Tobin Bids Farewell to Life as Elected Official

The grass will never grow under Tracy Tobin’s feet.

And for residents of Washington Township, that’s a good thing.

The seemingly omnipotent volunteer parted ways with one of his biggest joys in December, taking part in his final Washington Township Committee meeting.

The four-time mayor began serving as a public official in 1976, joining the planning board, then running for election on the Township Committee.

Tobin and his family moved to Long Valley 40 years ago and have remained in the same home since. During that time, he’s served in just about every volunteer capacity possible in Washington Township.

The committeeman resigned his post in 2009 to be with his son, who later died of brain cancer. After some time off, Tobin beat Chris Henwood in the 2011 June Republican Primary election, then Democrat Joseph Keyes in the General Election for a three-year seat on the committee.

Tobin chose not to run for re-election in 2014, and will be replaced by newcomer Matt Murello. But he’s not done working.

The senior citizen said he’ll be looking to volunteer with a variety of organizations in town, including the library’s board of trustees. The library, in fact, is one of Tobin’s biggest admitted accomplishments. He was on the committee and pushed for the town to turn the private organization into a public one and associate with the township.

But looking back, Tobin feels it’s the right time to go.
“I feel pretty good about (not running for re-election),” Tobin said before his final meeting. “I’m slightly melancholy, but I think it’s the right decision.”

His elected colleagues had plenty to say about their experience working with Tobin over the years.

“I never realized the depth of understanding Tracy had of the town,” said Committeeman James LiaBraaten, currently in is second term on the governing body. “The height of that came during (Hurricane) Sandy. He knew where everything was, and knew what to do. I felt great working with him.

“Thank you,” LiaBraaten said. “You’ll always be a friend.”

Vice Mayor Bill Roehrich’s experience with Tobin went back decades, when the then-young elected official was asked to speak with Roehrich’s farming father about possibly donating land at the intersection of Schooley’s Mountain and Newburgh Roads because of traffic issues.

The meeting – a first for Tobin and the farmer – didn’t go over well, but it cemented the committeeman’s place as someone willing to work for the town. It was also a meeting the younger Roehrich hasn’t forgotten nearly 40 years later.
“Hat’s off to you, Tracy,” Roehrich said. “It’s been a great run.”

Making some final remarks, Tobin didn’t reflect on the meetings, interviews, crises he’s been part of in the last 38 years. He reflected on the committee itself.

“This is the purest form of government you can have in the United States,” Tobin said to the committee and about 30 residents in attendance. “We’re always available, always out in public. We’ve had some interesting debates over the years. You’re well served. It’s been an experience, and I wouldn’t trade it in. Thanks for the memories.”

A more formal goodbye for Tobin is scheduled as part of the annual reorganization meeting at the Washington Township Municipal Building, scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3.