Developer contact fuels Franklin Council recall

Franklin Twp. Deputy Mayor
Ellen Ritchie

A bipartisan committee working to recall Franklin Township Deputy Mayor Ellen Ritchie reached a milestone yesterday morning by turning in a petition with 1,859 signatures -- 313 more than the minimum required, and 173 more than voted for her in her 2005 election.

What angers Franklin residents seems to be a private meeting Ritchie had with Middlesex County political powerhouse and developer kingpin Jack Morris over his proposal for a large development off Route 27.

Ritchie, who was Franklin's planning director for 18 years, is not only accused of meeting with Morris to discuss the project in advance of a planning board meeting, but of then issuing a 'bullying threat' to a planning board member.

The bipartisan committee, Taxpayers United In Franklin, drew in members of other local groups and even some prominent Democrats, according to today's Courier report. Today's Ledger reports that 34 members of the township's Democratic committee signed an open letter asking Ritchie to step down.

Franklin's municipal clerk has until July 6 to certify or deny the recall petition, which must contain the valid signatures of at least 25% of the number of ballots cast in her 2005 election.

If the petition is certified, Ritchie will have until July 13th to step down or face a recall election, which it seems certain would unseat her.

Her conduct was so 'egregious' it couldn't be overlooked, according to organizer Chip Hoever.

Something to keep in mind.

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Further reading --

• Courier - 06/21/2007: "Ritchie recall campaign moving forward"
• Ledger - 06/21/2007: "Group aims to recall Franklin Twp. deputy mayor"

-- Dan Damon

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