Zimmer One Of Two Hudson County Mayors To Support Gov. Christie

Mayor Dawn Zimmer's support for Gov. Chris Christie became more evident today, after the governor's office sent out a list of mayors who are supporting Christie's proposed amendment to instate a maximum property tax cap of 2.5 percent annually. 

Zimmer is one of two mayors in the predominantly Democratic Hudson County who are supporting the proposals and the "Toolkit," which Christie laid out yesterday during a town hall meeting at Hoboken Catholic Academy. Harrison Mayor Raymond McDonough also endorsed the governor. 

Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy, who attended yesterday's town hall meeting after receiving an invitation to attend from the Zimmer, is not on the list of mayors who are in support of the governor's plans. 

Yesterday, Zimmer called property tax relief a "non partisan issue." She described herself as a lifelong Democrat, and said she voted for Jon Corzine in the elections. 

"This is not a Republican or a Democratic issue," Zimmer said. "There's nothing partisan about being smart and responsible with the money entrusted to us by our citizens."

Here is the message from the Governor's office:

Trenton, NJ – Today, the Governor's Office announced the support of 39 mayors from Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic and Union counties for Governor Chris Christie's Cap 2.5 constitutional amendment and Reform Agenda to bring real property tax relief to New Jersey families.  Mayors are on the frontline of the property tax crisis, forced to deal with ballooning expenses, unfunded mandates, and cost-drivers which in many cases they have little control over.

Last week, the Governor outlined a sweeping 33-bill reform package to solve New Jersey's property tax crisis and control spending at every level of government. The centerpiece of the plan is Cap 2.5, a constitutional amendment creating a 2.5 percent cap on property tax increases.

Property taxes have grown 70% over the last ten years, resulting in an average annual property tax bill of $7,281 on New Jersey families – the highest rate in the nation. Cap 2.5 will halt the growth in property taxes while the Christie Reform Agenda will give towns and school boards the tools needed to control spending to make Cap 2.5 both realistic and achievable. 

 Mayors From Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic & Union Counties That Have Endorsed Cap 2.5 & Governor Christie's Reform Agenda:

 Bergen County

Mayor Vince Barra, Allendale

Mayor Benedict Romeo, Cresskill

Mayor Dick Mola, Elmwood Park

Mayor Mark Sokolich, Fort Lee

Mayor Maura DeNicola, Franklin Lakes

Mayor John van Keuren, Glen Rock

Mayor Thomas Randall, Ho-Ho-Kus

Mayor Richard Martel, Mahwah

Mayor Joseph Monahan, Midland Park

Mayor James Barsa, Norwood

Mayor Victor Polce, Old Tappan

Mayor Chris Botta, Ramsey

Mayor David Pfund, Ridgewood

Mayor Margaret Watkins, River Edge

Mayor Frank Valenzuela, Rochelle Park

Mayor Nicholas Langella, Rockleigh

Mayor John Hipp, Rutherford

Mayor Samuel Raia, Saddle River

Mayor Kenneth Gabbert, Upper Saddle River

Mayor Russell Litchult, Waldwick

Mayor Joseph LaPaglia, Woodcliff Lake

Mayor Rudy Boonstra, Wyckoff

Hudson County

Mayor Raymond McDonough, Harrison

Mayor Dawn Zimmer, Hoboken

Essex County

Mayor James Gasparini, Fairfield

Mayor Thomas McDermott, Millburn

Mayor Mel Levine, North Caldwell

Village President Douglas Newman, South Orange  

Mayor Joseph Tempesta, West Caldwell

Passaic County

Mayor Michael DeFrancisci, Little Falls

Mayor Katie Cole, Pompton Lakes

Mayor Theodore Taukus, Ringwood

Union County

Mayor Robert Woodruff, Berkeley Heights

Mayor Mark Smith, Cranford

Mayor Joseph Menza, Hillside

Mayor Kathi Fiamingo, Kenilworth

Mayor Richard Gerbounka, Linden

Mayor John Thoms, New Providence

Mayor Ziad Andrew Shehady, Springfield