T.F. police chief segues to boro adminstrator

T.F. police chief segues to boro administrator
Retired in April, Turning takes on new role
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer

Former Police Chief Gerald Turning Sr. places his hand on the Bible held by his wife, Barbara, as he is sworn in as the borough’s new business administrator. KENNY WALTER Former Police Chief Gerald Turning Sr. places his hand on the Bible held by his wife, Barbara, as he is sworn in as the borough’s new business administrator. KENNY WALTER TINTON FALLS — Just a month into his retirement, former Tinton Falls Police Chief Gerry Turning Sr. has been appointed to a new position with the borough.

Turning will take over as borough administrator after the council unanimously passed a resolution approving his appointment at the May 4 meeting.

“This man is a man we’ve known for a long time,” Mayor Michael Skudera said. “He’s been with the borough for many years, and he has the institutional knowledge, the experience and the education.

“He will serve the borough well and improve Tinton Falls and make it an even better place to live.”

Councilman Gary Baldwin echoed Skudera’s comments about Turning.

“He’s been a loyal borough employee for nearly three decades and managed, in my opinion, the best police force in the state,” he said. “Gerry told me he can do this job, and I know he will do the job.”

Turning, who has a degree in public administration, spent 11 years as police chief and announced his retirement in February effective April 1.

Turning addressed the council and those in attendance at the meeting after the appointment, publicly thanking the borough for his appointment.

“I’d like to thank Mayor Skudera for my nomination,” he said. “I appreciate it, my wife appreciates it, and my family appreciates it.

“I’d like to thank the council for your support. Politics is a strange thing in Tinton Falls, as it is everywhere else; I really welcome your support. I will be here to answer your questions.”

Baldwin said he is confident that Turning will be an asset.

“He stated that he will cut expenses and increase the productivity in the borough’s departments, and I believe he can do that,” he said. “He knows the residents, he knows our problems, and he knows our strengths.

“I am most happy to give him my vote,” he added.

Turning said he hopes to focus on what will likely be a difficult budget.

“I look forward to working with the borough of Tinton Falls,” he said. “We are in a current budget problem in Tinton Falls, just like every other municipality.

“The mayor and I recognize that, and the gentleman to my right [Finance Director Stephen Pfeffer] recognizes that.

“I think we can work together very well to make Tinton Falls one of the best places on the planet to live. I live here, my children live here, and there is nothing I want to do more than just that.”

Turning joined the Tinton Falls Police Department in 1981, and both he and Baldwin joked about their own physical changes during their years with the borough.

“I’ve seen him here as way far back as when I had hair,” Baldwin said. “I know he’s been to every council meeting that I’ve been to, and I’ve been here quite a number of years.”

Turning responded in kind.

“I’m not going to talk about Mr. Baldwin’s hair, but mine was a different color then too,” Turning answered.

The administrator position became open in December when former Administrator W. Bryan Dempsey announced he would be leaving to take the same position in the borough of Spring Lake.

Director of Public Works John Bucciero volunteered to act as interim administrator while a replacement was sought.

Before appointing Turning, Skudera thanked Bucciero.

“I just want to take the time to publicly thank John Bucciero for the work he did as acting administrator and public works director,” he said. “Just the role of administrator is a job itself, and doing both roles and, mind you, volunteering for this role, John did a fantastic job.

“I couldn’t ask for a better person to do both jobs, and I want to thank you for your time and effort in making Tinton Falls a better place.”

Baldwin also thanked Bucciero.

“I can only echo those comments,” he said. “John has been a remarkably helping person.

“He never fails; when I call or email, I get an immediate answer with follow-up,” he added. “There is nothing more precious than that when you are trying to chase down an answer for a resident.”
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.