WILL POLISTINA HAVE HIS CAKE AND EAT IT TOO?

WILL POLISTINA HAVE HIS CAKE AND EAT IT TOO?

With 13 government contracts, Polistina makes dual-office holders look like reformers

(Northfield, NJ) – Democratic Assembly candidates Joe Wilkins and Blondell Spellman, today challenged Vince Polistina, their Republican opponent, to pledge that his engineering firm won't accept taxpayer-financed contracts if elected to the Assembly. The question voters are asking is if Polistina will continue lining his pockets by doing business with local municipalities, and possibly the state government itself, through his engineering firm, Polistina & Associates. The voters have a right to know.

According to a published report by Gannett New Jersey, companies, including engineering firms that employ legislators have garnered over $104 million in contracts from various New Jersey governments agencies. Polistina's engineering firm has received multiple no-bid contracts, did business with 13 government entities, and received nearly $6 million taxpayer dollars -- including $5 million from Egg Harbor Township interests, where Senator Sonny McCullough also is mayor.

"The voters deserve to know immediately whether or not Polistina will continue seeking taxpayer funded contracts for his engineering firm if he is elected to the Assembly or if he will quit his position to dispel all conflicts of interest, real or perceived," said Joe Wilkins. "New Jersey taxpayers have already footed over $100 million to fatten various firms profits. Atlantic County can't afford a six million dollar man in the legislature."

Polistina pocketed over $5 million alone from Egg Harbor Township, working for the Township, the Municipal Utilities Authority, and the School Board. Polistina made $229,171 from the borough of Folsom, $161,796 from Galloway Township, $155,800 from Egg Harbor Township Board of Education, $233,626 from Hamilton Township, and $15,101 from Longport. He received no-bid contracts from Egg Harbor Township, Folsom, and the Municipal Utilities Authority in Egg Harbor Township.

"Polistina needs to pledge to taxpayers that he will no longer hold public taxpayer funded contracts and will not seek additional contracts. It would be highly inappropriate for Polistina to use his clout in the Assembly to expand his engineering business. It's what's wrong with politics in New Jersey today," Spellman said.

"We can't afford to let Vince Polistina line his pockets in Trenton in the same fashion he has lined his pockets as a local engineer. Almost all New Jerseyans would agree that contracts with 13 government entities are more than plenty. It's time to reject Polistina and his pay-to-play, sweetheart bids," concluded Spellman and Wilkins.

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Paid for by Friends of Whelan, Wilkins, & Spellman