Eight GOP Officials Interested In Filling Freeholder Vacancy

Although former New Jersey Lottery Director Virginia “Ginny” Haines is the likely choice to replace James F. Lacey on the Ocean County Board of Freeholders, seven other officials in Ocean County want to be considered for the seat, according to app.com.

Ocean County Republican Chairman George R. Gilmore said they include Berkeley Township Councilmen James J. Byrnes and John Bacchione, Lacey Township Committeeman Gary Quinn, Little Egg Harbor Committeeman Ray Gormley, Seaside Park Mayor Robert W. Matthies, Bonnie Peterson, municipal prosecutor in Seaside Park, Ship Bottom and Harvey Cedars; and Justin Flancbaum, who is the executive director of the Lakewood Township Municipal Utilities Authority.

Haines, 69, a former New Jersey assemblywoman who later served as state lottery director in Gov. Christie Todd Whitman’s administration in the 1990s, is from Toms River. If appointed, she would be the first woman to serve on the county board since 1979.

Members of the Ocean County Republican Committee will meet at 6 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Toms River Hotel in Toms River to select Lacey’s replacment.

Gov. Chris Christie nominated Freeholder John P. Kelly for a $100,000 patronage job on the state Parole Board. Lesniak has said he opposes adding any new members to the Parole Board until the legislature addresses criminal justice reform in the state.

He also has said that Kelly, 64, lacks the education and professional background to serve on the board. Kelly contends his years as liaison to the county’s law and public safety departments qualify him for the parole board appointment.

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Photo credit: Ocean County Government website.