Middlesex County Freeholder Blanquita B. Valenti has announced her intention to retire at the end of her term.
“After much personal thought and in consultation with my family, I have decided that 2019 will be my final year serving on the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and that I will not be seeking re-election this year,” she said in a statement released by the Middlesex County Office of Communication. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my years of service and I am proud of what we as a freeholder team have accomplished on behalf of the citizens of this great county.”
She has been chair of the Department of Community Services and the Council of Children’s Services. She has also been a member of the Human Services Advisory Council and the Homeless Trust Fund Task Force.
“When I look back over the last 14 years on the Board of Chosen Freeholders, I am proud of the range of services and activities we provide to support older adults and people with disabilities living in the community and of our efforts to provide affordable housing options from the opening of the Residence at Roosevelt Park, to achieving functional zero for homelessness for veterans,” she said in the statement. “I look forward to my remaining term as a freeholder and everything I have yet to accomplish on behalf of our residents. I know that I will always have fond memories of having worked with such wonderful colleagues, friends, and residents of Middlesex County.”
On behalf of the Board of Chosen Freeholders, Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios said, “We would like to congratulate our colleague and friend, Blanquita Valenti, on a tremendous career in public service, beginning with her career as a teacher in Sayreville, New Brunswick and Woodbridge, on the Council in New Brunswick, and across our county on the freeholder board. Freeholder Valenti has amassed an unparalleled record of public service, particularly in improving quality of life for our seniors, veterans and disabled residents. Her leadership set an example which our board will continue to aspire to in the coming years, and we look forward to sharing this final year with her on the board.”