BY KAREN E. BOWES
Staff Writer
MIDDLETOWN — A new policy that prohibits certain county employees from running for office is “over the top,” according to Assemblyman Joseph Azzolina.
One of the latest reforms of the Operation Public Trust initiative, spearheaded by Freeholder Amy Handlin, the resolution was passed unanimously last week by the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Handlin is Azzolina’s rival in the upcoming District 13 Republican primary race.
“This is so politically opportunistic, coming right after the scandalous FBI corruption probe,” said Azzolina, the district’s longtime Republican representative.
After 24 years on the board, Azzolina recently lost the backing of the Monmouth County Republican Committee for Handlin.
The resolution disallows certain county employees who handle public contracts from running for local office.
“Why is she trying to limit the opportunities of other people?” asked Azzolina in a statement released April 26. “The measure seems to be saying that county workers, now and in the future, cannot be trusted.”
Handlin responded that it’s impossible to be too honest.
“He says I’m going too far in pursuit of higher ethical standards,” said Handlin. “I say it is impossible to have too much honesty, transparency or accountability in government. The only way to permanently dismantle the old-time political system is to overhaul the state laws that prop it up.”
Azzolina further criticized his opponent for backing the new laws, noting her position as a professor at Monmouth University as a potential conflict.
“This is an institution that receives government money in the form of subsidies,” said Azzolina. “No one is saying that she shouldn’t run.”
“The fact that Monmouth University accepts some federal funds doesn’t make it a public body any more than Azzolina’s supermarkets accepting food stamps make the stores into government agencies,” said Handlin.
Azzolina is the owner of the Foodtown supermarket chain, among other enterprises.
“Obviously there should be regular checks and balances in place to make sure that people aren’t doing the wrong things with their office,” said Azzolina. “But this eliminates the opportunity for some people to contribute to their communities.”
The resolution establishes a list of employees who may not seek public office. According to Handlin, the ban will attack “the most serious problems” facing government today: double dipping, conflicts of interest, and trading jobs for political favors.
“The potential for these problems will always exist as long as people can serve two public masters simultaneously,” said Handlin. “Whether Azzolina wants to acknowledge that or not.”
The Republican primary is June 7.