Campaign contributions from the Sims family to Council members

Posted November 1, 2009 at 5:48 pm and filed under City. Updated November 9, 2009 at 3:17 pm.

On July 21, Garner’s five-member Town Council voted 4-1 (Jackie Johns dissenting) to award its three-year, $4.6 million trash contract to Benson-based All-Star Waste Services, despite a recommendation from town staff to go with Shaw Sanitation at a savings of more than $360,000.

Shaw alleges that campaign contributions from Carol and Andrew Sims, the parents of All-Star’s president Tommy Sims, factored into the decision. Council members and the Simses deny the charge.

Excluding the 2009 race, the Simses gave money to the campaigns of each assenting Council member during his or her most recent run for office. They also made contributions to a couple of other past board candidates.

Date Contribution Recipient Voted for Source Elected
2003 $200 Buck Kennedy All-Star Andrew, Carol Sims Nov. 2003
2004 $100 Kathy Behringer All-Star Carol Sims Nov. 2005
Aug. 2005 $250 Ken Marshburn All-Star Carol Sims (lost in 2005)
Oct. 2005 $200 Gra Singleton All-Star Carol Sims Nov. 2005
Oct. 2007 $100 Buck Kennedy All-Star Carol Sims Nov. 2007
Nov. 2007 $100 Ken Marshburn All-Star Carol Sims Nov. 2007

Source: Wake County record, Board of Elections records

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4 Responses for “Campaign contributions from the Sims family to Council members”

  1. Lisa says:
    November 1, 2009 at 8:04 pm

    I honestly don’t see why you all felt the need to publish a story about this. It shouldn’t matter and it doesn’t seem to affect the election at all. You’re just trying to cause some uneeded friction to Tuesday’s election.

  2. Carol Sims says:
    November 3, 2009 at 12:15 am

    Let me recap here:

    I gave money to Buck Kennedy in 2003 in anticipation of a contract for a company that did not exist. Same in 2004.

    In 2005 and 2007 a contract with Garner was not even on All Star’s Radar Screen.?

    This is a new low for the Garner Citizen. So, is the message for the businesses in Garner, do not give to a political campaign because you may never know when you may have a political conflict in town government?

  3. Jess C. says:
    November 3, 2009 at 5:43 pm

    I think it’s grossly unfair to declare the Garner Citizen on a low road when all they did was report facts. They offered a balanced view that allowed a fellow entrepreneur like me the ability to further support our council’s decision. Anyone who understands numbers can see the contributions, dates and draw their own conclusion.

    Quite frankly, I’m grateful to subscribe to a Garner news source that combats misinformation with straight facts. I would implore Lisa and Mrs. Sims to reconsider the article, it’s tone and remember that the unfortunate insinuation comes from Shaw’s prosecuting attorney, not the Garner Citizen.

  4. Arnie Osborn says:
    November 8, 2009 at 11:31 pm

    Congrats! to the Garner Citizen for potentially putting to rest the debate question over whether or not monetary contributions from Carol Sims influenced the All-Star Contract Bid. To be fair and honest when the question was raised, I scratched my head and said, “Hhhmmmm, I wonder.”
    After seeing the very reasonable amounts of money contributed by a family who is active in the Garner community it is easy to see that money had nothing to do with the vote on this contract.
    Good Job reporting the Facts… The Sims and the Citizens should Thank You as I do … this was information that I needed.

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