Gerald Keer writes that rewarding campaign donors is what we do in our state, so why single out one political party?
To the Editor:
When will The South Jersey Times tell our voters where all campaigners for all elective offices receive their funding?
An article in the April 17 Times reported that Gov. Chris Christie's most recent nominee to the state Supreme Court (Democrat William Timpone, who is likely to win state Senate confirmation) comes from a law firm that has done large amounts of business with the State of New Jersey.
By writing about this, the Times and NJ Advance Media suggest that shame should be attached to any politician who favors appointees from among those who been campaign donation sources. Where has the Times been? The way of life for every political appointment has favored past contributors and friendships. You can begin with George Washington and 18th-century New Jersey Gov. William Livingston, down through the ranks to local government bodies.
No-bid contracts are awarded because of friendships and appointments. Remember, no-bid contracts for professionals are not illegal in New Jersey. Of course, a political science professor quoted in the April 17 article finds Christie's appointment "...looks like it's incestuous." Shocking that a professor would take a liberal stance.
Jump to the County of Gloucester. According to New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission filings, the successful Democrat candidates spent more than $668,000 on their joint freeholder campaign in 2015. This makes one curious why three part-time jobs that pay less than $18,000 a year each are worth so much money.
The current all-Democrat freeholder board will have the party majority and control your tax dollars for at least the three years. How many Gloucester County contracts and appointments made go to their campaign contributors?
These financial geniuses raised our property tax levy for county government by 5 percent in 2015. What is good for the geese is good for the gander when you want to feed your favorite party.
Gerald Keer
Turnersville
What cost a judgeship?
To the Editor:
The criterion for state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, to back Walter Timpone -- Republican Gov. Chris Christie's recent nominee to fill a state Supreme Court vacancy - apparently consists of checking how much money Timpone contributed to Democrat candidates as compared to Republican ones. (Timpone also donated $2,700 to Christie's presidential bid last year.)
Lucky for Timpone that he was savvy enough to put the right amount of money in the right pockets. Just out of curiosity, what does a judgeship go for in New Jersey?
If the nominee can't give a big enough political donation, he or she could "pay" later by ruling the way the politician wants. After all, having a judge in your pocket could be very helpful down the line.
Independent judiciary? Not in New Jersey.
Carol Rhodes
Barnsboro
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