The statement below is by Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli Jr., Mayor Frank Moran, Camden Council President Curtis Jenkins, Assemblywoman Patricia Egan Jones and state Sen. Nilsa Cruz Perez in regard to Governor Phil Murphy’s attacks on Camden City.

“We read Governor Phil Murphy’s recent statement that he will do more for Camden than any other administration.  We know the Governor suffers from geographic bias but wanted to ensure he was talking about Camden, New Jersey and not Camden, Maine.  If he really means Camden, New Jersey, we respectfully suggest to the Governor that he start by not trashing Camden and the businesses that have chosen to relocate or expand here.

It takes chutzpah to say he will do more for the city of Camden than the previous governors, especially since he has been here to the city, like once, and is constantly looking to impound funds as a way to gain leverage.  Governor Jon Corzine and his Attorney General, Anne Milgram put this great city on a path to stability after decades of unfulfilled promises.  That is showing true commitment.  Further, Governor Chris Christie single handedly helped usher in Camden’s renaissance.  He did more for this city than any other Governor in history.

Governors of both parties, legislative leaders, business leaders and residents have collaborated for years to bring about meaningful and verifiable progress.  Crime is at a 50-year low, k-12 education has vastly improved, 30 companies have either expanded or are moving to the city.  This kind of progress happens by working together and not by vilifying people or institutions.  Yet that is exactly what the Governor is doing; he is conducting a proxy war against Camden.

Perhaps if he actually did what is right for Camden instead of sending his politically leaning taskforce to harass, and destabilize our business community, we would be less inclined to believe those who have called him phony Phil.”

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