TOMS RIVER – Ocean County government entered 2026 amid one of its most significant leadership transitions in decades, with a Board of Commissioners that looks markedly different from just a few years ago.
At the county’s January 7 reorganization meeting, commissioners set the direction for the year ahead while acknowledging recent changes in leadership. While the meeting included ceremonial swearings-in, several officials had already taken the oath, including Sheriff Michael Mastronardy, County Clerk Jack Kelly, and Deputy Clerk Ashley Lamb. John Catalano will continue serving as one of two deputy clerks under Kelly. Commissioners Sam Ellenbogen and Ray Gormley were sworn into office on January 2.
In just two years, the five-member Board of Commissioners has turned over completely with previous members deciding not to seek reelection. This year, Virginia Haines and Jack Kelly exited their roles after years of service. Commissioners Gary Quinn and Barbara Jo Crea were replaced last year by Jennifier Bacchione and Robert Arace. Joseph Vicari’s 2023 retirement came after four decades of service as a freeholder/commissioner.
Now, the longest-serving commissioner is Frank Sadeghi, who is beginning his third year on the board. Bacchione and Arace are entering their second year, with Ellenbogen and Gormley brand new to county government.
“In a span of three years, you have a totally new board of commissioners,” Ocean County Republican Chairman George Gilmore said. “I think it’s a tribute to the individuals sitting up there before and now, that you’re going to see a new vision for Ocean County.”
Setting The Tone For 2026
The board selected Sadeghi to serve as director for 2026, with Bacchione chosen as deputy director. In his remarks, Sadeghi framed the coming year as both a challenge and an opportunity, shaped by population growth, infrastructure strain, and changing expectations from residents.
“Ocean County is changing. We should embrace that change and set the course for a better and brighter future for all next generations,” Sadeghi said. “We are at that crossroads. We are at that moment where we can make a significant difference.”
Sadeghi outlined accomplishments from recent years, including major investments in vocational education and partnerships with Ocean County College. He highlighted expanded capacity at Ocean County Vocational Technical Schools, the relocation of the Academy of Law and Public Safety to the college campus, and the expansion of the Marine Academy of Science and Technology.
He also pointed to the county’s aggressive posture toward Jersey Central Power and Light following repeated outages that disproportionately affected seniors. Sadeghi said pressure from the board led to infrastructure commitments from the utility, though he acknowledged ongoing challenges.
Among the most consequential announcements was Sadeghi’s proposal to place a referendum on the November ballot asking voters to approve a one-cent increase to the county’s open space tax. The funds, he said, would allow Ocean County to more aggressively preserve farmland and open space, modernize county parks, and prevent overdevelopment as land values continue to rise.
Sadeghi noted that the existing open space tax, enacted roughly 30 years ago, helped preserve approximately 35,000 acres across the county. He argued that current market conditions require a renewed investment to maintain that legacy.
New Voices, New Representation
The reorganization meeting marked a historic milestone. Ellenbogen became the first member of the Orthodox Jewish community to serve on the Ocean County Board of Commissioners.
“As I prepared for this day, the responsibility of being just one of five people elected to represent nearly 700,000 Ocean County residents weighed on me greatly,” Ellenbogen said. “While I’m incredibly proud of that milestone, I don’t want to focus on what makes me different. I want to focus on service and unity.”
Ellenbogen quoted Psalm 133, emphasizing the importance of governing collaboratively even amid differences. He spoke about transparency, accountability, and the need for government to earn trust through action.
Gormley, a longtime Little Egg Harbor Township Committeeman, brings decades of municipal experience and is now the only commissioner representing southern Ocean County. His background includes years working directly with residents at the local level, and delivering services while navigating budgets and development pressures.
“It’s going to take me some time to get to know everyone,” Gormley said, noting the size of county government compared with township operations. “But I promise I will be there, meeting departments, sitting down with people, and working to keep our county moving forward.”
Changes In Operations
Beyond policy proposals, the reorganization meeting revealed changes in how the board intends to govern.
Commissioners approved a series of resolutions appointing themselves as joint liaisons to multiple boards and departments, rather than assigning individual oversight roles. The approach reflects an emphasis on shared responsibility and broader familiarity with county operations.
The board has also shifted its approach to public communication. Over the past year, Ocean County has increasingly relied on direct messaging through its own social media channels rather than limiting information to press releases or third-party outlets. Commissioners described the strategy as a way to improve transparency and keep residents informed in real time.
Bacchione and Arace both echoed the theme of accessibility, highlighting efforts to support seniors, veterans, and first responders. Bacchione cited shared services initiatives between the sheriff’s office and county libraries and acknowledged work done in collaboration with state legislators.
“A bill is now being passed so that our residents in New Jersey will get first pick to passes to Island Beach State Park,” said Bacchione, thanking Senator Carmen Amato (R-9th).
Arace focused on infrastructure, open space preservation, veterans and senior services. He pointed to investments in EMS training, Ocean Ride transportation services, and efforts to reduce wait times for seniors who rely on county transportation to access medical care and essential services.
“I think that we can all see that there’s growth,” Arace said. “One of the top priorities of this board is to continue to fight for the rural and suburban outlook of the county.”
With limited collective tenure but a broad agenda, commissioners acknowledged both the opportunity and responsibility that comes with reshaping county leadership.
The rapid turnover has removed decades of institutional knowledge, but it has also opened the door to new ideas, different perspectives, and a more collaborative governing style.
