TED NAROZANICK: THE DEFINITION OF PUBLIC SERVANT
Originally, this column was going to be about the injustice that was about to be played upon Freeholder Ted Narozanick. Specifically, it was about the possibility that Ted would have to pass a screening committee of the Monmouth County Republican Party to secure his position on the November ballot. But as has been his whole life, Ted dictated his terms and decided to retire from public life later this year.
What a loss this will be for both Republicans and Democrats. It is hard to find a politician more beloved through the entire county by both parties than Ted Narozanick. Everyone knows that our county has suffered over the past year regarding corruption, but Ted’s ethics were beyond reproach. When speculation would run rampant about politicians on the take, you would never hear his name mentioned. This guy gave our county almost fifty years of dedicated service and he is the definition of a public servant
The man was everywhere, and he could always be counted on to show up at a political function in the county. There was never an event to small for him- he came to countless ‘chicken and rib’ dinners in Atlantic Highlands. There was one well known rule about Ted- you never wanted to take the stage after him. If you ever have the chance to hear him speak, it is a show to behold. The man is electricity personified- and he is 85 years young!
Some people refer to Ted as the energizer bunny. Around the county, he is simply known as Ted. To a local politician, he was the guy that returned your call and did his best to solve your problem- whether it was fixing a county light or helping you secure the county social services. His popularity is such that no one really wanted to run against him and he was a slam dunk to be re-elected Freeholder. Instead, Ted is leaving on his terms and our county just became a less colorful place. Make sure you see this remarkable man in the coming weeks, our county won’t see the likes of him again.
