New mobile County Connection unveiled

With almost 640 square miles to cover, the Ocean County Board of Freeholders now has a second mobile unit to deliver services and programs right into the community.

In a brief ceremony outside the Ocean County Administration Building, Toms River, members of the Board of Freeholders gathered recently with the county staff and members of the public in unveiling the new mobile County Connection.

"This mobile unit behind me is equipped with work stations, computers, a host of brochures and information on county programs and services," said Freeholder Director John P. Kelly.

"A knowledgeable staff travels with the mobile unit and is often assisted by representatives of the various county government departments including senior services, veterans and consumer affairs," Kelly said.

The mobile County Connection allows residents to access such services as applying for a passport and getting a county ID card right on board the vehicle.

"They can register to use the county off-leash dog parks, find out information on Ocean County College and at times get their blood pressure checked by the county Health Department," Kelly said. "It's a full-service county government outlet on wheels."

The mobile unit travels to municipalities, senior communities, shopping centers, senior nutrition sites, library branches, health fairs, festivals and a variety of other locations to bring county government right to the residents.

"This new mobile outreach center complements our ongoing efforts to make Ocean County government and services accessible to all of Ocean County's residents," said Freeholder Deputy Director James F. Lacey. "This is our second mobile unit and the mobile outreach that we began in 2004 has been very successful."

The new mobile unit is a "low-rider" bus that is fitted to best serve the residents. Access will be easier as the new bus can actually be lowered to the curb and a ramp will lead into the new unit. There is also a defined entrance and exit.

The interior space, about 240-square-feet, was designed by members of the county staff and constructed by PL Customs of Wall Township.

The Mobile County Connection keeps a year-round calendar of regular monthly visits to high-traffic shopping areas and libraries to serve residents all across the county - from Plumsted to Long Beach Township, Little Egg Harbor Township to Jackson.