Gop seeks ethics charges against howell mayor for vaccinating police officers

HOWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ – Howell Township Mayor Theresa Berger is under fire from Monmouth County Republicans who claim she violated ethics laws by vaccinated the township’s police officers.

Republicans, led by town attorney Joseph Clark have filed a complaint with the Local Finance Board after Berger was able to secure COVID-19 vaccines for the township’s police officers and front-line first responders.

Clark, the son-in-law of former Monmouth GOP Chairman John Bennett says it’s not an attack or complaint, he just wants to make sure Berger, a Democrat did not violate any laws.

“This isn’t about stopping vaccines in Howell. This is making sure that we account for potential liability,” Township Attorney Joseph Clark told the Asbury Park Press in a phone interview. “I’d rather make sure we have all our ducks in a row and get people vaccinated.”

Berger is coming off 2020 election victory where she easily defeated Republicans in the majority GOP township.

Berger is the CEO of the non-profit Ocean Health Initiatives and Clark alleges Berger might have received some sort of personal privilege or advantage for her goodwill, but Clark did not clarify.

Continue Reading

Wanted man taken to jail after Wall Township investigation

Police arrested suspect on Union County warrant WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A Wall Township man was taken into…

Driver charged with eluding after Wall Township traffic stop

Police say motorist was arrested following Highway 18 stop WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A Neptune City man is…

Toms River woman arrested during Wall Township traffic stop on outstanding warrants

Police say warrants were issued by Howell and Spring Lake Heights WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A Toms River…

Instead, he is asking the state to review the matter to see if they can find anything wrong with vaccinating police officers. Clark alleges that since Berger’s salary is paid by OHI, she is receiving compensation.

” Our gratitude to Howell Mayor Theresa Berger who is President and CEO of Ocean Health Initiatives and her staff for arranging the appointments and providing the shots to our personnel. Together we are better,” said Howell Police Chief Anthony Kudrick as officers began getting vaccinated.

Howell Township canceled their second vaccination clinic for its public employees after Clark raised objections.

“It is a sad day when town officials politicize efforts to protect our seniors,” she said, according to the Asbury Park Press. “This is what it’s become: putting politics over serving our community and saving lives. Is this really what we as a council want to look like?”

Howell

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.