Essex County Freeholders Change Name In Wake Of New State Law – Belleville, NJ Patch

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — When you hear the word “freeholder,” what comes to mind? For many, the term conjures a reminder of a time when only men who owned land “free of debt” could run for office.

And a name change was long overdue, according to the entity formerly known as the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Earlier this week, the board issued a joint statement in support of a new state law that will phase out the term “freeholder” in favor of “county commissioner” by Jan. 1, 2021.

In addition to the name change, the new law requires counties to update their websites, letterheads, stationary, and other writings with the title of “county commissioners” in place of “freeholders” or “chosen freeholders” within one year of the bill’s effective date. The law will not require counties to update or replace signs to reflect the title change within this timeframe, if doing so would require the expenditure of county funds. In such a case, the law requires the changes be made whenever the writing is next updated or replaced.

The change is being welcomed with open arms, members of the newly named Essex County Board of County Commissioners said Tuesday.

The board issued the following background information about their former moniker:

“The term ‘freeholder’ harkens to a time when only men who owned land ‘free’ of debt were qualified to serve in the role. For all intents and purposes, this excluded every demographic of American, with the exception of white men, from serving as representatives of county government. That name will now be a part of history, as opposed to a present-day title of distinction. New Jersey is known for being one of the more progressive states in the county, but prior to this new law, ironically, New Jersey was the only state in the nation still using the term.”

Commissioner Rufus Johnson, who was elected to the board in 2008, is the longest serving male African-American freeholder in the history of New Jersey. As a tribute for his service, he was invited on stage adjacent to Gov. Murphy when he signed the bill into law on Aug. 21.

“For too long, the African American community has felt marginalized both politically and socio-economically,” Johnson said. “The term freeholder, from its origin, excluded us from taking part as representatives in county government. The name change was necessary and – with the current state of affairs in our county – timely, and I am honored to be a part of this historic occasion.”

Board Vice President Wayne Richardson also offered high praise for the new state law.

“When we take the term freeholder and put it into historical context, we are reminded of our country’s legacy of systemic exclusion and oppression,” Richardson said. “Changing the name was necessary, especially in these current times, but more necessary is the need to continue working towards fair and equal treatment for all citizens.”

Board President Brendan Gill said the move is “long overdue.” But it might take a little bit for the change to happen across the county, he added.

“From a communication and technology standpoint, we cannot completely get rid of the term overnight,” Gill said. “As a start, we have already changed the name on our social media outlets, and we will examine different ways to inform the public of the name change as we transition over the course of the next few months.”

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