RALEIGH -- A recent e-mail newsletter from the Wake County Republican Party includes a request for people to send money to a party volunteer to help feed county school board members during their long meetings.
The newsletter begins with a patriotic message about Memorial Day from party chairman Claude E. Pope Jr. and continues with a request for donations to the party and a link for coming events. Then comes the part about feeding the board, which the party chairman says wasn't meant to gain favor with the board.
"Want to help out the School Board? Here's a way," the e-mail message says. "The Wake County School Board meetings have been running 10-12 hours since the swearing in of the new School Board members in December. It was brought to our attention that only a box lunch was being provided to the members during the entire day. These meals were being paid for out of a small budget for the Board that is quickly running out of money."
It continues by saying that an unnamed group - "some of us" - saw a need to support the board by providing all the board members with a healthy meal and snacks.
"The cost of a professionally prepared meal runs around $130.00," it continues. "The School Board meets every two weeks. If you would like to show your support for the School Board, your contribution to assist with this effort would be appreciated."
To take part, the message says, donors can send checks payable to Judy Gladden, in care of the Northern Wake Republican Club. Gladden says the meals were open to all members regardless of party and weren't meant as any sort of political donation or inducement. For four meetings this year, the group has brought in food from restaurants including Vincent's Pizza, Milton's Pizza and Jason's Deli.
"I think what they were trying to do was compensate the school board for some of the long sessions," Pope said. "We actually debated this very issue. Judy came to us, and we said we can't do it as a party. It's got to be done as private individuals."
Gladden said that so far only Republicans and some members of the Wake County Taxpayers Association had contributed. A few Democrats were asked but declined, she said.
"It's not meant to buy access or anything like that," Pope said. "I would agree with you that the appearance could be otherwise. And if that's the case, we need to change it, because that's not our intent."
