Who is behind the recall?

She changed her story from Chip to the Republican Party and now "politically ambitious people". The recall was run by Chip and myself (Phil Kramer) yet neither of us are running for office. The third letter, which proclaimed the petition, as a Republican petition was sent out after Ms. Ritchie was aware that over 1/3 of her party had asked her to resign. Now that the world knows that her own party supports the recall she can no longer blame the Republicans.

Ellen, It's not about hating you, it's about hating the harmful things you do. It's not politically ambitious people behind the recall, it's people are tired of politicians that don't put the Township's interests first.

Note here she doesn't say you were told she says your neighbors were told so even if you didn't hear it yourself she hopes you will believe others did. The question is what were you told?

With over 30 people helping on the recall all were instructed to say that our best chance to stop the development is if Ms. Ritchie was off the Council. We also emphasized her unethical behavior when threatening a Planning Board member and when meeting with the developer Jack Morris.

Actually it's Ms. Ritchie that has, in the past, made those promises.

Secret Meeting

Ellen, who knew about the meeting? Was it announced in public? Where are the minutes of the meeting? Who else was there? Why did you tell Planning Board member Mr. Danielsen not to tell anyone you met with Morris? Was there any legitimate oversight? Who else knew about the meeting? When was it announced? While the meeting was secret to the public, point of fact petitioner were told to say private not secret. If some used secret they were for all practical purposes correct.

Ellen, why in your second mailing did you say that the Council sent you to meet with Morris. When Council was asked when they told you to meet with him none could remember doing so. See for yourself.

This is a lie, there is no law that states that. She claims she had no choice, she had to register as an Independent. She is clearly attempting to mislead loyal Democrats. Here are the facts.

There are two questions on the recall ballot, the first is should she be recalled? The second is who should replace her? Each party can register one person and then those without party support can register as independents.

She could have sought her party's endorsement but she told the Democratic Party she did not want to run as a Democrat. If you want conformation email the party chair Roz Sherman.

She then choose to run as an Independent. Ironically her plea for Democratic loyalty could give the seat to the Republicans. Clearly most of the votes she will get will be at the expense of the Democratic candidate increasing the chance of the Republican candidate winning.

She does not mention that when the Democratic Committee voted on the recall and to choose a candidate no one voted in favor of Ellen. She does not mention that the Somerset County Executive Committee voted to support her Democratic Rival over her.

She does not tell you that on June 12th 2006 when the Party voted to end Mr. Grippo's hold on the party she walked out of the room demonstrating that she would not acknowledge the party's new leadership. Initially the party attempted to work with her but she repeatedly refused. I've no doubt Ms. Ritchie is registered as a Democrat and will vote for the Democratic Presidential candidate. But when it comes to Franklin politics, she left the party over a year ago.

Finally. Ms. Ritchie mentions the cost of the special election. She doesn't tell you that School Board President Eva Nagy* said on three different occasions that if this project is build as planned then the Township will have to build a new school. Do the math: $20,000 for an election or millions for a new school.

Beyond that - We hear that Ritchie may be polling voters. She also has paid people to walk for her. She has already spent more money than the Democrats, Republicans and Recall committee combined. The money from county PACs doesn't account for all her spending. Where is she getting the money for all this? Don't bother looking ELEC's web site. It's not there.

Phillip Kramer

Disclosure Statement - Phillip Kramer is Mike Orsini's campaign manager. TUF has been deeply involved in the recall effort. This was reviewed by Republican Chairman Bob LaCorte who agreed that it contained no D/R bias.