Doing it for the kids!!

A Groundbreaking Ceremony for the future Bergen County Special Services Education Center

Respect for our elders...

...was reinforced today as Sheriff Saudino and I visited senior centers in Palisades Park and Ridgefield. My special musical request of Danny Boy was a bit of a stretch, but we were entertained nonetheless.

The college student minds of today....

....are knowledgeable, inquisitive and tough. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the students at Ramapo College in Mahwah. A special thanks goes out to Chris Gabbett for setting it up and for his generous introduction!

Talking Turkey....

.....Along with our Turkish-American friends, Bergen County celebrated the 90th anniversary of the declaration of the independence of Turkey with a flag raising and proclamation. It is called Cumhuriyet Bayramı, the Republic Day. Turkish food was served after the ceremony that simply capped off a wonderful celebration!!

At the Ribbon Cutting Airmont Woods "Community living for 8 Adults with Autism"

This is what government should be doing!

An Evening of Elegance

Congratulations once again to all the honorees!!

Two great ladies of Bergen County...

...were honored at Fairleigh Dickinson University for what they have done to promote diversity. First was Theodora Lacey who was and continues to be a great leader in the struggle for civil rights and second Joy Kurland, for her leadership in the interfaith community. Both women are good friends of mine and I can attest that their recognition was unquestionably well deserved. 

Learning never ends....

....Enjoyed a wonderful morning at the Fort Lee Senior Center. Several of the Seniors stated that they, of course, heard about the Freeholders but never really knew what we did nor how the title of Freeholder came about. Now they do.

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs...

....This was the message Sheriff Saudino and I brought to our hard working union supporters.

Business development, job growth and community service.....

....are the tenets of the Hackensack Chamber of Commerce and have been for many years. It has been my privilege to work with the Chamber both on a professional and personal levels. I'm very much looking forward to Hackensack's redevelopment project as it takes shape.

"The Best Kept Secret in Bergen County"....

....is Bright Side Manor in Teaneck. I joined a large crowd of supporters, staff and fellow board members at our 'Let's Raise the Roof' event in support of the new affordable independent senior housing project and continued support of affordable assisted living at Bright Side Manor. Take a look at our website athttp://www.brightsidemanor.org/. Great stuff!!

100 years!!!.....

Along with my fellow Freeholders, we celebrated the 100 year anniversary of Galilee United Methodist Church of Englewood with their Pastor, the Reverend Sherrie Dobbs Johnson and her devoted congregants. Pastor Johnson also graced us with a beautiful invocation. What a blessing!! 

Heroes to Heroes....

...is a great program serving our American Heroes that have returned from Iraq or Afghanistan and are suffering from PTSD. I had the honor of speaking with our Heroes as they were about to embark on their trip to the Holy Land to meet up with their Israeli Heroes counterparts. Please learn more about Heroes to Heroes athttp://www.heroestoheroes.org/index.html......Bravo to the Fort Lee Rotary for their very generous sponsorship support!!

It all starts with leadership.....

....and The Governor was with us today in Carlstadt to spur us on to victory on November 5th. I'm pumped!!

Friendships solidified

Kristine and I spent a lovely afternoon at the Oradell home of Dr. Ursula Daniels. The food was great, the conversation stimulating and the friendships solidified.

 

Korean Television

Monday, October 14, 2013

Working for our real bosses.....

....and they of course are the Taxpayers of Bergen County. Since 2011, ten County employees/departments have been recognized for saving $33.9 million and have earned "The Taxpayer Advocate Award" given by Freeholder Board. The latest deserving recipient was Bergen County Clerk, John Hogan. Through Mr. Hogan's leadership, the Clerk's Office saved $400,000 by reducing printing costs and by engaging in smart budgeting practices. Remarkably, this was accomplished while the workload increased and staffing was reduced. Congratulations to Mr. Hogan and to his hard working staff!!

 

 

Our history is sacred...

....and the Westwood Heritage Society has made this into an art form. Visit their website: http://www.westwoodheritage.org/ Plan a visit. You will not be disappointed!

Our Italian Flag Raising....

....could not be stifled because of threatening weather. This great Bergen County annual event honors Italians and those who want to be Italian. It was unanimous, we were all Italians today!!