GOTTHEIMER, LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS, LAW ENFORCEMENT EMPHASIZE NEED TO FIGHT FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

HAMBURG, N.J. – Today, November 2, 2018, Josh Gottheimer brought together local elected officials and members of law enforcement in Sussex County and across New Jersey to emphasize the need to fight for first responders.

Gottheimer was joined by Republican Mayor of Vernon Harry Shortway, Republican Mayor of Midland Park Harry Shortway, President of the State Troopers Non-Commissioned Officers Association Pete Stilianessis, Vernon Chief of Police Randy Mills, Vernon PBA Delegate Keith Curry, Chair of the Bergen County PBA Conference Charlie Schwartz, and members of the New Jersey State Police, Vernon PBA Local 285, Hardyston PBA Local 374, Sussex County PBA Local 138, Bergen County PBA Local 134, and the Saddle River PBA Local 348.

“Far too often, we forget to thank those who risked their lives to protect our families, whether that’s veterans or our law enforcement officers and firefighters. It’s not until tragedy strikes that we realize the immense risk and months of training our first responders take on to ensure they’re ready to respond to any incident,” said Josh Gottheimer. “Over these last two years, I’ve been proud to work hand-in-hand with our first responders to apply for and win grants that claw back federal tax dollars to New Jersey, to help introduce and pass legislation to combat the opioid crisis and lone wolf, ISIS-inspired terrorism, and to vote for legislation like the Thin Blue Line Act to always have the backs of those who have our backs. I’m honored to have the support of the NJ PBA, FMBA, FOP, and so many of those who fight every day to keep Sussex County safe.”

“As a law enforcement officer in the Vernon community for 28 years, I’ve never seen a federal-level politician so pro-active within our own community, helping us accomplish our own goals. So, as I said, I’m happy to endorse Josh, and wish him good luck,” said Vernon Township Chief of Police Randy Mills.

“It’s not about the R behind my name as a Republican, or behind Josh’s as a Democrat. We don’t serve parties, we serve people, just like our police officers and firefighters do,” said Vernon Township Mayor Harry Shortway, a former police officer in Ridgewood and West Milford, and the former President of the West Milford PBA.

“One of the best attributes to Josh is that one thing he doesn’t waver on is he is behind us one hundred and ten percent,” said Pete Stilianessis, President of the State Troopers Non-Commissioned Officers Association. “Josh has always been there, since the day he got in. Those are the types of politicians that I support as an individual, and as the NCO. We support people that are there for us. We don’t always vote Republican, we don’t always vote Democrat, we vote for the best person that’s going to help my members out to progressively go forward in the right direction.”

The Facebook Live stream of the rally is available HERE.