C'mon, Jim, shows us the money! Whelan and Tyner refuse to release contributors' list. What are they hiding? BLEE AND CONOVER FOR ASSEMBLY

RELEASE: Immediate, CONTACT: Communications and
Nov. 1, 2005 Media Strategy
609-387-5173

Assemblymen Frank Blee and Kirk Conover, R-Atlantic, said today the refusal of their opponents to release to the media their most recent contributions and expenditure report “is an effort to hide for as long as possible the reality that their campaign is being paid for, directed and controlled by the Camden County Democratic power brokers.�

“Are they afraid, ashamed, embarrassed --- or all three?� Blee and Conover asked. “The statutorily required report was due to be filed with the Election Law Enforcement Commission on Oct. 28. Our campaign released our reports upon request from The Press of Atlantic City. Our opponents refused the same request.�

“C’mon, Jim, show us the money!� the Republicans urged.

“What do Jim Whelan and Damon Tyner fear by letting the media and the public know who is financing their campaign?� the Republicans said. “Are they afraid the public will learn that they are in hock to the Camden County Democratic Party bosses? Are they afraid that their claims to be independent will be shown to be totally untrue and that they are, indeed, pawns of Camden County?�

“The decision to withhold the information from the media appears to have been made by the Camden County bosses in an effort to maintain a veil of secrecy for as long as possible to avoid an adverse public reaction to their deep and multi-million dollar involvement,� Blee and Conover said. “Whelan and Tyner went along with the plan because they have no choice. They are not their own candidates. The orders came from Camden and they obeyed.�

“Whelan and Tyner evidently are fearful of the resentment which will develop when Atlantic County citizens and taxpayers realize the two of them are captives of people whose agenda doesn’t include serving Atlantic County,� they said. “The $25 million the Camden bosses tried to squeeze out of the South Jersey Transportation Authority to build a garage in Camden while ignoring more critical needs in Atlantic County is but one example of the way Whelan and Tyner’s money men operate.�