Corodemus' shoes will be difficult to fill

Monmouth County and the people of New Jersey lost a true leader with the retirement of Assemblyman Steven J. Corodemus. Steve practiced his political trade in the same fashion he practiced everything in life - with honesty, compassion, deliberate thought and sincerity.

Being a public servant is much different from being a politician. Steve was the definition of a public servant. His departure was a significant loss to the working families of Monmouth County who look to the people they elect for leadership and clean government. When I took the job of being Steve's re-election campaign manager in 2005, I was fortunate enough to get to know the man that Monmouth County has known for 19 years. He did not disappoint, he always showed the true characteristics of what government was intended to accomplish, and that is to serve the people. He did so as a gentleman and with humility.

I have known Steve as a boss and close friend. His shoes will be hard to fill by his successor. A task all of us in Monmouth County will be closely watching and hoping for someone to continue in legacy.

The words of Winston Churchill still apply today when he said, "Seldom in the history of this Commonwealth has so much been owed by so many to so few," when thinking about the efforts and career of Assemblyman Steven J. Corodemus.

Paul D. Craney

2005 re-election campaign director and legislative aide

Fair Haven