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HILLSBOROUGH: Peter Palmer to lead freeholder board in 2013

   Peter S. Palmer, of Bernardsville, was named Somerset County’s Freeholder Director for 2013 at the Board of Freeholders’ annual reorganization meeting in Somerville on Jan. 4.
   Patrick Scaglione, who was sworn in to his second three-year term, of Bridgewater will serve as deputy director.
   Also taking the oath of office was Mark Caliguire of Montgomery, who was elected to his first full three-year term after filling an unexpired term last year.
   Also sworn in was County Clerk Brett A. Radi of Somerville, who won re-election to his third five-year term in November.
   In his remarks, Mr. Palmer noted that “2013 will be a challenging year. We will, as always, emphasize open space preservation, infrastructure investment, serving our needy citizens and expanding shared services in conjunction with our municipalities.
   After quoting Rutgers University economists James Hughes and Joseph Seneca on the state’s retooled economic development focus, which is shifting away from office-based suburban growth corridors, Mr. Palmer said, “Nowhere is this more relevant than in our county.
   ”Somerset County rode the crest of that development wave of the recent past,” he said. “The tide has turned and is now receding and it is our challenge to see that Somerset County is not sucked under by the rip current. Our challenge is to do what is necessary to keep the future here as bright as possible. The ‘new normal’ of business and commerce requires us to lead.
   He said the county has not been sitting idly by, participating in the completion of a comprehensive economic development strategy, done by the Somerset County Business Partnership. The results, done within the framework of the state Strategic Plan and meeting federal mandates for financial support, put the county at the front of the line for support for economic development from state or federal sources when it becomes available, he said.
   ”We have two great attributes of which we can take advantage: our talented and educated workforce and our ideal location,” he said.
   Fiscal matters continue to be a priority as well, he said.
   ”Underlying all our plans is the necessity of having a sound and sustainable financial framework. We must look not only at the finances of the current year but also how today’s decisions will affect future years. Then we can continue to provide the services and quality of life our citizens expect within the constraints of the budget ‘cap law,’ while maintaining our triple-A credit rating.”