Good idea from BWG’s Keffer: disclose donations before election day

Mayoral candidate Rob Keffer makes open campaign pledge

Calls on rival candidates to join him in transparency, no developer dollars

from Rob Keffer campaign

BRADFORD—Mayoral candidate and current Deputy Mayor Rob Keffer wrote to his rival candidates today, encouraging them to join him in raising the bar on transparency in the campaign.

“I will not be taking developer dollars or donations from corporations out of town. Any grassroots, local donations over $200 will also be published to my website on a bi-weekly basis so voters know the sources of my support,” said Keffer, a well-respected local farmer, businessman and environmentalist.

“Voters deserve to have confidence in the integrity of their mayor. It is important we ensure we are above reproach. We can do this by running our campaigns with the transparent support of local donors, not developers or corporations from outside of our town,” Keffer wrote in the letter.

“As deputy mayor, I have always stood up to ensure residents get the transportation infrastructure, recreation and other services we all rely on by ensuring a balanced approach with smart growth to build a better town,” Keffer concluded.

Text of letter from Keffer to other candidates

28 July 2014

Dear Messrs White and Burgos:

Citizens of Bradford West Gwillimbury deserve to have confidence in the integrity of their mayor.

That is why, as the campaign for Bradford West Gwillimbury mayor begins in earnest, I am writing to you today. I want to encourage you to join me in not accepting any donations to your campaign from developers or corporations not located in our town.

It is important that the mayor of Bradford West Gwillimbury be accountable to the citizens, businesses and taxpayers of the town.

Both developers and corporations located outside of our town may bring forward matters to Council, and a candidate who has accepted their financial support will be in an awkward situation, to say the least.

I am firmly committed to conducting this campaign in an open and transparent manner.

Therefore, I will be posting any donations over $200 to my campaign on my website on a bi-weekly basis, so the voters can see the sources of my support. I encourage you both to do the same.

I encourage you to join me in pledging to only accept donations from Bradford West Gwillimbury citizens and businesses. I hope you will also join me in publishing your donations over $200 online on a bi-weekly basis.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely yours,

Rob Keffer

Candidate for Mayor

Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury