LD39 GOP Assembly incumbents Bob Auth and Holly Schepisi released a statement accusing their Democratic challengers for filming a political commercial in Westwood without a permit.

The release stated that Westwood Mayor John Birkner and his fellow failing Assembly candidate, Gerald Falotico, were seen illegally filming a political commercial in downtown Westwood, while Birkner should have been at his six figure taxpayer funded job in Hackensack.

Following a release of photos taken of the production team and confirmation that no film permit was obtained from the Borough of Westwood in violation of its new film ordinance adopted less than two weeks ago.

“John Birkner believes he is either above the laws that he has sworn to uphold as Mayor of Westwood, or he lacks the intelligence to fully comprehend them,” said Assemblyman Auth.  “To think that he wants to write laws for the state of New Jersey in Trenton is terrifying – particularly in light of his complete and total disregard, or lack of understanding, of the laws he signs in his own town.”

The GOP release noted that under Westwood’s new filming ordinance, which was just adopted on September 17th, an organization must obtain a permit to shoot in any public place, as well as pay an application fee, and provide proof of liability insurance.  The municipal clerk’s office has not received a film application permit in the last 60 days. This newly adopted ordinance replaces an older filming ordinance that was actually more stringent and the Birkner-Falotico campaign would still have had to abide by.

“How can we expect Mr. Birkner to justly govern when he obviously does not believe the laws pertain to him as evidenced by his blatant disobeying of the regulations of his own town to simply help his political campaign. That is the type of self-serving politician that no one wants representing our communities in Trenton,” Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi stated.

Pushing back, Democrats note the fine print of the ordinance in question: