[caption id="attachment_69479" align="alignright" width="300"] This flier was mailed to some Franklin County residents recently in opposition of the proposed Columbus Zoo levy.[/caption] The Virginia-based group, Americans for Prosperity, has sent mailers to some households in Franklin County urging a 'no' vote on Issue 6, a proposed 1.25 mill property tax levy for the Columbus Zoo. AFP State Director, Eli Miller, says his group works to limit government by limiting taxes. Miller says the group was asked by some Franklin County residents to enter the campaign. "We are engaged in local issues, in state issues, on federal issues. There is no issue we won't get involved in if you're going to raise taxes," says Miller. The one page glossy ad claims the tax levy, if approved, hurts disabled and elderly residents who live on fixed incomes. The head of the zoo levy campaign, John Kulewicz, says the appearance of the mailer in Franklin County is a surprise to him. Kulewicz characterizes Americans For Prosperity as "an outside special interest group with deep pockets and extreme views."
This is manipulative activity and we should all be on guard against it. The people who have sent this mailing into our homes here in Franklin County are not part of our community now and are not going to be here after the May 6th election
Neither the pro levy campaign nor Americans for Prosperity would say how much they're spending in their efforts to sway voters. Franklin County voters will vote on the zoo levy on May 6th.