For a couple of years now Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz has been driving around Connecticut conducting ceremonies to honor the state’s World War II veterans.
The practice, as I wrote about in today’s Advocate, is coming under fire now that Bysiewicz is exploring a bid for Governor. Critics argue her office has nothing to do with veterans issues and she created this program to boost her own political future.
Bysiewicz counters it’s her job as the person who oversees elections to encourage civic involvement and World War II veterans are the best role models.
She also argues taxpayers are not footing the bill because the money comes from a non-profit linked to her office. This Connecticut Citizenship Fund, Inc. accepts corporate donations. Chester-based Whelen Engineering is paying to honor the fine men and women who served in World War II.
Today Bysiewicz’s staff were kind enough to fax me further background on the fund, including a certificate of incorporation. As she stated in my story, the organization was founded in 1992 – on Feb. 6, to be exact – by former Secretary of the State Pauline Keezer.
Accompanying the certificate were the policies/guidelines established for acceptance and approval of projects by the fund’s board, and it specifies very clearly the money may be used to:
1. Support and promote civics education in Connecticut schools
2. Promote programs that increase and improve citizen participation in elections
3. Promote programs that increase citizen interest and participation in government, in particular state and local government
4. To provide non-partisan information on voter registration and elections
5. To increase awareness of the importance of voting, expecially among the 18 to 35 year old age group
Nothing about veterans. In fact, there is nothing in there about handing out awards to anyone, including the volunteer firefighters, the uniformed firefighters and volunteer coaches Bysiewicz told me she honored in past years.
No one wants to make a case against honoring veterans or anyone who gives of themselves, but, based on the above, it seems to me that using the Connecticut Citizenship Fund, Inc. for these ceremonies could be construed as a broad interpretation of the rules. It certainly will seem that way to Bysiewicz’s critics.
This only makes sense. Follow the logic.
If veterans vote, I can create a veterans group, and have them vote.
It sounds a lot like her argument for running for governor:
I wrote a book* on a governor once, therefore I am qualified to run for governor.
Book* is used liberally, it had nearly 50 pages and large print. It should have had pictures.
Fred
Comment by Fred Berringer — November 20th, 2009 @ 8:22 pm
My son is a Marine who served in Afghanistan. My father was in the Army during World War II. My uncle fought in Africa and landed on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. These men deserve all the recognition we can give. My Uncle’s certificate is framed and hangs in a prominate space in his home for all to see. He is in his 80’s and was overwhelmed by being recognized by Susan Bysiewicz and other dignitaries.
I thank Susan B. for going the extra mile for these extraordinary men and women who are close to all dying off. She has made a deep impact in their lives by validating their sacrifices.
I know Susan B. She is the hardest working public official I know. She could very easily stay home on weekends and spend time with her family. Instead, she spends time honoring our country’s heros. I say if these are the types of things she is going to do as governor, she is definately the right person for the job.
Comment by Thomas Fortuna, Sr. — November 21st, 2009 @ 9:59 am
Brian,
I think you and Susan’s critics have too much time on her hands. Was Susan doing this noble act before she was a candidate for Governor ? If the answer is Yes then she is innocent. If the answer is No and she only started this after she declared her candidancy well then…..let that action speak for itself…
Enough research on this. Sounds to me like petty politics at its worst….
Comment by Full Disclosure — November 21st, 2009 @ 12:09 pm
I can’t believe you are actually critizing Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz for honoring veterans. My Dad is a 91 year old WWII veteran and I am looking forward to the SOS honoring veterans in my area of the state. World War II Veterans are refered to as “The Greatest Generation”, yet you want to take away their “Day of Honor” to gain some political points – shame on you Mr. Lockhart.
Comment by Kathy Grace — November 21st, 2009 @ 7:42 pm
Kathy,
I’ve just been looking into the questions being raised by some about Susan Bysiewicz. My right to do that is one of the freedoms your dad and his fellow veterans fought for, as is your right to criticize my story.
There is a link to my original story in the blog in case you did not have a chance to read it.
But your post is a perfect example of why, even if technically this is not the kind of thing the Secretary of State should be spending her time doing, it is unlikely she will stop giving out the awards or be prevented from giving awards to veterans.
Comment by Brian Lockhart — November 22nd, 2009 @ 12:50 pm
There is a number entries above that use the populist rationale that “Veterans deserve awards” so you are not allowed to criticize gubernatorial candidate Susan Bysiewicz.
Yeah well, a couple of things:
Bysiewicz has been running for Governor ever since she was first elected Secretary of State. No law against that, but there are laws against misusing your office in order to obtain higher office.
If Bysiewicz were using her own money than that would be one thing but she isn’t. She is using money that was not given to the state (and this is state money folks) for the purpose of providing a podium for gubernatorial candidate Susan Bysiewicz.
Insofar as the Pauline Keezer defense goes, I would like to hear what Keezer has to say about it. Also I seem to remember that Keezer herself was running for governor ever since she was first elected to Secretary of State too. So if even if Keezer, a Republican, says that is what she set up the fund for, I still won’t buy it.
Someone should slap Bysiewicz with an Ethics complaint. She is a candidate and she is misusing state funds. If that isn’t against the law, it should be.
Comment by John R. McCommas — November 22nd, 2009 @ 2:40 pm
Bysiewicz had been used state funds to open a state owned museum for her political rally disguised as a swearing in ceremony. In violation of state statute until you find she is immune from said statute. All the details can be found at the article here http://freenorwich.com/?p=368 .
Comment by Paul Riemann — December 7th, 2009 @ 4:01 pm