HOBOKEN — The city of Hoboken ruled last week that campaign contributions by Councilwoman Beth Mason to Board of Education election ticket Move Forward have to be returned within 30 days.
City Clerk Jim Farina wrote to the treasurer of Friends of Beth Mason, saying that the $7,116 contribution from her political action committee last month exceeded the municipal code limit of $500 from political action committees in local elections. The ordinance was passed in mid 2011, according to a statement from city attorney Mellissa Longo.
Mason responded in a public letter saying, “The NJ Office of Legislative Services issued an opinion to the Mayor and City Council that this law violates our State Constitution and The Citizen’s Campaign, the state leader in promoting campaign finance reform, is also in agreement.”
Mason also said, “The governing body whish sets donation limits is the NJ Election Law Enforcement Commission and I am well within the legally permitted contribution amount.”
The school board election is slated for Nov. 6. Two slates are running: Kids First, which is allied with Mayor Dawn Zimmer, and Move Forward. Patricia Waiters is running as an independent.
Voters can choose up to three candidates.