Freeholder Deputy Director John P. Kelly
Director: Law & Public Safety
Term Expires: 12/31/2010
Contact: 732-929-2003

Ocean County Freeholder John P. Kelly was named the 2010 Deputy Director of the Ocean County Board of Freeholders during the Board’s Jan. 6 organization meeting.

Deputy Director Kelly has been a member of the Board since 1993 and during that time he has brought to fruition such important projects as the construction of the Fire and First Aid Training Center, the expansion of the Ocean County Jail and improvements to the Ocean County Police Academy.

He continues to oversee the 140,000 square foot expansion of the Ocean County Jail in Toms River to meet the needs of a growing population and new laws. The work is expected to be completed at the end of 2010.

Freeholder Kelly served as Director of the Board in 1995, 2001 and 2007 and as Deputy Director in 1998 and 2004.

In his capacity as Director of Law and Public Safety, Kelly oversaw the expansion of the Ocean County Police Academy located in Ocean County Park, Lakewood. He was instrumental in the construction of the Training Center in Waretown, which officially opened its doors to the fire and first aid academies in October 1998.
Since that time thousands of volunteers have received training there. He is working to enlarge the Training Center in order to provide an even better facility for training for fire and first aid volunteers and law enforcement.

Kelly has closely worked with the Ocean County Security Department, the County Corrections Department and the county Juvenile Services Department in implementing programs for Ocean County youngsters including bicycle safety programs, Internet safety programs and anti-gang programs.

In 2001, Kelly championed making Ocean County government even more accessible to its residents with the opening of the County Connection, a county government service outlet conveniently located at the Ocean County Mall, Toms River. He continues to serve as liaison to that program. Since its opening, over 1 million people have walked through its doors seeking information and assistance from a well-trained staff. In 2004, under his direction, the County Connection took to the road as the mobile County Connection, was launched. A second mobile County Connection is now providing services throughout the county.

As liaison to the Office of Engineering, Freeholder Kelly closely works with the engineering staff in annually overseeing more than $45 million worth of infrastructure improvements focusing on roadway safety.

Deputy Director Kelly worked closely with Sheriff William L. Polhemus in implementing a countywide 911 system, which has been operating successfully since May 1994. He has worked to upgrade radio communications for the numerous law enforcement agencies throughout Ocean County.

Freeholder Kelly in concert with the Board led the successful effort to protect Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station from being dismantled by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission in 1995 and again in 2005. He continues to support the work of what is now known as Joint Base – McGuire, Dix, Lakehurst.

Deputy Director Kelly has served as a member of the New Jersey Association of Counties since 1993. And, during that time he has served as Secretary-Treasurer, Second Vice President, First Vice President and as President in 2004.

Freeholder Kelly began his work in public service more than 25 years ago when he was first elected to the Eagleswood Township Committee. Freeholder Kelly served as mayor of the Southern Ocean County municipality for 11 out of the 17 years he was on the committee.

And, he formerly served as a member of the Eagleswood Volunteer Fire Company and had been a Webelo leader in Cub Scouts.

He had also served as past president and treasurer of the Ocean County Mayors’ Association. He has received numerous awards and commendations for his work as a freeholder including being named Public Official of the Year by the Chiefs of Police of New Jersey and in 2006 by the Ocean County Chiefs of Police Association. He also was honored by the Jersey Shore Council of Boy Scouts of America as the 2007 Citizen of the Year.

He is married to the former Evelyn Bodie, and is the father of five children, John, Dawn Marie, Crystal Lynn, Billy and Jimmy.