For Immediate Release:
May 4, 2010
Clifton named ‘County Legislator of the Year’
New Jersey mayors’ group recognizes freeholder’s leadership
FREEHOLD, NJ – Monmouth County Freeholder Robert D. Clifton has been named 2010 “County Legislator of the Year” by the New Jersey Conference of Mayors.
Clifton, a Monmouth County freeholder since 2005 and a former mayor of Matawan, is completing his second three-year term on the Board of Chosen Freeholders, having been re-elected in November 2007. He is seeking re-election to the Board this year.
To help foster these shared services partnerships, the county has established a Cooperative Purchasing Program, whereby a government agency can purchase equipment and supplies without going out to bid because the county has already done so. The county also established the Commodity Resale Program, which lets towns and school districts purchase items directly from the county.
“I know how hard it is to be a mayor; I did it for eight years,” Clifton said. “The rewards are intangible and come in the form of improving the lives of your friends, families and neighbors. It takes a special type of person to be a public servant, and I am humbled by the recognition bestowed upon me.”
Clifton was the mayor of Matawan from 1996 until 2005 and was chairman of the Bayshore Conference of Mayors. He has also served on Matawan’s unified Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Board of Health and the county’s Board of Drug & Alcohol Abuse Services. In 2008 and again this year, he served as deputy director of the Board of Chosen Freeholders. He is currently serving as the second vice president of the New Jersey Association of Counties.
As freeholder, Clifton has directed the county’s effort to encourage and participate in shared services as a means of reducing costs at all levels of government. Monmouth County is assisting all 53 municipalities and their residents by promoting the practice of sharing services.
Clifton is director of Government and Community Affairs for Comcast Cable Corp. Before that he was director of industry relations for the New Jersey Pavement and Asphalt Association, where he served as liaison between the trade association and municipalities throughout the state regarding road improvement issues. He also served as an assistant to the Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor and was a legislative aide to former Assemblyman Michael P. Arnone.
Clifton was born and raised in Matawan, where he attended local elementary schools and St. John Vianney High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at Rider University, Lawrenceville, and a master’s degree in political science at the University of Richmond, Va.
As freeholder, Clifton’s responsibilities include oversight of the Administrator, Clerk of the Board, County Counsel, Finance, Monmouth County Improvement Authority, Independent Auditor, Information Technology, Insurance and Risk Management, Mosquito Extermination Commission, Personnel, Public Information, Purchasing, Records Management, Safety Office, Shared Services, Tax Board, Treasurer and the Vocational School District.
Clifton and his wife, Tracy, reside in Matawan with their two sons, R.J. and Jack.
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Photo caption: Freeholder Deputy Director Robert D. Clifton