Election 2004

Whaley critic denies ties to her opponent

By REBECCA CATALANELLO
Published November 2, 2004

Election complaints against Marge Whaley have been faxed to the Pasco Times editorial board from a phone listed at Ryan O'Reilly's family business or "The O'Reilly's."

The man who filed an elections complaint against Pasco County School Board member Marge Whaley last week faxed the letter from a phone used by Ryan O'Reilly, Whaley's political challenger.

James Hall, 26, of Zephyrhills told the St. Petersburg Times on Friday that he did not know either Whaley or O'Reilly. He also said he was not active in any of the local political groups.

But on at least six occasions this year, Hall has faxed letters to the Pasco Times editorial board from a fax machine that lists its origin as "S&L Property Developers" (which is O'Reilly's family business) or "The O'Reilly's."

On Friday, Hall faxed a news release alleging that Whaley's campaign violated state law by donating funds to former Pasco school superintendent candidate Chuck Rushe's campaign. The fax number Hall used on Friday is the same number O'Reilly has used to send letters to the editor as recently as Oct. 13.

"I was just a concerned citizen looking through some of the election information, and it just came up," Hall told th e Times on Friday when asked whether he knew O'Reilly or Whaley.

Hall, who according to state records is a registered Republican living in Zephyrhills, could not be reached Monday.

On Monday, O'Reilly said he did not know Hall, but knew "of him." O'Reilly, who is running in the nonpartisan election for School Board, said he acts as the conduit for letters to the editor from people involved in the local Republican Party.

"I send in letters (for others) all the time," O'Reilly said. "Many of them I've never talked to."

Hall's complaint calls into question a $415.52 reimbursement Whaley made to Rushe's campaign in July. Whaley said she had made the payment after a Rushe campaign worker accidentally picked up the bill on a lumber order she placed. Both Rushe and Whaley said it was a simple mixup. Election officials are investigating.

[Last modified November 2, 2004, 00:33:22]