MOUNT OLIVE (11/04/05) – The election ballot for Mount Olive voters is anything but "user friendly."

Voters should carefully study the sample ballot they received in the mail this week to review the names of the candidates they intend to vote for for national and county offices, be sure they understand the "interpretive statements" for the three public questions concerning state issues and the reason for Municipal Question No. 1 calling for the recall of Mayor Richard DeLaRoche and the election of his successor.

It would seem that the main interest township voters would have is in Municipal Question 1, which is under the Public Questions on the right side of the ballot. It concerns the recall of DeLaRoche and should the recall question carry, the name of the person to replace him, Democrat John Mania, Republican David Scapicchio and Independent Walter Lata.

It should be pointed out that voters should vote for or against the recall of Mayor DeLaRoche and then vote for one of the three candidates for mayor, even if they vote against the recall of DeLaRoche. If more votes are cast against the recall DeLaRoche will continue as mayor and the election for a replacement will be moot.

These questions are relegated to the bottom right side of the ballot, the least obvious questions on the entire page layout.

Students of election statistics have long recognized that voter interest dwindles as they go through a ballot.

The offices for US Senate, House of Representatives and Board of Freeholders are clearly laid out. The three important public questions on state issues and the "interpretive statements" for each are well displayed on the right side of the ballot.

The recall question and the names of the candidates for mayor should the recall question carry are at the very bottom of the page and the Statement of Reason for the recall effort and Mayor DeLaRoche’s response is in very small type, hardly legible, at the very bottom of the page and highly unlikely to be read by the overwhelming majority of voters.

Because it’s important that voters read that in advance, herein is: Statement of Reason for the recall:

"In this effort to recall Mayor DeLaRoche, we come together not as Republicans or Democrats, but rather as Mount Olive residents and taxpayers. We can no longer sit back idly allowing the continued destruction of the township that has occurred due to his actions and inactions.

Mayor DeLaRoche has demonstrated a lack of vision for the future of Mt. Olive and provided little to no direction for our municipal employees. Instead he focuses on his personal agenda without regard to damage he causes.

This mayor has alienated business leaders, the school board, town council, sporting organizations, municipal employees and almost every group or individual in our community who has had significant contact with him.

Instead of controlling taxes or generating revenues for the Township, issues of the utmost importance to Mt. Olive’s residents, the mayor’s decisions have injured the town. For example he initiated or spurred frivolous lawsuits, appointed an unqualified town prosecutor, appointed his son to the planning board etc.

It is now time, we can no longer wait for what is certain to be another two years of this destructive course the mayor has taken us down. Please join us in this effort to recall Mayor DeLaRoche

Answer of Mayor Richard De La Roche:

Last April a first recall attempt failed. This recall if it succeeds would cause two Mayoral elections within the next 22 months. Mount Olive does not need this turmoil and disruption.

I make no apology for challenging the entrenched Township Attorney and others who are benefiting at the expense of Mount Olive Taxpayers.

I have consistently resisted unauthorized Council medical benefits, over billing by the Township Attorney and secrecy in the operation of government. The Council consistently obstructed all these efforts.

I make no apology for exposing corruption. In fact, the Council President has just been forced to acknowledge a direct financial conflict of interest exists because of his outside relationship with the Township Attorney. He should have informed us long ago. I believe character is defined as what a person does when he thinks no one is watching. Whatever human faults I possess, I am dedicated to the people of Mount Olive. I took an oath in 2004 which I shall continue to uphold.

We need sunshine to expose the dark corners of Mount Olive government. This second desperate recall attempt comes just as my reform efforts, steadily resisted for the last two years, begin to bear fruit.

(Ed. The above statements make reference to two years remaining on Mayor DeLaRoche’s term. It was two years when the recall effort was initiated. His term of office and the balance of the term Scapicchio, Mania, and Lata are running for is until December 31, 2007).