Will Czech be county's top gun? Administrator post comes with six-figure salary BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer Will Middletown Township Administrator Robert M. Czech be named the county's new top employee? "Not yet," Freeholder Rob Clifton said on Monday, adding a resolution on the matter of choosing a new county administrator is scheduled for a vote this Thursday. Current County Administrator Louis Paparozzi announced his retirement six months ago. After five years in the position, Paparozzi earns $170,000 and manages more than 3,000 employees. One of 18 individuals interviewed for the job, Czech is "an amazing candidate," according to Clifton. "He's run not only a large municipality like Middletown but he's an attorney," Clifton said. "He's done labor law and … I believe he taught public administration classes." A staple at town hall, Czech has been Middletown's administrator for more than seven years. On Monday, Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger commented on the possible changing of the guard. "Its frustrating not knowing what's happening," Scharfenberger said. "I've been hearing the same rumors as everyone else has. As far as I know, he hasn't been made an official offer." Scharfenberger said an interim administrator would most likely not be necessary if Czech were to leave for the county post. "I've thought it over how we would approach it, " the mayor said. "One thing has to happen before we can proceed to the next step ... I would hope there would be some overlap." Scharfenberger has been on the committee for the past three years. During that time, he's grown to respect Czech for a job well done. "In all honesty, he's phenomenal," Scharfenberger, said of Czech. "He's been a tremendous advocate for the taxpayers, watching every inch of the township budget. He'll be missed if he leaves. He was great to work with." Clifton said there was no way to be absolutely sure of the hire until after press time. Czech declined to comment. "He's absolutely being considered," Clifton said.