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Hernando Today

Williams: 'Here Are The Facts'

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By TONY MARRERO Hernando Today

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 17, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - The subject line of the e-mail leaves no doubt this is a different sort of press release from the county elections office: "ANNIE D. WILLIAMS, SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS TELLS ALL."

At the top of the message sent to local media Wednesday evening: "Here ARE the FACTS!"

In the release, Williams tries to set the record straight about some of her office's real or perceived slipups that have made headlines this year and that her opponent, Republican Shirley Anderson, has pounced on to make political hay.

The e-mail uses lots of bold and capital letters, listing 13 "facts" and a corresponding "reason" for each.

In one example, Williams writes about the need to mail sample ballots for this year's presidential primary this year using first-class postage.

"FACT: Although we sent the sample ballots First Class, we DID NOT pay FIRST CLASS postage rates to mail the sample ballots for the Presidential Preference Primary," the release states, then reiterates what Williams said when the issue came up in June. "REASON: The USPS gave us a discounted rate to mail the sample ballots."

The postal service has since changed rules so government agencies can receive the rate given to nonprofit groups. The elections office now has the permit.

In another portion of the press release, Williams addresses the most recent mistake.

"FACT: There was NOT an error on the ballots that were mailed to the 86 voters that live in the (Spring Hill Fire Rescue District). No ballots needed to be corrected or reprinted. There was not an error on the ballots themselves," Williams writes. "REASON: The voters were incorrectly sent a BALLOT STYLE that did not contain the SHFRD race and referendum."

In the interview, Williams acknowledged that mistakes have been made. But she said she felt compelled to send the release to correct "rumors and myths" she said are being spread by her opponents.

"People need to know the truth," she said.

Anderson is district director for U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Brooksville. Gus Guadagnino, a Brooksville business owner, is running without party affiliation.

Williams did not say Anderson's name in the interview, but when pressed made it clear she thought "she" is the principal offender. Anderson has sent out at least three press releases in the wake of the missteps and has sent campaign fliers featuring headlines pulled from local newspapers.

"I keep hearing over and over and over again things that are not right," Williams said. "Accurate information is not being given. I'm telling it the way it is."

Anderson said she stands behind her mailers and the criticism she's levied against Williams and called the press release "just more excuses." She said Williams did waste money by not applying for the nonprofit mailing permit as soon as possible.

She noted Williams did not mention another recent snafu that forced her to reprint 432 primary absentee ballots because names of the Republican candidates were not in alphabetical order.

"To me, when there are mistakes made that cost taxpayers dollars, that warrants criticism," Anderson said. "People have to be held accountable."

Guadagnino said he hasn't gone after Williams at all and doesn't plan to, though he said, "If I thought (Williams) was doing an excellent job I wouldn't be in the race."

He called the press release "a tit for tat" between Williams and Anderson.

"That's their thing," he said. "Let them fight it out."

On the Web

To view the press release Elections Supervisor Annie Williams sent out, visit www.hernandovotes.com.

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.

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