Cathy Miller’s Person of the Week might be called Mr. Freeholder!

Warren County Freeholder Director Edward J. Smith is the “Maurice Fitzgibbons Freeholder of the Year”, the New Jersey Association of Counties (NJAC) announced at its recent 68th Annual Conference.

Taken by surprise by the announcement during NJAC’s awards luncheon, Smith thanked his wife, Eileen, for her support, and praised the county organization presenting the award, which is named after long-time Hudson County Freeholder Maurice Fitzgibbons, a former NJAC president, who died in 2011.

The best part about NJAC, Smith said, is the strength that counties have when banding together to advocate on issues that affect them and their residents. “It really does make a difference,” Smith said, noting that only through having a united voice “do we have the ability to send a message to protect our taxpayers.”

“Freeholder Smith is a tireless advocate for county government and property taxpayers,” said NJAC Executive Director John G. Donnadio, who presented the award along with NJAC’s president, Hunterdon County Clerk Mary H. Melfi.

“He does his homework, knows the issues better than anyone, and it has been an honor for me to work with him,” Donnadio added.

Smith’s colleagues on the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders joined in congratulating him, after the honoree received a standing ovation from the conference attendees.

“He is a full-time freeholder. He is always there doing the job, representing Warren County, and we are so lucky to have him,” Freeholder Jason J. Sarnoski said.

“You’ll never find a harder working guy” than Smith, said Freeholder Richard D. Gardner, adding, “When you think of the term ‘public servant,’ it goes hand in hand with Mr. Ed Smith.”

Smith is in the final year of his second three-year term on the freeholder board, and chose not to run for re-election. He has served as freeholder director for three of his six years on the board.

Although his freeholder post was his first elective office, Smith has been active in civic life for years, both as a volunteer and advocating for issues. He served as a Warren County Community College trustee and board chair, a commissioner for the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, a commissioner for the Warren County Mosquito Extermination Commission and as a commissioner and executive board member for the New Jersey Intergovernmental Insurance Fund.

He previously was a legislative aide and later chief of state for state Senator Michael Doherty.

Cathy Miller has been photographing the people of Warren County for many years; her photos having appeared in numerous publications and websites including insidewarren.com. She was recently honored by the Garden State Journalists Association for her outstanding work.