Campaigns Need Financing

By Ian Paulson

(WINDSOR, ON) – According to my colleague, Windsor Councilor Al Maghnieh has not answered questions when it comes to Maghnieh’s 2010 election spending. Not so much the spending, but the accounting thereof.  Depending on what the facts are, it could be that Maghnieh failed to account for up to $5,000 in spending. When fitted originally, by the City Clerk, with an upper limit of around $16,000, and almost spending that amount, an extra five grand accounts for a 19% overage in election expenses.

There is a reason for setting limits to election spending and there is a reason for candidates to have their Financial Statements audited. If Maghnieh actually spent the extra $5,000 (and remember, he’s not answering so we don’t know for sure), then he went from paying $6.39 for each vote received in the 2010 election to shelling out $8.43 per vote. Maghnieh’s closest rival, Jeff Gaudette’s Financial Statement is not yet posted on the City of Windsor web site, however, that of the third place finisher, Paul Borrelli, is available.

Comparatively speaking, Borrelli declared spending $4,721.57 and received 1,191 votes, or $3.96 per vote. Maghnieh’s $8.43/vote shows exactly why there is a limit to election spending. Even Eddie Francis only spent $3.27 per vote received.

All very interesting considering Al Maghnieh refuses to answer questions regarding his election spending. Even if Maghnieh didn’t splurge the extra $5,000, his spending level was over 61% more than that of Borrelli’s. Is that a typical strategy of Maghnieh, to just throw money at a problem until it goes his way? How much will his Zalev mission end up costing tax payers?

In light of this latest matter facing Maghnieh, I had a look at the other side of the election finance house; the contributions made to the various candidates. There are some very interesting themes that emerge after looking at the contribution patterns.

Beyond the usual contributions to various candidates by developers and lawyers, by construction companies and consultants, there were some eye opening issues from the Financial Statements of the election hopefuls.

First off, another colleague has highlighted the close relationship between Eddie Francis and Abe Taq Taq. Abe, as you know, asked Edgar to stand in his wedding party; a position of honour that isn’t bestowed on just anyone. It’s not a big surprise then that Taq Taq contributed $750 to Edgar’s campaign finances. Abe as we pointed out, was also appointed to the board of directors at Enwin Energy . However, Abe’s father, Marwan, also contributed to Edgar’s campaign, and it doesn’t end there.

Someone by the name of Mona Taq Taq also gave Eddie $750: that is Abe’s wife’s name.  In fact, the Taq Taq clan’s total election contributions are interesting for the fact that Abe and his father each bestowed $750 to both Al Maghnieh and Ed Sleiman as well, but to no one else who won a council seat. There was one other candidate, for Ward 9, a Robert Sassine, who received $750 from Abe Taq Taq plus a further $750 from Abe’s company in Toronto, CD Investments (aka CD Worldwide). What is it that connects Eddie Francis, Al Maghnieh, Ed Sleiman, and Rob Sassine? And why would the Taq Taq family support their political efforts to the tune of $6,750?

Another interesting donation to Edgar’s war chest was made by an Ontario numbered company (1185671) that does business under the name of King Interiors. The cheque signatory was James King, the same person whose company just won a job to develop the old Windsor Arena into a market of sorts. It’s funny, though, that the development was never on any of the published agendas for the City’s Economic Development Committee. In fact, Councillor Dilkens (he of dilligence infamy), on Cogeco’s Face-to-Face, said it was an unsolicited pitch made to the City. If the City’s web site is up to date, then the last meeting for the committee was scheduled for 7 September 2010, but was never held. In fact the last two meetings were cancelled for lack of agenda items. So how long has this Barn project been in development and why wasn’t it vetted by the Economic and Development Committee (EDC)? Edgar doesn’t even sit on the committee.

The EDC is mandated to study and report to Council on all matters relating to the following:

• Community development initiatives (downtown, neighbourhoods)
• International exchanges with Sister Cities
• Small business support and development
• Policy matters relating to economic development
• Business Improvement Areas (BIA)

It would seem to me that the Barn development should have gone in front of the EDC. Why was it by-passed in favour of James King dealing directly with Edgar?

It should also be noted that there was the rare case where people working closely for, or with, a City politician made donations to candidates. Two such cases, however, were both made to Francis.

The first one was from a Holy Names High School alumnus who also happens to be the President and CEO of Windsor Airport. Frederica Nazzani was a classmate of Michelle Prince, Eddie’s wife, and who used to be on the Enwin Energy board, before Mr. Taq Taq. Nazzani made a $750 contribution to Edgar and was the only member of the airport’s executive management team to do so. Nazzani also gave $250 to Councilor Valentinis, but nothing to Drew Dilkens who sits with her on the airport board. Strange, eh?

The other contribution to Eddie’s battle came from Eddie’s Chief of Staff, Norma Coleman, wife of the Star’s Editorial Page Editor. She made a payment to her boss of $750 as well.

Another noteworthy issue concerns the Komsa clan, headed by Marty, of Windsor Family Credit Union fame. As a family unit, the Komsa’s made a total payment of $3,000 to the Francis coffers. That, in and of itself, is not unusual since you can see other families in the area making donations in the same manner. What I take exception to is the further payment of $750 that Marty Komsa made to Francis in the name of the WFCU. As a member of the credit union I take exception that corporate funds were used for political purposes. That would be akin to the Royal Bank of Canada making contributions to Stephen Harper’s election strongbox. Shareholders and depositors at the WFCU should be outraged. Didn’t unions come under fire for contributing members’ dues to the NDP? Is this not the same thing?

The last interesting point I’d like to bring up is the election financing received by Rick Limoges for his run at the mayor’s seat. With a couple of exceptions (usually contractors hedging their bets) there were few donations received byLimoges from people or corporations that also contributed to the Francis campaign. This speaks to the wide divide that exists in this city, a cleavage that Eddie Francis created and who has done nothing to help to repair since the 2010 election.

Two exceptions to the rule of donations to Limoges were in the form of the law offices of Sutts Strosberg. Where the two named partners (Cliff and Harvey respectively) each anteed up to Eddie to the tune of $750, the law firm itself made only a $200 contribution toLimoges. Thanks for coming out.

There’s nothing illegal, but some very interesting events, and some controversy, that deserves further examination. Have a look for yourselves and see if you notice anything else and be sure to let me know.

Related posts:

1. Dwight And Election Financing
2. Election Financing
3. Election Campaigns Make For Crazy Math