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mailed this summer to Stouffville media outlets, including The Sun-Tribune, detailing alleged con- flicts of interest and illegal campaign financing by Mr. Emerson. Councillor,trustee have felt sting ofmudslinging Some of the claims, centring on donations received during the 2006 election campaign, were dismissed by municipal officials 20 months ago. _ Mr. Emmerson is also accused of purchasing two homes from a developer at rock-bottom prices in exchange for favouritism. Not so, he told The Sun-Tribune. “Everything I’ve done is above board and always has been above board and I am not, will not, cause this municipality any disgrace," Mr. Emerson said in an interview. Mr. Emerson received a copy of the package himâ€" self. “I’ve worked hard for this municipality," he said. “What we have accomplished in my personal life is perâ€" sonal and it has nothing to do with where I sit. Now the lawyers are looking at it." His iegal team, hogvever, has hit a stumbling block. The source of the package and its contents, so far, remain anonymous. The SunJ‘ribune package came in a brown envelope with no return address and a downtown Toronto post- mark. Over the past few weeks, more of these packages have been sent to council incumbents and other candidates, again with no [‘8ng address or signature. " Mayoral candidates Justin Altmann and Christine Vlachos received packages in the mail, with Stouffville postmarks The other candidate, Sue Sherban, said the package was dropped ofl‘ at her house the day after nominations closed, Sept. 11. Mr. Emmerson is not, however, the only person who has had to fend 06 personal attacks during election campaigns _A __ Phil fiannon, who is ' for a third term as coun- cillor ofWard 2, has had to d with deliberate untruths during municipal ahd campaigns. “It§ very cfear theée people attack the incumbent because they don't have a campaign stand," said the ELECTION 2010: Political smear campaign â€" v v _ â€" _ Visit us at info@stouffvillestudiotour.com ACRYLIC - ENCAUSIIC - OILS - SUMI-E o WATERcoLoURs o GRAPHITE - JEWELLERY - PASTELS o POTTERY o RAKU - nLocx PRINTS - STAINED GLASS - TURNED wooo - STONE SCULPTURE Sec AUBGANONS. page 22‘ From page 1. 10th ANNUAL WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE October 1 6 17 10:00am-5:00pm STAFF PHOTGNICK lWANYSHYN Wayne Emmerson is being stalked, acconding to an expert at a Toronto urgjveroity. “This is not a political attack, this is a personal attack," said Alan Middleton, assistant professor of marketing at the Schulich School of Business at York University. Mr. Middleton called the tactic “stalking” and part of a “well thought-out campaignf’. The information is out there being distributed and discussed in public, but because the source has not identified him or herself, “we shouldn't give it any creâ€" dence", Mr. Middleton said. “It shouldn’t be regarded with an ounce of On the other hand, Mr. Middleton said the informaâ€" tion won’t necessarily be ignored by voters because it taps into a type of political voyeurism â€" although we want candidates to stick to the issues, we can’t help but watch them attack each other. Part of why candidates hit each other below the belt is because in municipal politics, there is very little difâ€" ference between the candidates’ platforms. “When you have lack of difierentiation, you try to reduce the credibility of your opponent," Mr. Middle- ton said. “It’s harder to increase your credibility.” ‘WEIJ. THOUGlfl-Olfl' CAMPAIGN' Does mudslinging actually have an effect on the eventual outcome of an election? To some extent, yes, according to Mr. Middleton. When it comes to voters, there are three types: those who know and like the candidate and his or her plat- form; those who know and like the opposition and his or her platform; and the people in the middle â€"- who comprise the largest group of voters. re listefiing for things to help them form their judgment,” Mr: Middleton When pu'nches are being thrown by opponents and others, what is the best response? If it’s not “high-level noise", ignore it and it will go away, according to Mr. Middleton. But if you give the controversial remarks attention, the allegations gain some credence. If you want to squash the situation. launch a coun- ter-attack disputing the claims with your own hard data provided by a thirdjparty rsourcet he Can an elecfion be lost When allegations of cor- ruption and other wrongdoings are swirling around a candidate? Although candidates in any election prefer to stick to the actual issues relating to governance of the municipality, province or country, leaving their per- sonal lives out of the discussion can’t be done. One example Mr. Middleton cited is Conrad Black. who was caught cheating at Upper Canada College. “So when he was found guilty of defrauding his partâ€" ners, it is consistent behaviour. Early behaviours and beliefs are predictive of later behaviours,” he said. - Sandra BoIan “There is a residual view all politicians are corrupt and looking for a deal,” he said. A "(It’s) predictability about ethics and behaviour,” the professor said. Mayor being ’stalked’: prof