Springfield Government Reorganization is Tonight

Ziad Shehady is ready to get to work.

In the hours leading up to Springfield’s annual government reorganization, the Republican Committee-member elect told Patch he is eager to return to Springfield government.

Judge Jon Rosenbluth will swear Shehady in as a . Shehady’s fellow Republican committee members, Jerry Fernandez and Marc Krauss, will vote him as Mayor of the Committee. Shehady was Mayor of Springfield in 2010, and then lost his bid for reelection the following year.

The , New Jersey Leiutenant Governor Kim Guadagno swore him into office in front of a packed house including Congressman Leonard Lance. Shehady said that tonight’s reorganization, set for 7 p.m. at town hall, will be a quieter event.

“In 2010, there was much more “pomp” than there will be this year given that it was such a historic and significant occasion coupled with the presence of the Lieutenant Governor,” Shehady said in an email.  “Nevertheless, 2012 is just as critical and I appreciate that Judge Jon Rosenbluth will be administering the Oath of Office.”

With Shehady’s election, the committee again returns to a Republican majority. The GOP officials are halving the number of Governmental meetings, with meetings scheduled for twice a month instead of four times, as it was in 2011. 

“The once-a-week meeting schedule was burdensome and counter-productive because our employees and key members of the Administration had to spend more time preparing for the meetings themselves instead of being able to concentrate on their work and tasks at hand,” Shehady said. “The meetings are mainly legislative sessions to approve ordinances and resolutions, provide the public with an opportunity to have input and address their elected officials and for the Township Committee to hear reports from the Department heads.”

In addition to Shehady’s swearing in, officials will name appointees for township boards, committees and other positions. Notably, Jeffrey Lehrer, the Township Attorney in 2010, will be appointed to that position again. 

Shehady indicated he was anticipating a busy year.

“I have mixed emotions—I am happy to be the Mayor again as it is an honor and a privilege but the job at hand is monumental and requires a lot of hard work and attention,” Shehady said, adding: “I am grateful that my colleagues and friends, Committeemen Jerry Fernandez and Marc Krauss have put their confidence in me to serve as Mayor for one more year.”