From the Desk of Edward A. Ramsay (R)

                                                                                                 Pittsgrove, NJ

                                                                                           For Immediate Release

I am pleased to announce my candidacy for the NJ General Assembly's 3rd Legislative District.  I look forward to representing the district, which includes all of Salem County and parts of Gloucester and Cumberland Counties.  I am a strong believer in Home Rule and will take that fight to Trenton.  Trenton, for to long, has been mandating this and that upon our Counties and Municipalities without funding or forethought, only dictations.  Of particular, each week it seems I receive an informational update from NJDEP issuing new guidelines and regulations that all communities must follow, pay for and report back to the State.  Enough is Enough.  I will be telling Trenton, No, on a regular basis.  If Trenton wishes to mandate, then Trenton can pay for it.

You may be familiar with the recent Tree ordinance the State forced upon the municipalities.  For the most part, you may not cut trees on your property without checking (just to be sure) or obtaining a permit from you town.  Really?  And how about the one they passed a couple years ago, requiring every municipality to maintain a listing of all businesses within their community along with a proof of insurance certificate.  This information is collected by the State each year, as all business entities with the exception of Sole Proprietors, must register their businesses with the State.  Why are municipalities required to expend time, money and resources duplicating that which the State already collects.  As for sole proprietors, the State could simply download the newly recorded documents from each of the 21 County Clerk websites.

Speaking of paying, I will work extra hard at cutting NJ's spending problem, which is way out of control and has been going on for way to long.

Common sense government left NJ years ago.  I intend to bring it back along with open and reliable public information.  OPRA needs to go.  It is a barrier to the free flow of public information.  What started out as a simple written request of information to a public entity has turned into pages of rules, guidelines and oaths subject to scrutiny and jail time.  The cost of complying with OPRA by "our" agencies far exceeds the cost of simply providing the information.  Have you read the recent (update?)  Public entities are depositories of public information, no different than a library is of books.  Distribution of public information should not be challenged simply by a citizen's request.  After all, it is our information.

If you are tired of Big Brother Trenton looking out for your best interest, elect Ed Ramsay to the 3rd District of the NJ General Assembly.  I will talk, listen and work through the issues on your behalf and mine.  Let us take back NJ from the Swamp Masters and Make NJ Perfect Again, Together.

Albeit, a couple years out of date, I attach my resume.  I also attach my all time favorite "Atta Boy" letter.

Thank you for your vote,

Ed Ramsay

Pittsgrove NJ

Salem County Commissioner