Beleaguered councilman sends mailers

Erin Neff

Monday, Nov. 6, 2000 | 11:39 a.m.

City Councilman Michael McDonald won't talk publicly about his legal troubles, but he is hoping two last-minute mailers to Ward 1 residents speak volumes.

"I maintain my innocence even though some reporters have tried, convicted and sentenced me," reads a glossy letter from McDonald mailed to thousands of Ward 1 voters over the weekend. "This has caused great pain to my parents and family during these attempts to tarnish my good name."

The second mailer refers to an ongoing recall petition drive and urges voters to "be careful what you sign on Election Day."

"The man we have consistently rejected is trying to get back on the City Council," reads the mailer, signed by Meadows Neighborhood Preservation Homeowners Association. "Steve Miller, who has run and lost in the last two City Council elections, the Mayors (sic) race and the Lt. Governor race now wants you to support a petition to recall Councilman Michael McDonald and give himself another chance to represent us at City Hall.

"Nobody wants that," the mailer reads.

Bette Craik, chairperson of the homeowners association who signed the letter, said her group appreciates what McDonald has done for older neighborhoods like their's and doesn't want him removed from office.

"Mr. McDonald has not been found guilty of ethics violations," Craik said. "His hearing is Wednesday, and we want him to be in office until that hearing."

Both mailers are folded single sheets on glossy stock with multiple color on the outside fold. Both are paid for by Citizens for Michael McDonald.

Miller, who is leading the petition drive to recall McDonald, paid for another mailer sent to Ward 1 voters last week. That double-sided typed letter tells residents to recall McDonald to "help maintain integrity in our local government," and asks them to nominate Miller to replace McDonald.

That mailer, sent by the Committee to Recall Michael J. McDonald to 38,000 households, cost $6,100. Miller estimates McDonald's mailers, sent to each registered voter, cost $22,000.

When asked about the cost of the mailers, Rick Henry -- McDonald's ward liaison and the chairman of his 1999 re-election campaign -- said he has been instructed not to talk to media. McDonald did not return calls.