News Release
For Release: Immediate
Contact: Frank Baraff 914-962-4630

Orange Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr. Appoints John Mason as Business Administrator

City of Orange Township Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr. announced today his appointment of John F. Mason as acting Business Administrator.  Mason has over twenty-five years of New Jersey municipal management experience having previously served as Administrator for Hamilton and Bordentown Townships and formerly held the same position in South Amboy City and Pemberton Township. Mason has a masters’ degree in public administration from American University in Washington, D.C. and a Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers’ University.

During his career in NJ municipal administration, Mr. Mason has drafted and administered annual budgets (including capital improvements) in excess of $100M.; increased municipal surplus revenue, over a six year period from $75,000.00 to $2.1M through responsible budget anticipation and proper investment practices; held annual growth in the municipal budget expenditures to an average 1.2%; and recommended budgets to the governing body that reduced the Local Purpose Tax Rate by 25%.

Throughout his career, Mr. Mason has been assertive in obtaining grants-in-aid to offset capital improvement and municipal operating costs, established Shared Services Agreements, and negotiated with other governmental and private entities to participate in expanding their provision of municipal services resulting in economies of scale and budget savings.

Statement by Mayor Eldridge Hawkins
 
“John Mason has both the education and experience to excel as Business Administrator. He brings great talent, ability and energy to Orange. Mr. Mason is particularly well qualified to assist me and the Council in addressing the operational needs of our City and opening channels of communication with City officials, staff, and citizens of Orange.

My administration has an ambitious agenda focusing on improving the public safety and quality of life of residents and businesses, getting tax-paying development started, and protecting taxpayers by making our government more cost-effective. John Mason has the experience and skills to move that agenda forward.

Throughout his career, he has emphasized open communication with elected officials, staff, and citizens. His leadership style is a team approach to problem solving: (cooperative management). It has been his practice to consult elected officials, staff, and citizens to enlist their expertise in the issues facing the community, working together to foster the development of clear strategies and goals, to ensure the best possible decisions are reached and to build support for the successful implementation of community goals and objectives. He will begin his duties on May 19th.”