CITIZENS
for
Limited Taxation & Government
18 Tremont Street #608    Boston, Massachusetts   02108     (617) 248-0022
E-Mail:  cltg@cltg.org       Web-page:  http://cltg.org

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, April 7, 1998


For further information contact:
Barbara Anderson - (781) 639-0096
Chip Ford - (978) 538-3900

Teachers Union Bullies, Harasses Elderly, Others

An 83-year old Springfield woman fears to leave next week on a planned visit to see her son because she's told she might be subpoenaed by the Massachusetts Teachers Association to appear in Suffolk Superior Court, and calls her state representative for help.

A retired couple in Holyoke receive a call from "Priscilla Lyons, a Cambridge attorney" who evades identification and implies she is a representative of Citizens for Limited Taxation & Government.   An appointment is made for her to get a signature sample from them but nobody shows up -- until a day later.  Upon demand for identification, the tardy and mysterious agent, "George Shay," admits that he's an official of the greater-Springfield teachers union.

When the call comes to one of their four sons, it's implied that the call is being made on behalf of a Justice of Superior Court, who is verifying signatures.  A mysterious agent travels to one Holyoke son's place of employment for a hand-writing sample -- in Connecticut.

Phony Subpoenas are received by signers, faintly watermarked "Sample" and accompanied by a letter requesting hand-writing samples or else.

A voter is told his signature is forged, because the teachers union has misread it.

"Imperative" demands are made for visits by mysterious agents who allege they've previously sent letters, but never did.

A husband, wife, and mother receive letters threatening subpoenas unless they comply and produce signature samples -- because they all live at the same address and thus are obvious forgers.

Terrence is forced to provide his signature or be subpoenaed because the teachers union thinks it looks like "Teresa," though their letter is addressed to Terrence.

Agent "Ann" arrives at the home of a West Roxbury petition signer to obtain a signature sample. By the time she leaves she has become "very hostile."

Our phones at CLT&G have been ringing constantly over the past few days with these and many similar reports.  All across the state voters are getting harassing calls, letters, and visits from agents of the Massachusetts Teachers Association.

A desperate teachers union has stooped to new depths, wallowing in unprecedented harassment and intimidation of citizens, whose only offense was signing the A Promise to Keep: 5% petition to roll back the income tax rate.   The union deserves to lose and it will.

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