Democrats Write in, Kelly to Run for Middle Township Committee

SWAINTON — It took just 16 Democrats to write in his name on June 7 at the primary election, and two days later, Sam Kelly, 66, of Swainton agreed to be the party’s candidate for Middle Township Committee in November.
Kelly founded and was president of the Middle Township Taxpayers Association. He started that group, he said, to give taxpayers an unbiased forum to view the local governmental scene.
A widower, he has a large family in the area, four daughters and grandchildren, and he told the Herald he wants them to enjoy the life he has had in the community.
“This speaks volumes for the voters’ feelings,” said Kelly in a telephone interview June 9.
Kelly has held membership in both parties, and freely admits he is guided by who would be the best candidate for a post.
Originally from Philadelphia, where his father “was a union man and therefore a Democrat,” Kelly said he was briefly declared Republican “to help (Freeholder Gerald) Jerry Thornton,” but I have been a Democrat most of my life.” He has also spent time as an independent (technically undeclared).
“I want competition,” he said. As a certified advocate for the American Arbitration Association Kelly calls himself “a negotiator.”
One of his nephews, Dan Lockwood, is a Republican Middle Township committeeman. “He and I couldn’t be more opposed on some things,” said Kelly.
One son in law is Robert Bakley II, who was recently seated on Middle Township Board of Education. One of Kelly’s daughters is a teacher; another worked for Cape Regional Medical Center’s transportation department.
Surrogate W. Robert Hentges is father in law to another daughter, he said.
“I came into the party to vote against politics. This is a small community. My party doesn’t guide me,” Kelly said.
Because of the paperwork involved on the part of County Clerk Rita Fulginiti, Kelly’s official announcement may have to wait for paperwork to catch up, but he is adamant, “I’m the Democrat’s candidate.”
He said he met with former township committeeman Steve Barry to discuss the nature of the job and campaign.
Kelly said he likes to walk the “Avalon beach in the morning to watch the sunrise, and Reed’s Beach in the evening to watch the sun set. This is a beautiful community, and I want to help keep it that way,” he said.
“What I have been about since day one was against lop-sided politics,” said Kelly.
At one time, he was a member of the county Democratic Executive Board. That gave him an inner vantage of party politics.
The party’s recent lack of candidates to oppose Republican freeholders and sheriff was another reason he was motivated to seek local office.
“There were no candidates across the board, and I was sick of it,” he said.” What means something is when you have a two-party system that works, with checks and balances. Without them, what have you got?” Kelly said.
“I have a great opportunity to win here. It’s one of the major reasons I accepted. I know my motivation. I have nothing to sell, nothing to buy, and I’m not looking for a job. This is my home. I’ve farmed here, fished here, built homes here. My family and grandchildren are here. My one grandson is a Marine who served in Afghanistan and is now a sheriff’s officer. Another grandson is in the police academy in Sea Girt to work in a prison,” said Kelly.
Parts of this story were first published at capemaycountyherald.com
Contact Campbell at (609) 886-8600 Ext 28 or at: al.c@cmcherald.com