Retiring Senator Kip Bateman feted by Hunterdon commissioners

Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners Director John E. Lanza pointed to Sen. Kip Bateman’s leadership in gaining enactment of the anti-hazing law, named for the late Timothy Piazza of Readington Township, as one of his major legislative achievements, when the commissioners recognized and lauded the retiring senator’s long public service career.
The recognition came during the board’s reorganization meeting on Jan. 4.
Lanza, in presenting a proclamation honoring the senator, stated, “Kip Bateman has been a great friend of Hunterdon County. He has been a fighter to preserve the environment and, over the course of his long service, has earned the respect of both his Republican and Democratic colleagues in the legislature.”
The proclamation said that in addition to the Timothy Piazza law, Bateman had sponsored laws that supported the environment and clean water, provided funding for the preservation of open space and farmland throughout the state, and reduced auto insurance premium costs.
Bateman has represented the people of Raritan Township, Readington, Flemington, Delaware Township and Stockton, as senator in District 16, since 2012. Bateman said he was humbled by the recognition from the Board of Commissioners and stated, “One of our proudest achievements for Hunterdon County was stopping the PennEast pipeline and protecting farms and property owners rights.”

The senator’s commitment to many nonprofit organizations and causes, including the Special Olympics of New Jersey, the United Way Board of Trustees, the Wellness Community Board of Trustees and the Washington Campgrounds Association, was also recognized.
The board’s proclamation noted that the senator “served the public with great devotion, integrity, and honor in local, county, and state elected offices for nearly four decades.”
Bateman’s career in elected service began when he was elected to the Branchburg Township Committee in 1982, serving as mayor in 1986. He was elected to the Somerset County Freeholder Board in 1987, serving as Director in 1992.
Bateman was elected to the State Assembly in 1993, serving there until the voters selected him as senator in 2007. Following the 2011 legislative redistricting, Bateman began representing the five Hunterdon County municipalities. His final day in office as senator was the morning of Jan. 11.
The Hunterdon County Board particularly recognized Bateman’s six years as a Somerset County Freeholder, calling his county-level service “experience which we believe served to provide him with exceptional insight and understanding in aid of his public service career.”

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