Delaware Auditor of Accounts Office Violated FOIA According To Legal Opinion

On September 7th, I filed a Freedom of Information Act complaint against the Delaware Auditor of Accounts office.  Even though I did receive the documentation for my original FOIA request regarding a contract that office entered into with Grant Thornton, it came very late.  In fact, it came the day after a highly contested primary for the State Auditor position.  But my FOIA complaint dealt with what I felt were illegal and unethical issues coming out of AOA.

Guest Post By Eric Morrison: Primary’s Record Democratic Voter Turnout- A Cause For Celebration Or Concern?

As many are dealing with the ramifications of the Delaware Primary, one reader felt there were reasons for how some votes were cast.  Without further ado, Eric Morrison from Newark has the floor:

Final Thoughts On The Delaware Primary

Voter turnout was up.  That is a good thing.  I would love to see a massive increase in voter levels for both sides.  Let the people speak!  Some elections turned out pretty close to how I thought they would.  Some were disappointments.  At this point, it is what it is and all eyes are on the General Election.

The biggest upset turned out to be Scott Walker.  Who would have ever thought the wooden-sign guy would actually win a Primary?  Much less, one on the Republican side?  Don’t worry, he will get trounced in the General by Lisa Blunt Rochester.  No doubt in my mind about that.

Predictions and who I want to win are two different things at times.  I will be endorsing for the General Election but I’m still recovering from the Primary.  There will be plenty of time for that.  Some may surprise you!  I do want ALL the candidates to send me their Candidate Message.  Some of the ones I received before the Primary are still good since those candidates won their Primary race.

Like I said the night before the Primary for candidates who lost- don’t give up!  There will always be winners and losers.  Let it be a learning curve for you.

We have some new Senators in our midst here in Delaware.  Congrats to Senators Lockman and Brown.  As well, congrats to new State Reps. Dorsey-Walker, Johnson, and Vanderwende.  I will anxiously await to see all of you in action next January.

The General Election is going to be pivotal to the future of Delaware.  The political picture is going to change no matter what.  It will be up to voters to decide what shape that picture takes.

 

 

Big Mouth AOA Leaker John Fluharty Continues To Run His Big Mouth

John Fluharty.  He who suffers from that unique Delaware ailment called sitting in a job and getting paid on the taxpayer dime and doing nothing.  For someone who pretends to be a Republican, he sure does like to get involved in Democrat power games.

Final Delaware General Election Candidates

The Delaware Primary reduced the number of candidates.  We now have a clear understanding of who will face who in the General Election.  Some seats in the General Assembly have been determined by the results of yesterday’s primary.  The election is November 6th.  Start your engines!

John Fluharty Is An Arrogant And Petty Little Man

In a close race, Kathy McGuiness won the Democrat Primary for State Auditor this evening.  John Fluharty, State Auditor Tom Wagner’s Deputy, was behind the leaks about Kathleen Davies to the News Journal and other media outlets in Delaware.  The News Journal reporter, Jessica Bies, relished in writing about this sordid mess.  So much so she forgot what Journalism 101 even looks like and did the bidding of her masters to smear Davies no matter what it takes.  Because that is the true and ugly side of the Delaware Way.

Tonight, Fluharty gave the following statement about the McGuiness win to the News Journal:

John Fluharty, who works for Wagner and is the former executive director for the Delaware Republican Party, said: “Democratic voters sent a clear message to Kathleen Davies tonight.” 

“Don’t go away mad, just go away.” 

John Fluharty is the cockiest and most arrogant son of a bitch I’ve run across in Delaware.  Enjoy your moment in the sun Fluharty.  I can promise you it won’t last long.

What Fluharty seems to forget is Davies could return to that office as Tom Wagner’s second-in-command after the next Merit Employee Review Board hearing.

I am far from done with Mr. Fluharty.  Along with his co-conspirators, Andrena Burd and Tammy Smith, they attempted to destroy Kathleen Davies.  They didn’t succeed.  The results of the Primary have no bearing on the heart and soul of Kathleen Davies.  She is still an awesome woman and you didn’t break her.  Despite the best efforts of the Fluharty Gang along with the News Journal, Davies was not trounced.  It was a close win for McGuiness in a three-way race.

It is obvious, given Tammy Smith’s statement on Facebook five days ago, along with the same language conveyed from McGuiness supporter Mitch Crane to myself back in June, the office was talking with the McGuiness camp.  What Smith said was near verbatim to what Crane said he “heard” about that office.  I even have an email where Crane and Fluharty discussed getting together for lunch.  It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see you would tell anyone fantastical stories to keep your job.

As far as McGuiness v. Spadola… to be continued…

Fluharty is a state employee.  He said this about someone knowing full well there are still hearings going on about her unwarranted dismissal.  Together with Smith’s Facebook rant the other day, he is openly and publicly saying screw you to any state rules in talking about an office personnel matter.  He thinks he can get away with whatever he wants.  But let me ask you this Fluharty.  If McGuiness wins the General Election, do you really think you have any shot in Hell of remaining in that office?  Do you think the “life-long Democrat” will keep a slimy Republican like yourself?  If Spadola wins, by the time I have my fun with you between now and the General Election, would he want someone as toxic as you in that office?  Either way, you will be gone.  Toast.

You might be thinking you won some war and I have no doubt you and your cronies in the office will be celebrating tomorrow.  It will be a short-lived victory.  I can promise you that.  You are just as expendable as you made Davies.  Along with Burd and Smith.

To The Winners And Losers Of The Delaware Primary

Today is the big day you have all been waiting for!  You’ve travelled and talked more in the past few months than some of  you have ever done in your life.  Some of you will win today and some will lose.  But I have some advice for the losers- DON’T GIVE UP!

A few months ago I went through all Delaware elections going back to 1970.  So many of our legislators and elected officials lost once, sometimes even twice.  But they persevered and kept going.  This was echoed by many of the legislators that retired this year as they gave their farewell speeches in the General Assembly.

I understand it will be crushing.  Some of you might have thought you were going to win but there could be some upsets today.  From the top of the ticket to the bottom, the people will vote how they vote.  The best thing to do is rest and reformulate for the future.  But DON’T GIVE UP!

To the winners- keep going.  Most of you have a General Election in November.  It isn’t over yet!  Keep your campaign clean.  Make sure the money you accept from organizations is something you believe in.  If not, just send it back!  Talk about your qualifications instead of bashing your opponent.  Keep your chin up and smile.  Talk to the people, not at them.  Door-knock as much as you possibly can.  Send out mailers if you can.  Write letters to the editor.  Be approachable and kind.

To ALL the candidates (even you Miss Congeniality), I wish you the best of luck today!  I will anxiously await the results along with you this evening.  It all changes tomorrow!

Rookie PAC For DelawareCAN Breaking The Law Already!

DelawareCAN might be the new kid on the block when it comes to Political Action Committees, but they need to follow the rules when it comes to spending money on candidates or issues that aren’t within the legal limits.

Exceptional Delaware Proudly Endorses Kathleen Davies For State Auditor

Only one candidate in the State Auditor race has the tenacity, patience, grit, resolve, willingness, and heart to perform the role of State Auditor.  She has soul and a love for auditing second to none.  She has been put through the wringer by those who didn’t want her to do her job.  But she has come through that ordeal a stronger and better person.  For that reason alone Kathleen Davies deserves your vote.

Candidate Message: Rachel Blumenfeld, 12th State Representative District, Democrat

Two Democrat candidates in the 12th State Rep. District will square off this Thursday in the Delaware Primary.  Rachel Blumenfeld will face Krista Griffith.  The winner will take on incumbent Deb Hudson in the General Election in November.  Blumenfeld, a teacher in the Colonial School District, sent her candidate message to me this evening.

Dan Shelton’s Bizarre Psuedo Maybe Endorsement For Ralph Taylor Is Causing Many To Scratch Their Heads

It’s a rule of thumb in elections: You can’t endorse candidates if you work in a state agency.  When that candidate is on the school board who hired you and can fire you, that endorsement is clearly a conflict of interest.  The 31st State Rep. District primary race has been a popcorn eating event for weeks now.

Enter Ralph Taylor, a Capital School District Board of Education member running for the 31st State Rep. seat against incumbent Sean Lynn for the Democratic ticket.  Today, he posted the following on his Facebook page:

While Shelton does not come out and say “I endorse Ralph Taylor” it certainly comes across as an endorsement.  Especially since it is two days before the Primary.  The fact that the Capital Board of Education has allowed Taylor to use the microphone at board meetings to promote his campaign has not been ignored by attendees in the room.  One attendee, who wished to remain anonymous for obvious reasons, said the following: “Taylor shouldn’t be using his seat on the board for political purposes.  It gives the impression of vote for me or else.”

I wholeheartedly agree.  Shelton’s short of a full endorsement definitely dances on that fine line between a reference letter and an endorsement.  Is Shelton aware Taylor is using this as leverage in his campaign?  I did ask the Taylor campaign on the Facebook post if this was an endorsement or a reference letter.  The campaign responded it was “a note of support”.  The campaign also asked if I was being “petty again”.

It is a given that district employees are not allowed to promote campaigns for school boards.  The same is true for using state time to promote a candidate in elections.  This is just weird.

Tammy Smith From Auditor’s Office Uses Social Media To Smear Davies While McGuiness Family Spreads The Hate

With two days until the Delaware Primary, things are heating up.  For the State Auditor race, some people are getting scared of a Kathleen Davies victory.  So much so they are willing to torpedo their professional life so folks don’t vote for Davies.  When it comes from the Auditor of Accounts office with someone who reported directly to Davies, that is very bad for that employee.  The Merit Employee Review Board has not even finished their hearing but Tammy Smith feels she can say whatever she wants.  I think what may shape Smith’s career is her Facebook post, not the outcome of the Primary.

A Fate Worse Than Death: Governor McGuiness

Imagine, one day, years from now, when her State Auditor days are a thing of the past.  When Park City decides to reach for the brass ring.  When she decides to run for Governor of Delaware.  This is what Democrat voters could ultimately decide on September 6th if they collectively vote wrong.

If you thought Jack Markell was bad.  If you thought John Carney was bad.  You haven’t seen ANYTHING until you’ve seen Park City leading The First State in some kind of fresh hell I couldn’t imagine on my very worst day.  In that kind of Hellaware, LLCs would be more important than people.  She would still be talking about her $1 million in change orders when she was on Rehoboth City Council.  Her days at the State Auditor’s office would be as hazy as the water next to an old DuPont plant.

To the union members in Delaware, I say this: many of you endorsed McGuiness.  She wouldn’t even march with you in solidarity today.  She opted to wear her own campaign regalia and walk on the sidewalks.  You put your reputation and political muscle on the line for her and she couldn’t even walk with you.  What does that say?  This same woman who doesn’t know the difference between ABC and AFL-CIO.  She used you.  Don’t give her the satisfaction of giving her your vote. I’m sure your leadership would love for you to push that button.  She is pushing ALL your buttons and will screw you over.  You can take that to the bank.  She will not protect you against Right To Work in the future any more than she pretended to on that nine degree day last January.  You can trust your Marvel or you can trust me.  Your choice.

Voters need to be careful what kind of doors they open when they push that person’s name on the ballot.  Be smart.  Vote for Kathleen Davies for State Auditor on Thursday.  Not only will you see a return to more fiscal transparency in Delaware but you will also be getting the most qualified candidate ever to be State Auditor.  Ignore all the pictures.  They don’t mean a thing.  What matters is quality, not quantity.  What matters is getting the job done, not pretending you are not beholden to others when you know you are.  What matters is keeping the power in check, not checking to make sure the power isn’t held accountable.

Vote Davies for State Auditor.

Candidate Message: David Anderson, 31st State Rep. District, Republican

The 31st State Representative District in Dover is one of the few races in the Primary with both Republican and Democrats duking it out for a spot in the General Election.  Current Dover City Councilman David Anderson is running against Jean Dowding on the Republican ticket while incumbent Sean Lynn will face Ralph Taylor on Thursday.  Please remember to vote on September 6th!  Thank you to David for getting me his candidate message!

Candidate Message: Chris Johnson, Attorney General, Democrat

One of the biggest races for statewide office is Delaware Attorney General.  Chris Johnson is one of four Democrats vying for the office.  Johnson will face Kathy Jennings, LaKresha Roberts, and Tim Mullaney on Thursday in the Delaware Primary.  The winner will go against Republican Bernard Pepukayi in the November General Election.  Chris was kind enough to present his message and he focused on an area that I feel the Attorney General’s Office needs to do more with, education.

The Davies-McGuiness-Spadola Gambit

With four days until the Delaware 2018 Primary, the State Auditor’s race is gaining a TON of attraction this year.  While some may suggest McGuiness has this locked up, I beg to differ.  There are two scenarios that will play out.  Whoever wins the Primary will determine who wins the General Election in November.

Candidate Message: Sean Lynn, 31st Representative District, Democrat

Sean Lynn, the incumbent Democrat from the 31st Representative District in Dover is next with my candidate message series.  Lynn faces Democrat opponent Ralph Taylor in Thursday’s primary.  The winner of the primary will face the winner of the Republican Primary, either David Anderson or Jean Dowding, in the General Election in November.

Kathy McGuiness Got VERY Nervous About A Question During The WDEL Debate!

During the debate on WDEL on August 30th, Delaware State Auditor candidate Kathy McGuiness was bragging about how she is an independent woman and can’t be bought.  So much so, she openly admitted she sat with two polar opposite organizations.  When she was asked which organizations by moderator Alan Loudell, she literally stumbled for six seconds (an eternity in a debate) before she said “the unions and the non-unions.  She proudly says she has talked to “ABC” and unions.  “ABC” is Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.  ABC is very anti-union and promotes Right To Work.

Jimmy Maravelias, the President of the Delaware AFL-CIO, commented on Facebook about the Hockessin parade tomorrow.  He said he only wants folks to march with the AFL-CIO if they are 100% with the union.  Does the AFL-CIO endorsed McGuiness qualify based on her statement in the debate?  You decide.  My apologies on the video being sideways:

McGuiness was clearly off guard when Allan Loudell asked her “which organizations”.  Message received, loud and clear!

Guillermina Gonzales Just Knocked Herself Out Of The Race With Her Anti-Delaware Schools Rant!

I think it is safe to say Renee Taschner will win the 22nd State Representative Democrat primary.  Her opponent , Guillermina Gonzales, sent out a mailer bashing Delaware schools and the teachers union.

You shouldn’t need to send your children to private schools or move to Pennsylvania for them to get a good education.

I’m not going to sit here and say Delaware schools don’t have issues.  But this tacit verbiage in a campaign mailer by a Democrat is not going to please voters!  So she is basically saying ALL Delaware schools, except for private schools, suck.  Even charter schools!  Her anti-union stance is certainly not going to win DSEA votes!  I can’t imagine the many charter school supporters in her neck of the woods will appreciate it either!  So if all Delaware schools suck, is she a Betsy DeVos supporter?  Would she join the Delaware Republicans who want school vouchers?  Hell, even Joe Miro supported public schools.  Ugh.

I’m not beholden to the teachers union or any other special interest groups.

Doesn’t sound like you are beholden to very much Ms. Gonzales.  But then I read this part:

As a professor I know how important high quality teachers are and I’ve heard over and over from voters in this district how much room there is to improve in Delaware.

Would any of those voters happen to belong to DelawareCAN?  Because I see your endorsement from the DelawareCAN Action Fund.  They also endorsed a Republican in the 22nd primary as well, Michael Smith.  He of the failed Pike Creek Charter School from 2014.  DelawareCAN happens to be anti-union and promotes the “high quality teachers” game while putting down so many of our actual high quality teachers in Delaware.  Running on a corporate education reform policy is bad mojo in Delaware.  Maybe that will work in the Pike Creek area but I tend to doubt it.

 

Candidate Message: Kathleen Davies, State Auditor, Democrat

The Delaware State Auditor race has been one of the hottest tickets of the election season.  There are many reasons for this in what is usually a quiet race.  The biggest factor is long-time State Auditor Tom Wagner not running after a 29 year stint in office.  Kathleen Davies served as Tom Wagner’s second-in-command for many years and announced her run to take over Tom Wagner’s seat.  Davies faces her Democrat contenders Kathy McGuiness and Dennis Williams in the Primary next Thursday, September 6th.  The winner of the Primary will face Republican James Spadola for the General Election.