Open Letter to VCRP County Committee And Elected Republican Officials From County Commission Candidate Steve Hammer

Yesterday, Vanderburgh County Chairman Wayne Parke released an email to the whole of the Vanderburgh County Republican Party concerning the race for Commissioner.  It merits a response.

Without doubt, Chairman Parke is not only acting outside of the boundaries of authority given to County Party Chairs; he has, in effect, slandered my campaign without providing proof or context of the matter at hand.  To act in this manner just weeks before an election is beyond the pale and cannot be allowed to stand.

Let me directly address the issue.  One of my volunteers, while making calls to voters in Vanderburgh County, made the claim that members of the party were supporting my campaign.  While this is an absolutely true statement, he unwittingly led people to believe that the party was endorsing me.  I had no knowledge this language was being used and had previously provided my volunteers with general scripts that did not include any such language.  

The issue was brought to the attention to the Indiana Republican Party, which provides the call program to all candidates.  After they investigated the matter, spoke with the volunteer, and to Chairman Parke, they concluded the matter was a non-issue and that our campaign had done nothing wrong.  I am eternally grateful for those who come forward to make calls on my behalf.  They are not perfect people and make mistakes.  I accept the responsibility for the mistake and I have asked all my volunteers to be more careful in the future.

The real issue here is not the phone calls from my campaign.  The real issue is that Chairman Parke believes he has the power to pick the Candidate for the Republican Party.  I complained to Chairman Parke several weeks ago about his using the Vanderburgh County Republican Party’s Facebook account to actively support one candidate while excluding the other two.  This was met with his assertion that he has every right to endorse whichever candidate he wishes.  Obviously this includes using Party resources to do it.

Chairman Parke also used misleading information in his email he forwarded to the County Committee.  He implied that “a State Party Official has verified” his claim that I had lied about making the endorsement calls.  That is, in itself, a total fabrication.  I told the Chairman that I didn’t know of any such activity and would look into it.  The Party Official wasn’t verifying Parke’s claim; he was verifying mine.  We did look into the issue AND corrected it.  Chairman Parke then used this falsehood as the basis to remove me as a Precinct Committeeman and take away my access to voter data.

Throughout this campaign the three candidates for Commissioner have maintained a good relationship with each other.  It has been a positive campaign and I thank the other two for their commitment to decency.  That being said, rigged primary elections are the things associated with the Democratic Party–not the Republican Party.  It is up to the Chairman to ensure all three candidates have equal access to voter outreach tools.  By removing my access, he is trying to force me out of this race.  I can assure you, I’m in this to win.

I’m not a politician.  I do not partake in dirty political tricks, closed door gossiping, or middle school-level backstabbing.  I did not get into this race to play political games.  Make no mistake: these tactics will not stop me from delivering my message of economic growth, local conservative values, and dedication to The People – not the party.  I believe in the Integrity of public service and I hope to serve this community honestly and honorably.  I’m running for you, the citizens of Vanderburgh County.

I am asking the County Committee for two things:  first, your commitment to fairness in this election and to uphold the integrity of the process; second, I’m calling for Chairman Parke’s resignation or removal.  

I thank you for allowing me a response to this unfortunate issue, and I look forward to engaging each of you on this matter.

Sincerely,

Steve Hammer

Candidate For Vanderburgh County  Commissioner

E-MAIL SENT TO COUNTY COMMISSION CANDIDATE STEVE HAMMER BY VANDERBURGH COUNTY GOP CHAIRMAN WAYNE PARKE

Steve

As you know, I as Chairman of the Republican Party has not endorsed anyone in this Primary election. I could/can endorse, but I have not.

Today, a State Republican Party official has verified to me, your campaign phone bank in fact made a call to a Republican voter where it was stated you had the endorsement of the VCRP for County Commissioner. This message was recorded by a phone answering machine. I previously discussed this matter with you, and you stated to me that did not happen— when in fact I found out today– it did happen.

I heard you state you had the endorsement of the Chamber of Commerce. Today, I learned the Chamber of Commerce has not endorsed you either.

What have I stated above that is not correct?

Wayne Parke

Chairman VCRP

wparke@wowway.com or Cell: 812-455-1685

EMAIL SENT TO STEVE HAMMER CONCERNING WAYNE PARKE REASONS FOR NOT SUPPORTING HIM FOR COUNTY Commissioner  

Steve—Because of your actions or lack thereof, after a lot of deliberation over the past 24 hours, as VCRP Chairman, I no longer support you in your race for County Commissioner. I have decided to do the following:

1)    See attachment: I have signed the document immediately removing you as a VCRP PC.

2)    Your campaign material/information will no longer be put on the VCRP Facebook, the VCRP “In The Know” Blast, VCRP Website, etc.

3)    I have requested the State GOP stop giving you access to the State Republican candidate “call list” program.

As for as I am concerned, we have two good candidates for Vanderburgh County Commissioner—Mike Duckworth and Vernon Stevens.

Wayne Parke

Chairman VCRP

wparke@wowway.com or Cell: 812-455-1685

FOOTNOTE: The attached e-mails were sent to about 100 plus people earlier this morning.  Mr. Parke didn’t send this information to the City County Observer.  However, we are pleased and complimented that around 25 plus loyal Republicans sent these e-mail to us in hopes that we publish them.

It’s important to point out that this isn’t the only time that Mr. Parkes has sent similar e-mails to other loyal and dedicated appointed and elected GOP offices holders.

We contacted Mr. Hammers campaign Chairman and was told that County Commission candidate Steve Hammer will have an official written response to GOP Chairman Wayne Parkes e-mails later today.

We’ve been told by several GOP workers and office holders that Wayne Parke actions towards County Commission candidate Steve Hammer has started serious discussions for Mr. Parkes removal as the Vanderburgh County Chairman.

This is a developing story.

We hope that today’s “Readers Forum” will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way?

HERE IS WHATS ON OUR MIND TODAY?

In the private sector when a person is accused of illegally taking funds from an existing business to pay personal debts, your arrested for misappropriation of funds.

In Evansville when a person is working at a non-profit business and is accused of illegally taking funds from an existing non-profit business to pay personal debts you’re let go and the former employer wishes you well.

WHATS ON YOUR MIND TODAY?

Todays “Readers Poll” question is: Do you that you are better off today than last year?

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Olivia Covington for www.theindianalawywer.com

Despite having already granted the adoption petition, the Vanderburgh Superior Court must revisit an adoption case after the Indiana Supreme Court denied transfer to a Court of Appeals opinion that found an error in the trial court’s decision.

Justices Mark Massa, Geoffrey Slaughter, and Christopher Goff voted to deny transfer to In re Adoption of J.R.O. (Minor Child); J.O. (Father) v. A.T. and M.H., 82A05-1706-AD-01331, in which the trial court determined J.O.’s consent to his son’s adoption was irrevocably implied. The court reached that decision based on J.O.’s failure to file a written objection to the adoption.

But the Indiana Court of Appeals disagreed in November and instead found that J.O. satisfied the requirements of Indiana Code section 31-19-9-18 when his counsel entered oral objections during court hearings. J.O. did not appear at those hearings because he was incarcerated.

The Supreme Court heard oral argument on a petition to transfer last month, and the majority justices denied the petition on Thursday. But Chief Justice Loretta Rush and Justice Steven David dissented, with Rush writing separately that “keeping (the COA’s) holding from making mischief in our trial courts requires more guidance, which this Court should provide.”

“Naturally, the best practice is for the objecting person to file a written motion to contest the adoption,” Rush wrote. “If the motion is only oral, safeguards are needed.”

Rush wrote she would have granted transfer to put three safeguards in place: ensuring the objecting motion is on the record, the parties are present or promptly notified, and the motion “is clearly reflected on the chronological case summary.”

“Without these safeguards, records may be left incomplete and confusing, hampering effective appellate review,” Rush wrote in a dissent joined by David. “That serves no one’s best interest, so I respectfully dissent from the denial of transfer.”