Regarding The Pilot’s editorial “For Congress: Howard Coble” Oct. 22), your confusion over the function and relationship of the Alliance for Bonded Term Limits (ABTL) requires correction.

In your editorial, you cited Sam Turner, candidate for NC-6, as having signed a “tea party’s limited term agreement.” This assertion infers a nonexistent coordinating relationship between the tea party and the ABTL.

On June 8, 2010, Turner signed a bonded term limit agreement for $100,000, not to exceed four consecutive terms in the House of Representatives. His bonded term limit promissory note lists the Cooleemee Historical Association as the “holder” of the note and recipient of that amount, should Turner default on his pledge.

While the ABTL and the tea party movement may share a common belief in the value of term limits, there was no tea party collaboration in this or any of the 20 bonded term limit agreements entered into by candidates across the nation in this election cycle. As a nonpartisan, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) entity, the ABTL seeks candidates of any recognized party to bond their pledges of limited term in office.

Ken Benway

Whispering Pines

Editor’s Note: This letter arrived before the deadline for elections-related letters but was left out Friday.