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Jim McGreevey and Al
Santoro
Big
Crowd In Point Pleasant Honors Retiring Democratic County Chairman Al
Santoro After Nineteen Years Of Distinguished Service To The Party And
The Community
Retiring Chairman’s Grandson Vincent, 19 Months, Introduced As A
Future Governor
A legion of friends and admirers crowded into the Crystal Point Yacht
Club in Point Pleasant to honor retiring County Democratic Chairman Al
Santoro.
Many in attendance noted that Santoro, in addition to his status as a
capable political leader, is also just about the nicest person around.
Speaker after speaker gave affectionate testimony to Santoro’s
distinguished service to the Democratic Party and to the political
process.
Father’s Portrait Inspired Fond Remembrances
Al’s father, Raymond V. ("For Victory”) Santoro, now passed on, was a
Newark Councilman from 1957 to 1961.
Representatives of the Friends Of Newark were present at the dinner to
present Al with a beautiful portrait of his father, a presentation
which clearly touched the retiring chairman and everyone present, and
inspired fond remembrances.
Al’s wife, Nel, his mother, Anna Santoro, spry and fit at 91, attended
the dinner, as did Al’s son Vincent Santoro, his wife, Cindy, and
grandson Vincent, age 19 months.
Grandson Vincent, 19 Months, Introduced As A Future
Governor
Al received one of many rounds of applause as he introduced the
gregarious toddler as “a future governor of
New Jersey”.
Just about every Democrat who could possibly get there showed up, and
some of the Republicans who engaged in gentlemanly battle with Al
Santoro’s candidates over the years showed up too.
Dean Haines Thanked Chairman For His Friendship And
Service
Ocean County Clerk M. Dean Haines, a Republican stalwart, presented
Santoro with a plaque thanking him for his friendship and his many
years of excellent service to the political process in
Ocean
County.
Governor Jim McGreevey sent a warm letter of thanks; and there were
proclamations of appreciation from both New Jersey U. S. Senators: Bob
Torricelli and John Corzine.
Newly elected Democratic County Chair Fred Potter and former
Assemblyman Dan Newman emceed the event and expressed their
appreciation for Al Santoro’s service to the Democratic Party and to
the
Ocean
County community.
More Seniority Than Any Other Chairman In
New Jersey
Potter and Vice-Chair Nilda Frulio presented a striking black and gold
watch from the Democratic County Committee which Santoro led for
nineteen years, more seniority in the job than any other chairman in
New Jersey.
Chairmen from neighboring counties were there to add their thanks for
a job well done: Monmouth County Democratic Chair Victor Scudery
presented an award, and Atlantic County Chairman Chuck Cherella, the
Mayor of Buena Vista, gave Al Santoro a “special recognition” plaque.
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