Riley: “The Focus
Needs to Be On Cumberland County”
Jobs, Accessibility and Economic Development Highlight
Assemblywoman’s Platform.
When Celeste Riley was elected to the General Assembly in
2009, she made history as the first woman chosen to represent Cumberland
County’s Third District. In the five years since, she has put together an
award winning legislative record and earned the support of her peers on both
sides of the aisle.
So what would make one of New Jersey’s leading Legislators
leave the “Golden Dome” of Trenton to run for County Clerk? According to
Celeste Riley it is about moving her home County of Cumberland forward.
“Cumberland County is my home and I believe in our future”,
said Riley. “Cumberland County is at the cross roads of change and the
time for new leadership and a new direction has never been more important.”
According to Riley, Cumberland County is in desperate need
of new industries that will bring 21st Century jobs to the
region. Improving the accessibility of the Clerk’s Office to builders and
employers is one of the main platforms of her campaign.
“Anything short of 110% effort must be considered a failure
when so many of our residents are unemployed or under employed. The
competition for industry is fierce and while many of our neighboring counties
have improved through technology, we continue to remain stagnant.”
As the manager of public records, the Clerk’s Office is very
often the first contact for companies looking to purchase land and develop in
Cumberland County.
“We need to make moving a business to Cumberland County
easy. I will be on the front lines, working with our Freeholder Board and
local elected officials to roll out the red carpet. I will improve and
enhance our technology to streamline the process so we can get a head start on
the other counties. I will be an ambassador who will work day and night
to move this County forward.
While in Trenton, Riley said one harsh reality of the
electoral process has become clear – a region’s voice is proportional to the
votes it casts.
“Voter registration, voter outreach and easy access to
voting are not political buzz words. They are a reality that is the
fabric of this nation. For our County to have a seat at the table we must
improve our registration totals and we must work to provide our residents with
easy access to voting. I will change the focus of the Clerk’s office so
that we can have a greater voice.”
Riley also said that keeping Cumberland County money in
Cumberland County must be a priority.
“When residents tell me that they think it is easier to go
to Woodbury, Deptford, or Woodstown and spend their money there for passports,
marriage certificates, or land records I am aghast. The taxpayers of this
County are our clients, they are our customers and we must serve them. As
part of my business plan for the office, I will implement new outreach measures
to keep Cumberland’s money in Cumberland.”
Riley says that her record in Trenton shows that when she
puts her mind to accomplishing a goal – she hits her target.
Since first being elected to the Assembly in 2009, Riley has
served as the Chairwoman of the Higher Education and is a member of the
Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee as well as the Regulated
Professions Committee.
Just last week a five bill package she sponsored to boost
New Jersey’s “Farm to School” program was signed into law. Her efforts on
behalf of the Garden State earned her praise throughout the region including;
·
“Legislator of the Year” by The Garden State
Wine Growers
·
“Legislative Excellence” award by the Council of
County Colleges
·
“Citizen of the Year” award by the Salem County
Chamber of Commerce
·
Distinguished Legislator Award from the New
Jersey Food Council Committee for Good Government
·
Recognition from “I’m Free Ministries” and by
Salem County Women’s Services with its “Person of the Year” award for her
legislative efforts on behalf of domestic violence and sexual assault victims.
“I have been an advocate since I began my career in public
service. While I am proud of the work I have done to help children, crime
victims, farmers and students – I know what the residents of Cumberland County
need right now is a Clerk’s office that will fight to bring 21st
Century jobs the region. I am up for that challenge.”
