Rudder Decides to Remain on Medford Council and become a Dual Office Holder like his Running Mate Dawn Addiego
(Mount Laurel, NJ) - As reported in Tuesday’s Burlington County Times, Medford Mayor Scott Rudder will not resign his municipal seat despite becoming an Assemblyman. Rudder’s action should come as no surprise for someone raised in the culture of corruption which has permeated the Medford and Burlington County Republican Organizations for years.
“First Addiego, now Rudder,” said Burlington County Democratic Chairman Rick Perr, himself a Medford resident. “The Burlington County GOP thinks they can do anything they want, including blatantly deceiving voters, gouging taxpayers and rewarding their campaign cronies.”
Perr’s mention of Addiego was in reference to her decision to remain on the Burlington County Freeholder Board while simultaneously serving in the Assembly.
“The bible upon which they were about to swear the oath of office hadn't even received their palm print and yet they were already breaking their pledge to the voters of Burlington County. What will happen when we rely on them to keep their commitments to deliver tax relief, ethics reform, and preserve valuable open space?”
“While Rudder attempts to pull one over on the residents with his charitable donation of his 2008 salary, there should be no doubt that his insistence to remain on the Medford council is due in no small part to ensure that his big donors are rewarded with lucrative appointments. His tenure has been marked by pay to play and exorbitant increases in taxes and spending,” said Perr.
During Rudder’s tenure on the Medford Township Council, spending increased by 51% and local taxes soared by 73%. In addition to the exorbitant increase in taxes and spending, Rudder's political cronies collected over $9 million dollars in fees from the Township while Scott accepted over $125,000 in campaign contributions.
“Medford residents won’t shed too many tears for Rudder’s farewell,” said Perr. “And now we don’t know if and when there will even be a farewell. The more things change in the Burlington GOP, the more they say the same.”
