After being accused by his opponent of “pay to play” politics, Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder is firing back.
Langfelder has returned a donation from a property owner who gave to his campaign after receiving more than $40,000 in debt forgiveness from the city.
The mayor says he doesn’t know the man and did nothing wrong – but suggests challenger Misty Buscher should evaluate thousands of dollars she’s taken from what Langfelder calls “special interests.”
He singled out donations from Springfield Airport Authority chair Frank Vala, a longtime Langfelder critic who is backing Buscher.
Langfelder says he intends to introduce a “sunshine ordinance” calling for more detailed disclosure of donations made to city elected officials and candidates.
