Finally, after three years of debate, the Millstone Township Committee passed anti-pay-to-play legislation. It’s ironic, though, that it comes on the heels of some questionable moves of Millstone’s new liberal majority.

After all of the rhetoric and banter in the media by state politicos, certainly there isn’t anyone who doesn’t understand that anti-pay-to-play legislation was expected to generate huge cost savings. This was to be accomplished by restricting the awarding of sweetheart contracts to political cronies and supporters. However, we have yet to see any anticipated savings.

Let’s look at some of the highly suspect political moves from the Millstone Township Committee. At the 2005 Township Committee reorganization meeting, Resolution 05-01 stated that the committee would appoint Leon S. Avakian Inc. as the township engineering firm for a term ending on Dec. 31, 2005, a one-year appointment. So why then did newly elected Mayor [Elias] Abilheira read the resolution, ask for a vote, but changed the appointment on the fly and read it as a term appointment of three years? Does this sound like someone who supports anti-pay-to-play legislation and full disclosure? Can anyone remember the last time a Millstone engineering firm was rewarded with an extended term contract? Better yet, can anyone state any significant accomplishments of Avakian Inc. in 2004 that would allow them to be granted a multi-year reward?

To top that off, the new liberal majority also passed Resolution 05-32, which gave authority to the mayor and township clerk to execute no-bid contracts with five engineering firms. One of these firms, Birdsall Engineering, was the center point of a personal attack against me by former RCEC [Republican County Executive Committee] Chairman Roger Staib. Isn’t it intriguing that a December 2004 Asbury Park Press commentary titled “Cronyism alive and well in the Monmouth GOP” highlighted the following comments: “Howard Birdsall, an owner of Birdsall Services Group — a county engineering favorite — have become trusted insiders to Harry Larrison (Monmouth County Freeholder) and have enriched themselves at taxpayer expense. Still doesn’t reflect the tactics of a group who (allegedly) supports anti-pay-to-play legislation.

Let’s review some facts: At the Jan. 7, 2004, Township Committee meeting, Avakian Inc. was appointed as the township engineering firm by a 2-1 vote passed by Abilheira and [Nancy] Grbelja. Then Matt Shafai of that firm was appointed to be the township engineer. In April 2004, by a 2-1 resolution vote of Abilheira and Grbelja, Avakian Inc. was again awarded a no-bid contract for appointment as the township soil engineer. Allow me to close the political loop: Mr. Shafai is the brother-in-law of Millstone Republican Club president Kevin Abernathy who is a confidant and neighbor of RCEC vice-chairman Steve Lambros and former committeeman and new appointment Board of Adjustment member (and quickly voted chairman) Bill Kastning, who also received a questionable appointment to the Planning Board. The highly suspect appointments of Bill Kastning to two board positions were outlined in a letter by resident Kevin Gilmore in last week’s Examiner. Again, does this sound like the actions of people who support anti-pay-to-play legislation? I think not.

Allow me to continue: In August 2004, after working with our township attorney and Common Cause, I redrafted a zero-tolerance, full disclosure anti-pay-to-play ordinance. Talk about tough: the full disclosure clause in it would have required all contributions to be exposed, not just those given to Millstone candidates. Surprisingly, though, Abilheira and [Nancy] Grbelja wouldn’t support its first reading.

Looking closely at the weak ordinance just passed, one could easily determine several ways to “back door” campaign funding through its loopholes. But ironically again, with a majority in their favor, the new liberals didn’t support zero tolerance. After spending thousands to support their candidate this year, the party bosses know how difficult it is to fund a campaign.

What I found particularly interesting were Abilheira’s comments about this past election’s campaign funding as it pertained to a “certain candidate.” I invite you to log on to the NJ ELEC Web site and view both candidates’ filings and the facts behind them.

What should be of particular interest to all residents is why you weren’t able to find a filing for the Millstone Township Republican County Executive Committee for the more than $15,000 contributed to the Kinsey campaign. Then ask why the Millstone Township RCEC is currently under investigation by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission for not filing the proper documents outlining their contributions to the Kinsey campaign until after the investigation began.

John Pfefferkorn

Millstone