August 16, 2009

Homes New Tribune
by Editorial

Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz is taking positive steps to clean up the image of New Jersey politics, and has set in motion reforms that could make the city a model for other municipalities.

Perth Amboy has been embarrassed recently with news that former Mayor Joe Vas and other city officials have been indicted on state and federal charges. The state was embarrassed last month with the arrests of 44 individuals for corruption charges, including members of the Legislature, mayors and even leaders in the religious community.

The ability of Diaz to clean up the mess is confined to the borders of the city, but her embrace of reform measures proposed by the Citizens Campaign that seek to prevent local governments from being corrupted by contributions by individuals and businesses eager to do business with the city, is a move in the right direction. The concept is based on the simple premise that the city would hire vendors based on their ability to do the job, not their willingness to grease the system with contributions.

Among the measures: Limits on political contributions by contractors; pay-to-play reforms that bar redevelopers from making any political contributions in the city; a requirement for developers, and those seeking relief before the zoning board, to disclose political contributions; a requirement that professional service contracts be awarded on a competitive bid basis.

These are elements of the Citizens Campaign, an organization headed by Harry Pozycki, a former Middlesesx County freeholder, whose organization has proposed a broad level of reforms - reforms that are needed today more than ever.

"Especially in this climate, and what has happened within the last couple of weeks, I am more determined that ever that after Wilda Diaz is no longer mayor, these ordinances and safeguard measures will keep the city financially safe," said the mayor, speaking in the third person.

Pozycki, whose Citizens Campaign has its headquarters in Metuchen, has a stake in Perth Amboy, where he has a residency. Not only is Diaz providing a positive example to other elected officials, Pozycki is an example of a citizen promoting good government in his neighborhood.

Following those arrests of 44 for their alleged corruption, Pozycki repeated a a quote by Special FBI Agent Weysan Dun: "It is time for the citizens of New Jersey to ask, 'What do we need to do to wipe the spider web of corruption off the face of this state?' "

The reforms were announced this week as part of an executive order by Diaz. The reforms will be considered by the full city council on Sept. 9. The package should be considered by other municipal and county governing bodies as well.