Quinn Would Be 'Honored' To Be Picked To Fill A Freeholder Vacancy

by Patricia A. Miller

For the first time in 23 years, there is one, possibly two vacancies on the Ocean County Board of Freeholders.

And longtime Lacey Township Committeman Gary Quinn would like to fill one of them. But that’s up to the Ocean County Republican Committee, which will meet on Jan. 26 to select a replacement for James F. Lacey, who resigned at the end of 2015.

Quinn says he expects that former state Lottery Director Virginia Haines will be appointed to fill Lacey’s spot. There may be another vacancy on the all-Republican board, if Freeholder John P. Kelly is eventually given a $100,000 patronage job on the state Parole Board.

“I hope I would have the opportunity to do it,” he said. “I’d be very honored to reach that level.”

That depends on whether the state Legislature approves Kelly’s appointment. Gov. Chris Christie nominated him for the position late last year. But State Sen. Raymond Lesniak, D-Union, a member of the Judiciary Committee, stalled the confirmation hearing on Monday long enough for the Legislature’s session to run out.

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.

“The seat is really in limbo now,” Quinn said.

Quinn said he would not challenge Kelly in a race for the freeholder seat if Kelly is not appointed to the state Parole Board and remains on the freeholder board.

“I would never do that,” he said. “You wait for your opportunity. I would always support the incumbent.”