Warning: reset() expects parameter 1 to be array, null given in /home/content/32/10897632/html/wp-content/plugins/nextgen-gallery/nggfunctions.php on line 694
Warning: current() expects parameter 1 to be array, null given in /home/content/32/10897632/html/wp-content/plugins/nextgen-gallery/nggfunctions.php on line 695
Warning: array_search() expects parameter 2 to be array, null given in /home/content/32/10897632/html/wp-content/plugins/nextgen-gallery/nggfunctions.php on line 699
Warning: reset() expects parameter 1 to be array, null given in /home/content/32/10897632/html/wp-content/plugins/nextgen-gallery/nggfunctions.php on line 701
Warning: key() expects parameter 1 to be array, null given in /home/content/32/10897632/html/wp-content/plugins/nextgen-gallery/nggfunctions.php on line 702
Warning: end() expects parameter 1 to be array, null given in /home/content/32/10897632/html/wp-content/plugins/nextgen-gallery/nggfunctions.php on line 704
After reading Steve Sweeney’s quotes in the August 31st Gloucester County Times, I now understand why folks in our community have been “afraid” to show support for those in opposition to the Democratic political machine in Gloucester County and especially in West Deptford. Before my role in the West Deptford GOP, I would often ask people their opinion on the Democratic Political Machine that has ruled West Deptford for over twenty years and many residents told me that they are afraid of going against the Democratic Machine. Many of those fears revolved around bullying, threats of job loss, basic essentials being stripped, vandalism and the list goes on. Listening to these concerns is alarming and these tactics need to be exposed.
The word “punish” means to make someone suffer as a result of their actions against the laws or rules. What rules or laws have been broken by Sweeney’s “enemies” other than that they are tired of being bullied and have begun to stand up for themselves? What is he so afraid of that he feels the need to “Punish” individuals in our community?
This choice of words from a supposed leader could be viewed as just one more example of Steve Sweeney exposing himself again as the bully that he is but it should not be taken lightly. In fact, Steve Sweeney needs to be held accountable for this type of speech. As the second most powerful man in the state of New Jersey, Senator Sweeney instructing his followers to punish his own constituents is just plain wrong! An elected official should be looking out for the best interests and SAFETY of all residents, not calling for the “Punishment” of Americans with a political view different from his own.
When discussing these “threatening” comments with West Deptford Republican Mayor Ray Chintall and Republican Committeeman Sam Cianfarini, neither man was surprised. The mayor and committeeman both explained to me how they and their family’s lives have been threatened on several occasions since being elected. In fact, when running for the Township Committee last November, Sam’s car tire was slashed in his own driveway. Several of the threats which have come to their front doors and mailboxes have been under police investigation and are being handled by State Agencies. The death threats to the mayor and committeeman are serious and obviously alarming to everyone. To make matters worse, innocent members of the labor union that Sweeney represents are being dragged into the middle of the issue because the Union Call Number insignia has been placed on threat letters.
It is time for residents to put aside their fears and stand up to these Bullies of the Democratic Political Machine. These Party Bosses have been a disgrace to the good people of the Democratic Party and ANYONE with a different opinion on government. These words spoken by Steve Sweeney have been given ample time for retraction but to date, he has neither apologized nor taken responsibility. Steve Sweeney, the Democratic Party Bosses and the Machine are once again resorting to their only method of operation; fear and “punishment” for those that do not agree with their self serving agenda.
In West Deptford where Steve Sweeney is a resident, the new Republican leadership has shed light on what these Democratic Party Bosses are trying hide from the people of the community: exposure to potential fraud with more than 30 audit deficiencies including NO General Ledger, $4,500,000 unaccounted for in the RiverWinds Golf and Tennis Project, rampant mismanagement, fiscal irresponsibility, cronyism, government waste and the list continues. The good people of West Deptford including Democrats, Republicans and Independents are standing up to bullies like Steve Sweeney and his band of cronies who have run this great community into financial disarray. Hopefully other communities throughout South Jersey will begin to put aside their fears and start standing up as well. Gloucester county and all of New Jersey need to follow the actions taken by the good people of West Deptford. We the people need to take back what is rightfully ours in a civil and peaceful manner via this year’s election.
Denny Forte
WDGOP Chairman