CTBob, who is a much more professional blogger/journalist than I, followed this up with The Alpert campaign – and it’s nothing, really – Sorry about that:
Hello, Bob.
Regarding your question from yesterday, Merrick wrote the following to Daniela of The Courant:
“Dear Daniela,
I read your blog yesterday and then contacted the Judicial Branch to make sure that I did not owe any fees. I was informed that I had paid the fees in full for 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009. (The 2010 invoices have not been sent out yet.) They did not receive the payment from me for 2008, so I hand delivered that payment to their office this morning. When I spoke with you earlier in the week, I was incorrect when I stated that I had claimed the partial exemption since I do not practice law. In fact, as the Judicial Branch records reflect, I have paid the full fees although legally I could have taken either the full exemption (by filing the ‘Retirement’ form they provided me) or the partial exemption since I don’t practice law.
Thank you for bringing it to my attention.”
Hope this helps clarify things.Cordially,
Lev–
Mr. Lev St.King
Director of Communications
Merrick Alpert for U.S. Senate
215 Bank Street
New London, CT 06320
Office: 860.447.3255
So I appear to have gotten my pants in a twist over nothing but a misunderstanding compounded by a misstatement – and I’m glad because I want his voice to remain in the campaign.
“…because I want his voice to remain in the campaign.” Really, Jon? Seems rather contradictory to lucid and damning statements that you’ve made in the past – that you think Mr. Alpert is detestable and should withdrawal from the Senate race. Hell, even the title of your previous blog concerning this (non)issue was “Adios Merrick Alpert.” Your duplicity is very unbecoming, and undermines what credibility you may have among your readers for your reporting on the issues.
Comment by SeriousDem — March 11th, 2010 @ 10:49 am
“His voice” i.e. what he has to say on the issues – w/o I hope the ad hominem attacks on Dodd and Blumenthal.
Comment by Jonathan Kantrowitz — March 11th, 2010 @ 10:52 am