By ANDREW CANGIANO and ELLEN CARROLL
Ava Johnson, the Democratic candidate for the Neptune Township Committee, has accused Republicans of irregularities in connection with a $4,000 cash contribution and of accepting a donation in return for a township appointment.
Johnson, who is hoping to unseat Republican Mayor Thomas Catley in the November election, said she has turned over her information to the State Attorney Generals office in Shrewsbury and the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office.
She said she filed the claims to remove the corruption factor which forces residents to have to pay more in taxes.
Neptune Township Attorney Donald Beekman discounted the allegations saying township Republicans have filed all reports in accordance with state statute. An error made in a filing in 2004 was corrected, he said. He called Johnsons allegations a last ditch effort to take the attention off the real issues.
Beekman also said he was optimistic a review by state and local officials will find everything in order.
This is an issue being brought about to confuse the voters in a campaign that is hopefully mired, a campaign in which Ms. Johnson doesnt have a lot of knowledge about the issues, Beekman said. They should stick to the real issues that are important to the people of Neptune Township.
During a press conference Wednesday Johnson alleged that a $4,000 contribution from lawyer Richard Schibell on Election Day, Nov. 2, 2004 was given with the intent of buying a municipal judgeship for his partner.
Not so, said Beekman.
If they look back at the information we submitted a year before they will also find a donation that year from Mr. Schibell and he received no job, nor did Mr. Mennie receive a job. Mr. Mennie is a person who grew up in Neptune Township. He is a friend of Tommy (Mayor Thomas Catley) and he is a friend of mine. He is an excellent attorney and an excellent judge. Those were the reasons for the appointment. It has nothing to do with contributions or anything else. Just because someone wants to support a candidate does not mean anyone is looking for a payback. He just wants to support Tommy in the election .
Johnson said her goal is to have open and honest government in Neptune.
The Republican machine in Neptune is corrupt and the public deserves to know what if any, impropriety was involved with the $4,000 contribution from election day last year, she said.
The Democratic candidate said she has disclosed all of the sources of her funding, which now totals approximately $5,000. Sources of funding can be found at her website www.avaforneptune.com.
She also accused Township Committeeman Michael Golub of receiving some cash from the $4,000 donation. Beekman said Golub received no money from any donation.
Golub said the accusations are a last ditch attempt to distract the general public from the most important issues facing Neptune Township.
Golub denied any illegal activity in regards to fund-raising for his campaign and said he would welcome an investigation into the matter.
He said Johnson is far behind the current administration on what he said are the three main issues in Neptune: the environment, the municipal budget, and revitalization and redevelopment on West Lake Avenue.
Golub said residents will be voting on issues this year, rather than simply choosing on a partisan basis.
They are voting on issues, not politics, he said, adding residents are not voting on blind party loyalty.
Beekman said when he received information that the $4,000 contribution was paid in cash, contrary to law which states payment of street money cannot be made in currency, he contacted the Election Law Enforcement Commission and asked them for direction to correct the error.
I was told the procedure to follow in order to report the donation and that we had to indicate how that money was dispersed, he said. It was dispersed to some children and young adults who passed out flyers for the campaign of Kortenhaus and Curry for the Get Out the Vote initiative. They (the state) said put all the names on the reporting form. We submitted that and we have heard nothing as to any additional actions. No letters, no fines, no reprimands. This was an issue that was resolved in accordance to law and pursuant to the directions of the election law (commission).
Johnson said Catley has raised $28,922 according to his latest report filed with the state. Of this amount, $15,515 is in undisclosed contributions.
Mayor Catley has taken in more in undisclosed contributions than disclosed contributions, she said. The public deserves to know who is supporting the campaigns of the Republicans.
Beekman said contributions under $300 do not have to be disclosed.
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