Ethics Matter - Recall Diane Harkey announced today that the mysterious group "Dana Point Today," whose only apparent purpose is to advance the political fortunes of Mayor Diane Harkey in its content, has dropped use of the official city seal owned by the City of Dana Point from their website at www.danapointtoday.com and at the downloadable "Summer 2007" newsletter, in response to a "cease and desist" letter sent from the City to the group as a result of a citizen complaint letter dated August 8, 2007 filed by a proponent of the Harkey recall effort. The group also sent an "apology" email to the City. The "apology" email and the City's "cease and desist" letter can be downloaded here. In addition, the mysterious site, which includes no names or contact information of live individuals associated with the site, now includes a new disclaimer, requested by Harkey recall proponents in their complaint to the City, that states: "Dana Point Today is not affiliated with the City of Dana Point."
"Dana Point Today" has not filed a Statement of Organization or other disclosures with the Fair Political Practices Commission or the City of Dana Point, and the true backers of the organization remain shady. The "agent for service of process" for the group is listed on the Secretary of State's rolls as Dana Reed. Reed is a partner in a law firm that includes Harkey's political lawyer. The mysterious group engaged in a serious misstep when it violated the City's trademark in using the official seal for the site and mailing, and potentially violated the Dana Point Municipal Code (a potential criminal violation) in using the official seal for a mailing and website to advance Harkey's political interests. Harkey is undergoing a recall campaign in the City of Dana Point which has received widespread support throughout the coastal city.
Harkey recall supporters collected over 250 signatures in support of their recall petition last weekend, on the first weekend of the recall period, which will last for the next 120 days.
Visit www.dianeharkeyrecall.com
