The candidates faced each other at a debate Wednesday night held at the Monmouth County Library.
MANALAPAN -- The Democratic candidates who are running for the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders vow to not raise taxes if they are elected. The incumbent Republicans said they have kept spending down and are proud of the county's AAA-bond rating.
All four candidates running for a seat on the county freeholder board had a chance to tout their accomplishments and lay out their views at a debate Wednesday night sponsored by the Monmouth County League of Women's Voters.
No matter what the topic discussed, the two Democratic candidates, Matthew Doherty and Sue Fulton, seemed to find a way to bring the discussion back to taxes.
"Taxes in Monmouth County are out of control, we all know that," Doherty said. "It's time to put a lid on it."
Doherty, who is the mayor in Belmar, said taxes in the borough haven't gone up in six years.
DiMaso instead pointed to the county budget and explained how it's dropped from $491 million in 2011 to $469 million this year -- a $22 million savings, she said.
"We did cut taxes $4.5 million last year," she said. "The year before we raised them somewhat because we have a AAA-bond rating -- one of 33 in the country and the only one in New Jersey. We have that bond rating because of the way we handle our finances."
More importantly, Freeholder Director Tom Arnone said, is capital expenditures in the country are down more than $50 million. He also noted the shared services agreement between 52 towns in the county
"It's something that we're very proud of," he said. "It's very unique. It's very much looked at across the state."
Democratic candidate Sue Fulton said her experience as a businesswoman will help her take a "sharper pencil" to eliminate duplication and areas of waste in the county budget.
"Our opponents are proud of keeping the budget level, but it needs to be cut," Fulton said.
Doherty, 43, and Fulton, 57, of Asbury Park, are vying to become the first Democrats elected to the Republican-controlled Board of Chosen Freeholders since Amy Mallet of Fair Haven was elected in 2008. That was the same year Democrats took control of the board for the first time in 23 years.
Doherty is currently serving his second term as mayor of Belmar. Before that, he served on the borough's council for two terms. Fulton was part of the first U.S. Military Academy at West Point class to admit women before she became a captain. After the military, she went on to have a 25-year career in the private sector, serving as a manager with companies like Procter & Gamble and Merck.
If elected, Republicans would still hold control of the freeholder board.
Arnone and DiMaso, the deputy director, are hoping to get elected for a third and second term, respectively.
Prior to the freeholder debate, Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, the incumbent, sparred against Democrat Jeff Cantor, a Marlboro councilman and U.S. Army colonel.
Both candidates agreed that the two most important issues facing the county are fighting the heroin and opioid problem and keeping the residents safe from terrorism.
Golden said his office has taken a "multi-prong approach" to fighting the heroin epidemic, which includes educating residents and beefing up enforcement. The sheriff said the county has done more to teach students and residents about prescription drugs, including implementing a prescription drug drop off box. The department has also added six K-9 dogs in his time as sheriff, Golden said.
Cantor said he is looking to put together a task force that includes physicians, pharmacists, addicts, treatment specialist, clinical outreach coordinators and law enforcement officers.
"I will not take my eye off the ball when it comes to addressing the heroin crisis," he said.
Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.