“Cumberland County government is failing the very people it’s intended to serve. It’s the reason we’re running. We can do more.”

https://www.progressivedemscumberland.com

Here’s why we enthusiastically endorse Jack Surrency, Donna Pearson and Tracey Wells-Huggins for Cumberland County Freeholders:

Contract Vetting: I will rigorously review all county contracts to make sure they reflect fiscal responsibility and the values of constituents.
Comment: One of the first initiatives we’re going to pursue is reforming the award of professional service contracts.

Pay to Play: I will not exchange professional service contracts for donations to my campaign or the campaigns of my friends/allies. When possible, I will open contracts up for a competitive bidding process, instead of automatically renewing last year’s contract.
Comment: Our team hasn’t accepted a single contribution from a professional service firm.

Professionalism: I will commit my time and energy to full length meetings that make information accessible to the public. I will not support rushing through an abbreviated consent agenda.

Meeting location: I believe meetings should rotate throughout the county in order to make attendance more feasible for residents of all municipalities.
Comment: This is true especially during the budgeting process.

Meeting structure: I believe the bulk of the meeting should focus on county business rather than award ceremonies or speeches.

Meeting accessibility: I support using technology to make meeting attendance more accessible for residents, via recording or live-streaming of meetings or other remote attendance options.

Information reporting: I support easily accessible online meeting agendas and minutes. I support user-friendly budgets so residents can easily see how public funds are allocated. I support user friendly agendas that include explainers about resolutions being voted on.
Comment: Cumberland County government doesn’t even post their agendas for the public to view. We need to open up the process and provide the public with greater access.

The “county line” in primary election ballots: Realizing that being placed in a preferential ballot position hinges on freeholder candidates and that the county line is misleading and manipulative to voters, I will take a firm stand against the county line and advocate for a bubble ballot as is used in every other state and in some counties in NJ.
Comment: We have two primary goals: one, to restore county government back to the people, and two, to install new leadership in the county party. In taking control of the county party, our goal is to bring new, progressive leadership to the Cumberland County Democratic Party organization and to steer the organization down a very different path.

Responsible County Entity Oversight: I will work to ensure that the county entities I oversee — libraries, parks, technical schools, community colleges, correction facilities, infrastructure — are safe, professionally staffed and appropriately funded.

Appointments to Boards, Authorities and Commissions: I will appoint people with diverse perspectives to boards, authorities and committees, opening up government for greater participation, rather than selecting the well-connected. Because new ideas and voices are important, I will seek out new residents to fill these board positions rather than having the same individuals serve for decades.
Comment: Our ticket is made up of all African-Americans. A big part of our campaign is focused on creating opportunities for those who have been denied and diversifying county government, including boards and commissions. We believe that our government needs to look like the people it serves. Currently, it does not. 

More information about the Surrency/Pearson/Wells-Huggins slate:

mail: info@progressivedemscumberland.com
Phone: 609-319-6556
Website: https://www.progressivedemscumberland.com
Social media: Facebook
For candidate biographies see: www.progressivedemscumberland.com/teams