Owen O’Donnell, Princeton
In the April 8 article on the Princeton Community Democratic Organization’s (PCDO) Executive Board meeting (“Quorum of council members meeting in caucus”), you correctly state that the presence of government representatives at political party meetings does not violate the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act (the Sunshine Law). But the attempt to imply devious goings-on to a standing meeting that has been occurring for nearly 50 years is somewhat laughable.
In Princeton, as in many other communities, it is common for elected officials to be ex-officio members of local political clubs and to attend meetings. In addition to the officials you name, some 15 other officers and members were present on April 2 to discuss such matters as our recent endorsement meeting, our upcoming program on “Getting Beyond Racism,” and the PCDO booth at Communiversity.
Elected Democratic officials are always invited, but we never know in advance who or how many will come. The comments they make on municipal matters amount to no more than a status update of public actions the council has already taken or responding to questions that they would answer for any Princetonian. At no time is municipal business ever conducted at a PCDO meeting.
Contrary to the impression given in the article, there is no inside information being shared with the group. In fact, if we are discussing or voting on a resolution to promote an issue that may come up before council, the officials have been scrupulous about recusing themselves from the discussion and the vote.
If you or any of your readers would like to know more about the PCDO and the work we do, I would be happy to oblige.
Owen O’Donnell
President
Princeton Community Democratic Organization
