A groundbreaking journey in Middlesex
Scott excited to take service to next level as freeholder
BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer
For Millie Scott, attending the inauguration of President Barack Obama was the thrill of a lifetime.

Millie Scott

It held special significance for Scott, who recently became the first African American to serve on the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, after being elected the same day as Obama.

"When I think of an African American president, I get a chill just thinking about it, and being the first African American freeholder makes it doubly so," Scott said.

The longtime public servant made the trek from her home in Piscataway to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20 with her son Ivan, 40, to watch history in the making. She said she was overcome by the beauty and symbolism of the diversity she saw in the hordes of Americans who joined her there.

"It was really awesome," Scott said. "It was cold, but when he came out, you didn't feel the cold."

The moment was a long way from the time when Scott had first experienced racism, at the age of 11. On a family trip to Virginia, her father returned to the car after stepping into a restaurant where the Scotts had planned to eat. The color of their skin made them unwelcome there, Scott said.

Later, the family headed to the beach to find it sectioned off to separate white and "colored" people, she said.

Growing up in Perth Amboy, there was a level of tolerance that had not made its way to other parts of the country, she said.

"You knew your friend was white and you were black, but you didn't see color," Scott said.

Scott's late father, Harold, was president of the Perth Amboy Democratic Club, and she would often tag along with him as he made his way around town urging residents to become registered voters, she said.

As Scott grew older, she took on her first leadership role as president of her high school's senior class.

"I never thought I would go into politics," Scott said. "My love at the time was law enforcement."

That love led her into a 28-year career in the field, which began with a significant achievement. In 1968, the only women in law enforcement were court attendants, Scott recalled. She and classmate Eleanor Zimmer changed that, becoming the first women in Middlesex County to graduate from the police academy, she said.

While Scott's race may have been an issue for some at that time, she said the only obstacles she encountered while moving through the ranks had more to do with her gender. Still, she surmounted them, eventually gaining the title of chief sheriff's officer, before retiring in 1995.

During her career, Scott and her husband Richard moved to Piscataway and raised three children, Chanelle, Cheryl and Ivan. They also now have seven grandchildren.

But retirement did not translate to rest and relaxation for Scott. Instead, she was soon called upon by Piscataway's Democratic organization to fill a seat on the Township Council. Having served her community in various leadership roles over the years, taking on the duties of a councilwoman seemed like another opportunity to give something back to her town, she said. After a 12-year stint on the council, Scott decided to take her political involvement to a higher level.

Running alongside the late, veteran Freeholder Director David B. Crabiel, Scott emerged victorious from county polls Nov. 4.

Now, sworn in and designated public safety chairwoman on the freeholder board, Scott is settling into her new role.

"My background was law enforcement, so it was a good fit for me," Scott said.

She has spent the last couple of weeks visiting every department under her authority in order to further familiarize herself with their operations, so that she can ultimately seek out ways to help them run as efficiently as possible, she said.

According to Scott, nearly three decades in the field of law enforcement and a dozen years as a councilwoman have equipped her with valuable experience that she can bring to her role as a county freeholder.

"Everything can always be a little bit better," Scott said.

Like Obama, Scott emphasized the role of citizens in making the county, and country, a better place. She stressed the importance of people volunteering and getting involved in their town, county and state in order to make their voices heard and to help provide stronger leadership.

"I think we need to do that on the community level, or we're all going to fall by the wayside," Scott said.

Overall, Scott expressed optimism as she looks toward the future.

"I think Obama has been building a lot of strength and hope," Scott said. "If anyone is going to pull us all together, I think he's the one to really do it. Here is a man that seems like he can unify so many people."