What Is A Freeholder And Why Is This Election Important?

What is a Freeholder?

As a candidate for Freeholder the questions that I get most are; what is a County Freeholder and why should I vote for you? I hope this column answers those questions.

Brian Froelich

The Monmouth County government is a large enterprise that employs over 3,000 people and is responsible for over $1 billion of your taxpayer money. And, while most people agree that monopolies are not good in either business or politics, the Republican Party machine has controlled and monopolized the Freeholder Board for 24 of the last 25 years. And despite talking about ‘small government’ they keep building a larger one. For example a) they increased taxes by over 100% (from $149 million to over $300 million). b) They built one of the largest jails in the United States. (It is 50% too big and one third empty.) c) They spent over $100 million in deficits to maintain, not one but, two county nursing homes. (Most counties have none since NJ has over 300 private homes.) d) They admit that the County Library system budget of $19 million for 13 branches is ‘out of control’. And e) they recently built 2 new office buildings when the county office vacancy rate is over 30%. (They spent $40 million when similar space is selling for less than half that amount.)
As just a simple example of the issue, Hudson County (not known as a paragon of fiscal virtue!) has a higher population but raises lower total taxes than Monmouth County.

The result of this Republican Party monopoly is that in Monmouth County homes values and tax ratables are declining; unemployment is, and has been, one of the highest of surrounding counties; poverty is increasing (especially for the very young and old); population growth is one of the lowest of surrounding counties, and a rising crime rate and heroin epidemic is an acknowledged fact.

In addition there has been a constant stream of scandals. Chris Christie, when he was a United States Prosecutor said that Monmouth County corruption runs “wide and deep”. Nothing has changed. We have had scandals in every area of county government from the Freeholders, to the Sherriff’s office, to the Clerk’s office, to Brookdale College, etc. The ethical scandals ranged from Birdsall illegal donations (which the Freeholders refused to disclose), to the million dollar award to Republican Mayor Lucas (which Freeholder DiMaso subsequently admitted shouldn’t have passed), to having a Republican Party executive and campaign coordinator managing $100 million in annual county purchases (which Republican Freeholders don’t see as a conflict). It is time to say enough is enough.

Few residents attend Freeholder meetings so Monmouth County residents need a watchdog on the Freeholder Board. If elected, Larry Luttrell and I will insure that all reasonable alternatives are considered, that business logic is applied, and the ethical rules are implemented and enforced.

In any case, please vote on Tuesday, November 5

Brian Froelich

Candidate For Freeholder

PS You can find out more about my background and positions at www.froelich4freeholder.com