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Good
evening to my family, friends, colleagues, and constituents.
Tonight
I want to begin by thanking my dear husband John and my sons Jonathan
and Justin, you are truly the “wind beneath my wings. Thank you
for supporting me throughout the Freeholder appointment process and
campaign. Thank you for giving me the courage to do it, and having
patience with me….while I did it. I also want to thank my mom
for always being there. My dad passed away a year ago yesterday,
he is now on my shoulders guiding me.
I
also want to thank Congressman LoBiondo for swearing me in tonight.
It is a true honor and privilege to have you here, Frank. I also
want to acknowledge and thank the rest of the Freeholders , Senator
Menendez, Senator Sweeney, Assemblymen Burzichelli and Fisher;
together we can make a very strong voice for the future of Salem County
.
I
have been asked by many people why
did I want to get involved in politics?, some thought
that I am just "too nice", or "too kind". Lady
Astor stated in 1922, when she was the first woman elected to the
British parliament, "It was not so much a revolution, but rather an
evolution.". I have spent many years working as a volunteer
in dozens of organizations, from the Boy Scouts, Women's Services, to
Meals on Wheels, and Family Promise. I
truly care about the people of Salem County . I
care about their current situations, and how we together can make a
better life for everyone here.
Salem
County
is a great place to live. When I was campaigning, I got to savor
the beauty of our landscapes and its people - I want to keep it
that way. I ran for Freeholder because I felt that I could make a
positive difference. I won because people trust that I will do the
right thing.
I
think that we all know that this board stands at 6 Democrats to 1
Republican, but to simply say that takes the humanity out of the board.
We are all people. People with different values, different
backgrounds, and different ideals.
In
1954 Eleanor Roosevelt was speaking about the United Nations; in this
speech, she spoke of building bridges, between people and nations.
No, I don't want anyone to confuse this Freeholder board with the United
Nations, but I like the "building bridges" part.
We
can accomplish more together than we
ever can fighting amongst ourselves. Although, I
ran a campaign based on keeping a minority voice; I will take a far
greater responsibility in achieving the overall goal of giving Salem
County a secure future. One of my favorite Bible verses states:
"So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get
discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessings at the
appropriate time." Making Salem County better and securing
its future should be our number one goal, no matter if you are
Republican or Democrat.
To
more clearly define my role, I will say this: I will robustly
support the majority on any topic that is for the rights and good of the
people of Salem County . In the same way, I will stand up for what
I think is right. As it state in Corinthians Chapter 16, "Be
on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous.
Be strong."
That will be my motto
throughout the next three years. My job is not to be a hindrance,
but to be one of seven strong voices, not always agreeing, but together,
as Mrs. Roosevelt suggested, building and maintaining those bridges
throughout Salem County .
Many
challenges faced Salem County as this new century turned.
Development has threatened our way of life; yet, lack of development
threatens our downtown urban centers. Our seniors need
transportation, hard-hit families need assistance, we all expect
emergency services, our youth need access to higher education and jobs
-- yet Salem County is screaming for tax relief. And
I hear you!!! I will gladly work
with the majority to reduce the tax burden. I will continue to
speak out against wasteful spending and voice my opposition to any
programs that are not for the common good, the good of our collective
future.
If
I need to vote against a funding request, it will not be out of meanness
or spite, I assure you, but because that expenditure is not the best or
right thing to do at that time.
Ronald
Reagan stated in his first inaugural address "We must act today in
order to preserve tomorrow." Let there be no misunderstanding. I
am ready to act. I stand ready to work. I support farmland
preservation, dedicated open space, Smart Growth, and the critical
economic development it can attract. As I have said before, I love life
in Salem County and I want my children, and my grandchildren to
experience that same beauty and greatness. I don't have all the
answers, but together, I know we can find the balance.
In
closing, a proverb states, "Good people are guided by their
honesty; treacherous people are destroyed by their dishonesty".
I urge the seven of us to work together for the common good and what is
right. Together, we can develop a comprehensive vision for Salem
County that gives the most to our citizens without taxing them into
poverty.
My
family has given me strength. God has given me compassion.
And the people of Salem County have given me a voice. Thank you
all and God Bless Salem County .
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