Warren County Commissioner Kern Slams Governor for Executive Order

Warren County Commissioner James Kern III issued the following statement in response to Governor Phil Murphy’s most recent executive order. The order (EO No. 283) eliminates the weekly testing option for employees in “high-risk congregate settings” and mandates vaccination.  Congregate settings include county correctional facilities and those employees will have until February 16th to get their first dose and March 30th to complete the vaccination process.

“A significant percentage of Warren County correctional officers remain unvaccinated,” Kern said.  “With this executive order, we may not be able to maintain a 24/7 facility. We are currently assessing the situation.”

In addition, Warren County houses Hunterdon’s inmates. This consolidation between the two began in 2020 when Hunterdon County began contracting with Warren County instead of Somerset for correctional facility services.

“Will the Governor be providing us additional officers or will the state be paying to transport prisoners to a location that can remain open? Once again we are made aware of major policy changes via press conference. It appears the second term of the Murphy Administration will be just like the first.”