JACKSON – Mayor Michael Reina resigned before his term was over, requiring a replacement to be chosen. His resignation on September 23 came after a deadline that would have allowed a special mayoral race to be added to the November ballot.
His replacement is expected be chosen through a resolution at a special meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 3 at the township municipal building at 95 West Veterans Highway, to “take any actions necessary to comply with the New Jersey Municipal Vacancy Law, and the Township’s Administrative Code,” according to a release from the township. “Official action will be taken.”
Reina’s resignation letter stated, “I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to serve the people of Jackson and be a part of such a supportive and dynamic administration over the last 17 plus years.”
Speculation regarding Reina’s replacement suggests Council President Jennifer Kuhn or Councilman Ken Bressi. Bressi sat on the council for a number of years and once ran against Reina who served as mayor from November 2008 until October 1.
Reina was just one month shy of 18 years and told The Jackson Times last week that he felt the time had come to step down. His reign concludes at an interesting time in township politics. His term would have ended on December 31, 2026.
Two candidates are vying for the unexpired council seat of Scott Sargent who died in May. Bressi was chosen to fill that vacancy but he opted not to run for the spot in the general election on November 4. Political newcomers Chris Pollak and Al Couceiro are candidates in that race.
Pollak has been critical of Kuhn and Council Vice President Mordechai Burnstein, accusing them at times of having a conflict of interest regarding several ordinances and resolutions involving development and code enforcement issues.
Reina did not appear at the September 25 Township Council meeting which would have been his last before his resignation took effect. His resignation wasn’t referenced during the council comments period of that meeting. However, resident Linda Thompson asked during the public comment period of the meeting what the procedure was concerning what happens next in the selection of an interim mayor.
“How does it happen?” she asked.
Township Attorney Gregory McGuckin explained that by statute “the governing body, in this case the council president, becomes acting mayor the moment the resignation takes effect so that will be October 1. Under the statute the governing body then has 30 days to select a mayor for the balance of his term and that is why they scheduled a meeting on October 3.”
Should Kuhn be chosen to remain as acting mayor and serve for the balance of Reina’s unexpired term, the council will have to select a new council president, most likely Burnstein who is the current vice president. Then, they’d have to pick a new vice president. A council vacancy would then exist on the dais. That vacancy would also have to be filled. Should Bressi assume the role, his seat would also need to be filled prior to this year’s election.
