THE FENTON MODEL: SLASH SENIOR FUNDING BUT REWARD REPUBLICAN DONORS AND INSIDERS

BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES FOOTS THE BILL FOR FENTON’S CRONIES WHILE COUNTY’S SENIORS SUFFER

(Mt. Laurel, NJ) Chris Brown and Mary Anne Reinhart, Democratic candidates for Burlington County Freeholder, today blasted incumbent Republican Freeholders Aubrey Fenton and Stacey Jordan for yet another example of rewarding their friends at the expense of Burlington County taxpayers and seniors.

The County Board of Social Services, which employs Richard Strobel as its Chief Counsel at an annual salary of over $125,000 along with health and pension benefits, also employs five connected Republican insiders - John Kearney, Neil Manuel, Janet Zoltanski, William Menges and Theresa Brown as Associate Counsels at combined salaries in excess of $300,000. Also employed by the Board is perennial GOP donor and benefactor, Chris Baxter. Baxter serves as a legislative counsel and reportedly made more than $30,000 last year. These “part time” associates are all part of the pension system and are offered and receive taxpayer funded health benefits.

“It is unconscionable for Freeholder Director Fenton to continue to allow this blatant public abuse to continue. Fenton has done nothing to address the corruption and illegal behavior at the Bridge Commission, he has steadfastly supported his Republican friends and campaign contributors throughout each investigation yet he continues to operate a government which doles out salaries, benefits and pensions to Republican insiders like nothing we’ve ever seen,” said Brown. "It is no wonder that Burlington County taxes and spending are spiraling out of control.

“Aubrey Fenton continues to show he is unfit to lead Burlington County. Clearly, he is doing the bidding of the political bosses and not standing up for the taxpayers who elected him. His decision to cut critical transportation for our county’s seniors was tragic. How can he claim that it was necessary to cut critical funding for our seniors but still have the money to reward his friends?” asked Reinhart.

“Fenton has consistently demonstrated he is uninformed or unaware of crucial projects and activity occurring within the County but he somehow manages to ensure that there are lucrative positions available for his friends," said Brown. "There is absolutely no explanation for all these high paid positions at the expense of vital funding for our seniors.”

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