Five Cape Mayors Among 35 from S. Jersey to Support Gov.’s Plan

Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem County Mayors Endorse Cap 2.5, Gov. Christie’s Reform Agenda
182 Mayors Statewide Support Real Property Tax Relief
For Immediate Release Contact: Michael Drewniak
Wednesday, June 2, 2010 609-777-2600
TRENTON – Today (June 2) the state announced the support of 35 mayors from Cape May, Atlantic, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties for Gov. Chris Christie’s Cap 2.5 constitutional amendment and Reform Agenda to bring real property tax relief to New Jersey families.
The five Cape May County mayors to support the plan include: Martin Pagliughi, Avalon; Michael Beck, Lower Township; Len Desiderio, Sea Isle City; Carl Groon, Wildwood Crest; and William Pikolycky, Woodbine.
Mayors are on the frontline of the property tax crisis, forced to deal with ballooning expenses, unfunded mandates, and cost-drivers which in many cases they have little control over.
“Governor Christie’s Cap 2.5 Reform Agenda provides much-needed tools to control costs and deliver real, permanent property tax relief,” said Mannington Township Mayor Ernest Tark. “Solving the property tax crisis in New Jersey is an important step in making our state affordable for families again and a home for economic growth. I’m proud to join the other mayors from around the state who are supporting the Governor’s Reform Agenda and calling for the legislature to act on these reforms immediately.”
Legislative committee approval for the Cap 2.5 constitutional amendment is needed before the first week of July in order to meet the deadline for the bill to be moved to the floor and approved for placement on the ballot and consideration by the voters in November. Governor Christie is urging the Assembly and Senate leadership and legislators of both parties to work with him in putting this critical government reform before the voters for approval this November.
Today’s announcement brings the running total of mayors statewide supporting the Governor’s reform for real property tax relief to 182, and growing.
On May 10th, the Governor outlined a sweeping 33-bill reform package to solve New Jersey’s property tax crisis and control spending at every level of government. The centerpiece of the plan is Cap 2.5, a constitutional amendment creating a 2.5 percent cap on property tax increases.
Property taxes have grown an astonishing 70% over the last ten years, resulting in an average annual property tax bill of $7,281 on New Jersey families – the highest rate in the nation. Cap 2.5 will halt the astonishing growth in property taxes while the Christie Reform Agenda will give towns and school boards the tools needed to control spending to make Cap 2.5 both realistic and achievable.
Mayors From Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester & Salem Counties That Have Endorsed Cap 2.5 & Governor Christie’s Reform Agenda:
Atlantic County
Mayor Carol Foster, Corbin City
Mayor Joseph Kuehner, Egg Harbor City
Mayor Joe Venezia, Estelle Manor
Mayor Thomas Ballistreri, Folsom
Mayor Keith Hartman, Galloway
Mayor Roger Silva, Hamilton
Mayor Stephen DiDonato, Hammonton
Mayor Richard DePamphilis, Linwood City
Mayor Gary Giberson, Port Republic
Mayor Amelia Messina, Weymouth
Camden County
Mayor Michael Blunt, Chesilhurst
Mayor Scott Alexander, Haddon Heights
Mayor Frank DeLucca, Lindenwold
Mayor John Gentless, Stratford
Mayor Sue Anne Metzner, Winslow
Cumberland County
Mayor James Begley, Bridgeton
Mayor George Garrison, Commercial Township
Mayor Frank Spatola, Deerfield
Mayor Andrew Sarclette, Maurice River
Gloucester County
Mayor Jeff Radio, Clayton
Mayor Phil Barbaro, Elk Township
Mayor Patrick Dougherty, Franklin
Mayor George Shivery, Greenwich
Mayor Louis Manzo, Harrison Township
Mayor Joseph Curcio, Newfield
Mayor James McCall, South Harrison
Mayor Thomas Capaldi, Wenonah
Salem County
Mayor Ernest Tark, Mannington Township
Mayor William Miller, Oldmans
Mayor Jack Cimprich, Upper Pittsgrove