Tonetta, Sheppard and Fiocchi Will Bring Transparency To Cumberland County Government

Millville - Cumberland County Republican Freeholder candidates Rick Tonetta, Tom Sheppard and Sam Fiocchi want Cumberland County government to be transparent and they believe the first step in doing this is by adopting the Transparency in Government Act as sponsored by state Senators Pennacchio and Codey on a County basis.

The basics of the Transparency in Government Act are simple, the state budget would be placed on the internet in a searchable format so taxpayers could see exactly where tax money is being spent.

"What this bi-partisan bill would do on a state level is exactly what we want to do on a county level," GOP freeholder candidate Rick Tonetta said. "It makes sense to allow residents to see where their tax dollars are spent. After all, it is their money."

"Needless to say our Democrat opponents will say it can't be done," Republican freeholder candidate Tom Sheppard added. "Taxpayers need to remember our opponents are the same people who said the County's budget couldn't be placed online and we put it online at CumberlandAnswers.com. Absolutely, as freeholders we will move to have the county's budget placed online, in a searchable manner, so a taxpayer can track where every dime of their money is spent."

"Government can't get more transparent than that," GOP freeholder candidate Sam Fiocchi said. "Our opponents may try to argue that placing the budget online in a searchable fashion is too expensive. That argument is wrong considering the State of Alaska did it for less than $5,000. Taxpayers in that state can go online and search state agency expenditures and contractors and the information is updated monthly. This is a common sense way to start bringing transparency to government in Cumberland County and as freeholders we intend to do it."

# # #

Paid for by Cumberland County Regular Republican Organization