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Gutting Of Pay-To-Play To Be Resisted!

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Petition Committee Formed!

Members Are Democrats, Independents

 

Announcement released this morning:

To the people of Belmar:

The recent guilty pleas by former Birdsall executives serve as a reminder that the purchase of political influence by outside interests continues to be a problem that taxpayers must vigilantly protect themselves against. We signers of this letter (all of us are either political independents or registered Democrats) have been grateful that Belmar has enjoyed having very strict pay to play ordinances on the books that we believe have served us well and greatly reduced the likelihood of such improprieties occurring here.

Unfortunately, on February 16 the Borough Council voted to remove from our conflict of interest ordinance some of our most important protections, opening the door to pass-through contributions that conceal the identity of the actual donor, contributions from vendors and professionals who may be looking to win contracts from the Borough, contributions from contractors seeking change orders on bid contracts, and contributions from holders of liquor licenses who might like to see a more compliant Borough Council (which acts as the local ABC board.)

The revised ordinance also, very importantly, removes all donation restrictions on Belmar elected officials who may be running for another office outside of Belmar. We feel our public officials should not be accepting money from anyone with business before the Council irrespective of the office that person might be running for.

We will be circulating a petition to protest these detrimental changes to our campaign finance laws and ask all registered voters of Belmar to join our cause and sign the petition.

Please call 732-409-0138 or email openhonestbelmar@gmail.com and ask to sign the petition.  With your help we can restore these important protections for the taxpayers of Belmar.

Thomas Fahy
Linda Chelsen
Linda Sharkus
Katrina Clapsis
Kenneth Pringle

15 Comments

  1. Resident wrote:

    Hallelujah contacting the email immediately to have someone bring a petition.

    Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 10:12 am | Permalink
  2. A Voter 2 wrote:

    Is is really that important for these Democrats to get $$$ from Unions and others so they can mail out stuff we already know and have parties???? How greedy are you going to get????

    Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 12:22 pm | Permalink
  3. Anonymous wrote:

    Freedom train for Pols already left the station

    Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 1:33 pm | Permalink
  4. elemental wrote:

    $$$ = favors and influence. The borough is for sale. Simple.

    Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 2:40 pm | Permalink
  5. Big ones wrote:

    Rumor has it the Belmar drone has been painted green and will lead off the parade on Sunday, pulling the pay to play float, if help is needed the phantom drone will help assist the Belmar drone, Brinks truck will follow

    Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 5:00 pm | Permalink
  6. dizzy wrote:

    #5 Will there be leprechauns shaking-down the crowd?

    Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 6:03 pm | Permalink
  7. Big ones wrote:

    Council people, Drone is at sign shop,named ERIN Go MIKE , Phantom drone ,you guessed it, ERIN GO MATT

    Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 6:55 pm | Permalink
  8. Anonymous wrote:

    Silly, the drone will be following the petition squad.

    Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 7:12 pm | Permalink
  9. Eugene Creamer wrote:

    We can’t do great wonderful things without standards of integrity.

    Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 9:20 pm | Permalink
  10. The Truth wrote:

    Time to start the spin machine again Matt.

    Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 9:58 pm | Permalink
  11. Anonymous wrote:

    Aerial Shots of marauding drunken youngsters will be published this year and maybe even the “Spitter” bar hopping.

    Monday, February 29, 2016 at 8:39 am | Permalink
  12. joe goofinoff wrote:

    #11 – Sir don’t you think the term, mischievous pranksters is a more sensitive sounding phrase than just “youngsters.”

    Monday, February 29, 2016 at 12:58 pm | Permalink
  13. Anonymous wrote:

    12 just over served bobbing and weaving drunks ambling down the streets of Belmar is a more apt description. I actually feel sorry for them. The predators follow them.

    The weather might be pleasant and we fear another accident waiting to happen at the 7/11 crossing without crossing personnel available.

    Monday, February 29, 2016 at 4:43 pm | Permalink
  14. Paytoplay wrote:

    Can we please stay on point! Conflict of interest laws by elected officials being stripped. That’s what this post is about. Tell your friends and nieghbors. Sign the petition

    Monday, February 29, 2016 at 5:46 pm | Permalink
  15. linlee wrote:

    As Common Sense blog commentators we use this opportunity to share perspectives/information, and often vent our frustrations, anger, rage about “things Belmar.” This post is about something EACH of us can DO right this minute to make a difference to a vital, potentially fatal blow to Belmar’s future security and self-determination. Please take the five minutes you’d use to post a thought on Common Sense and call (732) 409-0138 or email openhonestbelmar@gmail.com and sign the petition.

    Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at 7:56 am | Permalink

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  1. […] an announcement released on Common Sense for Belmar, Thomas Fahy, Linda Chelsen, Linda Sharkus, Katrina Clapsis, and former Mayor Kenneth Pringle […]

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