BLONNIE R. WATSON, Freeholder President, of Newark was elected to her first term as a Freeholder At-Large in 1996, and was re-elected in 1999, 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2011.  She served as Freeholder Vice President  for the seventh consecutive year, which distinguishes her as one of only two African-American woman to currently lead a freeholder board in the State of New Jersey. Freeholder Watson is President of the High Park Gardens Cooperative Corporation in Newark, President and Founding Member of the New Jersey Federation of Housing Cooperatives, and a former Board member of the National Association of Housing Cooperatives.  She is a housing consultant, a retired U. S. Postal Service executive, a former Commissioner on the Zoning Board of Adjustment for the City of Newark and former Essex County Democratic County Committee Chair for Newark’s Central Ward.  She is a member of the National Congress of Black Women and the Newark Housing Authority’s Dr. MLK Blvd. Stakeholders Committee.  Freeholder Watson has received numerous awards and recognition for her public and community service and has been named twice in the Congressional Record by Congressman Peter Rodino and Congressman Albio Sires.