TOMS RIVER – The Ocean County Board of Commissioners concluded their final meeting of 2024 honoring three officials whose contributions will not continue into the new year. The meeting celebrated their work while also setting the stage for political shifts and changes in county leadership in 2025.
Clerk Retires Early
Although his third term in office wasn’t set to expire until 2025, Ocean County Clerk Scott Colabella surprised a number of people with his decision to retire at the end of this year. A long-time resident of Barnegat Light, Colabella said he is ready to move to warmer weather.
“I firmly believe that you don’t have these offices for life,” Colabella said. “It’s not like me to leave before my term is fully over, but it just worked out with my house in Florida.”
Colabella began his career in the Clerk’s office as the assistant to then-Ocean County Clerk Dean Haines 32 years ago. He served as the Deputy Clerk to Carl Block when he was county clerk and was first elected to Ocean County Clerk in 2011. Previously, Colabella worked for Governor Tom Kean and served as Executive Director for the Ocean County Republican Organization for more than four years.
Outgoing Commissioner Gary Quinn stands with retiring clerk Scott Colabella. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Deputy Director Gary Quinn presented a proclamation to Colabella that acknowledged some of his accomplishments during his tenure. Colabella oversaw the processing of over one million land record documents, issuing over one million vote-by-mail ballots, and printing nearly 12 million sample ballots. His leadership also proved critical during Superstorm Sandy and the COVID-19 pandemic, both of which had unprecedented challenges.
Colabella described the resilience of residents after Sandy, noting, “People from the barrier islands had lost everything they owned and still wanted to ensure they could vote for president.”
Among those who came to acknowledge Colabella’s retirement were Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, Monmouth County Clerk Christine Hanlon, and Camden County Deputy County Clerk John Schmidt. Joe Vicari, who left the Commissioner board last year as its longest-serving member also offered congratulations.
“Scott is a very exceptional person, who set the standards for younger people starting out,” said Vicari. “He was respected because of what he did, because of his job and because of thinking of the future and new projects and getting people involved.”
A representative from Congressman Chris Smith’s office spoke at the meeting, announcing that Smith was on the floor of the House and planned to submit a statement honoring Colabella into the Congressional Record. This was followed by a presentation by State Senator Carmen Amato and Assemblyman Brian Rumpf who read Joint Legislative Resolutions on behalf of the 9th, 10th, 12th and 30th to all three members of the county government whose term ends this year.
Colabella joins an elite group of only 17 county clerks in Ocean County’s history and is one of three living former clerks, alongside Dean Haines and Carl Block.
Tributes To Crea, Quinn
Commissioner Virginia “Ginny” Haines led the tributes for outgoing Director Barbara “Bobbi” Jo Crea, praising her dedication to public service. Crea has been instrumental in creating the Ocean County Homelessness Trust Fund, which has provided critical funding for warming centers and transitional housing initiatives. She also assisted with the establishment of the Ocean County Opioid Advisory Council to address the opioid crisis and significantly expanded senior services.
In 2024 alone, the county delivered more than 233,000 meals to nearly 2,000 senior citizens, a program Crea championed. She was also credited with supporting protection of Ocean County’s environment, including its award-winning recycling program.
“I just can’t thank you enough for what you have done for the people of Ocean County, just with the Homelessness Trust Fund, what you’ve done with regards to the Meals on Wheels,” said Haines. “Just every single project that you took upon you did it with dedication, and you just never let up until you were able to get it done. That’s the one thing about you can say about Bobbi Jo Crea – is that she will continue to fight.”
Outgoing Commissioner Gary Quinn receives accolades for his work in county government. From left to right: Commissioner Virginia Haines, Senator Carmen Amato, Gary Quinn and Assemblyman Brian Rumpf. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Crea, who served multiple terms on Little Egg Harbor’s township committee and as their mayor expressed her honor to work with the county. She intends to continue her involvement in serving the community – particularly in senior services.
Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, who was also a former mayor of Little Egg Harbor, spoke highly of the woman he said he considered a personal friend.
“This is just transition into a different role,” said Rumpf. “Thank you for all you’ve done.”
Quinn, who has served on the Board of Commissioners since 2019, was also honored for his contributions. His work included overseeing the planning and construction of the new justice complex and social services building in Toms River. As a liaison to the Veterans Service Bureau, Quinn expanded programs for the county’s large veteran population. Vetwork Executive Director Tom Kiselow presented Quinn with an American flag and certificate, recognizing his dedication to the county’s 34,000 veterans.
He was instrumental in establishing a state-of-the-art law enforcement training facility in Little Egg Harbor Township, which was dedicated earlier this month.
“It is an amazing facility,” Haines remarked. “It will serve all of the police departments and others within the state who need a place for firearms training.”
Outgoing Commissioner Director Barbara “Bobbi” Jo Crea receives accolades for her term in county government. From left to right: Commissioner Virginia Haines, Senator Carmen Amato, Crea, and Assemblyman Brian Rumpf. (Photo by Stephanue Faughnan)
“Gary has done a lot for the people of Ocean County,” added Haines. “In every one of the departments that Gary worked with, including the prosecutor and the sheriff, we couldn’t have asked for a better person to be there… Gary was always there to talk about problems and come up with ways to handle things.”
Quinn, who previously served as mayor of Lacey Township and as a member of the Lacey Board of Education, reflected on his decision to step away from public office. While he may become locally involved, his main focus is on his family.
“The most important people in my life are my family,” Quinn said, expressing his appreciation to his wife Linda, children and grandchildren. “At this point in my life, it’s more important for me not to miss out on stuff. When it comes to my little grandkids, I’m looking forward to being able to be spending more time with them.”
The representative from Smith’s office also read commendations to both Crea and Quinn, acknowledging their work.
Political Shifts
Deputy County Clerk John Catalano, a former assemblyman, will oversee the Clerk’s Office until Governor Phil Murphy appoints a successor with Senate approval. The Clerk’s position is one of three constitutional offices in New Jersey, alongside the Sheriff and the Surrogate. While the replacement must be a Republican, the governor is under no obligation to fill the position immediately – or at all. If an appointment is made, the individual would serve until the results of the November 2025 election are finalized.
A similar situation occurred in December 2012 when Ocean County Sheriff William L. Polhemus passed away six weeks after winning re-election. Then-Governor Chris Christie opted not to appoint a new sheriff. Instead, William T. Sommeling served as acting sheriff until Michael Mastronardy was elected and sworn in as sheriff in 2014.
Quinn said he had considered seeking support for the county clerk appointment. However, he decided that it would once again mean taking time away from his family. Commissioner Jack Kelly has expressed interest in the position and has the support of Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore.
“I see it as an opportunity, and I’m excited about it,” said Kelly. “I start my 33rd year here in January. It’s something new, but not new, since I already worked there.”
Kelly, 73, began his eleventh three-year term as a commissioner in 2023. He previously served as the mayor of Eagleswood for 11 of the 17 years he served on the town’s local governing body.
Should Kelly leave the Board of Commissioners prematurely, he would be the last remaining representative from Southern Ocean County, marking a significant shift in the board’s geographic representation.
Commissioner Jack Kelly awaits word whether he will be appointed to Ocean County Clerk. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
The Board is already undergoing notable changes. With newly elected members Jennifer Bacchione and Rob Arace set to be sworn in on January 6, and Frank Sadeghi completing his first year, the board is poised to have a majority of relatively new members. This dynamic has raised interest in who might fill Kelly’s seat, should he transition to the Clerk’s office.
According to Gilmore, as many as ten individuals are expected to vie for the potential vacancy. Among the contenders, Carl Block, a former Stafford mayor, past Ocean County Clerk, and retired County Administrator, has expressed interest. Block, currently the Manchester Township Administrator, highlighted his extensive experience as a potential asset to a board now composed mostly of newer members.
“When I first came on as county administrator, and they were called freeholders, two of them had 30 years of experience, two had 20, and one had 15,” Block said. “This time, everyone’s a little light on experience, which doesn’t mean they won’t be good or won’t learn. I’d like to help them.” Block has clarified that he would not seek election to the seat next year if appointed.
Other potential candidates include Little Egg Harbor Committeeman Ray Gormley, a former mayor, and Sam Ellenbogen of the Toms River Jewish Community Council and an Ocean County Utilities Authority member.
Next year, Kelly’s seat, as well as Haines’, will be up for election. Haines has confirmed her intent to run for re-election, emphasizing her commitment to serving Ocean County residents.
“There is still work to be done here for the people of Ocean County,” said Haines. “I’d like to continue to represent their interests.”
Sheriff Michael Mastronardy, also up for re-election, has received Gilmore’s support despite previous differences when Mastronardy challenged him for GOP chairmanship.
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