Issue could stall redevelopment until resolved
Former Council candidate Cheryl Russo spoke at the public comments session at last Tuesday’s meeting and brought up the fact that two state Republican Committee in kind donations were made to Belmar Republican campaigns (one that I previously reported on and one that I missed and I do apologize for missing it.) These were not supposed to accepted under Belmar’s campaign finance laws.
In 2018 the Walsifer/Wann/McCracken campaign received $858:
And last year the McCracken/Carvelli campaign received $460:
I believe Ms. Russo is correct that currently all four Republicans on the Council are conflicted from participating in redevelopment matters.
There is a way to cure this under a provision added in 2011 when, as we have now, four out of the five members of the Council found themselves in conflict:
The 30 day window commenced Tuesday night when Cheryl Russo notified the Council of the problem. Under the code, any Council participation in any kind of development issue needs to be frozen until the Republicans re-open their 2018 and 2019 campaigns and reimburse the state Republicans for the contributions they should not have accepted.
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Rules are rules. Pay-to-play is potentially unsavory. Keep the image clean, folks.
This is big news?
Anyone remember these guys?
Thomas Fahy
Linda Chelsen
Linda Sharkus
Katrina Clapsis
Kenneth Pringle
They lead the petition to keep Belmar’s pay to play ordinance intact after Mayor Doherty gutted it. They won!
Guess they all were busy last Tuesday and didn’t have time to go to the meeting to let the Republican’s know they are in violation of it? I’d bet all of them read about it on this blog 2 weeks ago. Or is it the pay to play ordinance was a lot more importance when Doherty was Mayor, but now that Walsifer is in, maybe not so much?
Thank you to Cheryl Russo and the author of this blog for keeping honest people honest.
guess the watchdogs only watch people they vote against.
Thanks Maria, or Matt or Cheryl, or Hutch (or whoever you are in the Matt camp). Yes, it was a violation. Glad it was caught. I’m sure Cheryl Russo felt the same way when Doherty was doing it – ha!
Had Ms. Russo pointed out the violation in the public comment opportunity pertaining to the ordinance instead of in the main public session, more potential damage/disruption could have happened. Glad the matter was brought to light, however. The little hive of Dems who collaborate at the meetings they seem to be interested in attending recently can be thanked for their reading this blog.
That’s right #5. It is Dave’s reporting that made (probably Matt) alert Cheryl. #3 you are grasping at straws.
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