COMPLAINTS OF HIGH TAXES DOMINATE THE '40-IN-40' TOUR STOP IN BEVERLY

Beverly City, a municipality that has seen its share of change in the past 150-plus years, was the eighth stop for the Change Burlington County Now campaign's "40-in-40: Listen and Learn" Tour of Democratic Freeholder Candidates Kimberly Kersey and Jim Bernard.

Originally incorporated as a borough in March of 1850, Beverly changed to a city form of government in April of 1857 and, since then, has been one of only three cities in the county (the others being Bordentown City and Burlington City).

Kersey and Bernard brought their brand of change directly to the residents of the six-tenths-square-mile Delaware River community as part of their pledge to visit all 40 Burlington County municipalities in 40-straight days.

Many citizens here told the two candidates that taxes were a big issue with them.

Resident Andrew Haliburton said he was concerned that his sister lacks proper health care and, because of high taxes, cannot afford better coverage. He said she is on Medicare and can't pay for the needed supplemental coverage.

Kersey and Bernard had an answer for Mr. Haliburton, and for all of Burlington County, with their "Straight A's for Change" plan to reduce county spending and county taxes by restructuring county government and reducing, if not eliminating, the salaries of many political patronage appointees.

"I also spoke with one retired gentleman who told me that taxes were a problem," Bernard said, "because while they continue to rise he never sees any increase in his social security check or his retirement fund so it is difficult for him to keep up."

Learn more about the "Straight A's for Change" plan of Kimberly Kersey and Jim Bernard, and their "40-in-40: Listen and Learn" Tour by visiting www.ChangeBurlcoNow.com.