This article provides an excellent example of the slap-happy manner in which the Freeholder Board spends our hard-earned tax dollars.
NJ State Election reveals recently awarded contracts were given to campaign contributors who have consistently contributed to Boss Ferriero's Bergen County Democratic Organization. Donations, in turn, are regularly made by Boss Ferriero's Organization to the freeholder campaigns. This is a concise example of "money wheeling" and gives a strong appearance of being ethically challenged. How do you look the other way and vote on these contracts? How do you sort out the donations?
A Victory 2008 filing (freeholder campaign) indicates at least three recipients of contracts made campaign donations. It is no wonder why Ferriero's Freeholders are unwilling to enact more stringent pay-to-play regulations as allowed by State legislation. Why are we permitting our tax dollars to be pick pocketed in this manner?
There are many problems with supporting this type of Democrat. First, the more contracts awarded to campaign contributors (whether benefits are enjoyed directly or indirectly), the more funding is depleted, the more debt is incurred. Funding that could be put to much better use by way of maintaining existing programs or creating new programs beneficial to the welfare and enrichment of our communities and its taxpaying residents.
Second, this type of Democrat is very far removed from what it means to be a "Democrat". Democrats work diligently for the silent majority and protect the weak, they stand up to do the right thing, and are not empire-builders for the County Boss. It appears very clear these Ferriero Freeholders do not understand the hardships working families face daily trying to survive dire economic times. Presenting an excessive budget with a bloated tax increase and incurring more debt is like giving ice in January to a homeowner who cannot afford to pay for heat. These Freeholders must be held accountable.
Second, it is unbelievable when a Ferriero Freeholder cannot answer for their actions to the press and have to pass off reporters to a public relations person assumedly paid for by the Boss. Hello -- you are the elected official accountable to the voting public for your actions. Silence on the part of Ferriero Freeholders speaks volumes louder than any lame attempt at justification. After all, two of them lost their mayoral races, and that clearly indicates both Rutherford and Fair Lawn had a strong desire for change.
June 3rd, there is a choice for Democrats. There are REAL BERGEN DEMOCRATS who want to restore their party integrity and values to those on which it was built; who want to work for the residents of Bergen County; who want transparent and honest government; who want to eliminate irresponsible spending, and who do not want to kowtow to a Party Boss.
Carol J. Skiba
Candidate for Freeholder - REAL BERGEN DEMOCRATS May 23, 2008
I trust my running mates to be able to speak on behalf of me as well as the taxpayers of Bergen County. These women I am running with all have brains which are connected to their speaking equipment. You know, so they can talk to the voters, and talk to the press. You know. Think on their feet. Carol is a legal secretary, Aishaah is an attorney and Gail has spent years attending council meetings. She knows firsthand how government should function and , like the rest of us, isn't afraid to open her mouth to make her ideas known.
