Salem Sunbeam
Editorial
10/28/2009
Two Democrat Assembly incumbents in the 3rd Legislative District are being challenged by a pair of Republicans who are not running as a team.
In a legislative district as diverse as ours, teamwork is key to getting Trenton to pay attention to our needs. That's why Democrats John J. Burzichelli and Celeste Riley should be returned to represent us at the Statehouse on Election Day.
Burzichelli has served four terms in the state Assembly. Riley, of Bridgeton, was appointed earlier this year to fill the seat vacated by Doug Fisher when he was named agriculture secretary.
Although a newcomer, Riley shows genuine interest in solving socio-economic problems that are pronounced in our district, and will provide good constituent service. Riley's experience of serving on Bridgeton City Council gives her a solid background of what municipal leaders expect from their state representatives and how to work with lawmakers in Trenton to get results at home.
A good state representative not only understands how to navigate the political world that is Trenton, but remains tuned in to local needs. Riley can appreciate the frustrations local residents feel at the seemingly endless gobs of red tape we must often navigate when it comes to dealing with state government.
While not yet a seasoned Trenton veteran, Riley has a good teacher in Burzichelli. Riley has proven that she can lead at the local level and now she can expand that role in Trenton.
Burzichelli, of Paulsboro, currently also serves as deputy Assembly speaker. During his terms he has championed the causes of the district, particularly those important to Salem County.
He was the prime sponsor of the law which places a 4 percent cap on the increase of annual tax levies by county, municipal and school entities. While not a magic bullet to solve the property tax dilemma, it's an important start on the restraint of local taxes. He was also one of the leaders on implementing the Family Leave Act of New Jersey. Unfortunately, his legislation to better protect homeowner's rights in eminent domain redevelopment cases has languished; lawmakers barely considered some of his methods for funding big -ticket items without relying so much on local property taxes. He's taken up these causes while his colleagues in Trenton have ignored them.
Accessible to all constituents, he has established a close working relationship with county and local government leaders of both parties.
Republican Robert Villare, a surgeon from West Deptford who practices at the Memorial Hospital of Salem County, is unabashedly conservative. He stands on anti-tax, anti-big-spending policies. He questions the use of state school aid policies. He questions the use of state school aid in the "Abbott" districts such as Salem City. He also suggests that parents of public school students pay a small base tuition for their child's education as a way to have them take a more active role in their child's schooling.
The other Republican in the race, Lee Lucas of Gibbstown, has been disowned by his own party's leadership. He wears this as a badge of courage, but GOP leaders are right to reject his extreme survival of the fittest views. Voters should, too.
As we said, teamwork is what we need from our representatives in Trenton. Burzichelli and Riley, working along with 3rd District state Sen. Stephen Sweeney, who will likely be Senate president next year, can provide that. The three lawmakers currently staff constituent offices in all three counties in the 3rd District – Salem, Cumberland, and Gloucester. They work together to shepherd measures through the lower and upper houses to benefit the district.
Splitting the Assembly ticket would mean a less unified voice for Salem County in Trenton. That's why both Burzichelli and Riley should be returned to the state Assembly on Nov. 3.