TOMS RIVER, NJ – We once asked New Jersey Assemblyman Gregory P. McGuckin how he would be in Jackson Township and Toms River Township at the exact same time every two weeks and he told us, “It’s none of your damn business.”
That’s because McGuckin was hired by Jackson Township Mayor Michael Reina in January to serve as that town’s chief legal counsel at huge six-figure salary. Mayor Reina rewarded McGuckin for a job well done, which amounts to McGuckin opening his wallet and donating the Reina’s political campaign in 2018 and being the chief enforcer of the Ocean County GOP under Chairman Frank “Frankie” Holman.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, another politician McGuckin funneled thousands of dollars to, Maurice “Mo” Hill, mayor of Toms River also hired McGuckin to serve as his chief legal counsel.
The problem lies in the fact that Jackson and Toms River hold their twice per month township council meetings on the same days and times of each month. There’s no possible way for McGuckin to be at both places, unless he was able to split himself into two regular-sized human people.
Once again, since being hired, McGuckin missed another contentious township meeting, leaving a clueless and frazzled employee instead to hold his seat, attorney Ken Fitzsimmons.
It begs the question to be asked. Why does the township of Toms River need McGuckin and his $500,000 salary when Fitzsimmons is the in-house lawyer carrying all the heavy weight for the township of Toms River?
We suspect McGuckin would tell his constituents and stakeholders in Toms River, “It’s none of your damn business.”
Did we mention, McGuckin is the same McGuckin that introduced a law in Trenton that sought to fine New Jersey residents $15,000 for violating Murphy’s Law?