LIRA ANNOUNCES BID FOR SUSSEX COUNTY COMMISSIONER

The Board of Commissioners is arguably the most influential governing body in the day-to-day life of anyone living in Sussex County. Residents choose members of this board every year with the goal of electing the most dedicated, effective, and qualified individuals to serve the people of Sussex County. Unfortunately for residents and taxpayers, those elected to represent us have not lived up to these expectations.

Our board is currently occupied by five individuals, politically connected insiders, who use their titles and positions as stepping stones toward higher political aspirations, prioritizing their own personal agendas and the demands of their partisan handlers, rather than fulfilling their duties in office and serving the people. Sussex County taxpayers have seen services slashed, costs of living skyrocketing, the population of the county shrinking and the stability of the county’s economy decline. Of course, instead of accountability, this election year we will hear the same stale excuses for these failures. Our commissioners will point fingers at Trenton and Washington D.C., and demonize working class men and women struggling to make ends meet. And it would not be an election if they didn’t blame the opposing party, as if they have not held partisan control for forty years.

As a resident of Sussex Borough who serves on multiple committees, including economic development, planning and zoning, and recreation, I have seen first hand the constant back and forth between local governments and the county commissioners. Our local municipalities have been left behind again and again by those who were elected to lead us. The constant back-stabbing of Sussex County towns that need help from their county government must end. The situation is clear: our county government works for the insiders and the connected, not the people who pay taxes and expect Sussex County’s commissioners to improve their lives.

The choice this November is an easy one.

We can choose to continue to backslide as a county: watching our roads and bridges deteriorate, county employees be ignored, partisan donors and developers getting backroom deals, and watching our tax dollars be used to uplift someone’s political aspirations.

Or we can choose integrity, improvement, responsible spending, partnership and tangible progress. I refuse to stand by idly while the county we all love is failed time and again by the same politicians who always seem to have an excuse for their failures but never a solution. Together we will find solutions to problems and keep our county government honest, transparent and effective. I will answer to the taxpayers instead of blocking them out of the conversations. I will fight for Sussex County and for the taxpayers, not for special interests or partisan political bosses.

Together we can reclaim our county government, ensuring it is truly governed by those with the best interest of all residents. I am proud to announce my candidacy for the Sussex County Board of Chosen Commissioners.

I hope I can count on your support, and I look forward to working for Sussex County.

Damaris Lira