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Freeholder Bruce James

Freeholder Bruce James was elected to the Board of Chosen Freeholders in
November 2005. Freeholder James has dedicated much of his life to helping
the residents of Passaic County as an employee of the Passaic County Board of Social Services. Before his recent retirement, Bruce worked as a caseworker and later as a unit supervisor.

Bruce was born to parents of both Irish and Italian decent, his grandfather was an Italian immigrant who came to New Jersey in 1913. Bruce has been a resident of Clifton for 17 years and lived in the Highlands area for 9 years.

Freeholder James understands the needs of Passaic County residents. He has also acted as President of the Professional Workers Association for 27 years and until recently was the outreach supervisor for Sheriff Jerry Speziale's PRIDE program. The PRIDE program is a unique program whose purpose is to cut down on repeat criminal offenders.

Bruce attended William Paterson College majoring in Political Science and Philosophy. He was also named to the Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities and served as President of the Student Government.

Freeholder James was a past member of the Board of Trustees of the Greater Paterson Opportunities Industrialization Center and served as Fundraising Chairman of St. Joseph's Hospital Early Intervention Program and the Passaic County Food Bank. He also served as Chairman of the Welfare to Work Committee for the Workforce Investment Board.

Bruce James recognizes the importance of maintaining county roadways, preserving open space areas and providing a quality education at the county vocational high school and at Passaic County Community College. Freeholder James is a hands-on Freeholder and has made it his priority to develop a comprehensive County energy plan that will help control costs and conserve energy in Passaic County.

Freeholder James is serving as the Chairman of the Administration & Finance Committee in 2006, as well as serving on the Public Works, Human Services and Law & Public Safety Committees.