[0:59] Please join me in a moment of silence to honor a life and legacy of Kenneth McPherson, but the voted public servant attorney and beloved member of his community, Kenneth Lee is behind the remarkable legacy of service and dedication to his community.

[1:12] We extend our heartfelt condolences to the burning of that McPherson and to the entire McPherson family during his difficult time may he rest in peace.

[1:29] That brings us to him. So my son is working so I'm going to yell.

[1:36] So tonight we're proud again to recognize the veteran at a month.

[1:41] So tonight we recognize Michael Perry as Burton County's veteran at a month for October.

[1:48] Michael began. I'm sorry.

[1:51] I lost another month.

[1:53] Summer's going fast. Summer's going fast.

[1:56] Michael began his military career in 1994 when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

[2:03] During four years of active duty he rose to the rank of sergeant and served as a machine gunner

[2:08] with the third battalion, sixth Marine, with deployments to Okinawa, Korea, and the Mediterranean,

[2:15] and the Middle East.

[2:16] He later continued his service with the New Jersey Army National Guard.

[2:20] But Michael's commitment to public service did not end when he left the military.

[2:24] In 2000, he began what would become a more than a 21-year career in law enforcement with Bergen County,

[2:30] serving in specialized assignments, including traffic safety unit, juvenile detention and school resource officer,

[2:37] and as a member of the SWAT team, and a sniper slash observer.

[2:41] During his career, he was recognized with both the Bergen County Valor Award

[2:45] and a life saving award from the Hohoke Police Department.

[2:49] After retiring from the Bergen County Sheriff's Department in 2021,

[2:53] Michael once again chose to continue serving others.

[2:55] He joined the Wollington Police Department as a special law enforcement officer and today continues protecting and supporting students, staff, and families in the Wollington School community.

[3:06] Michael's life reflects more than three decades of service to our country and our communities.

[3:13] And we are incredibly proud to recognize him as Bergen County's veteran Amak.

[3:16] Michael, thank you so much for your service and congratulations.

[3:31] So, Michael, we have a certificate from the board in honor of a heartfelt recognition of being

[3:38] a water burdened county veteran in the month on behalf of the nearly 1 million residents

[3:42] of burdened county, we express our most gratitude for your dedicated service to our nation

[3:49] and being an active member of our community.

[3:52] I will present this to you when we come into the well, but I like to first open the floor

[3:56] up to my colleagues.

[4:02] First of all, I want to thank you for your dedication, what you do have done for our community,

[4:08] how you have strengthened our youth at every turn, how you have been an example in a role model,

[4:14] what you have exemplified is beyond words and we are so grateful for your service, this

[4:20] recognition that was started by Commissioner Schnelle, is just a little way for us to say thank

[4:25] and for us to underscore and highlight what a life of service looks like and thank you for

[4:31] being that example and role model for so many.

[4:37] I would like to thank you for your service

[4:39] and for your continuing service, so servicing our community to you and your family. Thank you.

[4:47] Yes, again thank you for your military service and all these wonderful things you have done

[4:53] Subsequently, I specifically note the SWAT team, which are municipalities love that they are

[5:00] You know, our SWAT team is there and ready to serve. And then, of course, as a Sleo, as a school officer, thank you so much.

[5:08] I want to thank you so much for all you've done. My family's been in the military since the Civil War.

[5:13] And so I really love the military. Do everything I can for the members of the VFW and everything.

[5:20] And thank you because I was a teacher and I was so important to me.

[5:27] We're so important to get school resources and so I've got bless you and my favorite branch are the Marines.

[5:36] There you go.

[5:39] I'm not even going to go there.

[5:42] My dad and two brothers are Navy guys, but I was just, you know, we're a department in the Navy.

[5:47] Thank you very much.

[5:48] Thank you very much.

[5:50] And my brother is to say they used to give you a ride after they used to say, right?

[5:55] Thank you for it.

[5:56] You use a service.

[5:56] Thank you for you continue to do.

[5:58] And we can thank you.

[5:59] It's never enough.

[6:00] But, you know, I really applaud commissioner tonight for highlighting this.

[6:04] And people like you really deserve to be recognized.

[6:06] So your family can be very proud because we are.

[6:08] Thank you very much.

[6:10] So before I turn it over to the county executive, I just want to again,

[6:13] bring everybody's attention to the fact that the people that we have honored

[6:17] didn't just spend time in the military, they came home and spent the rest of their life

[6:22] helping their communities and other families. It is really astounding and as we sit

[6:27] here we read the bios and each month we have a different person come up. It's almost

[6:32] like the list just keeps getting longer and longer of things that people did when they came

[6:36] back. Not only did you represent us around the world but then you thought enough of being

[6:42] here serving the public in many capacities.

[6:46] So like Tom said, thank you's not enough,

[6:48] but I just want to keep pointing out

[6:49] that the people that are getting recognized aren't just veterans.

[6:53] There are people that walk amongst us.

[6:55] Most people don't even know all the things that you've done.

[6:57] That's what this is all about.

[6:59] Does it about letting people know that the people walking amongst us

[7:01] who served our country are also

[7:03] have been committed to their communities for their entire adult life?

[7:06] So that's why we're so proud to recognize you tonight.

[7:09] So I'd like to turn it over to the county executive.

[7:13] I want to go down in a while.

[7:20] Michael, I'm going to come forward.

[7:22] I'm going to go down in a while.

[7:24] My eyes will be able to do that in Michael.

[7:27] The first we have a lot of service now.

[7:31] This is a veteran, so I'm sorry.

[7:34] Our budget was great pride that I get to do this.

[7:38] As you've heard from everyone else,

[7:41] not only did you give of yourself for our country,

[7:43] but you gave of yourself for the protection of the people of burden

[7:47] accounting, as the burden of public police officer, as a sheriff's officer, and now as a

[7:53] CEO of Uber and in Wellington, you didn't protect our rights and protect us as a country

[8:00] year.

[8:01] Now protecting each and every one of the people here in Bergen County and in Wellington.

[8:06] And for that, we are tremendously grateful.

[8:11] On behalf of the nearly one million people, Bergen County, it's my honor to be able to

[8:16] and the service mail to you.

[8:17] And thank you for your service to our country.

[8:28] Also, on behalf of myself and the missionaries,

[8:34] I have the Veteran Challenge coin.

[8:37] Oh, it's the first time you've had this.

[8:39] Yeah, so we hope that you're talking about that again

[8:41] with your, with your other coin, thank you.

[8:45] And a certificate of accommodation honoring Michael Perth,

[8:49] the United States Marine Corps, for distinguished service

[8:52] to our country.

[8:52] And in recognition of your sacrifice and dedication and preserving our freedom and protecting the

[8:59] liberties of all Americans, Berke County, Veteran, and I'm on ceremony September

[9:03] 2,026.

[9:05] Congratulations.

[9:09] Congratulations.

[9:10] Congratulations.

[9:11] And I just want to, I'm only joking, so it gets leaked out, but we've gotten the letters a little

[9:16] quicker from the governor's office.

[9:18] She actually has been sending congratulations to the veterans, but she's a little quicker

[9:22] I guess with the Marines. I mean with the Navy.

[9:24] Oh, my gosh.

[9:26] I'm maturing against you.

[9:27] Kim off the record.

[9:28] That's awesome.

[9:31] So, first let's...

[9:33] Can we also have?

[9:34] Yeah, we're gonna have you prepared for the audition.

[9:35] Like, you served along with him.

[9:37] Yes, first you have to chair.

[9:39] Yeah, let me say that.

[9:40] Then we'll go in the Well and take a photo.

[9:42] Talk to you.

[9:42] Hi.

[9:43] I'm really not a public speaker.

[9:44] My family tell you that.

[9:46] Although I'll talk to anybody anywhere

[9:49] until they're blue and the face.

[9:50] So, you know, I'm not sure on words, but, you know, usually, I know the Marine Corps, like, you don't get recognized for, you know,

[10:00] That's not why we do what we do. Same with law enforcement. For who kind of police, we were never big on metals or anything like that. Some of the places, you know, it's a little different, but that's not why we do what we do. So, you know, but it is nice to hear, you know, you did good job or, you know, once in a while, and get an out of oil, something like this, and some of that's a million faces. You know, I'd love to retire from the county five years ago and, you know, have served in the court.

[10:30] And, you know, for example, Mr. Tenelli saw and Ms. Boats, you know, I remember, you know,

[10:35] you were four years of education and stuff because I remember telling my life about that, you know.

[10:41] And so, you're father, you know, veterans and stuff.

[10:46] So, you know, you know, had a great time with the county.

[10:52] You know, my career didn't finish the way that I wanted to.

[10:55] But, you know, we have health and family and, you know, and, and, and I'm good and now, you know,

[11:05] you know, continue on and one thing and, you know, I've figured everything and, you know, thank you, thank you for starting

[11:20] I

[11:23] think it's locked in.

[11:28] I just opened the door.

[12:30] Okay, we're now back in session.

[12:37] Okay, hearing of the general public, may I have a motion to open the hearing to the public?

[12:44] All right, motion carries will now have a hearing of the General Public with a three minute time limited effect in accordance with the Bergen County Commissioner bylaws.

[12:53] With the Council, please explain the process by which the public will be recognized.

[12:57] Yes, Chairman, if you're recognized to speak by the chair, please come to the podium state your name.

[13:04] Spell your last name and I'll tell you when your three minutes has expired.

[13:09] Thank you.

[13:11] Is it our parish?

[13:16] The parish, F.A.R.A.S.A.

[13:18] Trump from Emerson.

[13:20] Thank you, Mr. Tenelli.

[13:22] So, I've been following these veteran events for several months.

[13:32] And I want everyone to know that I'm not part of any team or organization.

[13:38] I'm not working with and you mean we just happen to show up here.

[13:43] Sometimes I agree with them. Sometimes I disagree with them. Okay, but I've come to learn that he has quite a background himself.

[13:54] Remember the American Legion? He was Vice President of the League of Women Voters for a few years.

[13:59] Secretary. Secretary, sorry. We have W. He's Vice President of Korean American Association.

[14:09] He was Iraqi War veteran in 2004, 2005. Retired after 20 years as a major. And he's

[14:21] special ed, or at least he's certified to teach special ed math to children, which has to

[14:30] be one of the most difficult jobs I can think of.

[14:35] And he tells me he's been a civil rights advocate for 14 years, and I believe all of it.

[14:42] And so I would like to nominate Mr. Andrew Meann as the veteran of the month, the next

[14:49] open and possible. And just one little side hint is, you know, if you give them the

[15:00] Board, he might calm down a little bit.

[15:15] So Mr. Farrish, Mr. Farrish, you have another minute and a half if you want to continue with

[15:19] that. I have thanked a lot of people for coming to our meetings.

[15:25] Maybe any meeting at all the time, but that was a great. Thank you, thank you for being here.

[15:32] Andrew Mayan.

[15:40] My name is Andrew Mayan spelled M-E-E-H-A-N. I live in Hackensack. So I do want to thank

[15:48] Commissioner Tenali for the communication taking time from his office to communicate

[15:52] with me. Some of the requirements, the expectations. So I do appreciate that and I do hope

[16:01] that we can make sure that the program is more diverse.

[16:05] Ultimately, if diversity is our greatest strength,

[16:09] then everyone should be included.

[16:11] And what I see is sometimes disparity,

[16:14] and it wasn't accusing anyone.

[16:16] Absolutely not accusing anyone,

[16:18] because all of you show up to all of the different events

[16:23] in Bergen County.

[16:24] And I know Commissioner Zura certainly shows up

[16:27] to many of the Asian American events frequently,

[16:30] as well as Germain Ortiz, who's not here.

[16:33] And many of you, Dr. Joan Vass, and Commissioner Marozo,

[16:37] Commissioner Morte, I wasn't at the last event,

[16:40] but I know that I believe you were there for that one,

[16:43] or previous ones, and stuff.

[16:44] So I really appreciate that, as well as Tonelli.

[16:48] So it's, oh, right?

[16:51] And Commissioner Tonelli, Commissioner Sullivan.

[16:55] Right, no, no, it definitely was.

[16:57] So I wanted to just say that any program that you have, it should be really formalized, there should be a procedure and because there's so many great military veterans out there that have served, everyone should be, you know, being honored.

[17:15] So, it doesn't have to be, if it, the only requirement is having an honorable discharge.

[17:22] Well, I can think of well over a million probably people that could be honored on a regular basis.

[17:30] So, just wanted to just bring it to the attention of the commissioners to make sure that diversity,

[17:38] if it's going to be our greatest strength as the county executive constantly says in the speeches,

[17:44] You got to practice what you preach in every program and then that's it but once you thank

[17:52] you very much Commissioner Tenelli and Commissioner I was going to call you Commissioner

[17:56] Florio Attorney Florio now that I have your business card more than happy to send you

[18:03] out some good emails questions that I might have I can't wait to receive this for you I'm sure

[18:09] I'm sure you can.

[18:12] I'm looking forward to collaborating with both of you in the future.

[18:15] Thank you.

[18:16] That's it.

[18:16] Thank you.

[18:21] Seeing no one else.

[18:22] I'll take a motion to close.

[18:25] All of favor.

[18:27] Motion carries.

[18:28] Will the clerk please read the minutes to be accepted.

[18:31] June 4th public session.

[18:33] All present.

[18:34] June 17th.

[18:35] Work and public session.

[18:36] Vice chairwoman Zaur Absent.

[18:39] July 1st.

[18:40] Work and public session.

[18:41] All present.

[18:42] July 15th, work in public session all present. August 5th, work in public session all present.

[18:50] August 19th, work session, Chairman Tonelli Absent.

[18:54] We have a motion to accept the minutes as read by the clerk.

[18:57] So moved.

[18:57] Second.

[18:58] All favor?

[19:00] Opposed. The ice have it.

[19:01] Motion carries.

[19:03] We'll now review the remaining resolutions.

[19:05] We'll review the resolutions.

[19:08] To be voted on this evening.

[19:09] You have resolution 2.9526 and 10.9526 through 11.5026.

[19:18] I have a motion to accept the consent agenda.

[19:20] Some will roll, please.

[19:23] Commissioner Amarosa.

[19:24] Commissioner Martinez.

[19:25] Yes.

[19:25] Commissioner Ortiz.

[19:27] Commissioner Salivars.

[19:28] Chair Pro Tempor of us.

[19:30] Vice Chairwoman Zer.

[19:31] Chairman Tanale.

[19:32] Yes.

[19:32] With six yeses the consent agenda is approved.

[19:35] Are there any resolutions table they're pulled?

[19:37] They're on.

[19:38] Thank you.

[19:39] We'll now move on to committee reports, commissioners, sir.

[19:43] Thank you, Chairman.

[19:45] It is September, which means that it is hunger action month, and I am going to use

[19:50] my remarks today to just encourage everyone to take action.

[19:53] We have about 100,000 of our residents here in Bergen County who don't know where their

[19:57] next meal is coming from, and every action makes a difference.

[20:00] If you go on to bergenfightshunger.org, you can access our, there's an interactive map that shows you where all the food pantries are.

[20:07] If you need health or if you have means to donate to those food pantries, they can take things that are not just cans.

[20:15] They, we have a quick 90% of our food pantries with refrigeration during COVID and so they can take healthy fruits and vegetables and protein and dairy and the things that you need to make healthy food and put healthy foods on our tables for our children.

[20:28] And there's going to be a tremendous need in our pantries as HR1 comes into effect, and people

[20:34] are falling off the snap rolls because of the two times a year of reauthorization that's

[20:38] going to be required.

[20:39] So our pantries need our help now more than they ever have.

[20:42] So please use hunger action month to get involved.

[20:46] Be part of the solution.

[20:47] It not only feels good for your heart, but you set our kids.

[20:50] One in six people who are using our food pantries are children, 30% are senior citizens who

[20:54] who gave to the systems their entire lives and their social security checks, just don't make it.

[20:59] Our too many veterans are using our food pantries, please use this time in September

[21:04] to re-dedicate yourself to be part of the solution for our neighbors here in Bergen County.

[21:10] There are other things that I want to touch on, but that's the only other thing I really

[21:14] want to touch on today is I had the distinct honor of speaking to the Ramakura College

[21:19] leadership contingent that they have as school kicks off for the year. These incoming

[21:24] freshmen come in a week or a little learn about service. We have about 50 kids that are

[21:28] involved and they all learn about civic engagement throughout the week. Nothing gives me more

[21:33] hope than seeing the young people who are rolling up their slaves to be part of the solution.

[21:38] And there's so many of our teachers head back to school whether it was today and many districts

[21:42] or next week. I just want to express my tremendous gratitude to those in education who

[21:49] are rolling up their sleeves for another year to impart our kids with not just the

[21:53] in-class learning, but the social skills and the fortitude and the tenacity to continue to

[21:59] be part of the solutions that our communities need.

[22:02] That is my report, Chairman.

[22:06] Thank you.

[22:07] It's been a while since we've given reports, so it might be a little long-winded and a little

[22:11] chairman that can elect that.

[22:12] All right, thanks.

[22:14] Just to bring up Round of Poe, we'll quick, Commissioner Zort, touched on it, I was asked to

[22:20] delays on between Ramapole and Labor to teach younger kids what it's like to have a career in

[22:27] labor and have built better relationships with labor throughout and the colleges asked me to

[22:32] be representative for them and there will be ceremony for them. But I just think as Tracy

[22:38] Board up, excuse me, it's Christian's door board of Ramapole, you never stop learning and you

[22:42] can never stop helping. So that's a good thing. Since our last meeting, since our last meeting,

[22:47] 12 municipalities and one Commission Executive Executed Chief Service Agreements with the county of Bergen for the following six chief service programs

[22:57] 9-1 one communication and public safety dispatch services Hillsdale in a bar original police communications network

[23:06] consisting of outpone close to Harrington Park ballworth north of L. Norwood in Rockley

[23:12] Through the movement of Washington Township in Cresco, a memorandum of agreement for public health

[23:17] services that was the Pile State's Interstate Park Commission, Information Technology Services

[23:23] with the Borough Pile Park, Secure High Speed Internet with Demerist, Snow Plawing and

[23:29] Sulthing with Cresco.

[23:31] We continue to find ways to save our taxpayers' money, and as well as the municipalities

[23:37] saving their taxpayers' money.

[23:39] I attended Habitat for Humanity, Ribbon Cunning.

[23:43] I was happy to attend the Rubbing Cunning,

[23:45] Cunning with Commissioner Amarosa in Ortiz,

[23:50] for a new Habitat for Humanity building in Oradale,

[23:54] which my union in the local 164 IBW did all the electrical work.

[23:59] It's very important that we continue to give back to our communities.

[24:03] I know some people think of unions as just big business

[24:07] and they don't get back that's all we do is get back we give a lot of volunteer work and we help

[24:12] those in need. Obviously, I was very honored to attend Buster Stack 2026, which is a program put on,

[24:22] by the family that lost the person to opioid addiction and they put opioids and knock in to prevent

[24:29] opioid addiction and all different areas throughout the county. It's called the Buster Box. Inside

[24:34] the bus to box or you could find a fire department who parks anywhere at the town would like to put them.

[24:40] They have numerous doses of Narcan to help those who may have made a mistake and maybe, you know,

[24:46] give someone a second chance. So that was a they do that every single year and and

[24:51] parameters behind the library. They're very well attended and a lot of money is raised to help the opioid crisis.

[24:59] I was happy to speak.

[25:00] Ukraine independence day. You know, we all know Ukraine independence. They're independence isn't ongoing struggle at the time. At the moment, and we hope that this war with Russia and soon, so we can get back to, you know, people living their lives and not getting killed for silly, powerful reasons.

[25:20] It's a shame that people want to take over other people's homeland just by sheer military force and we, hopefully, this will come to an end.

[25:31] It doesn't look it, but we pray every day that it ends and we stay with the Ukrainian people.

[25:40] I was actually fortunate to speak at Women's Equality Day again, which was attended by Commissioner Rossi as well as myself.

[25:47] We spoke before a members of the junior commission of the status of women.

[25:52] We celebrated 16 years since the certificate, since the certification of the 19th Amendment.

[25:59] And all the advancements that we pointed out the advancements of women and what's going on.

[26:06] But we did also impose on the women that were there that the job is far from done.

[26:11] Yes, women probably outnumbered member member over 10 million in the country and voting rights.

[26:15] And there has been strides as the most women right now in Congress that there has ever been.

[26:20] But a quick Google search will tell you that amount is only 28% of the electorate, and that's embarrassing.

[26:26] And I believe that, you know, this is what we impose on the young ladies.

[26:31] That is up to them to continue the fight and continue the challenge to make sure that they get their equal rights.

[26:37] And that doesn't mean just pay. That means everything.

[26:39] So, we also, all of us, all of us attended the State Mental Ceremony, where we are at a

[26:46] veterans at the home in Pyramis, that was very touching, very touching. You see the veterans,

[26:53] and we had the, you know, the Congressman Godheimer, Senator Booker, County Executive

[26:57] of the Desco, the chairman of the State Veterans Committee. It was very, it's a very touching ceremony,

[27:06] And again, we give a chance to say thank you to the people.

[27:12] We owe a few of us attended the March on Washington,

[27:16] remember in ceremony at Fairly Dickinson.

[27:21] We commemorated the 63rd anniversary of the March on Washington,

[27:26] at Fairly Dickinson's University in Hackensack,

[27:28] campus hosted by the Martin Luther King Jr. birthday committee.

[27:33] There were some powerful speeches, powerful remembrances of things that we take for granted that

[27:40] people had to fight and die for it, and obviously we're so not even close to where we need

[27:46] to be.

[27:46] Another thing we're not close to where we want to be.

[27:49] So we're going to continue to push forward and try to make as much progress as we can and

[27:54] never going to give up the fight.

[27:56] The last thing is that some area of school is open.

[28:00] I don't open for my wife yesterday. Some kids are back. Some kids aren't. Please drive carefully.

[28:06] Be aware of your surroundings now. Some is over. It's going to be a lot more traffic.

[28:10] And it's going to be a lot more school kids. So let's just pay attention and make sure.

[28:15] We drive carefully. Thank you commissioners.

[28:17] Tell me.

[28:18] No, thanks.

[28:21] Thank you.

[28:22] Thank you.

[28:24] Mary has nothing to talk about.

[28:26] Oh, come up with.

[28:28] Question of us.

[28:29] You're just repeated.

[28:31] You want me to go there?

[28:31] Yeah, please.

[28:32] Okay.

[28:32] Short and sweet.

[28:35] I always try to include some history lessons in whenever I get an opportunity to speak.

[28:41] And it's been very interesting because so many kids today don't know very much about history.

[28:47] and you know the old adage, those who refuse to study history shall be condemned to revisit.

[28:55] And I make it my mission in life to try and make people aware of things that have happened

[29:02] and how we can find the answers to the problems today.

[29:05] The summer is always wonderful because after World War II, so many countries got their

[29:10] independence and we celebrated so many of those independence.

[29:14] And when the Soviet Union fell, 1991, Ukraine became independent.

[29:21] But as you know, Putin is trying to recreate the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

[29:28] And it's helping the Ukraine, but it's a hard fight.

[29:32] But I know they have a powerful, powerful army.

[29:37] 9-1 is coming up, and many, many of the youngsters today were not alive when 9-1 occurred.

[29:46] I remember, and I think, Shadow 1 is doing a whole series of interviews with people

[29:53] who survived what 9-1-1.

[29:56] and the kids that they said need to know this.

[30:00] It was horrendous. And certain politicians have said that they don't think we should, you know, recognize 911. I think it's the most important thing that we can recognize.

[30:15] And if you look at our calendars, you will see almost every single town is going to have a 911 remembrance.

[30:21] I remember, after 911, the patriotism in this country was unbelievable.

[30:29] Everybody had flags out.

[30:31] Everybody was so proud to be an American.

[30:35] And we have to instill this in the young people again today,

[30:38] that this is the greatest country in the world where you have more freedom,

[30:43] more opportunity to be whatever you want to be,

[30:46] And nobody can just make fun of you because of your ethnicity or your religion or whatever.

[30:54] I spent my whole time in teaching, trying to break down all kinds of prejudice.

[31:00] And I think I was relatively successful with the students that I had opportunities,

[31:06] because they still come up to me and say they remember my classes.

[31:12] Women's equality, when I first, I've been in politics now for over 35 years,

[31:16] and I taught it before that, okay?

[31:19] But women were the last in this country

[31:22] to get the right to vote.

[31:23] As a matter of fact, Switzerland,

[31:24] I think only gave women the right to vote in 1971.

[31:29] And so when I first got involved in politics,

[31:31] I was practically the only woman

[31:34] in any of the opportunities that I had to serve.

[31:39] And now, about 25% of the people who graduate

[31:44] or who go into Congress are women,

[31:46] but that's not enough.

[31:48] And the majority of people who are graduating

[31:50] from law school and from medical school are women.

[31:56] And so give us a chance and we'll show you who we are, okay?

[32:00] And so it's only been a little over a hundred years

[32:04] since the 19th Amendment,

[32:05] but everybody else, all the males in the country,

[32:09] got the right to vote before we did,

[32:11] but we're making up for it,

[32:13] but hopefully in the right way that we do

[32:15] all the right things. So God bless the survivors of 911 and may we restore our patriotism

[32:25] as it was right after that day. God bless. Thank you.

[32:30] Thank you. As Tom pointed out, we got to walk as we do each year in August across the bridge

[32:41] from FDU TNEC to FDU Hackensack in commemoration of the anniversary of the March on Washington, August

[32:52] 26. And this year's theme for the speakers was vote. I don't know how to say it enough, but we got to make sure

[33:04] everybody votes and everybody gets to have his vote no matter what they're trying to push

[33:11] on us from Washington. Also, we participated in a number of Bergen fiber launch ceremonies.

[33:20] We have this new system of fiber that we are offering to all of our municipalities that's cheaper

[33:28] than commercial fiber, and it's a way of linking us all together as well in

[33:34] Bergen County, and we did fiber ceremonies in Hasbro Heights and in Alpine. Also, we

[33:43] said farewell to our superintendent of elections, Debbie Franzica. I want to point

[33:51] out the age of the nonprofit Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative. They all

[33:58] for free healthcare to people who can't get it otherwise and so many more people can't get it

[34:05] otherwise nowadays it's become so expensive as I've said before. Bergen, new bridges saying

[34:11] they've got a lot of people coming through who do not have any health insurance because they can't

[34:16] afford it and Bergen volunteer medical initiative can provide that as I say when insurance disappears

[34:23] There's still a place to turn and they also tell us that 113 uninsured adults are now in

[34:33] the process of becoming Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative patients.

[34:39] We're so glad that they're there and we hope they can deal with what we see as an onslaught

[34:44] of uninsured or underinsured people.

[34:47] Finally, it's September, and so the Bergen County Revolutionary War round tables, which

[34:55] happened once a month, they're fascinating, are happening again, and are first one.

[35:00] Which is September 9th is labeled the turncoat and the Patriot. It's about Alan Fel, who was the

[35:11] Patriot from Alan Dale, and also William Franklin, the illegitimate son of Benjamin Franklin

[35:18] and the last royal governor of New Jersey, that September 9th. Thank you.

[35:23] Thank you very much.

[35:24] Thank you very much.

[35:26] Thank you, Chairman.

[35:28] I was proud to join the City of Hackensack

[35:30] for his Dominican flag race and ceremony alongside so many

[35:35] innovations who have made a positive impact in the community.

[35:41] It was a great celebration of the Dominican heritage culture and pride.

[35:47] I also had the honor to join the Korean American Association of

[35:52] New Jersey for their Korean liberation day ceremony, commemorating Korean liberation in 1945.

[36:02] It was a wonderful opportunity to recognize this important day and celebrate the history.

[36:16] Here in Burton County, we are doing, we continue doing great things.

[36:20] Some of my colleagues and I spent the morning of the 17th in Hasbrokeye presenting a $100,000 check for the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund to support the installation of a new exercise equipment.

[36:37] I'm proud to see these funds being put to work, to improve our local parks and to provide

[36:46] residents to stay active and enjoy their community.

[36:52] We also officially welcomed Hasbro Kites to burden county fiber-opted network, helping strengthen

[37:02] connecting and modernize infrastructure throughout the bar and saving the money.

[37:11] Thank you.

[37:14] So, I normally don't like to repeat what my colleague said, but two very important things

[37:18] before I go on the two things I have for tonight.

[37:21] One is I agree with Joan, 9-11 seems to, it was started to dwindle and town started to

[37:28] not participate, and I remember being here last year, very encouraged as to how many towns

[37:34] re-up their 9-11's, or not celebrations of recognition.

[37:39] I'm firm believer that the entire United States, the federal government should make it a day

[37:44] of remembrance to allow the children to be able to attend these events in their towns.

[37:49] Sometimes actually do a great job having a assembly at the location, even if it's a morning

[37:54] assembly where the children are allowed to go there and hear stories from the families and

[37:59] taking those ceremonies. So I'm hoping that this year I saw some of the list and it's a very robust

[38:05] list. The other is Commissioner Sullivan talked about it. Come on, my colleague talked about it as

[38:11] school is now open. So stop drag racing, pay attention to what you're doing. It only takes a split

[38:17] second for horrific accident to happen. These kids, you have to pay attention to kids aren't

[38:22] looking we have to look. So please drive careful with schools being open. I just wanted to talk

[38:29] touch base on two things. I was excited to join World War II veteran Oggy and the members of

[38:34] the Fort Lee V. W. to celebrate his hundredth birthday. Oggy was our veteran in a month and

[38:39] November of 24 and it was great to celebrate his milestone with him. His great personality is

[38:45] to continue to inspire all of us.

[38:48] So, if you know, he didn't come sliding into Fort Lee Veev W.

[38:54] You came bouncing into Veev W.

[38:56] I see him all the time.

[38:57] I will tell you that if you see all of you

[39:00] with thing all these 70 years old, 900 years old.

[39:02] So, God bless him.

[39:03] I hope he lives another 30 years.

[39:06] I also spent some time at the Animal Shelter

[39:08] on the first day of Clear to Shelter Weekend.

[39:10] I was told today that it was tremendously successful.

[39:13] I believe that they had over 59 adoptions that day.

[39:17] It was great to see such a tremendous turnout of families looking to give pets a forever home.

[39:22] What stood out most was how excited and enthusiastic these families were to be there and welcome

[39:27] a new addition to their family.

[39:29] I like to thank the Shelter Staff volunteers and everyone who came out to adopt and support

[39:33] this important effort.

[39:35] Alex and I were there and it's funny story is that there was four young ladies and their

[39:41] like basically wanting to beat the door down because they wanted cats.

[39:46] So I had spotted a few siblings in the cages,

[39:51] and I was describing them to them and they go,

[39:53] could we get them right now?

[39:55] So I'm sure that those kittens went home with loving.

[40:00] So that concludes my report. I'm so happy I was entertained anytime tonight.

[40:07] They're being nothing further to come before this meeting. We have a motion to adjourn.

[40:11] So move, second. All in favor?

[40:13] Aye.

[40:14] We are adjourned at 745.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS on 2026-09-02

Agenda

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