“It was an honor to take the oath of office to represent the residents of Burlington County,” said Belgard. “We look forward to being the voices for the people we promised to be.”

“This marks the beginning of us standing up for the taxpayers of Burlington County on the Freeholder Board,” said Schwartz. “I would like to thank my fellow Freeholders and all of the guests who joined us to make this day so special.”

While they enjoyed the celebrations of the day, Freeholders Belgard and Schwartz pulled no punches immediately voting against the temporary budget because of questions about transparency and the Freeholder majority’s failure to allow for public discussion.

“The voters sent a message that they want transparency and deliberation in our decision making process and lacking that we were left with no choice but to oppose the temporary budget,” said Belgard. “We look forward to working with our Freeholder colleagues to improve the public discussion and increase transparency in the process to ensure that the taxpayers can be aware of the decisions we are making in their name.”

Freeholders Belgard and Schwartz specifically questioned $2.6 million in appropriations surrounding the Buttonwood Hospital property sold by the Freeholder Board last year.

“There are numerous questions surrounding the temporary budget the Freeholder-majority proposed and passed including millions in funding for the Buttonwood Hospital property,” said Schwartz. “Without having been given the opportunity to ask those questions, as well as many others about the budget as presented to us late-day New Year’s Eve, less than 24 hours before the meeting, we had no choice, but in good conscience to vote against the budget.”

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A visit by Newark Mayor Cory Booker also generated interest from the crowd gathered at the Olde Historic Court House for the county board’s annual organization meeting.

Freeholder Joseph Donnelly, who was chosen to serve as the governing body’s director, said the county will be unveiling this year a Department of Cultural Affairs. The goal is to ensure that all programs and services under the county government “recognize and foster a culturally rich, inclusive and inviting climate, whether the issue is education, the arts or human needs,” said the Cinnaminson resident.

“Burlington County has long required cultural diversity training of all its employees. This department will ensure that the tenets of that training carry forward in the day-to-day operation of county government.”

Another initiative is the county’s “Buy Local” campaign that’s aimed at “reinvigorating” the area’s economy. The campaign is designed to help create jobs, keep consumer spending in the county and boost local businesses.

As part of the program, the Burlington County Bridge Commission’s Economic Development Department recently launched an interactive website that provides business owners and developers with information about the county’s available land and buildings.

Donnelly also spoke about the county’s new Human Services Department that was unveiled in December. All social, human and citizen services are operating under the department.

“This makes for a one-stop shop, giving us the opportunity to fully evaluate a resident’s pending problem, but also to address the underlying issues that create that problem,” he said. “If you’re about to lose your home, we want to know why. We want to treat the entire patient.”

The organization meeting also reflected changes to the board.

Booker traveled from his city in Essex County to administer the oath of office to newly elected Freeholders Joanne Schwartz of Southampton and Aimee Belgard of Edgewater Park. The two Democrats defeated first-term Republican incumbents Bruce Garganio of Florence and Mary Ann O’Brien of Medford at the November polls, ending the one-party rule of 2012.

Both women spoke briefly to thank their supporters and said their doors would remain open to constituents.

“Let us be the voices we promised to be,” said Belgard.

In addition, Donnelly took the oath of office as director, a role he first assumed in 2009, and Freeholder Leah Arter of Moorestown was named the deputy director. Freeholder Joe Howarth of Evesham completes the governing body.

In comments to the public, Donnelly touted the board’s fiscal accomplishments during the last four years, crediting Garganio and O’Brien for much of its success.

“Over four years, we have reduced spending more than $28 million. Taxes have been cut $14.7 million,” he said. “In the process, we actually expanded core services.”

Donnelly also welcomed Belgard and Schwartz to the board and vowed to work with the Democrats in managing a projected $5 million loss in revenue for 2013.

“We will do everything we can to make the recover real for our businesses and downtowns, for the unemployed, as well as first-time job seekers, and for those who personal plight requires immediate attention and public assistance,” he said.

If you were one of the many residents who voted, congratulations. You fulfilled a civic obligation and made your voice heard. You should feel proud.

We believe you also may be offended.

We are.

According to Bill Layton, the Burlington County Republican Party chairman, and a few unsuccessful school board candidates in Edgewater Park, Mount Holly and Willingboro, voters apparently aren’t intelligent enough to thoroughly read a ballot or select a candidate based on his or her merits and qualifications.

“People just went right down the column,” said Martin Nock, a candidate for the Willingboro school board. “In a presidential race, everything is 100 percent magnified.”

Nock and a number of other candidates questioned why the county prepared the ballots differently from other counties, where school board elections were listed on the right side of the ballot and removed from partisan races.

“What column (candidates) ended up in was luck of the draw. Everybody had an equal chance to end up where they did,” said Wade Hale, deputy county clerk. “It’s as fair as the process can be.”

This was the first year that school board elections were included in November, and the Burlington County Clerk’s Office said it did the best it could to separate the races. On the ballot, candidates were listed in a separate box, down and to the left of the other race listings.

In all three towns, the winners for all races were listed in Column 1 on the ballot.

“It’s got to be something when everybody in one column loses,” Nock said.

He’s right. It is something. It’s possible that voters were confused, but we believe they deserve more credit than that. It’s just as likely that fewer people wanted to vote for those candidates.

Republican Jon Runyan won re-election. How did that happen? Voters didn’t follow that column all the way down the ballot.

Layton is blaming his party’s losses on the heavy turnout.

Incumbent Freeholders Bruce Garganio and Mary Ann O’Brien lost to Democratic challengers Aimee Belgard and Joanne Schwartz.

In Willingboro, which has a reputation as a Democratic stronghold, Obama received 14,441 votes versus 1,166 votes for Romney. Garganio and O’Brien received 2,600 votes compared with Belgard and Schwartz, who received 24,610 total.

According to Layton, the Obama turnout was just too much for the freeholder candidates to overcome in some towns. What the heck does that mean? That people were in some kind of Democratic voting frenzy and couldn’t cast a vote for anyone in another column? Wow.

“I don’t think it had anything to do with the freeholders. It’s just one of those things where (Obama) does extremely well here (Willingboro) and his coattails are too much to come back from,” Layton said. “I’m proud of our candidates for coming so close, but it’s impossible when the top of the ticket is pulling in 60 percent of vote.”

It’s also impossible if your constituency just doesn’t want to re-elect you.

Maybe voters didn’t want to cast their ballots for Garganio and O’Brien. Perhaps they didn’t feel they had worked hard enough or didn’t believe they had accomplished enough.

We realize that not every voter does his or her homework, but we believe most do, and we believe they also go over the sample ballots they receive in the mail. Residents voting in large numbers should never be a problem, but elitist attitudes and generalizations are.

We believe county voters aren’t stupid or unable to find a separate box on a ballot. They deserve respect from the candidates vying to be hired by them.

“A hurricane couldn’t stop them (volunteers who helped get out the vote),” said a jubilant Aimee Belgard of Edgewater Park after she and running mate Joanne Schwartz of Southampton claimed victory over Republican incumbents Bruce Garganio of Florence and Mary Ann O’Brien of Florence.

Unofficial vote tallies have Belgard as the top vote-getter with 92,072 votes with her running mate Schwartz getting 88,965 votes. Garganio garnered 83,525 and O’Brien received 82,891, according to county election figures.

While the GOP remains in control of county government when it reorganizes in January, with three Republicans and two Democrats on the freeholder board, Belgard said the voters wanted change — and they’ll get it.

“We are going to be a voice on that freeholder board … It’s a wave for the people. They are ready for a change,” she added.

GOP Chairman Bill Layton said it appeared his candidates lost the hotly contested race, but he wants all votes counted.

“It’s really close,” he said. “We are behind at this juncture, but we still have all the provisionals and vote-by-mail ballots.”

He said the GOP candidates essentially had to run and beat the president at the top of the ticket. In 2008, the Republicans also lost two seats on the strength of Obama’s coattails. However, in recent years they lost the gains they made through defections from the party and an election loss.

“As long as Obama is president and is it’s a county where he gets 57 to 58 percent of the vote … we got swamped,” Layton said. “This has little to do with the quality of the candidates or their message. This county lost excellent freeholders tonight.”

The first-term Republicans’ campaign touted their record of shrinking the size of county government, reducing spending and trimming the tax rate. They highlighted $25 million in reduced spending in recent years, saying they achieved the savings by streamlining government operations, cutting underused programs, restructuring departments, and privatizing some operations.

They also outspent the Democrats, spending cash on television attacks ads and mailers that questioned Belgard’s tax record as a member of the Edgewater Park Township Committee and Schwartz’s time as a trustee for the troubled New Lisbon Developmental Center.

The Democrats fought back by questioning the $15 million sale and privatization of Buttonwood Hospital in Pemberton Township and cost overruns on capital projects, including more than $1.2 million that was over-budgeted for the library headquarters expansion.

O’Brien and Garganio defended the decision to sell Buttonwood, claiming the move saved the facility as a vital service in the county. The incumbents had said the hospital was crushing taxpayers, who would have continued to foot $4 million to $5 million of its operating costs each year if the county continued to run it.

Belgard and Schwartz’s victory speeches had a hard act to follow after the news about 11:12 p.m. Tuesday that President Barack Obama had won re-election. The news was broadcast over a large-screen TV at the Hotel ML on Route 73 in Mount Laurel where the Democratic candidates gathered with many of their followers.

It was also bittersweet for the crowd since 3rd District congressional candidate Shelley Adler had just conceded defeat.

For Belgard, it was a long, hard race but she was thankful for the support of her followers. Most of all, she gave thanks to her children. It was her second bid for a seat on the board.

“What my boys are willing to endure is phenomenal,” said Belgard, the mother of young sons. She also gave credit to the many volunteers, including union workers, who helped her.

Belgard and Schwartz said they wanted to be a minority-party voice, bringing more access and transparency to the board. They also urged the incumbent freeholders to get back to the table with the unions and negotiate fair contracts.

They said they would cut wasteful spending and political patronage.

Belgard said she doesn’t believe her and Schwartz’s win could be solely credited to the top of the ticket. She said the GOP knew they were worthy opponents.

“I don’t think they would have ran the expensive and negative campaign against us if they didn’t consider us a serious threat,” she said. “We ran a really strong campaign and kept things positive. People are really, really ready for a change and that’s what the vote reflects.”

County Democratic Party Chair Joe Andl said the negative advertising launched against Belgard and Schwartz may have backfired. “Some of the stuff was so far-fetched, people couldn’t believe it,” he said.

Schwartz said voters were upset by the loss of Buttonwood, citing it as the primary issue in the campaign. The freeholders found very little public support in the sale, which led to significant layoffs.

“People were very upset and we heard it over and over again,” she said. “People lost their jobs and employees and residents all wondered who would be next.”

The political newcomer said she and Belgard will fill the watchdog role on the freeholder board.

“Our priority is to be voice of the people,” Schwartz said. “We may be the minority voice, but we will be a very vocal voice.”

“Throughout the campaign, we said repeatedly that Burlington County taxpayers deserved a voice in our county government and thanks to the extremely hard work of our supporters and volunteers, Joanne and I will be that voice,” said Belgard. “I would also like to thank our opponents for their service on behalf of the residents of Burlington County as I believe there is no higher calling than serving others.”

The final vote total and percentage for Belgard and Schwartz’s Victory:

Aimee Belgard: 92,070 votes                      26.34%

Joanne Schwartz: 88,965 votes                  25.46%

Bruce Garganio: 83,525 votes                    23.90%

Mary Ann O’Brien: 82,891 votes                 23.72%

Belgard and Schwartz noted the grassroots support from volunteers throughout the county and particularly thanked the hard working men and women of the Burlington County Central Labor Council, the Communications Workers of America, the Burlington County Education Association, NOW South Jersey Chapter, and the Mt Laurel Professional Firefighters for all of the hours they spent talking to voters about the need for residents to have a voice on the Freeholder Board once again. In addition, Belgard and Schwartz thanked the Burlington County, South Jersey and Shawnee High School Young Democrats, along with Democrats 2000 for their volunteer time and support throughout the campaign on behalf of the candidates.

“It was a wonderful experience meeting and speaking with voters across Burlington County on the campaign trail, but thanks to their support our work has only just begun,” said Schwartz. “I look forward to joining Aimee on the Freeholder Board and standing up for all of the taxpayers, to provide the oversight they deserve and the voice that has been lacking.”

“It’s astonishing that the current freeholders are finally interested in discussing the topic of Buttonwood especially given that neither Freeholder Garganio nor O’Brien took the time to appear at either of the public hearings regarding Buttonwood and I find it appalling that in their attempts to win a campaign, the incumbents are trying to shift blame and responsibility for their years of fiscal mismanagement, costing taxpayers millions of dollars and leading to the over $4 million budget deficit this year alone,” said Belgard. “Through their further mismanagement, our incumbent-opponents have put Burlington County on the hook for higher future taxes by funding the County’s budget shortfall with a one-time-only $5 million bailout from the proceeds of the Buttonwood sale – with no long term budget strategy.”

Belgard and Schwartz said the desperation shown by the Freeholders in trying to shift blame for failed policies is not surprising and provided more facts about the mismanagement, waste and political patronage of O’Brien and Garganio:

• In 2011 and 2012, Garganio and O’Brien voted for numerous spending increases, adding to the County’s debt, voting aye for all change orders and budget overruns totaling over $16 million in additional county spending.

• In 2011 Garganio and O’Brien personally approved nearly $4 million in county payments to their campaign contributors, and, so far in 2012 Garganio and O’Brien have personally approved over $1.8 million in county payments to their campaign contributors.

• The Library Headquarter renovations under Garganio and O’Brien have cost taxpayers an additional $1.2 million so far, a 19.4% increase over the original contract amount.

• Under Garganio and O’Brien, construction and maintenance for the Burlington County Fairgrounds has cost taxpayers an additional $1.3 million more than originally proposed.

“The fact is, the mismanagement of Garganio and O’Brien put Burlington County taxpayers in a hole in the first place, and now they want to blame the only candidates trying to clean up the mess the incumbents created,” said Schwartz. “Considering Maryann O’Brien’s mismanagement during her time on Council in Medford, which put the town on the brink of bankruptcy and ultimately resulted in this year’s huge tax hike, O’Brien has absolutely no room to comment on fiscally responsible governing.”

Freeholder candidate Aimee Belgard spoke to Blue Jersey following the candidate’s debate on September 20, 2012. You can see the video of the interview by clicking here.  You can read more about the Freeholder debate in this story from the Burlington County Times.

“Burlington County Residents need responsible leaders that will look out for their best interests, not politicians who will reward their cronies with contracts at the expense of Burlington County taxpayers,” said Belgard. “Once elected, Joanne and I will utilize our leadership experiences to pose questions, propose innovative alternatives and dissent when necessary in an effort to reverse the irresponsible practices of the current Freeholder regime.”

Facts about the mismanagement, waste and political patronage of O’Brien and Garganio:

•           In 2011 and 2012, Garganio and O’Brien have voted for numerous spending increases, voting aye for all change orders and budget overruns totaling over $16 million in additional county spending.

•           In 2011 Garganio and O’Brien personally approved nearly $4 million in county payments to their campaign contributors and so far in 2012 Garganio and O’Brien have personally approved over $1.8 million in county payments to their campaign contributors.

•           The Library Headquarter renovations under Garganio and O’Brien have cost taxpayers an additional $1.2 million so far, a 19.4% increase over the original contract amount.

•           Under Garganio and O’Brien, construction and maintenance for the Burlington County Fairgrounds has cost taxpayers an additional $1.3 million more than originally proposed.
“The failed fiscal oversight and mismanagement of O’Brien and Garganio continues to cost Burlington County taxpayers,” said Schwartz. “Our residents deserve people who will serve as fiscal watchdogs, not rubber stamps for their political donors. We will restore the voice of the residents of Burlington County, which Garganio and O’Brien continue to silence.”

An elected Committeewoman in the Township of Edgewater Park since 2010, Aimee Belgard also serves as liaison to the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee and on the Edgewater Park Planning Board. Aimee is a trial and appellate litigator and practices law throughout New Jersey. She is the Second Vice President of the Board of the American Cancer Society, Eastern Division and a Board Member of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network where she has served on the governance and income development committees. Aimee is also a member of the Riverfront Advisory Board of the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties. She is also an active member of Neighborhood Watch. In 2006 Aimee was named “One of Ten People Who Made a Difference in Burlington County” by the Burlington County Times. Recently, Aimee was presented with the Capitol Dome Award by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network for her outstanding public policy achievements and leadership on legislative issues in the fight against cancer and in 2012 the New Jersey General Assembly recognized Aimee as an Outstanding Woman for her volunteer leadership and achievements. She resides in Burlington County with her husband Bill, a small business owner, and their two school-aged sons.

A semi-retired healthcare administrator living in Southampton, Joanne Schwartz has been an active volunteer for a large number of community agencies and services. She was an Emergency Medical Technician for 20 years with both the Hampton Lakes Emergency Squad and the Mt. Laurel Emergency Squad, the latter of where, she held the distinction of having been named a life member. She was elected Commissioner of the Mt. Laurel Fire Department and served  as its President, Vice President and Clerk. She is committed to serving the needs of the elderly and developmentally disabled and is a long-time volunteer of the New Lisbon Developmental Center where she also serves as Vice President of its Board of Governors. During her long career, she has been an active member and officer of many community agencies which service the poor and disabled. She has received numerous community service and volunteer awards. She has also been an adjunct faculty member of Burlington County College and Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) and was a CPR Instructor. She currently serves as a member of the New Jersey Dietary Managers Association and is on a committee of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. She has been a speaker to area groups on issues facing Caregivers.