Committee to Recall Michael Spekhardt

Reasons to Recall Michael Spekhardt

92 Fox Hollow Trl. Sparta NJ 07871

Home (973) 729-6065 Cell(973)271-5050

(1022 votes) Faulkner Election (05/09/2006)

(1252 votes) Run-off Election (06/13/2006)

Mrs. Ailish Hambel

(1030 votes) Faulkner Election (05/09/2006)

(1242 votes) Run-off Election (06/13/2006)

Malfeasance:

• In our opinion knowingly colluded to pass a special vending machine ordinance which would only cover Deputy Mayor Brady’s four (non-compliant) vending machines in Station Park. (TC Minutes 6/26/07 pg.2, 10/23/07 pg.1, 11/27/07 pg.2, 12/11/07 pg.2&3, 1/8/08 pg.2, 2/26/08 pg.3&4)

• Voted in favor of the ($2.45 million) Limecrest Quarry purchase without due diligence, and without the voters knowledge or approval. The resulting (21 count) down now to (17 count) lawsuit will ensure us huge legal expenses (on both sides) for years to come, in addition to any settlements that may come from the pending lawsuit.(Purchase Agreement Dated 8/28/07)

• Over the past year, in 24 of the 26 Township Council sessions, the public was excluded under the Open Public Meetings Act. We were told the "subject matter would be made public when deemed appropriate." Evidently, none have been so deemed. (TC Minutes)

• In our opinion Mayor Spekhardt used the Sparta Township website to assert his political views and opinions regarding the municipal garbage utility, and his recall–in both written and videotaped form. (Mayor's corner February 08)

• While serving as Mayor, promoted and allowed the unauthorized expenditure of taxpayer dollars for the mailing of a letter to the public on December 20th 2007, following the public hearing on the garbage issue. No motion was made and no vote taken.

Unethical:

• Mayor Spekhardt arrogantly and repeatedly interrupted the petition organizer on December 27th, 2007 and had the floor taken away from him several times while he was trying to explain the ramifications of a closed garbage utility to the people of Sparta. (TC CD 11/30/07 & 12/1/07 & TC Minutes 12/27/07 pg.2)

• Mayor Spekhardt voted to double the cost of animal licensing fees–but only for the residents of Sparta. The other Townships we contract out our services to as of 12/07– Fredon, Hardyston and Ogdensburg did not see an increase. (TC Minutes 2/27/07 pg.4, New Ordinance Adopted 2/27/07)

• On Mayor Spekhardt’s watch, numerous petitioners were harassed by police outside local stores and in the public library, in response to at least one phone call by Town Hall, and a personal visit by another council member. (Police report & TC Minutes 12/11/07)

• At an October 9, 2007 Council meeting, Mayor Spekhardt asked for the final tally of the overall costs of the new Municipal building. It was never mentioned again in public, and at least one OPRA request on this matter was DENIED. (TC Minutes 10/9/07 pg.12)

• Mayor Spekhardt informed us that the whole Council had authorized Mr. Underhill to send out the garbage proposition for bid. However, both Councilmen Murphy and Seelagy have stated they were not asked for their input, nor did they authorize that bid. (TC Minutes 12/1/07 pg.2 & 12/27/07 pg.3)

• At the last public meeting on the proposed garbage ordinance (12/1/07), the Mayor responded, when asked why the rush, that the bid HAD TO BE SIGNED by December 2, 2007. As of this writing, it is still not signed. This, and all the above create in our opinion a crisis of confidence in our Mayor. (TC CD 11/30/07 & 12/1/07)

• While serving as Deputy Mayor helped promote bid splitting as a means toward hastily constructing a retaining wall, that omitted planned steps as a way of circumventing the bid process, for the front lawn of the Municipal Building, solely for the sake of appearances and expediting the Mayor’s insistence on a ribbon-cutting ceremony at tax payers expense. (Councilman info)

• While serving as Mayor, promoted and allowed the unauthorized expenditure of taxpayer dollars for the mailing of a letter to the public promoting the YES vote on March 6, 2008.

Broken campaign promises:

"Business as usual and 'no bid contracts are not acceptable.'

Also, in the same article, "my other priorities include being THE Council Person that is responsive and that listens to the people of Sparta while working on their behalf." Sparta Independent 5/4/06

Spekhardt said they hope to keep the workings of the council "transparent" for the people of Sparta. We were hoping that, too! Sparta Independent 7/19/07

Despite his call for "a more open dialogue" during the 2006 campaign, as mayor, Spekhardt behaved to the contrary. Last July, he refused to allow any but ONE of the approximately 50 residents in attendance at a Council meeting to even address the meeting with their concerns. See Advertiser-News 7/26/07

As Mayor, Spekhardt has failed to have a dialog with the community, choosing instead to operate behind closed doors--and violating the state's Open Public Records Act--in an attempt to make the details of the sale of Limecrest secret. NJ Herald 10/23/07

Mayor Spekhardt said of the petition drive "It's part of the process. People have the right to assembly peacefully, they have a right to speak and do whatever they want." Star Ledger 12/6/07

As the petitions for the legal recall of three council members were being circulated, Mayor Spekhardt falsely accused Jesse Wolosky of fraud over a technicality with his address. Evidently, the Mayor had already contacted Sparta's Postmaster, and the Board of Elections Administrator--who both confirmed Wolosky's address. These implied threats were leveled at Mr. Wolosky because he was exercising his rights as a citizen of New Jersey to circulate any petition of his choosing. Sparta Independent 3/13/08.

As NOT reported in the Sparta Independent: On March 25, 2008, Jesse Wolosky attended the Township Council meeting. Upon taking the floor, Mr. Wolosky gave his name and address, just like everyone else had done, and proceeded to speak to Mayor Spekhardt regarding his recall petition. Although Mr. Wolosky had the floor, the Mayor continued to speak in a low drone into his microphone, and crumple papers next to it, and then, accompanied by his wife and friends in the gallery, all started forcibly coughing--very loudly--so that Mr. Wolosky could not be heard. NOTE: No Township Council minutes have been posted for this date.

“The trust is on loan, because it needs to be earned everyday" (NJ Herald 7/7/06)

"First, (we should) start communicating" (NJ Herald 6/11/06)

"We should be able to get more information online and to the public." We are still in the dark. The garbage ordinance itself has been taken offline. (NJ Herald 6/11/06)

Mayor Spekhardt, when running for office, promised fiscal accountability. (NJ Herald 6/11/06)

Betrayed the citizens’ trust:

• In our opinion Mayor Spekhardt has abused the trust that the citizens of Sparta have placed in his hands. He has been anything BUT fiscally conservative, with his approval of the purchase of the White Lake property ($1.45 million) and its concomitant $1 million in improvements, and the Limecrest Quarry for an additional $2.45 million. That price will obviously explode with the ongoing litigation. Mayor Spekhardt is apparently unfazed by the $71.5 million high school bill that we Spartans have not yet started to pay off–for he also approves the idea of building a new stadium complex ($1-2 million) and a huge P.A.L. building large enough to house two gymnasiums and room for a community center. He is squeezing the low and mid income citizens out of Sparta. (TC Minutes 7/10/07 pg.2, 11/8/07 pg.4, 11/27/07 pg.8, 12/11/07 pg.1, 1/8/08 pg.2&3