(Reproduced here due to the News-Gazette's one letter per month policy)
I would like to thank Alan Kurtz of Champaign for calling to attention the fact that I've never formally introduced myself (in print) to our community. Thus, if you haven't caught one of my interviews on the Channel 3 or 15 News, heard me talk on WILL 1400, listened to one of my speeches at community centers across the county, seen me at a County Board meeting, talked with me while I'm cooking at Merry-Ann's Diner or managing Taffies Restaurant, read one of my previous letters to the News-Gazette, or been among the over 5,000 residents of District 7 whom I've met or dropped literature off to: Hello!
My name is Tony Pomonis and I'm a product of this area. I attended Unit 4 schools and the University of Illinois where I earned my degree in 2001. Soon thereafter I opened Merry-Ann's Diner downtown.
The answer to the question, "Why does candidate have so many signs?" is simple: people believe in what I'm doing. They enjoy the fact that I'm running a positive campaign built on transparency, hard-work, and accountability. I appeal to a broad base of voters because I refuse to engage in the politics of fear.
As such, feel free to vote for one of my opponents: they are all nice people whom I like.
However, I would not be running for County Board if I did not think our County government needed my help. If you'd like to engage me in further discussion on local politics, please feel free to seek me out at either Merry-Ann's Diner or Taffies Restaurant.
Oh, and by the way, about those annoying yard signs. I need more. The local GOP implored me to purchase 100, I actually purchased 200 (for less than $2000.00 before sales tax, thank you Woody Iles!) and I'm fresh out. If anyone would like to help please feel free to make a donation on my website, www.stephandtony.com!!!! I imagine I'll need another 50 to put up before November the 4th.
THANK YOU!
...I almost forgot!
I've never promoted myself as a libertarian to any voter. Ever.
I am, and shall always remain, a Champaign County Republican.
I'm also a huge Ron Paul admirer, Chicago Cubs nut, and black & white movie buff.
The original letter from Mr. Kurtz -- Wednesday October 15, 2008
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Why does candidate have so many signs?
Has anyone seen the thousands and thousands of dollars worth of signs all over Champaign
for a candidate running for the Champaign County Board in District 7
– large ones, small ones, gigantic ones?
Who is Tony Pomonis?
What are his qualifications to run for the Champaign County Board?
What has he accomplished in our community, and what has he achieved?
The voters of District 7 need to know.
Pomonis has not yet decided who he is.
He tells some voters he is a Libertarian,
some a Republican
and some a Ron Paul Republican.
He seems undecided who he is.
Or is he trying to buy this seat?
ALAN KURTZ
Champaign
Just how dumb is Mr. Kurtz? His letter inadvertantly promoting the Pomonis campaign makes me concerned that Mr. Kurtz does not possess the requisite common sense to effectively serve as my county board representative. I didn't get a chance to vote for or against Mr. Kurtz, since he was only recently appointed to fill a vacancy. However, I do plan to vote for Mr. Pomonis.
Wow, Kurtz is a candidate. I must sheepishly admit that I didn't know that. To be honest, I hadn't heard of either of them before. I guess it's not that big of a deal because I don't live in that district. However, if Kurtz really is a candidate then that letter to the editor was in extremely poor taste.
Kurtz isn't a candidate this year. He was just appointed to the County Board to replace Carrie Melin and will appear on the ballot in 2010. IMO, he should have disclosed that he's a Democratic County Board member in his letter, though.
Let's play Mad Libs and switch Al Kurtz' political boss' name for Mr. Pomonis' -
Has anyone seen the thousands and thousands of dollars worth of signs all over Champaign
for a candidate running for Champaign County Auditor – large ones, small ones, gigantic ones?
Who is Tony Fabri?
What are his qualifications to run for the Champaign County Auditor?
What has he accomplished in our community, and what has he achieved?
The voters of Champaign County need to know.
Wow, writing a letter to the editor is easy. . . .
I don't see the Republican, Ron Paul, Libertarian distinction Kurtz is trying to make. The same person can have all of these ideas without inconsistency.
Who is Alan Kurtz? A party hack that was appointed to the county board. He has never been elected to anything. What do we know about him?
Mr. Pomonis:
I saw you riding your bike down the street earlier this week-- but now I have to wonder: Were you really riding.... a bike? Was that even really you? Or was it a clone? So many questions now remain...
Mr. Kurtz:
Perhaps the reason behind the flood of POMONIS signs is the simplest one: support of voters who will be voting for Pomonis. I find it curious that you didn't bring this up in your editorial; surely it is the possibility that causes you the most concern.
Maybe the harsh words are because Tony's business thrives while Kurtz's sandwich shop failed.
But this is the first time I've ever heard criticism for too many yard signs.
And let's not forget Kurtz's shady move. Melin announced she was leaving town and could have resigned and given the voters a chance this election to replace her. Instead, she waits a few extra weeks and Kurtz is in for over two years.
GO TONY!
Tony,
Maybe it's a typo or a missing comma, but "WILL 1400" does not exist.
WILL-AM is AM 580 and WDWS is AM 1400.
Have you appeared on both stations? If not, which one?
Please clarify.
thanks.
What was Kurtz's sandwich shop?
Blimpies. He was about as friendly there as he was in the newspaper last night.
I've met both of them. I can't stand Kurtz because he turned the Farmer's Market into a four-hour infomercial for Obama signs. Although I disagree with several of Pomonis' positions, he was friendly and passionate about his convictions. If I were in District 7, Walter Pituc would get one of my votes. I'd still have to think about the other one, but I'd definitely consider Pomonis.
To clarify, it was Newstalk 1400 on Monday night when I was addressing transparency (and then again on Wed. morning).
My thanks to Deputy Fife for noting the error.
I don't know either Mr. Kurtz or Mr. Pomonis, but it seems bizarre that one candidate complains that the other has too many signs, suggests that his opposition has some kind of political identity crisis, and then doesn't bother to identify himself as a candidate. Normally the News Gazette will catch something like this and identify the writer, if the writer doesn't bother. Don't they know who Mr. Kurtz is either?
Champaign Dweller,
Mr. Kurtz in not a candidate this election cycle. He was recently appointed to the Board. His seat will be up for grabs in a couple of years!
Best,
Tony
Thanks for the clarification.
Mr. Kurtz may not be a candidate this election cycle, but I think he should still identify his position on the county board when commenting on any candidates for the county board, regardless of party affiliation.
Just my $0.02
Transparency is preferred at all times so the description of Kurtz ought also to include district 7 precinct committee person and thus on the Democratic Central Committee.
Pattsi Petrie