“In the year ahead, I promise to work tirelessly for changes we desire that will make better lives and a stronger economy for the people of Monmouth County,” said Director Burry. “We have much work to do in transitioning Fort Monmouth into an engine for economic growth while restoring services for our veterans, finding a balance between economic development and historic preservation at Fort Hancock, creating a new County Master Plan and completing the County’s Child Advocacy Center.”

“With the help, support and wise counsel of Freeholders Rich, Arnone, Curley and DiMaso along with the expert efforts of the County’s exceptional professionals and appointees we will accomplish many things in the coming year,” pledged Director Burry.

“The County’s commitment to its taxpayers never ends and, as elected officials, it is our responsibility to meet that commitment, both conventionally and creatively,” said Rich. “As we begin this new year, I am ever-cognizant of meeting and exceeding that commitment and continuing to ensure the responsible, proficient management of Monmouth County’s overall operations.”

Prior to the selection of the Board leadership, Freeholders Thomas A. Arnone and Serena DiMaso and County Sheriff Shaun Golden were sworn into office.

Arnone begins his second, three-year term and DiMaso, who just completed an elected one-year unexpired term, was elected to her first three-year term. The Freeholders were issued the oath of office by Superior Court Judge Lawrence Lawson.

Golden was sworn into his second three-year term by New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno.  

“It is an honor and privilege to have been sworn in as the Monmouth County Sheriff for a second term,” said Golden. “I look forward to continuing to serve all who live, work or visit this great county in an efficient and effective manner for another three years.”

Burry expressed her thanks to Arnone and DiMaso for their leadership of the 2013 Freeholder Board during an unprecedented time in the County’s history – recovery from Superstorm Sandy.

“We were able to move forward and recover from Sandy because we worked together and partnered with government agencies and local businesses,” said Arnone. “Our Shared Services initiatives were a big help to many of our communities over the past 15 months. County programs, including Grow Monmouth, Made in Monmouth and the Façade Improvement Program, also made a positive impact on the County’s economic community.” 

“2013 also marked the establishment of the County’s Tourism Advisory Group where tourism leaders sat together to focus on Monmouth County’s tourism marketing and promotion,” added Arnone. “We are preparing now for Super Bowl XLVIII visitors.” 

“We have accomplished much over the past year, but the best is yet to come,” said DiMaso. “We have many challenges ahead of us and we will tackle those challenges together. We all want the same things for our community: controlled property taxes, our infrastructure to be top notch, the best schools for our children, fabulous parks and beaches to enjoy. All things this Freeholder Board has delivered in the past and will continue to deliver.”

Also serving on the 2014 Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders is John P. Curley who highlighted the Freeholder Board’s fiscal discipline over the past several years that have outsourced the bridge tending, the medical examiner’s office and the Youth Detention Center. 

“Our County, with the support of the Freeholders, has put forth these programs,” said Curley. “We have outsourced to save money. These actions have saved taxpayers multi-millions of dollars.”

All of the Freeholders thanked County staff and administration for their hard work during the past year.

Among the 2013 County accomplishments listed by the Freeholders were providing assistance to more than 45,000 residents in need of food, housing, medical assistance and heat; conducting a second very successful large non-holiday food drive with the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties;  rolling out a new tax Assessment Demonstration Program; implementing the County Communication Plan; advancing the hazard mitigation program; processing nearly 400,000 tons of waste at the County Reclamation Center; consolidating the Superintendent of Schools offices for Monmouth and Ocean counties; beginning construction of the West Front Street Bridge between Middletown and Red Bank; and maintaining the County’s AAA bond rating by all three major ratings agencies.

The Freeholders made a number of citizen member appointments to various county boards and commissions that included:

• Advisory Council to the Monmouth County Office on Aging (three year terms) – Ronald Griffiths of Freehold, Sharon Stark of Matawan and Bessie Wade of Neptune.
• Agriculture Development Board – Regular members (three year terms) – Jeffrey Foster of Wall, J. David Holmes of Cream Ridge and Joseph McCarthy of Oceanport.
• Addiction Services (three year terms) – R. Diane Aifer of Freehold, Mary Anne Ashby of Tinton Falls and Francine Acquaviva of Holmdel.
• Construction Board of Appeals – Regular member (four year term) – Richard Arzberger of Middletown; Alternate member (four year term) – Andrew Trocchia of Fair Haven.
• Environmental Council (three year term) – Jennifer DiLorenzo of Monmouth Beach.
• Historical Commission (three year terms) – Randall Gabrielan of Middletown, Ellen Terry of Millstone, Peter Van Nortwick of Middletown and Brooks Von Arx of Fair Haven.
• Library Commission (five year terms) – Peter Doyle of Atlantic Highlands and Donald Burden of Shrewsbury.
• Mosquito Extermination Commission (three year terms) – Michael Gianforte of Brielle and Andrew Trocchia of Fair Haven.
• Planning Board – Regular members (three year terms) – James Giannell of Red Bank and Jennifer DiLorenzo of Monmouth Beach; Alternate members (one year terms) – John Mele of Cream Ridge and Craig Marshall of Marlboro.
• Board of Recreation Commissioners (five year term) – Melvin Hood of Neptune.
• Senior Citizen & Disabled Resident Transportation Advisory Committee (three year term) – Barbara Child-Pigman of Avon by the Sea, Michael Marrazzo of Leonardo, Susan Moleon of Long Branch, Michael Ruane of West Long Branch and Stanley Soden of Long Branch.
• Shade Tree Commission (five year term) – Julie McGowan of Colts Neck.
• Solid Waste Advisory Council – George Snyder of Howell.
• Transportation Council– Regular members (three year terms) – Elizabeth Barrett of Rumson, Gerald Del Tufo of Matawan, A. Anthony Garaguso of Aberdeen, Eric Nelson of Manalapan and Jeffrey Vernick of Freehold; Alternate member (one year term) – Tom Henessey of 
• Youth Services Commission (three year terms) – Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, Monmouth County Acting Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni, Martin Krupnick of Freehold, Timothy McCorkell of Brielle and the Honorable James J. McGann, Monmouth County Courthouse.  

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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