BERGEN COUNTY DEMOCRATS' RECKLESS SPENDING CONTINUES -- THIS TIME FOR T.V. ADS

John Gill 201-960-2074    

HACKENSACK, July 16, 2009 – With Bergen County government facing difficult economic times that have resulted in furloughing of county employees, the freeholders continue to spend money at an astounding pace, said Republican Freeholder candidate

John Driscoll of Paramus. 

Driscoll noted that last night’s freeholder agenda contained millions of dollars in additional spending, despite the recession that is crushing homeowners.

One of the most disturbing items on the agenda is a series of resolutions allocating $140,000 for cable television advertising.

Driscoll called the advertising expenditures “outrageously callous” and said the advertising plan should be scrapped. 

“The freeholders are buying advertising time to promote their agenda and that of the county executive,” said Driscoll. “Who is going to appear in these television spots? And why are they needed now, just before election season?” 

Driscoll said that a simple press advisory issued by the county or proper utilization of the county web site and emails would likely provide the county with all the publicity it needs for its programs. 

“At a time when government should be watching every dime it spends, the Bergen county freeholders are on a spending spree,” said Driscoll. 

Also on the freeholder agenda were resolutions authorizing more than $8 million in road improvements, several hundred thousand dollars in public works spending, and money for new computers and contracts 
 

“There is no fiscal restraint and no concern for taxpayers shown by the all- Democratic Freeholder Board,” said Driscoll, who noted that the 2009 county budget increased by $20 million to $481 million from last year. 

Since 2006 the county’s local tax levy – the amount property owners are taxed – has increased by $45 million, said Driscoll.