No More Pay to Play in Matawan - Why so silent Mayor Buccellato?

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No More Pay to Play in Matawan
Why so silent Mayor Buccellato?

On May 19, 2009 a letter was sent to Mayor Buccellato from Hill Wallack LLP, the law firm that Councilmen Mullaney and Mendes asked to review Ethics Ordinance 09-03 that was proposed by the Mayor. A copy of the letter was forwarded to the local newspapers and the Matawan Democratic Committee. To date, there has been no response from the Mayor or the Borough Attorney regarding the substantial concerns outlined by Paul Josephson, Esq. that the Borough of Matawan lacks the authority to revise the State’s uniform ethics code via the proposed ordinance.

Councilmen Mullaney and Mendes would like the Borough of Matawan to have an ethics ordinance in place that prohibits elected officials from using their position for financial gain; in other words:

No More Pay to Play in Matawan.

The state has guidelines that would help ensure this yet;

The Mayor proposes an ordinance that:

1. Is unenforceable
2. May be in violation of the state code
3. Opens the door for more lawsuits.

Thankfully, the State Division of Local Government Services has been informed of the Mayor’s proposed ordinance by Hill Wallack, LLP. This step was apparently overlooked by the Mayor in his haste to have this toothless ordinance passed so that the wolf would still be left in charge of the henhouse. The state recommends an ethics review board. The Mayor’s ordinance wants to deny residents the right to hold office if they do business with Matawan but it allows elected officials to do business with many firms that Matawan hires. Is there any transparency in this misguided logic?

Where is an enforceable ordinance that will reassure the taxpayers of Matawan that contracts are awarded with their best interests first not the interest of local government officials who make a living from government contracts? Matawan needs a Play to Play Ordinance that will address all members of our local government including architects not just the tire salesmen and tow truck operators. This is what makes a real Pay to Play Ordinance so vital. Shouldn’t the Mayor propose an ordinance that unites the council instead of perpetuating a state of conflict? All six council people are intelligent, hard-working residents who have been elected to do what’s best for Matawan; it is the Mayor’s duty to point them in the right direction. Time to step up, Mayor Buccellato.