To the editor:
I would like to respond to Mr. Newton’s Sept. 16 letter, “Jamesburg spat results of a civic duty.“
Mr. Newton, coincidentally is a past one-term Republican councilman as well as a past chairman of the Republican Party. This clearly should shed light on Mr. Newton’s true motive. I feel compelled to address this issue with facts and documentation.
Here is where the true mismanagement begins. Republicans’ initial chosen candidates were not even registered Republicans. This led Tom Gibbons to scramble to find eligible candidates. However, his paperwork was not submitted before the state deadline.
Jamesburg Councilman and Republican Chairman Tom Gibbons failed to follow New Jersey election laws, procedures and deadlines.
Councilman Gibbons sued the county clerk as well as our Jamesburg clerk and named our Democratic candidates in the lawsuit. This information was conveniently omitted from his letter.
Councilman Gibbons had his opportunity in The State of New Jersey County of Middlesex Superior Court to have his argument heard. The judge found it to be a frivolous lawsuit and lacking merit. The judge dismissed the case, finding the clerks had properly applied the laws.
My statements can be backed up by looking at the Middlesex County court reports — docket number MID – 5553–14 — of which I have copies and would be welcome to provide for inspection.
Mr. Newton also stated that he believes Councilman Gibbons deserves an apology. I believe all the blame truly lies with Councilman Gibbons.
This blame is supported by a superior court judge’s decision as well as Councilman Gibbon’s own apology to our Jamesburg clerk in a public meeting dated October 2014.
Unlike Mr. Newton, my statements are supported by facts and legal documents. These can be fact checked by searching the internet or looking at the local newspaper’s article, “Council: Gibbons should pay legal bills.”
Councilman Gibbons tries to hide his mismanagement and wasteful use of taxpayers money by saying he had a civic duty to have a choice for Jamesburg voters. My answer to this is to just follow the rules, which costs no money to the taxpayers.
You only have to ask why there has never been a lawsuit before last year or one this year. That is because Councilman Gibbons mismanaged the Republicans’ election efforts last year thus costing Jamesburg taxpayers over $3,000.
Brian Taylor
Jamesburg
