About Kelty (OK, so this is not everything about Matt Kelty. It is just a few observations from some points of view.) SEE RADIO AD YOU TUBE VIDEO BELOW
In a news release (Monday, October 22) , Kelty’s attorney Larry Mackey issued the following statement: “Today we filed a motion asking the court to dismiss the indictment pending against Matt Kelty because of a variety of legal and constitutional defects, foremost of which is that Matt Kelty has been charged with crimes he did not commit. This is the first step in what we intend to be a vigorous defense to these charges.”
First of all, we have heard Matt Kelty speak, seen him work the crowd and listened to his message and we were mildly impressed with his campaign skills and that great big wide smile of his. In person and on television he talks about his "family values" and we do suspect that he has them. We have heard about his good work ethic, his wife and children and the people who call him their friend. He probably is a good neighbor too. That said:
We have also heard that the Kelty campaign would eventually stoop to negative advertising and distorted messages to convince voters that Matt Kelty is the "Good Christian" in this contest to find the next mayor for Fort Wayne. The commercial below is like the "birthday cake" in that it is cruel to people and misleading in it's representations of Mr. Henry. Unlike the cake, it doesn't leave a good taste when consumed.
Be very aware of more such "negative" ads from friends of Mr. Kelty and let us know if you hear them. Record them if you are able.
Kelty Radio Commercial
We got this radio ad and wondered if you have you heard it on a Fort Wayne "Christian" radio station that has played it 4 or 5 times a day. The ad supporting Matt Kelty says: "Christians have an important decision to make when voting for the next mayor of Fort Wayne. There are some things that as people of faith we need to consider. . . ." The people pushing this ad seem to assume that all Christians should think the same way they do and that those supporting Mr. Kelty are the better Christians than the rest of us. "Oh goodness", where would that kind of debate take us? Would we not be better off to look at the important issues that need to be addressed to make Fort Wayne a better city, improve the lives of citizens and encourage more and better jobs? This all gets very sad and silly as one group implys to others that they are the "better" Christians.
The one-minute radio ad only airs on Fort Wayne's Christian radio station WFCV 1090 am. It was paid for and authorized by a political action committee out of Indianapolis, known as the American Family Association.
This is the radio ad that hits the fan. The American Family Association of Indiana PAC made the most dishonest message we have heard this campaign season. OK, maybe it is one of many, but it sacrifices an important group in our community using untrue labels and prejudice as a wedge issue to divide our community. It leaves out important details to make Tom Henry look evil. Go figure how any of it deals with family values.
Family values should include ALL people in a family and all families. Frankly, for people who claim to be the only ones with the right values, this ad hits those who have loved family members who are gay or lesbian right in the gut. While the rest of America is growing with a positive understanding and appreciation of these issues, the AFA people remain locked into their ignorance and prejudice. Anyone who had any doubts about Matt Kelty's willingness to go negative and use wedge issues can now see what he will do in order to become mayor. What is really sad is that the people spreading this ignorance really believe it.
You can listen to or download the mp3 of American Family Association of Indiana PAC ad. We are so fortunate that not all Christians hold the shallow and non inclusive views as this group nor do they distort past actions of their political opponents.
And now this is on YouTube
A video about the Matt Kelty supporters ad from blueindiana.net
Kelty supporters say " . . . As a city councilman Tom Henry repeatedly authorized legislation promoting the gay rights agenda - several homosexual groups are supporting Henry . . . " Well, how often is "repeatedly" and what is their agenda anyway? Is it just to be treated equally? Doesn't sound like much a problem to me. If you or I were gay, would we support Kelty? I don't think so. If we had sons, daughters, brothers, sisters or other family members who were would we support someone who looks down on them and discriminates. Every group has an agenda or two. Give it a break because no one is trying to convert anyone.
Kelty supporters say" . . . Kelty knows the dangers our kids face in today's sex crazed world." I am sorry, but I don't think we live in a sex crazed world. If Mr Kelty does, then I really do question his perceptions of reality. That is just crazy.
Kelty supporters say. . . "Tom Henry REFUSED to stand with pastors, churches and families concerned about the dangers of strip clubs and adult book stores." Then it goes on to share that Republican Matt Kelty supports family values - implying that Tom Henry does not. . . Well, Tom Henry is a poster child for family values and that is shown by his own extremely large and close family. This ad twists facts, uses words intended to direct the listener's interpretation and distorts reality. The line, "concerned about the dangers of . . ." is wide open and tells us nothing - it just tries to put doubt in the voter's mind. No details, no reasons, not enough information given. I assume these businesses were operating legally and to close them down would restrict and limit business in Fort Wayne. To find out if shutting them down would limit crime we might ask the Fort Wayne Police Department - not this group. I doubt very much that a good mayor would shut down businesses just because he did not personally approve of them.
Text of the radio ad
“Christians have an important decision to make when voting for the next mayor of Fort Wayne. There’s some things as people of faith we need to consider. As a City Councilman, Tom Henry repeatedly authored legislation promoting the gay rights agenda. Several homosexual groups are supporting Henry including the Human Rights Campaign, an advocate for same-sex marriage. Councilman Henry also refused to stand with pastors, churches and families concerned about the dangers of strip clubs and adult book stores. Republican Matt Kelty supports family values. The American Family Association’s political action committee and the Indiana Family Action have endorsed Matt Kelty for mayor. Matt Kelty is consistently pro-life and has been endorsed by the Allen County Right to Life. As a father of four Matt Kelty knows the dangers our kids face in today’s sex-crazed world. You can trust Matt Kelty to defend our values and culture. On Nov. 6 vote your values; vote Matt Kelty for mayor. Paid for by the American Family Association PAC.”
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The American Family Association of Indiana PAC announced that it has endorsed Matt Kelty for Mayor of Fort Wayne in the Republican primary on May 8th. You can download a pdf of the endorcement
Donald E. Wildmon is an ordained United Methodist minister and The American Family Association is an outgrowth of one he started earlier. I know that not all United Methodists feel this way. I have good United Methodist friends who love their lesbian daughter unconditionally and their lives - and hers - are better for it. This association wants to "expose the misrepresentation of the radical homosexual agenda and stop its spread though our culture." I'm sorry, but the people I know who have understanding and acceptance are so much happier people than those who spread anger and unnecessary fear. The Indiana group is a fringe swamp that wallows in their own ignorance.
When anyone encourages hateful thoughts, misunderstanding and prejudice at members of my family and my friends, it makes me angry. As a teacher, in every class there was at least one or two gay students and I reject the negativism directed toward those I taught and cared for as a teacher. People who use the word "choice" only illuminate their ignorance - because gay people know from a very early age that they are "different." Let us allow them be different as we all get on with our own different lives. What ever happened to appreciating the diversity of us all?
Maybe Matt Kelty would be a good mayor - at least for some people - but certainly not for most of us. You can get that idea from the fact that his friends ran their ad to a small segment of the population - expecting to leave the rest of us in the dark as to their true impressions of Mr. Kelty. Fortunately, the radio ad was exposed by the Internet and blogs and then newspapers and television did their job as did better thinking Republicans, like Mr. Shine. Fort Wayne people did not let prejudice go unchallenged. Good for all of them. We are a diverse community and living with and understanding diversity can add value to our lives if we will just open our minds and our hearts.
Matt Kelty on the Pat White show October 19th, 2007 by Eric White
Pat White asked Matt about the controversial radio commercial produced by the American Family Association. Listen to the interview here
Souder officially pulls Kelty endorsement- October 16, 2007 From the News-Sentinel- from a release from Mark Souder that was sent out after 7PM Tuesday evening:
“Because of a number of calls from Matt Kelty supporters asking for a clarification of my position, as well as repeated media requests, I offer the following detailed explanation. Other than the original endorsement of Nelson Peters, and the post-primary endorsement of Matt Kelty, I have initiated no other comments.
I endorsed Nelson Peters for mayor because I felt he would be a conservative mayor and he could unite the city. Nelson lost.
Because I was the senior elected Republican in the city, because I was a long-time friend of Matt Kelty, and because I shared his conservative views—after he was cleared by the election board and before he was indicted—I felt it was important to endorse him, even though few other elected Republicans have done so.
The only "pressure" I have received because of any of my comments has been from Kelty supporters. These comments have generally been accompanied by non-subtle threats to wreck my political career. No other Republican Party official or anyone opposed to Kelty has pushed me to act.
In Washington, the filing of campaign charges has been used as a political weapon to discredit opponents. Unfortunately, more often than not the charges have proven to be true. But that’s not the case for them all—some have been unjustly smeared.
In my opinion, prosecutor Karen Richards had no choice but to make a referral to a special prosecutor when the case came before her. Since she had endorsed Peters, no one would have seen any decision she made as fair.
Dan Sigler, though a former Democrat prosecutor, was elected in a very conservative county (Adams) with widespread Republican support. He had long had a reputation for fairness. It would have been hard to find any current or past prosecutor who would not have been criticized by someone. Dan Sigler is about as close to non-partisan as exists in our region.
When I endorsed Kelty, I was upset that what had appeared to be a fairly cut-and-dried case was dragging on. The election board heard the basic facts. It seemed to me that the case should have been decided prior to Labor Day. I suggested that a drawn-out case, constantly trumpeted by the media, was potentially political harassment. It was suggested, and I agreed, that a good prosecutor can persuade a grand jury to indict in most cases where a legitimate debate exists. Indictment is not guilt.
Before endorsing Matt, I made it clear to him that I questioned both the cost of the Zogby poll and whether he tried to get around campaign laws. But, based on his word, I did believe that, whatever his motives were, he had followed the law. The opinion of my longtime friend Jim Bopp also helped persuade me.
When I learned the specifics of the seven felony counts and two misdemeanors, it became clear that the case was a lot more complicated than it had at first appeared. The indictments were substantial, not superficial. Two were for felony perjury. They involved two individuals associated with prominent security firms, Don Willis and Fred Rost, whose testimony convinced the grand jury that Matt Kelty had perjured himself.
Shortly after the indictments were released, Jeff Neumeyer of Indiana’s News Center asked me if I regretted my endorsement. Not all of my comment was aired. I said that I gave the endorsement prior to the indictments (which was not aired), and that I didn’t regret it (which was aired). In other words, I did what I felt was best at the time.
Again in September, Indiana’s News Center asked me how I felt about the Republicans for Henry group since I had endorsed Matt Kelty. Once again I pointed out that I had endorsed Matt before he had been indicted (not aired), and that each Republican had to make up his or her own mind (which was aired).
Then, a week ago, Sylvia Smith of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, followed by Indiana’s News Center and WANE-TV, asked me more directly about my endorsement and whether it remained in effect.
In addition to the above, I explained that an increasing number of defectors from the Kelty campaign claimed that people within the campaign, and the candidate himself, continued to make disparaging remarks about me and attacked my friends.
Those active in the Kelty campaign had portrayed Cathy Hawks as a terrorist, Dr. John Crawford as a Nazi, smeared the character of Ken Neumeister, and portrayed Prosecutor Richards as a witch, just to name a few.
After declining to tape a radio commercial, and after refusing all requests to support the Kelty campaign since the indictments, the Kelty campaign nevertheless mailed out my earlier endorsement without even the courtesy of asking me or the common decency even to inform me.
Each Fort Wayne voter, including myself, has to make up his or her mind about the substance of the indictments, the character of the candidates, and the importance of the issue differences.
My vote will be private. But because I had previously been one of the only elected Republican officials to endorse Matt Kelty publicly, the questions kept coming about whether that endorsement still stood. For the stated reasons, my endorsement of Matt Kelty does not stand.”
KELTY HAS HIS CAKE AND DENIES IT, TOO
Shown here, at left, is the GOP candidate for mayor, Matt Kelty looking at the infamous birthday cake - the Republican outhouse headquarters from his 43rd birthday party. This photo was taken just before Kelty denied all knowledge of the existence of the cake in his left hand, and just after he discussed his marriage to a group of faithful supporters.
"Home! And this is my room - and you are all here! And I'm not going to leave here ever again, because I love you all! And --- Oh, Auntie Em ----- there's no place like home!".
Apparently the Republican HQ is no longer his home.
- - and there is no room for him with the Democrats, either.
Even Mark Souder is "very troubled" by Matt Kelty and his campaign's lack of judgment. Besides the grand jury indictments, Souder, according to the Journal-Gazette, said there were many things that aren't public. Makes you wonder.
His campaign has been filled with problems - usually of his and his friends own making. Matt Kelty is probably a basically good person. Unfortunately the judgment as demonstrated during the campaign has done little to build any confidence that he has the skills necessary to be the mayor of one of Indiana's largest cities.
We thank the Kelty Campaign and his supporters for the photographs
Marvin Hoot of EACS board fame, had a letter to the editor that admited his wife was the baker of the infamous Kelty birthday cake. It was a nice gesture by Hoot to publicly try and deflect some of the criticism coming from the Kelty campaign.
Kelty should've never went anywhere near it and being photographed holding the outhouse was another poor decision - posting the photos on the campaign website was even worse. Then, when Nelson Peters called Kelty about the cake, Kelty acted like he didn't know what he was talking about.
What Ever Happened to James Bopp? We have heard no mention of James Bopp, Matt Kelty's famous Republican attorney for some time. The Journal Gazette has reported that Kelty hired Larry Mackey and Jason Barclay of Barnes & Thornburg in Indianapolis. Is it true that since the case has moved to a criminal matter that Mr. Bopp is off the case? More importantly, Kelty has pushed his next court date past the election. If he wins the election and looses in court he cannot be mayor and the people will have lost their chance to pick the person who will head the Fort Wayne government for the next four years. What a pitty.
IWIR takes a look at Kelty "Cakegate"
Indiana Week in Review looked over the Kelty birthday cake flap this week. Most suprising, is former GOP State Chair Mike McDaniel's statement. McDaniel, who has very close ties to the State GOP, says of the Kelty campaign, "This is becoming more and more embarrasing by the week and we cannot wait for this thing to be over."
Does Pence Still Support Kelty?
I don't think so. He does send encouragement and prayers.
WANE-TV (in Fort Wayne) presents the Matt Kelty/Republican birthday cake imbroglio --
a day later than Indiana NewsCenter's coverage.
Jim Shella and others give their take on Fort Wayne, IN mayoral candidate, Matt Kelty's nine charge indictment.
Shortly later, Congressman Souder withdrew his support of Matt Kelty.
IWIR discusses Kelty indictment Jim Shella and others give their take on Fort Wayne, IN mayoral candidate, Matt Kelty's nine charge indictment.
Contrary to what was said on this program, Tom Henry does NOT have a ride to the end of the campaign. Kelty has dedicated followers who want their adjenda to be locked into the Fort Wayne City Government. If Kelty is elected and convicted he cannot serve as mayor and the Republican Party will then appoint the next mayor for four years.
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It would be good to hear from Matt Kelty.
www.mattkelty.com
How does he really sound now?
Maybe Matt Kelty would be a good mayor - at least for some people - but not all of us. You can get that idea by the fact that his friends ran their ad to a small segment of the population - expecting to leave the rest of us in the dark as to their true feelings. Forutnately, the Internet and blogs exposed the ad, newspapers and television helped too, and better thinking Republicans, like Mr. Shine, did not let prejudice go unchallenged. Good for all of them.
We got this radio ad and wondered if you have you heard it on a Fort Wayne "Christian" radio station that has played it 4 or 5 times a day. The ad supporting Matt Kelty says: "Christians have an important decision to make when voting for the next mayor of Fort Wayne. There are some things that as people of faith we need to consider. . . ." The people pushing this ad seem to assume that all Christians should think the same way they do and that those supporting Mr. Kelty are the better Christians than the rest of us. "Oh goodness", where would that kind of debate take us? Would we not be better off to look at the important issues that need to be addressed to make Fort Wayne a better city, improve the lives of citizens and encourage more and better jobs? This all gets very sad and silly as one group implys to others that they are the "better" Christians. 
Shown here, at left, is the GOP candidate for mayor, Matt Kelty looking at the infamous birthday cake - the Republican outhouse headquarters from his 43rd birthday party. This photo was taken just before Kelty denied all knowledge of the existence of the cake in his left hand, and just after he discussed his marriage to a group of faithful supporters.
Apparently the Republican HQ is no longer his home. 