Clifton showed leadership on reform
Iattended the Aug. 9 Monmouth County Board of Freeholders meeting where the freeholders passed the strongest pay-to-play and wheeling ban in New Jersey.

I would like to applaud the efforts of Freeholder Rob Clifton who took heat from the press for "killing reform" a few weeks before.

He was being criticized, in fact, even as he was working to expand this resolution to make the bill stronger and more comprehensive.

Thanks to the leadership of Rob Clifton, the freeholders were able to pass a stronger, more comprehensive campaign finance reform resolution for Monmouth County.

This resolution is now the strongest pay-to-play and antiwheeling campaign finance reform measure in New Jersey. It goes far beyond the so-called "reforms" that have been passed in Trenton.

Speaking of Trenton, it is most important that we now set our sights on the governor and the state Legislature and urge them to follow Monmouth County's example.

We are very lucky to have leaders such as Rob Clifton working diligently for the people of Monmouth County and doing the right things even when they are taking harsh criticism from the press.

John Costigan

Howell