The Claim:
Charter Changes/Stipends
Regarding stipends, Torpey feels that not providing them is classist. “You want really good people to run for office, but if you provide no compensation at all, the only people who can do it are people who can afford it,” Torpey said.
-South Orange Board of Trustees to Vote on New Titles and Stipends
"Stipends are incredibly important, because right now our government is perpetuating a systematic classism that tends to disadvantage young people, people in lower income brackets, single parents, people of color and anyone outside of traditional power structures"
-BOT debates changes to village charter
Regarding stipends, Torpey feels that not providing them is classist. “You want really good people to run for office, but if you provide no compensation at all, the only people who can do it are people who can afford it,” Torpey said.
-South Orange Board of Trustees to Vote on New Titles and Stipends
"Stipends are incredibly important, because right now our government is perpetuating a systematic classism that tends to disadvantage young people, people in lower income brackets, single parents, people of color and anyone outside of traditional power structures"
-BOT debates changes to village charter
The TRUTH:
- For over 150 years, South Orange has been governed by a VOLUNTEER Board of Trustees, who received no monetary compensation for doing the job.
- In the footer of every email broadcast sent by Alex Torpey, he includes the following "Websites and email lists aren't free, and your financial support ensures that this kind of communication stays active. Please consider making a
small contribution today here." Threatening to cutoff communication if donations are not provided? - Alex Torpey grew up in a 4000 sq. ft. house in Montrose, attended one of America’s most expensive private colleges (now $60K/year), and received large campaign contributions from friends and family, yet now weighs in on "systemic elitism" and how our “classist structure” discourages people from running for office.
- Alex Torpey tried to turn this into a wedge issue by claiming "classism". However, a simple examination of his ELEC Reports shows Alex Torpey incurring expenses of almost $100/month for DISCRETIONARY expenses, including overdraft fees for bouncing checks (FOUR times in 7 months):
October 15, 2013 ELEC Report:
January 8, 2014 ELEC Report:
April 10, 2014 ELEC Report: