Only about 1 in 6 registered Carson voters cast ballots in the March 8
election, but it could have been less if it wasn't for one of the candidate's "doughnut incentive program."
City Council candidate Elito Santarina promised a dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts to each voter that brought his or her voting stub to United Steel Workers Union Hall that day. Two thousand dozen doughnuts were available to voters, according to the mailer.
Mayor Jim Dear actually claimed ownership of this doughnut program, and Santarina sent out a glossy mailer to residents with a letter from Dear that both endorsed him and advertised the free treats.
"In these uncertain economic times, it's crucial that we have the best leaders possible guiding our city," Dear writes in the mailer. "Enjoy and let the good times roll!"
Santarina won re-election, but there's no way to know whether the offer of free doughnuts contributed to that.
At least one resident was dissatisfied with the deal. He wrote the following in an e-mail:
"The day of election we received a robo call from the Mayor reiterating
the same promise of doughnuts. Upon voting at the Town Ave school
location not one poll worker new of such promises. My family and I
contacted via phone city hall and the Mayor's office. Not one City Hall
employee new of the Mayor's promise, nor did his staff. They asked for
my name and phone number but never returned my calls. Mayor Jim Dear
was contacted numerous times, or so I was told by City Hall and Mayoral
staff. Mr. Dear could
not be reached. Yes, doughnuts may seem like a silly issue to be upset
over, however if the Mayor cannot deliver on a simple promise such as
doughnuts, what does this say about his abilities or lack there of to
run Carson? I find this behavior disrespectful and rude. Mr. Dear
would like the residents of Carson to scratch his back but it appears he
is unwilling to do so in kind."
Leave a comment