Monmouth County Democratic Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Michael W. Mangan
October 11, 2006 Mobile: 732-996-0361
Office:732-922-2700
mangan@squandems.org

Monmouth GOP Candidates Ignore the Citizens
Asbury Park Forum Poorly Attended by GOP Candidates

ASBURY PARK – At the Candidates’ Forum hosted by the Asbury Park Civic Participation Project last night, the dais was visibly empty throughout the duration of the forum. The GOP Candidate for Surrogate did not attend the event, Candidate Lucas left one hour and five minutes before the end, and Candidate Little arrived 25 minutes late and left 40 minutes early – all three with no reason.
The Democratic candidates, however, were present from the beginning of the event to the end where they remained behind to discuss the issues with residents. The GOP candidates’ slight of the people of Asbury Park is emblematic of their overall attitude to the taxpayers of Monmouth County.

With taxes soaring, a budget of over $450 million, and a debt over $300 million, the all-Republican Freeholder Board has shown their disdain for the taxpayers. This could not be more evidenced than by their behavior at last night’s event.

If the voters of Monmouth County are looking for a distinction between the two parties the answer is simple: Republicans take the taxpayers for granted and do not believe their input is valuable – the Democratic Candidates are there for the people, from beginning to end and will do the same as elected officials.

The Monmouth County Democrats and Democratic Campaign are committed to being the voice of the people. They believe in fair and open government that is independent of political contributions. The organization and its candidates stand in defense of the taxpayers of Monmouth County and call for an end to abuses of power and Republican corruption and a permanent closure of Club Monmouth. They know that with the election of independent voices, the people will truly have a say in their government.