[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of
Haddon 6-20-2000 by Ord. No. 1059. Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Any two or more persons acting jointly, or any corporation, partnership
or any other incorporated or unincorporated association which is organized
to, or does, aid or promote the nomination, election or defeat of any candidate
or candidates for federal, state, county, municipal or school board office.
"Political organization" includes, but is not limited to, organizations otherwise
defined as "political committee," "joint candidates committee," and "legislative
leadership committee."
To seek by oral or written communication a contribution the nomination,
election or defeat of any candidate or candidates for federal, state, county,
municipal or school board office.
A.
No Township official, Township employee or candidate
for public office may solicit, commit to pay, or receive payment of or a commitment
to pay any contribution for any candidate, elected official or political organization
while in or on any property owned by the Township. This prohibition includes
the use of Township owned or leased telephones, copy machines, facsimile machines,
computers or other equipment and/or facilities. By way of example and not
limitation, the following are prohibited acts:
(1)
Soliciting or accepting contributions using municipal
telephones, fax machines or computers.
(2)
Soliciting or accepting contributions using personal
telephones while on the property of the Township.
(3)
Soliciting or accepting contribution through the use
of publicly-owned computers or privately-owned personal computers while on
the property of the Township.
(4)
Using Township letterhead to solicit or accept contributions.
(5)
Face-to-face soliciting of an individual or an owner
or representative of a business entity while on the property of the Township.
(6)
Use of automobiles owned or leased by the Township to
accept or solicit contributions.
B.
Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit any
Township official or Township employee from freely making a political contribution
to any candidate for public office or any political organization, so long
as the making of such contribution is not in violation of this chapter.
It shall be the responsibility of any Township employee or Township
official who observes any act prohibited by this chapter to report such conduct
to the Township Prosecutor and the Township Clerk who shall report same to
the Township Commissioners. It shall be unlawful for any Township employee,
Township official or candidate for public office to be dismissed, reprimanded,
retaliated against or otherwise intimidated for complying with the reporting
requirements mandated by this section.
Any person violating or failing to comply with this chapter, upon conviction
thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500, or by a period
of community service not to exceed 90 days, or by imprisonment for a term
not to exceed 90 days, or by any combination of such fine, community service,
and imprisonment, at the discretion of the judge. The continuation of such
violation for each successive day shall constitute a separate offense, and
the person or persons allowing or permitting the continuation of the violation
may be punished as provided above for each separate offense.
