Freeholder updates

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newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2009/1223/bulletin_board/013.html

Freeholders to meet


The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders is holding a sine die meeting at 11 a.m. Jan. 7 in the Monmouth County Hall of Records, Freehold Borough, to conclude business matters for the year. At 4 p.m. Jan. 7 the Board of Freeholders will hold its annual organizational meeting at the Monmouth County Police Academy, 2000 Kozloski Road, Freehold Township. John P. Curley of Middletown will be sworn in as a freeholder.

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Dec 24, 2009 7:38:44 GMT -5 admin said:

newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2009/1223/bulletin_board/013.html

Freeholders to meet


The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders is holding a sine die meeting at 11 a.m. Jan. 7 in the Monmouth County Hall of Records, Freehold Borough, to conclude business matters for the year. At 4 p.m. Jan. 7 the Board of Freeholders will hold its annual organizational meeting at the Monmouth County Police Academy, 2000 Kozloski Road, Freehold Township. John P. Curley of Middletown will be sworn in as a freeholder.

I understand that the county GOP is also holding its celebration of taking back the board at the American Hotel. That is certainly appropriate and has an air of past traditions of the GOP and the AH. It is that much more symbolic in a year when the borough has seen for sure that the town GOP is back in full force.

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www.app.com/article/20091223/POLITICS/912230368/Burry+to+be+Monmouth+County+Freeholder+director

Burry to be Monmouth County Freeholder director
Clifton, passed over, gets No. 2 job
By BOB JORDAN • FREEHOLD BUREAU • December 23, 2009

The Republican caucus has selected Lillian G. Burry over Robert D. Clifton to head the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders in 2010, despite Clifton's standing as the longest-serving freeholder.




Burry was director in 2008, but Democrats took the board majority this year and installed Barbara J. McMorrow as director. The new Republican majority takes control Jan. 7.

The director receives a $900 stipend in addition to the $27,000 freeholder salary (the figures were reduced from $1,000 and $30,000, respectively, at the start of this year). The director's responsibilities include running the biweekly freeholder meetings and signing documents such as grant agreements and contracts on behalf of the county as authorized by the board.

Clifton, first elected as a freeholder in 2004, has never served as director. Clifton said political caucus discussions over board leadership positions resulted in a consensus favoring Burry's contention that she was entitled to another year as director.

"I gave Lillian my support," Clifton said. "In 2007, the freeholder board passed a resolution limiting members to two years as director. Lillian said she did not have her second year yet, and I agreed with her."

Clifton will serve as deputy director. He said he plans to run for his third three-year term in November's election.

Burry and McMorrow were the first two women to serve as freeholder directors. Burry won her first freeholder term in November 2005. She previously held elected office on the Matawan Borough Council and Colts Neck Committee. She is owner and broker of record of Colts Neck Realty, Route 537.

Burry said her agenda for the board will be headed by work on the budget.

The county government has imposed one-year wage freezes on most of its 3,500-member work force and has laid off 105 employees.

The board will likely be asked by administrators to consider another round of wage freezes in 2010, Burry said.

"I'm a realist. This is going to be a difficult year," Burry said. "We have to wait to see where we are when all the numbers come in. I definitely don't want to see layoffs. That's something we shouldn't want to consider."

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I have to add another update here. I saw a really nice article in the APP about Freeholder Director, Barbara McMorrow. I hunted for the article on line and could not find it to post here. The article was a very complimentary one that lauded her for outstanding service.

Barbara did not run this year for another term because of health reasons. On the positive side, all reports state that she is doing far better. The good news from that is that Barbara has not ruled out seeking elected office in the future. I think many people will agree with me that we can look forward to the day when we can cast a vote for her.

I voted for McMorrow twice and believe she was very good for the board of Freeholders and ultimately, the citizens of Monmouth County. When she took office, she was a minority party candidate who broke through a long standing one party board. Though Monmouth County is one of the top counties in the nation, she was a breath of fresh air who challenged the status quo and pushed conversations and issues that needed to be pushed. In other words, she played a big role in bettering what was already a good county. That is to be applauded.

I have to also mention one of the many accomplishments McMorrow achieved while in office which was mentioned in the article- a bipartisan citizens budget review committee. I recall sitting in a meeting when she campaigned on that issue and she got it done. It was a very good thing for the county and did produce results that benefited the tax payers.

Barbara McMorrow started her political career here in Freehold Borough. I know she enjoys immense popularity and respect from our residents. I am sure that all will thank her for her service, wish her the best, and look forward to her return to the political stage.

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Found it! Here is the article about Barbara McMorrow.

www.app.com/article/20091229/NEWS/912290308/Freeholder-lauded-for-service

Freeholder lauded for service
By BOB JORDAN • FREEHOLD BUREAU • December 29, 2009

FREEHOLD — Monmouth County Freeholder Barbara J. McMorrow, in the final days of her term, was praised by colleagues and residents at board meetings Tuesday for helping improve county government programs and bringing reforms over the last three years.





Freehold Township resident Jennie Mistretta said McMorrow changed the public's perception of the county government.

"I kind of go back to the old days when we had Club Monmouth, which was a disgrace," said Mistretta, referring to the 2005 "Club Monmouth" Asbury Park Press series, which exposed waste and mismanagement by freeholders and top officials. "Things started to change when Barbara was elected. I haven't come to a freeholder meeting in about seven months because I knew we were in good hands."

McMorrow, 62, did not run for re-election in November. She cited health concerns when she announced in February she was out of the race. However, McMorrow said her health has improved, and she has not ruled out a future campaign.

McMorrow, a Democrat, noted that fellow Democrat John D'Amico returned to the board in 2008 after a 20-year absence.

"Who knows? I may follow in (D'Amico's) footsteps and come back to the board," McMorrow said.

McMorrow served as director of the five-member freeholder board this year, becoming the second female to hold that position.

Other board members credited McMorrow with various initiatives, including helping establish a bipartisan budget review committee and leading efforts that resulted in pay-to-play reforms.

Freeholder-elect John Curley, a Republican who will take McMorrow's seat on Jan. 7, told McMorrow, "Thank you for three years of wonderful service."

McMorrow, a former Freehold councilwoman and current Freehold Township resident, won election in 2006, becoming the first Democrat in 20 years to join the board. Democrats gained a majority this year, but Curley's victory over Democrat candidate Sean Byrnes in November switches board control back to the Republicans for 2010.
Bob Jordan: 732-308-7755;

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