BURLCO GOP RUNS AND HIDES FROM ILLEGAL LOAN DEAL

(Mount Holly):            In the most stunning display yet of refusing to be accessible and accountable to taxpayers the Burlington County Republicans literally shut the door on residents. 

Chris Brown and Mary Anne Reinhart were accompanied today by residents from across Burlington County to deliver a letter asking specific questions of the illegal loan scheme the Republicans have used to fund their campaigns.  Brown and Reinhart wanted to get assurance from Freeholders Fenton and Jordan that taxpayer dollars were not being used to fund their fledgling, now desperate campaign.

In a stunning display of fear, the Republicans refused to open the door despite the rain and snow conditions - leaving the residents in the cold.  A Fenton and Jordan representative told the crowd that the GOP Headquarters was closed.

“Fenton refusing to accept a letter from his opponent, hand delivered by residents, is the most stunning display of arrogance I have ever seen,” said Burlington County Democratic Chairman Rick Perr.  “These residents only want to know one thing – are their tax dollars being used to fund an illegal ad that is being run on network television?

Freeholder Fenton, who has been sued for failing to pay his property taxes and loans, has magically received hundreds of thousands of dollars to go on network television.  We want to know how! 

This past summer we uncovered a complicated scheme they have implemented to fund their campaigns.  Each year, they receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in loans from County vendors and employees who have received over $30 million in contracts, salaries and pension credits in Burlington County.  Why won’t Fenton answer whether or not a similar scheme is being implemented this election.  Why would he close the door on residents?  He owes the residents an apology.

The Burlington County Republicans said they were closed today – they may as well be closed everyday – they are out of ideas, out of morals and are now relying on a negative, illegal and false television ad.

Let’s not forget, this organization has been sued, rebuked by a Federal Judge, criticized by editorial boards across the state and even attacked by the former Chair of the Republican Chairs.  This is why Burlington County needs change.”

                                                                        ### BURLINGTON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE 

October 28, 2008

Freeholder Aubrey Fenton

Freeholder Stacey Jordan

c/o Burlington County Republican Committee

223 High Street

Mount Holly, New Jersey 08060

It has come to our attention that your campaign has recently purchased network television.  This is an impressive turnaround, considering that as of your last ELEC filing you had $40,332.52 cash on hand.  In addition, the Burlington County Republicans had less than $65,000 cash on hand, including a debt of $250,000 to Sterling debt to loaners from 2007 in which 20 individuals guaranteed $300,000 in loans from Sterling Bank.

I believe you owe the voters of Burlington County an explanation as to how you were able to make such a substantial television buy.  In the interest of transparency, please answer the following questions:

1)      Did a group of about 20 individuals sign loans equaling more than $100,000 to the Burlington County Republican party as has been past tradition?

2)      If yes, did these individuals earn government contracts, salaries and/or pension credits from any Burlington County entity including governments controlled by the Republicans on the municipal level.

3)      When your friend and colleague Senator Diane Allen said she has was pressured to sign similar loans in the past, did you ask her what she meant?

4)      Where any of these loaners pressured to guarantee this loan?

5)      Freeholder Jordan – your father has signed loans like these in the past.  Do you feel it is a conflict of interest for you to award contracts to vendors whose political donations ultimately pay off your father’s obligations?

6)      Freeholder Fenton – You have been sued for failing to pay your property taxes and student loans.  Do you find it suspicious that people would consider you a good credit risk in these tough economic times?

7)      What do you have to say to the small business owners you have left to flounder in this recession that even though they cannot get a payroll loan, you can get a loan to fund a political campaign.

8)      How do you intend to raise the money to pay to back these loans?

9)      You have raised taxes over $23 million since you have become a Freeholder.  How do you justify raising property taxes and than taking loans from people who have made over $30 million in tax payer money in the last two years.

10)   Do you support a law that would ban people who make these loans to political parties from receiving government contracts?

We, along with the Burlington County taxpayers look forward to your response.

Chris Brown and Mary Anne Reinhart

You can see it all here!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-nrcTS2awM