The Democratic candidates for Scotch Plains Township Council, Neal LeStrange, Kevin Glover and Jeff Strauss, wish to thank you for the opportunity of providing the information in your questionnaire and appearing at the “Q and A†session of the Board of Directors of the Scotch Plains Fanwood Soccer Association. However, in reviewing the Association’s Constitution and By-Laws, note was taken of the following language:
No substantial part of the activities of the Association shall be the carrying on or propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Association shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Association shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an Association exempt from Federal Income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue Law) or (b) by an Association, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).
Both the questionnaire, including its posting on your web site and distribution, and appearance at a “Q and A’ session before the Board of Directors, would be in direct violation of this provision. Mr. LeStrange, Mr. Glover and Mr. Strauss have great respect for the SPF Soccer Association and its role in youth athletics in Scotch Plains , and could not be complicit in a violation of the Association’s Constitution and By-Laws.
Further, we are also concerned that your plans will endanger the Association’s non-profit status. We feel that the role which the Association plays in our community is too important to incur this risk.
It is our hope that the Association and the Republican candidates also respect the Association’s Constitution and By-Laws and that they do not go forward with the questionnaire and the “Q and A’ session. However, if the Association and the Republicans do go forward, it is requested that this statement, in its entirety, be read at the meeting of the Board of Directors, be posted on your web site with equal prominence as the Republican questionnaires, and be distributed by email or otherwise to the same recipients and in the same manner as the information received from the Republicans.
We also request that you assure us that the Association will abide by its Constitution and By-Laws and not endorse anyone in this election.
In making this statement, Mr. LeStrange, Mr. Glover and Mr. Strauss wish to reassure you that they believe that a vital youth athletic program is an essential part of our community, and they will do all that is reasonable to ensure that Scotch Plains meets the needs of our athletic programs.
Kenneth Lipstein
Scotch Plains Democratic Committee Chairman