Englewood’s Rev. Vernon Walton is climbing Bergen County’s political ladder, attempting to become the county’s first African-American freeholder, what he calls "history" in the making.

But Walton’s political advancement hasn’t come without criticism by some local pay-to-play opponents who say the longtime reverend received campaign contributions from a developer, then voted to approve that developer’s building project, built on the city’s most valuable land.

The criticism and arguments behind it sheds new light on the inner workings of local politics and why some residents feel elected officials have abandoned public service for their own political benefit.

Walton, a former city councilman and current Planning Board member, said the criticism is nothing more than "sour grapes." He said he wants the freeholder position to make sure Englewood remains on the forefront of county business and benefits.

But vocal critics including city resident Bob Stern, former Independent council candidate Dierdre Paul and other officials allege Walton, a popular longtime reverend at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, represents special interests before the public’s interests.

Stern, Paul and former elected officials believe Walton is too closely aligned with Englewood developers and the political leaders they fund, posing a conflict of interest.

The critics allege Walton is playing politics to move up in rank and some claim they have the paper trail to prove it.

Joe Ferriero, head of the Bergen County Democratic Organization, or BCDO, endorsed Walton as the candidate to fill the newly vacated freeholder spot earlier this month. A majority of BCDO members were set to meet in Hackensack Jan. 29 to vote on Walton’s appointment to the County Freeholder Board.

If appointed, Walton’s job responsibilities will include approving all contracts signed by Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney and overseeing budgets for all county colleges, hospitals, school districts and the Bergen County Police Department.

"His experience in Englewood, he’s a person of character," said BCDO spokesman Bill Maer of the reasoning behind the endorsement. "He’s hard working in the community and dedicated to his family. He’ll make an excellent member of the freeholder board."

But the BCDO’s support for Walton has been countered by criticism from residents who say that support didn’t come for free.

Walton’s past political history in Englewood is being put under a microscope by some locals, concerned about decisions he made last year as a member of the city’s Planning Board.

State campaign finance records show Walton accepted donations from political committees tied to a developer who presented the city with a building project he then voted to approve.

According to campaign finance reports from the Election Law Enforcement Commission in May 2003, "The Election Fund of Vernon Walton" for council received $4,400 from a political action committee (PAC) called "New Directions Through Responsible Leadership."

One month earlier, New Directions received a $5,600 donation from Englewood Redevelopment Associates (ERA), a developer looking to do business in Englewood.

The New Directions PAC, based in Red Bank, Monmouth County, was created and run by former state Senator and Democratic leader John Lynch. Lynch is now serving time in jail for taking bribes and tax evasion. Authorities said Lynch took money from a company with the promise he would help them get government permits. Lynch pled guilty to the charges in September 2006.

From 2002 to 2005, finance reports show New Directions also gave an estimated $100,000 to the BCDO, whose chairman is now backing Walton.

Then in 2006, records show, Walton reported on a May 2006 ELEC form that he accepted $2,500 from "ERA properties" directly.

Walton refutes the record. He said he never accepted money from a developer with an application on the table.

"That was ERN. That issue was already addressed. It wasn’t, period," Walton said last week. Walton said he did speak to someone about the name of the donor on the ELEC form, but couldn’t remember that person’s name.

ERN Properties of Paramus did not make a donation to the Walton campaign, according to a list of campaign contributions reported by the company.

The owner of ERN, Edgar Nelson, did not return a phone call for comment.

That same year, another political committee, Impact PAC, gave Walton more than $8,000 toward his council re-election bid, according to ELEC records.

Impact PAC’s treasurer for seven years was Ron D’Arminio, the cousin of ERA’s lead attorney Louis D’Arminio. A representative in the office of Ron D’Arminio confirmed the relationship between the two men.

Former Councilman Eugene Skurnick and the other residents say the connection between Walton and ERA’s money is too close for comfort, considering a vote Walton cast months later.

In February 2007, Walton voted to approve a deal between the city and ERA for a $200 million project to be built on the city’s largest and most valuable land south of Route 4. At the time, Walton was a member of the city’s Planning Board.

Walton and other city planning officials accepted ERA’s new plan for the land, but later, the city council had to re-negotiate with ERA for a better deal.

At the time, councilman and Planning Board liaison Ken Rosenzweig said the Planning Board’s decision to approve the project meant the city lost potentially $1 million in tax revenue.

"This is the last big piece of land in Englewood and it is our responsibility to maximize its potential. I didn’t feel that happened," Rosenzweig said Feb. 22 of last year.

In the end, the city brokered a new deal with the developer, increasing the amount of tax ratables the city would receive off the project by $2 million, money that would add more to the city’s tax base to pay for city services, according to council members.

Former Mayor Sandy Greenberg publicly objected to Walton voting on the project, alleging there was a conflict of interest.

Critics of the vote alleged the conflict existed in more than the money — one of the attorneys who originally represented ERA in their quest for business in Englewood was Ferriero.

"This kind of raw consolidation of power through dispensing patronage jobs, public money and quid pro quos is not new. And it is not new in Rev. Walton's public sector résumé," wrote resident Bob Stern in a recent column posted on his Web site, "The Englewood Report."

Stern, a former Independent mayoral candidate and critic of the BCDO, questioned why Walton is being promoted to freeholder after losing his council seat to Assemblyman Gordon Johnson, an opponent of the BCDO and Democratic Party control.

Stern says officials who back pay-to-play, or "voting for who gives you money," are dangerous because it’s always about the best deal for the politician and the developer, not for the general taxpayer.

"Walton is an active selection by the biggest pay-to-play actor of all, Joe Ferriero," Stern said. "They aren’t for the public interest but for the political and special interests. All Walton has to do is something favorable for Ferriero’s buddy and the money just rolls around."

Stern says he’s openly critical of Walton’s possible appointment to freeholder because of what he did in Englewood, not what comes out of his mouth.

"We are not asking what politicians say, we are observing what they do. We are commenting on behavior and context," he said. "Candidates all use the same talking points.

"These projects aren’t well done, they create huge costs, they get moved through disregarding any rules, then elected officials vouch for the developers," Stern said.

Walton, however, said he’s sick of all the criticism.

"There is nothing I can say to change their minds. Rational people can look at my record and see it’s reflective of the transformation of lives," Walton said.

"If they want to know about me and my passion, they can find it."

Walton says he has the right intentions — to represent Englewood’s residents and get more for them from the county.

"There are many things unfinished and Englewood needs to be maintained at the forefront," Walton said. "From housing to a recreation center, those conversations need to be had again."

Walton, a doctor of ministry and a nationally recognized pastor, said a conflict of interest doesn’t exist in his current role as a Planning Board member.

"I have not allowed Joe Ferriero to be my boss. I have a higher authority. I will vote with my conscience and my merits," he said.

Mayor Michael Wildes also discredited the criticism. He said Walton isn’t defined by politics.

"I have seen Vernon behind the scenes at church functions, helping families in need," Wildes said.

"He deserves a position of leadership. He understands the needs of the community."

Walton denied ever taking money from Englewood Redevelopment Associates and then voting on their application.

"I have not voted on any item or on any agenda that would place me in conflict and this appointment is much broader than pay-to-play. There are more pressing issues that affect the lives of people in Bergen County. My desire is to serve in a capacity that betters the quality of life, the quality of education.

"There are 26,000 residents in Englewood. I am sick of that small group of people trying to make monsters out of people who want to serve. It’s just not fair, not fair at all," he said.