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.

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.

PRESS RELEASE: Gloucester County Republican Freeholder Candidates Say it’s Time To Smartly Reopen

DeSilvio, Shivery, Konawel

Gloucester County GOP freeholder candidates Gibbstown Mayor George W. Shivery, Jr., entrepreneur/business owner Chris Konawel and Franklin Twp. Board of Education member Nick DeSilvio want New Jersey to reopen. Following is their press release on the matter:

Gloucester County Republican freeholder candidates George W. Shivery, Jr., Chris Konawel and Nick DeSilvio said today it is time to “let commonsense prevail and smartly get the state reopened.”

“While we acknowledge there has been some progress made toward reopening, far too many folks are still out of work, still having issues with unemployment and struggling to pay their bills, as a state we have to do better.” George W. Shivery, Jr. said, “We can open more businesses. For example, barber shops and beauty salons could safely reopen while following social distancing guidelines by moving chairs further apart and wearing masks. These businesses are licensed and sanitary, sitting in a barber’s chair you can see equipment, combs, scissors and such, soaking in disinfectant.”

Chris Konawel added, “The state shouldn’t be picking winners and losers. Deciding what businesses are essential and non-essential hasn’t appeared to be a scientific exercise. Our mom-and-pop shops are suffering and many are not set-up to provide curbside pickup, many seniors who frequent these shops aren’t prepared to find their websites, place an order online and then go pick up the order. Our neighbors in Salem County were right to pass a bipartisan resolution calling on Governor Murphy to reopen businesses and return to normalcy.”

“Part of returning to normalcy means putting an end to deciding which businesses are essential and non-essential. I assure you, a non-essential business is essential to the employees of that business,” Nick DeSilvio said. “It makes no sense that one can take their dog for a haircut but can’t take their child for one. We, as a state, should be looking at what works elsewhere and what doesn’t. There is no partisan way to reopen our state. The fearmongering has to stop and we must let commonsense prevail and smartly get the state reopened.”