Alabama Fire Department's Contribution Questioned

Oct. 31, 2012
Democrat Allen Howell, who is running against incumbent Republican Dimitri Polizos, say Polizos shouldn't have accepted a $500 donation from the Snowdoun Volunteer Fire Department.

Although incumbent Montgomery County commissioners have raised significantly more money than their challengers in the upcoming election, one candidate alleges at least $500 in campaign contributions shouldn't have been accepted.

Democrat Allen Howell, who is running against incumbent Republican Dimitri Polizos in District 1, said Polizos shouldn't have accepted a $500 donation from the Snowdoun Volunteer Fire Department.

Prior to the contribution, Polizos gave $4,000 in county discretionary funds to the fire department in January, which Howell said makes it appear fire department members could be making a contribution to Polizos because of the public funds he gave them.

County commissioners each have $60,000 per year to give to various nonprofit and county organizations.

"The obligation of any kind of public officials should be to avoid the appearance of impropriety," Howell said.

But Polizos said he didn't solicit the contribution, and it was the fire department's community bingo fundraiser that provided the funds.

Polizos said he's been giving discretionary funds to several fire departments since he was elected in 2004. He said it's common for commissioners to give to schools and fire departments outside his or her district.

"I believe that I'm not elected to represent just the people in my district," Polizos said. "I'm elected as a county commissioner to represent everyone in my district."

Since January, Polizos has raised $55,111 to Howell's $2,105. Republican incumbent Ham Wilson Jr. has raised $84,121 to Democrat Dan Harris' $15,916.

Howell has filed only one of the four campaign finance reports required during the month of October. State law says all candidates, regardless of how much money was raised, have to file weekly finance reports in the month preceding the election.

"It was a clerical mistake," Howell said. "I thought it was a monthly thing. I had to gather receipts and make adjustments. ... It'll be adjusted by (today)."

Copyright 2012 - Montgomery Advertiser, Ala.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service

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