Local Democrat gadfly Bruce McFarland has filed a formal complaint with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Public Integrity Division over the City of Santa Clarita’s “Mayor Dude” campaign. The campaign was initiated and run by the City while Councilman Frank Ferry was Mayor for most of 2010.  

Mr. McFarland believes that the campaign “constitute misuse of public funds” and that it was nothing more than “a self- aggrandizing public relations campaign initiated” by Ferry. The Complaint which was dated March 17, 2010, sights various sections of the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) regulation 18901 which covers “mass mailings sent at public expense” and he believes that there has been a “misuse of public funds has been committed.”

Here is the entire text of McFarland’s letter:

Public Integrity Division

Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office

320 West Temple St., Rm. 766

Los Angeles, CA. 90012

To the Public Integrity Division:

As a resident of the City of Santa Clarita and the County of Los Angeles County, I am very concerned that local governments and elected officials follow all laws and regulations, especially laws that ensure fair and open elections for all citizens.

I write to you today to ask your assistance in determining whether FPPC regulation 18901 (mass mailings sent at public expense) and/or a misuse of public funds has been committed. If so, I request that you enforce the laws that protect the public from such corrupt governments and individuals.

Attached are several invoices (highlighted for your convenience), billed to the City of Santa Clarita Accounts Payable Dept., for a project entitled: “Mayor Dude”. “Mayor Dude” appears to be nothing but a self- aggrandizing public relations campaign initiated by Santa Clarita City Mayor Pro Tem, Frank Ferry.

In this campaign, advertising was purchased at bus shelters which prominently featured Mr. Ferry’s photograph and name. Additionally, a website was constructed and promoted which also prominently featured Mr. Ferry. Lastly, the city purchased an ad from “Inside SCV Magazine” which is distributed to residents in the Santa Clarita Valley.

I am concerned these acts may constitute misuse of public funds for three reasons: (1) this advertising campaign was seemingly paid for with taxpaye’s money; (2) the attached invoices represent a significant amount of money (in excess of ten (10) thousand dollars); (3) “Mayor Dude” served primarily to promote Mr. Ferry and provided little or no substantive benefit to the constituents of Santa Clarita.

Mr. Ferry was previously admonished by the FPPC for activities during the 2008 City Council race, for spending his campaign funds on promotional materials for another candidate. His most recent transgressions seem to continue a pattern of lawless behavior rather than just being an anomaly. If it is the conclusion of your offices that public funds have been misused, constituents such as myself are ready to aid in your investigation and end this public corruption.

Sincerely,

Bruce McFarland

I swear under penalty of perjury the foregoing is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. Bruce McFarland

The Mayor Dude campaign did raise eyebrows around town and there were comments by some that it appeared to be designed as an early re-election effort. The idea of having a way for the youth to communicate with the City Mayor is a good one but it was poorly executed by the City.

The campaign would have been more effective, both socially and financially, had it been designed to accommodate each Mayor as they changed annually. This would have allowed the City to build a website and a brand.

Unfortunately the way the site and the campaign were executed it was a one off that benefitted Councilman Ferry. This is what the County District Attorney needs to look at thoroughly and seriously to see if in fact there is a violation of the FPPC regulations.  

If you want to refresh your memory about the “Mayor Dude” campaign you can view this Nota FerryFan video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dZJAjn6LCc