Cook and Atkinson for Burlington County Freeholder

For Immediate Release
September 15, 2006
Contact: Chris Fifis 609-206-1678

DEMOCRATS VOW TO TAKE BURLINGTON COUNTY IN A NEW DIRECTION: REFORM COUNTY GOVERNMENT, FREEZE SPENDING, LOWER PROPERTY TAXES

(Burlington, NJ) – Burlington County Democrats Gail Cook and Sharon Atkinson today launched their campaign for Freeholder to take back Burlington County by vowing to freeze county government spending so families can keep more of what they earn, cut waste, reform county government, and put a lid on some of the highest property tax rates in the nation.�

“Public confidence in our county government is at an all time low because politicians have neglected the needs of their constituents by saying one thing but doing another,� said Cook. “Our property taxes have gone through the roof without any relief in sight…county government spending is out of control…and cronyism continues to thrive.�

“The voters have a real distinct choice this year. They can vote for staying the course with higher taxes and spending which the incumbents stand for or they can support our message to take the county in a new director by lowering taxes and freezing spending. We are confident voters will overwhelmingly support our message for change and work with us to help restore the trust in county government that has been eroded,� said Atkinson.

Cook and Atkinson said their campaign will focus on three key issues:

1. Freeze county government spending: Spending has gone up by a whopping a whopping $78 million since 1996…an increase of 57.9%. Sharon and Gail will fight to ensure families can keep more of what they earned by freezing government spending. (source: Burlington County budgets)

2. Reform county government: Gail and Sharon will fight to restore the public’s trust in county government by ending the practice of no bid contracts and pay to play, which waste millions of dollars and lead to increased property taxes; create an office of Inspector General…perhaps a former FBI agent, to ensure that all county contracts pass the smell test and are in the best interests of taxpayers. They will also enforce a stringent code of ethics to clean up all hints of corruption in government and help rein in perks and benefits of politicians because the Republican majority has been held unaccountable for far too long.

3. Put a lid on some of the highest property taxes in the nation: Property taxes have gone up by over $52 million since 1997…a 51.1% increase. While Burlington County Freeholders continue to campaign on lower taxes, our citizens are being taxed out of their homes. Sharon and Gail will provide property tax relief by using tax ratables as tax rebates, urging consolidation of services, and cutting waste from government. (source: Burlington County budgets)

“Instead of fighting to lower taxes and rooting out corruption in county government, Freeholders James Wujcik and Bill Haines neglected the needs of Burlington County residents over the past ten years. Now that its time for re-election, they have once again come out of hiding to offer more of the same failed schemes that have sent property taxes through the roof in Burlington," said Rick Perr, Chairman of the Burlington County Democrats. “Our positive agenda for taking the county in a new direction by freezing spending and lowering taxes puts taxpayers first…And we’re confident that voters will elect Sharon and Gail to the Freeholder Board.�