Published: October 29, 2009 06:38 pm      

Varnell sparring continues

One of two Varnell campaign committees that were the subjects of an ethics complaint earlier this week has turned in its paperwork with the State Ethics Commission, says City Council candidate James Caldwell.

Caldwell said the Citizens for Continued Growth and Smart Decisions turned its paperwork in today in Atlanta. He said the other committee — Citizens for Continued Progress in Varnell — has mailed in its paperwork.

The two committees are working to get Caldwell, Mayor Dan Peeples and Seat 2 candidate Brent Newsome elected, but Caldwell said they are independent committees not formally connected to the candidates.

“The state should have that (the mailed paperwork) either Friday or Monday, and it is my understanding it is as simple as entering into the database and then the committee is registered,” he said.

Cindy Huerta said the two committees failed to properly register with the state. Huerta’s father, Varnell City Council member Carlus Mosier, faces Caldwell in the Nov. 3 election for the council.

The initial complaint was rejected on technical grounds, but Tom Plank, acting executive secretary for the commission, said Huerta could file an amended complaint, which she said she did on Thursday. Plank said Thursday a new complaint would be turned over to a commission attorney for review.

“No action will be taken within 30 days of the election. After that, it will be investigated,” he said.