HAMMONTON BLOG

(Published: Saturday, November 01, 2008

HAMMONTON - As of Friday afternoon, state and county election agencies had no record of independent political bloc Hammonton First submitting campaign finance reports in October as required.

Group President Patty Palmieri said Friday evening that state officials informed Hammonton First it had been mailing reports to the wrong address. Hammonton First will drive the reports to Trenton on Monday, Palmieri said.

The group, whose members hold the Mayor's Office and a Town Council majority, filed its finance reports for the 2007 election in March 2008.

This year's disclosure dates were Oct. 6 and Oct. 24. County election records show the Republicans' most recent report was received Wednesday, while the Democrats' came in Friday. The state Web site on Friday evening already showed the Democrats' post-election finance report but not their final pre-election statement.

Republicans have raised $17,586.31 and spent $11,968.73 altogether, according to the most recent report, while Democrats have raised $5,925.32 and spent $4,283.46.

The traditional parties' most recent reports show newspaper ad buys and major fundraising events. The Republicans held one at Tomasello's Winery, the Democrats at Rocco's Town House.

Palmieri on Friday evening sent The Press a copy of the most updated report she said the state will receive Monday. It shows $32,272.34 in fundraising and $30,825.87 in expenses, mostly taking the form of in-kind contributions instead of cash. Other expenses were for advertisements and photography.

Hammonton First also has faxed reports to the county's elections office, Palmieri said, although that could not be confirmed Friday evening because the county office had closed for the weekend.

Nine candidates are vying for three Town Council seats: incumbent Republicans James Bertino, Anthony Marino and Jerry Vitalo; Democrats Anthony Falcone, Jim MacLane and Mike Perrotta; and Hammonton First hopefuls Tom Gribbin, Jeanne Lewis and Sam Rodio.

E-mail Eric Scott Campbell:

ECampbell@pressofac.com


Two years ago they received an official reprimand for not filing their reports.
Last year they failed to file their reports again and that case is still under investigation by the NJ Elect Commission.
Now this year after eventually sending to the right address the last two years, they claim to have sent it to the wrong address this year. The forms they need to fill out have the address right on them. The form is pictured above and the address is plainly visible.