Veterans' certificates raise concerns
Veterans' certificates raise concerns
By MICHAEL D. BATES | Hernando Today
Published: February 4, 2010
Updated: 02/04/2010 10:44 pm
BROOKSVILLE - If Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite really wants to curry favor with veterans, she needs to do it with her votes, not by issuing taxpayer-funded certificates, according to Democrat Jim Piccillo, the congresswoman's opponent in this year's race.
Piccillo is referring to a recognition ceremony honoring female veterans held Jan. 20 at the Brooksville Elks Lodge 2582.
At that event, Brown-Waite's representative handed out a "certificate of special Congressional recognition" for "exemplary military service in the United States Armed Forces" to the handful of veterans who attended.
Brown-Waite's office mailed out certificates to those who didn't show up.
According to Cassie Smedile, Brown-Waite's communications director, three people received mailings. All of them were postmarked with the congresswoman's stamp in lieu of postage. "This was not a mass mailing," Smedile said.
She also said these certificates were not read into the Congressional record. Piccillo said Brown-Waite's use of the franking privilege in mailing out public service certificates "is a stretch."
"It raises some legitimate questions, and it's something the House ethics committee should potentially look into," Piccillo said. "I'm not faulting anyone for recognizing veterans — who certainly deserve the honor — except when it comes to playing politics with veterans."
Piccillo, referring to Brown-Waite's decision to vote against a new GI Bill in 2008, said if the congresswoman really wants to honor veterans she "will do it with her votes, not with certificates." Brown-Waite co-sponsored the G.I. Bill, which would have expanded educational benefits to veterans. However, she voted against it after Democrats included a different taxing mechanism to fund the bill's coverage.
Brown-Waite, in a speech on the House floor before the vote, told colleagues that despite her "obvious support" for this provision, "I'm saddened because I can't vote for its passage," according to a Tampa Tribune article.
Her office then sent out a split-personality news release headlined: "Ginny Supports the New G.I. Bill and Takes Majority to Task for Raising Taxes on Small Business and Entrepreneurs," according to the Tampa Tribune article.
Republican Jason Sager, also running against Brown-Waite, said he didn't want to comment on the matter because he didn't know enough of the facts.
However, he questions the use of Brown-Waite's overall franking use, especially in this technological age when a simple e-mail might suffice.
Brown-Waite is a fourth-term Republican seeking re-election to Florida's 5th District. Sager and Piccillo have previously criticized her for what they call an excessive use of her franking privilege, which allows lawmakers to send out official mail by using their signature in lieu of a stamp.
In 2009, Brown-Waite said she spent $80,426 on bulk mailings, accounting for 5 percent of her total office expenses, which is more than $1.6 million.
Smedile said Brown-Waite was not available to comment. However, the congresswoman recently told Hernando Today she has more than one million constituents in her district and mailings are often the best way to keep them abreast of activities locally and in Washington, D.C.
"I have very, very communicative constituents," Brown-Waite said.
Brown-Waite has actively championed for veterans since taking office. This past Saturday, she hosted a Veterans Benefit Resource Fair at Nature Coast Technical High School. Gail Cleaves, veterans' chairwoman for the Elks Lodge, said 24 people were invited to the January event. Of those, 16 attended, she said.
Brown-Waite was invited but could not attend. Instead, she sent her representative, said Cleaves. Cleaves said the certificates are "an acknowledgment of their time in the service and a thank you." "It's not a promotional gimmick by Ginny Brown-Waite," Cleave said.
Cleaves said Brown-Waite has issued such certificates for other past Elks events recognizing veterans. This was the first such event honoring females, she said.
Information from the Tampa Tribune was used in this article.
Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.
