At Least One Mehlville Parent Received Political Email From Firefighters' Union

District officials continuing their probe of political emails.

EVAN YOUNG

Staff Reporter - Call Newspapers

April 20, 2011 - At least one Mehlville School District parent reported receiving the same political email that was sent to more than 400 staff email addresses the day before the April 5 election.

District officials are investigating how those addresses were obtained by a third-party vendor that distributed the email, which advocated the election of Michael Klund to the Mehlville Fire Protection Board of Directors.

The email, titled "Mehlville Firefighters and Paramedics Support Mike Klund," was sent from Local 1889 of the International Association of Fire Fighters. Klund on April 5 narrowly lost his bid for the board seat to incumbent Chairman Aaron Hilmer.

Officials received word last week that the email showed up in the inbox of at least one district parent.

Mark Capkovic, an Oakville parent, wrote in an email to Superintendent Terry Noble, Deputy Superintendent Eric Knost and Director of Communications Emily McFarland that he became "extremely concerned" after receiving the Local 1889 email.

Family and friends with children in Mehlville schools also received the email, Capkovic contended, leading him to believe their addresses were obtained through the district.

"This greatly concerns me as I have provided my email address to the school district solely for school related matters involving my three children," he wrote. "The school district should have nothing to do with political campaigns."

The message was sent to roughly 420 Mehlville employees using Constant Contact, an email-based marketing firm.

The district has never used Constant Contact, but Knost said last week its services are similar to those of Katey Charles Communications, which distributes Mehlville's electronic newsletter.

"It's not an office building somewhere. It's online," Knost said, referring to Constant Contact. "Somebody goes in, creates an account and then they can develop their marketing piece, and then they can upload their recipient list."

Knost said Constant Contact is looking into the Local 1889 email but added the investigation may hit a "dead end" depending on how much the company is willing to disclose.

"They don't divulge, and I don't think they will divulge, client information — who exactly are the administrators of this account," he said. "But they did tell us that the account we're talking about was already under scrutiny. They're reviewing it and they are to get back to us."

The email, formatted as an electronic newsletter, stated in part, "... The Mehlville Firefighters and Paramedics of Local 1889 are supporting Mike Klund for the Mehlville Fire Protection District on April 5, and believe strongly that you should too."

A disclaimer at bottom of the message stated, "Email addresses used for this email were compiled through various family, friends, supporters of Mike Klund, the Mehlville Firefighters and Paramedics and public records, like taxpayer-funded websites."

District policy prohibits it from accepting political advertisements, and officials have stressed no one requested or received permission to use the email addresses.

Klund has said he was "completely unaware" of the email being circulated.

Asked if district officials have contacted Local 1889 officials about the email, Knost said, "Our communications department attempted that the day it came out and did not get a reply."

Mehlville Firefighters and Paramedics - IAFF Local 1889 In This Issue Plea from Marine Veteran Fire Board President Testifies Against Classroom Teacher Retirement Quick Links Visit Our Web Site Join Us on Facebook Email Us Our Sponsors Vote Mike Klund for the Mehlville Fire Protection Board - April 5th Greetings! First and foremost, thank you for your time.  The Mehlville Firefighters and Paramedics of Local 1889 are supporting Mike Klund for the Mehlville Fire Protection District on April 5th, and believe strongly that you should too. 18 Fire Districts Support Local Veteran Amputee - Mehlville Fire Board President Aaron Hillmer Opts Out.  :( Marine Cpl. Todd Nicely Dear Neighbor, I am a Marine Corps veteran and a retired Captain from the Mehlville Fire Protection District. My grandson Marine Cpl. Todd Nicely lost both of his arms and legs in an IED explosion while serving our country in Iraq.  As a grandparent, I was devastated. I wanted to do something special for my grandson when he returned home.  I helped organize a charity event in South County at Faith Lutheran Church so the community could welcome Todd home and we could honor him for his efforts in defending our country. A request was made through the Fire Fighters to the Mehlville Fire Protection district Board to display Fire equipment at our event, which is common at neighborhood functions.  I am retired from the Mehlville Fire District after working 33 years there. My family was devastated to learn the Mehlville Fire Protection District, whose Fire Board President is Aaron Hilmer, denied my request.  Thankfully, the Fire Fighters put out a call across the region and 18 Fire Districts sent trucks to the event. If the Mehlville Fire Protection District Board, led by Mr. Hilmer can't support our veterans injured in the line of duty, then who can we support? I will be supporting Mike Klund on April 5th. Sincerely, Russell Bono Retired Mehlville Fire Captain, Marine Corps Veteran and  Grandfather of a young hero President of Mehlville Fire District Board Testifies in Jefferson City against Classroom Teacher Pensions Aaron Hillmer Testifies Against Classroom Teachers "It does not go nearly far enough."  Aaron Hilmer, President of the Mehlville Fire District Board testifies in favor of House Bill 409, that effectively guts the retirement plan of our classroom teachers. The biggest threat to classroom teacher pensions, which they contribute 14% of their own paychecks to annually, are politicians like Aaron Hilmer. Protect classroom teachers and public servants by joining the grass roots effort to elect Mike Klund.   Please join our coalition in telling Aaron Hilmer that he has gone FAR ENOUGH! We of the Mehlville Firefighters and Paramedics ask you to join Mike Klund in his efforts to put Safety First!  Elect Mike Klund to the Mehlville Fired Board to: Stop Wasteful Spending Stop Double Taxation Keep Your Family Safe! Sincerely, Mehlville Firefighters and Paramedics Local 1889 Email addresses used for this email were compiled through various family, friends, supporters of Mike Klund, the Mehlville Firefighters and Paramedics and public records, like taxpayer funded web sites.  If you wish to be removed from further communications with the Mehlville Firefighters and Paramedics 1889, be sure to use the Safe Unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email.