NJ election: Our choices for Assembly, Monmouth, Ocean freeholder

Asbury Park Press

Show Caption Hide Caption Races to Watch on Election Day 2019 Here are the top 5 reasons to go to the polls for Election Day 2019.

The 2019 election campaigns are starting to wind down. Candidates are getting in their last licks with glossy mailers, radio spots, phone banks and door-to-door canvassing. Now it's up to you to help determine the winners. Below is a recap of our preferences for state Assembly, county freeholder boards, Toms River mayor and statewide and Ocean County ballot questions. Make time to cast your ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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Monmouth County freeholders: Arnone, DiRocco

It has been 11 years since Monmouth County voters have elected a Democrat to the five-member Board of Freeholders. Generally speaking, having representatives from just one party on a governing body is unhealthy. That's why, in the past, all things being equal, we have occasionally opted for a Democrat. This year, however, we don't think the four candidates for the two available seats are equal. We believe incumbent Republican freeholder candidate Tom Arnone, seeking his fourth three-year term, and newcomer Nick DiRocco, a Wall committeeman and former senior counsel and deputy chief of staff for Gov. Chris Christie, are best qualified to help move the county forward.

Ocean County freeholders: Wright and Czarkowski

Experience counts in politics. But too much of it can be counterproductive. The Ocean County freeholder board, which hasn’t had a Democrat elected to it in 30 years, has experience in spades. But the benefits of experience, particularly when it’s coupled with one-party rule, as it is on the freeholder board and throughout bright-red Ocean County, can be offset by arrogance, single-minded policymaking and an unwillingness to listen and act on new ideas. It is partly, but not entirely, for that reason that we encourage Ocean County voters to opt for two newcomers, Democrats David T. Wright, an attorney from Eagleswood, and Jean Czarkowski, an elementary school counselor from Toms River.

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Toms River mayor: Hill

We are going more with our gut in this race. Policy differences between Republican Maurice 'Mo' Hill and Democrat Jonathan Petro are relatively few. We think it is critical that the next mayor show strong leadership in trying to tamp down the anti-Orthodox sentiment that has poisoned much of the discourse in Toms River and beyond. We believe Hill, who has demonstrated his leadership ability in the military, where working well together with people of all different backgrounds is essential for success, has the edge.

Assembly, District 11: Amoroso, Woolley

For residents concerned about high property taxes and a school funding formula that left about half of Monmouth County school districts with less aid than they had a year ago — with more cuts scheduled for the next few years — Michael Amoroso and Matthew Woolley offer the best hope for some relief. The incumbent Democrats, Joann Downey and Eric Houghtaling, have backed most of Gov. Murphy’s profligate agenda for the past two years, including support for the millionaire’s tax, expansion of paid family leave and the nuclear subsidy fee.

Assembly, District 12: Dancer, Clifton

Incumbent Republicans Ronald Dancer and Robert Clifton have been longtime advocates for fiscally responsible government. Unlike many Democrats, they have given more than lip service to the notion of reducing taxes. Dancer and Clifton have demonstrated during their time in the Legislature that they would be enthusiastic partners in Senate President Steve Sweeney's fiscal reform efforts.

Assembly, District 13: DiMaso, Scharfenberger

You should have any easy time here deciding who to support in the Nov. 5 election if you don't like the way Gov. Murphy and the Democratic majority in the Legislature have been running the state. The views of the two Republicans, incumbent Serena DiMaso and Monmouth County Freeholder Gerald Scharfenberger, are virtually the polar opposite of the Murphy administration and their two Democratic opponents. For voters who wonder why they remain in New Jersey every time they open their new tax bill, DiMaso and Scharfenberger should be the clear choice.

Statewide ballot question on veterans benefits: Yes

Veterans who served in wartime and other emergencies and were honorably discharged are eligible for a $250 property tax deduction under New Jersey law. Surviving spouses can also collect the deduction. But the law does not apply to veterans or their spouses who live in the state's 29 continuing care retirement communities, That wrong should be righted. The legislation putting the question on the ballot passed unanimously in both houses of the Legislature. It is estimated passage of the referendum would affect about 1,600 people and cost the state between $350,000 and $550,000 a year.

Ocean County open space referendum: No

This question asks whether the county's Natural Lands Trust Fund, which was created to preserve open space and farmland, should be expanded to allow for the acquisition, development and maintenance of lands for recreational and historic preservation purposes. Approving this question would be a mistake. While maintaining lands for recreational purposes, such as golf courses and parks, and for historic preservation may be worthy, the county should not be allowed to divert money from a fund specifically created more than 20 years ago to acquire of open space and preserve farmland. The county should find another way to fund routine maintenance of recreational facilities and to preserve historical sites. If need be, float another referendum for that purpose.