All right. Motion to adjurnn from executive session. Return to regular business. So moved. Commissioner Henderson, I have a second. Commissioner Drew. All in favor say I. I. I. Opposed. Abstain carries. Number nine, public hearing. Uh this is the final adoption of ordinance
25-04. At a regular meeting held on May 14, 2025, we introduced for first first reading the follow following ordinance which was advertised in New Jersey Herald issue of May 20th, 2025 together with a notice of public hearing setting would be held at this meeting at 6 p.m.
There's an ordinance making the provisions of title 39 of the New Jersey statutes applicable to Sustice County property known as 15 Trinity Trinity Street in the town of Newton as detailed within the plan entitled official site parking and signage plan. Sussexis County Trinity Street NX15 Trinity
Street dated April 9th, 2025 regulate the use of said rot roadways, driveways, and parking facilities by motor vehicles. Motion that the public hearing be open. So moved. Mr. Henderson have a second. Deputy director space. All in favor say I. I. Oppos. Staying carries.
Anyone here present to be heard regarding this ordinance? All right. Motion a public hearing be closed. So move. Commissioner Gro have a second. Second. Deputy director space. All in favor say I. I. I. Oppose. Abstain. Carries. Can I get a motion
that this or ordinance be finally adopted? So moved. Commissioner Henderson. I have a second. Second. Commissioner Drew. All in favor say I. I. Oppos. Abstain. Carries. All right. And I need a motion that this resolution be finally
adopted and authorize the clerk to advertise this resolution as finally adopted and also post same on bulletin board in the lobby of the county administrative center. So moved. Mr. Henderson have a second. Deputy Director Space. Any discussion?
All right. Roll call, please. Deputy Director Space. Yes. Director Carney, yes. Commissioner Degroup, yes. Commissioner Hayden, yes. Commissioner Henderson, yes. All right. Nine is public session from the floor. this public session for those wishing to make a comment of three minutes or less regarding an agenda item. Please line up
at the microphone and state your name, municipality, and agenda topic for the record. Record motion to open the floor for public comment. So moved. Commissioner Hayden, Commissioner, deputy director space. Uh any discussion? All in favor say I. I
abstain carries. Floor is open on agenda topics. All right. Seeing none. Uh, can I get a motion to close the floor for public comment? So moved. Deputy director space moves. Uh, Commissioner Degrroot seconds. Any discussion? All in
favor say I. I. Post. Stain. Carries. Number 10, Commissioner comments. We'll start with Commissioner Henderson. Okay. On May 16th, along with Deputy Director Space and Commissioner Degru, we attended the Sussex County Older American event at Sussex County Fairgrounds. It was an excellent event
for Sussex County uh seniors, including myself as a newly qualified member. Thank you, Lorraine Hence, and all the individuals that put this event on. Well done. On May 17th, I attended the Lake Pacon block party. Again, another fantastic event bringing the community
together. On May 19th, Commissioner Carney and I attended a virtual development review meeting. Several items on the agenda were reviewed. On May 22nd, I attended the Sussex Votech School Board meeting. There were several members of of the staff and parents
there voicing their concerns over the status and future of shops cut at the school. Many voiced their concerns a student had entered in as freshman in shops and now as sophomores and juniors these programs are in jeopardy forcing students to take a change in direction.
Five longtime employees of the teaching staff and custodial staff were honored as they enter the next phase of their life, their retirement. Congratulations to all. And Lisa, I see you here. Congratulations. On May 24th, uh I'm sorry, on Memorial Day, along with Commissioner Director Carney, we
attended the American Legion Post 157 parade in Branchville. Great to see so many out honoring the vets paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we all enjoy today. On May 24th, along with Commissioner Carney, we attended the Opacon Memorial Day parade. The Hap
Pakan Mayor, Council, and Recreation Committee do an awesome job organizing this event. Unfortunately, someone forget forgot to tell mother nature it was the beginning of summer. Yesterday, uh the county college interim president, Dr. Homer, hosted a tour at the county college. Sussex
County is lucky to have a college like this in our backyard that offers so many options for students of all ages. It was great to see the numerous renovations in progress to improve the quality of education. I will say I was impressed with the new mannequins the college has obtained on grants that act the same as
a human entering a hospital emergency room. Believe it or not, they can even cough and vomit. I've offered my services to operate the remote control. After an hourong tour with Commissioner Degru, we attended the Sussex County College Board meeting.
There was a presentation by David Hasslip, the college of veteran SEO on the significant enrollment of veterans. has doubled in the last few years. As I mentioned earlier, there is a lot of renovations going on at the college and you can visit them and watch them on the
county website. I urge all of you to follow along with their progress. I know you'll be impressed. Commissioner Drew, I'm sure will have additional information in his report from yesterday's meeting. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet the new college trustee during the tour and I feel confident that he would bring a lot to
the board. I feel the college is very fortunate to have Dr. Homer at the helm. His passion and dedication is second to none. Lastly, for the last several meetings, we have heard many individuals voice their concerns and thought over political views and issues. We all have
our right to express those views. Do we all have to agree? No. But let's sit and talk. There's ways to find common ground if we search deep enough. When I was sworn in on January 1st, I told the people of Sussex County that I represent everyone regardless of your political
affiliation. that I would always vote from my heart in what was right for Sussex County. With that pledge to voters, I've reached out and asked Senator Parker Space to join me and a few members of Indivisible to sit down over a cup of coffee. Senator Space and I will be meeting with them next week
and look forward to a positive dialogue back and forth. Thank you. Thank you. So, the board we did not meet this month and we don't have any motion on any of the issues as far as Yes. Uh, starting with the division of
senior services, I want to extend a big thank you to Lorraine and all the division of senior services staff for doing an exceptional job coordinate older Americans day. A very special thank you goes out to Karen King who has uh has been the lead on the county seed library. Uh when I spoke with her and
Lorraine about having a key uh county seed library booth at Older Americans Day, Karen took the lead and delivered outstanding results. Um she created a fantastic display and did a wonderful job educating our seniors about the program. Uh many seeds were picked up and I heard firsthand how enthusiastic
and excited people were about it. So once again, uh thank you to Karen King, Lorraine, and uh all the county workers who really made that day so special. Uh Sussex County Tax Board. Uh this past Wednesday, the tax board held its monthly meeting which we covered a good portion of the tax assess assessment
appeals uh across the county. Uh it was very lively and insightful session. Um additionally the tax board uh Melissa Rockwell and the staff asked me to pass along their thanks to us and the facilities team uh for putting up their new Zoom equipment. Uh really they're
grateful and noted the facil facilities team did an excellent job setting everything up. Uh, county library services. The county sus library system invites all ages to join the 2025 summer reading program, Color Our World, from June 26 to July 26. You can read or
listen to the books and attend events to earn raffle tickets for great prizes. Kickoff events include Meg's Artistry for Teens and Tween on June 26th in Vernon and Franklin and June 28th in Newton. Uh Brian Richard's magic show
for families on June 27th in Frankfurt and Stanh Hope uh and Mr. Unpopable's Pop Art Balloon Show on June 28th in Wanage. Adults can enjoy workshops like watercolor painting uh with local artists Regina Our on June 28th in Frankfurt. Uh there will be programs all
throughout the summer, STEM activities, crafts, story times, book clubs, and more for kids, teens, and adults. Please visit suscount library.org/events for details. Also, uh reminder, uh please join us for the ribbon cutting of the dotmobile library,
um at Sussex Wantage branch on Wednesday, June 18th at 5:00 pm. Uh very exciting on that. As mentioned, uh Sussex County Community College Commissioner Henderson and I attended the SECCC board of trustees meeting yesterday. Highlights include an update on the pathway program be between Sussex
Tech and the college with an expectation of 25 Sussex Tech students attending SECCC full-time during their senior year. There's also exciting news and about the enhancement of the archaeology program through a partnership with Sterling Hill Mining Museum. Students will have the opportunity to use the
college's XRF analyzer to examine over 4,000 newly acquired artifacts at Sterling Hill Mining Museum, providing valuable hands-on learning. Uh lastly, it was announced that fall uh 2025, the upcoming semester, enrollment projection
projections are looking positive. Um so great news. Um with this, uh more details will come out in the summer. Additional events, uh last week, Director Carney and I had a meeting with the prosecutor's office. I think it went well. Um additionally, as liazison to Hampton Township, I attended their
township committee meeting yesterday. It was great to catch up with the committee, hear about the latest developments in Hampton. Uh, additionally, uh, this past Monday was Memorial Day. I spent the morning and afternoon in Wanage with American Legion Post 213 and the Sussex Fire Department and Auxiliary who led a powerful
memorial ceremonies throughout Sussex Wanage. Uh, these ceremonies honored and remembered those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. I want to thank Wanage American Legion Post 213 and the Sussex Fire Department and Auxiliary for their dedicated work and extend my gratitude and prayers to all
veterans and their families. Uh, that concludes my report. Thank you. God bless. Division of Senior Services annual public hearing. The Sussex County Division of Senior Services will hold its annual public hearing at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 5th, 2025 in the
Senior Center at Null Heights Village located at 40 Tarpaso Drive in Sparta. Attendees will have an opportunity to voice their opinions on current service needs for the seniors of Sussex County. Anyone who would like to testify at the public hearing or submit written testimony should contact the Sussex
County Division of Senior Services by May 30th, 2025 at 973-5790555 extension 1222 or email senior services at sussex.nj. us. Individuals requiring transportation to the public hearing may contact Sussex
County Skylands Ride at 973-579-0480 no later than 11:00 a.m. on May 29th, 2025 to make a reservation. Division of Health, Office of Public Health Nursing, a woman's health screening clinic will be held on Thursday, June 5th from 4:30 to 7:30
p.m. at the Office of Public Health Nursing, 2011 Weatsworth Road in Hamburg. This clinic offers a variety of health screenings and education. This service is free to uninsured and underinsured county residents who qualify for the New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection NJC
program. To make an appointment, call the Office of Public Health Nursing at 973-579-0570 extension 1275 mosquito control program. The county continues to receive above average rainfall, well way above average rainfall for the month of
May. Unfortunately, due to the inclement weather, the plane has not been able to fly to conduct needed aerial treatments. In addition, aerial applications were further delayed over Memorial Day weekend due to the presidential temporary flight restrictions no-fly zone over northern New Jersey. The
Office of Mosquito Control will continue to survey and monitor these areas and will conduct truck spraying applications for high mosquito populations if necessary. Residents should anticipate high populations of mosquitoes over the next few weeks. If you are experiencing a high inundation of mosquitoes, please
call the mosquito control office at 973-940-5225 to request service to the area for trapping and control. Disease surveillance. Mosquitoborn disease surveillance testing began on May 19th. Sussex mosquito control submitted 20 pools of adult mosquitoes for the
testing of West Nile virus, Eastern Equin Ecquinine and sephilitis, Jamestown Canyon virus, and St. Louis encphilitis. All 20 pools tested negative for all diseases. Residents can find weekly mosquitoborn updates on the mosquito control disease surveillance
website at sussex.nj. usmosquito. New Jersey department of health has reported very early detection of Westnile virus and adult mosquitoes in two separate counties, Gloucester and Warren. Public outreach. The Office of Mosquito Control will be participating
in Stillwater Day at the Veterans Memorial Park, 932 Pond Brook Road on Saturday, June 7th, starting at 2 PM. Mosquito staff will be present to educate residents on mosquito biology and control practices. Be sure to stop in for giveaways and free spotted
lantern fly traps. The mosquito control tabletop display will be set up weekly at the Lafayette, Andover, and Newton municipal buildings from May 27th through June 13th. The mosquito display will be showcased in the foyers of each municipal building and will have informative mosquito control and biology
brochures and pamphlets for our residents. Spotted lantern fly program. Free spotted lantern fly traps are still available at all to all Sussex County residents. If residents would like to receive their free traps, please contact the Office of Mosquito Control at
973-940-5225 to schedule pickup time. Traps can be picked at picked up at the mosquito office on Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 p.m. But scheduling an appointment is preferred to ensure staffing availability. I recently had the honor of being selected as the Republican
State Committee woman on May 15th by the Sussex County Republican Committee at their meeting. The legislature recently removed state committee elections from the ballot and put it in the hands of the county parties. It's been a privilege to volunteer for the NJOP for the last 16 years as a female representative representing Sussex. I
look forward to serving another four years. I attended senior day at the Sussex Fair County Fairgrounds along with commissioners Degrroot Henderson and Director Carney. I'm not quite a senior, but I do have two grandchildren. Um, it was well planned out by Lorraine Hence and the Division of Senior
Services. Always a good time. attended the Hopakhong block party along with Frankfurt's mayor Dave Silverthornne hosted by the Lake Hopakhong Foundation. Many vendors and nonprofits were there from Sussex and Morris County. We did just get a request to have more vendors from uh Sussex County government there.
As liaison to Jenny's house, I attended the quarterly meeting. Stay tuned for more information on the annual fundraiser in November at the Lake Mohawk Country Club. I attended the 30th annual Scouting America Sussex County Tribute to Women honoring six local women who have made a positive positive
impact here in Sussex County. Congratulations to Betsy Sutherland, Trisha Artrip, Jennifer Cable, Sunni Dfano, Evelyn Duziaak, and Jeannie Hanky. Over the last 30 years, 140 women have been honored. I was selected in 2014. I recently attended the Hardison
Republican Club meeting along with Commissioner Henderson and Senator Space and we gave a brief update on what's going on in the county. Lastly, I attended the Sussex County Youth Services Commission as their liaison. And that's all I have. Thank you. In planning, uh the division of planning
is finalizing development of the Sustace County Local Safety Action Plan. The plan identifies operational safety concerns within the local transportation system, establishes method to prioriti prioritize the identified operational enhancements, and provides recommendations on methods to enhance
operational safety within the system at both hotspot locations and systematically. The final public workshop to review the draft plan is scheduled for June 3rd between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. The workshop will be held in the Sussex County Commissioner Room. We encourage anyone interested in the plan to wishing to provide input on the plan
to share your thoughts on creating safer streets in Sussex County. The Sussex County Division of Planning is available to answer any questions or review the plan and can be reached at 973-5790500. The Division of Engineering is preparing three grant applications requesting funding for transportation
projects. One of these grants responds to an open solicitation from the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority or the NJTPA for the fiscal year 2026 lo local concept development grant. The application will request
$868,400 to fund a planning level study to evaluate rehabilitation and replacement options for the Sussex County River Stakes Bridge in Habacon. River Sticks Bridge is 65 years old and spans 598 ft uh making it the longest bridge owned and operated by Sussex County. When
designed, a bridge is estimated to provide about a 75 year uh service life. The other two grants the other two grant applications seek state funding in the amount of three $3 million for replacement of existing obsolete guide rail systems located along county route
517. The work would encompass the entire 31 mile length of Route 517 beginning at the Warren County line extending north to New York state line. The federal grant is highly competitive and two state grants are discretionary and awarded in consideration of other needs and available funding. The grant
applications will be considered for approval during the commissioner's meeting of June 11th. Uh the division of planning remains focused on preparing the cross acceptance report that summarizes county and municipal review comments on the draft's state development and redevelopment plan. The Cess County Division of Planning will
presenting the draft cross acceptance report to Ces County Planning Board at its meeting uh this Monday, June 2nd. Uh Commissioner Henderson and myself will be there. That meeting starts at 4 PM and is held here in this meeting room. The county encourages public participation in a meeting. NASDAQ
comments be shared with the county planning board during this meeting. Tesla County Division of Planning is available. Discuss the plan again at the number 973-5790500. I'm going to read a little bit from District 24. I haven't had an update in a while. I I like to read
their words. Uh, District 24 is made up of our senator Parker Space and Assemblyman Mike and Ganimar and Assemblywoman Don Fantasia. So, I'm going to read about what they're working on a little bit. Um, space fant Fantasian Ganmore slam seizure of New Jersey farm for high
density housing. I'm not sure if you guys are aware of this or not, read it or heard about it in the news, but today legislators from the 24th legislative district slammed the Democrats extreme housing mandates, calling the push to seize farmland through eminent domain a blatant example of failures under one
party Democrat rule in a state government. Stripping an individual of one's land through eminent domain to build highdensity housing for others is a very definition of government overreach, said Parker Space. taking his family's farm away is a land grab and most people see it for what it is,
governmentrun a mock. It also demonstrates that absolute absurdity of mandating an arbitrary number of housing units on municipalities who have no reasonable means to satisfy the government extreme quotas. The all Democrat Cranberry Township Committee recently added a 175year-old family farm
to a list of properties where statemandated low-income housing could be built and if decided upon them would seize the property by eminent domain if the owners refused willing to and willing to sell. Government seizing someone's land, especially farmland that's been cultivated for generations for overdemmellment is morally
repugnant, said Assemblywoman Don Fantasia. The elected officials in Cranberry should be ashamed of even considering this. Republica Republicans in the legislature sounded alarm last year when Governor Murphy and the Democrats pushed through the A4 lowincome housing law. We warned the farmland and open space would be
snatched up by governmentalmandated housing. Now our worst nightmares are coming true. Granberry Township is allowed to seize this farm by eminent domain in order to allow developer to build highdensity housing. No property owner will be safe from this outrageous government overreach. And I
agree. Um we'll end that there. Compassion for Sussex County Mother's Experience. This is a bill that Assembly Mike Assemblyman Mike Ganmore is sponsoring. This is A3893. Uh this is a bill that allows parents of children with de
developmental disabilities to apply for guardianship before they turn 18 years old, ensuring continuous uh care. Parents of children who have medically complex needs or require everyday decision-making assistance are some of the most selfish, selfless, and tireless
advocates I've ever had the pleasure to serve. They shouldn't have to battle legal system to ensure their child remains protected. But because of court delays, many ch children have had to go out with go without proper guardianship for an extended period of time. And Gimmort said so I'll be briefing
everybody on that as that bill hopefully passes. Um and then we we have a anonymous letter. I just want to read this. Um, I've always said if you guys have any questions, our door is open, whether be via phone or email or a clerk
or or uh administrator. Um, so there was anonymous letter to the board received regarding concern about roadways and their conditions, specifically Route 94 by Skuma and 15 in Sparta. Unfortunately, we can't respond to the author of the letter, but I do want to take a moment to advise that the author
we appreciate being notified of these issues concerning the roads within Sussex County. However, these two particular roadways are state roads and the author should contact Governor Murphy and the New Jersey Department of Transportation. The county unfortunately has no jurisdiction over these roads.
Most of our road signs, if you haven't figured it out, say county roots and usually they're I think if not all, they're three digits and they're blue. Yeah. So, usually we're three digits. State is majority of the time two digits
except 206. Um, as I think most of the commissioners said, we attended a lot of Memorial Day parades. I was in HPAC with Commissioner Henderson and it was cold. It was very cold. Um, I did also walk in Branchville, which I've done for the last eight years. That is my post, which
I'm a proud member for 14 years. I was able to to do something a little different than you guys did. I gave a scholarship uh award out to High Point. I was able to do that in a football uh in the football sense and a soccer sense where I founded a soccer program. I attended senior day after you guys did and it was able to pick pick some
numbers for our our door prizes. Kudos to Lorraine and and Rayanne and everybody in senior services for doing a great job as always. Weather was not good again. It always seems to rain on that day, right? It rains every day. Well, every day this month that is true, but it seems like every day for senior
day. Um, and I attended a pack on block party as well, which is, uh, always a good event. And that is all I have. All right. Number 11, uh, approval consent agenda. There is none. Number 12, we, uh, table that to next meeting.
That's the approval of minutes. Number 13, ordinance, there is none. 14, appointments and/or resignations. Uh we have resolution A, appointment of Doug Stein Douglas Steinhard, attorney at law as county adjuster pursuant to NJSA
304-34 and section 2.10 2.10 G of the 2019 Sussex County Administrative Code. Motion to adopt resolution A. So moved. Deputy Director Space moves that bill uh second by Commissioner Hayden.
Any discussion? Okay, roll call then. Deputy Director Space, yes. Director Carney, yes. Commissioner Degroup, yes. Commissioner Hayden, yes. Commissioner Henderson, yes. All right. Can I get a motion to adopt resolutions A through U? So moved.
Second. Mr. Henderson moves. Commissioner Droo seconds. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Deputy Director Space. Yes. Director Carney. Yes. Commissioner Degrroot. Yes. Commissioner Hayden. Yes. Commissioner Henderson. Yes. 16. Awards of contract change
orders and bids. Sorry. Uh the board of county commissioners of the county of Sussex has reviewed the award of contract change order bids consisting of various proposed resolutions and determined that adoption of the said resolutions is and will further the public interest. Motion
to adopt resolutions A through D. So moved. Deputy Director Space moves. Commissioner Hayden seconds. Any discussion? Roll call. Deputy Director Space. Yes. Director Carney, yes. Commissioner Degroup, yes. Commissioner Hayden, yes. Commissioner Henderson, yes. Number 17,
financial. We have resolution A, which is a payments of bill list A from May 28, 2025. Motion to pay bills list A. So moved. Commissioner Droo. Deputy Director Space seconds. Any discussion? Roll call. Deputy Director Space. Yes.
Director Carney. Yes. Commissioner Degroup. Yes. Commissioner Hayden. Yes. Commissioner Henderson. Yes. 18 is personnel resolution A is personnel agenda of May 28th, 2025. I got a motion to approve the personnel agenda. So moved. Deputy Director Space
moves. Uh Commissioner Degrew seconds. Any discussion? Just a correction. It's um Commissioner Henderson. It's a second group. Oh, I'm sorry. Uh any discussion? All right. Roll call. Deputy Director
Space. Yes. Director Carney. Yes. Commissioner Degroup. Yes. Commissioner Hayden. Yes. Commissioner Henderson. Yes. Okay. 19. Administrative report. Ron. Yeah. Real quick. Thank you, sir. Everybody commented a lot. We've had a lot of projects going on in ARPA. I was
just talking to the mayor of Vernon. I said we're as busy as we've been in the history of the county doing ARPA projects. So, I just want to tell you four. We closed out this week. Uh, the Franklin Library roof, the Hakan garage roof, the Mosquito control building roof, and the Lafayette main garage roof
were all completed, signed off. We're done. Send the checks. So, we're we're getting those getting to the year end. So, we're just knocking them off. Um, I attended the econ economic development committee meeting today. It was very well is again, there's a lot of
investors looking at the county. They they're very interested in starting businesses or redeveloping businesses here in the county. So, it's very it's warm feel feeling to to see that people are still interested in in doing business within the county. And then lastly and and very important to the
county. We had our bond rating meeting today. And that is extremely important to the county. Bond rating for the public's concern is our credit rating. And every year we get audited. We get reviewed. We look at how the county is being run, how our financial posture is,
our stability is, what our risk are, how we're managing our risk. And then on June 4th, we get our rating. And the long the good news is the higher the rating, the the better ability we have to do business. And so far, historically, the county has had the highest rating possible that we can
obtain. And and that's due to our ratables. If we were Bergen County and had a bunch more ratables, we'd have a higher credit rating. That's about as simple as I could say. But we do the best we can with what we got. And that's all I got. Perfect.
Thank you. I just got a quick question regarding the jail. Uh I know there was an appraisal done on the jail. How do who do I get a copy of that from? Okay. Okay. Appreciate it. a little bit with my discussion. Um, this is
regarding I'm just going to read his words again. I I don't want to miss anything. He put this together. I want to read what he said. Uh, I agree with them. I want your permission for this. Um, it goes handinhand with the 2011 county clerk's office that started the
veterans card discount program and over that course of the 14 years they processed 3,500 veteran ID cards. Uh, a few few weeks ago uh he had the pleasure of meeting gold star me veteran Michael Layman. Uh, Mr. L layman who recently retired from the Coast Guard was seeking
assistance with his initiative to provide gold star family parking throughout various county buildings. Uh apparently there might be some We have Mayor Rossi here from Vernon. Um he's looking to reach out to Mr. Pal's some count uh some municipalities might be doing this already. Uh I would I would I
like to get some permission and I don't know if we'd have to put a resolution together maybe and check out some maybe statutes with parking. I know we have to deal with new ordinances and whatnot, but with everybody's permission, I would like to set that here. Um, and if council could look into that and have a
parking spot, whether it be right by us, commissioner, right by the door to gold gold star parking. But, uh, if everybody is is good with that, we can start putting that together and hopefully have something ready by the next meeting. Sound good? I think we owe that to them. And I do I just want to read this one
part to the county facility. Yes. At the county. Yes. So, so again, he he's reaching out to the 24 municipalities, the mayors or the council presidents or both. Um maybe we can do our part too following up as liaison to the our municipalities. I know Jackie went to meeting Hampton. I know Allan attends
some meetings. Um but reaching out across the aisle here and uh talking to our our our mayors and council presidents and see if you guys will do the same at your municipality or or wherever you think is suffice, your park, wherever you may want to do that. And we could actually we'll bring that
up. We'll put that on the agenda for our mayor's lunchon. All right. That's what we'll do. But I I want to read this to you because I I like this and I liked President Ronald Reagan. I thought he was a good president. But President Ronald Reagan said it best. Freedom is a frag fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extension
extension extension. It it it's not ours by inheritance. It must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation for it comes only once to people. I thought that was uh good to read since we just had Memorial
Day. Anyway, 23 is public session from the floor. This public session for those wishing to make great uh general to make general comments of three minutes or less on non-aggenda topics. Please line up at the microphone, state your name and municipality for the record. Motion to open the floor for public comment. So
move. Commissioner Henderson. Can I get a second? Second. Commissioner Degru. Any discussion? All in favor say I. I. Oppose abstain. Carries. The floor is open. [Laughter]
You cut it right off. You're wearing yellow. That's That's good. usually the best understand that you guys have as I just want to thank you Mr. Henderson Allen my friend thank you for
reaching out to this group maybe addressing some of your concerns and for senator for agreeing to go with you I think that you know and you've heard me say this need issues. So as an example like you're
looking at coming down from president so we don't know how those cuts if they come out affect us so maybe coming together talking to other groups they can come and decision to say if this is a scenario how do we solve it
how can we work together you know and you said it again in your opening statement we're all here to represent every person in this I for one deeply appreciate the work you guys have put into
this but I don't think so thank you for opening the doors thank you for your good work for everybody [Applause] Commissioner on behalf of Sussex County and employees.
It is not an easy guided provided growers continued support initiative. Commissioner program assisted our county reser employees and getting to know their jobs. As I said earlier, county
has dedicated Thank you for your presur such as Memorial Day, St. Patrick's Day, Veterans Day, County, our residents to be community and beyond supporting our resuters. I how much of you receive res.
However, on behalf of our dedicated county, we thank you for your continued service. Thank you. We usually don't get that, so we appreciate that. I say we usually don't get that, so we appreciate that, especially from an employee, especially somebody like yourself who gets around
and does so much with senior services. So, thank you. Happy Um, I want to say to everybody first and um, I just wanted to say that as someone who worked with um, and advocate for people with disabilities for about 20
years, I'm very concerned about their futures as a result of proposed budget cuts. This community of individuals has had to struggle to overcome abuse, discrimination, and stereotyping. We are all human beings and we all are entitled
services are necessary. Proposed cuts to programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, community living services, and special ed services will severely impact these people and their families. As a county and you as commissioners, we must ensure that these
individuals are adequately served. It is essential that you make sure that the disabled in our county continue to have complete access to all the resources and supports necessary for them to live full, meaningful, healthy, and happy lives. I hope that in the coming months
as we learn more about possible cuts that you um will be working on this and keep this in mind. And um I also would like to say that I have confidence that most of you accept this challenge and
we'll work on whatever is good for the community except for as as I have to say Commissioner Hayden who I feel does nothing to help the county and who I will say once again should have resigned and obviously has not and I will always
continue to say he needs to do so because I feel he's a waste Thank [Applause] you. In a few days, we'll be entering June Pride Month. It's a time to celebrate the LGBTQ plus community and
to remember the struggles and achievements within their history. Recently, I've seen some retailers putting out Pride merchandise in bright rainbow colors. As a proud ally, seeing these items displayed simply makes my heart happy. It says that we still live
in a place where people are allowed to be different and be who they are. The Trump administration, however, is moving forward with a targeted and cruel agenda. From day one, there has been a focused attack on all things. There's been a slash and burn movement to remove
information and personnel related to all things DEI which profoundly affects LGBTQ plus people and other marginalized groups. As you know DEI stands for diversity, equity inclusion. This
related words have become weaponized by this administration. If you are part of the LGBTQ plus community or love someone in this community, you recognize how scary this is. This rhetoric about wokeness, indoctrination, and grooming
is dangerous and that it vilifies and dehumanizes a whole swath of people. It promotes ideas that people are not culture entitled to the same propaganda based on misinformation,
fear, and bigotry. It action to take a group of our own citizens and other or community history tells us that leaders such as Trump will
not stay by doing Trump and his cabinet permission to continue diversity within a community to be celebrated not fear not fear a society strength, not
a people under the law, regardless of what communities they belong to. Inclusion allows citizens access to society and its opportunities and allows them to feel welcome and represented. These are not ide being celebrated. Challenge your
assions and know that we are all human. what we look like or who we love. If you don't know much about this community and genuinely are seeking knowledge and understanding, I invite you to reach out to me after the meeting. I am always
willing to speak to those time. [Applause] Thank you for the opportunity to speak. I'm extremely concerned that our country is headed in dangerous
The tariff war that Donald Trump started threats to our economy. There are legitimate reasons reasons for levying taxes such as raising revenue, protecting domestic influencing trade policies.
However, industry leaders and economists across the country have all agreed that Trump's tariffs will result in none of these economic benefits. To the contrary, they say that Trump's tariffs will raise prices for consumers, hinder industrial
growth relations. Further, he is overstepping his authong. claimed that foreign countries would pay for the tariffs. That is not true. American consumers would pay for Walmart announced they would have to increase prices due to tariffs. Trump told them
to eat the tariffs which is proof that he knows the most hard choices between food or car repairs when prices go up. Trump also claimed that
This is also not true. Americanade for example cost as much as $3500 instead of thousand. Tariffs can also make also countries. One minute.
repeatedly changed the numbers. He has not finalized any deals with nations. He has only scared and angered people across the world. Trump's threats of tariffs are causing us to lose respect and our standing in the world which will lead to retalit
threats to our constituents. Please protect our local business owners and consumers and speak out against Trump's arbitrary and actions.
[Applause] I've neighborhood I have voted in many elections since 197 of our country as a priority. However, I do not feel that way since the recent presidential election.
The results of the last election put us in jeopardy now to dismantle our democrat and instead reorient our economy to the benefit of billionaires much to the detriment of
the middle and working people. The White House proposals seem intent on going backwards by defunding social and health services, environmental regulations, veterans benefits, eliminating DEI and immigrant rights,
threatening social security, firing federal workers, and more. The president continues to defy the rule of law by pardoning criminals of his choice and ignoring due process for the innocent. I am further at the
elimination of the department of education and the attacks on higher education. As a retired teacher and grandparents, I want to be sure that my grandchildren have the same opportunities that my
children receive from a variety of sources. More than ever, we need to question the reliability and accuracy of these sources. We need to recognize and speak up against misinformation. Our political
differences need not divide us on the truth and common goals for our beloved country. In closing, I hope that we can work together to keep our county and our country prosperous, equitable, and
healthy. I sincerely appreciate this public forum. [Applause] One second. I appreciate the
I've learned so much about your I want to thank me for all of our Tonight I want to talk about something
about what kind of country one calling them dangerous questioning their values and trying to These are real people we're talking, our teachers, our neighbors, our friends. They haven't done anything
wrong. And yet they are being legislated against and labelled as enemies of our nation. This administration is using them as convinceful that these groups are responsible for
yet others lied under oath obstruice or committed violent offenses. They're getting a free pass while others are being punished for who they are and what they teach. crime.
One minute doesn't sit right here. You don't have to say or believes to treat them with fairness and respect. And I that sees through.
I encourage this body of commissioners to engage in our entire community speaking out for our LGBTQ community and our education init are the two of our very uphold and progress of our society. I also
encourage you to recognize that as our current president of power [Applause] I'd like to first thank the commissioners for your support throughout American history
there has been public support and respect for educational institutions. However, over the past 25 years there are reasons for the shift against educators and I will not have a large portion of our
population. Unfortunately, we who is the epitome of anti-intellectualism. He exploits it. At the same time, he exent wealth and power. That is the
skill in which Trump is truly gifted. Trump's latest victim in the intellectual world is the oldest initial research in medicine. Everyone in this room knows someone who has suffered from cancer, ALS, COPD, heart
disease, and numerous other diseases. All of us have scientists at Harvard to pay for advancements in medicine. Medicine is only one field of physicsology and just
names conduct research that improves our lives. However, Trump for that research. Further students come from other countries. One minute. These students can no longer do their research and are leaving
Harvard to attend other students who no longer feel safe in the US. This brain innovation and all previously improve problems in our
community. Don't let Trump stand up and speak out on education. So that we can maintain our status as a leader in [Applause] research. Good evening and thank you commissioners for listening and serving
our community. Like most of you aong County. Um, Commissioner Space, I grew up right next door to you. Spent my childhood in our adjacent fields and spent summers out in Commissioner Carney. I saw two of
your sons through high school and I'm sure we sat down to talkual and saw her off to Harvard. My roots run deep. In addition to being a lifelong community member and a teacher, I'm a parent of one in college and two teenagers. I'm a
military wife. I'm a small farm owner. And undoubtedly because of my other roles, I'm an advocate for justice and our democracy. I have many concerns for our town, our environment, our education
system, our economy, and our veterans. But I want to share a quick story and ask one thing today. My father, also a lifelong Republican until somewhat recently, moved south a few years ago. And something strange happened shortly after his move. We
became closer. Slowly, one conversation after the next. Our relationship strengthened as our US leadership declined. Who we once voted for became irrelevant and the character, compassion, and common sense we shared
united us as we chose to move forward. Democratic voter. My father has shown me that many people see that where we are as a nation today, right now is not normal. And it's not just him. It's my lifelong Republican uncles. It's my
veteran neighbor who quietly hung his Ukrainian flag below his American one. It's my old Beverville neighbors who now quietly protested by the lies and shameful behavior. What I as representatives remember a
time when Republicans and Democrats held different policy beliefs but shared diplomacy as destructive policies begin to affect us locally and they will. I ask you to reject the unhinged approach of today's administration that weakens
the character of our democracy when it should instead show our children what it means to be great through helping our neighbors and working together. Reject the perverted of religion that stokes division and fear among followers. Reject the lies, both the absurd and the
ignorant, and become lifelong learners in order to represent your constituents with class. Reject the unlawful raids on our newcomer population and contributing to our communities. Reject the moronic public
comments tweeted by the president that demean everyone with whom he flippantly disagrees at any given moment. to government employees. [Applause] Time to echo the sentiment of so many
speakers here tonight. Thank you for the work that you do, what we see, what we don't see, what we hear about. your great skills. Collective essence is what the French people call the experience of performing or consuming art as a
community. The Trump administration has called for the elimination of the NEA National Arts along with the National Endowment for Humanities and the Institute Library Sciences. Nationally, we are beginning
of these take over the Kennedy Center. While these are very visible entities, these cuts will affect every congressional district. Every town in the United States will feel the sting of these cuts
and our local arts programs will suffer and most likely cease to exist. Local economy will also suffer when tourists no longer come to our communities and spend money and shops to consume the arts
being offered in ours for matching grants. NA portion is out in the overall It is 0.003% of the federal budget and yet it
returns county arts and council agency. One minute. While there are too many to name at this time, they cover programs that provide participatory motion or visual art and county
art. Performing Arts Center and historical societies in Franklin Stillwater Sparta, Sussex County. As a recipient of grants from the county
of arts and heritage council, I feel compelled to speak on behalf of allian times. [Applause] May I have the honor of being
celebration the theme of this year's accordivide in the constitution. our differences. Our lives together was honored by the bar association achievements and dedication.
and community service. He spoke about how his role is to ensure that the rule of law is upholds it very rule of law is not It's the foundry has shown us what happens to
rule by justice. You're seeing this right now. Without the rule of law, powerful active vulnerable One minute. When enforcement is criticism of authority, we take dangerous steps away
from democracy and authoritarian. The rule of law is not self. It demands our conquers. I want to thank Judge and all the other judges and attorneys and law enforcement officers.
[Applause] Mayor Anthony say thank you guys for support. I So signage signage seems to
Another thing I just ask [Applause] Um, I just wanted to just end that. But before I say that, Let's get back to the positive. Um, so at the end of the day,
[Applause] All right. Before I close public comment, we have to backtrack a little bit to 18. That's personnel. We need to I'm assuming we need to get a motion to vacate motion to vacate that
vote. There was the confict and then we'll motion again to correct it. Y reintroduce vacate. Do we do we need to go over any why? You have a commissioner that had a conflict u on one of the
personnel items. uh my fault for not beforehand. So just move on. Does everybody understand that? Anybody who cares to care. So we we're going back to the personnel agenda. We're going to vacate the vote that we we we passed. We're
going to rem move that and vote again. There's a conflict of interest on on one on the personnel agenda. We don't close out public sessions. No, just in case somebody has a question. I don't want to close out public. you have to reopen and close it again. So, normally we don't answer questions, but if you did have a
question about that, hopefully I was clear. Hopefully, we're clear on that. Nothing shady, just we have to do this. So, can I get a motion to vacate the vote on agenda item 18? So moved. Commissioner Hayden, committee, deputy
director space. Any discussion? Uh, we could do all in favor. All in favor say I. I. Oppose. Abstain. Okay. So now I need a motion to move personel agenda. The personnel agenda. So moved. Second. Deputy director space moves uh
commissioner degree seconds. Any discussion on that? Okay. All in favor say I. I. I. Roll call. It's a roll. This is a roll call. Roll call. Deputy Director Space. Yes. Director Carney. Yes. Commissioner Degrroot. Yes. Commissioner Hayden. Yes. Commissioner
Henderson. Abstain. Additional public. Is there any other additional comment? Hopefully again I was clear on that. We were clear on what we did there. Just a little miscommunication to close that. We're all good. Everyone's good. Okay. Good. All right. Uh can I get a motion to close the floor for public comment and
return to regular business? So move. Mr. Henderson. Can I get a second? Second. Commissioner Groot. Any discussion? All in favor say I. I. Oppose. Abstain. Pass. All right. 24. Reminders. Please check the county's website
www.sussex.nj. us for meeting schedules. Number 26 is adjournment. Can I get a motion to adjourn the meeting? So moved. Commissioner Payton moves. Director of space, deputy director of space. All in favor say I. I. Oppos. Carries.
758. Enjoy that ride. Yes, we'll talk. Thanks.