Lacey Honors Outgoing Sen. Christopher Connors

LACEY, NJ — Recognizing his 33 years in State Legislature, the Lacey Township Committee honored Sen. Christopher Connors in the town where his political career began.

Connors, first elected to the Lacey Township Committee in 1984 and later serving as its mayor, announced earlier this year that he would not be seeking re-election. Come 2024, the 9th Legislative District will be represented by the mayor of Berkeley Township, Carmen Amato. Read more: 'The Best Mayor': Berkeley Community Says Farewell To Amato

"The Township of Lacey and its residents are fortunate to have state Sen. Connors to serve as their senator and his presence in the State Legislature will be greatly missed," Mayor Tim McDonald read from a resolution honoring Connors, who also serves as the township attorney.

Now, Connors will spend time doing what he enjoys, including being with his three grandchildren, the resolution read.

"I felt like it was time to pump the brakes a little bit," Connors said of his retirement. "Spend a little bit more time with family and friends here in the town that I love very, very much."

The Township Committee thanked Connors, as did Township Clerk Veronica Laureigh, who said she could blame Connors for her getting involved in the business when she was 16 and he served on the committee.

"Without his guidance and his help, I wouldn't be where I am today," Laureigh said.

"Whenever you see him, he's always got a smile on his face," McDonald said.

McDonald recalled a League of Municipalities cocktail party where he was speaking to a Democratic senator and told him he was from Lacey. The senator remarked that was Connors' territory and said, "we miss him already," McDonald said.

"That's the best compliment you can get," McDonald said.