Middlesex County Sheriff Joseph C. Spicuzzo announced last week that he will not seek re-election this year.
He said he met with Democratic Party leaders on Feb. 9 and advised them of his decision to retire. Subsequently, on Feb. 11, Freeholder Mildred “Millie” Scott, a former sheriff’s officer, announced she would run for sheriff.
Spicuzzo has been sheriff for almost 30 years and has served as chairman of the Middlesex County Democratic Organization for almost 16 years. He said he would seek reelection as party chairman in June.
He cited health concerns as the reason for his decision to step down.
“I made the decision to retire now before health issues could adversely impact the performance of my duties as sheriff,” he said, though he did not specify the type of health concern. “I am making the decision public now because the Democratic Party has scheduled its nominating convention for March 16.”
Spicuzzo, who will remain as sheriff until his present term ends on Dec. 31, said the party’s candidates for sheriff, county clerk and three freeholder seats will be selected at the convention. In addition to Spicuzzo, the seats are presently held by County Clerk Elaine Flynn and freeholders Pete Dalina, Chris Rafano and Blanquita Valenti.
“My duties as sheriff have been one of the highlights of my life,” Spicuzzo said. “I believe the many innovations that originated with me have strengthened my office. I am very proud of my service.”
Spicuzzo is a former labor leader and was the first elected mayor of Spotswood, serving from 1976-80. He and his wife Mary Ann, who now live in Helmetta, have two children, Charlie, who is a Spotswood councilman, and JoAnn.
Spicuzzo said he discussed his decision to retire as sheriff with his wife and family in addition to the party leaders.
“I believe my family will look forward to seeing more of me in my retirement,” he said. Scott, who served as a sheriff’s officer in Middlesex County from 1968-95, including five years as chief officer, said in a press release that she was encouraged to run for the office by Democratic Party leaders. She said she has “great respect” for Spicuzzo.
“He strengthened the department in countless ways with his service. However, I understand and respect his decision to retire.”
Born and raised in Perth Amboy, Scott was a councilwoman in Piscataway from 1996 to 2008, when she was elected freeholder. She and her husband, Richard, have three children and seven grandchildren.
“It would be a great honor and privilege to serve the people of our county as sheriff,” she said. “My 27 years’ experience as a sheriff’s officer, my several leadership roles in that department and my service as chairman of the freeholder Law and Public Safety Committee, which oversees all law enforcement agencies of the county, have helped to prepare me for these responsibilities.”
Republicans announce run
Two Monroe residents have thrown their hats in the ring as candidates for Middlesex County sheriff and clerk. Keith B. Hackett and Harold Kane announced last week that they will seek the offices of sheriff and clerk, respectively.
Hackett retired from the New Jersey State Police in 2008 after more than 26 years of service. He has been a resident of Monroe for the past 23 years and is married with two children.
He said he wants to take the politics out of the Sheriff’s Office and bring nonpartisan leadership to the position. He said he would accept a reduced salary for the position and take no fringe benefits, pension or entitlements, and will return that money to taxpayers.
Hackett said he would push for greater professional achievement by seeking law enforcement accreditation from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police. His platform states that accreditation provides a proven management system of written directives that are sound and operationally efficient.
Kane said he has always wanted to give back to the community some of what it has given to him and his family.
“Spending time as a public servant is a good way to do this,” Kane said.
Born and raised in New Brunswick, and having served eight years in the U.S. Navy, Kane and his wife Roslyn have been operating their own telecommunications business for 10 years.
“I’ve spent my career in information technology [IT] and believe with my professional management skills that the proper use of IT can improve efficiency and reduce operating costs,” Kane said.
He said he would also make the county Clerk’s Office more transparent by placing the departmental budget online, assigning and publishing direct dial phone numbers and email addresses to each staff member, and providing an online calendar for clerk and election board activities, and an online form generator and payment system.
Jane Meggitt contributed to this story.