def # 82 05/11/11

COUNTY OPENS NEW SOUTHERN SERVICE CENTER

STAFFORD TOWNSHIP - With a cut of the ceremonial red ribbon strung across the entranceway, Ocean County marked the official opening of its new Ocean County Southern Service Center on South Main Street, here.

"This is a convenient location that will provide the residents of Southern Ocean County with more access to programs and services," said Freeholder Gerry P. Little, who served as master of ceremonies. "This is a perfect blend of government and non-profit agencies working together under one roof to provide the best possible services for our residents."

The Ocean County Southern Service Center, 179 South Main St., here, is located at the corner of Routes 9 and 72. The facility will provide residents of the Southern portion of the county with the opportunity to access some local senior services programs, the services of the Ocean County Clerk and the Ocean County Surrogate.

"This facility will help us meet the needs of our residents and our seniors in southern Ocean County for many years to come," said Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari, Chairman of Senior Services, who also presented a freeholder proclamation recognizing May as Older Americans Month during the ceremony. "The theme of this year’s Older American Month celebration is Older Americans: Connecting the Community, which pays homage to the many ways in which older adults bring inspiration and continuity to the fabric of our communities.

"During this special month for seniors, Ocean County is also helping to connect its many older adults with the community, as we open the doors to the new Ocean County Southern Service Center," Vicari said.

The first services to move into the building were the Ocean County Clerk and the Ocean County Surrogate.

"I am very pleased to be able to serve the residents of Southern Ocean County at this facility," said County Clerk Scott M. Colabella. "By relocating here from the Ocean County Southern Complex on Haywood Road, I believe we will make accessing our services including applying for passports, deed filings and filing of military papers, so much easier. We are very pleased to be here."

Ocean County Surrogate Jeffrey W. Moran also relocated the surrogate services to the Southern Service Center from the Southern Complex.

"Most people who access our services are going through a difficult time usually following the loss of a loved one," Moran said. "This new facility is convenient, and provides a comfortable atmosphere that will go a long way in helping family members and loved ones."

Ocean County had purchased the facility, which had been the former St. Mary Parish Center, with an eye toward using the property for a new Stafford Township branch of the Ocean County Library. However, the downturn in the economy resulted in those plans being delayed for the time being.

"I believe the new use of the facility will get a lot of traffic from our residents. It’s a great location and it’s going to be a great county service center," Vicari said.

Little noted that in the future, other county services like assistance for veterans and human services will also have a presence at the center.

"Today is the first step," Little said. "There will be more services added in the future."

The facility will house some senior social/support services such as a satellite location for the Long Beach Island Senior Services and Outreach, which provides information and assistance with an array of benefits and entitlements for older adults. Additionally Visiting Home Care will offer Adult Social Day Care: "A Friend’s House."

"This facility represents a great partnership among agencies, elected officials, and county departments," said Freeholder John P. Kelly, liaison to the County Clerk. "Surrogate Jeff Moran, County Clerk Scott Colabella, the staff from Buildings and Grounds, our Engineering Department, Senior Services, Transportation staff and a host of others worked together in order to put programs and services under one roof to benefit the residents and especially the seniors living in Southern Ocean County."

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