Not the norm for fundraising

I am writing this letter out of concern about the use of the “Go fund me campaign” being used by Ellen Mullally to raise money for her political purposes, to get elected as councilor in Ward 4. I have been involved in politics on all levels for many years and when I first read that this campaign was ongoing, I raised my eyebrows and said to myself, is she serious, is this the new norm?

Well, apparently, she is serious and it is not the new norm for municipal politics from what I have gathered from the women or men who have served or whom are presently serving on councils throughout P.E.I. The very idea of raising money for political gain is highly offensive and self-serving.

I have never known any councilor from any municipality that didn’t get elected on their own dime. The councilors in Charlottetown are paid $25,000 for their part time job. If Ms. Mullally is successful in getting elected, she can use that money for recouping her election expenses.

The idea of the “Go fund me campaign” has been and is used for helping out individuals and families in times of need, sickness, disastrous situations and so on. I hope that Ms. Mullally would reconsider her position on what “Go fund me campaigns” are supposed to be used for and donate the money she has raised so far to a person or cause in true financial need.

J. Bruce MacIsaac, Charlottetown