Rogers' Sign on Fire Station Property Finally Getting Scrutiny

You may have missed this because the Livingston Press and Argus has yet to cover the issue, but the Livingston Community News has gotten curious about the billboard.

Specifically, the Community News wants to know why a sign touting the candidacy of 8th District Rep. Mike Rogers can stand on Genoa Township property even though state law says public property may not be used to promote candidates.

The property in question is a fire station on Chilson Road near I-96. The land was donated by Brighton attorney Neal Neilson for the fire station with the stipulation that the sign could remain.

As Ken Silfven of the Michigan Secretary of State's office is quoted in the article:

"Silfven was reluctant to address the specific situation, but said a campaign sign on public property 'could potentially be illegal.' He cited Section 57 of the Campaign Finance Act, which prohibits use of public resources for a campaign.

"That section says: 'A public body ... shall not use or authorize the use of funds, personnel, office space, computer hardware or software, property, stationery, postage, vehicles, equipment, supplies, or other public resources to make a contribution ...'"

This situation raises a few questions.

Since the Genoa Township Board of Trustees approved the donation of land with the restriction included, and knowing that the sign has been there in previous elections, weren't they authorizing the use of property to make a contribution to a campaign?

If Genoa Township can do this, couldn't townships, cities, counties, even state government accept donations of land with such stipuations? Imagine going to the city hall with a "Relect Mayor Smith" banner out front because somebody donated the land for it. Exactly what are the limits for these sorts of "donations".

And isn't this a contribution by Neilson that should be reported on Rogers' campaign finance reports as an in-kind contribution? And doesn't the value of a billboard along a busy freeway far exceed the $2,300 per person contribution limit?

I'm just asking.