SOUTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE
Ed Budd, Mayor Jim Young, Deputy Mayor John Hicks, Bob Moore, Joe Laufer
Mayor James Young is sworn in for his fourteenth year as Mayor of Southampton on January 2, 2008
Jim Young has been a member of the Southampton Township Committee since 1993. He succeded Bill Connor as Mayor in 1994. A native of South Philadelphia and a former "Mummer", Jim has operated several businesses in South Jersey and currently operates JKA Specialties, a printing and media production establishment on Eayrestown Road in Southampton. During his tenure as Mayor, he has promoted open space and "smart growth" and more efficient management of municipal services. Work on the sewer system in the village of Vincentown was completed in the early days of his administration, and Victorian street lights were installed throughout the village. He is a strong supporter of youth programs and community events, such as the annual Memorial Day celebration and Easter Egg Hunt.
50 Years of Service to Southampton Township!
This brief article appeared in the Southampton Township Community Newsletter, Volume 1, #1, June 1, 2001.
Early in January, 2001 the Burlington County Times published an article about long-time civil servants who have been involved in local politics for many years. Among those cited in the article were Southampton's Robert Moore and John Hicks. Both have been members of the Township Committee for as long as some people can remember. In fact, their total combined years of service amounts to 50 years (now 62 years in 2008).
Robert Moore, former Pemberton Township Superintendent of Schools, took his first oath of office in January, 1972. He was inducted into the Municipal Hall of Fame, an honor reserved to a few select politicians, in January, 2000. Mr. Moore, a lifetime resident of the Village of Vincentown, in addition to being a Committeeman, chairs the Township Board of Health and coordinates the annual Township Budget process. He is also the Treasurer of the Southampton Historical Society.
Bob Moore shares memories of Stokes' Cannery at Historical Society Meeting
Bob Moore and John Hicks sworn in as Committeemen on January 2, 2008
John Hicks took his first oath of office as a member of the Township Committee in January, 1981. His 20 years of service were recognized when he was inducted into the Muniicpal Hall of Fame in January, 2001. Mr. Hicks spearheaded the cleanup of the Big Hill landfill and has been praised by environmentalists for his tenacity in getting state and federal action in this case. He enthusiastically articulates the concerns of Liesuretowne, where he resides. A former Philadelphia Fireman, Mr. Hicks also serves as Deputy Mayor.
C. Edman Budd and Joseph M. Laufer are sworn in as Township Committeemen in January, 2002
Ed Budd is a 46 year resident of Southampton Township, currently living in Leisuretowne. He served on both the local and regional school boards, the Southampton Township Committee, Planning Board, and Zoning board. Before his retirement in 1994, he was Maintenance Supervisor in Southampton Township.
Ed has served as the Vice President of the Southampton Historical Society; Chairman of the Alternate Resource Committee in Leisuretowne and Vice President of the Nature Club in Leisuretowne.
As a member of Southampton's agricultural community, Ed worked in a family partnership of a Cranberry growing business for 30 years. He oversees the Shade Tree Commission and coordinates the annual Arbor Day program in conjunction with local schools.
Joseph Laufer has resided in Southampton since 1972, living in the Village of Vincentown on the banks of the Millpond. He has served as Chairman of the Citizens' Millpond Restoration Committee and the Southampton Planning Board.
Joe is the Official Burlington County Historian, appointed by the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Former president of the Sally Stretch Keen Library Board and the Southampton Historical Society, he was also a cub scout leader. He has also served on the board of the Burlington County United Way and PAWS Farm Nature Center, and the Bulington County Historical Society. He is currently the President of the H.B.Smith Industrial Park Conservancy and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Jack Allen Early Country Living Museum in Southampton.
Joe has been an educator for 46 years, both on the High School and College levels. Charter staff member of Burlington County College, he served as an Associate Dean there for 27 years, writing and administering major grants and serving as liaison with regional businesses. Joe edited and published international newsletters on historical and astronomy topics and is an active lecturer. He is currently employed by the Lenape Regional High School District as Director of Alumni Affairs and by the Burlington County Division of Cultural Affairs and Tourism as a tourism associate.
Joe and his wife Penny have been married for 38 years and are the parents of Kurt, Kerry, Kevin and Kris, all of whom attended Southampton schools. Joe edits and publishes the Community Newsletter and is the Township Webmaster.
Contact Joe at
Webmaster@SouthamptonNJ.org
Or write him at 9 Smith Court, Vincentown, 08088
The Township Committee at Work!
C. Edman Budd, Mayor James Young, Sr., Deputy Mayor John Hicks, Robert Moore, Joseph M. Laufer
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