County gov't feels new year will be taxing Freeholders sworn in at reorg.; director calls for necessary tax reform BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer Stephen Dalina EDISON - Middlesex County Freeholders Stephen J. "Pete" Dalina, Christopher Rafano and Blanquita Valenti were sworn in as members of the board during the freeholders' reorganizationmeeting Friday, held at Middlesex County College in Edison. Dalina, sworn in by retired Superior Court Judge Alan A. Rockoff, has been a Freeholder since 1990 and the deputy director since 1994, and was nominated again this year for the position of deputy director. He is the chairman of the Department of Parks and Recreation. "It is an honor to serve as such a dedicated public servant," theWoodbridge resident said. Rafano, sworn in by Judge Nicholas J. Stroumtsos Jr., of the Superior Court, is beginning his fourth term. As the chairman of the Department of Law and Public Safety, he said he has seen a newly constructed medical examiner's office, the state's first and only video conferencing system located at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center, a top-notch fire academy, a state-of-the-art emergency notification system, and an aerial imaging system in each township for first responders. Christopher Rafano "I believe, without question, we are better prepared today than ever before," the former South River councilman said. Valenti, sworn in by U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, was re-elected to her second term. The former New Brunswick councilwoman said she has focused on helping the county's most vulnerable residents, especially the homeless, veterans, elderly, mentally ill and disabled.As chairwoman of the Departments ofAging andHuman Services, she said she has helped provide physical exercise opportunities for senior citizens, create cultural menus for seniors, spread awareness about senior scams, institute Project Lifesaver for those residents who wander away from home, begin the Housing First 10-year plan to end homelessness, and reach out to Hispanic residents with various services. In addition, Sheriff Joseph Spicuzzo and SurrogateKevin Hoagland were officially reappointed to their positions. "You'll find no better county government in this state or in any other state," Hoagland said. Blanquita Valenti "We're all proud in New Jersey. It's a pleasure to serve in New Jersey," said Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who was also in attendance. Afterward, David Crabiel, who was nominated for the 13th time as freeholder director, spoke about the achievements of the board as well as the future goals of the county. He said the most prominent concern is the necessity of a solution to rising property taxes and the funding of school district taxes, and he suggested a property tax convention for all residents to express their ideas. "Once again, we urge the governor and the Legislature to resolve to find ways around the special interest objections and the thorny political hurdles to get the job done. Take whatever time it takes. Put the people first. Do the job of property tax reform and do it this year. The fact is, I believe we will never resolve the property tax problem until we find a new and innovative way to fund public education," the Milltown resident said. Yet he said the county will continue "to practice budgetary restraint and competent fiscal management" and that Middlesex has the second-lowest per-capita cost of county government in the state. He said that during the past 12 years, the county's total assessed valuations have increased by $57.8 billion, and the county tax levy has been cut seven of the past 15 years. "We have funded the 'must have'while refusing to fund the only 'nice to have,' " he said. Crabiel also credited the county with innovating the vocational school's Academy for Mathematics, Science and Engineering Technologies; implementing a new nursing program at the county college; preserving more than 6,000 acres of open space and 3,500 acres of farmland; maintaining 19 county parks and four competitive golf courses; continuing the Plays-in-the-Park program at Roosevelt Park in Edison; earning a triple A bond rating and a "Best in the State" rating for the county recycling program; creating the First Responders program under Homeland Security; and being named an Urban Area Security Initiative county. In the near future, a new 180-bed, $40 million Roosevelt Care Center facility will open in Old Bridge, the Academy for Allied Health and Biomedical Science will begin, and the office of the County Grief Counselor will be created in the medical examiner's office. Crabiel also suggested developing a Helping Hands Recognition Program to honor exceptional county citizens. "Your county government enters this new year with confidence that we will prosper, determined to continue our record of living within our means, and all while maintaining the promise of good and improving quality of life for our 786,971 citizens," Crabiel said.