By DON STINE
It was a packed house at the Ocean Grove home of local developer Bill Gannon last Thursday night as a bipartisan crowd turned out to thank Neptune Township Committeeman Thomas J. Catley for his years of service.
Catley, 46, a Republican, announced last week that he will not seek re-election to the governing body this November but will instead do volunteer work for Republican Sen. Sean Kean.
“I am overwhelmed by the number of people who turned out for the party, both Republicans and Democrats,” Catley said.
Next month marks the 20th anniversary of Catley’s career in public service. He began with the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office in 1988 and has been a member of the Township Committee for nine years, serving three of those years as mayor.
He is currently the sole Republican on the five-member governing body and, under the township’s staggered-term elections, his seat will be the only one up for grabs this November.
“(Leaving) was a hard decision to make because I love Neptune Township. I am moving on to a different level but I still intend to serve the people of Neptune,” he said.
Catley said he will become an environmental liaison – a volunteer position – under Kean to the various communities in District 11.
Catley said he will also work with Kean to change state laws regulating vehicular homicide and death by auto – an issue close to Catley’s heart.
In July 2005 his 17-year-old stepson, Jonathan Dougherty, was killed in Neptune on Route 33 by a woman running a red light at 82 miles per hour in a 40-mile-per-hour zone.
This June the woman was sentenced to five years in prison, but Catley requested at the sentencing that the woman’s driver’s license be permanently suspended.
“I just didn’t want to see this happen to another family,” he said.
Catley said the judge at the sentencing felt his request to have the license permanently suspended was reasonable but that under current state law it is not a punishment that can be issued.
“I would like to see a judge have the discretion to take the license for life in cases of vehicular deaths. Crafting such a law would be a fitting tribute to my son. He didn’t deserve that fate,” he said earlier last week.
Local GOP Party Chairman Donald Beekman said he believes Catley will be greatly missed.
“It’s a sad day for Neptune Township. He has just been a great mayor and committeeman and he has affected a lot of people’s lives in many ways,” he said.
Beekman said Catley’s name will be removed from the November election ballot and a replacement candidate run in his place.
These actions need to take place by Sept. 17.
A replacement candidate has not yet been selected, but Beekman said, “We will fill the ballot position.”
Democratic Township Committeeman and former mayor James Manning Jr. attended the party along with other fellow Democrats.
“It has been a pleasure to serve with Tom for nine years, and I wish him the best as he begins to work with Senator Kean. I know he will continue on with the best interests of Neptune in mind,” he said. “Tom has always been a gentleman and a professional. He has always been a friend, and I have always appreciated his good work.”
Kean said he is very happy to get Catley doing volunteer work for his team and that the committeeman had a great influence on his own early political career.
“It is fit and proper that we all come together tonight. This is a bipartisan evening and that is really a tribute to Tom,” he said. “It is tremendous for New Jersey and for the 11th District to get his intellect and ability. He appeals to a bipartisan electorate. We are excited to get this great guy. Everybody loves him and he will be a true asset to our office.”
Gannon, a longtime friend and Catley’s past campaign manager, said he was happy with the large, non-partisan turnout at the party
“I am proud to have Tom as my friend, and we are saluting his nine years of public service on top of his 10 years as a county prosecutor.
“We have known each other since we were eight years old and that trumps all other aspects of life. He has done great stuff for the township, and I know he will continue to do the same,” Gannon said.
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