Ciesla Sworn In to Newly Renamed Board of County Commissioners, Kern Named Director During
Livestreamed Reorganization Meeting

(BELVIDERE, NJ, January 2, 2021) – Warren County government’s annual reorganization meeting was
“one of many firsts,” noted county Commissioner James R. Kern III.

Kern, who was named board Director for the year by his colleagues, pointed out that it was the
first “virtual” reorganization meeting, livestreamed for the public as pandemic restrictions meant
the audience was limited to just a handful of invitees.

“Second, this is the first meeting of the Board of Commissioners as the term freeholder comes to an
end,” Kern noted. A state law signed last year did away with the colonial-era term, which Warren
County’s governing body had used since its first Board of Chosen Freeholders was seated in 1825.

And it also was “the first county re-org meeting without Richard Gardner listed on the agenda in some official capacity in probably two decades,” Kern added. Gardner stepped down after
six terms as a Warren County freeholder, the longest tenure in over a century and tied for the
second longest in the county’s history.

Lopatcong resident Lori Ciesla, a former township committeewoman who more recently served on the
county’s Transparency and Technology Task Force, was sworn in to a three-year term on the Board of
County Commissioners after winning election in November.

The meeting commenced with Warren County Clerk Holly Mackey reading Ciesla’s certification of
election, followed by Warren County Republican Chairman Douglas Steinhardt, a former Lopatcong
Mayor who recently ended his tenure as state Republican chairman and is running for governor,
administering the oath of office to Ciesla.

Once Ciesla was seated, the board named Kern as director and Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski as
deputy director for 2021.

Warren County Surrogate Kevin O’Neill, who was re- elected in November, was also sworn in to his
third five-year term.

Thomas C. Miller administered the oaths of office to Kern and to O’Neill.

In their remarks, all three commissioners praised Gardner for his service, with Kern telling
Gardner “your leadership, presence and institutional knowledge will be sorely missed.”

The COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted the change in procedures to make the reorganization available to the public in a livestream on Vimeo.com instead of the usual session to start the year with
speeches before a crowd of well-wishers, was at the forefront for all three commissioners.

Ciesla began her remarks with words of remembrance for those lost in the past year due to COVID-19,
and thanks those who are on the front lines battling the pandemic.

Ciesla, Sarnoski and Kern all noted the changes in technology brought on by the pandemic that are
helping to keep the public informed about county business, while also noting the struggles Warren
County has faced with a lack of state funding to fight the pandemic, and with state directives that
have hurt businesses here.

The “one-size-fits-all” shutdown and restrictions have been “a death sentence to small businesses,”
Kern noted.

“Our businesses have suffered enough. Our children are not getting the education they deserved and
that we pay for,” Sarnoski said, adding he will continue to fight the state’s “overreach.”

Ciesla vowed to work with her fellow commissioners on the county’s economic recovery, seeking
grants and recovery funding from the state and federal governments. “Warren County will not be left
out or left behind,” Ciesla asserted. “Our voice will be heard loud and clear by those who need to
hear it.”

Ciesla also said she will continue to support the “pay as you go” philosophy to which past Warren County freeholder boards have adhered, and will look to promote shared services and other
cost-saving opportunities.

“There is an end in sight for this pandemic,” Kern said. “We will not return to a “new” normal but
to normal. The immediate future will be tough but I know this board is ready to work and I can
promise you and the residents of Warren County that we will fight everyday on their behalf to keep
this a special place to live.”

The meeting concluded with greetings and remarks from Miller, Gardner, Mackey, O’Neill, Steinhardt,
county Prosecutor James Pfeiffer, and Sheriff James McDonald.

The board set a schedule to hold regular meetings on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month,
with the first budget work session to be held this Wednesday. Budget sessions will be open to the
public through conference call, while the regular meetings with also be on a video livestream, with
access information published prior to each meeting on the county’s official website,
www.co.warren.nj.us, and social media platforms.

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