Nobody in politics got swagga like Holmes

Somewhere someone referred to Freeholder Chester Holmes as John Shaft (not to his face), and it clicked. Every time I lay eyes on Homes the theme from Shaft plays in the background of my mind. If you ever saw Holmes in action you could dig it.

Freeholder Chester Holmes of Rahway announced his retirement from the Union County Freeholder board today citing increased demands on his private security business, Holmes Security and Investigations Inc. Holmes is a retired Rahway police detective.

He said he would not seek re-election to a fifth term on the board. Tonight the Union County Democrats will be screening candidates. “Timing is everything” said an insider. He could remain on the ballot in November, collect his checks, get elected, and then have the Union County Democratic Committee appoint his replacement in January in time to be sworn in. The Democrats are so used to this form of democracy that it was a natural for Holmes to announce his retirement and in the same press release give “special thanks to his running mates, Freeholders Scanlon and Al Mirabella, who all started their terms together in 1997.”

There is no word as to who will be replacing him, but I hope he owns green shoes and a suit to match. Freeholder Kowalski owns a purple hat and coat, but it doesn’t have the same effect.

Word in the county is that Holmes, who is in his seventies, was saying too many outrageous things and needed to be swept out of the public eye. Aside from an incomprehensible comment about voting machines that didn’t fit into the context of the moment at a recent meeting, Holmes has been quiet as a church mouse of late. If anyone should be swept out of public view it should be Freeholder Sullivan who is showing obvious signs of dementia with his rantings. Nobody would miss his bama gray suits.

Holmes was fun to watch during otherwise boring meetings. He did me a huge solid when he walked in late to a Saturday morning budget hearing in 2007, looking like he had a rough Friday night, Holmes kept his sunglasses on throughout the meeting with his only participation being to grab a bagel and coffee. I tried to get the reporter sitting next to me to write that Holmes nodded out several times, Holmes did, but the reporter didn’t report it.

Holmes, who has always been obviously quite full of his success at being chosen by the Union County Democratic committee to do their bidding, has been a shadow of his former self of late. Typical Holmes shined through in his closing comments during a freeholder meeting held in 2006. Holmes in all his glory reminded residents in the audience who had brought up valid points about county shenanigans said that “Our chairman here has his attorney sitting next to him. You need to ask yourselves do you have your attorney sitting next to you? You should keep that in mind when you cross the line while addressing this board”.

I’ll also remember Holmes for his round a’bout wisdom, one night during freeholder closing comments residents were speaking amongst ourselves when Holmes pouted “If residents won’t listen to the freeholders then I won’t say anything”. Now that’s leadership to emulate.

Freeholder Holmes has been a successful freeholder, there are 4 employees on the county payroll with the Holmes surname. He was a colorful cat. His clothes, his motorcycle, his notorious womanizing won’t be easily replaced by the Union County Democratic Committee and I for one will miss the entertainment.

Holmes served out loud; he had his own style, and didn’t dress to blend in with the crowd. Here he is with Kenilworth Mayor Gregg David (2nd L), a Kenilworth resident and two fellow freeholders before the Borough’s Centennial Parade where they all marched down the Boulevard.

Even dressed in camouflage Holmes stands out from his fellow Union County politicians during a MusicFest Event. The difference being Holmes made that shirt look good.

It’s hard to tell who is the star and who are the politicans here, they are all playing to the crowd.

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