NY-26: Buffalo News Reports on Jon Powers’ Dubious War Kids Relief
by Matt at Aug 5th, 2008
Questions about War Kids Relief, the charity started by Jon Powers, have been raised in the blogosphere for a while now, but today hit the pages of the Buffalo News, which noted that the charity did not accomplish much, but paid Powers a hefty salary.
…while Powers’ Web site highlights War Kids Relief as “quickly recognized for its path breaking work,” critics say it accomplished little beyond shipping a few soccer balls and backpacks to Iraq –and paying Powers about $77,000 worth of salary over 18 months.
They also say that while the good intentions even of congressional candidates are entitled to fail, Powers never mentions that War Kids Relief fell far short of accomplishing its goal.
Luke Vaughn, spokesman for rival Democratic candidate Jack Davis in the 26th Congressional District, said, “The bottom line is that Powers ran War Kids Relief off a cliff.”
“He made big promises,” Vaughn added, “but all he did was pay himself a fat salary and grab headlines without serving the children he promised to help.”
Also noted in the story is that War Kids Relief has pretty much dissolved - though some might say it was “absorbed” by another organization.
Nevertheless, if Jon Powers is going to exploit his experience with War Kids Relief in his run for congress, he should be willing to explain why an organization that couldn’t accomplish its goal could still pay him a handsome salary. This story, coupled with the fact that Powers has also violated election laws by using campaign funds to pay his rent, certainly makes reasonable people wonder.. and has supporters of Jon Powers sticking their heads in the sand.
ALSO BLOGGING: Monroe Rising, New York’s 26th Congressional District Blog…
