The time has come for real change and progress for the residents of Cape May County. For too long, the continuation of failed policies and lack of innovation have failed our neighbors and members of our great community.
The lack of employment and economic opportunities has worsened the financial difficulties of working class and low-income families, resulting in residents struggling paycheck to paycheck or, at worst, leaving our county.
According to data from the United Way of Northern New Jersey, an estimated 40 percent of Cape May County households currently live with an income insufficient in meeting the costs of basic necessities.
Furthermore, statistics provided by the National Low Income Housing Coalition reveal that for a family to afford rent on a two-bedroom house, they would need an hourly wage of $21.79: a wage unattainable in a county that has an overabundance of low-wage, seasonal work.
Consequently, residents working in minimum wage, tourism-related positions would need to work 103 hours per week to afford renting a Fair Market Rent, two-bedroom household.
In addition to low-wage jobs, our residents are also faced with a lack of employment and economic opportunities.
According to statistics and data from Opportunity Nation, Cape May County has a disconnected youth rate of over 15 percent, which translates into nearly 1,600 youth, aged 16-24, that are neither in school nor employed.
More tragically, the lack of opportunities has an effect on public health. Our county has a suicide rate higher than the state average, with a rate of 13.5 per 100,000 residents compared to the state’s 8.2. Additionally, our communities are experiencing an unprecedented growth in heroin overdoses, 134 so far this year.
Our county is currently witnessing a cycle of struggles, frustrations and tragedies, which all stem from a status quo that lacks a vision for better opportunities for our residents.
With the support of our county’s residents and grassroots activism, as county freeholders, Danielle and I will introduce a fresh and different perspective to the flawed way of governing our residents have sadly become accustomed to.
Please follow us on Facebook, @DaviesandWallforFreeholder, and don’t forget to vote!
Paid for by the Cape May County Regular Democratic Organization
P.O. Box 104, S. Seaville, NJ 08246
