ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER DEMOCRAT DISGRACE 

Democrats continue long-running pattern of abuse of taxpayer dollars to further partisan political interests

HACKENSACK, N.J. (August 6, 2007) – In response to yet another scandal in a seemingly endless litany of Democrats’ exploitation of the public trust and public treasure, Bergen County Republican Organization (BCRO) Chairman Rob Ortiz today issued the following statement:

“Democrats in Bergen County and around the state continue to show their contempt for the people they purport to represent. 

“Two weeks ago, we learned that yet another New Jersey Democrat is the target of a corruption investigation by the United States Attorney.  This time, it’s Bergen County Democrat State Senator Joe Coniglio, the $66,000-per-year plumbing consultant.

“Last week, the state Department of Community Affairs distributed nearly $4.5 million in state aid to 17 municipalities in Bergen County – sixteen of those towns under Democrat control.  DCA sent Bergen County more than 25% of the $17.7 million total granted statewide, although less than 1/8 of New Jersey’s population lives here.  Since DCA’s own criteria for granting so-called extraordinary aid are that a town must be suffering ‘severe fiscal crisis’ and must be unable to provide essential services without substantial property tax increases, we can only conclude that either these awards were motivated by partisan political favors or that Democrat-controlled towns are unable to manage their own fiscal affairs. 

“And yesterday, The Record reported that a Democrat Freeholder has been misusing Bergen County taxpayer money to mail thinly-disguised campaign literature.  Freeholder Tomas Padilla is up for re-election in November and has been sending each new voter in Bergen County a ‘welcome package’ that includes a letter bearing his name and photo and a pamphlet of County services, stamped ‘Compliments of Tomas J. Padilla, Freeholder.’  For the attribution to be accurate, it should read ‘Compliments of Bergen County Taxpayers.’

“A Bergen County Democrat State Senator on the verge of indictment; misdirection of state aid to Democrat-controlled Bergen County municipalities; and a Bergen County Democrat Freeholder spending taxpayer money to aid his personal campaign efforts.  Enough is enough!  It’s time for Democrats in Bergen County and around the state to stop playing politics with taxpayer dollars. 

“Bergen County voters demand and deserve better from their elected officials than Democrats’ misuse of public funds to further their own interests, reward their friends, and attempt to ensure their own continued employment at taxpayer expense.”