posted April 6, 2005
Mayor candidate Ron Littlefield said RiverCity Company officials and employees have given $31,750 to the Ann Coulter campaign thus far.
Mr. Littlefield has raised the issue of alleged conflicts of interest at RiverCity, while Ms. Coulter has pointed to the accomplishments of the public/private downtown group.
The Littlefield campaign listed these gifts:
Coulter Campaign Contributions from the RiverCity Company
To Date:
Name Position Company Amount
Mr. Charlie Arant Chairman RiverCity Company $1,000.00
Mr. Jon Kinsey Vice-Chairman RiverCity Company $2,000.00
Ms. Ruth Holmberg Secretary RiverCity Company $2,000.00
Mr. William Holmberg (Family) $2,000.00
Mr. John T. Lupton Board Member RiverCity Company $2,000.00
Mr. Lamar Partridge Board Member RiverCity Company $450.00
Ms. Zane Probasco Brown Board Member RiverCity Company
Mr. Zane Brown (Family) $1,000.00
Mr. Paul K. Brock, Jr. President RiverCity Company $2,000.00
Mrs. Paul K. Brock, Jr. (Family) $2,000.00
Mr. Allen McCallie Attorney RiverCity Company $1,500.00
Mr. Ken Hays Past President RiverCity Company $2,000.00
Ms. Ellen Hays (Family) $2,000.00
Mr. Bill Suddereth Past President RiverCity Company $2,000.00
Mrs. Brenda Suddereth (Family) $2,000.00
Mr. Joeseph F. Decosimo Accountant RiverCity Company $1,000.00
Mr. J. Thomas Decosimo (Family) $1,000.00
Mrs. Rose Decosimo (Family) $200.00
Mr. Donald Aho (Family) $500.00
Mr. Robert Decosimo (Family) $1,500.00
Mrs. Rachel Decosimo (Family) $1,000.00
Ms.Cessna Decosimo (Family) $100.00
Ms. Karen Decosimo (Family) $500.00
Mr. Joseph D. Decosimo (Family) $500.00
Total for RiverCity Employees, Board Members and Service Providers $31,750.00
Also, on the heels of former mayoral candidate Dan Johnson’s recommendations for The RiverCity Company, Mr. Littlefield said he was asking Ann Coulter "to join me in support of the plan."
Mr. Littlefield said, "These are good, valid, common-sense public trust items, and if I'm elected, I'll see that they get implemented," Mr. Littlefield said. "This is a positive response to all the criticism of RiverCity, and it's something the next mayor needs to deal with.
"Nonprofit corporations organized under section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code have a legal and moral responsibility to avoid two serious pitfalls: self dealing and political activity. It's clear from evidence of recent behavior that The RiverCity Company has been guilty of both. Mr. Dan Johnson, CPA has done an excellent job of confirming the self dealing by officers of RiverCity.
"The campaign disclosure statement filed by Ms. Ann Coulter for the March 1 general election bears similarly convincing evidence of political activity by members of the RiverCity Board and other principals."
“It’s a documented fact that members of the RiverCity board were raising money for their employee, Ann Coulter, while she was still serving as Executive Vice President. This is a clear violation of the principal that nonprofits should not be involved in politics.
"The list of contributors shows that the Coulter campaign has received more than $30,000 from RiverCity principals. The actual total is much higher if you follow all of the business and family relationships – instead of the few that have been included.
"To prevent such problems in the future and to restore public trust, I call upon Ms. Coulter to join me in endorsing the proposed remedies recommended by Mr. Johnson."
Dan Johnson recommendations:
1) There should be a written conflict of interest policy in place that provides for, at least, three protections or precautions:
Disclosure. If a director believes that he or she may be perceived to have a conflict of interest, this should be disclosed to the board. Even if the director's opinion is that there is no conflict, if there could be a perception of such, then disclosure is the best course.
Abstention. An interested director should not participate in discussion (unless necessary) or voting with respect to the conflicted matter. For example, if the board is considering a contract which the director might wish to perform, he or she should recuse themselves from proceedings related thereto.
Fairness. Above all, as stated, the transaction must be fair and reasonable from the association's perspective.
2) RiverCity should also establish an audit committee comprised of independent members of the board who are not officers. The audit committee would hire independent auditors and review the financial transactions of the company on a regular basis.
3) RiverCity and CDRC should correct their conflicting board arrangements and make sure they comply with IRC Sec. 4958.
4) Kinsey Probasco Hays partnership should return to the City profits made on the Smokestack Lot development because of the conflict.
5) A prohibition (one to five years) for anyone who has served as an employee, member of the board of directors or independent contractor of any capacity with the RiverCity Company and/or CDRC from engaging in business activities with the RiverCity Company and/or the CDRC as a member of a legal entity with which the employee, board member or contractor has a financial interest.
6) A restriction or even a prohibition of political contributions from employees, members of the board of directors and independent contractors of the RiverCity Company and CDRC, to any elected officeholder representing the City of Chattanooga or Hamilton County during such officeholders term of service on the RiverCity Board of Directors and/or the Board of Directors of the CDRC.
7) To maintain the trust of the public and of currently elected officials of the City and County, employees, members of the board of directors and independent contractors of the RiverCity Company and CDRC may not seek elective offices for either the City of Chattanooga or Hamilton County until they resign from their current position.
8) The Purchasing Guidelines and Procedures of the City of Chattanooga shall provide the basis and requirements for all purchases and requisitions for the RiverCity Company (as agent for the City) and the CDRC.
The Ann Coulter for mayor campaign has added another $209,671 to its warchest that was already at $319,172, campaign officials said Tuesday. Mr. Littlefield picked up another $127,456 to go with the $101,520 he first reported.
Tuesday was the deadline for the second campaign finance report. The Littlefield report was filed at the election office, while the Coulter report was apparently mailed. But Coulter officials gave a press release on the contributions.
Manny Rico, who is in a runoff for the District 7 City Council seat, reported receiving $5,489 during the recent period. The report of Debra Matthews, was not yet in.
Coulter officials said her campaign financial disclosure "shows that her campaign has been fueled significantly by small, grassroots contributions."
“The campaign received the majority of checks for the period from our March 28 home stretch rally where more than 500 people gathered to support Ann Coulter,” said campaign Manager Jeff Olingy. “That event drew grassroots contributors, many of whom had never given money to a political campaign.”
Coulter contributions for the period came from 540 contributors, almost half of which contributed $100 or less and more than a quarter of which gave $25 or less, he added.
“As Ann Coulter has continued to positively communicate her message of moving Chattanooga forward with new jobs, better educational opportunities, stronger protections for seniors, support for small businesses and vibrant neighborhoods, her campaign has continued to be strongly supported by citizens of all backgrounds who believe our city needs to be forward looking,” Mr. Olingy said.
“Ann Coulter’s record as a consensus builder is reflected by her broad-based support. Her contributors are young people and seniors, large employers and small business leaders, grassroots and neighborhood leaders, Republicans, Democrats and Independents, and elected officials and former elected officials,” he said.
Early voting is now going on. The election will be next Tuesday.
Manny Rico reported $1,000 from Robert Gentry, $500 from Roger Tudor and IBEW, $300 from Michael Price, $250 from Carlos Smith, Gary Starnes, Spencer Wright and the Home Builders Association, and $200 from Wolftever Development, Donald Godsey and Lewis Card.
Mr. Littlefield reported $5,000 from Laborers 818, and the Ironworkers, Service Employees, $2,500 from the Chattanooga Firefighters and $2,000 from Operating Engineers 917. He got $1,500 from Arcadis G&M and $2,500 from the Tennessee Association of Realtors.
His $1,000 contributions included Stephen Frost, James Frost, IOPAT PAC, Fred Edgemon, Bobby Hudgens, Emerson Russell, Ben Landress, Patsy Mathews, Mitul Patel, Rex Allen, George Hoke Jr., Leslie Lundsford Jr., Duane Gilbert, Wayne Cropp, Dan Johnson, Harsha Sathyanarayna, David Gilbert, Vijay Chaudhani, the Jack Benson Campaign, George Luttrell Jr., Dr. James Nunally, the Leamon Pierce Campaign, Alvin Mashburn, Larry Wells Sr., Mrs. Joe Proctor, Joe Proctor, J. Don Brock, IBEW, Sammy Brock, Dr. Maurice Rawlings, Homer Goins, Kenneth Rannick, Lamar McDaniel, Gail Halt, Jack Steiner, Mike McGauley, Gerald Goins, David E. Johnson, George Clark, Chip Harbour, Michael Moon, Charles Button, E.A. Clark, Don Moon, Julian Bell III, John Webb, Karen Schaerer, Mary Eastman, Darlene Brown, B.H. Yerby Sr., Tommy Lupton, Harold Coker, Jody Baker, Jennifer Smith-Tomsino, George Kangles, Virginia Pursley, H.H. Ireland, J. Shannon Brown, Rebecca McKenzie, Steve McKenzie, ELJ Properties, DAvid Moon, B. Allen Casey, Corky Coker, Joe Coker and C.H. Chen.
The Littlefield campaign got $500 gifts from Perimeter Properties, Cains Wrecker Service, Mark Warren, Teresa North, Stan Brown, Timothy McClure, John Allen Brooks, Joe Glassock, Jack Lonas, Elvira Chapman, Alton Chapman, Karla McKamey, Frank Kinser, Jerry Evans, Madge Wilkins, Mrs. George Clark, Tom Ray, Robert Giles Jr., Ed Brown Jr., Volunteer Properties, Allen Stephens, Howells Miller and Rhonda Catanzaro.
Among those giving $300 were Porter Yarbrough and Linda Gloster and $200 included Virginia Turner and the Tennessee AFL CIO. J.B. Collins and Bill Pope were among those giving $100.
Contributions of $1,000 to the Ann Coulter campaign included Toni Hudson, Tommy Lupton, Alfred Smith, George T. Bright, Mrs. Paul Brock, L.H. Caldwell III, Danny K. Daniel, Elizabeth Davenport, Joseph Davenport, C.J. Enloe Jr., David E. Brock, Fred Gregg, Vicki Gregg, Ann Weeks, Greg Shaw, Sue Shaw, Vijay Chaudhari, Darrell Knoch, Stephen Culp, Alice Smith, Bill Sudderth, Brenda Sudderth, Joe Decosimo, Gordon Street, Ben Probasco, Kincaid Mills, Olan Mills, Sharon Mills, Norma Mills, James Mills, Mary Mills, Julia Mills, Andy Cox, Keith Helton, Mary Helton, Candy Kinsey, Jon Kinsey, Candy Kruesi, Grant Law, Greg Brown, Zane Brown, Henry Glasscock, William Young, Paul Neely, Robert Anderson, Frances McKenzie, Cornelia Brock, Annie Hall, Ken Hays, Ellen Hays, Jack Lupton, Alice Lupton, Chris Crimmins, Ruth Holmberg, Bill Holmberg, Kitty Caldwell, Maurice Bowen, Paul K. Brock, Simeon Bruner, W. Thorpe McKenzie, Corinne Hennen, Tim Hennen, Marie Marshall, Jack McDonald, Elliott Davenport, Albert Waterhouse, Cynthia Hunt, Mark Huth, Ellen Moore, Betty Probasco, Scott Probasco Jr., Scott Probasco III, Susan Probasco, Alec Taylor, Phil Whitaker, Phil Whitaker Sr., Bryan Patten, Cartter Patten, Helen Pregulman, Merv Pregulman, James Hudson, James Gentry, Roger Dickson, Rick Thompson, John Phillips, Lewis Card, Rilda Marler, Carla Donina, William Weathers, David Watson, Carey Wells, Paula Collins, July Holley, Robert Gentry, Elizabeth Gntry, James Glenn, Marshall Center, Todd Moreland, Carol Cole, Larry Cole, Gregg Underwood, Sue Ann Wells, Rick Montague, Herbert Thornbury, Mary Moore, Paul Campbell III, Doug Warner, Joe Davenport Jr., Mary Bowen, Mike Archer, Leslie Gould, Henry Franklin, Peggy Lane, Patricia Hutcheson, Jason Debord, Brian Conley, Cecelia Fontaine, Robert Button, William Haisten, Katherine Crossland, Richard Pollard, Tri State Testing and Drilling, Carlos Smith, Carter Lynch III, Carter Lynch II, Dixie Taylor Guff,Anne Bright, Cynthia Whitake, Brandon Hewitt, L.H. Caldwell Jr., Elizabeth Caldwell, E.D. Warwick, Clifton Ogden, Charles Shoopman Jr., Sharon McKee, Halbert G. Law, Lyle Finley, William Matthews, Jack McKee, Christopher McKee and Chuck Pruett.
Kathy Patten and Jay Lewis gave $750, and Sullivan Ruff $550. Arcadis G&M gave $1,500.
Gifts of $500 to the Coulter campaign included Jennifer Frost, Frank Stein, Kelly Brock, Phiul Mabry, Janet Jobe, Ron Jobe, Robert Decosimo, William Wilder, Richard Hudson, Michael Caron, Marshall Brock, Joe Hutcherson, Chuck Williams, James Markley, Mack McCarley, David Patterson, Jeanne Scanland, Nelson Long, Judy Britain, Mike Reed, J.W. Thomas III, Minnie Vance, Ann McKenzie, Paul F. Brock, Marcia Eason, Jane Harbaugh, Audrey Hayes, Alexis Tarumianz, Virginia Anne Sharber, Hugh Sharber, Tony Leach, Mike Fowler, Robert Caldwell, Verina Baxter, Sheila Boyington, Howard Levine, Allen McCallie, Cecelia McElroy, Robert Stickley Jr., Fred Tucker, Michael Rhyne, Sue Markley, Bill Arken, Stephen Holmes, Nancy Marcellis, Jeff Boehm, Selmon T. Franklin, Gary Lander, William Snouffer, Aronld Tackett and Marian Snouffer.
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