News
Ending Tax Exodus, Improving Business Climate Issues In 11th District Race
By Ryan Fennell
BOTH INCUMBENTS IN the 11th District Assembly race are seeking their second term in office. Mary Pat Angelini (R) and David Rible (R) are seeking re-election and are being challenged by J. Randy Bishop (D) and Richard Bolger (D).
Angelini, 54, grew up in Red Bank and Middletown and has lived in Ocean Township since moving back to New Jersey in 1983. Angelini is married with two children and is the executive director of the non-profit organization Prevention First.
Angelini has a masters degree in public administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a B.A. in social work from Eastern Tennessee State University.
"I think that I have done a good job in the first two years of my term representing the people of the 11th District and I want to return to continue to fight to make New Jersey more affordable," Angelini said.
Angelini believes the number one issue facing the State of New Jersey is taxes.
"We have got to control our spending at the state level which will ultimately have a positive effect on our local taxes," Angelini said. "New Jersey is one of the most heavily taxed states in the country and we've got to start doing things differently. We've got to hold down state spending."
"We've had over 450,000 people (in last 8 years) leave New Jersey. They left because they could not afford to live here anymore. We've got to stop that and we've got to bring back jobs, cut spending, and decrease taxes. Given a second opportunity I'll be able to make New Jersey more affordable and more business friendly," Angelini said.
Rible, 47, is a former Wall Township police officer and past treasurer and president of the Wall Township P.B.A.
Rible is a lifelong resident of Monmouth County and is married with one daughter.
"I want to finish what I started to try to work on reducing property taxes," Rible said. "I have a belief in making Monmouth County a more affordable place to live."
"Our big concern has got to be property taxes. We have to do everything we can to rein in the cost of living in New Jersey. We have to make it more affordable for folks to be able to stay here in New Jersey," Rible said.
Rible believes in making it more affordable to live here, go to school here, and start a business here.
"We need to work on improving our business climate here in New Jersey. We have one of the worst business climates in the nation," said Rible. "We need to find ways to lure business and make them want to stay here and grow here."
Bishop, 51, is currently a committeeman and former mayor of Neptune Township. Bishop earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Boston University and owns a bed and breakfast in Ocean Grove.
Bishop has worked on Capital Hill as a legislative aid as well as for a small software company prior to opening his own business.
"I have been able in my five years on the Neptune Township Committee to actually bring forward some innovative solutions and ideas," Bishop said. "I would like to take that kind of thinking to the people of the 11th District."
Bishop is also concerned with the number of people leaving the state.
"The flight out of New Jersey, specifically people with businesses because of our tax structure and our businesses climate," is very important Bishop said.
"It stems from the fact we need to hold a constitutional convention. We have a 1947 constitution which is frankly an agrarian constitution in a much different world."
Bishop also believes achieving the highest level of efficiency would greatly benefit the district and the state.
Bolger, 57, is a life-long resident of the 11th District. Born in Highlands, he has lived in Brielle for the past 30 years. Bolger attended Mater Dei High School and Xavier University in Cincinnati, earning his law degree from Seton Hall University. He is a private attorney.
"Being a lifelong resident of the shore area and having three years experience on the Brielle Town Council, I see a great need for better communication, cooperation and assistance from the state representatives of the 11th District to ensure the Jersey Shore remains a viable place to live now and in the future," Bolger said.
Bolger believes that the issues facing the state are all economic in nature.
"I think we have a property tax issue which is not to be confused with the general cost of living in the state. We need someone to not be afraid to encourage the 25 towns in our district to open serious dialogue regarding a sharing of services. At present we need someone to lead the discussion that has been woefully lacking," Bolger said.
"I intend to speak up on issues that might be considered unpopular or politically imprudent but it is most certainly my intention to do the job I'm elected to do without regard to my re-election. I have no pension interests. I'm beholden to no one," Bolger said.
