Cresitello for Senate 08

Donald Cresitello for United States Senator

For Immediate release           4/28/08    Contact 973-985-0599   Candidate’s Phone Number  973-714-4066

Donald Cresitello, Mayor of Morristown, fresh from a successful defense of his candidacy for United State Senator from New Jersey, announced that he will be staying in the race through the June Democratic Primary.  Said Cresitello:  “I am in it to win it”!

Mayor Cresitello also announced his positions on the most important issues facing New Jersey.  Mayor Cresitello has more than 30 years of governmental experience, serving as Mayor of Morristown, New Jersey’s most important small city, for two terms, and as a member of the governing body for more than 20 years.  Before his most recent election as Mayor of Morristown, Cresitello owned a general and electrical contracting business, at times employing more than one hundred workers.

As Morristown’s Mayor, Cresitello has jumpstarted nine different stagnant redevelopment zones in Morristown, introduced a plan to power Morristown’s waste facility with green energy, and reinvigorated a culture of public service in Morristown Town Hall.  Some have described what Cresitello has achieved in the last two years, without a property tax increase, as the “Morristown Miracle”.  Cresitello points out that he is a doer, someone who makes government work the way it should.  

Immigration

Mayor Cresitello gained nationwide attention by asking the homeland security department to train 10 Morristown Police officers for purposes of enforcing the immigration laws in accordance with an existing, but largely unused federal program.  Cresitello spotted the 1996 federal law that provides training to state and local law enforcement agencies.  Under section 287 (g) of the Immigration Reform Act of 1996, the federal government agreed to train local police as a way of multiplying the resources for immigration law enforcement.  The provision Cresitello tried to use was unfamiliar to the United States Attorney for New Jersey and both of Cresitello’s Senate opponents, although they were both serving in Congress when it became law in1996.  Despite vicious and grossly unfair criticism from pro-immigration forces and cowardly public officials, Cresitello has remained steadfast in pointing out the failures of our New Jersey Congressional delegation and the United States Attorney for New Jersey to deliver a fair, humane and comprehensive immigration policy.  While strong and secure borders receive all of the attention, and are absolutely essential to a sound national immigration policy, Cresitello’s main goal is to have an orderly and humane immigration policy as best serving America’s broad national interest.  Once the borders are secure and controlled, Cresitello favors a pathway to legalization and a redefined immigration policy, especially for agricultural workers which are important to the economy of New Jersey.

Jobs, the Environment and the Economy

Donald Cresitello knows how tough things are for New Jersey’s working families and wants to build and strengthen the economy.  Our elected representatives in Washington don’t appreciate the urgency of our economic situation with $4 a gallon gasoline, rising food prices, record national debt, trade deficits, falling real estate values, record numbers of foreclosures and reckless war spending.  Donald Cresitello knows that the government needs to stop the waste of money in Iraq and invest in our own people and build the new green economy, with good jobs, and national healthcare right here at home.  “A job is the best social program”, says Cresitello.  It would have been better to stimulate the economy by reconstructing America’s infrastructure.  “There is no reason we can’t tap the American can-do spirit to build our economy and our national security and independence at the same time.  Leadership can make the difference”.

Cresitello knows government has to extend a hand to those on the bottom of the economic ladder, including ex-convicts.  “Those are the least of my brothers”, he says, and points to the criticism he received over a recent decision to give a garbage collector’s job to an ex-convict.  “I would do it again.  With one percent of the U.S. population incarcerated we can’t close our eyes to the problems created for all when ex-convicts have nothing good to do.  A Senator has to speak frankly about real problems and offer solutions.  I want to get things done and I am impatient with those who have already spent a decade or more in Washington, and still need more time to show results.  I know I can do better”.

Iraq

Donald Cresitello was against the invasion of Iraq from the start.  Neither of his opponents stopped the blunder when their best judgment and firmest action was required.  Now is the time for a fresh pair of eyes in the United States Senate to review the situation and make the best of a bad situation.  This must include caring for and honoring the servicemen who did their duty, especially those families of the dead and the many seriously wounded servicemen who deserve our support.

Education

No Child Left Behind has been a colossal waste of teacher time and taxpayer money. Cresitello knows the best way to educate children is to put them in proper schools with caring professional educators and let them learn.  The No Child Left Behind program has penalized the most challenged districts and exacerbated racial and class distinctions.  Here in New Jersey it has wasted property tax dollars on unnecessary testing and one size fits all educational mandates from Washington.  Cresitello knows this is not the way to go in New Jersey.

Governmental Competence

As the only candidate in either party who has hands on experience both in business and in running one of New Jersey’s more than 500 municipalities, Donald Cresitello knows the difference between good effective government and ordinary image politics.  In times like these we need leadership that knows how to get things done for New Jersey.  Government doesn’t have to be expensive and incompetent.  Donald Cresitello knows what a difference courageous and determined leadership can make.

 Donald Cresitello for United States Senator -He’s in it to win it!