Nancy Shields misquotes again! To read the AP Press column on pay-to-play today, Nancy gives the following impression:
1. I am against the bans because I'm restricted from giving money to the City Council; and 2. Jim Bruno voted against it, to support me, because we are "friends." Good Grief!!! I'm glad many of you were there to hear differently! Here is what I did argue: 1. I don't think Asbury should stop me from giving money to the Monmouth County Republican Organization, since they have nothing to do with AP as we have non-partisan elections. Not once did I argue for the right to donate here in AP. They shouldn't stop me from donating to county and state elections. 2. I thought the ordinance could be made stronger (not weaker) by closing the "large firm loophole." Right now under Asbury Park's ordinance, a larger firm (for instance one the size of Jim Aaron's firm - not accusing them here, just giving an example of size) still gets to donate money, or as some like to call it, "pay to play." My small firm on the other hand is covered by the ordinance, so we can't donate. So that means other firms out there can donate and solicit money for candidates between now and 2009 to position themselves for my job, but for me it is illegal to do so. That takes me out of the political process but leaves others in. A great disadvantage for me. Wouldn't it be smarter to close the loophole so that no firm can contribute? Wouldn't that make the intentions of the law stronger? Yes! Dan Sciannameo asked that the ordinance be tabled for 2 weeks to work on closing the loopholes, same as me. I guess in Nancy's world he only said that because he and Jim Bruno are so friendly. :-) Last year I started to suggest to some folks that maybe the entire City government in Asbury Park, and everyone else here, should stop giving interviews to Nancy. We can't stop her from reporting, but we don't have to be interviewed and help her misrepresent us. Maybe we should try that. It would have to be all in or nothing so no one would have an advantage. It would send a real message to the editor there and to Gannett as well. By the way - I never in my life spoke to Bruno about pay to play. In fact, the only councilman I've spoken to at all about AP politics since the May election is Jim Keady. Careful Jim - Nancy might start accusing us of being "friends." ;-) ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/Y2tolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AsburyPark/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
