The Island Giants Exhibit at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo opened on Wednesday, September 20. The new exhibit space includes natural habitatthemed spaces for the alligators and Komodo Dragons. In addition, it was dedicated in honor of Essex County Commissioner and Livingston resident Patricia Sebold, who has served on the Board of Commissioners for over 30 years and has been a member of the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund since it formed in 1998.“The new exhibit enables us to provide more indoor and outdoordragons and create a more dynamic year-round experience for our visitors to see the animals. This is part of our ongoing initiative to continually enhance accommoda- (Continued from Page A-1) meet new animal care standards and provide our visitors unique learning opportunities,” county executive Joseph DiVincenzo said. “I want to make sure that the people who have given so much to Essex County are recognized for their contributions. Pat is deserving of this honor because of the solid representation she has given to the people of Essex County as a Commissioner and Advisory Board member. It’s fitting that we name an exhibit at Turtle Back after Pat because of her longtime support to the Zoo and our parks,” he added.Sebold’s 30-year tenure on the Board of Commissioners makes her one of the longest serving Freeholders/ Commissioners. She also has served as the Commissioner’s representative on the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund Advisory Board since its creation in 1998.“I have always been fond of Turtle Back Zoo. Look at what it has become today. I was overwhelmed when Joe said he was naming the exhibit after me at the groundbreaking and I am still overwhelmed today. I can’t thank you enough,” Sebold said. “My family came to this country committed to making a better society. I followed in their footsteps.”“The zoo is here because of the County Executive and Pat. This is a well-deserved honor and we are happy you now have your own island,” Livingston Mayor Michael Vieira said, joking about the name of the exhibit.“Pat Sebold has an extraordinary public service career that spans over three decades. She has always committedherself to the community and her constituents. And Pat always has stood up for preserving open space and supporting environmental issues,” NJ Senate Majority Leader and Deputy Chief of Staff Teresa Ruiz said.“Because of Pat’s efforts, Turtle Back Zoo was ...
