As Jim Castelize and I walk door to door, talking to Mercer County residents, we are asked over and over again: “What are Freeholders?”
Freeholders are legislators on the county level. They act as the county’s legislative body, much like the U.S. Congress or the State Legislature. Freeholders have the power to adopt the county’s administrative code; pass ordinances and resolutions; levy county taxes; review, modify, and adopt operating and capital budgets; and contract with municipalities.
The Freeholders oversee the funding for all county departments, like the County Board of Social Services, Mercer County Community College, the County Park Commission, Mercer County’s Library Systems, Trenton Mercer Airport, the county’s correctional facilities, sheriff, and all county roads and bridges.
In Mercer County, the Freeholders’ most important responsibility is studying and evaluating the county’s annual budget of nearly $300 million. Most of that money comes directly from your property taxes. No county funds are spent without the Freeholders’ express approval of the budget.
Beacuse every single incumbent Freeholder is a Democrat, the budget process is merely a formality. The budget proposed by the county executive, who is also a Democrat, is just rubber stamped. There is no real debate or meaningful discussion.
One party domination has never served taxpayers well. When one party controls every elected and appointed office, hard questions don’t get asked, shortcomings get overlooked, and our families get short-changed.
According to official county tax assessor reports, over the last 10 years the Democrats on the Freeholder Board have increased Mercer’s taxes and fees by more than 160 percent. The Times of Trenton recently reported that Mercer County now has the 14th highest median property tax bill in the entire United States. The incumbent Freeholders and administration are spending more than ever. And now the county is facing a huge budget deficit.
If you’re tired of one-party rule, and want a balanced Freeholder Board made up of both Republicans and Democrats who will work together to lower taxes, cut wasteful and unnecessary spending, and revive Mercer County’s economy, then elect Russ Wojtenko and Jim Castelize Mercer County Freeholders on November 2.
For more information please visit us on Facebook or log onto our website, www.abettermercer.com.
Russell Wojtenko Jr., Esq.
23 Stonelea Drive, Princeton Junction
