Another election gaffe from Gray Deputy Clerk
By Elizabeth Prata

Gray--On Thursday, April 22, The Monument Newspaper discovered that Deputy Clerk Donna Hill had issued the incorrect deadline date for nomination papers to be turned in. She had published a notice containing the wrong date, and had told candidates the incorrect date as well.

Candidates had been under the impression that their candidate election papers were due on May 4. The charter-mandated date was actually April 23 at 2 p.m. Any candidate who had waited until the last week to take out and return papers for Water District, Council, or School Board were now out of luck. Right, Gray Deputy Clerk Donna Hill

The mistake was immediately brought to the attention of Gray Election Clerk/Manager Mitchell A. Berkowitz. The Monument asked the Manager to respond to our query regarding this string of election inaccuracies. In prior elections from 2000-2004, the Deputy Clerk had prejudiced the process or broken election law. All incidents were reported by The Monument Newspaper.

Monument: What will be the Town's approach to solving the problem that unknown and upcoming candidates who had not yet taken out papers may have been injured in their political process, due to the Deputy Clerk's mistake?

Berkowitz: This was reviewed with the Town Attorney. The deadlines are specified by the Charter. The April 23 date and time comply with the Charter. We do not have any discretion in this matter. We are all concerned for any individual who may not be of the understanding that April 23, 2004 at 2PM was the deadline for all nomination papers to be returned. Our recommendation to any person who missed this deadline and still have interest in an elective position that they may still be a candidate but only as a write in candidate. Above, Manager Mitchell A. Berkowitz

Monument: Is the town actively contacting all candidates that have outstanding papers to apprise them of the new due date?

Berkowitz: Absolutely, we immediately contacted all candidates who had yet to turn in their papers and informed them of the correct date and time. One candidate said they had known for some time and another indicated they had received a call last evening.

Monument: What is the Manager's response to the concern that this is another of a string of election mistakes by the Deputy Clerk which impairs the election process in Gray? (Town meeting place incorrect, nomination papers due date incorrect, allowing siblings to be present at the polls last election which violated election law, throwing away valid write-in votes the election before that...).

Berkowitz: During the tenure of this Manager there was one prior incident and the one in question now. This is being dealt with directly and includes a thorough review of the Charter and the process for determining start and end dates. This is also a personnel matter.

Monument: How long has the Deputy Clerk been in her position?
Berkowitz: We understand that the Deputy has held that position since 1984.

Monument: How will the town ensure that these mistakes stop?

Berkowitz: This was a miscalculation. We will have no less than three reviews of any future election date calculations to assure accuracy of the dates and information to the public as well as a over view of relevant Election laws prior to an election.