by Rich Bird Post-Tribune correspondent February 23, 2012 3:34PM <\/p>\n
Edgar Corns and his wife, Darlene at their home in Lowell. Edgar, a retired farmer, has been designated as Fraternal MVP by the National Fraternal Congress of America for his volunteer work and charities. Photo by Scott R. Brandush for the Post-Tribune <\/p>\n
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Updated: February 23, 2012 6:36PM <\/p>\n
CROWN POINT \u2014 Citing the Constitutional First Amendment right to free speech, Lake County election officials tossed out a complaint stemming from a campaign flier that called Lowell Councilman Edgar Corns a \u201cpart-time\u201d resident. <\/p>\n
Corns \u2014 a Republican \u2014 filed the complaint against former Ward 5 Councilman David Gard, current Ward 1 Councilman Craig Earley and the South Lake County Democratic Precinct Organization. <\/p>\n
Addressing the Lake County Board of Elections and Registration on Thursday, Corns pointed to the flier, which he called a \u201chate letter\u201d paid for by the organization and approved by Gard and Earley. He said he was humiliated at the polls when confronted by people about the part-time residency charge. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey have no proof of any of this,\u201d Corns said. \u201cIt\u2019s all lies. \u2026 This was sent through the U.S. Postal Service, and I don\u2019t think that\u2019s right.\u201d <\/p>\n
Speaking in his defense, Earley said that Corns occasionally spends time away from his residence, and that Corns spent between four and five weeks in Florida last year. He said the campaign strategy was an attempt to show voters that Corns may miss meetings or be away during an emergency. <\/p>\n
GOP Elections Board member Patrick Gabrione questioned Earley on the strategy. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo you think anyone who goes on vacation is a part-time resident? I recently went out of town for a couple days. Am I a part-time resident?\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Earley responded no, and said he believes a \u201cnormal\u201d family will vacation for one to two weeks. <\/p>\n
County Clerk Mike Brown, made the motion to dismiss the complaint. <\/p>\n
\u201cIn free speech, people are allowed to say what they feel. That\u2019s what makes the country great.\u201d <\/p>\n
Ronna Lukasik-Rosenbaum, chairwoman of the South County Democratic Precinct Organization, said she was happy for the board\u2019s unanimous vote. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis was a waste of everyone\u2019s time,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Original post: by Rich Bird Post-Tribune correspondent February 23, 2012 3:34PM Edgar Corns and his wife, Darlene at their home in Lowell. Edgar, a retired farmer, has been designated as Fraternal MVP by the National Fraternal Congress of America for his volunteer work and charities. Continue reading
\nElection flier passes free speech muster, Lake County board says<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"