Hamilton County Democratic Party Chairman Stuart James on Sunday hit "mudslinging" in the District 6 County Commission race.

Mr. James said, "Someone is placing 'John High-Tax Brooks' signs in District 6. The signs fail to disclose who produced them and, most important, who paid for them. The sign is a political distortion of the truth, clouded in secrecy."

Attorney Brooks is seeking to unseat incumbent Lou Miller in the Democratic primary.

Ms. Miller on Sunday said she was looking into the charges about the signs and had no comment at this time.

She earlier charged that Mr. James was not impartial, but had endorsed her opponent.

She also said, "My opponent, John Brooks, is running for the sole purpose of raising taxes. Taking money from the people in the district who cannot afford higher taxes is his hidden agenda."

Mr. James said, "The election laws require disclosure. The yard sign attempting to discredit John Brooks is a cowardly act, an attempt to discredit Mr. Brooks without revealing the names of the groups or individuals responsible for this political advertisement. This is an act in violation of the laws designed to protect us from political corruption.

"Some of the signs were found on Dodds Avenue and across from Ben Miller Park. The sign is not only a misrepresentation of the facts, but is a secret campaign designed to mislead the voters. Since this sign appears to help Lou Miller win her election, I am calling on her to denounce this sign as a subversive, illegal, and untrue political advertisement.

"As a veteran of political campaigns, I know Ms. Miller knows the rules governing political advertisements. I know she will comply with the law, and that she will take responsibility for any act she takes, or any political statement made by her or on her behalf.

"Consequently, I am calling on Ms. Miller to denounce this attempt to distort the record, calling on those responsible to remove these signs revealing who they are, reporting how they paid for the signs, who produced the signs, and who is responsible for putting the signs in public. I know Ms. Miller will join with her party in demanding accountability. More important, I am sure Ms. Miller will demand those paying for the signs to disclose who they are, abiding by the laws requiring disclosure of those who pay for political advertisements.

"I find it is particularly offensive that this 'Brooks sign' is produced and distributed without those responsible revealing who they are, and how they paid for these signs. The cowards do not have the integrity to take responsibility for their claims. I am asking Ms. Miller to join with Mr. Brooks in demanding these 'cowards' step forward —producing the facts to back up their claims.

"This sign is not based in fact. It is an attempt to scare the voters, and it is an attempt to scare the elderly. We must demand that our community hold those responsible for the signs accountable, demanding they comply with the laws governing elections, and political advertising.

"Secrecy in politics is not acceptable. It leads to corruption, and it leads to a distortion of the truth. These signs are a distortion of the truth, and clearly show how people who distort the truth are afraid of letting the public know who they are — they are afraid to stand in the public eye.

"I am sure Mr. Brooks is outraged. Ms. Miller should be outraged, joining with Mr. Brooks to denounce this act of secrecy in a system that demands accountability.

"As chairman of the Hamilton County Democratic Party, I am demanding those responsible step forward. Unfortunately, I doubt that they will."