Desiderio Supports County Counsel

CREST HAVEN – The following was issued July 15 by Freeholder Vice-Director Leonard Desiderio:
During our freeholder meeting on July 9, there was an attack on one of my department heads, Jeff Lindsay. These attacks are based on the fact he is the stepson of the freeholder director.
I am responding today not for Jeff, or any of the freeholders, but because of the outpouring of support I have heard from members of the public and those that work with him at the county. They know his record, work ethic, and more importantly how well he works with staff members. It is because of their support that I write this letter.
His resume and body of work speaks for itself for any person who wants to look at it objectively.
Prior to joining the county, he was a successful attorney on the path to becoming a partner in a large firm. He decided to leave the firm to use his skill set to help the residents in our community by serving in county government.
Since joining the county, he has led a team of employees who together have implemented, revised and furthered programs and processes that conservatively saves the county more than $2 million annually.
This is important because these are taxpayers’ dollars. Programs that Jeff has implemented have won local, regional, and national awards. Specifically, programs he helped implement regarding health benefits and workers compensation claims have led to him making presentations across the state and country.
Among the awards the county has won under his direction include the American Heart Association Fit-Friendly Worksite, Platinum Achievement (Cape May County is the only county or municipal governmental entity in New Jersey to have received this recognition), the National Association of Counties Health and Wellness Achievement Award, and the Southern New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Pinnacle Award for Health and Wellness
I would also like to note that Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton abstained on the two votes involving Jeff and his current position of County Counsel.
 In January 2018, Jeff moved into his current position, with votes of support by Freeholders Hayes, Pierson, Morey, and myself. After serving in a probationary status for almost a year, I recommended his appointment and shared with the board that Jeff has been one of the best county counsels I have had the privilege to work with.
At that time, Freeholders Hayes, Pierson, Morey, and myself again cast votes in support of his appointment.
Cape May County has numerous amazing department heads. These department heads are the reason we can complete all of the remarkable programs that our county government offers.
 But I want to be clear; I will put Jeff’s resume and job performance up there with any of them. I am proud to have Jeff as one of my department heads and extremely proud of the job he has done to help save taxpayer money.