Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Former Democratic Leader Uses Fear In Fundraising Appeal To Minority Contractors

Former Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Robin Winston recently sent a fundraising appeal letter to local minority contractors on behalf of Democratic CCC members warning them of possible changes if Democrats failed to maintain control of the council. Winston, whose website describes his firm as the "largest minority-owned government affairs, community relations and public outreach firm in Indiana" tells the minority contractors they can't "afford" to let Democrats lose control of the CCC.

"Do you agree that we need leadership on the Indianapolis City/County Council that reflects the diversity of our community?" Winston asked. He continues, "These members work everyday to make sure that the playing field is level and that the City serves all areas of our community. They will be working with Mayor Peterson on the continued improvement of our community. However, if they lose a Democratic majority on the Council, priorities can change and some of the issues that matter to all of us could be put on the back burner. I am sure that you will agree that we cannot afford to let that happen."

For the record, Republicans have three African-American candidates for the CCC, including Bruce Henry in District 1 and at-large candidates Barbara Malone and Kent Smith. The Democrats have ten African-American candidates for the CCC.

Here is the full text of Winston's letter forwarded to Advance Indiana by an avid reader:

We hope that all is well with you.

Do you agree that we need leadership on the Indianapolis City/County Council that reflects the diversity of our community? Don't you agree that it is important to have our voices heard in City government?

We hope that you do and that you will join us for a fundraising reception for the Democratic candidates for the City/County Council. Our reception will be held on Wednesday, October 3rd from 5:30PM-7PM here at the offices of the Winston/Terrell Group (1449 North Pennsylvania Street in downtown Indianapolis). Joining us for the reception will be Council President Monroe Gray and the members of the City/County Council team seeking election this November.

Your donation of at least $100 will enable the team to help get the message out that their progressive leadership matters in areas such as support for minority and women-owned businesses, better relations with our Hispanic community, relationships with our faith-based community and support for our children and families. These members work everyday to make sure that the playing field is level and that the City serves all areas of our community.

They will be working with Mayor Peterson on the continued improvement of our community. However, if they lose a Democratic majority on the Council, priorities can change and some of the issues that matter to all of us could be put on the back burner. I am sure that you will agree that we cannot afford to let that happen.

That's why we are asking you to join us in supporting our Democratic members of the Council. Can we count on you to join us on October 3rd at 5:30PM to keep Indianapolis moving forward? If so, please call any of us at 317.917.1953 or email robin@winstonterrell.com to RSVP. We ask to hear from you by Friday, September 28th.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Robin Winston
Pat Terrell
Michael O'Neal

13 comments:

Wilson46201 said...

Why give the Democrats a partisan advantage of reprinting that fundraising letter here? (btw, thanks!)

Shouldn't you be publicizing the big GOP fundraiser for all of your Council candidates? I'm sure it'll be well-attended! There will indeed be a serious fundraiser for those Republican candidates, won't there? Maybe a little soiree in Jocelyn's spacious back yard?

Gary R. Welsh said...

I'm still waiting on my steak dinner from Andre Carson. Haven't I brought good fortune to him this year?

Anonymous said...

An IMPD officer on northeast has over 15 years on and has never been disciplined. He is the most respected officer in the area by his co-workers. Almost 3 months ago he was called into roll call where he was asked to promptly hand over his 2007 vehicle and computer by a department Major. When asked for what reason the major stated he did not know even though he had been marked out at Internal Affairs the previous couple of days. The major then hands his computer off to an unidentified male in a suit who then fled the scene like a criminal from a stolen car. The officer is then given a 1999 car with over 140,000 miles on it. He has never been told why his car or laptop was taken.
NOW HERES THE KICKER...
The officer was handed a counseling form by his supervisors (handed down from the major) for leaving the window down in his 2007 car that was handed over to the major. The major claims the officer had left his vehicle unsecured and therefore needed a counseling form.
The major didn't notice it until the next day when he came in. The major was the one who had control of the car. He left the window down.
Officer James Gray is still waiting on a reason why his car and his computer was taken in the first place.

Anonymous said...

Got Bob Seger playing on the iPod...

"Shakedown, Breakdown..."

Shakedown indeed!

Anonymous said...

Racism is alive and well in the Donut Hole. And people claim it all moved out to the Donut counties (save for Amos Brown, that is).

Anonymous said...

As usual, Wilson ignores the bigger problem.

I used to think Robin was a thinker. Anyone who actively supports Monroe Gray's leadership in this manner, hosting cocktail parties for him, has to take the good with the bad:

His concrete firm went belly up. Owed multiple employees when it did. Had construction equipment repossessed on the job for non-payment. Has his city wages garnished for judgments. Runs the council horribly. Uses a city car, and his cushy no-work city job, for personal business all the time...he even campaigns from it.

I, too, want Democrats to control the council. But not Monroe. I'm hoping for a new president after Nov.6.

A fella can hope, can't he?

Anonymous said...

I hope that the council remains with a Democratic majority but the fools like Ron Gibson[Alcoholic, police abuser and woman abuser but Christian] and Monroe Gray both need to go.......Let's hope that there are 3 or 4 Demo pickups in GOP districts so that will offset the loss of those two embarrassing Democrats. I can think of 3 fairly certain Demo pickup districts.

Anonymous said...

"Maybe a little soiree in Jocelyn's spacious back yard?"

Is Jocelyn being stalked? I can't imagine her inviting Wilson over for a cookout.
Fact finding again Wilson? Be careful where you stalk.

Anonymous said...

I am attending a fundraiser for council-at-large candidate Timothy J. Maguire at the Columbia Club on September 27th. Tickets are $75 for the two-hour cocktail party.

His wife, Allison, is also running for an at-large seat.

Timothy works in the financial services industry and is quite astute with numbers and budgets.

By voting for both Timothy and Allison, we'll benefit double because they will likely vote the same way, which will be by the rule of the law and the will of the people they represent.

To learn more about the fundraiser, visit www.lpinscr.com (Mark Rutherford's blog).

Timothy's radio commercials are running now on WXNT. And by the way, they are both Libertarians. Won't it be grand to have two Libs on council? That will shake things up a bit!

Anonymous said...

Nice analysis, 8:55...good thinking, except...I doubt anyone would believe Ron Gibson is a woman abuser. Sorry.

Anonymous said...

Miss Ronnie wouldn't know what to do with a woman. Not that that's a bad thing.

Anonymous said...

"I hope that the council remains with a Democratic majority...Monroe Gray ... need[s] to go"

As long as Democrats are the majority of the CCC, Monroe Gray will be its President. Period. End of Story.

Anonymous said...

You think Monroe Gray will win? I think the black community woke up in regard to that thief.