FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 9, 2008

County administrator to be keynote speaker
at Fifth Wednesday luncheon Jan. 3

FREEHOLD – Newly appointed County Administrator

Robert M. Czech will be the keynote speaker at the county’s Fifth Wednesday Squire’s Luncheon beginning at noon on Jan. 30 at Branches, 123 Monmouth Rd., West Long Branch.

 Czech, who became the county administrator in December, will provide an overview of county government and its various functions. He plans to highlight several programs that contribute to the county’s economic viability, including the county budget, the county vocational schools that prepare county teens for higher education and trade professions, and the county’s e-filing program – an electronic records management system that is leading the way statewide.

As the county’s top administrator, Czech oversees a budget of more than $470 million, 60 departments with 3,500 employees, one of the nation’s best county park systems and county colleges and more than 400 miles of roads.

“Bob Czech has a long history of government service and a thorough understanding of its workings,” said Bea Duffy, director of the Monmouth County Department of Economic Development and Tourism. “We’re very happy to have Mr. Czech make use of Fifth Wednesday as a way to meet residents and business people from throughout Monmouth County.”

The department sponsors the luncheon, which is one of the most popular gatherings of the county’s top business, government and civic organizations. “The Fifth Wednesday event began more than 20 years ago – it provides valuable information to all those who attend,” said Freeholder John D’Amico Jr., who oversees the Department of Economic Development and Tourism.

Tickets are $30 and include lunch. The menu is chicken francaise or stuffed fillet of flounder. To reserve a seat, call the department at (732) 431-7470. The deadline is Friday, Jan. 25, to make reservations. Tickets may be purchased at the door.

Fifth Wednesday luncheons are sponsored by the Monmouth County Department of Economic Development and Tourism. They allow leaders in business, government and civic associations to gather and exchange ideas. It is the largest regularly scheduled event of its kind in Monmouth County, and it features speakers whose expertise expands the each attendee’s knowledge of important topics.

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