January 26, 2006 – Ocean County Observer
Ocean freeholders okay benefits for Laurel Hester

Ocean freeholders okay benefits for Laurel Hester
Ocean County Observer
January 26, 2006
                  
By Don Bennett
TOMS RIVER - It is so important for me to thank you all, cancer-ravaged Laurel Hester told Ocean County's freeholders yesterday, as they voted to extend her pension benefits to her domestic partner, Stacie Andree.

The freeholders, who for months refused to invoke the state's Domestic Partnership Act and allow Andree to get Hester's benefits when she died, stood and applauded the woman who worked in the closet for 24 years as a detective in the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

This is one of the two or three happiest days of my life, said a weeping Steven Goldstein, chairman of Garden State Equality of yesterday's reversal by the freeholders.

You have made yourselves an example of what democracy is all about, said Hester, who defied the advice of her friends and her medical team to be on hand.

Andree pushed her into the county Administration Building in a wheelchair, her mouth shrouded by a mask to keep away germs that could thrive in her weakened immune system.

She was gaunt, bald and breathing with the help of an oxygen tank.

I didn't intend for this to happen. People like Stacie and I are just average people, Hester insisted.

Freeholder Director Gerry P. Little called her a dedicated`...`valued employee, who had been in his prayers, and those of the Lutheran congregation of which he is a member, for months.

He spelled out the political epiphany that saw the freeholders extend pension benefits to all the employees in the Police and Firemen's Pension System.
001 . 0008.04Because time is of the essence, for Hester, the freeholders dropped their opposition to extending her benefits to Andree.
Sen. Andrew Ciesla, R-Ocean, is having legislation drafted to eliminate a quirk in the state pension systems that will allow members of the police and fire system to pass on their pension benefits to whomever they designate.

Gov. Jon S. Corzine, a Democrat, called Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari to say he supports that legislation and will sign it if it gets to his desk.
Vicari called Corzine's office after yesterday's meeting to tell him what happened.

He's committed to changing the law, Vicari reported.

Goldstein, who helped run Corzine's successful bid for the U.S. Senate, said he never met tougher adversaries than the all-Republican freeholders.
I'm ecstatic - grateful to all the people who made this happen, Hester said, singling out Andree, Goldstein and her former partner in the Prosecutor's Office, Dane Wells of Jackson.

Andree said the change of position by the freeholders will allow her to keep the Point Pleasant home she and Hester own, the one where Hester designed the renovations and Andree did the work to carry out the plan.

The refusal by the freeholders to extend the benefits to Hester and other law enforcement professionals they employ led to a series of demonstrations.
Goldstein said he left the last board meeting feeling defeated.

Two days later he learned that a political summit among the county's GOP leaders produced the agreement to fix the state law with Ciesla's amendment and, in the short term, extend pension benefits through the Domestic Partnership Act.

Corzine's call helped seal the deal, Vicari said.

Little thanked the governor for his help.

It was very difficult for me, Vicari said, to see Hester failing each time she came to a meeting.

We're doing the right thing, he insisted.

Corzine had a deep concern to get this done, he said, offering the resolution that extended the pension benefits.

I believe this will pass, and Corzine will sign the law, he said of the Ciesla initiative.

And Laurel Hester and her friends will be there, when that happens, he said.

Actions speak louder than words. I'm ready to vote, said Freeholder James F. Lacey.

Freeholder John C. Bartlett Jr. said he was too, now that a way had been found to fix the differences in the pension system.

This is real legislation, real support, he said.

Extending the benefits to Hester immediately will allow her to take advantage of the way the law should be, he added.
At 4:01 p.m. yesterday the applause began from Hester's supporters as the freeholders voted to change their minds.
Freeholder John P. Kelly was not there. He was on a previously planned vacation.

Wells thanked the freeholders for showing New Jersey Ocean County has compassion at its core. Democracy is not easy.

Hester and Andree are two true American heroes, Wells said.

You really listened. You did open up your hearts, Goldstein added.

By extending a lifeline to Laurel Hester, you outstretched your hand to the gay and lesbian community, he said.

Many of our parents hate us. If you reject Laurel, we all take it personally. Today you made us feel accepted. I love you guys and I hope not to see you soon.

Hester is an icon for our community, said Joan Hervey, vice chair of Garden State Equality.

The switch in stands by the freeholders helped stimulate more than 54,000 hits on Hester's name on the Google search engine on the Internet, she said.

This will have a tremendous impact on other communities and a ripple effect around the country, she said.