Politics & Government

Santa Monica Group Apologizes for Distributing 'Misleading' Mailers

Flyers endorsing Richard McKinnon were distributed by Santa Monicans for Responsible Growth and included logos of The L.A. League of Conservation Voters, but members say the group did not endorse the candidate.

The Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters (LALCV) claims Santa Monicans for Responsible Growth (SMRG) used dirty campaign tactics after political flyers endorsing Richard McKinnon and Ted Winterer for Santa Monica City Council included its logo and that of its state equivalent, the CLCV.

The LALCV is supporting Councilmembers Terry O'Day, Gleam Davis and candidates Shari Davis and Ted Winterer, according to the group's site.

"Our organization did not endorse Richard McKinnon," said  Jonathan Parfrey, LALVC president, in a statement.

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The SMRG says the use of the logos was a simple mistake.

Political consultant Susan Burnside was responsible for the political mailers and told the Santa Monica Lookout on Sunday that she used the wrong logo, but there was "no malicious or deceptive intent at all."

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SMRG co-chair Ivan Perkins said he told Burnside beforehand that she was to get permission before using a group's logo. Perkins said he was "incredibly apologetic," adding that the SMRG would not be using Burnside in the future.

"Even though this was something where we did everything we could, I still feel badly that the logos were used in an inappropriate way," Perkins told Patch. "We're not going to put ourselves in a position where this kind of thing happens again."

Related Content:

  • Santa Monica City Council Voting Guide 2012
  • Letter: We Are Santa Monicans for Responsible Growth
  • Letter: New PACs Aren't the Problem With Elections


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