Post by admin on Apr 1, 2011 12:24:44 GMT -5
Kelsey to Seek Mayor’s Seat In Freehold
CLARE MARIA CELANA Staff Writer
Former resident and one-time Freehold Borough Council candidate Richard Kelsey announced today that he is running for the Mayor of Freehold Borough. Kelsey, 44, has been living in Virginia since attending Law School there in 1996. A long time political activist and critic of the Borough Council, Kelsey announced that he had established residency in New Jersey, and that he would “throw his hat, and entire body into the ring” for the Mayor’s race.
Mayor Michael Wilson, who has served since Kelsey was a senior in High School at Freehold High in 1985, announced last month that he would not seek re-election. While no official announcement has been made, the Democrats have been working hard to vet candidates for a seat they believe they will hold. Recent rumors include Nolan Higgins as a prospective candidate, as well as Councilmen Kane, Simms, and Di Bennedetto. The republicans have not yet announce a formal ticket.
Kelsey said, “the time is now, and the place is Freehold.” Kelsey, a former CEO of a Technology firm and former trial lawyer is currently serving as an Assistant Dean at George Mason Law School. “My wife and I grew up in Freehold. We graduated from Freehold High School, and bought our first home here. My entire extended family remains here,” Kelsey said. “The return from my professional life in Virginia was always planned, and we are delighted to be coming home to Freehold.”
Kelsey has been active in politics nationally, advising the McCain campaign. Locally, Kelsey has acted as a moderator on the Freehold Voice website, which often discusses local issues. Kelsey, who ran in 1986 at 19 years old for Freehold Council and lost to Joseph Copland and John Ballew, has been best known for his editorial stand on illegal immigration in Freehold. In an exchange of letters in this paper, Kelsey accused the Mayor of hanging on to the job his last time for pecuniary gain. In return, the Mayor fired back that Kelsey would never be Mayor of Freehold.
“I intend to use all of the resources at my disposal in this campaign. The future of Freehold has not been written, even if the course set seems certain,” Kelsey declared. “Together with a surprise ticket soon to be announced, the legal residents of Freehold are going to reclaim this town and get to work on core issues, including streamlining services, economic development, and attacking crime.” Kelsey continued in a phone interview. “Every show reaches an end, and this government comedy is going to be canceled. Freehold needs serious, professional, experienced leadership, and I am home to deliver it.”
Electorally, Kelsey faces an uphill battle as a republican. The win of a council seat by John Newman in 2009 was a rare republican victory in the Borough, where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1. A call to Democratic headquarters went on answered, however one local republican responded by saying, “now this will be a show.”
newstranscript.gmunews.com/news/20....n_Aprilfools.html
CLARE MARIA CELANA Staff Writer
Former resident and one-time Freehold Borough Council candidate Richard Kelsey announced today that he is running for the Mayor of Freehold Borough. Kelsey, 44, has been living in Virginia since attending Law School there in 1996. A long time political activist and critic of the Borough Council, Kelsey announced that he had established residency in New Jersey, and that he would “throw his hat, and entire body into the ring” for the Mayor’s race.
Mayor Michael Wilson, who has served since Kelsey was a senior in High School at Freehold High in 1985, announced last month that he would not seek re-election. While no official announcement has been made, the Democrats have been working hard to vet candidates for a seat they believe they will hold. Recent rumors include Nolan Higgins as a prospective candidate, as well as Councilmen Kane, Simms, and Di Bennedetto. The republicans have not yet announce a formal ticket.
Kelsey said, “the time is now, and the place is Freehold.” Kelsey, a former CEO of a Technology firm and former trial lawyer is currently serving as an Assistant Dean at George Mason Law School. “My wife and I grew up in Freehold. We graduated from Freehold High School, and bought our first home here. My entire extended family remains here,” Kelsey said. “The return from my professional life in Virginia was always planned, and we are delighted to be coming home to Freehold.”
Kelsey has been active in politics nationally, advising the McCain campaign. Locally, Kelsey has acted as a moderator on the Freehold Voice website, which often discusses local issues. Kelsey, who ran in 1986 at 19 years old for Freehold Council and lost to Joseph Copland and John Ballew, has been best known for his editorial stand on illegal immigration in Freehold. In an exchange of letters in this paper, Kelsey accused the Mayor of hanging on to the job his last time for pecuniary gain. In return, the Mayor fired back that Kelsey would never be Mayor of Freehold.
“I intend to use all of the resources at my disposal in this campaign. The future of Freehold has not been written, even if the course set seems certain,” Kelsey declared. “Together with a surprise ticket soon to be announced, the legal residents of Freehold are going to reclaim this town and get to work on core issues, including streamlining services, economic development, and attacking crime.” Kelsey continued in a phone interview. “Every show reaches an end, and this government comedy is going to be canceled. Freehold needs serious, professional, experienced leadership, and I am home to deliver it.”
Electorally, Kelsey faces an uphill battle as a republican. The win of a council seat by John Newman in 2009 was a rare republican victory in the Borough, where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1. A call to Democratic headquarters went on answered, however one local republican responded by saying, “now this will be a show.”
newstranscript.gmunews.com/news/20....n_Aprilfools.html
