Freeholder era ends as Larrison resigns
Battle against cancer prompts official’s exit after 39 years of service
BY DICK METZGAR
Staff Writer

Harry Larrison Jr.

At approximately 10:45 a.m. Dec. 2, one of the most remarkable eras in Monmouth County’s political history came to an end.

Poor health is doing what Democrats have been unable to do for almost 39 years — force Harry Larrison Jr. from the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders.

With almost 39 years of service on the board, Larrison, 78, of Ocean Grove, is the longest serving freeholder in New Jersey history.

The board of freeholders is the oldest surviving form of government in the country.

Larrison, who has been struggling with three different forms of cancer, revealed on Nov. 23 that he would step down on Dec. 2. He has been the director of the five-member board since 1986. His resignation comes with one year left in his present term.

Officially, Larrison’s resignation will become effective Jan. 1, although it is likely that he has presided over his last meeting. He did say he intends to remain active in some ongoing county projects in which he has been involved.

Larrison’s resignation before a standing-room-only crowd in the old courtroom on the second floor of the Monmouth County Hall of Records (the former courthouse) could very well mark the beginning of the changing of the guard for the Republican power base on the board, as the county Republican organization is now charged with naming a replacement for Larrison.

The five-member board is currently all-Republican.

Thomas J. Powers, 70, of Wall Township, is serving his eighth straight term on the board. He was elected to his first term in 1981 and was the board’s deputy director for more than a decade. Powers relinquished that position to Freeholder Ted Narozanick earlier this year. Powers’ current term will expire on Dec. 31, 2005.

Powers said that at this time he is uncertain as to whether he will seek re-election. It is, however, expected that Powers will take over as the board’s new director in January.

“I will recommend that Freeholder Powers be picked to serve as the board’s new director,” Narozanick said. “I think the other members of the board will go along with that.”

Narozanick, 84, of Freehold Borough, now the board’s deputy director, is serving his seventh straight three-year term. He was elected to his first term as a freeholder in 1985. Narozanick has said he will not seek re-election when his present term ends.

Amy Handlin, of Middletown, was elected to her sixth straight term in November.

Robert Clifton, 35, of Matawan, ran with Handlin in November and was elected to his first term. He will join the freeholder board in January.

Larrison was appointed to the freeholder board in February 1966 to replace Charles I. Smith, who resigned. Since 1974, except for six years when the Democrats had the majority, Larrison has served as the board’s director.

“I have rarely lost a fight and I never lost an election,” Larrison said. “Now I’m in the biggest struggle of my life.”

Monmouth County Republicans are scheduled to hold a special election on Dec. 18 to select a replacement for Larrison, Powers said.

The freeholders are paid $30,000 per year for their service.

Larrison made it clear in his resignation speech that he supports William C. Barham, 51, a Monmouth Beach commissioner and past president of the Affiliated Republican Club of Monmouth County, as his successor on the board.

Barham is one of several Republicans who have voiced an interest in being appointed to Larrison’s seat on the board. Other candidates include Keyport Mayor John Merla and Wall Township Committeeman John Tobia.

“I have known Bill Barham all of his life,” Larrison said. “He’s an excellent speaker and a good businessman. He is also well-known and I support him as my replacement wholeheartedly.”

Larrison was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1992. In June 2003 he revealed that he had been diagnosed with colon cancer. This summer he said he had been diagnosed with liver cancer.

For the last two years his attendance at freeholder meetings has been spotty.

“My age and my health have caught up with me,” Larrison said. “Sooner or later you have to realize that you can’t hack it anymore. That time has come for me. I now need all my energy in winning my battle against cancer, but I still want to remain active in several ongoing county projects.”