9/11 widow now officially running Jersey's lottery business

Aug 22, 2003, 3:54 am (Post a comment)

New Jersey Lottery

When Virginia Bauer first emerged into public view it was during the black days that followed Sept. 11 when the World Trade Center widow became a vigorous advocate for the victims' families.

At the time, the mother of three from Rumson was grief stricken over the loss of her husband of 21 years, David, but somehow summoned the strength to become a leader in the effort to get federal tax relief for survivors. She traveled to Washington where she testified before Congress; she met with President Bush.

Twenty-three months later, Bauer, 47, was sworn in yesterday by Gov. James E. McGreevey as the new executive director of the New Jersey Lottery, a position she has held in an acting capacity for four months. The job pays $103,000 annually.

"I am certainly interested and I will certainly be happy to support anything I can help with," Bauer said following the ceremony when asked if she would continue as an advocate for Sept. 11 families, "but to be frank, I did not want to live the rest of my life known as a 9/11 widow. That is certainly not who I am and certainly not what my husband would want to see for me. He would say go on with your life."

Holding back tears as she addressed lottery officials and employees, Bauer thanked her children, David, 18, Stephen, 16, and Jackie, 14, for helping her "weather the storm" and told them, "I am proud of your courage and character." Her mother Ginny Samaras of Middletown and her mother- and father-in-law Dorothy and Wally Bauer of Red Bank also witnessed he swearing-in ceremony.

McGreevey described Bauer as an exceptionally talented individual, a professional with a high degree of commitment to excellence and an outstanding person.

"She became for New Jersey a public face of wives, children and husbands and through great adversity focused on helping others, reaching out to others in dire pain to try to help rebuild their lives as she rebuilt hers," the governor said.

Bauer was a financial planning and account management executive with Merrill Lynch in Westfield when she left in 1986 to raise her children. She also has served as a board member of Family and Children's Services, the largest social service agency in Monmouth County.

Bauer said she was attempting to return to the work force and had applied for a position with the state Treasury Department when she was offered the lottery post, a job that usually goes to a political loyalist. "I think my strength is that I know who I am. I do not pretend to be something I am not.," she said "I just want to be the best I am. I delegate well, I am analytical and I have a clear idea of what needs to be prioritized."

The lottery, the fourth largest revenue producer for the state treasury, is attempting to equal the success of last year when a record $2 billion in ticket sales brought in $750 million for education and social services.

Bauer said the lottery will be introducing new terminal and instant games in the next year in an effort to hold the public's interest. "We are constantly looking for ways to improve efficiency and entertain as well as find ways to produce revenue for the state." she said.

The new lottery director replaces Carol Hedinger of Toms River, who held the job from March 2002 until April.

Star-Ledger

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