(BELVIDERE, January 2, 2010) – Freeholder Everett A. Chamberlain took the oath of office for a third term on the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders, while Freeholder Richard D. Gardner was named the board’s director for 2010.
This will be Gardner’s fourth turn since becoming a freeholder in 2003 – and second year in a row – wielding the gavel for the freeholder board.
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As his wife, Judith, and son, Chad, hold the Bible, Warren County Freeholder Everett A. Chamberlain takes the oath of office from Joseph Houston.
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The board’s annual reorganization meeting, held in Courtroom 1 of the historic Warren County Courthouse, started with Chamberlain being sworn in to a three-year term by Joseph Houston, while his wife, Judith Chamberlain, and their son, Chad, held the Bible.
Later, Gardner, Chamberlain, and Freeholder Angelo Accetturo reviewed accomplishments of the past year and set forth goals for 2010, including continued conservative fiscal stewardship that they said has put Warren County in a good position to weather financial storms.
“I take my responsibility as being custodian of the taxpayer dollars very seriously,” Chamberlain said as he thanked the voters of Warren County for giving him another term.
Among the board’s recent accomplishments was the switch from self-insured health care for county employees to the state health benefits program, Chamberlain said, noting, “We’re saving a million-plus dollars.”
The board recently purchased a new location for the Warren County Library’s Northeast Branch; the need for a new library headquarters is being addressed; the county is on track to reach the milestone of having preserved 20,000 acres of farmland this year; and renovation of the Courthouse is about to begin, Chamberlain said.
One of the most significant accomplishments of last year was reducing the tax levy by more than $500,000, Chamberlain said, noting it was the first such reduction since 1992. Moreover, he pledged that the freeholders would reduce the levy by the same amount this year.
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Richard D. Gardner recites the oath to serve as freeholder director for 2010, as his daughter, Kristen, holds the Bible
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“We’ll accomplish these things with the same philosophy that we’ve had in the past. We’re going to pay as we go, we’re going to continue to reduce debt, and be stewards of your tax dollars,” Chamberlain remarked.
Accetturo was participating in the reorganization meeting for the first time as a freeholder. He was appointed to an unexpired term on the board in April and later elected to the balance of that term, taking the oath of office after the election results were certified in November. He noted that a year ago, he was in the audience at the reorganization meeting, and “I never thought I’d be here this year in front of you all. It’s a tremendous honor to be here.” |
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Accetturo pledged to continue the chain of conservative leadership the county has had for a decade, noting, “If we continue on that path, we will always be in good shape here in Warren County.”
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Freeholder Angelo Accetturo praised volunteers who serve in Warren County.
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Accetturo said it is a privilege to work with the county’s staff and professionals, whose wisdom and keen decision-making has prepared the county for these challenging times. “Warren County is poised for the future, because of the smart money decisions made here,” he remarked.
Accetturo also noted he is impressed by the spirit of volunteerism in the county, both those who volunteer on county boards and those who serve local groups. He recently presented a certificate to a couple who have been delivering meals to the homebound for 25 years, commenting, “They’re the type of people we have in Warren County. This is our strength in Warren County, we believe in helping our neighbors.”
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The Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders meets for the first time in 2010 in the historic Warren County Courthouse.
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Gardner also praised the volunteers who serve on county boards and help with issues such as education, open space preservation and addressing the county’s facility needs.
Gardner pledged the freeholders will stick to their commitment to develop a new headquarters for the county library system, but will continue to seek the most cost-effective way to do the project.
He also said the county is spearheading programs to share services with municipal governments, citing recent examples by the Road Department and the Information Services Department, as these efforts help the taxpayers by reducing costs overall.
“It’s our obligation to do this, to try to help where we can,” Gardner remarked.
All these efforts are aimed at providing a better future for younger generations, Gardner remarked. Referring to Accetturo’s young son, Anthony, Gardner said he hopes that Anthony’s generation will someday look back to today’s leaders and say “they did the right thing for us.”
Among the dignitaries attending the reorganization meeting was Congressman E. Scott Garrett, who said he thinks the nation’s Founding Fathers would be proud of the accomplishments of today’s Warren County freeholders.
“We would find our finances in a far better place if only the rest of the country and the rest of the State of New Jersey could be run as well as Warren County is,” Garrett remarked, telling those in attendance, “I think you’re all blessed and fortunate to have these gentlemen up here.” |