After three decades of service to two municipalities and to Monmouth County, a longtime public official’s career in government has concluded. Dec. 17 marked the final regular meeting for Barbara McMorrow as a member of the Township Committee in Freehold Township.
McMorrow, a retired educator, did not seek re-election in 2019. In addition to serving on the governing body in Freehold Township, she previously served on the Borough Council in Freehold Borough and on the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders.
In remarks at the Township Committee meeting, McMorrow said, “In almost a decade of service to the residents of Freehold Township, I leave with wonderful memories of a ‘family town’ whose success is due to the volunteers who comprise our boards, committees and commissions, and to our employees in all the different departments who work each day for our residents.”
Before she moved to Freehold Township, McMorrow resided in Freehold Borough and held her first elected position from 1989-95 as a member of the Borough Council.
In 2006, McMorrow was elected to the board of freeholders. She served from 2007-09 and was named freeholder director during her final year on the county’s governing body.
As a resident of Freehold Township, McMorrow was appointed to the Township Committee in 2010 to fill an unexpired term. Later that year she was elected to her first full three-year term on the governing body. McMorrow was re-elected in 2013 and in 2016. She served as mayor in 2013, 2016 and 2019.
“It has been a remarkable journey and as I complete the last few steps, I am overcome with a depth of emotion that I feel for those of you who have played such an important part in my life,” she said.
“From the members of the Human Relations Council who have willingly shared their professional expertise and personal experiences in bettering our township, to the Municipal Alliance to Prevent Substance Abuse, which continues to educate our students, teachers and parents in a myriad of ways in an ongoing effort to prevent addiction, to the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign that has brought together specialists in the healthcare arena to make our community a healthier town, thank you for the privilege of being your liaison.
“To the members of our police department, fire departments and first aid squad, thank you for being responsive every hour of every day of the year. You are often the unsung heroes as you go about saving lives, protecting us and serving the greater good. … It is human nature not to think about them until we need them in an emergency, but we should strive to be thankful for them every day, not just in times of crises,” McMorrow said.
“There were wonderful moments as well. Visiting our schools to read to the children or to speak to a class or to attend an event was always inspiring. Monthly luncheons at the senior center were always delightful. The Memorial Day parade and Freehold Township Day and Veterans Day were a little bit of Americana right here in our own backyard.
“Ribbon cuttings were always fun as they gave me the opportunity to meet new business owners and to become cognizant about the diversity of their products and services. I could not forget the many certificates I presented to the recipients who obtained the rank of Eagle Scout and Girl Scout Gold Awards.
“Of course, the many proclamations given out in recognition of our residents, from the youngest of school children to the oldest of our senior community, for their special achievements,” she said.
McMorrow’s colleagues on the Township Committee thanked her for her service to Freehold Township.
“It doesn’t seem that long ago back in March (when) you told us you had made the hard decision not to seek re-election,” Committeeman Lester Preston said. “I want to congratulate you for your nine years of service to the township (and) all your service in so many other roles before that. You have been a great leader for us here in Freehold Township.
“You have been an inspiration, not only to myself who you took under your wing and showed me the ropes, but to so many of your students over the years,” Preston said. “Everywhere we go, it’s very rare not to see a student who doesn’t come up and talk to you and tell you what an impact you made on their life. Thank you for everything you have done for the township, the county, our education system and so many people who are living in this area.”
Committeeman Thomas Cook said, “I’m saving my accolades for Barbara for her retirement function, which will be early in 2020, but I echo what Lester said. More importantly, I found you to be an awesome teacher. When I came on the committee, your guidance and your ability to speak publicly right off the top of your head was always very impressive.”
“I think when you have a lifetime of public service, you hope you leave your mark somewhere,” Committeeman David Salkin said. “I think at this time of year we all like to watch ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ and the point of that movie is that you never know how much of an impact you have on the world around you.
“That movie did a great job of showing what would happen if you weren’t there. You have had a tremendous impact in this entire area, not just in Freehold Township, but in your work with the county as well.
“How many students had you as a teacher and you did something in their life or you did something for them that made a big impact on them?” Salkin continued. “I think you can put the gavel down with a great sense of satisfaction, knowing it is a job well done, that it’s been an absolute pleasure working with you. You represent all of the things that are fine in the governing body of Freehold Township.”
“Barbara and myself go back a very long time,” Committeeman Anthony Ammiano said. “When she was a freeholder and I was on the Township Committee, we did some things together (and) formed a relationship. It has been very memorable for me. I want to wish you and (your husband) Patrick the best of everything, the best life could possibly be and get.”
McMorrow concluded her remarks by saying, “From Kristen Bartolomeo, our deputy clerk, and Sanabel Abouzeina, our township clerk, to Bob Munoz, our attorney, and Pete Valesi, our administrator, and Susan Mladinov, the administrator’s executive secretary, to Samantha Widmer, our photographer, and last, but very far from least, to Anthony, Tom, Lester and David, the members of the Township Committee, thank you for the journey of a lifetime.
“As I come to the end of the road we have traveled together, I am turning my steps toward home, taking with me the moments and the memories of all we have shared.
“As Henry David Thoreau wrote, ‘If one advances confidently in the direction of his dream, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.’
“My heartfelt thanks to all for making my dreams come true and for making my success better than I could have dreamed. And to the one person who has walked by my side through the past 42 years, my husband Patrick, I thank you for the patience you have shown and the guidance you have given,” McMorrow said. “I could not have asked for a better running mate or best friend.”