By DON STINE
The Neptune Township Republican Club will celebrate its 85th anniversary this year and its new president Eileen Kean said she hopes to reinvigorate the club and support local GOP candidates for office.
“I am honored to be president as we celebrate our 85th anniversary and my goal as president is to expand membership, hold several social events, and sponsor great civic speakers,” Kean said.
“And I continue to remind the residents of Neptune that the United States is founded on a two-party system and that the GOP will grow,” she said.
The Neptune Township Committee became entirely Democratic in the last election after GOP Committeeman Thomas J. Catley did not seek re-election.
Kean said GOP Freeholder Lillian Burry will be the guest speaker at the club’s next meeting on Feb. 19 and that GOP gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie has been invited to speak on March 26.
The club will also sponsor a mini-convention on March 26 where is will be decided on a slate of candidates to run for the Neptune Township Committee in the November election. Two, three-year terms will be up for grabs.
The club was founded on Oct. 8, 1924 with Richard W. Stout as president; John Hulshart as vice president; John W. Knox as secretary; Harry G. Shreve as treasurer; and Walter Graves as sergeant at arms.
The club begins its 85th year with Kean as president; Catley as first vice president; Jeffrey Beekman as second vice president; Janet Kortenhaus as secretary; and Denis McCarthy as treasurer.
Over the years membership has fluctuated between 100 to 200 members and membership is open to all registered Republicans living in Neptune.
Meetings are held every third Thursday of the month at the Hamilton First Aid building on Route 33 and Old Corlies Avenue at 7:30 p.m.
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