TOMS RIVER, NJ – The members of the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders has dismissed claims of a high-level shakeup of the administrative office, saying no plans have been made public regarding the termination of Administrator Carl Block, the promotion of Assistant Administrator Michael Fiure, or the hiring of New Jersey State Trooper Tristan Collins to replace Fiure.
The Asbury Park Press this week, all but confirmed a recent Shore News Network report regarding the impending termination of Block with Commissioner Jack Kelly hinting he opposed the move, saying Commissioners Ginny Haines, Gary Quinn, and Bobbi Jo Crea hold a 3-2 board majority to do as they please in all board decisions.
That includes parting ways with Block, a decision county officials told Shore News Network in confidence was a plan hatched by Haines and Sheriff Michael Mastronardy. Mastronardy declined to comment when asked by Shore News Network about that allegation.
On Wednesday, at the Ocean County Commissioners’ regularly scheduled public meeting, former Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore questioned the commissioners’ plan for the positions.
When asked if Collins was being considered for the assistant administrator position, Haines started to say no, then said, “I know Tristan Collins, I do not know if he’s being considered, no. You must think he is.”
Haines said she knows Commissioner Jack Kelly had a conversation with Collins.
“That’s all that has happened with Tristan Collins,” Haines said, denying any further discussions of employment.
“My understanding is that Tristan Collins has been interviewed for the position,” Gilmore said to the board.
“No,” Haines replied.
“Tristan Collins visited this building a week or two ago,” Commissioner Gary Quinn, a Haines ally replied. “Only to introduce himself to myself and Commissioner Kelly. It was made very clear a comment was made by Commissioner Kelly during the discussions that this is not an interview…and that’s as specific wording as you can make. It was not an interview. We talk to a lot of people throughout the county whether it’s local government, in the county, or outside people, but we have not even said Mike Fiure’s taking over in June. This board has not discussed anything. The newspapers have put out a lot.”
Quinn questioned the sources of the Shore News Network article, which clearly identified multiple sources within the higher levels of Ocean County government who wished to remain anonymous due to possible political retribution from the Haines camp.
“Once we start the interview process, we’ll put it out there in the public,” Quinn said, adding that discussions with Collins were had without the position being publicly published.
“There has been no discussion with whatever his name is, Tristan… as far as any type of job or discussion on interviews as we meet with other people,” Quinn said.
“Did he meet with the personnel department?” Gilmore asked Quinn.
Quinn at first said no, then offered an explanation as to why Collins met with undisclosed county employees in the personnel department.
“No,” Quinn said, stuttering, “I shouldn’t…I should say this, he gots some questions answered because the state of New Jersey, unfortunately, does not have too many people working to get information as we would offer to anybody else.”
“That’s available to any person in public office in the county,” Quinn said. “It’s no different for Mr. uh, Trisan, sorry.”
Gilmore confirmed with Quinn that State Police Captain Tristan Collins, who is rumored to be the next person in line for the county assistant administrator job just happened to be in the county office, meeting with Commissioners and the county personnel department regarding the impact of his retirement and his new position would.
“I understand,” Gilmore said. “Understood.”
Quinn then admitted that Collins met with Kelly, himself and a third commissioner, believed to be Haines, and was then directed to meet with the personnel department if he had any questions regarding that.
Gilmore reminded the board that state law prohibits employees from seeking other public jobs while employed by the state, should not seek other public jobs planned for after they retire under a general post-employment prohibition.
“When we get to the point where we do make a move, we’re going to bring the best-qualified person,” Quinn said.
Quinn made it clear, the plan to terminate Block’s employment has been privately agreed upon through his statements, but also said the rumors were not true.