As many of you know, I just authored a blog posting about my concerns over union involvement with Grosse Pointe's upcoming School Board election and the potential conflict of interest it creates for any candidate who accepts union donations of manpower and/or cash for their campaign.
Not 10 minutes after sending my e-newsletter, I received an e-mail from a concerned citizen who subscribes to my newsletter with a link to a campaign report filed with the State of Michigan. According to this report, Mr. Roeske and Mrs. Valente have received $500 each from the Michigan Education Association (MEA) Local 1. This report is only for a few month's time and is only for this particular one of about 20 PACs that the MEA uses to funnel campaign donations. It also does not include any donations made by our local union, the Grosse Pointe Education Association (GPEA).
Should they be elected (and at least one of them will), how can Mr. Roeske and Mrs. Valente possibly vote on the school system union pay and benefit contracts without having a conflict of interest, even under the broadest of interpretations?
Even if they were to give the money back right now, the use of it and the union connection will have served its purpose. It's a sad day in Grosse Pointe for yours truly to see this happen in our community.
