BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

A pair of names familiar to residents of western Monmouth County have been nominated by Monmouth County Democrats to run for two three-year terms on the county Board of Freeholders.

Manalapan Committeewoman Rebecca Aaronson and former Freehold Borough councilwoman Barbara McMorrow were selected to run for seats on the county’s governing body.

If they are not challenged or defeated in the June primary, Aaronson and McMorrow will see their names on the Monmouth County Democratic line in the Nov. 8 election.

“A little more than a month ago I decided not to seek a third term on the Manalapan Township Committee,” Aaronson said at a March 19 Democratic miniconvention held in Long Branch. “I felt that I had accomplished all that I set out to and never wanted it said that I had overstayed my welcome.”

Aaronson said she was eager to tend to her duties as vice chairwoman of the Monmouth County Democratic Organization helping candidates throughout the county get elected this fall.

“I was expecting to work diligently to get Sen. Jon Corzine elected governor,” she said.

Aaronson said she recently attended a two-day seminar sponsored by the Center for American Women in Politics.

“It was there that I was reminded about what I enjoyed about public service,” she said. “I also realized I had the spark of energy necessary to run this very tough campaign. Most of us get involved in politics because we want to make a difference or because we believe strongly in a candidate. There is no entrance exam for being a candidate, just a desire to serve the public. I have that desire.”

Aaronson said she chose not to seek re-election in Manalapan because she felt it was time to step aside and allow new candidates to emerge.

“The current county freeholders have held a death grip on their offices for too many years,” she said. “They have forgotten that they are elected by the people and serve at the whim of the electorate. They have taken their positions for granted and violated the public trust.

“Once you are no longer able or willing to serve with the zeal that you had the day you first took the oath of office, then it is time to go. However, since they won’t do the right thing and resign we’ll simply have to wrest control of the county from them,” she said.

McMorrow, well known in western Monmouth County as an educator whose last position was serving as the principal of Howell High School, said, “Throughout my life, I have found fulfillment in serving the public in many different capacities.

“For over 30 years, I was in education, first as a classroom teacher and then as a school administrator. Being appointed principal of Howell High School was a high point in my career and it was with mixed emotions that I retired in the summer of 2003,” she said.

She noted her community service as a councilwoman in Freehold Borough.

“While in that elected position, my fellow council members chose me to serve in such capacities as council president, police commissioner and the mayor’s representative to the alliance against substance and drug abuse among other appointments,” said McMorrow. “Each presented its own special challenges and needs as well as its unique rewards when a problem was solved or a situation was improved. I quickly realized that patience is a virtue, but tenacity is a necessity in public service to get the job done correctly.”

McMorrow said she has always enjoyed working with people, helping them solve their problems or improve their quality of life.

“I learned that there was always so much to learn and I enjoyed asking questions, seeking answers and finding solutions. I also learned that there is great measure of satisfaction in exploring new ideas,” said the candidate.

“I keep active in serving the people of Monmouth County by being a member of such organizations as the Monmouth County Traumatic Loss Coalition and Monmouth County Legal Aid Society in addition to being an adjunct instructor at Brookdale Community College,” said McMorrow. “I am encouraged by the fact that I can serve as a full-time member of the Board of Freeholders. I have not been, nor will I be, afraid to ask questions, to seek answers and to take action.

“My record has shown that I am a proven leader who will listen to all of the facts and then make a decision based on what’s right for the people of Monmouth County,” she said. “I care about Monmouth County, its people and its future.”

The two seats on the Board of Freeholders that will be up for grabs in November are presently held by Republicans Tom Powers and William Barham. Powers has said he will not seek re-election after more than two decades on the board. Barham was appointed to Harry Larrison’s seat when Larrison resigned several months ago due to health concerns. At present, all five members of the freeholder board are Republicans.