Decision to publish one-sided column was unwise, unfair
Executive director, Maine Municipal Association
Maine Municipal Association is dismayed at the lack of judgment shown by Mainebiz in printing a column from David Crocker, an attorney with the Maine Heritage Policy Center (“Taking on MMA,” Nov. 29).
This one-sided, misleading column about a lawsuit filed by Mr. Crocker against MMA last June was published without giving our nonprofit organization a heads-up or any opportunity to present an opposing point of view. Would Mainebiz publish a similar, one-sided column from an attorney who sues a prominent Maine business? We highly doubt it.
The Heritage Policy Center’s lawsuit questions whether MMA should have been involved with five citizens’ initiatives from 2001-2009. In his column, Mr. Crocker reiterated the speculative and unproven claims of his lawsuit, explained why he thinks his legal rationale is correct and all but predicted the Heritage Policy Center’s eventual victory. We disagree with every legal claim asserted in the lawsuit and are vigorously contesting it in court, the proper forum for legal arguments to be heard. We are confident that we will prevail.
Although MMA has no intention of trying this case in the media, we feel it is important to correct two assertions in the Nov. 29 column that are both untrue and off base.
In his closing sentence, Mr. Crocker accuses MMA of “illegal electioneering.” This is a false claim.
Every activity of MMA and every dollar spent by it was publicly disclosed to state officials over five separate election cycles. Every law and regulation regarding election campaigns and finances was strictly followed. There was never a complaint from the Attorney General’s Office, the state ethics commission or any other party until after the Maine Heritage Policy Center lost on Election Day and filed its lawsuit last June.
Mr. Crocker’s column also characterized MMA as “partisan” — this is also false. MMA is non-partisan; our bylaws expressly address our neutral position. We do not endorse candidates for political office. We do not support any political party or participate in candidate or party fundraising activities. We do not contribute money to candidates’ campaigns.
Since our founding in 1936, MMA has worked diligently to assist municipalities in providing effective and efficient services to Maine citizens and businesses and to serve as responsible partners in our intergovernmental system. We question the lack of editorial judgment by Mainebiz to print, without counterpoint, the referenced column that was unfair and damaging to the reputation of our association. We believe an apology from Mainebiz is in order to our association, our 487 municipal members and the elected officials and municipal employees we are very proud to support.
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