Shamong Marks Half Way Point of “40-in-40 Listen and Learn Tour”

Shamong Marks Half Way Point of “40-in-40 Listen and Learn Tour”
Tour Half Way Over, but Mission Has Just Begun

Democratic Freeholder candidates Kimberly Kersey and Jim Bernard celebrated stop #20, the half way point, of their “40-40 Listen and Learn Tour” with a visit to the tree shaded neighborhood of Twin Oaks in Shamong.

“Shamong is an appropriate place to mark the half way point of our ‘40-40 Listen and Learn' Tour,” said Kimberly Kersey.  “Shamong has been at the forefront of the growing movement for change in County government and the residents spoke with a loud and clear voice – they want a smaller government that fights waste and corruption.”

Shamong is the home of Mary Anne Reinhart, a Democratic Freeholder who served for over a decade as the only Democratic representative on the Shamong Township Committee.  In 2008 Jon Shevelew, the Republican Mayor of the small, rural community challenged the Burlington County Republicans in an effort to end the reign of the corrupt 'Paulsen’s 20' (www.paulsens20.com).

“Shamong knows the importance of reform in these tough economic times and understands the value of being represented by an independent voice in government,” said Bernard.  “This is a community comprised of predominantly registered Republicans that continually elected Mary Anne Reinhart to Council as a Democrat.”

Kersey and Bernard spoke with many residents, including Scott of Holly Drive who expressed his dissatisfaction with the status quo by saying “As the owner of a small printing business in the county, my biggest problems are taxes and the overall economy.  I know many people that are looking for work and can't find any.”

His neighbor William, also of Holly Drive added "We need to shrink county government...  My property taxes are too high and I don't know what I am getting for my money.”

“While our ‘40-40 Listen and Learn' Tour has hit the halfway mark, our mission to reform County government has just begun,” said Kersey.  “Resident after resident, no matter their political affiliation, are asking us to finish the work people like Jon Shevelew started.”

“People want a government focused on positively affecting peoples’ lives and not rewarding the 'Paulsen’s 20',” said Bernard.  “Our 'Straight A’s for Change' Plan will accomplish that goal.”

You can follow the "40 in 40 Listen and Learn" Tour as well as the Kersey and Bernard "Straight A's for Change" plan at www.changeburlconow.com.