For those who have been eager for the South Amboy Democrats to respond to vitriolic innuendo and unfounded allegations lodged by political gadflies over the past few years, the waiting is over.
Fred Henry came out slugging with an ad in the South Amboy Times last week, which was followed by two full pages in this week's Beacon.


Democrats respond to dirty tricks and unethical political tactics employed in campaign funded by Drew Piscatelli, the wealthy out-of-town developer who sought to bring a mental health / drug clinic to our residential neighborhood.

The first Beacon ad relates news about a state Election law Enforcement Commission investigation into numerous discrepancies in campaign finance reports filed four years ago the joint campaign fund of Vincent Mackiel and Mary O'Connor. Among the problems:
• An illegal $1,600 Piscatelli donation was disguised as a candidate contribution (that's one of the crimes charged for which Joe Vas is currently on trial)
• The campaign spent more than it raised ($8,327.99 minus $5,745.69 equals $1,317.31 according to the new Mary Math)
• One of the candidates, Mary O'Connor, pocketed more than $1,300 after the election


New math enabled the campaign to spend more than it raised, yet one of the candidates was able to pocket more than $1,300! (Click on picture to see reports that triggered the ELEC investigation in full size)

In the third advertisement, Fred Henry takes center stage discussing a few of his many accomplishments as an elected official, neighbor and friend. The Council President concluded his remarks saying:

I truly love this city, and though we have done a lot to help South Amboy weather the economic storms, there is still more to be done. I genuinely believe that with your help in November, the best days are yet to come for South Amboy.

Over the last three years, as our city weathered the worst economic recession since the Great Depression, one candidate chose to fly off to Paris. I chose to stay and fight as Council President to help South Amboy confront the tough economy and prepare for the comeback that now lies on our horizon.

With a month to go, Fred Henry and the South Amboy Democrats appear to be taking nothing for granted as they have been seen walking door to door meeting voters, signs have blossomed all over town and they are sending a strong message against naysayers.