Curley takes oath as freeholder
Monmouth County Clerk M. Claire French congratulates John P. Curley after he was sworn in as a freeholder on Jan. 8.
“Families are leaving the state in droves, and we must take responsibility where we can,” Curley, of Middletown, said in a press release about the 2010 organization meeting of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
State 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, a former Red Bank councilman, replaced Barbara J. McMorrow, who had 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, the press release states.
Immediately after Curley took 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 in the press release. “How we will do this is the question of the day.”
She said the 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, and pledged to streamline operations and look for new, sustainable revenue sources.
“That does not mean we will do nothing but cut,” Burry said in the press release. “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 focused on the county budget and said in the press release, “The first order of business is the county budget. 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 work force of Monmouth County that has worked tirelessly for all of the residents of Monmouth County during a very difficult and trying time.”
He highlighted the work done in 2009 to advance shared services in Monmouth County, and that as the liaison to the county Finance Department, he is proud that the county retained its AAA bond rating.
“The AAA rating is a testament to the county’s sound fiscal management, stable growth and low debt burden,” Clifton said in the press release. “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 commended the freeholder board, which in the face of a national recession, has been 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.”
According to the press release, he resolved that the county would use the first countywide strategic plan as a blueprint to achieve further efficiencies in the operation of county government, work with state and regional partners to improve mass transit service and reduce traffic congestion, and to make county government 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 of the county’s economic and work-force 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 in the press release that the department’s operation 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,” she 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 resident 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 marshal, succeeding Timothy J. Smith, who retired in December.
Board members congratulated county Sheriff Kim Guadagno on her election as the state’s first lieutenant governor. Guadagno participated in the event by leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
For more information, visit the county’s website at www.visitmonmouth.com.
