A vote for Perez is a vote for change

For the last 15 consecutive years, our county’s freeholder board has been under the firm and total control of individuals from one political group. I, Howard Burrell, was the last individual to serve as a freeholder who was not part of this group.
Based on everything that I know about the men and women who has served on our Board of Chosen Freeholders during the last 15 years, they have been and are good, decent, civic-minded individuals. However, they have also been individuals who have often found it difficult to think and act independently.
As a former freeholder, I understand what’s involved in the behind the scenes, closed session discussions by our freeholders, where the key and critical decisions concerning if and how much money will or will not be budgeted for a project or service; what impact these decisions will have on the taxes that the county’s citizens will be required to pay; and what information will or will not be shared with the public.
When everyone involved in these behind the scenes, closed-session discussions are part of the same group or political party, the pressure to go along with the group and be a “team player” is enormous.
Over the past 15 years, we have seen the negative impact on our county of this enormous pressure to simply go along with the group and be a so called “team player” — we have seen this negative impact in several unwise freeholder decisions such as the costly Solar Project debacle; in the costly decision to greatly increase the county’s cost for legal services by elevating the County Counsel position from a part-time to a full-time position; and in other decisions that have resulted in the county portion of our taxes increasing repeatedly over the past 15 years, including by almost 8 percent over just the past two years.
In this year’s freeholder election, Sussex County’s voters have the opportunity to make a change from “things as usual” by electing Dan Perez to our freeholder board.
I am strongly recommending that other county voters join me in voting for Dan Perez because I know and understand the importance:
Of having at least one person on our freeholder board who is not a member of the group that has totally controlled and increased the cost our county’s government over the past 15 years.
Of having at least one person on our freeholder board who understands the concept of fiscal responsibility, and has the courage to exercise it.
Of having at least one person on our freeholder board who would not have been silent, and would have been pressured to go along with the Board’s decision not to level with the public concerning the poorly managed solar project, that will now cost me and other county taxpayers millions of dollars over the next several years.
Of having at least one person on our freeholder board who is prepared to speak out on our county’s opioid addiction problem, because he understands that this problem is a public safety and public health crisis that’s killing individuals, that’s shattering families, and increasing crime.
And as a veteran, I know and understand the importance having at least one person on our freeholder board who is committed to ensuring that Sussex County, like virtually all other New Jersey’s counties, have a dedicated Veterans Services Coordinator who will focus on connecting Sussex County’s veterans with various federal, state, county and local programs; developing partnerships with corporations, agencies and groups that can assist veterans with housing, transportation, health and therapy, employment, disability, education and other services; informing and educating veterans regarding the benefits to which they are entitled; and interfacing with the various veteran groups in the county (e.g., the VVA, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars).
As a former freeholder who understands the power of our county’s freeholder board, I also understand how much our county needs a person with the courage, the skills, and the character of Dan Perez.
Please join me in casting a vote for a much-needed change on our county’s freeholder board!
Howard L. Burrell
Vernon Township