January 8, 2010

FREEHOLD – Minutes after being sworn in as the newest Monmouth County freeholder, Middletown resident John P. Curley pledged to work to maintain the county’s quality of life and keep Monmouth County among the best places to live in America.

 

“Families are leaving the state in droves and we must take responsibility where we can,” Curley said at the 2010 Organization meeting of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders. “We must all make our decisions with our hearts and souls and allow the people to judge us.”

 

Immediately after Curley recited the oath of office, the board selected Freeholder Lillian G. Burry to serve as director and Freeholder Robert D. Clifton to serve as deputy director for 2010. Burry and Clifton had served as director and deputy director, respectively, in 2008.

 

“It is our responsibility to find ways to continue to do the business of government and do it to our own high standard and without placing too great a burden on the taxpayers we serve,” Burry said. “How we will do this is the question of the day.”

 

Monmouth County will continue to work with state, county and local governments to share resources and reduce costs while enhancing levels of service or possibly outsourcing some, Burry said. She also pledged to streamline operations and look for new, sustainable revenue sources.

 

“That does not mean we will do nothing but cut,” Burry said. “This will be a time to buy more open space, preserve additional farmland and make other sound investments that will strengthen our core county resources and aid our municipalities.”

 

Clifton zeroed in on the county budget and said crafting a spending plan this year won’t be any easier than it was last year.

 

“The first order of business is the county budget,” Clifton said. “Even though the county did better than expected last year, revenues are still down and money is still very tight. I would like to thank the entire workforce of Monmouth County that has worked tirelessly for all of the residents of Monmouth County during a very difficult and trying time.”

 

Clifton highlighted the work done in 2009 to advance shared services in Monmouth County and, as the freeholder liaison to the Finance Department, he said he was proud that despite the cuts made to the budget last year Monmouth County retained its AAA bond rating.

 

“The AAA rating is a testament to Monmouth County’s sound fiscal management, stable growth and low debt burden,” Clifton said. “We have many accomplishments to reflect upon, but many challenges that lie ahead. It is my hope we will be bold enough to identify areas where there are recurring savings and we will be brave enough to act upon them.”  

 

 Freeholder John D’Amico acknowledged the national recession and commended the Board of Freeholders for being able to “keep a lid on expenses, preserve the county’s AAA bond rating, benefit from stimulus funding, address major infrastructure needs, take important steps to conserve energy, promote economic development and employment, expand shared services with municipalities and school districts, improve our environment and plan strategically for the future.”

 

In touting last year’s adoption of the first county-wide strategic plan in New Jersey, D’Amico resolved that the county would use the plan as a blueprint to achieve further efficiencies in the operation of county government, to work with state and regional partners to improve mass transit service and reduce traffic congestion and to make the county more transparent.  

 

“The county will also continue to move forward with worker retraining and the creation of green jobs,” D’Amico said. He credited the restructuring the county’s economic and workforce development efforts as a way to assist workers who will choose not to move to Maryland when Fort Monmouth closes.  

 

Freeholder Amy A. Mallet, liaison to the county’s Human Services Department, explained that the department’s operations, is counter cyclical to the economy. “That is, as the economy takes a downturn, this department experiences an increase in the need for its services. Many fine individuals and groups are working in the community to serve our most vulnerable residents, yet there is more work to do.”

 

“I know this first hand because I traveled on our SCAT bus with clients, delivered meals to homebound residents and helped at numerous food pantries,” Mallet said. “Right now, we rely on a portion of the casino revenue to support the senior and special transportation system. When that revenue is down, so is our ability to provide this very necessary service. We need fresh new ideas in establishing smart and equitable priorities during these difficult times.”

 

Mallet stressed that the county has an opportunity to make sure that every person in the county is counted in the 2010 census.   

 

During the business portion of the meeting, the Freeholders set meeting dates, adopted a temporary budget and appointed members to various county boards and commissions. Hank A. Stryker III was named county Fire Marshall, replacing Timothy J. Smith who retired in December.

 

Superior Court Assignment Judge Lawrence M. Lawson issued the oath of office to Curley after County Clerk M. Claire French publicly certified the election. Curley replaced Barbara J. McMorrow, who served on the board since 2007 and did not seek re-election. 

 

Curley presented McMorrow with a bouquet of yellow roses in appreciation for her time and service to the Board and the residents of Monmouth County. All the freeholders included good wishes for McMorrow as part of their remarks. McMorrow bid farewell to her board colleagues and county employees earlier in the day at county’s annual Sine die meeting.

 

Board members also took time to congratulate county Sheriff Kim Guadagno on her election to the post as the state’s first Lt. Governor. Guadagno participated in the event by leading the pledge of allegiance. 

 

For additional information about Monmouth County and the Board of Chosen Freeholders, visit the county’s Website at www.visitmonmouth.com.

 

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