Veteran Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari was named director of the Ocean County Board of Freeholders at the reorganization meeting held Jan. 2.
“It is a tremendous privilege to serve as freeholder director,” Vicari said. “Working together, the freeholders in 2008 will continue to provide the best services at the lowest possible cost to the residents of Ocean County.”
According to a press release, this is Vicari’s eighth time serving as director since he was first elected to the board in 1981. He has previously held the post in 1987, 1990, 1993, 1996, 1999, 2002 and 2005.
John C. Bartlett Jr., the senior member of the Board of Freeholders, will serve as deputy director in 2008.
“With Joe Vicari at the helm, residents can expect another fine year of public service from county government,” Kelly said.
Vicari said a priority for the new year will be the board’s continued support of the local economy.
“I want to continue our ‘Buy in Ocean County’ and our tourism efforts to support the local economic growth,” he said.
Job training also remains a priority, both through the PIC One-Stop Career Center and the Ocean County Vocational-Technical Schools.
“A well-educated, well-trained work force will keep our local businesses strong,” he said.
Vicari said county finances will again be a priority in 2008.
“Once again we will be taking a very cautious approachwith our finances and especially with our expenditures,” he said.
With economic signs across the nation looking grim, Vicari said the county must be prepared if recession strikes.
“We reduced the county tax rate for seven straight years,” he said. “It’s still too early to make any predictions for 2008, but I don’t see any surprises in the upcoming budget.”
Vicari said his experience on the Board of Freeholders and his five terms as mayor of Dover Township (now Toms River) gives him the experience to lead the county through any tough economic times.
“If there is a sharp economic downturn, Ocean County will be prepared,” he said.
Vicari said the freeholders will also continue to support changes to the state’s aid formula for local schools districts.
“For too long local taxpayers have been saddled with higher property taxes because the majority of state aid for schools goes to urban districts,” he said. “It’s time Trenton takes the burden off of our families and seniors living on fixed incomes.”
Vicari said projects begun under Kelly’s leadership will also move ahead in the new year.
“The addition to the Ocean County Jail, construction of the new Rail Trail Linear Park and the continued expansion of the Ocean County Library System are all projects that will continue in 2008,” Vicari said.
Also on tap for the county is a new recycling effort beginning in February that will allow residents to combine all paper and cardboard in one container rather than sorting and bundling thematerial into separate piles.
Vicari said the county will also continue to assist senior citizens and veterans in the coming months.
“We’ll continue to work with the federal government to educate seniors about the Medicare benefits they are entitled to,” he said. “We will also continue our unflinching support both to our veterans, and the brave men and women now fighting for freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
Ocean County is home to 68,000 veterans, more than any other county in New Jersey, according to the press release.
Along with the Rail Trail, the newJake’s Branch County Park in Beachwood is slated to open in 2008.
The county also invests about $50 million in road construction and improvements every year. Among the projects on tap for 2008 is the reconstruction of Route 528 in Jackson and Plumsted.
The freeholders will also persist with their support of the MOM passenger rail line that would link Ocean County with northern New Jersey and New York City.
“My goal in 2008 is to continue the strong and caring leadership that this board enjoyed under Jack Kelly,” Vicari said. “By working together with all of our residents, Ocean County will remain a premier location to live, work, play, raise a family and retire.”