Our County Freeholders, who are desperately trying to balance an overstuffed budget without cutting a single patronage job, are struggling with the cost and fallout associated with the county jail system.  With major litigation in federal court ongoing,  significant issues remain unresolved and our Freeholders refuse to provide any leadership.

Our County Freeholders, who are desperately trying to balance an overstuffed budget without cutting a single patronage job, are struggling with the cost and fallout associated with the county jail system.  With major litigation in federal court ongoing,  significant issues remain unresolved and our Freeholders refuse to provide any leadership.

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NORCROSS, FUENTES TAKE OATHS OF OFFICE AS NEW 5TH DISTRICT ASSEMBLYMEN

Assemblymen Pledge to 'Build Upon Legacies' of Roberts and Cruz-Perez
To Help Region's Working Families, Revitalize Camden

The 5th Legislative District today welcomed its first new Assembly team in nearly 15 years as Donald Norcross and Angel Fuentes took their oaths of office.

Norcross and Fuentes were sworn-in during the afternoon ceremony at the War Memorial, across the street from the State House in Trenton.  They were among four first-term Assembly Democrats to take their oaths at the start of the 214th Legislature.

The duo succeeds former Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. and Assemblywoman Nilsa Cruz-Perez, who had represented the district together since 1995.

"Joe and Nilsa spent their careers championing our communities, and Angel and I look forward to building upon their legacies," said Norcross (D-Camden). "From creating good jobs, making sure our schools have the resources they need and guaranteeing every family access to the best health care, the focus of this new team remains the same."

"One of our most pressing needs is returning Camden City to a position as a regional economic driver, with good jobs and clean, safe communities," said Fuentes (D-Camden). "Camden has made tremendous strides over the past decade because of Joe and Nilsa's commitment to the city, but we haven't yet crossed the finish line. Donald and I are committed to finishing the job and restoring Camden's luster."

Senator Gerald Cardinale, R-Bergen, urged a halt to the demolition of the Riverfront State Prison, New Jersey's most modern correctional facility, until Camden County has come up with a strategy for dealing with the severe overcrowding of its jail.

Lawrence & DiCicco,
GOP Candidates for 4th District Assembly,
Pen Letter to the Editor

Running with the Gloucester County Republicans (Column G) in Gloucester County
and the Camden County Regular Republican Party (Column 3) in Camden County,
Lawrence & DiCicco explain their candidacy and why they are the best choice on Tuesday, June 2nd

BLACKWOOD – Eugene E.T. Lawrence and Domenick DiCicco, Republican candidates for the General Assembly in the 4th Legislative District, have penned a Letter to the Editor that they submitted to The Gloucester County Times today. The purpose of the letter is to introduce themselves to readers they have not already met during the campaign, to explain the rationale behind their candidacy, and to talk about what they will do when elected.

A copy of the letter is below:

May 21, 2009

To the Editor:

As Republican candidates for Assembly this year – Eugene Lawrence and Domenick DiCicco – we believe it has been too long since we have had strong Republican representation in Trenton.

When Jon Corzine wants to eliminate all property tax rebates, excepting only seniors and the disabled, he knows he can count on Paul Moriarty to have his back.

Isn’t it time we had representatives who had our backs, instead of backing the Trenton Democrat machine?

Isn’t it time we had representatives who knew and understood that our taxes are too high and that you can’t spend your way out of budget deficits?

We think so. That’s why we’re running for Assembly this year.

Together, we believe our background of community service and real-world business experience makes us the best candidates to bring the change that New Jersey so desperately needs.

We are committed to cutting taxes, reducing government spending, and growing our economy – from day one.

We are the only candidates in the race for Assembly this year that have the ability to take on Paul Moriarty and the Trenton Democrats, and to send them packing.

We are asking for your support in the primary election on Tuesday, June 2nd. Remember to press buttons G7 and G8 for Eugene Lawrence and Domenick DiCicco.

For more information about us and our campaign, you can visit us online at www.LD4GOP.com.

Sincerely,

Eugene E.T. Lawrence & Domenick DiCicco
Republicans for Assembly, 4th Legislative District

Lonegan to Camden County Supporters:
You're On Your Own

Lonegan campaign hangs their
supporters in Camden County out to dry;
Republicans also beat back Democrats' attempt
to disenfranchise qualified voters in 5th District

HADDON HEIGHTS -- The Camden County Republican Committee fought successfully two petition challenges, exposing the truth about Steve Lonegan's campaign in Camden County as well as beating back an attempt by the Trenton Democrats to disenfranchise qualified voters in the 5th Legislative District.

Joseph L. Welsh, a confirmed Lonegan supporter, was removed from the ballot following a petition challenge filed by the Camden County Republican Committee.

After the Lonegan campaign made a desperate, impassioned plea at the end of March to find supporters who were willing to run in order to help Steve Lonegan in his campaign for Governor, Mr. Welsh stepped up to the plate and circulated petitions to run for State Senate in the 6th Legislative District.

But when Mr. Welsh's petitions were challenged due to defective signatures, the Lonegan campaign hung Mr. Welsh out to dry, refusing to provide any counsel, campaign staff, or even a volunteer to assist Mr. Welsh.

This proves once and for all that the Steve Lonegan campaign is about one thing and one thing only: advancing the personal political career of Steve Lonegan. When Lonegan's supporters -- who have donated their time, energy, and money to his campaign -- need help, he turns his back on them and walks away.

At the same time, the Democratic State Committee attempted to have Republican candidates Brian Kluchnick and Stepfanie Velez-Gentry, running for General Assembly in the 5th Legislative District, removed from the ballot.

However, the Trenton Democrats' attempt to disenfranchise qualified voters in the district failed, and the Republican candidates will remain on the ballot for the June primary.

That makes the Camden County Republicans two-for-two in our fight to preserve the democratic process in South Jersey, despite the attempts by Steve Lonegan and the Democrats to compromise it for their own personal political gain.

Corzine's Budget Forces Camden County Municipalities
To Shoulder Unfair & Disproportionate Burden

Governor's budget proposes $1 billion in new taxes
in the most heavily taxed state in the union

HADDON HEIGHTS -- Governor Jon Corzine (D-Hoboken) delivered his annual budget address to the Legislature today, declaring his support for $1 billion in new taxes but no fundamental or permanent reforms to control spending or the growth of state government.

"Jon Corzine's reckless and irresponsible fiscal policy has fallen to new lows with today's budget address," said Camden County GOP Chairman Richard DeMichele, Jr. "The Governor continues to saddle our towns with deep cuts intended to force consolidation measures that citizens across the state oppose, and he has introduced $1 billion in new taxes."

"New Jersey deserves a Governor who will fight on behalf of the people of this state, not against them," DeMichele added. "When Jon Corzine raises our taxes and implements his budget gimmicks, he proves again and again that he truly has brought his Wall Street values to our state government."

"With today's address, Jon Corzine declared that he does not care about on middle class families across New Jersey and the struggles they face," DeMichele concluded. "In November, the voters will have an opportunity to begin our economic recovery by sending Jon Corzine and the tax-raising Trenton crew to join the ranks of the unemployed, just like they have done to too many of our fellow New Jerseyans."

Christie Wins Camden County Straw Poll

Strong grassroots support shown for
Chris Christie in key South Jersey county

HADDON HEIGHTS -- Former U.S. Attorney and gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie was victorious in a non-binding straw poll conducted by the Camden County Republican Committee at last night's county committee meeting.

On the ballot were all four major candidates that have entered or are preparing to enter the race. None of the candidates were invited to appear or speak so that the party could determine the early consensus before traditional campaigning began.

When the final votes were tallied, the final results were: Chris Christie -- 77%, Steve Lonegan -- 23%. Assemblyman Rick Merkt and Mayor Brian Levine did not receive any votes.

"Last night's results show that Chris Christie has a strong base of support in South Jersey," said Rick DeMichele, chairman of the Camden County GOP. "We wanted to have as much input as possible from our county committee heading into the endorsement process, and we found that Chris Christie has genuine grassroots support in the heart of South Jersey."

"Camden County is going to be critical in this year's election, and we're excited about the opportunity to help elect a new Republican governor this year," added DeMichele.

Camden County GOP Response to
Governor's State of the State Address

Corzine full of tough talk,
but failed record speaks for itself

HADDON HEIGHTS -- Democrat Governor Jon Corzine delivered his State of the State address this afternoon, and despite all the talk, Corzine and the Democrats have offered no substantive, long-term solutions to our fiscal problems.

For three years, Republicans have offered specific budget cuts and proposed the Common Sense Plan for an Affordable New Jersey that included several key reforms that would work to restore fiscal sanity in Trenton. Jon Corzine and the Democrats refused to budge, ignoring $1.3 billion in proposed Republican cuts last year and rejecting sound policy proposals.

The Governor said in his speech that New Jersey is a state committed to achievement and excellence, and yet the Governor himself, judged by his performance in office, is committed to neither.

"The fact is, Jon Corzine has done to New Jersey what his good friends on Wall Street have done to the entire country," said Rick DeMichele, chairman of the Camden County GOP. "The same way Wall Street schemed to pass the buck and avoid making tough decisions, Jon Corzine has dodged every opportunity to restore a responsible fiscal policy for New Jersey, and instead he has chosen to use every budget trick or gimmick in the book."

"The number one issue on the minds of Camden County residents is property tax relief," DeMichele said. "The Governor offered no solutions today that will help the people of Gloucester Township and Cherry Hill who are struggling with increasing double-digit property tax rates."

"The only way end the fiscal madness in Trenton is to throw Jon Corzine and the Democrats out to the curb," DeMichele added. "We cannot trust Corzine and the Democrats to regulate themselves, just as we cannot trust Jon Corzine's Wall Street friends to do the same. The people of New Jersey have to stand up and say they have had enough, and they will do that this November."