New Jersey Town Feeling Effects Of Partial Government Shutdown

By Mark Abrams

WRIGHTSTOWN, NJ (CBS) - So how is the partial shutdown impacting a South Jersey community that relies heavily on a major military installation?

The community of Wrightstown in Burlington County sits on the edge of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. There are furloughs, but the government isn't saying how many.

Tom Harper is mayor of Wrightstown for 14 years and says the town is feeling some pain, "There are a lot of businesses in Wrightstown Borough that do rely on the base, a lot of the restaurants where they come out and have lunch between 11 and 1, 2."

A local sandwich shop worker says she's see an appreciable drop in business.

Harper, himself, has been affected. He runs the Liberty gas station right near the entrance to the base and laments a drop-off in gas sales. "Unfortunately, it's political and it shouldn't be. You're fooling with people's livelihood."