Above: Rep. Carolyn Dykema (left) serves lunch to seniors at her annual picnic (contributed photo)
The Massachusetts Republican Party filed a complaint yesterday with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance for what they allege were improper corporate contributions to the campaign of Representative Carolyn Dykema.
In their complaint, Mass GOP says Dykema accepted corporate donations as raffle prizes at the senior picnic she hosted last month. Massachusetts state law prohibits political campaigns from accepting corporate gifts.
Dykema denied the allegations, telling the Metrowest Daily News the senior picnic was not a campaign event, but an annual get-together held both in campaign and non-campaign years.
The senior picnic dates back about 20 years, (Dykema) said, and was sponsored by the representatives before her.
“If there is in fact a problem I will rectify it, but this event is totally in support of our local seniors,” she said.
Mass GOP called on Dykema to return any funds raised through the senior picnic.
Update 2:20 pm: Rep. Dykema has issued a statement in response to the Mass GOP complaint. In it she chastises the Republican party for what she calls an attack on a “long-standing, bi-partisan community tradition.” You can read the whole thing here.
Wow, the ultimate hypocrisy coming from the “super PAC” party. My understanding is that both Republicans and Democrats sponsor this event every year and that all the “corporate contributions” (which were actually just modest gift cards donated by small local businesses) went directly to the seniors. This was not a fund-raising event or a stop on the campaign trail. Maybe her supporters should have been a bit lower key about the literature and publicity, but the way I see it, if the donations went to the seniors and did not pay for any expenses of a political campaign, there is no harm and no foul. Carolyn is a very good woman and works hard for her constituents. Go solve real problems Repubs, like those in your own party.
PS – I just read Carolyn’s response. Well-done Carolyn. Don’t let the jerks get you down.
Well said Resident. In the words of a former Republican President: “There they go again.” Representative Dykema is a wonderful and ethical person. I urge Southborough voters to support her re-election bid.
My grandparents, who attended this event, told me there was Dykema campaign literature on every table and the volunteers were wearing campaign t-shirts, If this doesn’t smack as a campaign event, I don’t know what does! If she wanted to give out gifts, her campaign should have followed the law and PAID for them. As a legislator, Carolyn should have known better! Bottom line, Dykema should take responsibility for illegally trying to buy senior votes.
The clear evidence that this was a community event, rather than a campaign event, was the presence of several Republican Selectmen there. Dan Haley, who ran against Rep. Dykema in 2008, agrees at the link Resident gives below.
The newsletters on the tables this year were constituent reports, not campaign literature. The newsletters do not solicit political support for Carolyn in any way.
I really hope Marty Lamb’s smear campaign doesn’t damage this cherished two-decade-old institution. It would be a shame if seniors lost out next year because of his lack of a sense of fairness.
It doesn’t matter who is there, Mr. Roney. Our Professor made it clear to us.
You’re wrong. It was campaign literature. The picture of it is at the flemingandhayes website. It says it’s paid for by her campaign committee. It’s a big rule not to mix campaign events with official office events.
Since the literature handed out is stamped with her campaign committee label, then it is campaign literature.
There’s no smear here. These are facts. Our Professor has said, when something like this happens, just take care of it and cooperate and do the right thing. Otherwise, trying to get out of it makes matters worse.
Good follow-up article:
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/top_stories/x1526497188/GOP-complaint-against-Dykema-is-unfair-former-opponent-says
Raise your hand if you actually believe that Marty Lamb had nothing to do with this complaint. Not likely. I hope the article is right and that this will come back to bite the Republicans on the …
Let’s see, do I vote for the party of the “Super Pack” or the party of public union dews funneled to campaign war chests (to say nothing of George Soros)? Do I care if Ms. Dykema handed out campaign buttons at a picnic? No.
How about we have a little discussion of the real issues. How is either candidate going to change the State House culture? Does either candidate have ideas on lowering my property tax (you know that little promise of Duval’s back in his first campaign)?
I know of only one way I can effect either of those questions.
The only way to change the State House culture, which I think can properly be described as corrupt, is to change the occupants. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. The previous 3 speakers have been indited and the current one is under the cloud of the Corrections Dept scandal. A fish rots from the head.
If Ms Dykma did transgress the rules it appears minor but it is hard to think of her appearance at the Senior Picnic as anything but political. She is in a real race for a change and needs to be out pressing the flesh. No shame in that. Her protestations to the contrary are about as convincing as any politicians statements that large campaign donors get no special access or consideration.
I am no fan of the Republican social agenda. But in this case I am thinking very seriously about voting for Mr. Lamb. The only way to clean up Beacon Hill is to change the occupants.
I am sorry, but, whatever the problems in the State House, no one who has ever worked with Carolyn Dykema could accuse her of corruption with a straight face. Carolyn is one of those rare politicians who is actually in it to do good and to serve her community. The rest is just BS. She has my vote now more than ever if this is the type of junk her opponent calls a campaign.
We’ve been taught to look at both sides without the spin. It’s the facts and clearly that was a campaign event. The picture of the literature is at that website, and it says paid for by the campaign committee. You can’t combine campaign and official public office business. Big No-No.
That’s Politics 101 so to speak.
So, no matter how much spin I read in these blogs, it all comes back to the main point, the illegal contributions and this event promoted by Rep. Dykema’s campaign. It’s for real. All the spin is just talk.
Rep. Dykema broke the campaign finance laws. She is now trying to blame others for her own mistake. It’s dishonest. Instead of apologizing for cheating, she says it’s not an issue. So, it’s OK for her to take corporate donations an no one else. This is illegal and she did it to benefit her campaign. It’s not that “everybody does it”. She’s the one with the campaign promoting this event, campaign working at this event, campaign material being passed out at this event. If it looks like a duck, and sounds like a duck, then it is.
Enough ! She’s another Beacon Hill politician that thinks the rules don’t apply to her. Just another example of the arrogance.
The campaign material on the table said it was paid for by her campaign committee. That’s campaign material, cold hard truth, it is.
A picture of it is here. It clearly state, “Paid for by the Committee to Elect Carolyn Dykema”. That makes this campaign material and this is a campaign event with volunteers there wearing their shirts and her campaign promoting it.
http://fleming-hayes.com/2012/09/busted-democrat-dykema-violates-campaign-finance-laws-2/
Resident allthough we have disagreed in the past . i could not agree more with your last post. she is one of the good ones. I vote republican most often but she will certainly get my vote.
Ok, we have 2 anonymous posters who as far as I can am concerned are the candidate and Sal and Kelly, both member of the Southborough Democratic committee defending Ms. Dykema. I dont fault Sal and Kelly for defending her, that is their role but it would be nice if they disclosed their affiliations. As for the anonymous posters their opinion should carry no weight.
It is clear from the citation that Ms Reeves posted that Ms. Dykema intended to claim credit for the event and the advertising was paid for by her campaign committee. This was clearly a political event.
This was a minor transgression if in the light of the United decision it was a transgression at all but it is very disappointing that the candidate did not come clean.
I would have been far more impressed if she had said oops I made a mistake, sorry, my campaign will pick up the tab and it wont happen again.
Al, who are you to say that my opinion should carry no weight? I am NOT “the candidate.” I am a resident of Southborough. Susan can verify both of these facts if she chooses to. Regardless, do you or anyone who reads this blog verify the identity of everyone who does post by what looks like a full name? If I called myself James H. Collins, would you then assume I am NOT posting anonymously? I have no idea who the heck Margaret Reeves is, but I don’t discount her (or his) opinion because of that fact. In fact when I search for “Margaret Reeves Southborough MA” nothing comes up but her posts above! There are many who post here under a fake name that simply looks real. How are you so sure that any of us has a clue who Al Hamilton is?
I am a person who post under their own name. That is who I am. If you have any doubt, my number is in the phone book and you can call me to verify that I am a resident of Southborough.
Of course I cannot do the same.
Political endorsements by people who will not disclose who they are are worthless. Since I have no idea who you are and no way to verify if anything you say about yourself is real I choose to assume that you are working for the candidate or are the candidate you are endorsing. That is my standard assumption, Democrat, Republican or other.
As for Ms Reeves, there is no particular reason why she should live in Southborough the House district she represents encompasses Hopkinton, Holliston, and parts of Southborough, Medway, and Westborough. I assume, given the detail of her post that she is working for the Republicans. No shame in that.
I know who Al Hamilton is. His number is in the book and I know exactly where his house is. Al , is in fact, Al.
Hi Mr. Hamilton, I just wanted to thank you for recognizing me out here and respecting me as a poster. I don’t work for any one side, but I do hope to have an internship sometime, and I think that would be a great learning experience.
Thanks again, Mr. Hamilton.
The corruption in the State House has a name and it is not anonymous: Controlled by Democrats. Ms. Dykema could be the second coming of Mother Theresa so long as there is a “D” after here name I will not vote for her. Voting for her is a vote for the same State House leadership. There is no question about that.
Al I may post under the name daddyo but infact have in previous post identified myself along with my reasons. you could easily verify this. if you choose not to put any weight in what i have to say fine ! but i wish you would come down off your high horse and stop telling every one on this blog how my opinion should not carry any weight.oh and with very little effort you could look me up in the phone book also
Daddyo – My apologies, I forgot that you had disclosed who you are.
Resident – I merely said how I process endorsements from an anonymous poster. If others want to be influenced by an anonymous opinion so be it. I am not.
I think it is telling that Ms Dykema has taken down the part of her web page dealing with the picnic.
Lets remember that Sal Demasi (extortion & fraud) was once “one of the good ones” he was supposed to set a higher standard than Thomas Finneran (perjury) who in turn was supposed to clean up after Charles Flaherty (tax evasion). We will see how Mr. DeLeo survives the Corrections Dept probe. He was supposed to clean up after Mr Demasi.
Ms Dykema’s transgression was minor but her reaction is telling. Deny everything, blame the Republicans for pointing out the minor ethical lapse and then cover up.
I’ve found the missing link, and I’m trying to get it restored, but I don’t have administrative access to the constituent services site.
I do know that there is no effort to take down pictures, or they would be gone from Facebook, too. But they are still up at this link.
The link is back up here.
I don’t know how the link to the release got botched, but the page was always up, just impossible to find. Now it’s fixed.
I suggest you read Dan Haley’s comment here. You may recall that Dan was the Republican candidate for this House seat in 2008. Here’s an excerpt of his comment:
Lamb’s campaign consultant, by the way, is Holly Robichaud of the Boston Herald. I’m sure we can expect to hear her use her soapbox to attack my friend Carolyn Dykema. I expect scurrilous nonsense that fails to rise to the level of half truth, though I hope to be wrong about this.
I wonder if Dan Haley shares an office with Paul Loscocco.
We went over this kind of thing in class too with real political examples through the years, real cases. Professors told us, “today’s friend is tomorrow’s enemy”.
Usually, there’s some personal vendetta why people align themselves like this. It’s always personal, usually something that happened in a previous election year, the sour grapes kind of thing.
There’s always as what’s in it for them factor, too. It’s the sucky side of politics. Once again, nothing but static from the main point which is illegal contributions taken at a campaign event.
I’d love an internship at that OCPF office. That would be really interesting.
Al thank you.
If Carolyn Dykema had any honesty, she would have just taken care of this instead of pull the complete denial routine which is what politicians do when they are caught. Instead, she’ll lash out and try to cover up.
She’ll have surrogates change the subject, distract, deflect. This is about illegal contributions that were made to benefit her campaign.
It takes a problem like this to open the can of worms and have everything she’s done looked at.
Interesting that she did take pics down on facebook. They are all over the media outlets, so she can’t hide that either. It’s plain to see these were campaign people and campaign material passed out.
It says right on it paid for by her campaign committee. Yes, she still wants to deny it. It’s the epitomy of arrogant condescension that infects them, and the only cure is to get out of office and back into the real world and live by the rules like the rest of us.
For sure, she must be spending a lot of money on lawyers right now.
There is no registered voter in our district named Margaret Reeves. The Lamb campaign has frequently used pseudonyms as a force multiplier, and they appear to be doing that again.
Dan Haley is a Republican who knows this district better than Marty Lamb. Haley knows that this senior picnic has gone on for two decades, under Democrats and Republicans alike, in election years and off years, with prizes from local businesses that benefit the seniors who attend, not the politicians who host them.
It’s likely to be the seniors who suffer from Lamb’s power play.
If you’re missing the Facebook pictures, they are here. Yet another false allegation from the Lamb campaign…
Lamb and his campaign manager probably intend for Carolyn to have to spend on lawyers as a way of suppressing her excellent case for re-election. Marty has a history of not managing money very well, so Carolyn had way more in the bank at the point of the pre-primary campaign finance reports from a couple of weeks ago.
You’re very wrong, Mr. Roney. I certainly am in the district and there are other Reeves here, too. I’m a newly registered voter. You may not know this, but they told us in college that 50% of residents aren’t registered to vote.
This is an important election and we need to exercise our citizenship.
A friend even told me about a Young Democrats club event a few weeks ago, I think it was on the 21st of August right in Southborough to meet at the pizza place on Main and asked if I wanted to come and do canvassing for Rep. Dykema.
I said, look, I need to understand both sides. I don’t vote lockstep with a party. I look at the issues, and I look at what’s most important for my future and getting a job and having a career and getting somewhere in life. I’m a political science major in school.
I have friends across the political spectrum and we get along fine. I have friends to the left of me and friends to the right of me. I’m taking it issue by issue.
Also, I did read more articles, and Mr. Lamb raised more money than Mrs. Dykema overall, and has money on hand, too, and we know there are expenses on a campaign, and no doubt he’s been doing a lot. So, it’s up to the candidate on what they use it on. Mr. Lamb has a business and has kept that going in tough economic times where I read so much about foreclosures and people moving out of the state, especially people my age after they get out of school. We can’t find jobs. So, since he’s managed a business and kept that going through tough times with all there is to deal with these days, that’s a big deal and he’s managed very, very well. People could take advice from Mr. Lamb on how to help keep their business going in rough times. He’s sure done it.
“Illegal contributions” is a ridiculously out-of-proportion characterization for what is in question here. Let’s put this in perspective please. Corporate donations to campaigns are prohibited to prevent large corporations with special interests, which run contrary to the interests of the greater public, to “buy” favor from politicians. It is to prevent politicians from having their votes “bought” by large corporations for large sums of money.
How much political favor does a $30.00 gift card buy these days?
It is obvious, especially in the literature that is so prominently displayed on the blog many of you have linked to, that the donations were made by very small local businesses and that their reasons for making the donation were, at best, good will toward our seniors, at worst, publicity for their businesses.
If this is in fact a breach of the law, it is a very small and trivial one and Ms. Dykema is hardly lashing out or trying to cover up. In her her first statement she clearly stated – and I quote – “If there is in fact a problem I will rectify it.” I don’t blame her for calling the complaint and her opponent exactly what they are – petty and insignificant.
What should trouble us a great deal more is a candidate who has his campaign look into the local businesses who made such small contributions, find out if any are registered as “corporations,” generate a petty complaint and, finally, lie about his involvement in the complaint when he is call out on the mat. He was arrogant enough to go all “outraged citizen” in a statement to the press when Ms. Dykema connected him to the complaint, only to admit later when his back was put against the wall by Dan Haley that it was HIS CAMPAIGN’S IDEA. If the complaint is indeed valid and not just meant to throw mud onto Ms. Dykema, why did he lie about his involvement in it?
This is just petty mud-slinging – politics at its worst. On election day, I will remember who started the slinging – Marty Lamb and the Republicans!
And for the record, I am a taxpaying resident of Southborough and am not affiliated in any way with Ms. Dykema’s campaign. I post anonymously for a number of personal safety reasons which is my right and is permitted by the rules of this blog. Also, I do not post under numerous names within the same conversation. Along with being unethical, that is not permitted by the rules of this blog.
Who is responsible for corruption at the State House and how is Ms. Dykema going to change that?
Minor infraction – yeah sure, but some of us know if Marty Lamb jay walked you guys would be posting videos from the Boston Globe.
Maybe Ms. Warren can come to Ms. Dykema’s aid. You know – lend a little credibility.
“Minor infraction – yeah sure, but some of us know if Marty Lamb jay walked you guys would be posting videos from the Boston Globe.”
Proof that this is untrue is the fact that Mr Lamb’s opposition, be it Ms. Dykema or the Democratic committees, have initiated no mudslinging during this campaign. If one wants to, there is a way to sling mud on anyone. Speaking for myself, I would have to say you are wrong. I have no tolerance for pettiness and wouldn’t care which side it was coming from.
It’s about strength of character and the belief that there is no dignity in “going there.” Mr. Lamb “went there.” Is it lack of character or sheer desperation? Both are equally nauseating.
Wow. Talk about an ego problem. Haley lost and he wants to make sure no one shows him up. He is so jealous that he is now sabotaging the campaign. His theory is if he cannot win, no else can win. His ego would be killed if someone else won. What a pathetic excuse. Word on the street, he and his law firm were fired from the Brown campaign. He’s known.
Hello Sir or Ma’am.
Yes, this is the kind of thing, some personal thing bothering Mr. Haley. I’ve heard a lot about Mr. Loscocco and running with Mr. Cahill and then bailing on him. Wierd. I guess an R and a D can run together as independents, but all that does is take votes away from the minority party which has a tougher time and let an incumbent with limited support get in again. We studied this too and I think Mr. Patrick was re-elected with 48% which is less than a majority.
So, Mr. Haley and/or people close to him have something really under their skin to defend someone who is breaking the law.
By the way, here’s more evidence this picnic was a non-partisan event. Look at that line-up of Republican and unenrolled Selectmen.
Thank you Resident and Kelly for your astute commentary and exercise of your First Amendment rights. I also applaud Republican Dan Haley for doing the right thing. As I stated in my earlier post, Representative Dykema is a wonderful and ethical person. I urge Southborough voters to support her re-election bid.
I saw pictures online of many democrats too, State Sen. Eldridge was there and someone from Sen. Spika’s office, and others from the Southborough planning board who were Democrats, too.
This doesn’t matter anyway. It’s still a campaign event when Rep. Dykema’s literature is handed out and her campaign committee is stamped on it.
We’ve seen that. Enough already ! It’s a Dykema campaign event and they were advertising it.
Kelly:
Of course this was a political event. That is why the politicians showed up to woo the voters. That is a perfectly reasonable thing for them to do it is election season. Making themselves available to answer questions and discuss things with prospective voters is the grunt work of getting elected at the local level. That is how our system works.
Just because members of both parties attended does not make an event non political. Is a candidates debate political event? Of course it is. If one participant stands by the door and hands out $10 bills is that appropriate? (This is a rhetorical question I am not claiming that Ms. Dykema did so). How does that differ from handing out gift cards?
It is really impossible not to view the attendance of politicians who are running for office as anything but political.
The infraction was minor but the response by Ms. Dykemas supporters is telling. It was not Mr. Lamb who was handing out gifts with money value to voters. All attempts to smear him to the contrary the facts speak for themselves.
It walks like a duck and quacks like a duck….please don’t insult the intelligence of the voters by trying to say it is an aardvark.
Mr. Lamb is, frankly, a weak candidate but Ms. Dykema and her supporters are making him look better and better all the time.
Al,
I chose to post anonymously and I evaluate all posts on the merits of the post rather than the name of the poster.
You did a great job summarizing the political nature of this fine event. I agree completely with you on that. Isn’t odd how some folks cringe at the use of the word “political” as if it were a dirty word?
You wrote “… but the response by Ms. Dykemas supporters is telling.” I’ll make my voting decision based on the actions and words of the candidates, not their supporters and what they post on this blog. Candidates must cringe when they read some of the posts submitted by their supporters!
I’m leaning towards voting again for Carolyn Dykema because I think she has done a good job for Southborough.
I’m a registered independent voter but usually vote republican. In the past, I have contributed to republican and democrat candidates.
It seems to me that this political event is being blown way out of proportion. If Rep Dykema did violate the rules and is required to repay the funds (how much money is involved here ?), I will make a contribution to her political account to help defray the cost of this event just because I hate how small minded some of the campaign attackers have become.
I think it would have been easier for Mrs. Dykema to face the issue and take care of it rather than deny it all and blame others and say “it’s not an issue”. That just amazed me, especially someone in office saying that. These are campaign finance laws and what good are they if they are not followed !
Instead her supporters are attacking the people who reported it. Don’t they call that “shooting the messenger”.
I talked to my Professor about it, and he said it’s a classic from a politician, he said “deny it, deflect it, distract by blaming others, and attack the other side for pointing it out’. He also basically told me how this “digs a deeper hole”.
Al, politicians of both parties attended Southborough Summer Nights. That didn’t make it a political event. Ditto for many other community events.
The fact remains that Marty Lamb lied about this complaint to Dan Haley.
On the other hand, Carolyn Dykema has been completely transparent about this in her postings and her filings.
This event has gone on under both parties for decades. Marty Lamb is willing to damage a community event for his political advantage. That’s what stinks here.
This was a valid complaint to OCPF. I’ve been reading more about it online. It’s a real complaint.
Mrs. Dykema could correct it by paying for the picnic through her campaign account. Why doesn’t she just do the right thing. Why all the denial and taking pics down from facebook and hiding it. Those pics are out there anyway, so what’s the point.
Also, another thing Professors told us was these things should be registered as in-kind contributions and that’s another problem when they aren’t. We are studying this now, because all this stuff is public record and we can use it as an example.
Our professor said, this always opens a “can of worms” and more scrutiny finds more things, when it could be all so simple if it’s just taken care of head on.
Also, this is not about the event itself. It’s how it’s being funded, payed for, how all this is handled. I mentioned before, why have these laws if they are not followed. Those laws are there for a purpose.
In class, in our discussion groups, we look at this without all the partisan supporter stuff, and don’t have “blinders on”, as he told us, and we came to this conclusion on our own that it’s better to take care of this and not try to deny and hide it, just respond and do the right thing. Otherwise, it just makes matters worse for you.
Kelly
Of course her participation was a political event as was the participation of every other politician looking to get elected or reelected in Nov. Ms. Dykema would be an incompetent politician if she was not out pressing the flesh and doing retail politics at public events like this. Whatever she is she is not an incompetent politician.
There is no shame in this as you seem to be implying. This is a good thing. Our leaders should be accessible and should get out and ask for our votes. They should be handing out their campaign literature trying to convince us that they are the right person for the job.
Just don’t insult our intelligence by somehow claiming that she was only there for some other high minded purpose. She was there because she is in a somewhat tight race for the seat she has held and needs every vote she can get and she was out trying to get them. Good for her, that is what she is supposed to be doing, it just appears that she might have overstepped a legal constraint and is being called on the carpet.
You can fume and fuss all you want about Mr. Lamb who I assume is behind the complaint. Politics is a blood sport in Mass. As that famous Democrat Harry Trumans said “If you can’t take the heat stay out of the kitchen”
Thank you, as always, Susan for providing this great venue for the Soutborough community to share ideas and opinions. The level of engagement and interest displayed in these posts is a good sign that democracy in the 8th Middlesex is alive and well.
While it’s not likely that I can sway many of the opinions on this board, it’s important to me that the residents of Southborough and the district clearly understand my position relative to the claims recently made against me.
The senior picnic was started about 20 years ago by a wonderful couple from Hopkinton who would invite seniors to their home every year for a meal and conversation. My friend and mentor, former Rep. Barbara Gardner, ensured that the event continued through her tenure when it grew larger than could be accommodated in a back yard. I was proud to continue this annual tradition when elected, as had my Republican predecessor, Paul Loscocco.
The event, which is held every year regardless of the election cycle, is paid for with funds raised by my campaign. I consider it a privilege to provide a meal and entertainment for the seniors who have given, and continue to give, so much to our communities. They contribute greatly to the quality of life we enjoy here, and why my husband Bill and I have chosen to raise our family here.
The material that was distributed was a copy of my district newsletter. The newsletter is distributed via email to anyone who requests it and to all those who have contacted my office in the past. Every year, I print hard copies of the newsletter for the picnic since many seniors do not have access to a computer and are not able to access the electronic version. If anyone would like a copy, I would be happy to send you one. It includes updates on legislation we have passed recently and information on programs that may be of assistance to residents such as the new foreclosure assistance hotline established by the Attorney General. The newsletter printing, like the rest of the event, was paid for with funds raised by my campaign.
I am very grateful that generous local businesses, including some in Southborough, have been willing to provide the gift certificates that go into a drawing for our seniors that day. All of these gifts go directly to the seniors and I know they really appreciate it.
If it is determined that any mistakes have been made in accounting for these gift certificates, I will immediately address them. I agree that accountability is important.
Thank you for the opportunity to respond. If there is any additional information that I can provide as you consider how to cast your vote in November, I would welcome your call.
Respectfully,
Carolyn Dykema
Thank you Carolyn. I am not a Democratic partisan, far from it, but this attempt to besmirch Ms Dykema bothered me. If you look in the dictionary under “integrity” you will find a picture of Carolyn Dykema. Does the “Senior Picnic” give her campaign visibility in an election year? Is this unfair to challengers? Maybe, but it’s called the “perks of incumbency” and it goes with our system. If you don’t know what a decent, honest and caring person Carolyn is, please get out in the community at one of the countless events she participates in every year. If you can, stop by the “Care Packages for Troops Drive” at the Senior Center (October 13-14). She comes every year to pack boxes, rain or shine, election or not. I would love to see a better balance of representation on Beacon Hill, but not at the expense of Carolyn’s reputation..
I have always had great respect for the boy scout programs we have in town.my son and i have many great memories of his journey to the rank of eagle scout.many of you know just how challenging of a comitment that is.I have also had the pleasure of attending several other eagle ceremonies for these dedicated scouts in town.i have also greatly respected the fact that every one i have been to i have seen carolyn Dykema in attendance. she certainly cares greatly for our community !
I have read all the posts here and on the Metrowest Daily. The summary is this: Ms. Dykema is a good person (I have no doubt about this) who attends Eagle Scout award meetings, other local meetings and marches in the Memorial Day parade. Being a little dyslexic, I may have missed one or two. My point is: this is a part of being a state representative.
What I am looking for from her is that she will break from her party’s leadership in the State House and end the corruption right here and now. It is what is needed in this state from every representative no matter how many meetings are attended or how many goodies are brought home.
State Rep. Carolyn Dykema, D-Holliston, has been cleared by the Office of Campaign and Political Finance concerning a complaint filed by the Massachusetts Republican Party accusing her of accepting corporate contributions to her campaign through a senior citizen picnic this summer.
Director of the Office of Campaign and Political Finance Michael Sullivan issued a finding last month determining that Dykema’s campaign did not benefit from door prizes contributed by local businesses in support of the annual senior picnic held in Hopkinton.
“The office has reached this conclusion in part because the senior picnic was not a fundraising event, and no money was raised for Representative Dykema’s campaign at the event or as a result of the event,” Sullivan wrote.
Dykema faced the accusation in September, shortly before Republican challenger Marty Lamb entered the race for her state representative seat. Dykema won re-election on Nov. 6 over Lamb.
“I’m glad this issue has been resolved,” Dykema said. “In its finding, OCPF has confirmed what residents of this district have always known: the senior picnic is about our community and our seniors and not about campaign politics. I’m pleased that next year’s picnic can go on as planned and I’m looking forward to continuing to recognize our seniors for all they contribute to our towns.”
Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x719503870/Dykema-cleared-in-GOP-complaint-on-campaign-contributions#ixzz2EgiNDjC5