OFFICIAL CRITICIZES USE OF TAX FUNDS

Booklet Is Political, Candidate Claims

A candidate for Jackson County prosecutor has accused incumbent Mike
Sanders of using COMBAT anti-drug tax funds to pay for what she calls a
campaign booklet.

The 44-page booklet lists telephone numbers and services available for
senior citizens, but only two of the listed numbers are for drug-related
programs, candidate Cynthia Clark Campbell said this week.

The prosecutor's office paid roughly $4,000 from COMBAT funds for 6,500
booklets earlier this year, county records show.

Campbell, one of three Democratic candidates for county prosecutor, said
the booklet amounts to campaign literature that touts Sanders' political
ability.

Sanders, also a Democrat, countered that the booklet provides information
for senior citizens and was funded properly.

"There's nothing political about this," he said.

Sanders' picture and name are on the cover, along with the title:
"Protecting Our Senior Citizens. A Resource Guide for Jackson County's
Older Adults." The booklet opens with a letter from Sanders.

His office gives the resource guide to seniors who ask for it, Sanders
said. The staff started putting together the information last summer
because senior citizens requested it, he said.

Campbell, a Kansas City lawyer who is a former assistant U.S. attorney,
said the booklet should not have been funded by anti-drug sales tax money.
She said Sanders should apologize and repay COMBAT.

"Sanders is quick to attack others and demand audits of others," she said,
"but his own political use of taxpayer COMBAT funds is indefensible."

Jim Nunnelly, program administrator for COMBAT, said the tax is often used
for printings aimed at specific groups, such as seniors, teenagers and
women. Seniors need information in part because they are often abused by
people who use drugs, he said.

Sanders cited research showing a correlation between elder abuse and
persons using narcotics.

He defended using COMBAT funds for the booklet.

As for his picture on the cover, Sanders said everything printed out of the
prosecutor's office for decades has featured the prosecutor's picture.

The clash is the first salvo in a prosecutor's race that is expected to be
contentious. Kansas City lawyer Kathy Finnell also is running as a
Democrat. The primary is Aug. 3.

"It's going to be a very interesting time," Campbell said.

First glance

- - A candidate for Jackson County prosecutor says the incumbent used
anti-drug sales tax money to pay for what she calls campaign literature.

- - The prosecutor counters that the booklet provides information for senior
citizens and was funded properly.