George,

They do teach admirable rhetorical skills in U. Va.'s English Department. But one thing they also do, is subsidize PhD candidates with grant money. And that may be a problem for City Council candidate Kendra Hamilton.

I once ran a think tank, and I know about grants. I know you cannot use a grant to support a political campaign. You can use it to put on a debate, or write a position paper, you can even take sides on a partisan issue. But not one penny can go into the pocket of a political candidate.

Otherwise the people paying the grant risk losing their tax exemption.

If Ms. Hamilton is using grant money to pay her living expenses while she runs for City Council, that may be a serious problem. A problem for the people paying the grant, and it's a problem for her because she could lose the funding. Nobody has complained about it yet, but as the race heats up I see it as an issue.

Candidates have to file state financial disclosure forms. I'd suggest Ms. Hamilton consider disclosing on the forms, and in public, how much she's getting and from whom. She should clarify that she is not using grant money to pay a mortgage, which would be in essence converting the proceeds into her personal equity.

And if she needs to make the tough decision whether she will forego grant funding while she runs for City Council, and for the next four years if she wins--she needs to decide now.

Jock Yellott (electronic mail, February 11, 2004)

* * * * *

Kendra Hamilton responds:

"Mr. Yellott raises an interesting point, and his legal analysis sounds accurate. But it doesn't apply to me. I receive no state or federal stipends, grants, or any other monies to fund my education. The only thing to which I'm even entitled at this stage, the ABD [all but dissertation] stage, is a tuition waiver during those semesters in which I'm teaching. I have not taught at the University of Virginia since the fall of 2000, and that was the last time I received tuition support. Hope that clarifies things." (Kendra Hamilton, electronic mail, February 12, 2004)

Editor's Note: Some federal, state and local government employees are prohibited from being candidates. You may be so prohibited if your Agency receives federal funds. Contact the personnel officer where you work to determine whether you are affected by the Hatch Act. Most state and local government employees are not prohibited by law from being a candidate. However, you may be affected by the rules and regulations of the agency or ordinances of the government for which you work.

The deadline for candidates to file their certificate of candidate qualifications, statement of economic interests and statement of organization for a candidate is March 2, 2004 at 7 p.m. The statement of economic interests includes: offices and directorships; personal liabliities; securities; payments for talks; meetings and publications; gifts; business interests; real estate, etc.