Garden City Residents Raise Concerns Over Election Misconduct

Calls for a 'Code of Conduct' raise questions about political integrity in local elections

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:06am

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A close-up view of a simple wooden ballot box sitting alone on a desk, the scene bathed in warm, dramatic lighting that casts deep shadows, conveying a sense of both solemnity and vulnerability around the electoral process.As concerns over election integrity grow, a quiet, contemplative scene evokes the fragility of local democracy.Garden City Today

A recent editorial in the Garden City News suggesting a 'Code of Conduct' for local elections has sparked debate among residents about the need for greater transparency and accountability in the political process. The letter writer argues that the real issue is not a lack of rules, but a 'win at all cost mentality' among some candidates and their supporters, who have allegedly engaged in a range of unethical tactics including spreading misinformation, making threats, and violating open meeting laws.

Why it matters

The concerns raised in this letter highlight the growing challenges facing local democracy, where the integrity of elections can be undermined by the spread of false information, intimidation tactics, and a lack of commitment to good governance principles. Establishing clear ethical guidelines for campaigns and elected officials could help restore public trust, but may not be enough on its own to address deeper issues of political polarization and a winner-take-all mentality.

The details

The letter writer cites several specific examples of alleged misconduct during the most recent Garden City election, including the use of misleading videos, the posting of potentially damaging information about a candidate's business, and threats made against a female candidate. The writer also criticizes the mayor and some trustees for failing to address these issues or correct misinformation spread by supporters of the 'CAP' campaign. The letter argues that a 'Code of Conduct' is unlikely to be effective if those in power continue to turn a blind eye to unethical behavior that benefits them politically.

  • The most recent Garden City election took place in 2021.
  • The 2024 election saw candidates make false claims about a 'St Paul's Senior Tax Exemption' plan.
  • In the most recent election, the alleged misconduct occurred in the final week of the campaign.

The players

POA

The Political Organization Association, a group involved in local campaigns.

FABGC

A rival political group, the 'For a Better Garden City' campaign.

Trustee Bolebruch

A POA Trustee who spoke out against the use of a misleading video during the 2021 election.

Mayor Finneran

The current mayor of Garden City, who has been accused of failing to address misinformation and unethical tactics used by his supporters.

Trustee Catalano

A POA Trustee and leader of the 'CAP' campaign committee, who is now calling for a 'Reset' in the Garden City News.

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What they’re saying

“When a member of the POA campaign suggested using a video of a FABGC candidate's statement that could be misinterpreted as criticizing the ethnic make-up of a nearby village, POA Trustee Bolebruch spoke up forcefully against the use of it as misleading. He refused to allow it to be used.”

— Trustee Bolebruch, POA Trustee

“When a link to a business issue of a POA candidate was posted that could be viewed as detrimental to their campaign, but was actually MISLEADING if one was not from that specific industry, one of the founders of FABGC immediately called the poster, had it taken down, and then, both in writing and over the phone, during a brutally hard fought campaign, apologized to that POA Trustee.”

— FABGC Founder, FABGC Campaign Leader

What’s next

The Garden City News has indicated it will continue to investigate and report on issues of political misconduct and lack of transparency in local elections. Residents are encouraged to stay engaged and hold their elected officials accountable.

The takeaway

This letter highlights the need for stronger ethical standards and a renewed commitment to good governance in local politics. While a 'Code of Conduct' may be a starting point, true reform will require elected leaders to prioritize the integrity of the democratic process over narrow partisan interests.