TOMS RIVER – Ocean County Deputy Commissioner Director Frank Sadeghi led the board for a second time at its January 15 meeting, stepping in for Director Jack Kelly. Clerk of the Board Michelle I. Gunther announced Kelly’s absence was due to personal reasons.
This is Sadeghi’s second year as a commissioner, albeit his first elected position. Director Jack Kelly and Commissioner Virginia “Ginny” Haines are seasoned members of the board. All five members, including newly elected Commissioners Robert Arace and Jennifer Bacchione, are Republicans.
Sadeghi was somewhat reserved at public meetings during his first year, although he became a familiar face at various events throughout the county in 2024. At the board’s most recent meeting, Sadeghi added a lighthearted touch to discussions after completing all agenda items.
During the commissioner’s comments, Sadeghi reiterated his previous concerns about the services provided by Jersey Central Power & Light. “We had a positive initial meeting with the new president of JCP&L,” he announced. “I’m cautiously optimistic that we have their attention.”
“We talked about damages that amount to a billion or more, but the point is to get their attention,” continued Sadeghi. “I just think that systemically, there’s a problem at JCP&L. I think that systematically, they need to look at their constituents and be a little more accountable to them.”
Sadeghi highlighted the growing power issues in the county, citing development projects in municipalities like Lakewood, Jackson, and Manchester. “We’re running out of power,” he said. “I don’t understand what aspect of Ocean County’s growth came as a surprise to JCP&L.”
The day after Sadeghi voiced his concerns at the board’s reorganization meeting, thousands of Ocean County residents lost power. Sadeghi joked, “Short of reaching out to Elon Musk to solve this, I’m not sure what will be done.” He also mentioned that he planned to invite JCP&L’s president to a February meeting, where the company would be asked to outline specific milestones for resolving power issues.
Sadeghi concluded his remarks by opening the floor for public comments. He deviated from the usual script in his request for audience members to speak – by adding a humorous twist.
“This is the time to come and say something positive about your county government,” Sadeghi said with a smile. He also suggested that those with positive things to say might even go beyond the usual five-minute allotment.
A New Generation In Ocean County Politics
At 31, Arace is the youngest individual to hold the title of Commissioner in Ocean County since state law changed the title from “Freeholder.” However, he is not the youngest elected official to serve at the county level in essentially the same capacity. That distinction belongs to Mark A. Troncone, elected to the Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1988 at age 29.
In an interview after the meeting, Arace said he began his political career as the mayor of Manchester in 2023 after unsuccessful bids for the seat in 2021 and 2022. Reflecting on his journey into public service, he said, “I’ve always had an interest in volunteering. Growing up, my mom raised me after my dad passed away when I was 10, and she always had me involved in helping others.”
Arace’s decision to run for county commissioner was not easy. He was initially hesitant because he felt he was only halfway through his commitment to Manchester. However, he realized that Manchester had not had a commissioner representative for about 30 years. Arace said he saw a lot of need for services, especially with land preservation and infrastructure improvements. “I want to make sure that Manchester and other towns across the county are represented,” he added.
An Ocean County resident for most of his life, he attended both Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS) and Ocean County College, before ultimately earning his bachelor’s degree from Monmouth University. He’s excited to bring some personal insight into sharing liaison duties with Sadeghi for OCVTS. Among other things, he’d like to see waiting lists reduced so that those interested in the trades have a good start.
“The county is looking to roll out a vocational program for fire and EMTs for juniors and seniors,” Arace added. “In their junior year, they would get Firefighter One, and by their Senior year, Firefighter Two. They would be able to get their EMT basic certification to come out and work by the time they’re 18.”
Arace said that he was passionate about that program and felt that adding to the technology side of the curriculum would also be beneficial. He works as a principal consultant for a technical consulting firm in Red Bank.
As Manchester’s mayor, Arace focused on land preservation, a cause he continues to champion. He helped preserve a significant piece of land in Whiting and worked to prevent the construction of unwanted apartment buildings. As a commissioner, Arace sees many areas across Ocean County that need attention. “Whether it’s beach replenishment in Bay Head or flooding issues in various parts of the county, we need to address these concerns,” he said. “Pedestrian safety is another priority, especially when it comes to sidewalks.”
Arace emphasized the importance of preserving the county’s character while managing its rapid growth. “We have to keep our county’s character while investing in infrastructure,” he said, referencing roads, drainage, and other essential services. “As more people move here, we need to stay ahead of the curve with infrastructure.”
In addition to infrastructure, Arace plans to advocate for veterans and seniors, both key demographics in Ocean County. He also hopes to inspire other young people to get involved in civic life. “I try to set a good example for young people by showing them they can get involved and succeed,” he said. “It’s tough, but we need more young voices in public service.”
Arace credited Ocean County Republican Chair George Gilmore for empowering young people like himself to take on leadership roles.
From Education Leadership to Government
Bacchione’s personal political journey began in 2017 when she was first elected to the Berkeley Township Board of Education. However, town politics is something she’s lived with for more than a few years.
As the wife of Berkeley Mayor John Bacchione, she downplayed the notion of being known as Ocean County’s “power couple.”
“Everybody says that, but we don’t think of ourselves that way,” she said in an interview. “We’re just parents with kids, chores, and normal lives at home. We’ve always tried to work with each other. I’ve always told my friends, if I ever start acting like I’m somebody, knock me down, because I just want to be a regular person.”
During her tenure on the Berkeley school board, she faced challenging times, including navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing state-mandated changes in health and physical education standards. She credits her time as board president with teaching her how to manage complex issues, often balancing the needs of the community with state requirements.
Beyond education, Bacchione has been deeply involved in other boards. She’s served on the Ocean County Board of Health, as well as Berkeley’s Municipal Alliance and its Housing Authority. In 2023, she was selected to be the Executive Director of the Ocean County Republican Organization. However, she’s quick to share that her 27-year career as a licensed cosmetologist/hairdresser also shaped her perspective on working with people.
“In my career, I’ve learned to disagree respectfully and still keep my clients’ best interests at heart,” she said. “That’s how I approach my role as commissioner – working to do what’s best for people.”
She serves as liaison to several departments, including the Library Commission, the Board of Elections, and Ocean County Tourism. She’s particularly excited about her role in promoting the county’s natural attractions, such as Island Beach State Park. “Tourism is vital here. It’s amazing how many people visit our parks and beaches year-round,” she said, while also acknowledging the year-round importance of supporting all communities, including those in the southern end of the county.
As a liaison to the Board of Elections, she is focused on maintaining public trust in the voting process. “Ocean County’s election system is very fair,” she noted. “Democrats and Republicans work together to ensure everything runs smoothly.”
Bacchione is excited to serve as the commissioner’s link to Ocean County College and the opportunity to expand educational opportunities for local residents. She identifies with course offerings based on her own experience of earning an associate degree in business before deciding on her career path.
“I’ve always liked business and wanted to learn about it,” Jennifer shared. “But I wasn’t sure where I wanted to go from there. I also knew I didn’t want to sit in an office all day and not feel challenged. That’s when I switched to hairdressing – it was something I enjoyed doing.”
She also aims to address homelessness in the county, calling it a human issue rather than a political one. “We need to figure out solutions that balance compassion with practical steps. Ocean County’s people deserve the best efforts from all of us,” she said.
She is optimistic about her ability to make an impact. “This county is vast and diverse, but with teamwork and commitment, we can address the growing needs and challenges together,” she concluded.
