Candidate expresses her views

I have lived in Sussex County for 30 years and while I have not held any “public” office, I’ve been very active in the affairs of my Township. I’m not afraid to let our elected officials at any level know when I feel mistakes are made or if I see occurrences that would negatively affect the quality of life in our community. I have a proven record of fighting to right those wrongs in my own community.
At this time, all of Sussex County is facing many problems, including the well-publicized and politicized solar project. Sussex County should have never become involved in this issue now costing taxpayers millions of dollars. While I agree an investigation is needed, spending half-a-million dollars on a law firm is not the way to go. Any investigation must have complete transparency throughout every phase. Taxpayers have the right to know how their money is being spent. Taxpayers also have the right to know how those hard-earned dollars will be protected and not seized by elected officials. Following the rules of ethics and transparency can assure taxpayers their rights are being protected and hard-earned tax dollars are being spent wisely.
With dwindling population and weak infrastructure, that half-a-million dollars would be better spent repairing our roads and bridges.
Life-changing events have increased foreclosures hovering around 18 percent., home values are declining. Millennials are leaving and the average age of Sussex County residents is increasing. Even farming is no longer viable. With 885 farms in Sussex County only 46 have sales averaging over $100,000.
I propose a county wide coalition of Economic Development for both business and tourism between county legislators, freeholders and mayors become a priority. Development is crucial to controlling spiraling taxes. Red tape and bureaucratic regulations are deterring development and well-paying jobs in Sussex County. Most are forced to work well outside of Sussex County to maintain a decent wage in order to afford their homes and spiraling taxes with little or no time to enjoy family life. This takes revenue out of the county as people are spending money in the counties in which they work or move closer to their employment.
Sussex County has so much to offer. We have wonderful recreational activities to offer at our county fairgrounds such as the New Jersey State Fair, a rodeo and other equestrian events. We have a theatre in Newton attracting known artists performing to packed houses. Wantage is home to a popular zoo held by generations of one family. Sussex County golf courses are nestled in beautiful unsurpassed scenery and there are numerous lakes for boating and fishing. We have “rails to trails” and campgrounds in State Parks for families to vacation. We have shops for antique collectors and farm stands to showcase our homegrown produce with pride. We have historical attractions and a variety of restaurants. In Vernon, we have year-round recreation including skiing and water park. Great family outings can be experienced at our ballpark cheering for our own Sussex County Miners.
We need to aggressively market Sussex County tourism and agriculture. We need to get back the enthusiasm to do this and with hard work we can. Let’s turn Sussex County around to become the place where people want to relax, live, and retire contently and affordably.
Kathleen Gorman
Conservative Republican Candidate for Sussex County Freeholder