Freeholders Recognize 25-Year County Employees

CREST HAVEN – The Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders recognized 14 county employees with more than 25 years of service at their meeting held on Tue., Nov. 23.
Employees acknowledged include Sherry Rekuc, Jo Ann Hunt, Nancy Hodsden, Diane Feliciano, Rita Marie Fulginiti, John Black, Cheryl Mason, William Keaveney, Judith Startare, Barbara Beck, James Stevens, Carol Spaide, Barbara Sittineri and Lieutenant William Kirkbride.
Rekuc, Supervising Docket Clerk at the County Adjuster’s Office has been a great support for the Adjuster who performs a human services role for patients in mental health hospitals. Sherry has served with three County Adjusters and today manages the day to day functions of the office. She carefully watches over the mental health and inmate medical budgets to insure that tax dollars are expended properly. She oversees the indigent burial program making sure that indigent citizens receive a dignified burial.
Hunt, Deputy County Clerk rose through the ranks of the County Clerk’s Office starting as Clerk Typist in the courts and moving up to Elections Clerk and Senior Elections Clerk before her appointment in 2005 to Deputy County Clerk. JoAnn’s attention to detail, her technical skills and hard work all help to make elections run smoothly in Cape May County. Her sense of fairness and her ability to work through problems have made Jo Ann Hunt a tremendous asset to the County Clerk’s Office.
Hodsden began her work with the county at Historic Cold Spring Village and transferred to the County Clerk’s office in 1993. Hodsden now serves as Principal Clerk Typist in the County Clerk’s front office recording and serving customers at the counter. Nancy is proficient at e-Recording and oversees the e-Recording customer accounts. Nancy supports the management function of the front office and is the third in the chain of command in her unit and the go to person for a helping hand.
Feliciano, Supervising Clerk at the County Clerk’s office, oversees a busy document recording unit making sure the County Clerk is able to fulfill the statutory obligations of the office. Feliciano goes above and beyond expectations in her dealings with people providing needed assistance. She works through problems with attorneys, title company representatives, land surveyors and the public. Diane sets the tone in the front office with the staff that treats our customers with the utmost respect.
Fulginiti, County Clerk and County Adjuster began her career as a Clerk Typist with Angela Pulvino who served as Clerk until her passing in 2005. Rita moved up through the ranks doing every job in the County Clerk’s Office. She ran for election for the position of County Clerk in 2005 and was just re-elected on November 2nd. Rita loves her work as County Clerk providing leadership and direction to the staff of the County Clerk’s and Adjuster’s Offices.
Spaide started her career at the Cape May County library working in the circulation department, where she rose to Supervisor. In 1994, she began working in the new automation department as the library started using computers. She has helped with two major system-wide computer changes and numerous smaller upgrades. Additionally, Carol is responsible for staff training. Carol is knowledgeable and always willing to pass her knowledge on to others.
Black began his career with Cape May County in 1985. He started out in the Ground Shop and from there transferred to the mailroom as a mail clerk diligently working his way up to Supervisor.
Through the years the mailroom has experienced many changes, however, John has been the constant that has kept the department running smoothly and professionally for more than twenty years.
Mason has been with Fare Free for the past twenty five years. She has been a dedicated employee who treats each and every client the same – with respect. Cheryl witnessed many changes at Fare Free Transportation from the new scheduling system to computerized dispatching. She completes all of her required training with enthusiasm and a positive attitude.
Keaveney began working for the Cape May County Public Works Department in 1985 as a mechanic in the Fleet Maintenance division. He was promoted to Senior Mechanic and eventually to Supervising Mechanic, a position that he currently holds. Bill is responsible for the maintenance and repair of all heavy equipment and trucks which provides support for the County’s Road, Bridge, Traffic and Facilities and Services Departments. Additionally, Bill programs and places variable message boards to inform the public of events and road projects.
Startare began her career with the Health Department as a Clerk Typist in 1985 and was promoted through the years and is currently a Principal Clerk Typist.
Her knowledge of the Health Department’s financial processes, payroll and county policies has significantly helped the Health Department’s mission of providing accessible and cost-effective health services to the residents and visitors of Cape May County.
Beck began her career with the Health Department as a Seasonal Investigator and was hired as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist in 1985 and was promoted to a Senior Registered Environmental Health Specialist in 1997. She remained in that position until becoming the Public Health Emergency Notification System Coordinator in 2003. Additionally, Barbara acts as the Community Health Planning Coordinator and the New Jersey Distance Learning Coordinator.
Stevens began his career with the County as a Laboratory Technician at the Health Department and in 1996 was promoted to Senior Laboratory Technician. Jim, who has a Bachelors degree in Biology and a Masters degree in Mycology, was assigned to the microbiology lab. He is responsible for assuring that the lab operates efficiently and meets or exceeds all state requirements for water microbiology testing. This includes ocean testing to insure the safety of residents and tourists and drinking water testing to meet safe drinking water standards.
Sittineri spent 20 of her 25 years as an employee of the county working at the Cape May County Police Academy where she was the Office Manager until her retirement on Sept 1, 2010. Her duties included the day to day operations of record keeping for basic trainees as well as in-service training records of officers and civilians. Also, Barbara managed the purchasing and billing aspects of the office as well as supervised the office staff.
Lt. Kirkbride started his law enforcement career with the county at the Cape May County Sheriff’s Department in 1985 and transferred to the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office in 1990. Kirkbride has worked in all aspects of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office including the Narcotics Unit, Major Crimes Unit and the Special Crimes Bureau. Kirkbride is most noted for his outstanding work in the investigation of Child Abuse.