1999 Candidates

Mike Jones
Board of Selectmen

On The Spam To ROSA Members

By Mike Jones, Democratic Candidate for the Board of Selectmen

Statement from Mike Jones about the "Ridgefield Focus" Accusations

Today (Nov. 17th) the e-mail distribution list of the Ridgefield Open Space Assoc. (ROSA) was used by the publishers of the "Ridgefield Focus" web site to "spam" (send unwanted junk e-mail) a political message to hundreds of Ridgefield voters. Their sensationalist headline, "Jones...Offered to Give Away the Ippoliti Land" has no basis in fact. The purpose of that message was to smear my campaign and thereby promote the candidacy of my friend and running-mate, Joseph Heyman.

Interestingly, there are no "shocking" claims contained in the Ridgefield Focus web site. The specific page referenced in the email is a scan of the minutes of a public Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. In that meeting, I urged the Commissioners to follow in the footsteps of the newly-approved Town Master Plan and create a subordinate "Master Plan for Recreational Needs." In my mind, this document would summarize the current conditions of the recreational facilities in town, examine the long-term needs of the population, and develop a ten-year plan to deploy current and future resources to meet those needs, including -- if required -- the now infamous Ippoliti property on Route 35. The Commission accepted my recommendation and the Master Plan is now in draft form.

Indeed, this mundane discussion at Parks and Rec is an excellent example of my work for two years as a selectman. As I have said time and time again, good government stems from attention to the tiny details and the hum-drum chores of civic involvement. I could not have found a better example of the work of which I am most proud.

Despite the harmlessness of the accusations, I find this last-minute effort to smear my candidacy to be a sad and distasteful conclusion to an arduous campaign. Today we stand within a few hours of the run-off vote. For more than three months now -- and despite our individual desires to succeed -- both Mr. Heyman and I have campaigned with the highest degree of civility. To be slapped with this silliness at the end of such a challenging effort is beneath contempt. Therefore, on behalf of Ridgefielders everywhere, I apologize to you for this embarrassment.

In conclusion, there are three minor issues to which we must attend:

First, I am very confident that Mr. Heyman was NOT associated with this activity, and that it was accomplished without his prior knowledge nor his approval. Please do not blame Mr. Heyman for the errors of his enthusiastic supporters.

Secondly, I am informed by Ms. Ellen Burns, of ROSA, that the unauthorized use of their email list has been stopped, per an agreement they have sought with the publishers of "Ridgefield Focus." Her message is attached, below.

Lastly, the message provoked a variety of responses which did not, I suspect, achieve the goals the spammers intended. Attached below are some of the comments that I received.

Please remember to vote on Nov. 23^rd!

From Ms. Ellen Burns, ROSA --

Many of you may have received an email this morning containing a an anti-Mike Jones message and a hypertext link to a web site called "Ridgefield Focus." This web site is sponsored by supporters of Joseph Heyman, although we don't know if Mr. Heyman was associated with this morning's "spam" or not.

The individual who sent the message, Hope Wise, used our list without permission and apparently obtained it from a message which was previously sent by us without suppression of the distribution list. This was done in error some time ago, and has not been repeated.

Please understand that we do not intentionally share our email distribution lists with anyone. I have requested that Ms. Wise immediately cease using the list, and she has agreed.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this incident may have caused for ROSA supporters, and we thank those of you who responded to the inappropriate "Ridgefield Focus" message with humor and good sense.

Other comments from different writers

This is an appalling example of slime-ball politics. Your headline makes absolutely no sense when the minutes of the meeting are read. I hope everyone receiving this message will see the complete lack of ethics employed in sending the "Ridgefield Exclusive" message. And to a private mailing list, to boot.

Mike Jones - you have my vote. Keep up the good work.

I am appalled at the technique you used to promote your preferred candidate over Mr. Jones. I had been, in fact, more sympathetic to Mr. Heyman than Mr. Jones until now, as I was not very happy about some of Mr. Jones's comments on school construction funding. However, following this very distasteful episode, I could not support a candidate that relies on such tactics. Are you secretly supporting Mr. Jones, hoping to anger many Ridgefield residents against Mr. Heyman? If so, you have succeeded.

Ditto. Get some ethics, pal.

I received your mass e-mail and went to the web site you cited. And I have to say, as a reporter, I find your tactics quite interesting. Interesting that you would declare that Mr. Jones was "giving away" land that belongs to the town by proposing (and that is a key word here) to use it for the town's benefit. Interesting that you would imply that Mr. Jones could possibly execute a land-use plan clandestinely on his own, without the approval of the Board of Selectmen--or that he would even consider it. Interesting that you would promote the spread of unsubstantiated rumors--what you call "dish, dirt and juicy bits"--rather than focus on real issues of importance to the town. And most interesting is that you would choose not to sign your name to these allegations.

It seems to me that you feel Mr. Heyman cannot win this election on his own merits; why else would you base your campaign on misinformation and innuendo rather than fact? (Incidentally, your argument may have been more effective had you used proper spelling and grammar.)

If I were still a Ridgefield resident, I would vote wholeheartedly for Mike Jones. Instead, I will urge everyone Ridgefield resident I know to do so.

Thanks for the "heads-up" on Mike Jones. I was about to make a big mistake! Ridgefield Focus obviously supports Mike Jones' candidacy for Selectman. Their sensationalist headline, "Jones...Offered to Give Away the Ipolotti Land" has no basis in truth (reminds me of a NY Post headline) given the evidence that is offered. Upon reading the accompanying document, we learn that nothing is being given away - in fact just the opposite - Jones proposes something of great value, something that Ridgefield sorely needs: additional modern recreation facilities. GREAT PLAN MIKE!!!

Mike gets my vote!

Thanks for alerting me to those minutes (whoever you are). Now I will DEFINITELY vote for Mike Jones!!!!

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