Trending
A 16-page election political mailing that landed in a number of Marietta mailboxes last week prompted the release of a joint protest statement from the chairs of the Washington County Democratic and Republican executive committees.
The statement, signed by Willa O'Neill of the Democratic committee and Joe Derkin of the Republican committee, was released Friday night:
"Recently Marietta residents received a 16-page political smear piece from unidentified sources. We, the Chair of the Washington County Republican Party and the Chair of the Washington County Democratic Party, condemn this kind of campaigning. The mailer is full of lies, half-truths, innuendos and malicious attacks and is beneath the dignity of Marietta voters.
"We live in Marietta because it is a community where we put our differences aside to work to build a better community. It doesn't matter if you vote for Democrats, Republicans or Independents, we will always show each other respect. Together we denounce these direct attacks on the civility of this community and our public servants who work tirelessly to serve Marietta."
The mailed material comments on members of Marietta City Council, the council president, the law director and the city auditor. Each is judged by a "corruption rating" of high, neutral or low.
The mailing is marked as being sent from the Political Action Committee Citizens Against Corruption, or PACCAC. A Federal Election Commission Form 1 shows the PAC was organized in July 2023 as an independent expenditure-only political committee and lists Donald Canterbury of 51567 Ohio 681, Reedsville, as its treasurer. There are no other officers listed. Affiliated committees or organizations are marked "none."
The pages that were mailed have small print at the bottom of the first page, advising "The contents of this packet are allegations. All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law." The same message appears on the group's website.
PACCAC's FaceBook page, however, does not appear to have the disclaimer, even though the material there covers the same topics. An Oct. 5 post says the materials that will arrive in the mail are true:
¯ ¯ ¯
"Dear Citizens of Marietta,
The next two weeks will be pivotal for each of you. Mail is on its way to your homes. Inside, you'll find a package. Not just any package, but one that holds the truth about every elected official this city has ever witnessed. This is not mere hearsay; it's facts, evidence, and undeniable proof.
In the days to follow, revelations will unfold -- about every single official, be they virtuous or not. Do not be swayed by deceit or cover-ups; we've kept an unwavering watch since they stepped into office. Every claim, every statement, is backed by undeniable evidence.
Marietta, the time has come to purge the rot from our midst.
Remember, trash day is right around the corner.
Yours Truly,
The Rooster"
¯ ¯ ¯
The mailing consisted of eight full-color pages printed on both sides, stapled together, folded and mailed in brown letter-sized envelopes. No figures were found on how many residents actually received the mailing. It did not appear that the mailing was targeted for Republicans only, Democrats only, or Independents only.
At least two Marietta City Council members who received the mailing themselves also had residents ask them about it.