Dems file complaint after GOP hopefuls spotlighted (USCongress, State Senate @public school system)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.newswaverly.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20112098&BRD=2712&PAG=461&dept_id=556239&rfi=6

By: Richard Egan, Midlands News Service
09/09/2008
Updated 09/09/2008 10:35:16 AM EDT

The Nebraska Democratic Party filed a complaint Monday over a districtwide meeting for the Bellevue Public Schools at which Superintendent John Deegan introduced several Republican candidates but appeared to leave out Democrats.

About 1,200 school employees were at the meeting.

"Because certain candidates were given preferential treatment at a mandatory meeting with public employees at a public high school, we believe that it has called into serious question whether a violation (of state law) has occurred,'' said Eric Van Horn, a spokesman for the state Democratic Party.

"That's fine,'' said Deegan, when he was told Monday night about the filing of the complaint. "There's a big difference between filing a complaint and finding a violation.''

The Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Act prohibits a public official or public employee from using public resources for the purpose of campaigning for against the nomination or election of a candidate. The complaint was filed with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission.

An attorney representing the Bellevue Public Schools told the board Monday night that the complaint hinges on whether Deegan's actions could be considered as campaigning.

Attorney Duncan White said that the meeting was not a campaign event, that no candidates other than current elected officials were invited by the district and that none took the microphone.

"Recognition is not campaigning,'' he said.

FULL story at link.