Mercer County Freeholder Candidate Cindy Randazzo responded to Mercer County Democrat Chair Rich McClellan's comments on County's lease renewal with the Trenton Thunder and give away of naming rights.

Randazzo asked, "Instead of hearing from the party boss, the tax payers deserve an explanation from their elected officials. Can Freeholders Lucy Walter or Dan Benson explain why they agreed to give away an asset worth millions? Can they explain after just raising taxes for Mercer's families they approved a new lease that will deprive the taxpayers of revenue for tax relief? Can they tell us why they gave the Thunder a sweetheart deal without letting the public know about it? Can Freeholder Candidate John Cimino tell the taxpayers what he would have done?"

"The Thunder aren't about to leave. There is no emergency. The lease we had wasn't up for five years. We got $2.7 million for the naming rights to the arena. Can Lucy Walter and Dan Benson let us know why they gave away millions in tax relief for nothing?

"Now, I am a huge fan of the Trenton Thunder and I commend them for obtaining such an incredible deal. Anyone with business sense would be crazy not to take it. My concern is with the Freeholder board and their lack of due diligence. I know this is a good deal for the Trenton Thunder, but was it a good deal for Mercer County? Maybe Freeholders Lucy Walter and Dan Benson should explain."

Randazzo went on to ask, "How many more good deals like this can Mercer County afford?"

"Rich McClellan is not elected to any office in Mercer County. He should not be responding on County business. The people who make the decisions should be the ones responding.

"Rich McClellan's response is a perfect example of why we need a change in Mercer County. Elected officials should be accountable to the taxpayers. Every citizen has the right to open and honest government."