(BELVIDERE, NJ – January 1, 2024) – Warren County Commissioner Lori Ciesla was sworn in to a second term while Commissioner James R. Kern III was named Director for 2024 at the annual reorganization meeting of the Board of County Commissioners at the Courthouse in Belvidere today.

Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski is Deputy Director for the year, his colleagues decided, as the three commissioners took housekeeping actions setting their meeting schedule, assigning liaison responsibilities and more. In remarks to the well-wishers assembled in the historic Courtroom #1, the three set priorities for the coming year and delivered New Year’s greetings.

Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio, a former Warren County Freeholder, administered the oath of office to Ciesla and Kern after state Sen. Douglas Steinhardt delivered the invocation and County Clerk Holly Mackey read the certification of Ciesla’s election.

Phillipsburg High School Senior Danica Finken sang The Star-Spangled Banner at the meeting’s start and America the Beautiful to close the session.

Left: Commissioner Lori Ciesla signs her certification of election as Deputy Clerk of the Board Tracy Matlock looks on. Right: Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio administers the oath of office to Ciesla as she begins her second term on the Board of County Commissioners, as her son Nick and husband, Jim, hold the Bible.

Left: Commissioner James R. Kern III takes the oath of office as the board's Director for 2024 as his fiancée, Carina Sitkus, holds the Bible. Right: Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski delivers remarks to the well-wishers gathered for the commissioners' annual reorganization meeting.

Left: Danica Finken, Phillipsburg High School senior, sings to open and close the meeting. Right: former county Sheriff Sal Simonetti shares a lighthearted moment. Seen l-r are county Admininstrator Alex Lazorisak, County Clerk Holly Mackey, Prosecutor James Pfeiffer, Simonetti, Assemblyman Erik Peterson, and Surrogate Michael Doherty.