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TRANSPARENCY FOR ORANGE

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TRANSPARENCY FOR ORANGE

I am proudly running for South Ward City Coucilman for the City of Orange, Nj. The mayor and current council under his control are manipulating the election. I’ve had to raise my goal, just to have a fair chance.

 I ask for your support. Even if you don't live in Orange, and you are a friend or family member, I urge you to condsider a donation. All donations will be used for campaign expenses only, in complaince with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcment Commission.

Orange is a special place to live, work, and raise a family. When choosing where I wanted to live, I was overwhelmed by the history and proud legacy of this city. I am now rooted in this town, and I am dedicated to seeing our city live up to its full unlimited potential.

Moving to Orange almost 3 years ago, I immediately became involved in our local government. I have served on the Historic Commission since the beginning, working hard to protect the incredible resources, and history of Orange. Through this work, I have also become aware of issues facing our town. From our failing education system, to our City Council’s lack of engagement, and our embarrassing FBI raids into different aspects of our town government.

I believe in ”Transparency for Orange” a platform based on the City Council vigorously encouraging community involvement and participation in its decisions. We need our Council to work together with the public, openly and enthusiastically. I will be a council member who is accessible, honest, and seeks the advice and wishes of South Ward residents.

I am shocked at our current Council’s lack of empathy. In reaching out to our representatives to ask questions, some have become hostile, non-responsive, or in one case even threatened to get the police involved if I ever contacted them again, just for asking for the answers to ignored questions. At each meeting I have attended and tried to speak, I have been quickly shut down, insulted, and even threatened, as have most others who stand up to speak. We know we deserve better! The current Council, our current South Ward Councilwoman as well, quietly approved the doubling of their pay, as well as the Mayor’s pay. They approved hundreds of thousands of dollars in spending for the school board, to tear down historic properties on a beautiful South Ward block to build a parking lot with no overall master plan, consideration for the neighborhood, or the environmental impact. The Council has no answer to where over $600,000 of previously issued grant money to revitalize the historic Highland Avenue Train Station disappeared. The list goes on.

We have one of the highest tax rates in the state, and very little to show for it. Our property values are often half of our South Orange neighbor’s. And let's face it fellow South Ward nieghbors, our taxes are virtually carrying this city. Ever increasing taxes, stalled property values, skyrocketing crime, and little children being shot in our streets. Our water and sewage bills are outrageous, even though our drinking water is barely fit to drink. Costly lawsuits against us citizens, (paid for by us) are condoned and encouraged by our current city goverment. Many full-time high-level City employees have full-time jobs in surrounding cities. And there is constant rampant nepotism for positions within our government and it's entities.

We have 2 train stations in Orange. There is no reason, we are not booming with hardworking families, workers, and commuters from New York City, and other surrounding large cities. Our current Council has been content on leaving abandoned and dangerous homes and buildings left to rot, encouraging crime, drugs, murders, and decay. Our beautiful Orange Library is not being maintained. It is antiquated, and virtually unusable by our children, with persistent lack of working computers, or a digitally connected catalog system. And as a working class community, with families struggling to make ends meet, our children need these resources more than ever. We know we deserve better!

As your Councilman, I will:
* Be an advocate for our the South Ward, demanding      transparency and results,
*Be a trustworthy steward of public funds, improving programs while respecting budget limitations.
*I’ll protect infrastructure investments by planning ahead for future maintenance of our resources, train stations, streets, and resources.
*And most importantly, be available to listen to our ward’s concerns and hopes for our future, be responsive, pro-active, and represent your voices.

If you have any questions for me, please feel free to reach me at:

[email redacted]
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Donations 

  • Celia Arseneault
    • $45 
    • 6 yrs
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Organizer

Brandon Matthews
Organizer
Orange, NJ

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