It is a shame when a basic right to vote becomes confronted with a blatant disregard of ethics. It is a shame when ones right to vote, that should be privileged with respect and without inappropriate polilitical influence, is neglected and violated. It is a shame and an expense to this right, and possibly to the County Election Law itself! As I went to vote Tuesday April 17th I was disturbed that I found political “Vote yes for the budget, vote yes for Tom Baxter” signs belonging to the Toms River Regional School District “election effort” in my face. Signs unethically and maybe illegally placed on Toms River Township property at The Parks and Recreation Administrative Building. Two signs were placed at the sidewalk on the township lawn, and another at the entrance and not ten feet from the Poling Place sign!
   It becomes more of a shame when a complaint is raised by me and another voter at this poling place, that is slow to be resolved and with difficulty. Who is responsible and who is supposed to rectify the problems? That’s where the story becomes tedious and irresponsible.Those Election Board personnel at my poling place did not obligate to my request stating they knew of the situation, but said the signs were more than 100ft away from the door. Were they? measured? and the similar inappropriate signs at other poling places? Next as I questioned the TomsRiver Twsp. Parks and Recreation Director about them being on township property I was told “I don’t know”. Head Director and you go to work there every day and don’t know? Being amazed and disturbed at the lack of response to my complaint, numerous calls were now being placed to many officials including Ocean County Clerk Carl Block, Board of Elections Al Santoro, T.R. School Superintendent Michael Ritacco, and finally Chief of Police Mike Mastronardy. As I wish to thank the latter officials for concern and resolve of my complaint, I need to understand. As I returned to the location less than an hour later, to see if the signs were removed, as I live only up the street, I witnessed Superintendent Ritacco removing the signs. I and a Police Officer arrived at that moment. As all agreed, the TR School’s political signs needed to be removed immediately.
   To conclude, I believe this not to be a minor infraction. I believe it was serious and a blatant violation and should have not taken anywhere near the effort to bring about resolve. And was this a violation of Township Ordinance and the Election Law itself? and a disregard to a citizen’s right to vote without such influence? Most important, although the problem was resolved there still stands a possible violation. Who is responsible and who will be held responsible? Should anyone come under any legal consequences? Need I be obligated to engage in a legal procedure or challenge with regard to this issue of the Toms River Regional School Election when it was those officials and responsible parties responsibility? Sounds a bit far fetched but then maybe not, and what if twenty or so votes decided this election and with possible influence caused by these signs? I do not believe it is my duty to enforce the process of the law! I wish to thank the Ocean County Freeholders for listening to my complaint as they promised to bring it before the County Election Chairman George Gilmore. I respectfully wait for your response.