Assemblyman Cody Miller (D-Monroe) says Republican Gloucester County commissioner candidate Martino Cartier is trying to exploit New Jersey’s farmland assessment program to get a tax break on his $6.5 million Sewell property and promises legislation to close loopholes.
Miller’s criticism comes amid allegations that Cartier is running for office to advance his farmland assessment application for the Washington Township property, which includes his home, a hair salon, and a children’s petting zoo.
“The Farmland Assessment Program was created to protect real, working farms in New Jersey while strengthening the state’s agricultural industry,” Miller said. “The program wasn’t created so that someone with a multi-million-dollar residential and commercial property can keep a few animals, call it a farm, and feel entitled to a tax break.”
Miller said Cartier’s property, recently listed for sale at $6.5 million, includes a 4,000-square-foot commercial business, a 5,600-square-foot residence, a nonprofit charity organization, and a petting zoo.
“I’m deeply disturbed to learn that someone running for Gloucester County Commissioner believes that keeping an ostrich, an emu, and an alpaca ‘qualifies as a farm’ and is entitled to a tax break, even though the property has multiple uses,” Miller said. “But here we are.”
He contrasted the controversial Cartier’s pursuit of a farmland assessment with the financial pressures facing New Jersey farmers.
“Meanwhile, our actual farmers are struggling as costs continue to rise under President Trump’s tariff policies and a failing economy,” Miller said.
Miller also compared Cartier to President Donald Trump, whose Bedminster golf club has received farmland assessments for portions of its property used for agricultural purposes.
“While Trump games the system for his own benefit and seeks to enrich himself, it would make sense that someone who openly supports Trump and flies the MAGA banner would attempt to game the system to try to get a tax break they shouldn’t be entitled to — while working- and middle-class families suffer under this national mess of an administration,” Miller said.
“Trump has also maintained a farmland assessment on portions of his golf club property in Bedminster through hay production and goat grazing, so it’s no surprise that Martino Cartier would feel the same way,” Miller stated. “We don’t need another Trump in public office — trying to game the system.”
Miller invoked his own family’s agricultural history in Gloucester County.
“As someone whose great-grandparents were immigrant farmers in Gloucester County and made a living for their families, it’s a slap in the face to them and to actual farmers,” he said. “And this program didn’t even exist back then when they farmed.”
Miller, who represents Washington Township in the Assembly, said he is seeking municipal records involving Cartier’s property, including communications with township officials about farmland assessment and potential land acquisitions..
“In my role as Vice Chair of Oversight, Reform, and Federal Relations, and with a record of investigating misuse of government programs and funding, I won’t make accusations, but I will ask questions and review the records,” he said.
Miller also cited former Republican Rep. Jon Runyan (D-Moorestown), who drew scrutiny for receiving a farmland assessment on property where he kept donkeys.
“We need to fix the law. We don’t need another Donald Trump or the infamous Jon Runyan, who got a few donkeys to qualify for a farmland assessment,” Miller said. “We have enough millionaires and billionaires gaming the system in New Jersey.”
Miller said he intends to introduce legislation to tighten eligibility requirements and ensure that the farmland assessment program benefits legitimate agricultural operations.
“That’s why I’ll introduce legislation to reform the Farmland Assessment Program and ensure it reaches those who need it most.”
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March 13, 2020