another one that refuses to admit he doesn’t understand the facts.
To think that some voters are actually voting for the candidates that are members of this group is very scary, because, if they are elected, that’s the mentality that will run this county for the next 4 years—please pay attention to who you’re voting for in all of the local races, and some of the them will be decided on Aug. 14.
Ralph Belcher says
My impression of the RR Assembly is that they like to choose which candidates are on the ballot. Their cheeky responses are all-telling. I’d have more respect for them if they stood up for what they are trying to achieve.
Where were they when Meeker was first elected, then re-elected to the Palm Coast City Commission?
Now that they have a member. MCDponald in a race, they pull the “hey, Meeker’s disqualified, in our eyes” card? That M.O. (mode of operation) just doesn’t hold water with this voter.(Meeker pun inintended)
First they try (and fail) to ‘hip-check’ Pollinger from the ballot as a Republican, and now rolling out a complaint on Meeker. Let the voters decide who is elected into office. If you can’t stand the competition, I don’t know what to say. Let the people decide. This really poisions my consideration for voting for any of thier members. The voters of Flagler County are smart enough to see through this.
Dudley Doright says
In my opinion, the RRA is pathetic group of loosers. They make me ashamed of being a Republican and should crawl back under their rock. Flagler County does not need their ill begotten logic. That, keep in mind that Mr. Meeker is no prize either. While he may not be a RRA member, he has pulled his fair share of tricks as a city councilman.
Will says
It will be interesting to see if otherwise reasonable people like Gail Wadsworth, Charlie Ericksen, and Sue Dickinson actually lose votes because of their endorsements in the paper by the RR group.
The group seems to be like an extreme evangelical church which wants to preach their version of the gospel, claiming it’s the only one, while casting out sinners and anyone thought to cavort with sinners. Just what we need in Flagler County politics – another bunch of wingnuts.
Will says
@ Anonymous
A clear opinion on the Hatch Act from the city’s solicitor would have been and still is of value to both the city and to Mr. Meeker. I think your question about “taxpayer money” is disingenuous at best.
Robert Lewis says
The Ronald Reagan Facist are at it again. They claim candidate vetting, but it is more like character assignation. These group of people are an angry group that will attempt to seek and destroy everyone. Let’s examine their track record since January:
1) Lawsuit against the REC and Nancy Prizer
2) Write-in voter sham
3) Lawsuit against John Pollinger
4) Attack on Frank Meeker
When is enough enough? When will these terrorist give up?
To the people of Flagler County, do you want a candidate that dances with the Ronald Reagan Assembly in office? If these people will sink so low and perform unethical task, do we trust them in elected office?
I believe the answer is NO.
It is time to take a stand against the Ronald Reagan Assembly and vote against everyone of their endorsed candidates. We can not afford to have these dangerous, unethical people in a position of authority.
tulip says
@Will—–the member candidates knew of the write–ins did not object to it being done or, if they couldn’t control it, they still stayed with the RR people and have gone along with everything. I have not voted for any RR member—it seems like their candidates can be pushed around or led around like lap dogs, and adhere to what the club believes. The Ronald Reagan club does not have to abide by the “real Republican” club rules, and they are taking every sneaky advantage of that fact.
Magnolia says
While we’re at it, Tulip, let’s not overlook the fact that the Prizer Republican Club is not inviting all Republican candidates to address their members, only the ones they are favoring.
What’s their excuse?
At least the RRR Club have invited them all and the public to attend these forums as well.
Lisa M says
Ronald Reagan must be turning in his grave! This wacko group does not have any of his values.
Will, I was going to vote for some of these candidates, but switched once I saw they were endorsed by the RRR. I have a feeling that many others will do the same!
Mamie Meeker (fRANK'S MOM) says
The Reagan Republicans are an insult to the REAGAN name with their constant bickering and targeting of honest citizens. It is probably the reason that knowledgeable men bypass the elective route and seek other employment. rather than deal with the “mud slinging”. What has happened to the unity that we had in the past?
I am proud of what Frank is trying to do. He has a genuine interest in helping people and that is what it is all about……..Reagan Republicans – go bury your heads in the sand – if that doesn’t work, go back to the place you came from. Palm Coast has enough problems and doesn’t need you.
Joshua Meeker says
Go Grandma! Woot woot. :P
Ellen Pipino says
I think it is time that all the RRRA take the time to think about what their lies & deceitefulness are doing to the community & OK kids lets put all your pettiness away & play nice!! What is it that you don’t like about Frank Meeker? You have such a “hate” thing going, how can you possibly try to ruin a persons professional life…..maybe we should google some of yours…
AND THIS TIME PLEASE DON’T CALL ME = I WON’T ANSWER!!! It’s my opinion & I’m entitled to it!!