TOMS RIVER – Members of the Ocean County Board of Health (OCBOH) recently voted to re-elect its current board of officers for 2021.
John J. Mallon was re-elected as the Board’s chairman, a title he’s held for more than 20 years. Mallon was first voted chairman on January 7, 1998.
OCHD Public Health Coordinator/Officer Daniel Regenye said, “Mr. Mallon has served the board with untiring dedication and commitment in striving to provide Ocean County residents with some of the best public health services and programs in the state.”
Regenye said Mallon, “still has the same enthusiasm and drive that he had when he was first voted to the office back when I was a much younger civil servant and public health official at the health department.”
“His leadership and experience is an extremely valuable asset – especially during this historic public health crisis. We’ll continue to rely on his leadership and direction as chairman for another term,” Regenye added.
Senator Robert Singer was also re-elected as vice-chairman. The Senator became a member of the OCBOH on March 24, 1982. He was named Secretary/Treasurer from 1983 through 1998 and has held the title of vice-chairman since1999.
For more than four decades, Singer has served Ocean County with 27 years serving in the New Jersey State Legislature. The Senator is also the senior ranking member of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Services Committee.
Deputy Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Gerry P. Little who serves as liaison to the OCBOH said, “I’ve known Senator Singer for a long time and have proudly worked side-by-side with him as liaison to the board of health.”
Little added that Senator Singer “has contributed so much insight, experience and wisdom to this board and I look forward to another year working with him as vice-chairman of the Ocean County Board of Health in 2021.”
Senator Singer sponsored legislation requiring healthcare workers to tell their employer of infectious disease outbreaks at other facilities where they are employed. This bill was recently advanced by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Services Committee.
The senator also had a bill pass the committee regarding ensuring the safety of nursing home residents and making their well-being a top priority during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regenye said, “you can’t replace this type of experience. Senator Singer has dedicated a big portion of his career to protecting people who can’t help themselves and serving the public health needs of Ocean County residents.”
“He’s a doer, great motivator, and just as important, he’s a great listener. As vice-chairman, Senator Singer is extremely in-tune with the needs of the Ocean County Board of Health and a loyal supporter of our programs and services and always encourages new and forward-thinking ideas,” Regenye said.
Lacey Township Business Administrator/Clerk Veronica Laureigh was voted back as OCBOH Secretary/Treasurer – a title she’s held since 2018. She has served on the board of health since April 7, 1999.
Mallon noted that “as business administrator for a large township (Lacey), Ms. Laureigh brings a whole range of experience to this board. She’s incredibly smart and her talent in finance, human resources and other areas is a significant benefit when it comes to providing guidance to a health department the size of Ocean County. She’s a top-notch professional.”
Regenye said, “I couldn’t be any more pleased with the re-election of our officers. It’s important we have consistent leadership as we move into the next round of the pandemic. They have all been with us through other public health issues such as Superstorm Sandy, the H1N1 outbreak and measles epidemic, just to name a few.”
“All of our board members bring their unique qualifications and backgrounds to the table and we’re extremely lucky and proud we have them leading the Ocean County Health Department,” Regenye added.
The Ocean County Board of Health will re-appoint or appoint new members in March. For additional information regarding the Ocean County Board of Health and Ocean County Health Department, visit ochd.org.
