Candidate Statement – Carl F. Lazzaro – Republican

Name:  Carl F. Lazzaro

Office you are running for:  Freeholder of Sussex County

Political Affiliation:  Republican

Hometown: Fredon Township (22 years)

How long have you resided in Sussex County? If you are not a lifetime resident here please share where you lived previously:  43 years

Tell me whatever you’d like to about yourself and your family: Married 33 years – 4 grown Children – 3 grand children

What business/career path have you worked in:

Graduated Columbia High School, East Greenbush, NY

Graduated BA, from Rutgers’s The State University

Graduated M Div., New Brunswick Theological Seminary

Completed 39 Credits Post Graduate Center of Mental Health, and NY Theological Seminary

Occupation – Owner Lazzaro Agency – Insurance

Ordained Minister Reformed Church in America – semi retired

Is this your first time running for political office? If not, please list previous offices held and time periods:

Past Experience –

Fredon Township Planning Board

Fredon Township Committee

Fredon Township Deputy Mayor – 2 years

Fredon Township Mayor – 5 years

Have you been involved with any local committees/boards/organizations? If so please name them and your position(s) held:

Owner/Partner Retail Gift Shop

Exec Director and Founder of Drug Treatment Program

Administrator of Adolescent Drug Treatment Program

Newton Board of Education, Exec Board of Directors NJSIAA

Board of Directors NJ School Boards Association

President and Vice president of Sussex County League of Municipalities

Pastor Mission Church, Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation, New Mexico

Senior Pastor Forest Park Reformed Church, NYC

Certified EMT, Past Captain Fredon Rescue Squad, Firefighter, Fredon Vol Fire Company

Chaplain, Sussex County Fireman’s Association

Past President Newton Rotary, Chaplain Branchville Businessman’s Club

What are the top three political issues that you are most passionate about and why?

Top Issues

• There is a crisis in communication on the current Freeholder Board. The elected officials are elected to be in charge of the County government and set the philosophy of government and the direction government shall take. The professionals hired by the elected officials carry out the day to day activities of government but ultimately the decision making process rests with the elected officials. The Board needs to work together; there must be give and take to reach consensus decision and that is not happening at this time and when I am elected; I will provide leadership.
• I believe in the entrepreneurial spirit and have owned my own businesses for many years – I am accountable to myself and my clients – the same with government leadership- elected officials are accountable to the people whom we are honored to serve. Too often elected officials forget the service aspect of government. We must be accountable and transparent to the folks; they can and will respect their leaders and support the vital role that they play in making government compatible with daily life. This is reflected in frugal use of tax dollars, spending policies, management of government intrusion into our daily lives, and how we view ourselves as citizens in the greater community.
• Great leaders have great support staff and we need to maintain that value – with the retirement of government professionals it is imperative that we carefully select replacements. First we need positive leadership-not leadership over a TV screen from miles away. The Board of Chosen Freeholders should come together and carefully determine the individuals selected for the positions of daily operations. All professionals shall be accountable to the board and no individual shall manipulate the system to stifle communication to other board members. Total communication and transparency of the Board is essential. With a strong united Board we can and will reduce the footprint of government for the people of our County and most certainly serve them more efficiently.

What do you think should happen overall to make life more comfortable for current residents to live in Sussex County (and if for assembly candidates, Leg Dist 24), and to retain our resident base:

I think the most important thing residents of the County would like to see is their taxes brought under control. Taxes are a fact 0f life but we can be frugal and control the increases and the budgetary spending.

If elected, what would be the first order of business you would like to tackle:

The first thing I would like to see is an investigation of the solar project to discover what happened and why and who should bear the burden of responsibility as well as what can we do to prevent something like this from ever occurring again.

Is there anything more you’d like to share, in conclusion as a candidate not already asked above:

I was raised in a small community in western New York State and Lived in NYC for several years also. I came to Sussex County for the quality of life that I so appreciated as a young man; and I wanted to raise my family in that environment not unlike many of you who live here. I am a Conservative Republican at my core, not in name only; and I am sure you can tell the difference when you hear those in name only speak about spending, taxes and government programs. The current ‘Solar Bailout’ is symptomatic of that attitude where government bails out the failures of others. No more! We cannot afford to throw money at our problems and hope they will go away. This Solar project costs more than it will ever make and we the taxpayers will pay the bill long before any gains are realized. Government is not the safety net for private enterprise. Let the people of Sussex County rise up and be heard on Election Day. Support my candidacy for the position of Freeholder and take a position for positive leadership and a smaller government footprint and creative conservative answers to complex problems.

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