Should elected officials be allowed to phone in to public meetings?

Allowing the members of a public body to attend its public meetings by phone is a practice increasingly mired in controversy. Should it be legal in other than emergency or special circumstances? Certainly, members of the public can’t do it — i.e., a town resident who monitors a public meeting remotely via open phone line Read More …

“Kane in Your Corner” reports on USB drive scandal in Belleville

News 12’s “Kane in Your Corner” features citizen activist Lee Dorry of Essex Watch for his work in uncovering the USB drive scandal involving a sitting Belleville Councilman. NJFOG congratulates Lee on this well-deserved recognition and welcomes him as the newest member of our board.  -NJFOG Find the video here: http://newjersey.news12.com/news/kane-in-your-corner-belleville-school-district-spending-questioned-after-purchase-of-flash-drives-1.10825874?pts=88070  

Police Report Links Belleville Councilman to USB Flash Drive Scandal

This is a compelling example of how citizens can root out abuses by accessing public records. Great work by ESSEX WATCH !  -NJFOG EssexWatch.com August 26, 2015 posted by Griff (Full article here.) BELLEVILLE, NJ — Belleville residents have been so shell-shocked by destructive and costly politics recently, it seems almost nothing comes as a surprise Read More …