South Jersey Democrats Desperately Defending High Property Taxes

Republican challengers across South Jersey have managed to stick to one unifying message: High property taxes are the fault of decades of Democrat control in the legislature and local government.

Staying on message has been paying off. Democrats are answering the attack across South Jersey. They’re busy twisting and bending the truth to make themselves look good.

One example is in Barrington where the Democrats sent a mailer claiming one of the incumbents, Shawn Ludwig, has served on Council since 2009.

Seems like a legit mailing EXCEPT Councilman Ludwig was not sworn in until January 2012 after being appointed to fill a vacancy. Don’t take my word for it, here’s a screenshot of the resolution from Barrington’s website:

In Gloucester County in their efforts to defend incumbent Commissioner Bob “Weekend at Bernies” Damminger the Democrats sent a mailer claiming “Homeowners pay $1,203 less per year in property taxes than the state average.”

That mailer was obviously sent in response to Republican Commissioner candidates Nick DeSilvio and Chris Konawel talking point that Gloucester County is ranked 28th of 3,143 counties in the nation in order of median property taxes. For the record, if you look at property taxes by percentage of median income Gloucester County ranks 24th of 3,143 counties. Check for yourself at tax-rates.org.

Add to that the fact that a member of the supposedly non-partisan Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee, immediate past chair Lisa Carney, has taken to defending the high property taxes in Gloucester County on social media.

And, let’s not forget that Gloucester County Republicans had to drop a cease and desist letter in LD3 demanding that networks stop airing a Democrat commercial due to its misrepresentation of Assembly candidate Beth Sawyer. The Republican’s lawyer was clear, “The advertisement’s claims are provably false.”

To defend against a unified message, South Jersey Democrats have resorted to outright lies, trying to put a positive spin on high property taxes and “claims that are provably false,” which I believe is attorney speak for lying.

Democrats are responding and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that if they are responding they are concerned. Experience backs that statement up – I’m a veteran of many South Jersey campaigns, won some, lost some, the one thing that has been consistent is the Democrats ignore candidates they aren’t concerned about.

I don’t like making election predictions, I remember predicting a big win in 2008 and I did it on TV, then we lost. That was not fun. 13 years later, I am expecting some very good news on Election night, news so good I might have my first drink in six years, it’ll be a good reason to fall off my own self-imposed no booze wagon.

One For The Money, Two For The Show (Or “Weekend At Damminger’s”)

Bob Damminger

What do you do when you cut the ribbon for the grand opening of a new business and a County Commissioner shows up after the fact?

In Gloucester County the Commissioner gets a do over. Especially when he needs to drop Bob Damminger’s name.

To be clear, this post is not about the new business nor it’s owners. I’m always happy to see someone start a new business and wish these new owners the best of luck.

This post is about the “Weekend at Bernie’s” style re-election campaign being run by Gloucester County Commissioner Bob Damminger. “Weekend at Bernie’s” you may recall was a comedy in which two young employees maintain the illusion that their boss Bernie is still alive after he is killed by the guy hired to knock off the young employees.

No, I’m not suggesting anything happened to Damminger. But the guy has been absent from the campaign trail even though Gloucester County Democrats have gone out of their way to maintain the illusion that Damminger is actually campaigning.

Glouco Dems have run a commercial touting the good things Damminger has done, there’s been a mailer claiming that Damminger has somehow made property taxes lower in Gloucester County and they plastered Damminger’s name on the dumpsters used by folks cleaning up after tornado damage.

The fact is Damminger hasn’t been seen anywhere on the campaign trail. The Glouceter Democrat’s Facebook page is filled with pictures of his runningmate campaigning with municipal office holders, even campaigning with the sheriff, but you have to so a lot of scrolling to find an “action” photo of Damminger.

The campaign for Gloucester County Commissioner has become the Weekend at Damminger’s movie.

And, in case there was ever any doubt that the Democrats needed a do over of the ribbon cutting and the opportunity to drop Damminger’s name, here are two videos for proof:

Gloucester County Commissioner Makes Sure Those Who Suffered Storm Damage Know Who Is Up For ReElection

The Gloucester County Board of Commissioners Director Bob Damminger has been kind enough to provide those cleaning up after Hurricane Ida with dumpsters.

It appears the dumpsters have come from the Gloucester County Solid Waste Complex. If that is indeed the case, the “provided” dumpsters are paid for with tax dollars – so, really those cleaning up provided themselves with dumpsters.

Not only did those cleaning up after Ida likely pay for the free dumpsters themselves, they also likely paid for the giant stickers on the dumpsters. And, of course, those giant stickers just happen to have the name of the County Commissioner who is up for reelection plastered on them. A nice taxpayer funded campaign ad for Damminger!

While Damminger seems to like having his name plastered on dumpsters I have not seen any evidence of him pitching in to help with any of the storm cleanup.

In contrast to Damminger’s effort in helping with storm cleanup, Gloucester County Republicans have been pitching in to help their neighbors.

Sean Sepsey, who is running for Assembly in LD5, has been out with his coworkers from Clearview Regional School District collecting donations and moving downed trees:

Other Republicans have enlisted members of their families to help.

Courtney Milward, who is running for Council in Pitman with Vince Kelly, has been very active helping with cleanup efforts, always with a warm smile on her face. Milward got assistance from her father’s construction company providing trucks to help move debris.

Candidate for Gloucester County Commissioner, Chris Konawel who is running with Nick DeSilvio, spent time with his dad helping cleanup efforts at Wellacrest Farms, even helping move a calf born the day after the storm.

 The difference here is that while Democrats were quick to use Ida as a campaign tool, quickly making it about climate change, Republicans have been out there helping their neighbors without using their efforts as part of their campaigns.

Note: At last check the cow pictured above is alive and well.