Somerville, NJ – At the direction of Somerset County Freeholders Shanel Robinson and Sara Sooy, and Freeholder-elect Melonie Marano the Somerset County Democratic Executive Committee has convened a Transition Team to support the newly elected Democratic majority Freeholder Board. The Team will be chaired by former Orange Mayor and Bernardsville attorney Joel Shain with the assistance of Union County Manager Ed Oatman.

When Marano is sworn in on January 3, 2020 Democrats will control the Somerset County Freeholder Board for the first time since 1965. As a result, the responsibility to set the county government’s budget, direction, focus, appointments, and personnel will largely fall within their purview, with the support of County Clerk Steve Peter, Sheriff-elect Darrin Russo, and Republican office holders. The transition committee will make recommendations to the new majority, who will use the gathered information to make decisions heading into the January reorganization meeting and into their terms in office.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to lead Somerset County’s government, to better deliver services to all of Somerset County,” said Robinson. “The Transition Team is a vital tool in ensuring we can hit the ground running and be ready on day one to lead.”

“The people of Somerset County expect a seamless transition to Democratic leadership, and we will work with the volunteers on the Transition Team to ensure that’s what they get,” said Sooy. “We’ve assembled experts in every field from Somerset and neighboring counties for every aspect of county government.  They will be instrumental in our work over the next few years.”

“The 2020 Somerset County Freeholder reorganization will mark a major change in the vision driving the delivery of services, and Shanel, Sara and I have brought together top talent to advise for the transition,” said Marano. “Our goal has always been to ensure the people of Somerset County get the best county government possible, and the Transition Team is the first step in doing better.”

“My team and I intend to transform the Sheriff’s department into a true community policing resource for all our Somerset County communities,” said Russo. “I look to the Transition Team as an important partner in reviewing the current department policies and proposing strategies to get from where we are to where we need to be.”

The Transition Team Committees and leadership are as follows:

• Appointments: Chaired by Somerset County Food Bank Board Member and Democratic State Committee Member Mike Goldberg
• Business/Economic Development: Chaired by Branchburg businessman and professor Dr. Zenon Christodolou
• Communications: Chaired by public relations executive and Former North Plainfield Council President Nathan Rudy
• Finance and Budget: Chaired by Union County Director of Finance Bibi Taylor
• Governance: Chaired by Franklin Township Democratic Chair Ron Jordan
• Human Services: Chaired by family law attorney and Licensed Social Worker Laurie Poppe
• Legal Committee: Chaired by Warren attorney Paul Swanicke
• Parks and Public Space: Chaired by former Montgomery Deputy Mayor and Millstone Valley Preservation Coalition President Brad Fay
• Public Safety Committee: Chaired by State PBA Chair and Franklin Detective Pat Colligan
• Transportation and Infrastructure: Chaired by Fanwood Mayor and former NJ League of Municipalities Chair Colleen Mahr