Bedminster Government officially kicked off 2018 with the annual Betty Merck Dinner, this year held at Trump National Golf Club. Over 100 were in attendance as Colin Hickey was sworn in following his election to the township committee and Steve Parker was sworn in as Mayor for a sixth, one-year term. More than 75 were appointed to volunteer boards and commissions. Mayor Parker discussed the need for local municipalities and governing bodies to work together for shared services to reduce property taxes. Colin Hickey pledged to work hard for all of the constituents and keep Bedminster a place we are proud to call home. Doug Stevinson praised the township staff, Judy Sullivan, John Mantz, Chief Rock and discussed the new Dog Park. Staci Santucci talked about how well the municipality handled President Trump’s visits this past year. Larry Jacobs announced the Farmer’s Market initiative between the Environmental Committee and new Agricultural Advisory Committee and the forthcoming master plan update.
The Bedminster Board of Education also selected Jeff Reeves as their President, and Judy Creelman as board Vice President. Newly elected board member Giovana Lamiera and re-elected board member Michael Allegra were also sworn in. President Reeves addressed the crowd on the accomplishments of the school district and challenges facing it in the new year, specifically with regard to the budget.
Why a Dinner? Betty Merck was on the Bedminster Township Committee in the 1970s, and she felt very strongly that the reorganization should be a time when all members of the governing body (and volunteer board appointees) should celebrate the New Year over dinner and drinks in the spirit of fellowship and congeniality. Those early dinners took place at the historic Bedminster Inn (later Willie’s Tavern). Betty continued to serve Bedminster on our volunteer boards, until her death at age 95. After she passed in 2015, the Township Committee renamed our reorganization event, the Betty Merck Dinner.
How the press covered the dinner:
Bernardsville News-Colin Hickey’s Remarks