Frank Giordano

Atlantic County Democrats have a chance to take control over the freeholder board this year, but they'll have to defy expectations to do so.

The nine member board - under Republican control since the 19th century with the exception of a brief period in the 1970's - has three seats up for re-election that are currently held by Republicans.  If Democrats can sweep the election to join their two Democratic colleagues on the board, they can take a 6-3 majority. 

But that is unlikely. Although elections are typically competitive in Atlantic County, which is split roughly equally in party registration, two of the three seats up this year - District 2 and 5 - represent traditionally Republican areas.  The other seat up in November is at-large and belongs to incumbent Frank Giordano, who was elected three years ago as a Democrat but switched sides and became a Republican in early 2008. 

Angelo DeMaio, a 42-year-old fire captain, is challenging the 51-year-old Giordano for the at-large seat.  For District 2, where Republican incumbent Thomas Russo is retiring, Atlantic City School Board member John Devlin is running against bakery owner Frank Formica, 57.  And in District 5, Freeholder Chairman James Curcio - on the board since 1994 -- is up against 38-year-old blueberry farmer Salvatore "Sam" Mento III. 

In this case, the traditional campaign roles are reversed, with Democrats taking Republicans to task over county spending and taxes. 

"I think we need some young, new leadership that has some independent thinking, that is willing to work together to resolve our tax issues and our spending policies in Atlantic County and try to curb the spending," said DeMaio.

"It is simply preposterous to say that Camden County has a tighter or better budget process than Atlantic County considering their tax rate is more than double our tax rate and they are carrying $880 million in debt," said Freeholder Board Chairman Jim Curcio "And just last week, we heard the news that Camden County has the highest property taxes in the entire state and 11th in the nation."

The three candidates for Atlantic County Freeholder, Freeholders Jim Curcio and Frank Giordano and Freeholder Candidate Frank Formica, today called on their opponents to start debating the important issues in this campaign by first explaining how they can run with a candidate for Governor who has cut property tax rebates, cut municipal aid in Atlantic County and caused local property taxes to go up.

Freeholder Chairman Jim Curcio today announced the additions and renovations to the Atlantic County Institute of Technology have come in nearly $250,000 under budget.

“This should be yet another wake up call to voters in Atlantic County about the failed leadership of the Corzine Democrats in Trenton,” said Formica. “On their watch the budget situation has become so desperate, that New Jersey cannot afford to keep its lights on and must deplete the Clean Energy Fund to be able to pay the utility bills. I find this unconscionable.”

“The passage of the Jessica Lunsford Act will send a clear message that the citizens of New Jersey are serious about protecting our children and keeping child predators off the streets,” said District 2 Freeholder Candidate Frank Formica. “Atlantic County Freeholders have a solemn responsibility in ensuring the safety of our communities for our neighbors, family and friends.”

Earlier this month the Republican controlled Freeholder Board took decisive action to stimulate job creation in Atlantic County by appropriating more than $1 million toward a comprehensive career and workforce development agenda. This plan is intended to provide workers with intensive support services and skills necessary to obtain and retain employment despite Atlantic County’s stagnant 11.8% unemployment rate as reported for the month of July.

“We need a Governor who understands the urgency of the situation here in Atlantic City and the importance of ensuring honest and clean elections,” said Freeholder At-Large Frank Giordano. “By putting Craig Callaway behind bars Chris Christie has already done more to ensure free and fair elections in Atlantic County than Corzine and the Democrats have during their tenure in Trenton.”

“Atlantic County under Republican Leadership has managed every taxpayer dollar with a prudence and efficiency that is second to none,” said Freeholder Chairman Jim Curcio. “A decade worth of perfect audits by four different auditing firms have now confirmed what we have already known for a very long time now…Atlantic County has the finest run county government in the State of New Jersey.”

“Jon Corzine’s record as Governor is clear: higher taxes, record spending, skyrocketing debt, and failed economic policies.”