The title of this chapter is "An ordinance banning the use of government
buildings and government equipment for political fund-raising."
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
CANDIDATE
Any individual seeking election to a public office of the federal
government, state, county, municipality, school district or political organization
at an election.
CONTRIBUTION
Includes all loans and transfers of money or other thing of value
to or by any candidate elected official or political organization and all
pledges or other commitments or assumptions of liability to make any such
transfer. Contributions shall be deemed to have been made upon the date when
such commitment is made or liability assumed.
MUNICIPALITY
This municipality and any officer, department, board, commission
or agency thereof.
MUNICIPAL OFFICIAL, EMPLOYEE AND APPOINTEE
Any person holding elective municipal office or holding an appointed
position in the municipal government, or in any agency, commission, board
or office thereof, whether the position is full-time or part-time, compensated
or uncompensated; and any employee of municipal government or in any agency,
commission, board or office thereof, whether the position is full-time or
part-time.
POLITICAL ORGANIZATION
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 committees."
PROPERTY OF THE MUNICIPALITY
Buildings, land, vehicles, phones, fax machines, computers or other
office equipment or supplies and other real or personal property owned, leased
or controlled by the municipality, except for public roads and open park land.
SOLICIT
To seek by oral or written communication a contribution, as the same
is defined herein.
No municipal official, employee or appointee 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 the property
of the municipality or utilizing the property of the municipality.
Prohibited forms of fund-raising shall include but are not limited to:
A. Soliciting or accepting contributions using municipal
telephones, fax machines or computers.
B. Soliciting or accepting contributions using personal
telephones while on the property of the municipality.
C. Soliciting or accepting contributions through the use
of publicly owned computers or privately owned personal computers while on
the property of the municipality.
D. Using municipal letterhead to solicit or accept contributions.
E. Sending correspondence from municipal buildings or by
use of municipal services, equipment or postage.
F. Face-to-face soliciting of an individual or an owner
or representative of a business entity while on the property of the municipality.
G. Use of automobiles owned or leased by the municipality
to accept or solicit contributions.
It shall be the responsibility of any employee, appointed or elected
official who observes any prohibited forms of fund-raising to report such
conduct to the municipal prosecutor and the Township Manager who shall report
same to the governing body.
It shall be unlawful for any employee, elected official or appointee
to be dismissed, reprimanded, retaliated against or otherwise intimidated
for complying with the reporting requirements mandated by this chapter.
Violation of any provision of this chapter shall be punished by a period
of community service not exceeding 90 days or a fine not exceeding $1,000.