My mother taught me never to lie and always admit your mistakes. She also told me that if you lie it will come back to “haunt you”!
Recently, my opponent has decided that he can’t defend his record for the past 7 ½ years as the INCUMBENT trustee. Therefore he has put on his web site and in the “Hendricks County Flyer” information that is nothing more than a “smear campaign” with misinformation.
Because I believe in facts when you make a statement orally or in print; I would like to tell you the “real truth”. From the newsletter he states about me the following:
- “Mr. Hodson has paid his property taxes late 8 times since 1999, and just recently paid his delinquent 2009 taxes and late fees- a convenient 40 days before the election.”
FACT: My wife and I have never personally paid our property taxes late. There are some payment postings on our property tax records that are not the typical May 10th and November 10th dates. The reason is the County billed late due to reassessment. We paid by the date those late billings instructed.
FACT: Our 2009 property taxes were paid late by our mortgage company I responded to those allegations in a Letter to the Editor (Hendricks County Flyer-April 21, 2010) The Flyer also ran a letter dated April 19, 2010, from Nancy Marsh, Hendricks County Treasurer, that stated “ the mortgage company paid the taxes late and knew they had done so because they also had sent a separate check from them for the late fees!”
- “Mr. Hodson has had 2 small claims and 2 civil cases filed against him since 1993.”
FACT: Any and all filings have been resolved and were dismissed. Who hasn’t had problems in their life? I have always believed that you shouldn’t judge somebody by their mistakes; but how they handled them and did they learn from it and not repeat them!
FACT: Concerning the civil cases- WRONG Don Hodson!
- “Mr. Hodson is a salesman for Statewide Credit Association, a vendor of Washington Township. Mr. Hodson earns a commission for the Township’s account.”
FACT: It is true I am the Sales Manager for SCA-BUT- I am a salaried employee of the company. I DO NOT get a commission on the Township account which has been a client since 1995. Also SCA only takes 40% if the debt ends up in court. The overall cost for the Township with SCA has been 12%!
- “Could this actually mean he is going to outsource ALL of the EMS Billing to Statewide and make up the “reduced” salary in the form of commissions?”
FACT: My company, SCA,does not do billing. It is a collection agency! Also I am salaried!
- “Mr. Hodson also promises to cut 3-5 million dollars from the Township budget. … resulting in the closure of one Fire Station and at least 25 firemen.”
FACT: I have never stated orally or written that I would cut $3-5 million dollars or close fire stations or firefighters!
Folks, I have stuck to the issues during this campaign and have made statements “that are backed by facts”. Those facts have come from the Township financial reports, minutes and other state and local documents. I have made every effort to confirm every thing I have published or stated as mistakes. Even my opponent “has skeletons”-But I have chosen not “to drag them out of the closet”. It serves no good. You the voters deserve to know the truth where a candidate stands on the issues. You also deserve to have those things presented in a positive atmosphere. I can hold my head up high knowing I did everything I could to get my message to you without dragging my opponent and his family through the mud.
All I can ask is that you look at me as who I am and where I stand on the issues. Now the decision is yours! PLEASE GO VOTE NEXT TUESDAY! A lot of good folks have given their lives so you could!
Thank you!
Don Hodson
Candidate for Washington Township Trustee
