Wyandotte, KS - "Mrs. Kultala is personally engaged in voter intimidation in the district." says Steve Fitzgerald, her opponent in the Kansas 5th Senate race. "She has been calling area businesses to intimidate them into removing my campaign signs from their property and we now have proof." "We have her voice message and Caller ID telephone number on Jerry's Nursery business phone."
The transcript of her call: Ah, hello I was wondering if you were supporting Steve Fitzgerald for the State Senate race I noticed that you have a big sign out in front of your business and he's kind of __ creepy nut out of Leavenworth we've spent a lot of money at your business and we will not be coming there any longer as long as you still suppor_.
"Her actions are certainly disrespectful of the rights of others and may even be illegal." said Fitzgerald.
Dan Jones, owner of Jerry's Nursery located at 5319 North K-7 Hwy outside Lansing in Wyandotte County said he was upset about the call. Jones explained: "I didn't think allowing a candidate to put up a campaign sign outside my business was any big deal until I got Mrs. Kultala's phone call on my answering machine. It bothers me because she says on the answering machine that she won't be doing any business with me in the future. As far as I know I've never had any personal business from her. But, I do know she is a past Wyandotte Unified Government Commissioner, Piper School Board member, and currently sits on the Wyandotte Library Board. I've done business and have a good reputation with those organizations. It sounds to me like she's going to stop me from further business with any of those organizations. That's pretty vindictive if you ask me."
Steve Flanagan, owner of the Buggy Bath Carwash and Ensign Storage Units, located at 401 North 130th Street, was also called. "I received a call at my business located on 7 Highway that was automatically transferred to my assistant's cell phone. The call was from someone who my assistant says sounded like Mrs. Kultala who sounded pretty upset that I was allowing Mr. Fitzgerald to put up campaign signs on my property. She said she'd no longer be doing any business with me. I didn't get a chance to talk with her personally since it was forwarded to my assistant's cell phone. But I'm a little surprised that someone running for Senator would threaten local business owners."
An audio of the voice mail can be heard here.
