Okay. Are you ready? >> This is the commissioner meeting of January 28th, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Sussex County Administrative Center Commissioner Meeting Room, 1 Spring Street, Newton, New Jersey. Can I have a roll call, please?
>> Commissioner Carney >> here. >> Deputy Director Degru >> here. >> Commissioner Henderson >> here. >> Commissioner Silverthorn >> here. >> Director Space >> here. Moment of silence and salute to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation with liberty and justice for all. Public statement. Pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act, chapter 231, PL1
1975, adequate notice as defined by section 3D of chapter 231, PL1 1975 has been made by regular mail and email. Such notice being submitted on January 6th, 2026 from the Administrative Center
of the County of Sussex located at One Spring Street, Newton, New Jersey to the following: New Jersey Herald, the Star Ledger, and Strauss News. and is also posted on the bulletin board maintained in the administrative center for public announcements and has been submitted to the Sussex County Clerk in compliance
with said act. At this time, please mute all electronic devices. Number five, approval of the agenda. There is a change to tonight's agenda. We will be moving item 13A and B to
after executive session. And we are also tableabling item 14B. Can I get a motion to approve the agenda as amended? >> So moved. >> Okay. Commissioner Henderson and a second. Commissioner Silverthornne. Any
discussion? >> All in favor? >> I oppose. Abstain. Number six, proclamations, certificates, and presentations. We have none. We have no public hearing. Public session from the floor. The public session is for those wishing to make a comment of 3 minutes
or less regarding an agenda item. Please line up the microphone and state your name, municipality, and agenda topic for the record. Can I get a motion to open the floor for public comment? >> So moved. >> Okay. Deputy Director Drew in a second. >> Second.
>> Uh, Commissioner Carney. Any discussion? All in favor? Oppose? >> Abstain. Okay. Motion carries. Floor is open for agenda topics only. Okay. Can I get a motion to close the floor for public comment? >> So moved. >> Okay. Commissioner Henderson.
>> Second. >> And Commissioner Silverthornne. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I oppose. Abstain. Okay. Commissioner comments. We will start with Commissioner Silverthornne. >> Okay.
>> Um I attended a uh the Vernon reorg with several other commissioners. um had my county orientation, met all the department heads. Thank everybody that uh that attended and uh the information was awesome.
And I attended the S County Arts and Heritage Council 55th anniversary reception and art exhibit uh with Ralph Ralph Porter the president and Joe Fontana the executive director. And it turns out uh one of the uh Ralph has exhibited his art by restaurant. So,
uh, we had something in common there, which is I thought I was going to walk in and >> be out in the blue, but it fit in good. And then, um, uh, also attended, uh, went to the a couple of garages with, uh, Christina
Marks, um, right before the storm. Got to a couple of them just to check on them. So, uh, that was good. And then I do believe we have a, uh, press release from the library. The uh Sussex County Library System is
excited to announce its first ever winter art. Artists of all ages are invited to celebrate the season with creative creativity throughout the month of February. Interested participants participants can visit any branch in February to pick up a 8 and 1 half x 11
piece of card stock and create an original piece of work inspired by the theme of winter. Uh the submissions as the submissions come in, they will be displayed to create a self-inspired winter wonderland. Complete artwork, completed artwork should be returned to any library branch by the end of
February. Each branch will proudly display the submissions for patrons to enjoy. Um participation is open to library card holders of any age. Um, you can find information on this at the county website um or visit the uh
catalog web catalog. Um, any information and for that and more information you can um again go to the website and that's all I have. >> Commissioner Henderson. >> Uh, good evening. Uh, in January 15th, Commissioner Carney, Commissioner
Silverthornne and I attended the Vernon Township Reorganization Meeting. Congratulations to the two new council members sworn in and the newly appointed mayor Pat Higgins. Also on the 15th, I attended Newton reorganization meeting. Congratulations to those sworn in for another term and the newly appointed
mayor Matthew Dixon. On January 10 uh 20th, I attended my first Sussex County Board of A committee meeting as a new liaison. Growing up on a family dairy farm here in Sussex County, I found the meeting quite interesting as a look of farming has changed drastically over the last several decades here in Sussex
County. There was a presentation done by the state a development committee about the right to farm and farmland preservation. Since a new state formula for funding farmers for the value of their land has been expanded, there has been an increased number of those looking to preserve farms statewide.
Also, there are a few farms here in Sussex County that are currently being examined for preservation in the future. I know Commissioner Carney had mentioned last year that currently in Sussex County, we have an estimated 47% of the property preserved. That encompasses
161,000 acres. That includes federal, state, municipal, nonprofit, private, utilities, and preserved farmlands. On Tuesday the 27th, I attended Sussex County Community College trustee meeting. As I had mentioned in past, the
public safety training academy graduated over a 100 firemen from 20 different municipalities. The training varied from new firemen to high level chiefs training. Very impressive numbers for all volunteer firemen here in Sussex County. Sussex County College signed an
agreement with Ramipo College to bring bachelors in education to Sussex County Community College starting in the fall of 2026. The goal of this program is to keep students here in Sussex County and hopefully they will join the Sussex County workforce. The college has
completed or nearly completed several of their capital improvement renovations and will be opening shortly. There are a lot of new things happening at the college. I urge all of you to visit their website for news and updates. And lastly, it was mentioned approximately 50 to 65 outside agencies host their
events at the college. This is not only a plus for the various users of the grounds, but it brings people to the college to see what Sussex County Community College has to offer anyone of any age. And that's all I have. >> Commissioner Carney,
>> thank you. Uh we'll start with wintertorm program update. The 2025 2016 season has kept the division of public works very busy. So far this season there has been 16 winter storms. Uh the winter response program has included upwards of 12,000
staff hours allocated to operating equipment and managing managing the program's 67 plow routes. Snow removal operations are supported by the office of bridge and traffic safety along with the office of fleet management providing real-time response to equipment breakdowns. The most recent storm
implica impacted the county by dumping up to 20 inches of snow. Prudent management of operations by division along with continued support by the commissioner board keeps the county in a strong position in responding to future storms. Our strong response capability is directly attributed to a team of
highly skilled and dedicated individuals, a fleet of able and ready equipment and funding levels that provide for an ample onhand amount of salt. The board recognizes and appreciates the long hours and dedication of the public works team along with the county support staff
involved in providing this public service in a highly professional and capable manner. I just want to add to this. I know facilities they don't get much of a shout out, but they also do some plowing and shoveling and whatnot. So, I just kudos to those guys too. Um, you know, they're up as much as as the
DPW. Um, so I appreciate them as well. Um, Sussex County Bridge X43 uh in Wan Township. The C County is currently advertising for bids to replace Sussex County Bridge X43 in Wana Township. The bridge is located on County Route 651, locally known as Unionville Road,
between Route 23 and George Road. Uh, the project will require full closure of County Route 651 at the bridge. A detour will be posted for the duration of the construction. An exact construction schedule will be determined following an award of the construction contract and the project will be largely funded
through a New Jersey Department of Transportation local grant program. Uh Sussex County Trails Grant Program. As a reminder, solicitations are now open for the 26 Sussex County Trails Grant Program. The grant program is funded through the Sussex County Farmland Preservation, Recreation, Open Space
Trust Funds. Grants can be used to assist eligible applicants with construction, rehabilitation, restoration, and maintenance of publicly owned and shared trails. Questions on on any questions or more information on the grant program can be provided by contacting the Sussex County Division of
Planning at 973-5790500. And I know Commissioner Henderson just touched on this, but Sussex County Farmland Preservation over the next few months, the Division of Planning in Sussex County Agriculture Development Board will be finalizing work on the updated Sussex County comprehensive farmland preservation plan. The plan
reviews the state of agricultural operations within the county and will establish goals and objectives for the program over the next 10 years. The final draft plan is expected to be available for discussion during the agricultural development board meeting in March. The county agricultural development board is expected to have a
plan recommendation to the commissioner board this summer. Uh questions and or more information questions or more information on the draft plan of farmland preservation program could be directed to Cesus County a development board or the Cesus County Division of
Planning again at 973-5790500. I was able to attend last week with Christina Marx and coincidentally Senator Steinhardt was there to swear in our new ENJAC uh president. That's New Jersey Association of Accounties down in Trenton. Um so that was nice.
Congratulations to Jim Kern from Warren County for being the president. I got sworn in as a member as well. Always a good event. Uh I also met with the prosecutor. Our new prosecutor, for people who don't know, uh will be sworn in on Monday, I believe, at 9:00 um up at the courthouse. That was Dan
Perez. He'll be serving a five-year term. Um so that is at 9:00 on Monday. So kudos to him as well. Congratulations to him. It's all I have. Thank you. >> Thank you, Deputy Director Degroup. >> Yes. Um good evening everyone. First, I
attended the Workforce Development Board meeting of Northwest New Jersey, uh, where our very own Assemblyman Mike and Ganamore of LD24 led a thoughtful discussion. Topics included housing affordability for younger generations, particularly my generation, Gen Z, uh, the Select aside Act, and reflections on
the Murphy administration. The board also heard from more Sussex War employment and training services which highlighted several local success stories in digital literacy training, GED completion and employment placement support from workers within our region. Uh moving on, I attended the Sussex
County Community College Board of Trustees meeting. The college continues to make steady progress across academics, facilities, student life, and community partnerships. As mentioned, a major highlight discussed was a new agreement with Ramapo College to offer a bachelor's in education at SECCC beginning in fall 2026. An important
step towards addressing teacher shortage by keeping graduates in Sussex County. The board also reviewed advancements in workforce credential programs, uh, faculty and student achievements, and the completion or continued progress of key capital projects including the learning commons, athletics, student
affairs. Uh also the foundation for the community college also reported positive momentum in student engagement, support services, and scholarship opportunities, reinforcing the college's strong focus on student success and community impact. Uh additionally, in collaboration with director space, we met with senior
services and our county historian to develop a coordinated plan to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America's independence. uh with the shared objective of creating a centralized county countywide celebration that includes educational programming vendors and community focused activities as well
as engaging festivities while working collaboratively with all municipalities across Sussex County through basically a shared service type of deal approach. Uh details regarding the date and location are currently being finalized as availability is confirmed. And another
key goal is to make the 200th annu uh 250th anniversary a unifying theme celebrated throughout the county including uh within county libraries, senior programs, and other county sponsored events. Uh with 2026 shaping up to be an exciting and meaningful year, I'm happy to continue building
upon this coordination on a weekly basis. Uh finally had a pleasure of attending some events over the past weeks. I had to travel to Florida to participate in a Gen Z leadership conference. Uh, additionally, I also had the honor of attending March for Life in Washington DC, which was a powerful and meaningful experience. Uh, it was very
inspiring to stand stand alongside so many who share the commitment to protecting God's precious gift of life. And I'm grateful for the remarks from Vice President JD Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and New Jerseyy's very own Congressman Chris Smith, as well as the continued support of New Jersey right to life here in the Garden State. Uh,
that's all for tonight. Thank you. God bless. Thank you. I just want to reiterate what uh Deputy Director Degrroot said. We are really looking forward to this 250th celebration. We're hoping to have one unifying event where all the municipalities come together. I know a
lot of municipalities are probably going to do their own, but we would like to have one big thing, fireworks. It's going to be a big deal and we're excited about that. And I really want to thank Deputy Administrator Lorraine Hence because she when you involve Lorraine with anything, she takes hold of it. And
uh the morning after our meeting, Lorraine already had a county pin designed for us. So we're excited about that with the 250 emblem on them on it. So that's going to be a great event. I want to also thank the road department and facilities for their excellent job
during the storm. I live on a county road and my road was in pretty good shape considering the amount of snow that we got. And I didn't make it to the gym that day because my husband told me I had to have the gym as mother nature. So I did do a lot of shoveling. So, I can appreciate what they do every storm
because I don't normally go out there cuz I don't like to be cold. Um, and I want to praise uh our administrator, Christina Mars, for her first almost month officially as administrator. She is on the phone all day this last week
with a lot of different things and uh she handles everything and um I appreciate her and I want to give a shout out to the library system. I last year got my first library card since I was a child and I have been enjoying the
app where you can download the books and yesterday I actually visited the library and now that um I don't want to mention the name the local business that doesn't that prints uh multiple things that most people have been printing it's been all over social media where do you print
well yesterday I went to the library and I printed 250 copies I was in and out in 10 minutes and it cost me a third of the price of what I'm used to paying. So, shout out to the library. Um, and I noticed while I was on their website, you can rent things, uh, you know, like
pots and p not pots and pans, like bakeear. I'm like, "Wow, this place is great." So, I'm a huge fan of the library now, and I'm probably going to take out a book next time I'm there. Um, and then, uh, Division of Health and Senior Services Valentine's Day drive for veterans. The Sussex County
Divisions of Health and Senior Services and the Medical Reserve Corpse are collecting essentials for local veterans this Valentine's Day to show appreciation for those that have served our country. Donations can be made at the locations listed below through February 11th, 2026. All donations will
be delivered to the veteran clothing closet at the Partnership for Social Services located in Franklin. For additional information about this drive, please call 973-579-0570 or visit the Sussex County website at sussex.nj. us to view the associated
flyer. Division of Senior Services Age Friendly Communities Neessment Survey. The Sussex County Board of County Commissioners, Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Senior Services, in partnership with the New Jersey Division of Aging Services, and AP recently launched an age friendly
communities needs assessment survey. The survey seeks input from Sussex County residents aged 60 and older to better understand community strengths, needs, and priorities that support healthy aging and quality of life. Survey results will help guide future planning programs and initiatives aimed at
creating more agefriendly communities throughout Sussex County. Responses will be accepted through March 30th, 2026. For additional information, please contact the Sussex County Division of Senior Services at 973-579055 extension 1225.
And the Division of Senior Services Move and Groove. The Division of Senior Services will be holding a move and groove exercise class at Liberty Towers located at 32 Liberty Street in Newton. This six weeks class offers seniors the ability to participate in simple
exercises with music. The class will be held once a week on Tuesdays from February 10th to March 17th from 1:30 to 2. Classes are free, but registration is required. Please call senior services at 973-5790555 extension 1225 to register or obtain
additional information. And that is all I have on that. Okay. Number 10, approval of consent agenda. There is none. Number 11, approval of minutes. The only one we're going to remove is the regular meeting December 10th
because that was uh not in our packet. So, can I get a motion to approve the minutes from all the meetings except for December 10th? >> So, moved. >> Okay, Commissioner Henderson. And a second. >> Second. >> Okay. Deputy Director Degrroot. Any discussion?
>> All in favor? I >> oppose. Okay. Number 12. >> Oh, yes. You're going to say. Yep. Okay. Uh, number 12, there's no ordinances. Number 13, we are going to do after executive session. Number 14,
resolutions. Can I get a motion to approve to adopt resolutions A through E without B? >> Still moved. >> Okay. Uh, Commissioner Carney in a second. >> Second. >> Okay. Commissioner Silverthorn, any
discussion? Okay. Roll call, please. >> Deputy Director Drew. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Henderson, >> yes. >> Commissioner Silverthorn, >> yes. >> Director of Space, >> yes. >> Commissioner Carney, >> yes. Okay. Number 15, awards of contract change orders bids. There are none.
Number 16, financials. Can I get a motion to approve bills list A from January 28th? >> Still moved. >> Second. >> Commissioner Carney and a second from Deputy Director Degrroot. Any discussion? Roll call, please.
>> Deputy Director Degrroot. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Henderson. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Silverthor, >> yes. >> Director Space, >> yes. >> Commissioner Carney, >> yes. Okay. Bills list B from January 28th, 2026. Can I get a motion to approve bills list B?
>> So moved. >> Okay. Commissioner Henderson in a second. >> Second. >> Uh, Commissioner Silverthorne. Any discussion? Roll call, please. >> Deputy Director Degru. >> Abstain. >> Commissioner Henderson. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Silverthorn. >> Yes. >> Director Space. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Carney.
>> Yes. Okay. Introduction for first reading authorizing the cap to limit county budget appropriation increase in CY 2026 county budget to 3.5% over the previous year's final appropriations subject to certain
exceptions and to establish an appropriation cap bank. And I get a motion to adopt this resolution on the first reading. >> So moved. >> Okay. Commissioner Silverthornne. A second. >> Second. >> Okay. Commissioner Henderson. Any discussion? Roll call, please. >> Deputy Director Degrew,
>> yes. >> Commissioner Henderson, >> yes. >> Commissioner Silverthorn, >> yes. >> Director Space, >> yes. >> Commissioner Carney, >> yes. >> Okay. Number 17, personnel, there is none. Number 18, administrative reports. Okay. Good evening, everyone. Uh, just
an update because I know there's been a lot of talk about the salt reserves throughout the uh, state of New Jersey. Uh, the Department of Engineering has been monitoring the county's salt reserves, especially after this last storm. The average the county uses around 20,000 to 22 uh 20,000 to 22,000
tons of salt during an average winter season. Uh this average includes salt for Stillwater, Andover, uh Sussex, uh the county college, and Kennet Regional High School with a season that runs from November through March. I spoke with staff and based on this season, the
county will need between 11,000 and 13,000 more tons of salt for the balance. We currently have 11,000 tons of salt in stock. Another 3,900 tons are in order on order. Delivery of the recent salt order has been slow to
arrive. It's difficult this time of year for those salt deliveries. Um especially when the frequency of the storms come uh the way they have been. Uh based on the department's review, if the remainder of the uh this season's average increases, the county would project ending the uh
season with about 2,500 tons of salt. But if the current trend continues with these frequency of storms, the county supply will quickly be depleted. The response for an average 4-in snowstorm requires about a thousand tons of salt. Uh we've been contacted by three
municipalities that have completely depleted their reserves. Uh one actually when I spoke with them this morning, they uh they were uh completely out, but when I spoke with them this afternoon, they did confirm that they were actually receiving their emergency delivery
today. Uh, I've reached out to the deputy chief of staff for Governor Cheryl. I have not yet received a call back. Um, I did leave the message that we were advocating for the county and for the municipalities within the county regarding the shortage to ensure that everybody has appropriate reserves to be able to get through the rest of the
winter. And I will update the board once I receive further information. Uh, the Frankfurt campus wells, the snow put us back a couple days going live on the wells. Uh but uh we've reached out to the health department to complete their inspection. We do have a licensed
operator sign off and we should be live no later than Friday. Uh the Department of Health and Human Services had their quarterly opioid settlement meeting today. I should have a report for that next meeting. They had uh briefly I did speak with the department administrator and she said it was a a very good
meeting. They came together with lots of different ideas uh for those funds. Uh the new website went live on January 20th. I don't know if anybody's had a chance to look at our website. Uh we have had a few glitches. So uh we are working through that, but all in all,
we've received positive feedback regarding the usage of the site. Regarding Lafayette Poleborn, uh Poleborn, we have continued issues with the approved contractor on the project. We did have county council contact them on the 21st of January, sent them out a
letter. We have not yet received a response. Um, and we should have uh some further updates by the end of the week. We currently do have staff that are still going out to the location. They go out periodically during the day to monitor and see what's going on, who is there, and so forth, and then report
back. Uh, and then I do have a couple items for executive session. Last, but certainly not least, I do want to thank all county employees who worked very hard during this weekend storm. Uh, this was a very large storm, not seen in the county in some time. Uh I was able to
check in with staff during the duration and other than some issues here and there with the equipment that uh facil uh facilities our fleet department was able to put quickly back into service uh we did not see any major issues with uh with the snow operations that they had
going on. Uh they did comment that because it was more of a finer snow that actually causes more problems than people actually realize. So uh they were able to get the equipment back up and running though. Uh, as Commissioner Silverthornne stated, I we attempt to meet staff prior to them going out into
the uh snow, but by the time they were dispatched and we got to the garages, the storm had arrived sooner than we anticipated and there was already quite a quite a covering on the ground. So, we apologize for those garages that we have not been able to get out to, but we will be getting out to everyone just to show
our appreciation for all of the hard work that they did do. And that's all I have. >> Thank you. County Council report. Number 20, unfinished business. Do we have any unfinished business?
No. Number 20, new business. We do have an appointment for the planning board. Um, we had a resignation and we are going to appoint uh Jennifer Johnson as a full member to the Sussex County Planning Board to
serve the remainder of the unexpired term of Joseph Flanigan said term to begin immediately and expire December 31st, 2027. Jennifer was our alternate. We just appointed her at our last meeting and then this resignation came after that.
So, I'm looking to appoint her as a full member of the Sussex County Planning Board. Um, can I get a motion? >> I'll make the motion. >> Okay. And a second. >> Okay. So, Deputy Director Degroup makes the motion and Commissioner Carney seconds it. Any discussion?
>> Roll call, please. >> Deputy Director Degroup. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Henderson, >> yes. >> Commissioner Silverthornne, >> yes. >> Director Spade, >> yes. >> Commissioner, >> yes. >> Okay. And then we have one more thing in
new business. A resolution authorizing the execution of an amendment to the contract between the county of Sussex and the county of Morris for the provision of housing adult inmates in accordance with the provisions of NJSA
4A651 ET SEQ and NJSA 4A 1110 ETQ. Uh, can I get a motion to add this resolution? >> So, move. >> Okay. Commissioner Henderson in a
second. >> I'll second. >> Okay. Commission. It's actually a reduction in beds. So, it's a savings to the county. It's a negotiate an ongoing negotiation with county council Morris. And since we hadn't had the type of occupancy that would necessitate it, we're able to negotiate a reduction. >> Okay, that's great.
>> Thank you. Okay, so we have a motion by Commissioner Henderson and a second by Commissioner Silverthornne. Any discussion? No. Roll call, please. >> Deputy Director Degru, >> yes. >> Commissioner Henderson, >> yes. >> Commissioner Silverthor, >> yes. >> Director Space, >> yes. >> Commissioner Corn,
>> yes. >> Okay. Any other new business? >> Uh, director, just um segue into the planning board. Well, we we're going to advertise a new position. Correct. >> Yep. We'll put it on uh on the website and we'll advertise that we have a an unfilled
>> alternate alternate. Okay. And to be on the planning board, uh, you do have to go through a six-hour class, uh, which Commissioner Henderson and I were talking about, and they test you on things to make sure you're sitting there through the whole six hours. So, we
would love to have a lot of applicants. Okay. And that's it. Okay. Public session from the floor. This public session is for those wishing to make general comments of 3 minutes or less on non-aggenda topics. Please line up the microphone, state your name and
municipality for the record. Can I get a motion to open the floor for public comment? >> So moved. >> Okay. Deputy Director Degru and a second. >> Second. >> Uh, Commissioner Silverthornne. Any discussion? All in favor? I postain.
Floor is open. >> Good evening, Ken Collins, Andover Township. I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose any voters. Donald J. Trump. Here we are again. I'm here tonight to honor
the memory of Alex Prey. Trump administration policies murdered him in the street for using his phone to record them and trying to help a woman government agents had assaulted. Federal agents tackled Alex Pretty and pepper-
sprayed him. Then, as he was on his hands and knees in absolute agony, they took his legal holstered firearm, which he had never brandished, and shot him in the back. As he tumbled to the ground, federal agents shot him a couple more times.
While Alex lay on the ground, dying, unarmed, and a threat to no one. The federal agents formed an execution line in the street and fired five additional rounds into his body. Alex Prey was murdered in cold blood by yet another
overzealous, outofcontrol federal agent. It was murder. If that were not horrific enough, the Trump administration immediately went on a televised lying spree, trying desperately to convince us all that we did not see what we all saw
with our own two eyes. Greg Bavino and Christy Gnome both told us all the blatant lie that Alex Prey came there that day to, and I quote, inflict maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.
Why? Why did they lie to us all so blatantly? Because they've seen the body cam footage. They know it was a murder. There's no defense. ICE and Border Patrol agents and officers who murdered must be charged,
arrested, and tried. That's what America needs. America needs it now. Right now. >> You should stand up and take a stand against this. You should stand up against this ICE intrusion into
communities coming in and creating all kinds of havoc and mayhem just so they can shoot people so they can what? Declare martial law, some ridiculous crap like that. I'm sorry. This has to stop. And you guys need to issue some sort of resolution or
whatever it is you do and take a stand against this aggression by the federal government. This has to stop. This has to stop. You can't be for this. Somebody please affirm you're not for
this. Remember Alex Pretty. Remember Renee Good. They've been murdered by our government in the street for exercising their rights under the United States Constitution.
Lastly, the end of the month is >> an I. And I hope you prepare a re response to fire. >> Amy Len Lat. So I'd like to start with a a a little
um poem by not poem um Sat um Hana Aran German philosopher and historian. Fore translated. This constant line is not aimed at
making the people believe a lie, but at ensuring that no one believes anything anymore. A people that can no longer distinguish between truth and lies,
cannot distinguish between right and wrong. And such a people deprived of the power to think and judge is without knowing or wi and willing it completely subjected
to the rule of lies. With such pe with such a people you can do whatever you want. Hana aant. Thank you.
Norma Bran Quantage tonight I will not be speaking about Donald Trump but my three minutes will be spent being curious. Last meeting when I expect my position of religious speech from the deis the commission
directly to me responded with vigor. I am curious that this was the topic you chose to respond. Rarely, if ever, is there a response directly made? For months, your constituents have asked,
begged you to take a stand for the side of justice, to stand with our brown, black, and gay makers. To speak out against federal spending cuts, out against SNAP benefits, healthcare
cuts, out against the rise in violence, up for the erosion of our republic. to understand the fundamental right to gather on agree. But when I had the audacity to ask the commissioners to read them,
that was the straw that broke the back of silence. At times when brave people come to this microphone, some commissioners whisper behind cupped hands or pieces of paper. That was the case when I spoke last meeting. former middle school teacher
wanted to ask, "Is there something you want to share with all of us?" But I restrained myself. Perhaps you were discussing important commissions. Perhaps you were calling me a time expressing my first amendment. May all beings everywhere be happy and
free. My thoughts and my actions are different. May the light of truth overcome. Pamela Gray Stillwater. Several weeks ago, I wrote to Commissioner Degroup regarding my concern about his statement that we all
need to keep Christ in Christmas. While I appreciate his acknowledgement of receiving my email, my concern grew after watching the last meeting where our attorney strongly defended that statement as appropriate for a public official.
Personal faith is valid, government promotion of religion is not. To our attorney's point at the last meeting, while elected officials do retain personal free speech rights, those rights do not include using an official
platform to promote religion. So a statement like please keep Christ in Christmas when spoken from the dis raises concerns not only under the establishment clause, but most importantly to me about its impact on your constituents.
To be clear, my goal here is not litigation. My goal is reflection. In moments like the one our country is in, we all have a choice. We can be the fuel that feeds a fire, or we can be the water that slows the flames.
Conflict does not grow on its own. It grows on what we give it. It grows on what we allow and on what we endorse. Commissioner Degrove, the lack of acknowledgement of my concern did not feel like the leadership that this
community is asking. And Mr. Steinhardt, the response of the last meeting felt more like fuel than water to those of us trying to understand where that line is. And so I am respectfully asking you all to think about your intentions here. We
come here not to be dismissed or condemned, but because we believe in your ability to lead thoughtfully, inclusively, and with care for your entire community. I ask you to reflect not just on what is legally permissible,
but on what best serves a diverse community. Leadership that brings people together begins with care, restraint, and an awareness of how words spoken from this disp are heard. You have the opportunity and more
importantly, you have the responsibility to be the water in this moment to choose language that fools division rather than fuels it. I hope you will lead with intention, inclusion, and respect for the entire community that you serve.
Thank you. Opriage Hampton Township. MAGA likes to say that Trump was right about everything, but the opposite is true. He lies about everything. He lied that the January 6, 2021 insurrection
was a peaceful protest. An attendee at last commissioner's meeting reiterated that lie. That lie was designed by the MAGA regime to convince their base to not believe their own eyes. That lie poses a serious threat to our collective
conscience and our safety. When that lie was made here, you remained silent. As our leaders, it is incumbent upon you to inform the public of accurate information and identify fact from fiction. You have a duty to inform your
constituents of the truth. You have a duty to correct the record so that dangerous ideas that threaten the safety of our community are not perpetuated and spread. The MAGA regime continues to lie about the peaceful protests happening
across the country. They lied about the killings of Renee Good and Alex Prey, but we can see with our own eyes that these two citizens were killed and told blood by reckless, untrained ICE goons. The MAGA regime wants the American
public to believe peaceful protesters are the opposite of what we are or the opposite of what we can see with our own eyes. We can see that every rally that has taken place on the Newton Green has been peaceful, wellorganized, safe, and attended by law-abiding citizens who are
trying to save our democracy in a lawful manner. Yet, there are still people who say we are violent paid protesters who hate this country. You know that is not true. Yet when I've heard these lies at our meetings, you have remained silent.
It is your duty to acknowledge that what has happened on the Newton Green and set the record straight. To ignore the lies is to allow ignorance and hatred to spread throughout our community. And it is your duty to protect our right to exercise our free speech in a safe
environment. Liars pose a threat to our safety. Call out the lies. The MAGA regime lies get bigger and bolder every day. Tyrant Trump said the midterm elections should be cancelled. You cannot sit by and allow President Trump
to convince unwitting citizens that their vote should be taken away. I specifically call out Commissioner Carney to address this critical issue as a candidate for the county clerk, the position that is in charge of ensuring our election system is secure. Silence
about this matter is not acceptable. Every commissioner must must pledge to ensure that our democratic system is safe and that will you will protect our right to vote even when the MAGA regime spreads lie after lie and take steps to deny our rights. It is time for you to
all take a stand, state the facts, and be truthtelling leaders in our county, not part of the mega regime that lies and suppresses our rights. Sandy Pender, Freeden Township. I had an interesting thought the other day. I
don't really like the phrase make America great again because I feel that it can be very polarizing. But I had the realization that the phrase make America great again ironically fits this current moment so well. Not in the way that Trump
envisions it, though. His vision of a great America is one which includes huge power and money imbalances that benefit him and his buddies. His view of a great America requires the dismantling of our government and norms so that he can
pursue unchecked power. I would like to pitch a rebrand of the phrase make America great again. I feel that it fits the current moment really well in the following context. Make America great again describes the
work we all need to do right now to rebuild trust among our own citizens who see peaceful protesters being shot and who also know that J6 riers were pardoned and set free. Make America Great Again describes the
work we need to do right now to rebuild credibility and trusting relationships with our allies and other countries. Make America Great Again describes the work we need to do right now to rebuild the US legislative system to strengthen
independent levers of government that provide real checks and balances. Make America Great Again is the work we need to do right now to hold all people, regardless of their positions, accountable when they break the law or
violate other civil rights. Make America Great Again is the work that we need to do right now to convince citizens that the system still works and that with action and courage, our democracy can survive this crisis of character. And finally, Make America Great Again is
the work we need to do to convince young people that their voice and their votes matter and that they have control over their own futures. So yeah, let's make America great again. Let's rebrand that statement. Let's decide what that really
means to us and what we are willing to do to get back to the democracy that was framed by our founders. And I will ask you again, as I always do, what are you doing as elected officials or as citizens of this country to protect our democracy? What have you done other than
try to undermine your constituents ability to peacefully demonstrate on the green, the heart of our county seat? I'm hopeful at least one of you might have a thoughtful answer. I don't like what is happening to our country and I don't want this future for
my kids or yours. There are no winners in this future when we have a president and others who are willing to burn it all to the ground. Thank you. Good evening. Karen Balszano Wage Township. Each of us views the world through the
lens of our own life experiences. And here are some insights of mine. I am a second generation American. All of my four Eastern European grandparents immigrated to this country between 1899
and 1915. They worked hard, contributed to society and proudly became American citizens. They were very grateful for the opportunities they were given in America. In the 1940s, many family members who
had not immigrated with them perished in Nepal. I never forget that I benefited from my grandparents' choices to immigrate. In 1985, when my husband was a Rucker's graduate student and I, a part-time teacher, we and our two children moved
to St. Michael's Episcopal Chapel at Ruckers University to be caretakers. Shortly after we moved in, a new Episcopalian chaplain, the Reverend Henry Atkins, a liberation theologist, arrived. It is important to note that in
1985, in response to the vicious civil war in El Salvador, many churches became sanctuaries. The El Salvadoran refugees fleeing for their lives. Reverend Atkins believed it was his duty to offer sanctuary to the
movement. Shortly thereafter, the family of five moved into the basement of St. Michaels. As caretakers, we were briefed on the situation. If there were any concerning visitors, we were to move the family to the sanctuary of the chapel.
Reverend Atkins informed us that someone from Immigration and National Naturalization Service, which is the predecessor to ICE, would be coming by to verify the refugees presence. Within days, an INS agent arrived. He interviewed me in our
apartment while our two-year-old daughter was napping. He was dressed professionally. He was not wearing a mask, nor did he carry a weapon. His questions were brief and very respectful. I did not feel threatened
nor fearful for myself, my family, or for the El Salvadoran family. I know that our government's policies and politics have evolved over the past 40 years. However, never in my lifetime would I have thought that our country
would brazenly promote the inhumane treatment of immigrants and refugees seeking a better life here. Even more egregious, we recently witnessed the lawless and cruel treatment of both immigrants and protesters in
Minneapolis. Where is our humanity? We ask you to call out these injustices with us. To remain silent is to be complicit. Holocaust survivor Ellie Visel told us,
"The opposite of love is not hate. Hi, Kimberly Null Sparta. Um, I'm speaking tonight in my capacity as a private citizen and not as member of the board of education. Everything expressed is my own opinion. I'm here tonight to ask the county commissioners and all town leadership consider what is at
stake should detention centers be set up in the surrounding area. We have seen ICE get more and more aggressive with their activities. ICE does not seem to discriminate who it targets or who is who it brutalizes. ICE claims to target the worst of the worst, but in reality,
children have been targets, random drivers, and random brown and black people. DHS own statistics show that three4s of the people detained have no criminal background and only 3% have a violent criminal background. They target
whoever they can arrest to meet quotas because they collect bonuses even when that means detaining US citizens. In the last month they have killed two US citizens in the streets. No due process was there was there. They have not only
uh that's not the only lives that were lost. Last year 31 people died in detention and so far this year six have detied in detention. These behaviors have no place in civilized society. So, imagine my alarm when two proposed
detention centers within 30 miles of Sussex County have been proposed. One in Roxberry, New Jersey, which was originally a rumor, but then was proven by a visit by DHS ICE officials just two weeks later. The site
is at 1879 US46 in Roxberry. It's a 700,000 square f foot facility which could house 5,888 people. That is five times the current size of Delaney Hall that holds a thousand
people. A second rumored detention center is also proposed in Chester, New York, which is just 36 miles from us. So Sussex County is smack in the middle. Newton is smack in the middle of these two proposed facilities. Roxbury passed an ordinance against
using the warehouse as a prison or detention facility. Chantham Burough Council has similar ordinances on the agenda this week. Other towns surrounding Roxbury are also talking about passing ordinances. Other towns and other states have followed suit and letting DHS know that
these detention centers are not welcome there. I ask that you explore options to prevent detention centers in Northern New. Use whatever influence you may have to protect our community to ensure we continue we can continue to be the thriving community we are today. Free to
move around without being harassed for good evening. Thanks for your service. My name is David D. Whit. I'm from Hampton Township. Since none of our Republican commissioners have chosen to comment in any way about issues of deep concern that have been brought up week after
week, I thought that our concerns might be answered uh by visiting the Sussex County Republican Committee web page and let their published tenants speak for you. They are, after all, your parent and sponsor organization. First up, the
Constitution should be revered and strictly adhered to. You might want to amend that with except for Trump. On 12126, he stated, "Sometimes you need a dictator." With over 400 legal challenges to his constitutional
overreach and violations, he must have skipped that civic class in high school. Next up, a strong support statement of unwavering support for the right to bear arms. That gives all Republicans a real thrill, it seems. Unless, of course,
you're a liberal protester when Trump agents will take you take your firearm away and execute you in the street. Of course, making the list of sanctity of human life is paramount. Given that hundreds of thousands of deaths followed
the reckless closure of USID, you might want to clarify whose life is precious. Finally, a tenant, the next one that most of us could agree upon regardless of political party. We advocate for equitable state funding for schools and
the upholding of parental rights. Everybody's for that, I think. But you might want to spell out what rights. parents of a transgender student, a 13-year-old rape victim. The devil is in the details. You need to scrap the next tenant.
Leadership should prioritize the welfare of the populace over the interests of a select few. The Trump criminal has made over $4 billion while in office by accepting bribes, extorting money, establishing crypto Ponzi schemes, as
well as selling golders and sneakers and such. The Trump criminals tax plan transfers billions of dollars to the super rich at the expense of the struggling working class. The last tenant is equally questionable. The government should operate with greater
efficiency and reduce size. Consider chaos, meat cleaver cuts to social programs, billions proposed for a golden dome defense system, bloated ice goon squans, triumphal arches and ballrooms,
all while adding trillions to more to our national debt, hardly efficient or reduced government. Your site is rife with claims of transparency as a virtue and it often appears over and over
again. This is laughable in Trump the Trump criminals world of lies and alternate facts. Your silence is understandable but not forgiven. Sandy Hall, Leighton, New Jersey. Thank you for the opportunity to address the board of commissioners. On a totally
different note, um thank you for um Oh, I'm sorry. Uh last year during the commissioner meeting, several county employees made statements describing unhealthy and dungeon-like working conditions in their offices. Uh fast forward to the proposed sale of the jail. Selling the jail could bring more
funds to the county, but the problems with the employees working conditions remain unresolved with no apparent remedy. So looking at the employees legitimate complaints and the potential availability of office space in the jail, a feasibility study for conversion costs is the practical and smart way to
proceed. And I want to thank you all for taking that initiative. But in view of everything that was said here tonight, and this is sort of the big elephant in the room, let's face it. You know, when our respected law enforcement guides go home at night, they protect, they serve our community. We could not exist without them. And they can say to their
families, "I took pride in what I did today. I helped somebody in an accident. I saved a life by I did my job." And our military guys go out there, they fight for our Constitution, for our freedom worldwide. And when ICE goes home at night, what do they do? They take pride in a body count. So, let's hope that our
jail ends up not being a nice detention center. Thank you. Hi, uh, Christine Henry, Vernon, New Jersey. I know you all put a lot of time in this position and I thank you for your service. I ask you what you are
doing as our county commissioners to preserve our democracy. And though indeed you deal with local politics, all politics is local as said by Tip O'Neal. Just can't escape it by
by claiming that what we discuss here has nothing to do. It has to do with all of us. How do you feel about what's happening in our country? Is this what you voted for? I definitely did not vote for this.
But I'm curious as you're all Republican. They're deporting 5-year-olds, entering courtrooms, schools, school buses, hospitals, breaking into homes without warrants, forcefully pushing peaceful protesters
to the ground, kidnapping people. American citizens, as mentioned numerous times tonight, were murdered. One shot in the back in total 10 times while at least two border patrol agents fist pumped and high-fived.
One shot three times in the head and then by her killer. 36 have been killed in detention centers. Many were denied medical care. Every year I thought about Hitler and his party. And every year students ask
me how on earth it happened. This is how it happened. People, good people stood by and watched it happen. Good people allowed it.
Is this who you are? For those of you who are Christian, I read something the other day that stuck with me. One day, everyone will be on this side. Meaning, one day when history reveals the horror of this regime, everyone will claim they were on
this side. Side are you on? As our local commissioners, I call on you to do the right thing. Join us in speaking out against this regime. join us in speaking out against a convicted felon that consistently lies to the American people.
I have a whole list here. Join us in questioning how we can deny healthcare to millions while giving 40 billion to Argentina. And join us in questioning how the best friend of a known and convicted pedophile didn't know what his friend was doing.
Where are you on all of this? The last time I was here, I listened to a woman express that she didn't want her tax dollars going to pay the sheriff's department for keeping protesters safe. I understand that's difficult. I don't want my taxpayer dollars going to
murder. Kathy Brennan, Hampton Township. First of all, I want to say, excuse me for if what I say tonight seems a little off, but as I was sitting down to write this, I happened to gaze at my phone and just looking at my phone for two minutes,
there were at least five things listed there that I had done within the last hour or two that were absolutely atrocious. So I I am very very upset about that. So please excuse that. But um other than that, I'd like to speak
tonight about a uh group that's in the county that has been very active in assisting the community. Its uh name is Indivisible Sussex. It is it is an organization that is committed to honoring people equally and
with dignity. They believe in people power achieved by engaging in positive peaceful connections with the community. Indivisible also seeks to educate about constitutional rights and advocates for fair and free elections. As a group
committed to supporting and giving back to the community, they have been involved in providing various charitable donations to many county agencies and programs. Since I only have Since I only have a brief Jeez,
I told you and it's true. I'm very upset about what is going on with this ICE craziness. Well, since I only have a little bit of time, I will just list some of the things that Indivisible has been doing. They've helped out Benny's Bodega, Mana
House, Food Shed Alliance, Grateful Grateful Shed, Sussex County Food Pantry, The Weekend Bed Program, Grace's Place Pantry, St. Joseph's pantry, Sparta ecam ecamunical
pantry, the gathering place, Samaritan in Christian outreach, books for children, Jenny's house, and they've also been involved in many service programs in the area, uh cleaning up at Stokes, at New Jersey School of Conservation, um and other activities
includes things such as uh caroling and making cards for nursing home patients and having a forum that um to give information to uh county uh veterans who who need it. And in conclusion, I just want to say that there is a lot more to
Indivisible Sussex than just exercising uh their of freedom of speech on the on the Newton Green advocating for families and democracy. These people that I have met through this group are the most compassionate, caring, and loving people
I've seen in this community. And I'm very proud to say I am a member of this group. Thank you. John, excuse me, John Snider. Sanderson. Wow. I'm appalled at some of the things I hear. You talk about Trump derangement
syndrome. I can see it pretty much in the group that's here tonight. They talk about peaceful demonstrations. People throwing rocks, snowballs at these ICE agents in Minneapolis. How
that's considered to be peaceful, I don't know. I don't know how I would hold up myself if every day I'm going out there where I think I'm serving my country legally doing a job and I've got these citizens, some of whom we apparently are paid. I'm
not saying the people here are paid for going to their meetings, but obviously some of them are out there and your life is constantly in danger. You go back to your hotel and hope that this group hasn't come to the lobby of the hotel and is making all kinds of noise and
trespassing actually on property that's not theirs. Shocking to me. I'm pushing 80 years old. I can't believe how this country has deteriorated. I hear people talking here about
promoting free elections. I wonder how many people who spoke tonight are in favor of voter ID. I think the federal act is called the SAVE Act where they're trying to get that nationally, at least for federal elections. How anybody could be against having a voter ID is
unbelievable to me. How you can justify that. Came across the name Elliot Boran, I guess, is how you promote it pronounce it. He's a Democratic candidate for the attorney general of Ohio. He's saying if elected, he's going to
have a trial. He's going to convict Donald Trump. These are his words, not mine. And the death pen death penalty will be be enforced for that. This is the running for attorney general of the state of Ohio.
Then we have another one, Lexi Lauren. Is anybody No, I'm sorry. Lexi Lawler. She's a nurse in Boca Raton, Florida. Has some disgusting things to say about Caroline Lev, who is the the young attractive mother and press secretary
for Donald Trump. If you've heard any of those things that she said that she hopes happens to this woman, Caroline, and her delivery, of course, this nurse was fired for what she posted on one of those social things. When I come to these meetings, I tell
myself I'm not going to unless I have to come up and defend our president. That's that I hear from people who say they're so peaceful. The hatred that I hear coming from these people is shocking to me. Thank you. I think most of you men and women in
front of me get it. Uh, this is just mindblowing because some of the >> Oh, Ray Dotto, Frankfurt Township. Frank Township very upset with this what's going on.
It's not it's nothing short of of treason here. If we look at the de definition of what treason is, it's happening right here. Uh it depends on the spirit you're in. I hear it's if you're anti-Trump, you're
anti-Christian there. There's no doubt about that. And uh we our constitution we don't have a constitution United States of America without almighty God
Jesus Christ. And uh let's let's just look at at what it says in our uh our constitution. First amendment is the freedom of religion and the government will make no rules
against that freedom or restrict the freedom of the people. Right? Assemble. But the uh just Newton I just watched one of the
rallies. No kings. No kings. We don't have a king. We have a president of the United States and I believe he was elected three times. Maybe history will find that out in the next few years. And what's happening in Minnesota uh is
unbelievable. They're going against our law, the rule of law. We have to stand up for God and country. And that's what it is. I don't have a bunch of talking points. I'm just emotional and talking about the way I
feel. And I think you all in front of me feel that way too. And it's about this country. We have no country without God. Good evening. Thank you all for being
being able to listen to Paul tonight. Um, my name is Debbie Melo. I'm from Freeden Township. I have a question for you and probably for everyone else here um, presents themselves as a Republican.
Are you proud to be a Republican? Just in this last month, there are so many so many things that don't make me proud to be an American and a former Republican. Like to share a few of them with you.
I won't get to all of them, that's for sure, because every day there are several. Um, early this month, President Trump publicly discusses the US role. Well, this happened recently, but after bombing the boats in international waters, Trump goes into Venezuela and
kidnaps the unlawful leader and his wife amid claims that Maduro is trafficking drugs into the United States when it was really about oil and a money grab. So now he's discussing the US role in Venezuela. And today I heard that he
says he's going to rule Venezuela. Uh there was uh there was proclamation DHS announced that an expanded ICE enforcement operation in New York City uh called Operation Solivable. I don't really know what that is. I haven't had
time to look into it, but doesn't sound good. Um there was an executive order safeguarding Venezuelan oil revenue for the good of the American and Venezuelan people. This is a good one. Whole milk for
healthy kids act of 2025 was approved by the president. I'm not sure why he needed to do that, but okay. Um, free America walk out is obviously not something that the president did, but it was a reaction of protests occurring
across the United States. Um, in terms of this political environment, the Trump administration announced expanded foreign aid policy restricting support for DEI trans rights. There was an executive order continuence
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Review Council. That means that right before the big storm, all the FEMA aid uh people that were fired were told to come back so that they could take care of this storm across the country.
This past weekend, um Trump attended the NATO meetings in Switzerland and insulted our allies by saying that NATO has never helped the United States. He tried to coers Denmark and Greenland to give Greenland to the United States. He again attacked the
Federal Reserve with uh with lawsuits against Lisa Cook and Jerome Powell. Um we abandoned vaccine science. Bring back measles. I didn't get to all of the important things that many other people spoke. Are
you proud to be a Republican? Laura how as we sat through several of these meetings this past year I really have learned a lot. One of the things that I think we can all agree on is a desire to take care of the children of our community whether voicing concern about
What happens when Please lock down, poke, run, and hide. Everything they for women. Children certainly are not And if nothing was there,
we all know that the very next people Will you make sure that will they be All of our children. Anyone else? >> Motion to close the floor for public
comment and return to regular business. >> Okay, Commissioner Silverton. A second. >> Second. >> Commissioner Henderson. Um, discussion. All in favor? Motion passes. >> Permission. I would like to give a a uh
county council report. Um, I passed earlier, but I'll take the opportunity now. Um, I know there's a lot going on in the world today, a lot of side choosing and fingerpointing and I am 57 years old. Uh, I am well on the unless I'm going to
live to be 114, I'm well on the back half of my bell curve, but my kids are 22 and 27. And, uh, you know, I go to bed every night praying to whomever I choose to pray to, uh, about what the world looks like for them, as I suspect most of you guys do for your kids, your
grandkids, your neighbors, your family members, whomever. Um, we all come here asking that our First Amendment rights, I did my best to jot some of this down, so bear with me. Uh, be respected and our voices heard. That same protection
applies equally to speech we may not personally share. I keep the Christ in Christmas, a God bless uh a right to life reference is an expression of personal belief, not the
government establishment of religion and silencing it would contradict the very free speech principles that many of you are asking this board to honor. There is a long line of United States Supreme Court's juristp prudence that go back
hundreds of years. I'm going to pick one of the more recent Kennedy versus the Breton School District. It's at 597 US Supreme Court reports page 23 was decided in 2022. And it makes clear that the
constitutional protections a public official has applies to their personal religious expression and that allowing that speech is not an establishment of religion, but suppressing it actually would be.
Joseph Kennedy was a high school football coach in Breton, Washington. >> After games, he would briefly kneel and pray at midfield on the football field. The prayer was short, personal, voluntary, and not part of any official
team activity. At first, Kennedy prayed by himself. Over time, some players and members of the public occasionally joined him, but he didn't require that, encourage it, or organize the participation. The school district told Coach Kennedy
to stop praying on the field. They said that because he was a taxpayerf funded public school employee because his prayers were visible that they might be perceived as government endorsement of religion and that allowing it could violate the establishment clause.
Kennedy said he was willing to pray quietly, to pray alone, to pray after his official duties were complete. The district still prohibited prayer and eventually placed them on administrative leave and did not renew his contract.
Coach Kennedy sued the school district. The Supreme Court said that Coach Kennedy's prayers were his private religious expression. It occurred during a moment when other staff were free to do personal activities. There was no evidence that he was coercing students to participate
with him. The school district, the court said, acted out of excessive fear of violating the establishment clause. Therefore, silencing prayer violated the first amendment. Why I think that matters here? The court
explicitly rejected the idea that if a government employee can be seen, their religious expression has to be suppressed. Instead, it drew a very clear line that personal religious expression is not the
establishment of religion. So, I would say to all of you guys, the very essence of free speech isn't speech we agree with, but it's speech that we tolerate. And asking for free speech only when it sounds like ours or doesn't
offend somebody's sensibilities misses the very spirit of why that freedom matters in the first place. So, just like you didn't check your First Amendment rights at the door when you came here tonight, neither did Commissioner Degree. Thanks.
>> Number 23, reminders. Please check the county's website at www.sussex.nj. us for meeting schedules. Number 24, executive session. providing for an executive close session not open to the public in accordance
with the provisions of NJSA 10. >> Excuse me, Linda. >> Excuse me. The meeting is still going on. >> Thank you. in accordance with the provisions of NJSA
10 col4-12 at SEC whereas the subject matters about to be discussed may be excluded from the public portion of the meeting by resolution of the board of county commissioners as an exception to the open public meetings act pursuant to
NJSA 10 col4-12B and whereas it appears necessary for the board of county commissioners ers to discuss such matters in executive session. Now therefore, be it resolved that the board of county commissioners
of the county of Sussex in accordance with provisions of NJSA 10 col4-12B and NJSA 104-13 that the board at this time enter into an executive session from which the
public shall be excluded. And be it further resolved that the general nature of the subjects to be discussed relate to the following items authorized by NJSA 10 col4-12B as designated below. Number seven,
matters relating to litigation negotiations and the attorney client privilege. Clark Moahan Landscaping LLC Lafayette Poleborn. Number eight, matters relating to the employment relationship, firearm up and
confidential assistant and appointments. Be it further resolved that the deliberations conducted in close session may be disclosed to the public upon the determination of the Sussex County Board of County Commissioners or provided by law that
the public interest will no longer be served by such confidentiality. And be it further resolved that upon completion of the business for which the board has entered into the executive session, the board shall reconvene and resume its meeting open to the public.
And be it further resolved that the board expects to expects to take formal action after returning from executive session except to adjourn the regular meeting. >> And I get a motion to adopt the executive session resolution and enter
into executive session. Still moved. >> Okay. Commissioner Carney and a second from Commissioner Henderson. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I post abstain. Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. Sorry.