By Muriel J. Smith
FREEHOLD – Freeholder Gary Rich was sworn in as director of the Board of Freeholders at the county reorganization Tuesday afternoon before a packed audience at the Biotechnology High School Auditorium. Freeholder Serena DeMasi was sworn in as deputy director.
The unanimous action came after Rich and former Freeholder Director Lillian Burry were sworn in to new three-year terms on the board, with Superior Court Assignment Judge Lisa Horton administering the oath to Rich and Acting Governor Kim Guadagno administering the oath to Freeholder Burry.
Freeholders received a letter of congratulations and support from Congressman Chris Smith, who was unable to be present for the reorganization because of his own obligations at the organization of the 114th Congress in Washington, D.C. In his letter, Smith congratulated the freeholders on their dedication to growth and ability to maintain a Triple A bond rating as well as their efforts in recovering from Super Storm Sandy.
All appointments to positions, commissions, boards, and professionals were by unanimous vote of the all-Republican board, with the exception of the two appointments to the County Library Commission, which were vetoed by Freeholder John Curley. Curley said he opposed the reappointments of personnel to the Commission in light of the “scathing report” the library system received from a study group commissioned by the board earlier in the year.
In accepting her new term in office, Burry also addressed the impact the storm had on the county, as well as other factors, including the Fort Monmouth closing and a national recession. “But we had to deal with all of this and had to make sure that Monmouth County remained an island of stability in an increasingly turbulent world.”
Rich, who began his second term on the board, reminded citizens that “what is best for all of you has driven my priorities,” and noted “we are in an era of rapid change” including technology growth, which all government is traditionally slow in adopting. Keeping the taxpayers first will always be the board’s first priority, he said, together with strategic planning to map the course of Monmouth County for the next 50 years, and improving a governing structure that needs change, and resolving the care center issues the county is currently facing. That, he said, “needs thoughtful consideration,” adding, “but we’ll do it.”
Freeholder Tom Arnone, in his brief remarks, expressed thanks to State Sen. Joseph Kyrillos for lobbying for the additional $7 million necessary for reconstruction of the Red Bank bridge which began last week, after bids came in $7 million higher than the $14 million estimated for it, primarily because of the necessity of creating a temporary bridge until the work is finished in May. “If you see Sen. Kyrillos, be sure to thank him,” he said, “because this $21 million project is 100 per cent federally funded.”
The Two River Times was continued as an official paper for Monmouth County legal notices.
