Ocean County Freeholder John P. Kelly will be named Director of the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders for 2013 during the Board’s organization meeting scheduled for Jan. 2.
Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety and a member of the Board since 1993 will be serving as the Board’s director for the fourth time. His colleague James F. Lacey will be named Deputy Director for 2013.
“Every new year comes with its own set of challenges,” Kelly said. “I look forward to working closely with my colleagues on the Board as we work to rebuild our great County in the New Year.
“We have a long road ahead of us,” Kelly said. “And this Board will do all it can to help our municipalities and citizens in the coming year.”
Kelly has served as a staunch advocate of law and public safety, closely working with agencies including the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and the Ocean County Department of Corrections. In addition, he works closely with the Ocean County Training Center, Waretown, which provides training for thousands of emergency responders annually.
“From our 911 system to working with the Office of Emergency Management, public safety will continue to be a priority in the New Year,” Kelly said. “Ocean County will continue to be a safe place to live, work, raise a family and retire.”
Kelly also serves as liaison to the Ocean County Engineering Department.
“I will continue to work with the engineering department staff in order to provide a transportation system and network of roads and bridges that are well maintained with an eye toward safety,” Kelly said. “With the largest road network in the state, Freeholder Lacey, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Road Department, and I are committed to making certain our motorists and pedestrians are safe.”
Kelly, Eagleswood Township, served as Director of the Board in 1995, 2001 and 2007. He currently is serving his seventh three-year term on the Board of Freeholders.
Lacey, Brick Township, served as Deputy Director of the Board in 2007.
“The new year, at times, will be difficult,” Lacey said. “But we are well prepared to serve our residents and to meet the challenges that we will be facing.”
Lacey also serves as liaison to Ocean County’s Department of Solid Waste Management which oversees a nationally recognized recycling program. TLS.