Calabasas Council wants tougher law on campaign practices

By Michael Picarella Acorn Staff Writer

Similar to recent action by the Agoura Hills City Council, the city of Calabasas wants to crack down on mailers and other campaign literature that circumvents city election laws.

Calabasas City Councilman Michael Harrison at last week’s city council meeting suggested a new ordinance that would require more disclosure about campaign contributors.

With Election Day next Tues, March 4, Calabasas voters are being deluged with campaign mailers.

One flier in particular was discussed at last week’s council meeting. A mailer in support of Measure A—a ballot initiative that would eliminate the city’s 5 percent utility user tax on telephone, electric and gas bills—illegally used the city’s protected "flying hawk" logo.

"Under our city protocols," said Mayor Lesley Devine, "the city logo may only be used on city business and for city events. In no place do we authorize the use of the city logo on election related political mailers."

The "Yes on A" mailer misrepresented itself as a piece of material from the city, according to Harrison. The logo was put under the return address the same way the city of Calabasas prints its mail, he said.

An Agoura Hills post office box (a possible false address, as some mailers in the past have been, according to city officials) was given as a return address on the "Yes on A" mailer. The Coalition for Competent Leadership, an anonymous group that’s been involved in other elections and political matters, mailed the material.

Records show that the Coalition for Competent Leadership hasn’t met the latest filing date in Calabasas and contributor information hasn’t been forthcoming.

Logo Infringement

City Attorney Charles Vose sent a letter to the Coalition for Competent Leadership regarding its alleged infringement on the city logo. Vose called on the group to stop using the city’s copyrighted logo and warned that unauthorized use of the logo could result in substantial fines and other penalties. The city hadn’t received a response from the group earlier this week.

Vose said at last week’s meeting that he would also look into filing a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission and the L.A. County District Attorney’s office.

Calabasas Mayor Pro Tem James Bozajian said the damages were already done. Mailers had already been sent out, he said, with a misleading city logo on the return address. Bozajian is a deputy district attorney for L.A. County.

"I have to say this is deja vu because these groups come at the last minute," Bozajian said. He showed to the council other election mailers previously sent by political organizations similar to the coalition, with nearly identical graphics and using similar dirty tactics, Bozajian said.

Disclosure Ordinance

A Calabasas ordinance requiring greater disclosure would work to prevent groups like the coalition from sending anonymous fliers, supporters said.

"My concern is not with free speech," Harrison said. He expressed worry about groups that make claims––but remain obscure or anonymous. Not identifying themselves, Harrison said, is unfair.

According to Agoura Hills City Councilman Dan Kuperberg in January regarding his city’s newly adopted ordinance, "If you want to say something, you are allowed to say it. You just have to let us know who’s saying it." Kuperberg is a public defender.

Harrison said the Calabasas ordinance might be similar to that of Agoura Hills, which requires campaign committees to file correct identifying information with the city clerk within 72 hours of making a contribution or expenditure. The disclosure law in Agoura Hills also applies to those who distribute pamphlets.

The Calabasas City Council will discuss a possible new ordinance at a future council meeting, after Election Day.