Penna, Nelson attack GOP freeholders over pay hike amid COVID-19 crisis

Democratic freeholder candidates in Monmouth County attacked their Republican opponents over a raise the freeholder board voted to give itself Tuesday.

“The economic impact of this pandemic is unknown at this time, but there’s no doubt it will be life changing for the average Monmouth County resident,” Michael Penna and Moira Nelson said. “This move by the Freeholders is, at best, tone deaf, insensitive and distasteful.”

The incumbent freeholders on Tuesday voted to raise their salaries from $27,000 to $30,000, according to a report by the Asbury Park Press.

The increase returns Monmouth County freeholder pay to where it was before the Great Recession.