JACKON, NJ – Jackson Township Councilman Steven Chisolm called for the government licensing of journalists after he was criticized for championing an ordinance that could potentially send hundreds of thousands of dollars more in taxpayer money to his father’s business.
Chisolm is an Aspen Tree Expert Co. employee. The company, owned by his father, Steven Chisolm, Sr., currently bills $137,000 annually for tree removal service contracts with the township of Jackson. Chisolm’s father, who sits on the township Shade Tree Commission, is paid for tree removal by the township each year.
Chisolm, Jr. claims he is not a co-owner of the Aspen tree companies. He is the co-owner of Aspen Tree & Turf, a self described “sister company” of Aspen Tree services.
An updated ordinance championed by Chisolm, Jr. could end up sending even more business to his father’s company. That ordinance would give his father, Steven Chisolm, power to force Jackson residents to have their trees cut down if he deems them harmful or a nuisance.
Richard Ciullo, an independent journalist raised concerns over the ordinance this week and the appearance of impropriety should Chisolm vote in favor of the ordinance.
“Indeed, the windfall [Aspen Tree Co.] stand to gain from this proposed ordinance revision doesn’t just stop there, however,” he wrote, “When the tree maintenance and removal business is slow, Chisholm Sr. … could write their own meal ticket simply by instructing employees to drive around town, search for trees that are in questionable condition and report back to them the addresses of the properties. Both men could then simply show up at a property address, issue a violation and fine with their newfound enforcement authority, and then have their own companies perform the mandated work while lining their own pockets.”
The scenario was hypothetical, but Chisolm not only deferred the context of the article but also did not disclose to the public Tuesday night that his firm earned a whopping $137,000 from tree removal services in 2021 alone.
Chisolm started the meeting by lashing out at Ciullo, calling for the licensing of journalists by the government. He routinely touts himself as a staunch conservative, bashing Democrats and liberals each council meeting, but on Tuesday, he not only called for bigger government, he called for the government to begin licensing free speech.
If the homeowner declines, the trees will be cut down by Aspen Tree Co. and paid for by the township. The homeowner could face fines of up to $1,500.
The council, which was just three members preset, Chisolm, outgoing councilman Andrew Kern and Council President Marty Flemming, voted in favor of the ordinance. Outgoing councilwoman Samara Porter-O’Neill and Nino Borreli were not present.
Short of two council members, the three voted unanimously to approve the ordinance. Chisolm did not abstain, knowing his family earns nearly a quarter of a million dollars annually from the township for tree removal services.
Jackson resident Ray Cattonar said the township of Jackson already has a code enforcement department that handles such matters, the ordinance should not allow volunteers to start going through private residences to seek out trees for removal.
“Any perception of a conflict of interest should be avoided,” Cattonar said.
Chisolm said that does not happen but also said that the law does allow for that. He said he does not foresee it happening going forward.
Chisolm said the Shade Tree Commission needs professional tree experts to serve, saying otherwise, people would “Tie themselves to a tree and hug it.”
Licensing of journalists in America is not something that happens as the licensing process could be viewed as unconstitutional since government officials such as Chisolm could simply revoke a journalist’s state license for publishing information he disagrees with.
Jackson Mayor Michael Reina did not say whether or not he would veto Chisolm’s ordinance or not.
“I believe in smaller government,” he said when asked about the bill. “Not more ways to grow the government or use it to find more ways to fine residents.”
If Reina vetoes the ordinance, it would be sent back to the incoming township council to vote on again next year.
Chisolm said he now wants the township to sue journalists who write stories he disagrees with. None of the other councilmembers endorsed his claim for licensing or lawsuits.
Correction: Article initially listed public contracts at $237,000 in 2022 when it was $137,000 in 2021.