Former Gloucester County freeholder Larry Wallace writes that Lou Manzo and Matt Diggons are disloyal to the Republican Party.
To the Editor:
After reading her recent letter, "Wrong to hide Harrison Township (Committee) incumbents," I don't understand what township Republican Club Chairwoman Nancy Kowalik is confused about regarding Lou Manzo and Matt Diggons being dumped by the Gloucester County Republican Party for June 7 primary endorsements.
(Manzo and Diggons are running for re-election, but the county endorsement went instead to candidates Vincent Gagemi Sr. and Jeffrey Jacques.)
While I waged a war against the Gloucester County Democrats' machine to become a Republican freeholder, Manzo and Diggons refused to help the GOP campaign.
Also, the GOP incumbents endorsed Democrat state Senate President Stephen Sweeney in his last Senate campaign in 2013 over Niki Trunk, a very worthy Republican candidate from Harrison. You can't expect to earn the support of the Republican Party when you pledge your allegiance to highest-ranking Democrat in Trenton. Frankly, it amazes me that Manzo and Diggons just didn't switch parties to completely sell out to the South Jersey Democrat bosses.
No one should be surprised that they endorsed a liberal Democrat. They have governed like liberal Democrats for years. They voted to raise property taxes and spending every year since they were elected. In fact, they increased local government spending by $2.2 million in just eight years. They are finally being exposed for what they really are: Democrats in disguise.
I agree with one point in Kowalik's letter: Harrison Township voters won't be duped by politicians -- especially incumbent politicians like Manzo and Diggons who masquerade as Republicans while selling out to Trenton Democrats and raising your taxes.
It's time to dump liberals Manzo and Diggons.
Larry Wallace
Woolwich Township
Harrison Twp. needs new committeemen from GOP
To the Editor:
After serving for 28 years in the Harrison Township Police Department, and retiring five years ago, I remain active in the community.
I recently received an email blast from Mayor Lou Manzo (who is running for township committee re-election) regarding the 2016 township budget. Manzo lauded himself and the rest of the township committee for being fiscally responsible over the past few years.
I pulled out past charts that the township sent with my property tax bill every year. Since 2009, the township budget has gone up more than 55 percent, from about $2.7 million to more than $6 million.
What are you doing with my tax dollars, Mr. Mayor?
The budget in the past two years alone went up more than $1.2 million. At the same time, the township received $2 million for Richwood Town Center alcoholic beverage licenses. Where did that money go?
Now, we are led to believe that Manzo and the rest of the committee are being fiscally responsible. Attend any township committee meeting and you will hear of bonds being taken out frequently to purchase land, equipment, etc. With this type of budget, we taxpayers will pay long into the future for loans and interest.
I don't know about you, but my income did not go up 55 percent in the past six years.
Oh, let's not forget recent land purchases, while we give away township property valued at $1 million to Inspira Health Network for a new hospital.
Manzo and his running mate, incumbent Matt Diggons, have lost touch with their constituents, except for those outside their circle, who keep telling them what a great job they're doing.
I will cast my vote for the other Republican primary slate, Vincent Gagemi Sr. and Jeffrey Jacques. They have every township taxpayer in mind, unlike Manzo and Diggons, who make fiscal decisions based on special interests of a smaller privileged group who gain from them. Some of them are not even taxpayers in the township.
Edward Selb Sr.
Mullica Hill
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