Seminole County Republican leaders have come together to condemn an attack mailer by Michael Blake, Republican candidate for the Seminole County Commission District 2 seat being vacated by the retirement of Randy Morris. Officials who have formally denounced the mailing are:
Donna Bundy: "I am surprised and appalled that Mr. Blake would lower himself to that level. It's this type of campaigning that makes Americans hate politics."
Jason Brodeur: "A county commissioner debates issues facing the county. Nothing about the mailer involved issues, it was just a baseless personal attack. I am very disappointed that the focus was taken off the issues in favor of unrelated personal attacks."
Jim Bomford: "It is truly a disappointment to see the latest mailer from Michael Blake's campaign. Until now I had a better impression of him as a Republican and agree that an apology is in order."
Chris Dorworth: "This is the same thing Al Gore did to President Bush in the 11th hour, bringing up personal occurrences that happened in the distant past that have nothing to do with this election or the issues facing Seminole County."
"Mr. Blake and I shook hands pledging to run an honorable campaign on the issues. I'm extremely disappointed he broke his word and decided to take his campaign to a new low," said McLean.
"He attacked me in personal areas that have nothing to do with this election. He attacked me for leaving college early. He doesn't to tell you that I did so because my father became seriously ill and my mother and two younger brothers needed my help. He also distorted my personal finances. He fails to tell you that it's mortgage debt on my family's home and on a business that employs 8 people. And then he hits even lower by raising a life-learning experience that happened over 15 years ago. Mr. Blake's actions are evidence that he is obsessed with winning at any cost. I believe that says a lot about his character," said McLean.
This is a media clip of the Channel 9 report on Blake's attempt to mislead voters:
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Last night, the Seminole County Regional Chamber hosted another successful event with close to a thousand attendees. It was also a good night for Mike McLean, Republican candidate for Seminole County Commission, who won by a resounding 72% of the vote, giving him an undefeated record in Seminole chamber straw polls. Because this poll has predicted past winners with such a high degree of accuracy, candidates consider it an important win.
McLean stated, "Receiving such overwhelming support from the County's largest Chamber means a great deal to me. The business men and women that drive the economic engine of Seminole County know that I have the strongest vision for the County. When I am elected, the business community will have a friend in Commissioner Mike McLean."
Good fortunes continued to follow McLean as he then attended the debate at the Seminole County Republican Executive Committee. The format called for an opening, a closing, and an exchange of three questions from each candidate.
"McLean stood tall tonight. He stuck to the issues and his vision for improving the quality of life for all of Seminole County. Blake spent his time picking on petty, unnecessary and, quite honestly, uninteresting points," said Longwood City Commissioner Mike Holt. (Read what others are saying.)
Several differences were highlighted during the debate, including McLean's public pledge to support the ethics reforms measures being proposed by the Charter Review Commission. Blake refused to commit. Each candidate's records became a source of contention. Blake wasn't too happy when discussions called into question his 10 year voting record of constant changes to their Comprehensive Land Use Plan. He has voted to change many commercially zoned properties into high density residential areas. The fact that Winter Springs homeowners are now shouldering 91% of the tax burden with only 9% being covered by business only exacerbates the problem further. Lake Mary's tax base is nearly a fifty-fifty split. McLean's closing statement seemed to catch the attention of the audience the most.
"This election is not about numbers or statistics. This election is about people," said McLean. "Our community wants creative solutions to manage growth, transportation... to hold the line and even roll back tax rates when appropriate, and set a standard of ethical conduct in elected office that will earn their trust."
"I ask for three things from you this evening - I ask for your trust. I ask for your prayers, and I humbly ask for your vote on Tuesday September 5th." [Mike McLean]
For Immediate Release
August 4, 2006
Sanford, FL - Lake Mary Deputy Mayor Mike McLean soundly defeated Michael Blake in the vote for the Seminole County Commission District 2 seat at the Hob Nob held by the Sanford Chamber of Commerce Thursday.
Said McLean: "Businesspeople around the county support Mike McLean. They know I will foster an environment where business will continue to flourish. I am grateful for the support of the Sanford chamber members and guests."
The Blake campaign continues to spiral out of control, this time reaching a new low with a familiar face. Many voters of Seminole county received an automated call on Thursday, during the Hob Nob, from Seminole County Commission Chairman Carlton Henley incorrectly characterizing the response to a mailer that has earned Blake scorn and scrutiny from regional media. In a call paid for by the Blake campaign, Henley attacked the Christian Coalition of Florida's decision to defend its policy of not endorsing.
A quick call to Bill Stephens, Executive Director for the Christian Coalition of Florida, confirmed that his call was not a mistake and that he stands by their characterization that the Blake mailer was "misleading" to many voters.
"These are the actions of a desperate, and quite frankly, arrogant candidate that can't admit when he's wrong. Instead of apologizing and admitting that he misled the voters, Blake is now attacking the very people that felt betrayed by his campaign mailer, " said McLean.
"His response to the voters seems to be consistent with what the voters of Winters Springs have encountered these past few years. I guess that's why there is a petition effort to recall him," said McLean.
The original mailer listed the endorsement of Christine Moore-Curtis, a board member of the Christian Coalition of Florida. Ms. Moore-Curtis is Blake's campaign consultant, and she and her company, Discovery Consulting, have received $14,479.24 as of June 30th according to campaign finance reports filed with the Seminole County Supervisor of Elections. The CCF does not permit endorsements as an organization, and many felt that the endorsement of a paid consultant is misleading.
Please see the story from WFTV Channel 9 and Orlando Sentinel about the mailer Michael Blake sent to voters of faith. In a nut shell, Blake sent a mailer to faith-based voters designed so that it looked like he received the endorsement of Christian Coalition (CC). He actually received the endorsement of his campaign consultant who is on the CC board. Not surprisingly, he didn't tell the voters that he has paid his consultant thousands of dollars, in essence "buying" the endorsement like he buys campaign signs or buttons. After many phone calls to the CC office from their members, CC sent out an automated call trying to correct the "confusion."
..Now for the rest of the Story...
Michael McLean is very proud to announce the endorsement of his own campaign consultant, sign manufacturer, sticker vendor, as well as his wife and both of his daughters.
"I'm honored to receive the support of those I've spent tens of thousands of dollars with this election and those who live with me."
Sometimes we don't laugh enough in politics...
But seriously, the decision of Mr. Blake not to acknowledge or apologize for the absurdity of his paid-for endorsement casts serious doubt over his judgment. If he can't tell obvious right from wrong, how will he make important decisions for Seminole County's future? Before the next debate at the Seminole Republican Executive Committee on Thursday 8/17, Mr. Blake should apologize to voters of faith and the Christian Coalition for his misleading advertising.
In an automated call yesterday to Seminole County voters, Christian Coalition of Florida Executive Director Bill Stephens called Seminole County commission candidate Michael Blake's recent mailer "misleading." He was referring to Christine Moore's endorsement as a board member of the Christian Coalition that was strategically listed to lead voters to believe Blake was being endorsed by the organization.
The flyer fails to mention the fact that Christine Moore-Curtis is the political consultant Blake has paid over $10,000 to run his campaign.
"It's politics at its worst. If the voters were told that Ms. Moore-Curtis was being paid by Blake, they would dismiss the endorsement because the support had been bought and paid for like yard signs or campaign buttons," said Mike McLean, Republican candidate for Seminole County Commission and Blake's opponent.
"The mailer's overall message tries to convey a message of Christian values. But I don't think the act of misleading is a Christian value," said McLean. "I'm glad Bill Stephens set the record straight. Mr. Blake and Ms. Moore-Curtis should apologize to both the Christian Coalition AND the voters of Seminole County for such underhanded and misleading campaign tactics. Putting the interest of one candidate above the interests of faith voters is a disservice to all involved."
Longwood, FL-- Several elected officials declared Mike McLean the winner at Tuesday night's debate at the Seminole County Young Republicans Club.
"McLean clearly had a superior command of the issues and offered solutions where his opponent offered none. Last night's debate made me a believer and now McLean has my vote," said Oviedo City Councilman Steve Henken.
McLean was fully prepared and handled himself like a Christian, in spite of his opponent trying to get him down in the gutter," said Seminole County Commissioner Dick Van Der Weide.
"Mike represents the grassroots of the County not the status quo," said Longwood Mayor John C. Maingot.
McLean's opponent grew flustered when McLean pointed out the differences between what his opponent is now saying versus how he has been voting on the Winter Springs City Commission for the last ten years.
"Your rhetoric simply doesn't match your record," said McLean to his opponent. "You talk of lower taxes and spending, but you've voted to raise your property taxes year after year on the homeowners. You talk of slowing growth in the black hammock area but you've voted to annex it and approved thousands of town homes for the past ten years."
After hearing from both Seminole County Commission campaigns, the Ronald Reagan Republican Assembly of Central Florida voted to endorse Mike McLean. The RRRA is dedicated to electing principled conservative Republican candidates. President Reagan said that the Republican AssemblyŽ is, "The Conscience of the Republican Party."
"I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Ronald Reagan Republican Assembly Central Florida chapter. Reagan has been a hero of mine ever since he was President," said McLean. "It is my intention to do my part to carry on his legacy in a very small way here in Seminole County by holding the line on taxes and making government live within its means."
As the Deputy Mayor of Lake Mary, Mike is proud of the fact that Lake Mary has the lowest tax rate of all the cities in Seminole County.
To show your support, please reply to this e-mail and request a yard sign or bumper sticker. (The bumper sticker can be placed on the rear window for easy removal after the election.)
County Commission Debate Cancelled
(Blake said he didn't think it would be "fair.")
Mike McLean's Seminole County Commission opponent, Michael Blake, who originally accepted an invitation to debate McLean in Seminole County Chamber of Commerce's Candidate's Debate, changed his mind saying he didn't think it would be "fair."
The debate was to be moderated by Scott Maxwell of the Orlando Sentinel and was co-sponsored by EMBARQ, RBC, Centura Bank, Akerman Senterfitt attorneys, Progress Energy, Blue Cross Blueshield, UCF and the Seminole Chamber. Along with securing a diverse cross section of co-sponsors, the organizing committee also employed a polling device that the 300 attendees would be able to register their approval ratings as each candidate answered questions, similar to devices used by media outlets for Presidential debates.
"I'm disappointed for a number of reasons," said Republican Candidate Mike McLean. "First, it's a disservice to the voters when a candidate refuses to debate. Second, I'm disappointed for the organizing committee that worked so hard on this event. Besides losing many of their financial deposits and weeks of hard work, this was going to be one of the most sophisticated debates we've ever seen at the County level."
Volunteers will be delivering Mike McLean large signs to business locations and properties on major streets as well as small yard signs to private residences. If you would like to show your support for Mike McLean, please send a reply with the following information:
Business Name - if applicable
Property Owner's Name
Property Address
Contact Phone Number
The campaign will take care of any necessary permitting with the appropriate city or county officials. So don't worry about that.