Walsh and Grenafege propose Sunshine ordinance when striving for transparent government

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sept. 16, 2008

Walsh and Grenafege propose Sunshine ordinance when striving for transparent government

MIDDLETOWN, N.J(MONMOUTH COUNTY): Democratic candidates for Township Committee Patricia Walsh and Jim Grenafege called for a departure from the opaque, closed government of the GOP majority with the introduction of a new Sunshine Law ordinance.

“For a long time, the GOP majority has kept the public in the dark,” said Walsh. “It’s time to let the sun shine on what this administration has done to our town.”

The proposed ordinance, which was recently adopted in Hillside, N.J., improves upon the original law and documents an improved effort to allow citizens access to government records.

“The Sunshine Law is about integrity,” said Grenafege. “Transparency is about being totally accountable. The current administration is all about secrecy. Without this ordinance and a change in the way things work, it’s just a return to ‘convenient’ accountability and integrity.”

Walsh said the Middletown Township Committee limits full public participation by not providing ordinances and resolutions to the public prior to meetings. “On top of that, meeting minutes are not posted for weeks and maybe months later,” Walsh said. "Frequently agenda items are given to committee members at the meeting, not allowing for a thorough review."

“Promises have been made year after year, meeting after meeting, with no action taken to provide better access to minutes, resolutions and ordinances,” Walsh said. “In addition, the GOP majority of the Township Committee refuses a public-speaking portion prior to committee votes, cutting off residents’ efforts to find out what is happening with their township government.”

"Lack of transparency reinforces the mismanagement that has been the hallmark of the Republican Party in Middletown today, and for the last 27 years," Grenafege concluded. "An honorable government, as in honest, makes transparency a guiding principle because it invites citizens to participate in their government and the decisions that affect them."