'Fed Up' Republicans to Continue Efforts Against GOP Incumbents

Driving around Lacey during election season, motorists could see a myriad of political signs, including some for a new organization: Republicans Against Most (R.A.M.).

The local effort was an effort to remove incumbent Republican Committeeman David Most from the governing body. Although , member David Groemm thinks R.A.M. left its mark.

“I think it’s starting to open up some people’s eyes,” Groemm said. “Registered republicans are fed up. Maybe they won’t just vote Republican. The town has always been Republican. It needs a change.”

At the Nov. 10 committee meeting, Mayor Gary Quinn said the R.A.M. signs were not “anticipated but were dealt with.

“I’m disappointed that what happened had to occur during the election. I certainly think we reached a new low in politics here in Lacey Township,” said Quinn, a Republican. “I’m glad to see that’s over with.”

But it’s not over. The group plans to continue its efforts prior to next year’s election with a campaign that may be called R.A.G. (Republicans Against Gary), Groemm said. Quinn will be up for re-election.

“If they choose to continue, there’s nothing I could do about it nor is it something I will show concern about,” Quinn said. Lacey residents have showed their support and the township committee is “on the right track,” he said.

Holly Martin, president of the Lacey Republicans Club, said the GOP organization will focus on its message in the face of opposition efforts.

"We handled it this time around just by going on with our campaign. Obviously the voters believed in us. In the future, we’ll have to see what happens. Right now the voters have spoken. We have a strong club and we’re going to focus on what they’ve done and what they’re going to do in the future. We’ll keep our campaign focus on the positive," Martin said.

Groemm got involved after having some personal issues with Quinn and “his entourage.” He contends the township has allowed zoning violations, including a disruption to his father's property line.

Groemm’s father has approximately 12 acres west of the Garden State Parkway, adjoining Lacey Sand and Gravel, which crossed property lines while working on the property, he charges.

“The governing body sent an engineer out there, did an investigation and checked with the Pinelands. There were no violations out there,” Quinn said. “Unfortunately the way [Groemm’s] dealing with it is to try and get rid of committee members.”

But the mind behind R.A.M. is former recreation director John Kilmurray. The campaign signs identified R.A.M. as Kilmurray and “his army.”

Kilmurray retired in 2010 after Quinn proposed to reduce his position to part-time to save the township money during difficult economic times, he said. His salary would have been cut from $106,000 at full-time to $50,000 annually for 17 hours a week.

While Most supported the idea, former Committeeman John Parker was opposed, noting Kilmurray’s 26 years of service to the township. Once Parker was voted out of office, Kilmurray chose to leave, Quinn said.

“He has his opinion. Freedom of speech exists and he’s entitled to his opinion,” Quinn said at the committee meeting. “But I still look back at it now, the plan that I proposed, and I think Dave took most of the heat for it but I still think it was the right way for the township to go.”

Kilmurray could not comment, citing potential litigation between him and the township. However, Quinn is unaware of any litigation between Kilmurray and the township, he said.

“Most is the spark that started the plan [for the campaign], Groemm said. “He’s the root who jumped on board.”

But Most said he wouldn't change a thing. "If I were to make that decision all over again, hell yeah I would. On behalf of the taxpayer, it was the right thing to do."

Having incumbents retain committee seats maintains a “status quo” in Lacey Township, Groemm said.

“There’s a network in town,” he said. “Quinn and his regime are in there for their own personal agenda. Quinn and the puppets and [George] Gilmore just railroad residents whether they’re right or wrong…. The township is very corrupt.”

Quinn challenged those who want to blame him to run in the election next year.

“It’s tough being on this committee because every time you make a decision, you get somebody upset. It’s not something that’s ever going to change, and you’re always going to have people that take shots at you,” he said. “I think it’s very important for people to realize that we did what we believe was the right thing to do and to this day, I still believe it.”