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Still No Decision Made On Polhemus Replacement

Longtime Ocean County Sheriff died almost two months ago

Gov. Chris Christie has yet to name a replacement for longtime Ocean County Sheriff William L. Polhemus, who died almost two months ago.

Undersheriff William T. Sommeling has been running the department since Polhemus died on Dec. 14.

"Governor Christie has not made a decision on a replacement at this point," said Sean Conner, a spokesman for the governor's office. "When that determination is made by the Governor, it will be made known publicly in the normal course of such announcements."

Polhemus, 84, died little more than a month after he had been elected to another three-year term as sheriff, following a medical procedure.

Polhemus would have entered his 28th year as sheriff in 2013. During the campaign, some questioned whether the aging sheriff would be able to perform his duties.

Polhemus, a Republican, declined to debate with his two opponents and never responded to Patch's numerous requests for an interview.

But he won re-election easily, garnering nearly 56 percent of the vote for sheriff with 110,450 votes. Democratic challenger George "Bob" Armstrong garnered 82,031 votes cast, and Independent John McMenamin received less than 3 percent, with 5,140 votes.

Polhemus' replacement must be a Republican, who will serve until the November election, according to state statute. Sources have said longtime Toms River Police Chief Michael G. Mastronardy is high up on the list for a successor.

proud February 5, 2013 at 11:11 pm
The first order of business for the sheriff should be to lock up the politicians that got paid off by ash britt.
Ken February 6, 2013 at 01:26 am
Maybe Gilmore and Menandez can go hang out in the Domincan Republic together.
Need a Change February 6, 2013 at 02:35 am
Its a nice place I'll go
none of yobusiness February 6, 2013 at 03:18 am
I say don't replace him the end result will be the same.
Just theFacts February 6, 2013 at 12:25 pm
Bet on Sommeling as Sheriff
Tip Semone February 6, 2013 at 12:33 pm
Let's give it to the most qualified person: Chief Mastronardy...he will bring the department in the 21st century and beyond. Bob Armstrong is just a seasoned wannabe who can't win. Mastronardy is a real winner, just ask the people who saw him out at all hours helping TR residents for the past three months after Hurricane Sandy. He cares!
CourthouseCop February 6, 2013 at 01:01 pm
Only rumor here is Mastronardy is the Sheriff and Hutler is the Undersheriff.
proud February 6, 2013 at 01:11 pm
Whomever the new sherriffi is, they are going to be awfully busy with the overwhelming number of foreclosures that will result from the actions of FEMA and the inaction of elected officials that do not defend their constituency.
Mark February 6, 2013 at 02:33 pm
Mastronardy is a nice guy and likes to tell entertaining "stories" but he's far from being an innovative law enforcement official. He also embarrassed himself and the Township by giving personal tours of Ortley Beach days after the devastation to a "special and connected" people. He next move should be to retire to the Carolinas!
"Bob" Armstrong February 6, 2013 at 02:54 pm
"Bob" Armstrong for OC Sheriff in 2013
Mark, you got it right...Tip, Obviously you like the Gilmore, et al, machine. Mastronardy will be business as usual in Ocean County. Let's hope that Governor Christie exercises "due diligence" with any recommendations/endorsements he gets from the OC "shotcallers". We need a "new sheriff in town" who has worked high level political corruption cases in NJ during his 40 year Federal/State career. "Bob" A.
brickedup February 6, 2013 at 02:55 pm
Isn't Mastronardy a Democrat?
"Bob" Armstrong February 6, 2013 at 03:07 pm
Are you joking? He's a Gilmore clone....."Bob" A.
Tip Semone February 6, 2013 at 06:15 pm
Bob Armstrong couldn't find a criminal if he visited the county jail. Just another pencil pushing bureaucrat. Mastronardy answers call and knows what is going on. He's hands on and not a wannabe like Armstrong.
Tip Semone February 6, 2013 at 06:37 pm
What would Ocean County get with Bob Armstrong? Another member of the over the hill gang. Time for new blood and a gogetter named Mastronardy.
JENNY JONES February 6, 2013 at 06:46 pm
i really thought it was going to be mastronardy with boyd being his bud as undersherriff...dont know, now that i watched the two of them joking and talking behind the governor during a speech in seaside .. they acted like children giggling etc
1stcav February 7, 2013 at 12:12 am
If they could ( GOP ) they would prop up our Old sheriff, declare a recovery and carry on as usual in O.C. Prase the Lord , he's alive and cashing his check once again , it's a sign from above from Boss Hog !!! Can I get an Amen ! Hog wash ! It's a done deal, long ago...

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gerald laquay June 16, 2013 at 04:25 pm
Great story hope he is doing good,i just went through a bone marrow tranplant well actuallyi amRead More doing good it is 100 percent of the new stem cell an 92 percent which leavesme with 8 percent of myself the new stem cells will take over my whole body once the 8 percent is gone so godbless you an your family hope everything works out
barb June 17, 2013 at 11:00 pm
guess it will be awhile before we get patch stories up? all that we have now are observer and app,Read More blah.
Robert Everett June 19, 2013 at 06:39 am
Hi Pat: Thank you so much for your time & efforts. You know how important I feel a free,Read More independent and viable press is. Freedom of the press is one of our countires most vital rights and needs to be protected, literally at all costs. Without the ability for the average citizen to investigate, critiicise, praise and comment on government, business, education and all facets of our lives the Great American Democracy would not exist - even if it does produce annonymous curmudgeons like the Chief and the rest of the fan club. ;-) That being said, the digital media world is still trying to find its way into a viable business model. I was very excited about the 'hyper' local idea of the Patch, but the challenges you mentioned are real. However, I do feel based on my dealing with the Patch on several levels (blogger, community person & advertiser) the corporate leadership does not quite get the 'hyper-local' idea - they like it only if it produces revenue. What comes firt guys, the classic 'chicken or the egg'. Advertising is all about numbers, and in our community that was tough to overcome - I see both sides. It was a pleasure having a 'hometown' reporter that actually had the knowledge, perspective and understanding of our community as only one that lives here can. You will be missed on these pages, but it will be still be good to see you around town! So good luck to you in Lacey & Barnegat, Ill be happy to share any of my contacts, never dull there either! Bob Everett
Patricia A. Miller (Editor) June 19, 2013 at 11:48 am
Thanks for the kind comments, folks. I still live here!
Trish June 8, 2013 at 01:26 am
I'm glad you are home. We are still repairing in LBI but, hopefully, we will back by the 4th ofRead More July. This was not our "primary" home but it still was our home. We will never forget Oct. 29, 2012.
foggyworld June 8, 2013 at 02:24 am
This has been one heck of a learning experience and yes, it has exhausted so many of us. The onlyRead More way to keep going really is to take it one day at a time and know if you wake up tomorrow something you never dreamed of is bound to happen.
answertwoit June 5, 2013 at 10:52 pm
all three siddons lost. Kukla Fran and Ollie... you ran for revenge and not for the people. itRead More showed and you lost.
Brian Wilson June 6, 2013 at 02:12 pm
Quit whining, Fran. You were always just in it for yourself. You wanted to be "CouncilwomanRead More Fran Siddons." Most people saw right through you. You biggest mistake was believing your inflated sense of self.
Terry LiCausi June 7, 2013 at 02:43 pm
Why couldn't you just write a classy speech, you chose to look like a sore loser once again. YouRead More listed reasons for losing and you and I both, know you tried to talk to the board workers and the Republican Challenger had to ask you to stop. You stood right outside the doors and tried to talk to voters also, you did this at all the polling places. You had 3 challengers to 1 republican challenger at the polls, so how could all that you say get done. Why didn't they call the election board? Come on Fran, just admit the people DO REMEMBER and that is why you lost.