CLARK COUNTY — Clark County’s Democratic Party leadership has petitioned to kick five people out of precinct committee positions in the wake of November’s general election.

The once dominant party in the county has seen its position slip in the last two elections. Democrats for the first time in recent history lost the majority on the Jeffersonville City Council to Republicans and the city also has a Republican mayor for only the second time in more than 60 years.

Five Democratic precinct officers were petitioned for removal following a committee meeting in January. Those individuals included three precinct chairmen: Jeff Aaron, Tom DeArk and Jack Vissing, as well as two vice chairwomen, Kay Ledbetter and Donna DeArk. Democratic Party Chairman Rod Pate said all of the individuals were removed for supporting candidates outside of the Democratic party during the general election.

“These are party rules,” he said. “Anybody can work for anybody, but you can’t [do it and] be a precinct committee person.”

While he added that a person can support whomever they wish as a candidate, if they are serving as a party committee member they are precluded from campaigning for another party’s candidate.

“They are familiar with the party rules,” he said.

Pate said Vissing was removed for having a fundraiser for now-Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore, a Republican; Aaron and Ledbetter were removed for supporting Charlestown Republican Mayor Bob Hall; and Tom DeArk and his wife, Donna, were removed for writing letters of support for two Republican Clarksville Town Council candidates.



REMOVAL RECEIVED?

A letter sent to those removed from precinct committee posts reads: “In the 2011 election cycle the above named precinct officer did violate the Indiana Democratic Party rules by publicly supporting Republican candidates.” The letter cited rule 11 of the Indiana Democratic party rules, being disloyal to the Democratic Party, as the reason for the petition of removal.

But some who have been slated for removal denied the allegations and said they have not been notified of the petition for their removal.

“They weren’t served on me,” Vissing said of the notice of the petition for removal. “They know where I am. I don’t consider myself bound if I’ve never gotten served by one of these things.”

Pate said all of the letters were sent by certified mail and dated Jan. 10, but he admitted not all of the letters were signed for. DeArk also said he never received a letter that said he may be removed as a precinct committeeman.

“As a matter of practice, I do not accept certified mail,” he said. “I’m disappointed nobody took the time to call me,” he added. “If somebody’s unhappy with me, no one told me.”

DeArk also said the allegations were not true.

“I have written no letters of support for anyone,” he said. “I’ve supported every honest Democrat that has asked for my help.”

Two letters to the editor from DeArk were published in the News and Tribune in the days leading up to the November election, but none urged support for a specific candidate.

While Vissing said he has received no notice of petition from the Democratic Party, he did hold an event for Mike Moore before the general election.

“I agreed to do that before Mike Moore ever declared as a Republican,” he said. “I’m sorry Mike ran as a Republican, but I kept my word. This is Tom Galligan’s revenge, that’s what this is.”

Vissing explained that there is a long-standing division between himself and the former mayor. He also questioned the ability and the right of the board to remove him, as he was elected to the post.

“Are you just going to get rid of opposition every time it comes up?” he asked rhetorically. “The party should be made up of community leaders, not political hacks.”



CAMPAIGN CONTROVERSY

Aaron, a Charlestown city councilman, also alleged that the petition for removal against him was motivated by a mayoral election.

“It is all political,” he said. “The Democratic Party has left their principles. It’s the Rod Pate and Donna Ennis party.”

Ennis was the Democratic opponent against the Republican Bob Hall in Charlestown’s November mayoral election and it was alleged that Aaron worked for Hall on his re-election campaign.

The petition for removal that was sent to Aaron listed that he campaigned door-to-door for Hall, openly campaigned for him and electioneered for him at the Charlestown Arts & Enrichment Center on election day.

But Aaron denied the accusations.

He claimed that during November’s general election he never came out in support for, or came out against, Hall.

“I think it’s because I did not come out and say, ‘I’m with you guys,’” Aaron said, in response to why his ouster is being sought.

Ennis, however, disagreed.

“It’s no secret that Jeff Aaron has actively worked with the Republicans in the last few elections,” she said.

Ennis added that she does not care who anyone votes for, but if they choose to be a Democratic precinct committee member that they should follow the rules set by the party.

“If you don’t want to fulfill that obligation, don’t sign up to be that person,” she said.

Aaron fired back at the letter for removal.

“I think it’s time Rod Pate needs to re-examine himself,” he said. “I’ll get re-elected with or without Rod Pate. They’re destroying the Democratic Party. To me, it’s not about Republicans, it’s not about Democrats, it’s about doing the right thing.”

Pate admitted it was probably not the first time a precinct committee member has crossed party lines, but that this year the precinct review committee decided to act.

“Most of the time they’re not as blatant as these were,” he said. “It’s always happened. This time it’s enough is enough.”

He added he is not aware of anyone ever being removed previously from a Democratic precinct committee post in Clark County.

According to the Indiana Democratic Party rules, to remove a precinct officer requires two-thirds of eligible, present and voting committee members — of which there are 70 in Clark County — in order for the individual to be removed. Those removed will have the right to appeal the decision, up to 15 days after a letter notifying them of their dismissal was sent, Pate said.

He added he has not named replacements for the precinct members whose removal is being sought and will ask a committee of Democratic Party members who they would like to nominate as replacements. He added he will likely fill the positions in the next couple weeks.