Stamford's Independent Party Reacts To 'Deceptive Campaign' Allegations

The Stamford Independent Party has made a swift response to the Stamford Democratic Party, who have accused the SIP's Board of Finance candidates of .

"In press reports James Diamond, Chairman of the Stamford Democrat Party, stated that the Independent Party placed the calls, an allegation that, obviously, is false.  If the reports are correct, his statements, to use his own words, are irresponsible, unethical and dishonest," Stamford Independent Party chairman Paul Nadziejko said.

According to candidates Karen Murphy and Cynthia Reeder, the auto-calls were actually made by the Stamford Taxpayers Political Action Committee, who have endorsed the Stamford Independent Party.

"I had no idea that the PAC scheduled robocalls for any candidate. As soon as I learned of them I sent STOP STOP robocalls to the PAC. I have no authority over the PAC," Board of Education candidate Karen Murphy told Patch. "More significantly, the press Release from Mr. Diamond is false and he knows it."

"It [the robo-calls] were not sent from the city...when you send these robo-calls, it's done through a vendor," Stamford Taxpayer's Political Action Committee head George Stadel told Patch.  George Stadel stated that while PAC endorses Joe Tarzia, Bob Kolenberg, and Cynthia Reeder for the Board of Finance, PAC does not work for the Stamford Independent Party in any form.

According to Stadel, PAC wanted to send its endorsement message to voters in the form of automated phone calls, and contracted a volunteer to do so. "He put the wrong number in for a callback number," Stadel said.

"It is unfortunate that the Independent Party and the Independent candidates who offer Stamford much-needed expertise and a commitment to open and accountable government are being tainted by the Democrat’s false allegations and the missteps of an unaffiliated organization," Nadziejko said.