Sheets Presents Magazzu ’09 Southern Star

CREST HAVEN — The Southern New Jersey Freeholders’ Association (SNJFA) on Jan. 27 announced that Cumberland County Freeholder Director Louis Magazzu was recipient of the 2009 “Southern Star” award. Cape May County Freeholder Vice-Director Ralph E. Sheets, Jr. outgoing president of the Southern New Jersey Freeholders’ Association presented the 2009 “Southern Star” award to Magazzu at the association’s annual reorganization meeting on Jan. 26 in Salem County.
According to a release, the “Southern Star” Award started in 1996 to recognize members of the SNJFA who not only give distinguished service to their home county but who also foster the cooperative spirit among the eight member county governments and affiliated organizations.
“It is the sharing of ideas, programs, and joint ventures which is the underlying foundation of the Southern New Jersey Freeholders’ Association. This year’s recipient truly understands why we exist and has wholeheartedly embraced the goals of our organization,” Sheets stated.
“Magazzu has served the people of his county and this organization with enthusiasm, energy, wisdom and a relentless work ethic. He gives freely of his leadership, support and friendship regardless of party affiliation. Magazzu has been guided by the deeper obligation to meet the needs of South Jersey’s constituents and make sure that we have a voice throughout the state,” he added.
As a past president of the New Jersey Association of Counties (NJAC), Magazzu was instrumental in promoting and encouraging sharing services to more effectively control spending and make sure that taxpayers have a voice in how their money is spent.
Magazzu pushed the need to increase state transportation funding for counties. He consistently voiced his opposition to unfunded state mandates and the hardships they cause to county governments. From the outset, Magazzu was out in front on the unfairness of Bigley actions and lead NJAC to join Cape May County in its victory.
Magazzu was elected to the Cumberland County Freeholder Board in 1997 and is currently serving his second consecutive year as the Director of the Board. In Cumberland County, Magazzu has worked tirelessly to ensure that Cumberland County was one of the 15 federally designated Empowerment Zones in the country. Additionally, Magazzu led the charge to bring the $150 million New Jersey Motorsports Park to Cumberland County creating jobs and economic growth.
“Cumberland County Freeholder Lou Magazzu has been at the forefront of finding ways to make government work better. Throughout his tenure as freeholder, Lou has brought honor to his County and our organization while serving on the NJAC Board of Directors and as a past President of the New Jersey Association of Counties. Freeholder Magazzu has epitomized the highest ideals of public service, including honesty, fairness and bipartisanship,” Sheets concluded.