Latino Coalition Continuing Political Committee Endorses Luttrell and Grillo for Monmouth County Freeholders

For Immediate Release: October 30, 2014

Contacts:

Frank Argote-Freyre, Chair of the Latino Coalition CPC – 908-670-0552

Claudia DeGracia, Vice Chair of the Latino Coalition CPC – 732-245-8833

The Latino Coalition’s Continuing Political Committee [LCCPC] today endorsed Democrats Larry Luttrell and Joseph Grillo for the two seats up for election on the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders on November 4. They are running against Republican incumbents Lillian Burry and Gary J. Rich, Sr.

The Coalition interviewed three of the four candidates on October 17 and asked a wide range of questions. The Coalition based its decision on a variety of issues and they are as follows:

Shared Governance: The Coalition believes it would be advantageous to have divided government on the Freeholder Board which has long been dominated by the Republican Party. Two-party representation would foster a greater climate of debate and create more oversight in county government.

Immigrant Scapegoating: The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders, in a shameless act of political scapegoating, issued a press release in August urging the United States government to deny temporary asylum to undocumented children while their visa applications were considered. Both the Republican Freeholder candidates were quoted in the press release. With all of the pressing issues facing the county, Freeholders Burry and Rich, in their official capacities as county officials, decided to enter into a debate over issues for which they have no influence. The press release was nothing more than a message to nativists throughout the county that we stand with you even though we have no government role in immigration. Perhaps, Burry and Rich should now issue press releases on the NASA budget, the Keystone pipeline, or the crisis in the Middle East?

Immigrant Detainer Policy: Monmouth County currently holds undocumented immigrants arrested for any crime even after they have posted bail. They are held under what is termed a detainer requested by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE]. In some cases, undocumented immigrants have been held for many weeks while ICE determines whether they fit the criteria for deportation. In any bail hearing, a judge must assess the flight risk of an accused. Once the undocumented immigrant has passed that legal hurdle they should not be held by a county correctional facility. If federal authorities wish to detain the undocumented immigrant they should do so in a federal facility. The current policy is costly for county residents and violates the civil rights of the accused.

Incumbent Freeholder Rich claimed he lacked knowledge of the county’s detainer policy. Burry did not attend the meeting with the Coalition.

Candidates Luttrell and Grillo pledged to change the county detainer policy if elected.

Ethics: Freeholders Burry and Rich oppose the establishment of a County Ethics Board. Freeholder Burry argues that such a board would cost the county money but most such boards consist of appointed volunteers. The questionable actions and votes regarding the Burke Farm in Manalapan underline the value of an ethics board.

Luttrell and Grill support a comprehensive code of ethics and deserve an opportunity to prove their commitment to the issue.

The Latino Coalition’s Continuing Political Committee was formed in 2011 to advocate for civil rights, political empowerment and political inclusion.