Benson Inaugurated as Mercer County Executive

MERCER COUNTY, NJ—On January 4th, Dan Benson was sworn in as Mercer County’s fifth County Executive. Benson took his Oath of Office during a ceremony held at Patriots Theater at the War Memorial. Following the administration of the oath, Benson addressed the county.

“Throughout the campaign, our message was clear: Leadership that works for everyone,” said County Executive Benson. “Today, we take the first step in turning that vision into action.”

“In the coming days, months, and even years, we will face a lot of challenges,” Benson stated in his speech. “But we have built the relationships with people that transcend conflict and get to results. In Mercer County if you have a good idea that can make people’s lives better, I want to hear it.”

The County Executive continued his remarks, “The road ahead contains complex problems without easy solutions. But with your help, a clear vision, and strong leadership, Mercer County can and will achieve great things and be an example for the entire state.”

Benson noted that he will soon be releasing a transition report, “With the help of our Transition Team, led by Jeannine LaRue, Sharon Gardner, and former Trenton Mayor Doug Palmer, we have developed a bold and comprehensive plan for our administration. We will be releasing this transition plan shortly.”

In his inauguration speech, Benson announced a list of his administration’s top priorities:

*            Getting our financial house back in order and putting an end to the waste of taxpayer money and getting our financial house back in order.

*            Bringing accountability and transparency back to county government.

*            Standing up for our seniors, ensuring they receive the care they deserve.

*            Ensuring quality services are accessible to every corner of our county by elevating our community services.

*            Emphasizing affordable and accessible housing as a key economic development goal.

*            Upgrading our infrastructure and fixing our roads and bridges, including building the long-awaited new Airport Terminal at Trenton-Mercer Airport in Ewing.

*            Keeping our community safe and healthy by addressing substance abuse and mental health issues with compassion and resolve.

*            Strengthening our capital city Trenton and expanding tourism through both restoration of historic areas and opportunities for new development.

*            Collaborating regularly with local elected officials including all of our Mayors across Mercer and our County Commissioners.

*            Building a stronger partnership with legislators and our state government

*            Expanding diversity and improving opportunities for local and minority-owned businesses to succeed and create jobs.

Benson issued a special thanks to his wife Hande and son Nicholas, former county executives Brian Hughes, Bob Prunetti, and Bill Mathesius for their service, and Arthur Sypek, Sr., who set the standard of excellence for the Office of Mercer County Executive many years ago. Benson also recognized Mercer County’s Sheriff, Prosecutor, Surrogate and Clerk, County Commissioners, First Lady Tammy Murphy, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, Congressman Andy Kim, our Mercer County Mayors, especially our County Chair, East Windsor Mayor Janice Mironov, and all his former colleagues from the New Jersey state legislature.

County Executive Benson ended with a call to action for Mercer residents, “Now the real work begins. Let’s continue the conversation. Bring me your challenges and bring me your solutions. We’ve got a lot to do, and we will need your help to get it done. When Mercer comes together, there’s no limit to what we can achieve.”