GOP Freeholder Candidates Arter & Howarth Outline “Protecting Your Pocketbook” Platform

GOP Surrogate Kotch seeks to build on record of doing more with less

For Immediate Release

August 30, 2011 – Burlington County Republican Freeholder candidates Leah Arter and Joe Howarth today outlined their “Protecting Your Pocketbook” platform aimed at cutting taxes, shrinking the size and cost of government, and using shared services to help county residents looking for a job in today’s struggling economy.

The six-point plan pledges to:

1. 1. Cut County Property Taxes & Spending.

Arter and Howarth will seek to further consolidate departments and privatize certain government functions to ensure the freeholders continue their record of cutting taxes, reducing spending and shrinking the size and cost of government.

“Families, small businesses and seniors on a fixed income are all learning to do more with less in this economy,” said Arter, who never voted for a tax increase as a Beverly City Commissioner.  “County government should be no different.”

1. 2. Forfeit Freeholder Salary Should Taxes Rise

Arter and Howarth backed up their tax cut pledge by vowing to forgo their Freeholder salary if taxes ever go up.

“Political candidates make promises all the time, but rarely do they link that promise with any measure that will hold them accountable for breaking it,” said Howarth.  “Leah and I will be different.  We pledge that if taxes rise during our time as Freeholder we will forfeit our salary.”

1. 3. Agree to 12-Year Term Limit

Arter and Howarth will follow the lead of current GOP Freeholders Joe Donnelly, Bruce Garganio and Maryann O’Brien, and pledge to serve no more than four, 3-year terms on the County Freeholder Board.

“The days of politicians serving in the same elected office for what seems like a lifetime should be a thing of the past,” said Arter.  “Twelve years is long enough to serve in a single office.  By term-limiting ourselves we create an opportunity for new people and new ideas to make a positive impact on their community the same way we hope to do if elected.”

1. 4. Demand Progress in Public Employee Contract Negotiations

Arter and Howarth called on the Freeholder Board to update the public on the status of contract negotiations with county employee unions.  They encouraged the Freeholders to demand holiday givebacks and additional concessions on healthcare and retirement benefits beyond what the State of New Jersey now requires, following passage of the landmarks reforms signed by Governor Christie earlier this year.

“Private sector employees are contributing an ever-increasing share of their healthcare and retirement benefits, and public employees should do the same,” said Howarth, who pushed for and won additional concessions in Evesham Township.  “It’s an issue of fairness and equity.  The people paying for these public employee benefits with their tax dollars shouldn’t have to provide benefits that are far better than the ones they receive themselves.”

1. 5. Create an Online County Job Bank

Arter and Howarth will collaborate with all county businesses and government agencies in order to compile and create an online job bank, similar to monster.com that advertises only jobs within Burlington County.

“Beyond cutting taxes and spending to create a more favorable business climate in the county, the Freeholder can and should do whatever they can to match county residents with willing employers,” said Arter, who run her own print shop in Beverly.  “It’s the perfect public-private partnership that doesn’t cost taxpayers a single penny.”

1. 6. Establish an Online Shared Services Clearinghouse

Arter and Howarth will create an online shared services clearinghouse to help local government and school boards identify programs, personnel and equipment they can readily access in order to eliminate duplication and reduce costs to taxpayers.

“Sharing services is the most effective way that governments on every level can maximize effectiveness, while reducing costs to taxpayers,” said Howarth.  “By working with local governing bodies and schools boards within the county, we can more easily identify needs and connect entities that can help each other and their taxpayers at the same time.  It’s a win-win.”

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