Democratic leaders in Camden County have nominated a
construction union official from Berlin Township to fill an open seat on the
board of chosen freeholders.
Jonathan L. Young Sr., 45, has been nominated to replace
Scot McCray, who resigned from the board in late December, citing a desire to
spend more time with his family.
Young is currently a business representative and
executive board member for the Edison-based Northeast Regional Council of
Carpenters.
He also teaches carpentry and construction math as well
as a pre-apprenticeship program at the American Community Partnership in Camden
and serves on the apprentice committee for Carpenters Union Local 1578.
"I'm a blue collar guy, it just has that blue collar
feel to it," said Young during a phone interview of the county he has
called home for the past 22 years.
"It's just a good place to live."
Young and his wife, Melissa, have lived in the township
for six years and have two boys: Jonathan Jr., 18, and Andrew, 14. His family
had lived in Lindenwold before that.
"I enjoy working with our youth," said Young,
who served as the Lindenwold Baseball Association President between 2006 and
2013.
"If we can't get them on the straight and narrow,
it's a lost cause...Children need careers."
Although his potential freshman role on the freeholder
board is yet to be determined, Young says ongoing economic growth and
turnaround in Camden and overall jobs creation is a priority.
"If we don't have a good, trained work force, we're
destined to fail."
Young touts his 20-year carpentry career working in South
Jersey and role in training aspiring workers in helping to create that
workforce.
"If you're willing to work and you're willing to
make a change in your life, you're our kind of guy."
Young also serves on the New Jersey Black Legislative
Caucus Labor Advisory Panel, Camden County Workforce Investment Board, Camden
County Municipal Utilities Authority and the Cumberland County Economic
Steering Committee.
Party officials from towns throughout the county are set
to vote on Young's nomination this Saturday.
Although Young has never run for public office, he's
excited for the opportunity.
"I'm up for the challenge," said Young.
Source: NJ.com
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