Wefer for Morris County Freeholder

Contact: Dana Wefer's Campaign For Immediate Release
Phone: (973)610-0491
Email: DanaWefer@gmail.com

WEFER RENEWS CALL FOR A BAN ON PAY-TO-PLAY AMID CONTROVERSY ABOUT CONTRIBUTIONS
Calls on Freeholders to return specific contributions

Morristown, November 1, 2006

- Dana Wefer, Democratic candidate for Morris County Freeholder, called on her opponents to return contributions from Election Graphics, the company that maintains the county voting machines, provides assistance with electronic tallying of the votes and prints the ballots for Morris County. "I don't take issue with the contract or the contributions standing alone," Wefer said Wednesday. "The problem is the contributions followed by a contract."

Election Graphics has been used by the county for these purposes for the last nine years according to their 2006 bid. The Freeholders and Morris County Republican Committee first took contributions from the company’s president in 2001 and has accepted contributions from the company every year since. The total amount of the contributions are over $12,000. Wefer called on the Freeholders and the MCRC to return those contributions arguing that even in the best case scenario they create a "clear and obvious appearance of impropriety."

"Neither of the owners of this company live in Morris County and they're apparently not partisan since the only committee they contribute the same amount of money to is the Camden County Democratic Committee," efer said Wednesday. "So, why are they so generous with our Freeholders and the Republican county committee?" Wefer questioned.

"We need to pass a county ban on pay-to-play to protect our taxpayers and small business owners," Wefer said. She argued that taxpayers deserve better than the look of impropriety and a pay-to-play ban would help ensure that contracts are given to the lowest responsible bidder. She argued that such a ban would help small business owners because they can secure jobs by being the lowest responsible bidder and without feeling any obligation to contribute. "How can you support small business and then create an atmosphere where many feel they have to contribute by sending them invitations to your fundraisers?" Wefer said. "Let's end this now. Let's really support small business and our taxpayers by passing a ban on pay-to-play; there’s simply no reason not to do so."

Wefer is making her second run for Freeholder after an impressive showing last year. She is the sole female candidate in a field of six candidates seeking election to the Freeholder Board this Fall. The two other Democrats are Mine Hill Mayor Rich Leary and Chatham Township Councilman Jack Hartford. The Democrats are widely regarded as having an unprecedented opportunity to win a seat on the Freeholder Board for the first time in over three decades this year.
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