[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Shamong
3-7-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-3. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known as "The Ordinance Prohibiting Political
Fundraising on or By Use of Property of the Municipality."
When used in this chapter the following words shall be defined as follows:
Any individual seeking election to a public office of the federal
government, state, county, municipality, school district or political organization
at an election.
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.
The Township of Shamong and any officer, department, board, commission,
or agency thereof.
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."
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.
To seek by oral or written communication a contribution as same is
defined herein.
A.Â
Prohibition against soliciting or accepting political
contributions on or by use of property of the municipality.
(1)Â
No municipal officer or employee 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.
B.Â
Prohibited forms of fund-raising.
(1)Â
Prohibited forms of fund-raising shall include but are
not limited to:
(a)Â
Soliciting or accepting contributions using municipal
telephones, fax machines or computers.
(b)Â
Soliciting or accepting contributions using personal
telephones while on the property of the municipality.
(c)Â
Soliciting or accepting contributions through the use
of publicly owned computers or privately owned personal computers while on
the property of the municipality.
(d)Â
Using municipal letterhead to solicit or accept contributions.
(e)Â
Sending correspondence that solicits contributions from
or by use of property of the municipality.
(f)Â
Face-to-face soliciting of an individual or an owner
or representative of a business entity while on the property of the municipality.
(g)Â
Use of automobiles owned or leased by the municipality
to accept or solicit contributions.
C.Â
Reporting requirements. It shall be the responsibility
of any employee or officer who observes any prohibited forms of fund-raising
to report such conduct to the municipal Ethics Board, if one exists, or, in
the alternative, to the Municipal Prosecutor and the Municipal Clerk, who
shall report same to the governing body.
D.Â
Whistleblower provision. It shall be unlawful for any
employee or officer 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.
