Once again, thank you for visiting. If you would like to contact us, we may be reached at (609) 849 VOTE (8683) or info@mercergop.com.

Sincerely,
David Fried and Maria Bua
Chairs, Mercer County Republican Committee

Mercer County GOP Co-Chairs Dave Fried and Maria Bua have announced the appointment of Ewing Township resident James V Castelize III as County Communications Chairman and Webmaster. Mr. Castelize is in the process of establishing a County wide communication committee for the purpose of responding to all GOP related communications to the press and public. Jim will be setting up a meeting soon, more information to follow.

TRENTON – Less than a week after being seen distributing campaign material at a Sept. 21 “seminar’’ inside the County Connection Building in Hamilton, Mercer County Surrogate Diane Gerofsky crafted a campaign advertisement via fax with a local printer on county time, in a county building, with county resources and, yet again, on the dime of Mercer taxpayers.

Gerofsky is a 15-year incumbent opposing Republican hopeful Lisa Richford in the Nov. 8 election.

A source with inside knowledge of the Surrogate’s Office recently obtained the five-page fax, dated Sept. 27, 2011, which contains campaign propaganda worded in Spanish and sent back to Gerofsky for her final approval.

The advertisement appeared to have been recycled from Gerofsky’s 2006 campaign. The final two pages feature the altered dates changed to reflect the Nov. 8, 2011 election.

Gerofsky played “fast and loose’’ with state election law Sept. 21 when she distributed campaign material in the form of cooling fans with her likeness inside a county building during the work day – a wasteful and unethical practice frowned upon in state political circles.

The fax from Trenton Printing seeking approval of edits and changes was received by the County Surrogate’s Office using county machines at the Mercer County Superior Court, located at 175 South Broad St. in Trenton, NJ.

On the document’s cover page the date, fax number of the Surrogate’s Office and time stamp are clearly marked.

“This is yet another blatant example of abuse by a 15-year incumbent and professional politician,’’ Richford said. “Campaigning on county property and on county time is not allowed. Period.’’

Contact: pr@bestformercer.com

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HAMILTON – (Oct. 27, 2011) – Mercer County Surrogate hopeful Lisa Richford received a favorable decision from Superior Court Judge Linda Feinberg Tuesday as part of her ongoing battle to secure financial information from current Surrogate Diane Gerofsky through OPRA (Open Public Records Act).

Judge Feinberg denied the request of Gerofsky and the Mercer County Office of County Counsel to hear a motion to dismiss complaint. Feinberg has set a Nov. 3, 2011 court date for Gerofsky to answer Richford’s complaint regarding the OPRA requests. 

“The contention that this administration has fully complied with OPRA will be for Judge Feinberg to decide Nov. 3,’’ Richford said. “I can say unequivocally they have not. I have received no information on some requests, late information on others and columns of information that appear to have been purposely cut off on other documents. This started as a simple OPRA request. I have not asked for anything inordinate, or extraordinary.”

According to Richford, the Motion to Dismiss filed by Deputy County Counsel Sarah Crowley Oct. 18 on behalf of Gerofsky signaled yet another attempt by the Surrogate to circumvent OPRA and deny Mercer County residents insight as to how some of their tax dollars have been spent.

“I saw the attempted end-run around the New Jersey Court Rules right before the Nov. 8 election,’’ Richford said. “This was yet another lame attempt by Gerofsky and County Counsel to muddy the waters before Election Day. They continue to say they have given me everything I have asked for in all seven OPRA requests. That is absolutely untrue and the voters are not stupid.’’

Richford maintains she has uncovered additional unaccounted ledgers and account numbers that have no supporting documents and no means of financial verification. The contention of the Office of County Counsel that Gerofsky is not responsible for the OPRA requests because she is not the Custodian of Records also is dubious, as is Gerofsky’s claim that the Surrogate’s Office is not over budget.

“Diane Gerofsky is absolutely responsible for the finances of that office,’’ Richford said. “She answers to no one, which is why the question of whether or not she is the custodian of records is irrelevant. She is the constitutionally elected officer, she is in charge, and the buck stops there. The State Administrative Office of the Courts requires this information, so just hand it over. Why delay? As for not being over budget, she absolutely has been … for several years. Furthermore, Gerofsky continues to make claims with no supporting financials, while pontificating that she is the judge of this and the judge of that when, in fact, she has no legal training and has never heard a case.’’

With less than two weeks remaining before the election, Richford said Gerofsky owes it to Mercer County voters to do the right thing and hand over all documents pursuant to OPRA.

“They are simply trying to spin the facts in the 11th hour,’’ Richford said. “My 15-year incumbent opponent and this current Democratic administration are truly underestimating the common sense of the voters with their ongoing and empty rhetoric. Diane Gerofsky needs to take responsibility by giving me the information I have legally requested and that I am entitled to.’’

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Ballot Sticker to Cost Mercer County Taxpayers Thousands of Dollars

HAMILTON – (Oct. 25, 2011) – Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami-Covello admitted today that the ballot petition incorrectly filed by Mercer County Sheriff candidate Miriam Martinez is in violation of New Jersey Election Statute Title 19.

As a result, ballots placed in more than 525 voting machines must now be reprinted at an estimated cost of over $12,000.

The statute violation was discovered Monday inside a warehouse at 1 Johnston Ave. in Hamilton.

The Martinez ballot became contaminated when stickers featuring the candidate’s campaign slogan “Protecting Through Partnerships’’ were manually placed to the left of her name.

Republican Sheriff Candidate Richard Urbani, along with Martinez and acting Sheriff Jack Kemler, participated in an inspection of the machines ordered by Sollami-Covello Tuesday morning.

Both Urbani and Kemler objected to the Martinez ballot in the presence of lead Mercer County Counsel, Arthur R. Sypek Jr.

According to Urbani, Sypek cited Title 19 and case law at the scene in determining the current ballots could not be used.

Urbani also claims Martinez and Sollami-Covello discussed the contaminated ballots last week, yet no action was taken until today.

“Not only was the County Clerk’s office complacent regarding Miriam Martinez’s original petition, but (Sollami-Covello) allowed her to amend it after the deadline to include the slogan on a sticker that stands out like a sore thumb,’’ Urbani said. “The offer to now correct the mistake should not have been extended. During the inspection, the County Clerk said there is a budget for such mistakes. I have to ask: Is there really tens of thousands of dollars in the Mercer County election budget for mistakes in these economic times?’’

Contact: Richard Urbani at rich1188@optonline.net, or (609) 577-0527

pr@bestformercer.com

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GOP contender will appear at Trenton, Princeton and Hamilton Rail Stations

HAMILTON – (Oct. 24, 2011) – Republican Mercer County Surrogate candidate Lisa Richford has scheduled four early morning appearances at local train stations as part of her push to unseat embattled 15-year incumbent Diane Gerofsky November 8.

The first stop on the “Surrogate Express’’ to discuss the role of the County Surrogate and Richford’s goals for the office will be Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 inside the remodeled Trenton Train Station.

As part of her ongoing effort to reach Mercer County voters, Richford will appear at the Princeton Junction Station on Friday, Oct. 28, followed by consecutive appearances at the Hamilton Station on Tuesday, Nov. 1 and Thursday, Nov. 3. 

All stops on the “Surrogate Express’’ are scheduled for 6 a.m.

“The response to our campaign and interest in the Surrogate’s Office has been overwhelming,’’ Richford said. “This is my way of saying ‘Thank You’ to everyone that has approached me and has supported me throughout the campaign. Obviously, I want to reach out to others and make them aware of not only the vital role played by the County Surrogate, but to enlighten them as to how their tax dollars are being wasted under the current administration.’’

Richford maintains that Gerofsky and the Mercer County Office of County Counsel have not yet fully complied with a key OPRA (Open Public Records Act) request.

“The failure to fully comply with OPRA, in addition to openly campaigning in a county building on taxpayer time with taxpayer money, are just two of the red flags hovering above the Gerofsky administration,’’ Richford said. “Fifteen years is long enough for this professional politician, whose interest is not that of the taxpayer. County residents need to make their voices for fundamental change heard by voting this 15-year incumbent out of office.’’

Contact: Lisa Richford at: lrichford424@yahoo.com or (609) 954-6273.

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Organization Excludes Only Countywide Race Featuring Two Women

HAMILTON – (Oct. 12, 2011) – Of all the Mercer County seats up for grabs in the upcoming Nov. 8 election, the only countywide race exclusive to women is the only one being ignored by the local chapter of the League of Women Voters.

On Oct. 20, 2011 at Princeton University, a debate featuring candidates for Freeholder and the office of County Executive will be sponsored by the Princeton-area, Lawrence, Hopewell and East Windsor/Hightstown Chapters of the LWV.

However, the event at Dodds Auditorium in the Woodrow Wilson School excludes the Mercer County Surrogate race between Republican challenger Lisa Richford, Esq. and incumbent Diane Gerofsky.

“We are the only women candidates in the countywide election running for a Constitutionally-created office,’’ Richford said. “Residents of Mercer County want and should know about the Surrogate’s Office and all that it entails. I welcome the opportunity to be heard and I will continue to push for our inclusion at the Oct. 20 event.’’

Richford said she spoke with Deborah McMillan, President of Hightstown/East Windsor chapter, who informed Richford that time constraints prohibited the LWV from extending an invitation to the Surrogate candidates. McMillan maintains the slight was unintentional and was asked by Richford to reconsider.

McMillan suggested Richford contact other organizations, such as the YMCA, for assistance.

While attending “Lawrenceville Community Day” on Oct. 2, Richford spoke with Lois Riskin, Membership Chair/Vice President of the Lawrence League of Woman Voters.

Once again, Richford’s effort to secure a Surrogate debate with Gerofsky, who happens to be a Lawrenceville resident and a member of the Lawrence LWV chapter, was denied.

“I completely understand why a 15-year incumbent would not want to debate in light of the fact that I had no alternative but to file suit in Superior Court against the Surrogate in order to get her to comply with several OPRA requests I had made,” Richford said. “There was nothing extraordinary about these requests - merely copies of checks, receipts and purchase orders – so that voters can see how taxpayer money is being spent in a county office that has consistently been operating in the red.’’

For further comment or clarification, contact:

Lisa Richford at: lrichford424@yahoo.com or (609) 954-6273.

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County Executive Candidate, Jonathan Savage, responds to rumors that County Executive Brian Hughes is negotiating the hiring of a consultant to study the construction of a new Airport Terminal at Trenton Mercer Airport.

 Savage, in response to being advised by members of local economic development committees that Mercer County is looking to build a new Airline Terminal, stated, “You have to wonder what this is all about and why now.  According to studies that were done by Mercer County ten years ago a new terminal would cost $15 million.  That was ten years ago so who know how much the cost would be now.  There are three reasons why now is not the time to build a new terminal.”

Read the rest of this entry »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 28, 2011

TRENTON – Lisa Richford, Esq., filed a complaint and Order to Show Cause Tuesday against 15-year incumbent Diane Gerofsky in Mercer County Superior Court, Chancery Division, for failure to comply with Open Public Records Act P.L. 2001, Chapter 404 N.J.S. 47:1A-1 et seq.

Richford, the Republican candidate for Surrogate Nov. 8, previously delivered five specific OPRA requests to the Mercer Office of County Counsel. 

Due to an unacceptable and insufficient number of documents received from the Mercer Office of County Counsel on Sept. 21, 2011, along with the past failure of the Mercer County Surrogate and Office of County Counsel to comply with previous OPRA requests, Richford filed suit to order to obtain the information she requested and the records residents of Mercer County are entitled to see.

“Because of the lack of transparency and their misinterpretation of the OPRA statute I was forced to take this action,’’ Richford said. “Again, I requested nothing extraordinary.’’

In summary, Richford sought one term’s worth of expenditures, along with amounts and what those monies were spent on via Gerofsky’s “SLURP’’ or “Surrogate Trust’’ accounts.

Richford also requested the Surrogate’s travel and entertainment account ledgers, including copies of the receipts, purchase orders and copies of the checks for that one term.

“When I was called on Sept. 21 to pick up my request I was provided with just a few ledgers and several expenses listed as ‘miscellaneous,’ ’’ Richford said. “I was not given one receipt, one purchase order, or a copy of a single check. Additionally, I was informed that I would have to pay for the labor to get the documents, but was not given an estimated time of completion, or an estimated dollar amount for the labor, each of which are required by OPRA. That requirement was confirmed by the State of New Jersey Government Records Council.’’

Richford insists the taxpayers of Mercer County deserve to know how the long-time incumbent Gerofsky has been spending their money over the past 15 years.

“What is the Surrogate hiding?’’ Richford asked. “This failure to provide the information under OPRA reeks of a lack of transparency. She is withholding information the residents of Mercer County are entitled to have.’’

For further comment or clarification, contact:

Lisa Richford at: lrichford424@yahoo.com or (609) 954-6273.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 27, 2011

TRENTON – With the layoffs of more than 100 police officers earlier this month and violent crime on the rise in the City of Trenton, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department should direct some of its resources to assist the depleted Trenton Police Department with its late night patrols, says Republican sheriff candidate Richard Urbani.

“The acting sheriff (Jack Kemler) was a detective for the Trenton Police Department, so he should understand the current need as well as anyone,’’ Urbani said. “Yet, despite the urgency, Mr. Kemler has not acted in conjunction with Mayor Tony Mack and County Executive Brian Hughes to address the current shortage.’’

Urbani’s plan calls for a select group of Sheriff’s officers, possibly the K-9 and/or the County’s specialized S.E.R.T. unit, to supplement the Trenton P.D. during the traditionally peak hours of crime between midnight and 4 a.m.

The Urbani initiative calls for the reassignment of five units per-day for a period of four hours to act in a supporting role.

Urbani also is calling for a summit of leaders, including the mayors and police chiefs/directors from all 13 Mercer County municipalities, to join together in addressing public safety.

“I fully understand the concern and I am willing to work in a bipartisan manner to tackle the issue of violent crime in the City of Trenton head-on,’’ Urbani said. “My motives are not those of a candidate, but of a concerned citizen.’’

Urbani insists there is no reason why Trenton should be listed among the most dangerous cities in America, even with the mass layoffs recently experienced by the Trenton Police Department.

“The current leadership has yet to put forth a single program, at least none that I have seen, that sufficiently fights violent crime in Trenton,’’ Urbani said. “Historically, inner-city crime ultimately makes its way into our other municipalities, so it is in the best interest of everyone to plot an alternate course of action right now.’’

For further comment of clarification, contact Richard Urbani at:

rich1188@optonline.net or (609) 577-0527.

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