Ramsey
March 28, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 3
Venturini succeeds Adams as OEM coordinator
do it. I watched Mike very closely for many years,” Venturini told Villadom TIMES. Adams and Venturini were both involved in several of the same local organizations, including the Ramsey Knights of Columbus; Ramsey Rescue, where Venturini was a riding member from 2006-09; and Ramsey Boy Scout Troop 31, where Venturini’s son is now an Eagle Scout candidate. The new coordinator grew up in Paramus and has resided in Ramsey since 1996. He is a 1983 graduate of William Paterson College (now William Paterson University). In 2004, he joined the Ramsey OEM, where he later became senior planner. At the same time, he began serving as leader of the Ramsey Community Emergency Response Team and as emergency coordinator at the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission in Lyndhurst, where he has been employed full-time for 26 years. He is currently the commission’s deputy director of land use management. Venturini is a licensed construction code official and (continued on page 6)
Lauren, Sophia, Ralph, and Elisa Venturini, Deirdre Dillon, and Council President Vanessa Jachzel. (Photo courtesy of Steve Goeller/Ramsey OEM.)
Ralph Venturini has been sworn in as coordinator of the Ramsey Office of Emergency Management. Ramsey Public Safety Chairwoman Deirdre Dillon administered the oath of office on March 14, as Venturini’s wife Elisa held the Bible, and the Venturinis’ daughters Lauren, 13, and Sophia, 8, looked on. The Venturinis 15year-old son Nicholas was unable to attend. Venturini succeeds long-time Ramsey OEM Coordinator Mike Adams, who died last month. Venturini acknowledged that the ceremony was a bittersweet event, noting
that Adams had been Ramsey’s coordinator for over 40 years and built the Ramsey OEM into what it is today. The new coordinator thanked Ramsey Mayor Christopher Botta and the governing body for their support, and acknowledged the large number of OEM members who were present. In a subsequent interview, Venturini said Mike Adams had left big shoes to fill. The new coordinator said Adams had been a mentor to him. “When I was asked to take the position, I knew I could