Tom Best was interviewed last night by Channel 7 news about his acceptance of a $500 donation to his campaign from the owner of 24K Gold. Tom’s contention is that this is a legitimate business and the owner contributes thousands of dollars to many charities as well.
Kevin Smardz was also interviewed in what the news is calling the “Sinners and Saints” ticket in this Novembers Hamburg Town Board race. Kevin said that he believes that the business is legitimate but he never was given a donation from them and he doesn’t frequent the establishment.
Jim Sorrentino was the epitome of a double standard when he told Channel 7 News that his Democratic candidates would never accept a donation from that establishment but he conveniently left out the fact that is was him and his Democrats on the Town Council that approved their business license in the first place.
http://www.wkbw.com/news/local/9436346.html
By Steve Barber
It’s a donation that’s causing a lot of controversy in the Town of Hamburg. Republican conservative Hamburg town board candidate Tom Best received a $500 campaign donation from the owners of the 24 KT Gold gentleman’s night club in Hamburg. The donation was part of a political mailing by their rival democrats. Best was targeted for taking the donation from the night club.
Fellow republican Kevin Smardz was also targeted in the same mailing. The two are running for 2 spots on the Hamburg town board against 2 democrats. Smardzs’ father is a minister at the Southtowns Christian Center. The mailing said Smardz was, “…appealing to the church crowd, through his father.”. Smardz called the mailing a lie and misleading.
The mailing was sent out by Hamburg democratic leader Jim Sorrentino. He told 7 News the mailings are the truth and were sent out to let voters know who they are voting for.
The owner of 24 KT Gold told 7 news he donates to many candidates and charities. He considers this an attack on his business saying, “I believe in Tom Best and what he will do for Hamburg. I believe we need a change. I’ve lived in the community for a long time and I’ve done business for 11 years. I pay taxes and run a legitimate business. I think the mailing is unacceptable and inappropriate. It’s junk mail.”
