The 2008 Transit Safety Awards were presented by Freeholder Susan Zellman to the Sussex County Transit Omnibus Operators on August 7, 2008, during the Senior Day activities at the NJ State Fair/Sussex County Farm and Horse Show.  These awards were presented on behalf of the Sussex County Office of Transit to those drivers who were accident/incident free, in recognition of the safe performance of their duties during the year of 2007.  Assemblyman Gary Chiusano and Assemblywoman Alison Little McHose were present to recognize the Omnibus Operators with Certificates of Recognition on behalf of the state of New Jersey.  Freeholder Susan Zellman praised NJ Transit for their continuous assistance and presented Tim Sharpe, Regional Program Administrator of NJ Transit, with a Certificate of Recognition for the tremendous dedication and support he has provided to Sussex County Transit, which was often over and above the call of duty.  Deputy Director Glen Vetrano, Freeholder Phillip Crabb, John Eskilson, County Administrator, Stephen Gruchacz, Administrator of the Department of Human Services, George Morville, Risk Manager, Carol Novrit, Director of Social Services, and John Jackson, Program Coordinator of Sussex County Transit, were on hand to congratulate the drivers.  The Office of Transit provides community paratransit and loop bus services to many of the County's older residents and those with disabilities, as well as the general public.   More than 115,000 trips on about 600,000 miles of road were provided to Sussex County residents during 2007.

It was truly a privilege to acknowledge the exemplary safety standards of the ten recipients.  Receiving safety awards with the number of years they have been accident free were:  Susan King, 8 Years; Helen Baker, 5 Years; Barbara Fitzmaurice, 5 Years; Debra Scott, 4 Years; Ellen Van Dunk, 3 Years; Bert Oudshoorn, 3 Years; Jeffrey Staple, 2 Years; Gary Quince, 2 Years; Nancy Redmond, 1 Year; Luis Ortiz, 1 Year.

From left, John Jackson, Tim Sharpe, Carol Novrit, Barbara Miller

The County Administration, the Department of Human Services, the Division of Social Services and the Office of Transit congratulate this year's recipients and wish them many more miles of accident/incident-free travel.