FREEHOLDER DIRECTOR
In 1997 Stephen M. Sweeney joined the Board of Chosen Freeholders, and he has been selected by his colleagues as the Board’s Director since 1998.
Over the past decade, Freeholder Director Sweeney’s dedication to economic development, jobs, education and the environment has led Gloucester County to be one of the most progressive governments in New Jersey.
Gloucester County has been recognized for some of its most notable projects: An Autism School; the creation of an elementary school and high school for special needs children; the development of the Port of Paulsboro; preservation of over 14,500 acres of farmland and open space; a regionalized Storm Water Management program to protect the regions’ drinking water sources from pollution; and the creation of the Gloucester County VA Health Clinic for veterans.
Under Steve’s leadership Gloucester County has also been a pioneer in the area of shared government services and regionalization, starting the first countywide regionalized EMS system in New Jersey. This award-winning program provides lifesaving EMS services to over half of the county’s municipalities and ensures that 911 calls are responded to within the 8 minutes 59 seconds or less, 90% of the time. Gloucester County also has a successful regionalized 911 dispatching center, a regionalized Storm Water Management program, and a combined administration and shared services of its Special Services School District and Institute of Technology. Altogether these programs save taxpayers over $30 million annually.
As Freeholder Director, Steve Sweeney oversees the Gloucester County Department of Administration, which includes the following departments: Administrator; Treasurer; Human Resources; Purchasing; Clerk of the Board and County Counsel, as well as the Department of Buildings and Grounds. He also serves as Liaison to the Gloucester County Improvement Authority and is a statutory member of the Gloucester County Planning Board. He serves as Chairman of the Board of School Estimates, is a board member of the United Way of Gloucester County, a member of the West Deptford Lions Club, and a Special Olympics of New Jersey Board member.
Steve resides in West Deptford Township with his family. He is the General Organizer for the International Association of Ironworkers. Steve also serves as the Senate Majority Leader in the New Jersey State Senate and represents the 3rd Legislative District, which includes parts of Gloucester and Cumberland Counties and all of Salem County.
STEPHEN M. SWEENEY |