Political mailers? It depends on who you ask

Local politicans just love their fliers. It is a common tactic that Rosemead Councilwoman Margaret Clark has used over the past year, and Dan Holloway uses them too. But a big difference: Holloway’s flier uses what looks like a city seal, which could get him in toruble, Tania Chatila reports:

LA PUENTE – Some city officials are accusing Councilman Dan Holloway of misusing the La Puente logo in a letter sent to more than 200 residents.

Holloway mailed the three-page letter at the beginning of the month. It details his accomplishments since being elected to the City Council in November. One of the pages included a picture of Holloway and the official La Puente logo.

A city policy unanimously adopted in January states that council members may not use city stationery “for political or campaign purposes. … City stationery is defined as any stationery that displays the city seal or logo.”

City Manager Carol Cowley said Holloway misused the icon, which includes the city’s name.

“Whether the (letter) was campaign or political literature, I think that’s subject to opinion,” she said, declining to comment further.

Holloway defended himself, saying the letter was in no way political. He said it was informative and was meant to address rumors that the council has been ineffective.

He also said the logo he used is not exactly the same one used by the city. It was something Holloway had in a file.

“Anyone who reads the letter would see that I’m obviously talking about things I’ve supported, things that I’ve recommended,” Holloway said. “It has nothing to do with politics. It has to do with informing the public.” Read more.