Agenda for Gloucester Township Government Ethics and Reform

As Proposed by the GT United Team

EXPLANATION OF THE ISSUE
Our Gloucester Township government has, for many years, engaged in conduct that, in fact and in appearance, is not what
Gloucester Township residents would consider to be ethical.
Township government has awarded contracts to firms and individuals who have made political donations, and to those
who have served the political party; NOT to the most qualified.
Township government has made government appointments to individuals who have made political donations, and to
those who have served the political party; NOT to the most qualified.
Township government has, for many key positions, hired people for government jobs based on political favoritism, and
to those who have served the political party.
Township government has approved resolutions and projects that have been targeted to benefit groups and individuals
who have made political donations, and to those who have served the political party.
According to reports made public by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, Mayor Mayers political
committees have collected $1.5 million in political donations virtually all from firms awarded government contracts.

OUR SIX-POINT REFORM AGENDA

1. Enact True Pay-to-Play reform: Pay-to-Play is the term given to the unethical practice of political donations
collected by politicians from businesses who are attempting to win contracts with New Jersey government entities.
Amazingly, this practice is not illegal in New Jersey. The former state comptroller Matthew Boxer was an outspoken
critic of this loophole in state law, and recommended that New Jersey municipalities enact their own ordinances to curb
this unethical practice. Dozens and dozens of New Jersey municipalities followed Mr. Boxers recommendation and
passed an ordinance. Unfortunately for Gloucester Township taxpayers, Mayor Mayer and your current Township
government have aggressively resisted this reform; and, to this day, they continue the unethical practice of pay-to-play.
The GT United Team pledges to enact strict, effective pay-to-play reforms.
2. Disclosure of Status of Lawsuits and Legal Actions: The GT United Team will enact the following disclosure
requirement: At the first Gloucester Township Council meeting at the beginning of each new fiscal quarter, the
Gloucester Township Solicitor will be required to give a status report on all outstanding Township lawsuits, contract
negotiations, and legal activities.
3. Disclosures on Township Resolutions and Ordinances and Appointments: The GT United Team will enact the
following disclosure requirement: At Gloucester Township Council meetings, for every resolution, ordinance, and/or
appointment, Council is required to disclose conflicts of interest, relationship, and connection of every party involved.
This disclosure is required to be both in writing on the agenda, and spoken when the item is read aloud at the meeting.
4. Analytical Information for Township Spending: The GT United Team will enact the following disclosure
requirement: For all proposed Gloucester Township discretionary spending, the Township Administrator is required to
prepare and disclose a cost/benefit analysis.
5. Key Performance Metrics: The GT United Team will enact the following disclosure requirement: Each Township
department (i.e., Public Works, Parks & Rec, Admin, Police, etc.) will be required to identify, track, and report key
performance metrics that will gauge the effectiveness of the activities of the department. The metrics data will be
reported by the Township Administrator at the first Gloucester Township Council meeting at the beginning of each
new fiscal quarter.
6. Perform an Internal Operations Audit: The GT United Team will authorize the following: Conduct a review of the
use of resources and procedures/practices in Gloucester Township government to determine if goals and objectives are
being met in the most effective and efficient manner. A key component of an operational audit is to assess the internal
control environment to manage and mitigate inherent risks.