Stominski 4/22/04

I have maintained my independent voter status, because I support politicians who consider their own ideology to be more important than party affiliation.

I make no efforts to conceal my support for the Republican Party in Hazlet. I proudly believe that President George W. Bush is leading our country with honor and integrity.

Monmouth County Republican GOP Chairman, Bill Dowd, has reminded me why I resist officially joining any political party.

Mr. Dowd made outrageous and misleading statements to the media regarding incumbent Freeholder Ed Stominski’s use of campaign funds.

An investigation by the New Jersey State Election Law Enforcement Commission found that Mr. Dowd’s accusation had no merit, which immediately exonerated Mr. Stominski.

Chairman Dowd did not include the general Republican membership or the majority of municipal chairpersons in the selection process of the Republican Party’s candidate for county freeholder. He circumvented political protocol by personally selecting the GOP’s 2004 candidates, Freeholder Amy Handlin and Matawan Mayor Rob Clifton.

Mr. Clifton may be a fine candidate, but not under the circumstances created by Mr. Dowd.

If Ms. Handlin wants to be known as a crusader for reform, I suggest she start with the leadership in her own party.

Mr. Stominski regularly visits the communities in his district. During such visits, whether they are parades, dedications or club meetings, Mr. Stominski is there to find how he can best serve his constituents.

While maintaining a career outside of politics, Mr. Stominski has devoted twenty-five years to public service in Monmouth County. Mr. Stominski serves with intention to improve the quality of life in our community. As Mayor of Eatontown and a member of the board of chosen freeholders, his unblemished record points to his nobility.

Mr. Stominski deserves to be the 2004 Republican candidate for Monmouth County Freeholder.

Mr. Stominski publicly supports the many volunteers who serve our county. In reference to travel-meal expenses, he noted that when a volunteer is taken away from their regular life to attend a function, he or she is entitled to a decent meal.

This comment caused Mr. Dowd to declare Mr. Stominski “un-elect able”.

The politics of personal destruction is an unfortunate crutch for politicians like Mr. Dowd, who are not willing, or are not able to abandon the power of corruption.

I expect political opponents to attack each other’s public service record or ideas during a heated election. I am shocked by the party chairman’s devious attack on such a responsible representative of his own party, months before the official campaign season.

Mr. Dowd and power-corrupt politicians are becoming dinosaurs. A movement toward empowering the governed, and away from backroom deals that empower politicians is alive and well in the modern political arena.

Mr. Dowd’s behavior is destined to drag him, along with other public servants who similarly conduct themselves, into the political tar pits, where they belong.