Deputy Campaign Complaints Addressed

Two campaign complaints – one by Joe Horn, the other from Donna Dascher – that were filed at the commissioner of political practices office against the Valley County Sheriff's Deputies have come to a close.

Findings revealed that the deputies failed to register as a political committee in a timely manner, which is required by law.

Because they came together to advertise for the re-election of Valley County Sheriff Glen Meier, they were considered a political committee. The first campaign finance report came in on Oct. 17, and the commissioner determined that the deputies failed to completely attribute certain ads placed with The Glasgow Courier and KTLZ.

Meanwhile, Dascher's complaint of inappropriate campaigning acts by the deputies was dismissed, as the law focuses on the use of public equipment, supplies and being on the clock when actions were taken. The commissioner determined that the deputies used their own personal funds and that there was no evidence of public resources used.

Although deputies were found to be out of compliance, the commissioner of political practices said that “application De Minimis” applied to the case. This means that the error was unintentional and it was corrected before the complaints were filed.

Deputies placed ads starting in the Oct. 1-15 period. The commissioner of political practices office received an informal complaint on Oct. 10, and the staff contacted the deputies that same day to inquire about the advertisements.

Vernon Buerkle, the Valley County undersheriff, said they had run the adds and that he was unaware about needing to register as a political committee.

He said he would comply immediately. The deputies changed their ads on Oct. 13 to have the proper attribution, and they officially filed their registration on Oct. 14.