Gubernatorial candidate visits Vernon
VERNON — For the second time in three weeks, a high-ranking Democratic political figure has come to Vernon to support the campaigns of area New Jersey Legislature candidates.
On June 29 U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone visited the Barry Lakes section of the township and Saturday State Senator and gubernatorial candidate Barbara Buono visited the home of Katy and Russ Fischer in the west central section of the township, located off Drew Mountain Road.
The Fischer’s home also houses their Ballroom Magic dance studio, which comfortably accommodated the roughly 60 people who attended the fundraiser to support the campaigns of Sussex County state Legislature candidates Rich Tomko of Sparta (candidate for State Senate), Bill Weightman of Hardyston (candidate for State Assembly), and Susan Williams of Sparta (candidate for State Assembly).
The three hope to represent the residents of New Jersey’s 24th Legislative District, which includes all of Sussex County, the northern third of Warren County, and Mount Olive in Morris County.
Opening remarks were offered by Ed Selby, the Democratic 24th District 2013 Campaign Manager and Executive Director of the Sussex County Democratic Committee. Operatic tenor William Bollella of Wantage then sang The Star Spangled Banner.
The three local candidates offered their takes on the “state of the state” to the audience, contrasting themselves with Gov. Chris Christie. Both Williams and Weightman were among those who posed questions to the governor during his June 28 town hall meeting at the township’s high school.
Buono spoke at length criticizing Chris Christie. She said there is a need to have better-funded property tax rebates in place to help the state’s taxpayers. According to Buono, Christie has “decimated” property tax rebates. She also believes the governor is catering to “the Republican right.”
There will be two gubernatorial debates to be held at Montclair State University and William Paterson University. With the upcoming lieutenant governor’s debate already planned to be held at Kean University, Buono indicated that she has yet to make a decision about who might be her running rate.
“Our dinner was a great success,” Selby said. “We were proud to have Senator Buono as our guest. Her comments served to emphasize the main points of our legislative campaign.”
Citing increasing real estate taxes, stagnating employment opportunities, weakened education and the natural beauty and resources of the state under attack, Selby added, “All this happens while large corporations and the privileged few benefit at taxpayers’ expense. Our state representatives and our governor have failed to provide real leadership and deserve to be replaced.”
Mike Busche, the Sussex County Democratic Committee Chairman was impressed with Buono’s address saying, “(She) pointed out that the hype put forward by the incumbent governor is an attempt to mask his failure to help middle class New Jerseyans, especially the working poor.”
Williams summed up each of the candidates addresses to the audience, “It was evident from the speeches given by each candidate that the focus is on creating jobs for people, dealing with the financial stresses for families, protecting our public educational system and keeping it affordable, making sure we protect our public health and natural resources. In sum, doing what is right and just.”
Her final take on the challenges of the November election were, “As a Democrat, I also don’t want to pay such high property taxes. Senator Buono agrees that our property taxes are entirely too high and offered concrete solutions to reduce them.”