Sheriff, Freeholders Return to Office; County Begins Anew (Salary Info Attached)

CREST HAVEN – Cape May County government reorganized Jan. 5. There were no changes in top leadership, Gerald Thornton remains freeholder director and Leonard Desiderio retains the vice director’s post.
A standing-room-only crowd packed the freeholder meeting room of the Administration Building to observe Sheriff Gary Schaffer and Freeholders Kristine Gabor and Will Morey take oaths to return to their duties. None of the three faced any Democratic opposition in the November election.
Nevertheless, each newly-sworn member was careful to note the part the county Republican organization had played in helping them return to their seats.
Assemblyman Samuel Fiocchi, (R-1st), in office for a year, administered his first oath of office to Morey.
Gabor’s oath was administered by Thornton.
Schaffer’s oath was administered by Superior Court Judge John Porto, the former Cape May County counsel.
Each returning member was joined by family members during their brief oath ceremonies.
Invocation and Benediction was offered by Rev. Gerri Ridings of Bethel-Green Creek and Dias Creek Methodist Churches.
Julia Mary Wilson, a sixth grader at Ocean City Intermediate School sang the national anthem and “God Bless America.” Each received a round of applause.
Thornton lauded Schaffer, Gabor and Morey for “hard-fought campaigns” which included walking streets in municipalities getting to meet voters.
Thornton reflected back five years when county GOP Chairman Michael Donohue, M. Susan Sheppard, now surrogate, “and many others created this band of brothers and sisters. The reason I sit here today is because of the effort they made five years ago when I was challenged in a very difficult election. I will never forget those who supported me, and continue to support me to this day, and I mean that sincerely, from my heart.
He thanked his peers and all county employees for the daily effort they put forth on behalf of the government. “I can tell you right now, 99 percent of all public employees are really dedicated to make this county work to enhance the quality of life of this county, and they make that commitment every day,” he said.
Caring for people at risk is the chief function of government, Thornton said. Those who daily work with the aged, veterans and those who need social service aid, know too well just how vital the need is, Thornton said.
“The future looks brighter than in the last three or four years,” Thornton said. “I am optimistic the future is looking up.” He cited tourism events and better business climate as well as property values that are “starting to increase, and that will help all levels of government.”
Making telephone calls to officials works, Thornton said. When there is someone in need of help or who is having difficulty with government, “We respond; that is our job, to respond.”
To a back row filled with many chiefs of police and Sheriff’s Department employees, Thornton said, “I want to make one specific issue plain to everybody. This Board of Freeholders will support the efforts of law enforcement; everybody that serves in that capacity, all those men and women who place themselves at risk for all of us. I get so damn angry to see demonstrations throughout this nation that criticize law enforcement and criticize any police officer that must make a split-second decision in order to protect himself or society. Who demonstrated for those two police officers that were assassinated in New York City? No one except those in blue and in uniform, that’s what we have to remember. If it weren’t for these men and women going out every day, you would have chaos in this nation. There are a lot of people in our society that want to harm us. God bless all in law enforcement and our troops that we send in harm’s way. Thank you all for your support.”
Fiocchi looked over to County Clerk Rita Fulginiti and noted she would be running with him next year. Asked after the meeting if that meant she would seek an Assembly seat, Fulginiti replied no.
Her term as county clerk will end, and she plans to seek reelection in the same election that Fiocchi will, presumably, seek reelection.