Dear Editor:
On January 28, 2001, the Star-Ledger wrote an article, “Public pay for DiFrancesco mail.” The newspaper reported that the public paid for the postage on DiFrancesco’s Christmas cards.
DiFrancesco said the mailing was an oversight and the public will be reimbursed. It is wonderful that a public official will admit his mistake.
This article continues with a comment from the Office of Legislative Services concerning a general rule: Legislative spending should go only for public purposes.
Obviously, this is a timely issue in Jersey City. While Mayor Schundler belongs to the executive branch of government, he uses public money to support his politics.
Even the recent tax letter in which I was called a “naysayer” had false political statements. The chart on “State Aid to Municipalities” is based on politics. Schundler changed the numbers when he said, “1994 State Aid Adjusted upward for Inflation.” I’m not interested in his adjusted figures, only the real numbers.
Another example of this abuse is Mayor Schundler’s ads on Liberty State Park. The public paid for those ads as well as the buses to transport his supporters to Liberty State Park.
Mayor Schundler has a right to his opinion, but taxpayers shouldn’t pay for it.
There should be changes in the law. I have asked Assemblyman Doria to introduce a bill in which the executive branch of government reimburses the public for political advertisements.
If you feel as strongly as I do on this subject, please forward your comments to Assemblyman Doria, 595 Broadway, Bayonne, NJ 07002.
Yvonne Balcer