Committee may prohibit taking government jobs Holmdel expected to discuss new pay-to-play proposals March 1 BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer HOLMDEL - Interested in beefing up their current pay-to-play law, Holmdel officials will discuss adopting new restrictions on March 1. On Thursday, the Township Committee discussed banning developers that do business with the township from donating money to local political campaigns. "Is anyone here aware of anyone taking money from developers? Legally?" asked Township Committeeman Rocco Pascucci. When no committeeman replied, Pascucci continued, "We're presenting a resolution for something that's never happened." Pascucci said he was not willing to support the new law unless it went "a lot deeper." Larry Fink, the lone Democrat on the committee, said he saw no harm in passing the measure as it was, then adding new items later. "We seem to be putting it off," Fink said. Pascucci adamantly disagreed. Specifically, Pascucci suggested elected officials no longer be allowed to accept employment from the county, state or any neighboring municipality. Committeeman Terence Wall is currently the only member whom this rule would currently apply to. Wall works for nearby Keansburg as the borough administrator. "I am not accusing anybody on this Township Committee of any unethical or illegal activity," Pascucci said. "That has to be said. Unwise? Maybe. We're worried about a couple hundred dollars from individuals or corporations or builders when people on Township Committee can get jobs worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. That's not $250. That's someone getting a politically appointed job or a job that's tied to an engineer or tied to a builder while they're serving on the Township Committee. That brings in hundreds of thousands of dollars to that person's pocket. "Again, I'm not saying anyone's doing anything wrong, but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Not even a bad taste, a [fetid] taste into my mouth. It's that horrible. I call that pay-to-play. If someone on the Township Committee gets a politically appointed job, do they owe a favor or did they do a favor?" Toward the end of the meeting, Wall expressed concern that the objective of the measure was not to do good, but possibly "to single out one individual." "We're in competition with Keansburg," Committeeman Alan Bateman said. "So is it about me?" Wall asked. "Is it about me?" "No, it's not about you," Bateman replied. According to Township Attorney Duane Davison, a developer disclosure ordinance is one that stands on its own. A separate law would have to be adopted for banning local officials from taking certain jobs. Bateman said he would support a developer disclosure ordinance but added he would also like to see what contributions developers make at the state and county level. "I also think we need to take a look at contributions our citizens give to us, particularly those who end up being appointed to some of the autonomous boards, to zoning and planning boards. I don't think there should necessarily be limits imposed on them, but I think they should be disclosed. Because it certainly looks like if one gives one $2,000, they bought their way onto these very influential boards." Pascucci said he wanted the committee to further discuss his ideas before voting. "Not just make tiny little things to make it look like we're doing something," Pascucci said. "Let's do good. Let's stop money from being funneled into politicians' pockets." Fink agreed, advocating the total elimination of donations from firms that have business ties to Holmdel. Fink also proposed that developers disclose their political donations for the last three years. Mayor Serena DiMaso noted that she would like to look into banning wheeling, the process of using a go-between as a way to get around pay-to-play ordinances. For example, if a company is barred from donating to a municipal candidate, the company is able to donate to that candidate's political party on the county level. The county party could then donate the same amount directly to the candidate. No action was taken Thursday night. The committee is expected to discuss the subject further on March 1.