MORRIS COUNTY — Legislation sponsored by Senators Joe Pennacchio and Anthony Bucco to pay tribute to former Morris Plains Mayor and Morris County Freeholder Frank Druetzler for his 38 years of laudable public service, by ceremoniously renaming a local rail station in his honor, has passed the Senate Transportation Committee.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Frank for more than 20 years,” Pennacchio said. “Frank is a pillar of the community, and his numerous accomplishments in Morris Plains are a testament to his hard work. He always put people before politics. Renaming the train station in Frank’s honor is a fitting way to pay tribute to his legacy.”
Pennacchio and Bucco’s bill, S-3449, would ceremoniously designate the Morris Plains rail station as the “Frank J. Druetzler Station – Morris Plains, New Jersey.”
Druetzler, a Morris County native, began his distinguished career in civil service as a member of the Morris Plains Borough Council. In 1986, Druetzler was elected Mayor of Morris Plains and later to the Morris County Freeholder Board.
Druetzler also served as councilman for six years, freeholder for 15 years, and mayor for 32 years.
His achievements include initiating a Memorial Day parade, “Family Day,” the town bonfire, and “Uncle Frank’s Fishing Contest.” Under his leadership, Morris Plains opened a Community Center, a borough museum, and erected the Morris Plains September 11, 2001 memorial. As Freeholder, he pushed and succeeded in preserving open space, building a new county library as well as a new county jail.
“Frank always puts everyone else before himself – he is the epitome of a selfless community servant,” Bucco said. “His success and popularity throughout Morris Plains and Morris County speak volumes. Renaming the station is a meaningful way to recognize the wonderful and historical impact he made on behalf of our residents.”
