Johnny B. Freeholder? Keyport’s Merla in the mix for open freeholder seat BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer John Merla Keyport Mayor John Merla is seeking to replace longtime Freeholder Harry Larrison Jr. in a special Dec. 18 election. If selected by the Republican County Committee, Merla plans to stay on as mayor until the end of the shortened term, then run as a full-term candidate in 2005. “If I run as freeholder, I’ll step down,” Merla said Sunday evening. “I don’t think it’s proper to hold two positions. I want to be the county-picked candidate, not the handpicked.” Although Larrison, a 39-year veteran of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, is endorsing Monmouth Beach Councilman William Barham, Merla is confident of a win. “There’s no doubt in my mind, I’m the underdog,” the mayor said. “But the campaign has gained such momentum.” Backed by many local Republican organizations, including an endorsement from Long Branch NAACP President the Rev. Reginald Jackson, Merla views his strengths as twofold. “One, most people don’t know my opponent, and two, most people remember John Merla as being involved in the grassroots movement that ousted the good ol’ boys that [led to] reform in our party this last June 15,” Merla said. In the spring, Merla was the co-chairman of Monmouth County GOP for Change, which successfully lobbied to replace then-party Chairman William Dowd. Group members were angered over what they saw as the exclusion of local party officials from the decision-making process, such as a decision by Dowd and a few high-ranking officials to pull support from Freeholder Ed Stominski’s re-election bid and back Matawan Mayor Rob Clifton. Another of that group’s members, Holmdel Committeeman Terence Wall, has joined Merla as his campaign manager. According to Republican Assemblyman Joseph Azzolina, “I think John would be a good freeholder. I would ask to remain neutral, though. If he’s selected, I’m sure he’d be great.” Middletown Committeeman Thomas Hall also weighed in on Merla’s choice to run. “I think it’s nice he expressed an interest in it,” said Hall. “It sets up an interesting dynamic.” Merla kicked off his campaign on Nov. 30 with a rally at Keyport’s Town and Country Diner. “I’ve let the county know that I’ve been interested in this for 12 years,” Merla said. “There was an opportunity, and I felt this was the time.” Merla has served in public office for 19 years, with time as a member of the Keyport Borough Council, the Keyport Planning Board, the Monmouth County Mosquito Commission and other roles. If elected, he said, he will focus on quality-of-life issues and reform. “I’m a quality-of-life person,” said Merla, adding that seniors, children, open space and recreation all fall under this category. “The biggest issue is reform. It has to stop with these backroom, handpicked processes. As a county and as a party, we need to bring in more women and minorities.” As a sitting mayor, Merla noted his expertise in local matters. “Next year, 17 towns face a revaluation,” the mayor said. “I’ve been through two of these; I can explain the process to the residents.” With the selection process only a week away, Merla has been swift in his campaign efforts, visiting more than 19 municipalities in the first week of his announced candidacy. “I’ll be honest with you, it’s been great campaigning,” Merla said. “I don’t have a lot of time to do it, but when I’m under the gun, that’s when I work the hardest.” The mayor is making no secret about his higher political ambitions, noting that most career politicians “usually try to better themselves.” But if elected, he said will not sit on the board for 39 years as Larrison did. “We need to make room for new blood,” Merla said. The election process will take place Dec. 18. at 9 a.m. in Long Branch. Only members of the Monmouth County Republican Committee are eligible to vote.