SAYREVILLE – After two decades of service as the highest-elected official in the borough and a tenure on the governing body spanning even longer, Sayreville’s longest-serving mayor has stepped down from his position.
The day of Dec. 16 marked the final meeting for Republican Kennedy O’Brien as the mayor of Sayreville, whose term officially ended on Dec. 31. O’Brien did not seek re-election to another term in the 2019 mayoral race and was succeeded by Democrat Victoria Kilpatrick at the borough’s reorganization meeting on Jan. 1.
Before his departure, O’Brien had been Sayreville’s mayor since 2000 and served five four-year terms in the position for 20 years of service as the highest-elected official. He is the borough’s only mayor to serve five terms.
O’Brien was previously appointed to the Borough Council in 1995 and elected to a full three-year term the following year for a total of 25 years on Sayreville’s governing body.
At the Dec. 16 meeting, members of the governing body voiced praise of O’Brien and his service to Sayreville.
“Mayor, thank you for all your service and dedication to this borough,” Council President Daniel Buchanan said. “It was a great run, 20 years as mayor. As I would go around, I would try to find out what your secret for longevity in public office was – a Republican lasting 20 years in a Democratic-leaning community. I found out that it was all those little things that you did when people weren’t watching. The thing that you don’t see every day, but the people see and respect.
“We didn’t agree often, but that’s what makes good government,” Buchanan continued. “I appreciate you keeping us honest by bringing the opposite view and making sure residents would express their feelings as well. I’ve had a great honor and privilege serving with you and you’ll be sorely missed and the borough will miss you.”
“Mr. Mayor, you have been so great to the veterans of our community, as have the council throughout the years, but you’re the head of the operation here,” said Ken Kelly, who is part of the Sayreville Veterans Alliance. “I’ve always been able to go to your for a question or a problem and it was always taken care of. For someone to stay here three years as a councilman and 20 years as mayor is just incredible. It was duly stated tonight that when you’re out in the community, you’re a natural out there. They (the people) know you.”
O’Brien focused his comments on his wife Janice, who is currently battling cancer.
“It’s a long time I’ve been here and I’ve enjoyed every moment of it,” he said. “But I wouldn’t be here without my wife. We’re seniors now, we weren’t when we started, we’re a bit banged up, but we have each other. And that’s all we ever needed.”
