TOMS RIVER – Ocean County’s Board of Commissioners welcomed two new members this morning, as Samuel Ellenbogen and Ray Gormley were formally sworn into office during a brief ceremony at the Ocean County Administration Building.
The oath of office for Ellenbogen was administered by Francis R. Hodgson Jr., Assignment Judge of the Ocean County Superior Court. This is Ellenbogen’s first time holding elected office.
Gormley was sworn in by Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, both of whom had served on the Little Egg Harbor Township Committee. He is the sole commissioner representing the southern end of the county.
The ceremony drew a standing-room-only crowd, with family members, friends, county employees, and a cross-section of local, county, and state officials gathering to mark the start of the commissioners’ terms.
County officials also confirmed leadership appointments for the coming year that will become formalized at the Commissioner’s January 7 meeting. Frank Sadeghi has been selected to serve as Director of the Board of Commissioners, while Jennifier Bacchione will take on the role of Deputy Director. Sadeghi is the board’s most senior member as he begins his third year in office. Bacchione and Robert Arace recently completed their first year of service.
All five members of County Commissioners are Republicans.
