MOUNT OLIVE (11/8/06) - One had the feeling of swift movement at the new Mayor David Scapicchio’s swearing in ceremony today in the municipal building.

Many of the more than 150 family, friends, town employees, officials and volunteers who worked in his campaign who braved the on-going torrential downpour to be there had to run from the parking lot.

He promised again and again in his campaign he would "hit the ground running" if elected and he was doing just that. Within 16 hours of learning he had been elected mayor he was sworn to the office by U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Christopher Christie.

Then, after a short repast with the guests he was ready to take charge. Before he left the municipal building he attended to many details in preparation for his first full day of work tomorrow.

Councilman Steve Rattner did the Master of Ceremonies honors introducing and congratulating Congressmen Rodney Frelinghuysen and Guy Greg on their re-election, current council members Colleen Labow, Jim Buell, Ray Perkins, John Biondi, Russ Tepper and former Mayor Paul Licitra and former Councilmen Larry Brown, Bill Sohl and Dick Heymann, among others.

Rattner then introduced Christie who reviewed his 30 year personal friendship with the new mayor. "Most people believe our friendship started when we ran on a freeholder ticket in 1994 but it went back much further than that," Christie said, "when we were in high school he dated my cousin and took her to their senior prom.

"So I know Dave Scapicchio well," he said, "and I can say he is an elected official who sets an example that the public trust is for public service and not for self service."

He said what happened here is a living example of how people can make a change in the way things are. "I travel all over the state," he said "and I can tell you no prosecutor, no single person can fix problems unless enough people care to get involved and say ‘enough. we’ll take charge’ and that’s what happened here.

"Determined people can change their government and David is a beacon of hope for that. We need more people like David who can inspire people to take back their government. He is the embodiment of everything I’ve talked about as I have been going around this state for the four and a half years I’ve been in this office."

Scapicchio acknowledged and thanked the crowd for coming and all of the volunteers who had helped him, in particular Brian Siegelwax, who designed his web site, Phil Tobey, who he said was his "ground guy," Bill Sohl, who advised him and Betty Cutter, who he called "the drill sergeant." She was the one who kept me moving," he said.

He said he takes this office "very seriously" and promised there would be no more contention between his administration and the members of the town council and that he would work hard to restore civility in the government.

He also told town employees that he would support their efforts and that there would be no interference with their work and no reprisals for their speaking out. "I have an open door policy starting now, he said, even if we don’t agree on issues we can still work together for the good of the township.

He also announced he would appoint John Mania, his Democratic opponent in the election, to the Planning Board where he had served for 25 years.