Rush for redevelopment ordinance questioned
BY KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer

WOODBRIDGE - Township Council members introduced a redevelopment pay-to-pay ordinance last week but not without first expressing some concerns.

"We want nothing more than to jump on the bandwagon of campaign reform," Councilwoman Caroline Ehrlich said at the work session meeting Sept. 26. "But I feel if we introduce this tonight, this bandwagon will be going in the wrong direction."

The final vote was 7-1. Ehrlich cast the lone dissenting vote.

Interim Mayor and state Sen. Joseph Vitale and the Citizens' Campaign located in Metuchen worked for more than a month on the redevelopment pay-to-play ordinance, which bans contributions by those developers seeking redevelopment agreements.

The ordinance is part of Vitale's broad reform agenda for the township that he unveiled Aug. 15.

Ehrlich, who was chief of staff to former state Treasurer John E. McCormac for four years, was concerned with what is not in the ordinance.

Ehrlich said while the ordinance prevents developers from contributing to local officials, like the mayor and council members, it does not prevent someone from giving money to political action committees or county or state officials.

"In turn, that someone theoretically could give those contributions to local officials," she said. "That someone could have the influence that comes along with the power and money. This is called wheeling and bossism. There is a huge loophole in this ordinance, and it needs a lot of work before we can introduce it."

But Vitale disagreed.

"To give some background, the state pay-to-play law had so many loopholes that you could drive a truck through it," said Vitale. "It's horrible. But Woodbridge and other communities have provided a stronger local law. Woodbridge has already adopted the contract pay-to-play law. It's important for municipalities to keep an important line of integrity."

Vitale said the ordinance does not imply that there has been any wrongdoing.

"But one can archive the newspapers this past year and see that people are imperfect," he said. "We need to design a barrier of protection now. Redevelopment has led to the scandals. The public is fed up with what they have read in the newspapers."

Vitale said the law is not just for today but also for tomorrow.

"County officials and other officials do not participate in the development process," he said. "It's improper and wrong. The barrier of pay-to-play influence on the governing body is where the barrier should exist. It's beneficial to everyone."

Heather Taylor, communications director for Citizens' Campaign, said the proposed ordinance protects Woodbridge.

"Any developer who develops in Woodbridge can't contribute to the town's local officials," she said. "When we were drafting the ordinance, we looked at PACs that gave to multiple towns."

Taylor said the ordinance contains a very strong anti-circumvention clause that keeps the incentive for redevelopers to abide by the law.

"If a redeveloper gives money through any intermediaries, they can be disqualified from eligibility for future Woodbridge Township redevelopment agreements for a period of four calendar years from the date of the violation," she said.

First Ward Councilman Charles Kenny commended Vitale for the initiative. But he said he wasn't sure about why there was a high priority for the ordinance since Vitale will only serve as mayor until the November election.

"Residents come to me about traffic and other issues, but reform on pay-to-play does not flow freely in the conversations," he said. "The intentions are the best and I understand, but what is to come as we move forward down the road. Soon, a person can't afford to run for office unless you're wealthy."

Councilman James Carroll agreed.

"Even though we probably have one of the toughest pay-to-play restrictions in the state, there is always a way around it," he said. "This council will not be here all the time. I'm also worried about what is to become. The wealthy will be the only ones in office? It took us a year to vote on the pay-to-pay for contracts. We took our time. I'm not sure of the reason for rushing, but the goal is outstanding."

Vitale disagreed that down the road only a "millionaire" could run for office.

"We and the council can attest that you don't need a lot of money to run for office," said Vitale. "I know I don't raise more than I need to. For example, Councilman [Greg] Bedard knocked on over 2,000 doors over and over again. That's working hard."

Vitale said the proposed ordinance is not perfect, but that something needs to be in place.

"There may always be a way around it, but we can do the best we can and later on with more experience, it can be amended," he said.

Vitale said the push for the ordinance and the broad reform agenda is just one of his priorities.

"I accepted this position and took on the responsibility with [the late] Mayor Frank G. Pelzman's and council's support for the 106,000 Woodbridge residents, not just to be a caretaker," he said. "This is one of my top priorities. There are other priorities such as the school-based goal for nurse practitioners, the redevelopment in Avenel, and the Keasbey waterfront, the animal shelter and other issues. Yes, my duties as state senator do take my time, but the work in Woodbridge is important. I said I would work more and sleep less."

Vitale said he doesn't want to force anything, but the responsibility is there.

"Do I want to accomplish these many priorities, yes," he said. "These are responsibilities that need to be taken."

The Citizens' Campaign's legal task force's model redevelopment pay-to-play reform has already been adopted in seven municipalities.