ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Atlantic County) — Warren County officials and students played prominent roles during the 75th Annual Celebration of County Government hosted by the New Jersey Association of Counties, despite the county being one of the state’s smallest by population.
The three-day conference, held May 6-8 in Atlantic City, drew more than 750 attendees representing all 21 New Jersey counties.
Warren County Commissioner James R. Kern III, who became the 85th president of NJAC in January, was featured throughout the conference as a speaker, award presenter and host for Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s appearance at the event.
Kern also participated in the Nick Acocella County Leadership Showcase, where he joined three other commissioners in a panel interview conducted by NJ 101.5 Senior Political Director Eric Scott.
Warren County Planning Director Ryan Conklin moderated a session titled “County Planning: How It Impacts County Government and Policy” and served as a panelist during a separate discussion on New Jersey’s new state development plan and county government coordination.
Meanwhile, Warren County Public Information Director Art Charlton received a County Service Award recognizing his decades of public service.
NJAC said the award honored Charlton “for being brilliant at his craft and a remarkable career in public service that spanned three impactful and meaningful decades.”
Kern praised Charlton’s longtime commitment to county government and tourism promotion.
“Passionate about his work, and deeply engaged in the community. His impact has been felt not only here in Warren County, but throughout New Jersey. His dedication to public service and commitment to excellence make him truly deserving of recognition and gratitude for a remarkable career,” Kern said.
Charlton, who is in his 27th year as Warren County’s public information director and also oversees the Explore Warren tourism program, also presided over the annual meeting of the NJAC Public Information Officers Association after serving as its president over the past year.
Warren County Technical School culinary arts students also earned attention during the conference’s 13th Annual County Vocational Technical School Cook-Off Challenge. Students prepared Sweet and Smoky Duck Breast on a sourdough cracker and presented the dish with a hunting-themed display featuring camouflage aprons and orange hunting caps.
“With Commissioner Kern serving as president, Ryan Conklin being part of two different presentations, Art Charlton winning a County Service Award, and our talented Warren County Technical School students competing in the annual cook-off, Warren County was well represented at the annual NJAC conference. We had several members of our dedicated county staff learning how to better serve residents and we were able to workshop solutions to pressing issues facing counties across the state,” Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski said.
Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla said the county’s leadership helped make the conference successful.
“Under Commissioner Kern’s leadership the 75th NJAC conference was a huge success. The needs of New Jersey counties are unique and coming together with other elected officials and county professionals in a nonpartisan manner to share ideas and experiences is always a great learning experience,” Ciesla said.
The annual NJAC conference brings together county officials, administrators and public employees for workshops, policy discussions and networking sessions focused on issues affecting county governments across New Jersey.
“For 75 years, NJAC has provided counties with a unified voice, and that mission remains as important as ever as we work together to strengthen our communities and better serve residents across New Jersey,” Kern noted, adding, “I am honored to serve as President of this organization and to help carry forward that mission.”
