The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders held its annual organization meeting

Jan. 2 swearing in Freeholder Gerry P. Little to his sixth three-year term on the Board, Freeholder Gary Quinn to his first three-year term and appointing Freeholder Virginia E. Haines as the 2019 Board Director.

​To a standing ovation from her Board colleagues, local, state and federal officials, family and friends, Haines became the first woman in 40 years to lead Ocean County government and only the second since 1850.

​“I am beyond proud to be the first woman in 40 years to lead this Board,” Haines told the crowd in Room 119 of the Ocean County Administration Building, here. “As Director, I pledge to never lose sight of our goals and commitments.”

​Freeholder Gerry P. Little, Surf City, was sworn to his sixth three-year term on the Board of Freeholders. He was joined by his son, U.S. Navy Lt. Matthew P. Little, a 2009 Southern Regional High School graduate, who held the Bible and 9th District State Sen. Christopher Connors who administered the oath of office.

​“It is my privilege to be returned to this Board of Freeholders,” Little said. “I am looking forward to working with our Veterans Services Bureau in the New Year serving those men and women who have so bravely served us.”

​Gary Quinn, a longtime Lacey Township Committeeman, surrounded by family was sworn to his first three-year term on the Board of Freeholders. With his wife Linda holding the Bible and Sen. Connors administering the oath of office, Quinn became Ocean County’s newest Freeholder.

​“I want to thank my family and my colleagues for all of their support over the years,” Quinn said. “I now look forward to serving our citizens as an Ocean County Freeholder.”

​Quinn will serve as director to the Ocean County Department of Human Services, Transportation/OceanRide and Solid Waste Management.

​Freeholder John P. Kelly will serve as the Deputy Director of the Board in 2019. He was also named Chairman of Finance, a position held by the late Freeholder John C. Bartlett Jr., who died on Dec. 12.

​The Board also remembered their colleague Freeholder Bartlett Jr., who had been the longest serving Freeholder in the state.

“Today, of course, is also bittersweet for us,” Haines said during the Board’s organization meeting. “For the first time in 40 years, we are not welcoming our long-time friend and colleague, John C. Bartlett Jr. back to the dais. John’s passing on Dec. 12 is still very raw for all of us here.

“Certainly, his many achievements and his legacies will not be forgotten,” she said. “It is my hope that in the New Year we continue to advance the many programs John had championed. Moreover, we continue to build on all of his successes.”

Photos and Caption information:

No. 41 –

Ocean County Clerk Scott M. Colabella (left) along with George Gilmore, Chairman, Ocean County Election Board (right) present Freeholders Gerry P. Little and Gary Quinn with their Certificates of Election from the Election Board Canvassers.

No. 50 –

Freeholder Gerry P. Little (left) was joined by his son, U.S. Navy Lt. Matthew P. Little, a 2009 graduate of Southern Regional High School, who held the Bible, while 9thDistrict State Sen. Christopher Connors administered the oath of office. Freeholder Little, of Surf City, was sworn in to his 6th three-year term on the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders during the Board’s 2019 Organization Meeting.

No. 54 –

Ocean County Freeholder Gerry P. Little takes a moment to pose for a photo with his son U. S. Navy Lt. Matthew P. Little after being sworn in to his 6th three-year term on the Board of Freeholders.

No. 65 –

Surrounded by family, Gary Quinn, Lacey Township, is sworn in to his first three-year term on the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders. With his wife Linda holding the Bible, Quinn was administered the oath of office by 9thDistrict State Sen. Christopher Connors.

No. 73 –

Ocean County Freeholder Gary Quinn poses for a photo with his wife Linda, his children and grandchildren following his swearing in at the annual Organization Meeting of the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

No. 94-

Ocean County Freeholder Virginia E. Haines was given a standing ovation by her colleagues on the Board of Freeholders along with family, friends and numerous officials after being appointed Director of the Board of Freeholders for 2019. Freeholder Haines is the first woman in 40 years and only the second since 1850 to lead Ocean County Government.