Republicans need a history lesson
The Republican candidates for Freeholder have unveiled their lawn signs which attempt to rewrite history.
The top of the lawn signs call for voters to "Cut Spending Now� – a concept that Democratic candidates Rebecca Aaronson and Barbara McMorrow support. However, by reading the signs voters would be misled to believe that the Republicans will fight to cut spending – yet it is the all Republican board that has allowed the budget to double in the last 15 years to $435 million dollars.
It is Republican Freeholder Bill Barham who called the $435 million budget “prudent� (Asbury Park Press January 28, 2005). The same budget where he approved 25 new positions – these positions presumably added to county spending.
It is Republican Lillian Burry wrote in the Asbury Park Press on October 1 that she wanted “less regulation� of the budget.
For too long, Monmouth County has been without any regulation. The Republican stranglehold has led to wasteful spending, excessive overtime and take-home cars. Less regulation will not lead to Less Spending it will lead to business as usual in Monmouth County.
“For 20 years the Republicans have refused to Cut Spending – instead they have increased county property tax bills an average of 40% in the last 5 years (APP 9/8/05). They have allowed the taxpayers to pay for lobster dinners, take home cars and have given no show jobs to their political cronies. The only reform has come on the heels of exposes written in the newspaper,� Kate Burlett, Executive Director of the Monmouth County Democrats, said. “Barbara and Rebecca have called for a full, independent audit of all county government to root out the waste and mismanagement. Until that is done, the taxpayers of Monmouth County will not know just how many of their tax dollars have been mismanaged.�
“The Aaronson and McMorrow ticket stands for Accountability, Accessibility and Affordability in Monmouth County. The voters know a change is needed. Republicans are Not that change,� Burlett said.