From TheHammontonNews.com — Members of the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders unanimously named Jim Curcio as their new chairman on Jan. 2, making him the first Hammonton resident to hold that title in the board’s 172-year history.

Curcio, a Republican, represents the fifth district. It encompasses most of western Atlantic County, including Hammonton, Folsom, Egg Harbor City, Weymouth, Buena Vista Township, Buena Borough, Mullica Township, Estell Manor, Corbin City and portions of Hamilton Township.

He replaces former board chairman Joseph Silipena, an Egg Harbor City resident who chose not to seek re-election last year for his at-large seat.

Curcio, elected to the board in 1994, is second in seniority on the nine-member freeholder board behind only Republican Tom Russo, who represents the second district.

“At the time when I was first elected, I thought I would never be chairman. But I found I’ve learned something new every day, and I’m still learning something new every day,” Curcio said. “I’m very proud to be here. I feel a great sense of responsibility in this position.”

As chairman, Curcio said he plans to ensure that the municipalities he represents are considered for capital improvement and other projects, just like the more heavily populated communities on the eastern side of the county.

Curcio assumes the chairmanship amid tough economic times.

The county is in the process of formulating its 2009 budget, one that is likely to include layoffs.

“I believe that we are well-positioned to meet the challenges because we have been a well-managed county,” Curcio said. “We’ve had good fiscal management for many years. Our debt is low. Our tax rate has been kept low. We feel that we will be able to meet the challenges of this economy.

“We’ll have to make some hard decisions in the budget,” he added. “We have good leadership from our county executive, Dennis Levinson. We have a very dedicated workforce in the county, which is helping us streamline.”

Work on the Tilton Road corridor in Galloway Township will be among the priorities for county road improvements in 2009, Curcio said.

Curcio also proposed a job development committee to help retain existing jobs and promote opportunities for new ones.

Renewable energy sources along the lines of the Atlantic County Utilities Authority’s wind farm also will be explored, he said.

Several of Curcio’s family members joined him for his inaugural meeting as freeholder chairman on Jan. 2 in the county’s criminal courthouse.

Curcio’s father — Sam Curcio, 89, a former state assemblyman — said his son definitely is capable of handling the chairman’s duties.

When asked what advice he offered to his son upon taking his new role, Sam Curcio quickly replied: “Be prepared.”