Dems find venomous fliers on cars

Dems find venomous fliers on cars

J.D. Prose, Times Staff

HOPEWELL TWP. - A Harrisburg-based conservative group denied any connection to fliers distributed in Hopewell Township Thursday that viciously attacked several state legislators, called for their ouster and claimed to be paid for by "the Young Conservatives."

"It sounds to me like someone's trying to tarnish our reputation," said Chris Lilik, state chairman of the Young Conservatives of Pennsylvania, the group that has launched a billboard campaign criticizing the legislative pay raise and demanding that it be rescinded.

Lilik spared no adjective in blasting the fliers, alternately calling them "crooked," "insane," "desperate smear tactics," "outrageous" and "dirty tactics."

He also said such an effort would be illegal for his group, which can only lobby on issues and not for or against any candidate.

The flier, titled "United We Stand?" appeared to be directed toward Democrats. Several fliers were placed on cars in the parking lot of The Fez banquet hall, which hosted a Democratic event Thursday night.

"Over the next six months we are going to be told to unite for the sake of the Democratic Party," the flier reads. "Why????"

It goes on to say that local legislators have been in Harrisburg "to (sic) long and some should have never been elected."

At the bottom of the page, it reads, "Paid for by the Young Conservatives."

The nastiest words, however, were reserved for personal barbs at legislators.

State Rep. Mike Veon, D-14, West Mayfield, is called "Mike 'Thank God we don't get drug tested' Veon." State Rep. Sean Ramaley, D-16, Conway, and state Rep. Frank LaGrotta, D-10, Ellwood City, each had their sexual orientation questioned by saying they were "in the closet."

State Rep. Vince Biancucci, D-15, Center Township, was mocked over his former residency in Aliquippa, while the flier gibed state Sen. Gerald LaValle, D-47, Rochester Township, for his several pensions. As an added insult, Biancucci's last name was misspelled.

"It's a political prank, obviously," LaGrotta said. "There are a lot of deranged people in the world."

LaGrotta said whoever was behind the fliers had no courage to debate issues, but could only resort to anonymous personal attacks on "good legislators."

Although Lilik said he called all the legislators targeted to assure them his group was not involved, LaGrotta wasn't so quick to discount Lilik's group.

LaGrotta compared the fliers to the campaign by Vietnam swift-boat veterans against U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., in last year's presidential race and racially tinged rumors that dogged U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., when he faced President George Bush in the 2000 Republican primary.

"I wouldn't trust Chris Lilik as far as I could throw my car," LaGrotta said.

Veon spokesman Bob Caton said his boss thought the flier "so outrageous" that he wouldn't even comment on it.

In an e-mail, Ramaley said "the irresponsible name-calling on the fliers (was) ridiculous and not worthy of a response."

Vince LaValle, the county's Democratic Party chairman, said nothing was placed on his car, but he was told about the fliers Friday.

"It's just a bunch of garbage as far as I'm concerned," he said. "It's ludicrous. It really is."

J.D. Prose can be reached online at jprose@timesonline.com.

Source: http://www.timesonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15356417&BRD=2305&PAG=461&de pt_id=478569&rfi=6

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