Board candidate says race was too political Flamm feels Dems acted improperly by allowing opponent to use resources BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer MATAWAN - The local school board race is traditionally considered a non-partisan affair. At least it's supposed to be. On April 17, Matawan candidate Sheila Flamm lost 425-298 to incumbent Larry O'Connell for a three-year term on the Matawan-Aberdeen Board of Education. Voters also voted down the proposed budget (1,365 to 844.) Two days after the election, Flamm appeared before the Borough Council, claiming her opponent's campaign flyers were secretly paid for by the local Democratic Party. She further alleged that neither the Democrats nor O'Connell ever reported the in-kind contribution to the state Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC.) "While it is disturbing that our elected officials would condone stealing and breaking their opponents campaign signs, it did not shock or surprise me. I've seen this behavior before in the past," Flamm said. "What did surprise me and [what I] found more disturbing was this campaign flyer, allegedly paid for by O'Connell for School Board 2007, paid for by postal permit number 25. After speaking with the Matawan post office, I confirmed that this permit is owned by the Democrats for a Better Matawan." Until recently, Flamm was employed as the borough's recreation director, a position that was eliminated in January by the Democrat-controlled council. Since that time, Flamm's resignation and the removal of her position have continued to be a contentious topic at council meetings. O'Connell, on the other hand, is an elected member of the local Democratic Committee, currently serving a two-year term. On Thursday, Flamm held up O'Connell's yellow school board campaign flyer and questioned why it did not state the postage was paid for by the Democrats. "Do the Democrats for a Better Matawan believe public perception and manipulation are better for Matawan?" Flamm asked. Borough Administrator Fred Carr said the explanation is simple - the Democrats didn't pay for it. "The Democrats for a Better Matawan allowed Mr. O'Connell to use their postal mailing permit to mail out his flyers," Carr said on Friday. "He used their permit and then he paid them back. It's cheaper because it's a bulk mail permit." On Monday, O'Connell confirmed the statement, noting the Democrats' former chairperson, Mary Rose Malley, authorized him to use their mailing permit at his own expense. "I paid for that mailing," O'Connell said. "It was funded by me." Canceled checks prove he paid for the postage, according to O'Connell. The former chairperson's husband, Councilman William Malley, brought the point home on Monday. "She's no longer the Democratic chair but the permit, she's the one who has the authorization for it," the councilman said. "There was no actual money given to Larry O'Connell, just permission to use the permit. We felt that Mr. O'Connell, as a duly elected party official, it's only right that we support him in any way. [But] there was no money given to Mr. O'Connell." Flamm also criticized Councilman William "Bud" Mullaney for verbally endorsing O'Connell at a recent PTO meeting and for using flower pots to display O'Connell signs near his business. "It is my opinion that Councilman Mullaney is a megalomaniac who needs to take control over every power and influence in Matawan and will go to any lengths to achieve it," Flamm said. According to Carr, Flamm objected to signs being placed in flower pots on Main Street, specifically, the flower pots outside a downtown building owned by the Mullaney family. According to Carr, it is legal to place campaign signs on the easement, which is generally considered the sliver of land between the road and sidewalk. The flower pots are located in the easement, Carr said, which otherwise is filled with concrete. After Flamm referred to Mullaney as a megalomaniac, substitute board attorney Paul Urbana interrupted Flamm, asking that she refrain from personal attacks. Flamm agreed, then read a summarized version of a John Adams quote. "Liberty cannot be preserved among the people without a general knowledge among the people ... of the characters and conduct of their rulers," Flamm said. There were even more accusations of foul behavior from Flamm, who said she called "every Democrat on the council" but was disappointed when only Mayor Mary Aufseeser, "the perceived leader of the Democratic party," returned her call. "When I questioned Mayor Aufseeser she stated to me that she had no knowledge that a permit owned by her party was used to endorse and promote Mr. O'Connell for school board," Flamm said. "She said she had no control over what other people in the party did." Councilwoman Meghan Mullaney said she never received a phone call from Flamm. But Flamm said she "absolutely did," and that she left a message with her mother. "Too bad that's not my address or my telephone home," the younger Mullaney responded. Councilman William Malley said he also did not receive a phone call. "This is why I'm here," Flamm said in closing. "I believe I have a civic responsibility to inform my fellow citizens about my experiences throughout this past campaign." O'Connell called Flamm's grievances "sour grapes." "Sour grapes need to go where sour grapes need to go," O'Connell said. He added he would now like to put the issue behind him.