Curley Takes Reins of Freeholder Board

Middletown resident John Curley will lead the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Curley was elected freeholder director by the board during its reorganization meeting on Thursday, Jan. 5 at in Freehold Township. Freeholder Thomas Arnone, of Neptune, will serve as deputy director in 2012.

“The era of pragmatism starts today,” Curley said. “You don’t spend more than you take in. I will not entertain any tax increases. I will not remain silent in accepting the status quo. I will not allow government to expand.”

During the reorganization, Monmouth County Clerk M. Claire French certified the 2011 ballot results, which saw Surrogate Rosemarie Peters, of Middletown, and Freeholder Lillian Burry, of Colts Neck, reelected and Freeholder Gary Rich, of Spring Lake, elected. The reconstituted board returns the county governing body to a 5-0 Republican majority.

The meeting was attended by approximately 200 officials, county employees, and friends and family members of the newly sworn-in office holders. The freeholders each reflected on the county projects undertaken in 2011 and looked ahead toward what they hope to accomplish in the year ahead.

Arnone, who completed his first year in office, highlighted the county’s efforts to make its 9-1-1 dispatch services available to municipal departments. He noted the county made strides in promoting shared services and economic development, creating an Office of Shared Services and launching the initiative to help Monmouth businesses navigate local government and maximize their growth potential.

Rich said he would like to encourage more citizen participation in county government during his tenure as freeholder.

 “During my campaign for freeholder, I pledged that I would work for the taxpayers of Monmouth County. I intend to keep that promise. I will work everyday to find better ways to deliver quality services while not raising property taxes,” Freeholder Gary Rich. “Monmouth County government must do more with less.”

In 2012, Burry said she was looking forward to . The program will provide shelter and support for homeless or soon to be homeless veterans. Burry noted the county was not immune to the current economic climate but was able to maintain resources in the library and park system and support local industries.

“It is a future that calls for both boldness and prudence as we continue to work through challenging economic realities,” Burry said.

The board’s longest-serving member, Freeholder Robert Clifton, of Matawan, bid farewell to county employees and his fellow freeholders. Clifton was elected to the state Assembly and resigned his position on the freeholder board on Saturday, Jan. 7.

Clifton recalled that the beginning of his tenure on the board coincided with operation Bid Rig, an FBI investigation that led to the arrest of Monmouth County politicians and employees.

“One month after I was sworn in, a number of politically connected county employees were among those arrested as part of the Bid Rig scandal,” Clifton said. “The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders reacted swiftly and instituted a number of reforms that made county government more transparent and open. The corrective actions taken in 2005 have made Monmouth County better than it ever was, and for that we can all be proud.”

The Monmouth County Republican Committee will hold a special election on Saturday, Jan.14 at Colts Neck High School to select Clifton’s replacement. Holmdel Committeewoman Serena DiMaso, Atlantic Highlands Councilman Peter T. Doyle, Manalapan Township Committeeman Ryan Green and Howell Mayor Robert F. Walsh are vying for the position.