Post by admin on Feb 22, 2007 17:16:30 GMT -5
He made Freehold history
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 02/22/07
BY NICK PETRUNCIO
FREEHOLD BUREAU
FREEHOLD — While borough native Jaye S. Sims is proud to be the first African-American to serve on the Borough Council, he hopes that in the future, America will see people simply as people and get past the labels.
Public service and leadership are nothing new to the 31-year-old public official. He was president of Freehold High School Class of 1993 during his senior year and served on the student council. He has been a volunteer firefighter for 14 years and served on the borough Recreation Commission for about five years.
"I always like to give back as much as I can. My mother taught us that," Sims said, referring to himself and his siblings.
Sims' hero is his mother, Eva. She raised him, his older sisters Pamela and Geraldine, and his older brother Reginald as a single parent.
"She made sacrifices so we could be where we are, and I'm very grateful for that," he said.
Sims said he believes in family values and is thankful for the people who came before him and were influential in his life growing up, both directly and indirectly.
Those people include the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Sojourner Truth, an ex-slave, abolitionist, minister and women's rights activist, on the national level. He said many local residents have inspired him, and he acknowledged the unsuccessful council runs of African Americans Danny Lewis and Cathy Caldwell.
"She was like another neighborhood mother I looked up to," Sims said of Caldwell.
Sims was appointed to the council in June by Mayor Michael Wilson, who asked him five or six times to fill a seat vacated by Kevin Coyne. Sims ran for Coyne's unexpired term in November and was elected to the seat. He plans to run again this year.
Why was the mayor so persistent?
"Because that's the way I am," Wilson said. "When you're asking someone to run, you never take "no' for an answer the first time. I knew he'd be a good public servant. I know his family. He's an excellent fireman. He was president of his high school class. He was just the right person to actually make history in Freehold Borough to become the first African-American councilman, or woman, which he did."
Sims said he at first declined to take the position mostly because of the time commitment involved in serving on a governing board. After talking with his wife, Danielle, and listening to the mayor's repeated invitations, Sims eventually decided to accept the appointment, and he said he's happy he did.
"He used his sales charm, I guess, and he charmed me right in," said Sims, referring to the mayor, who works in sales. "Thank God I made that decision. It's a different experience, but one I'm glad I chose to do."
Sims said he likes serving the people, seeing what they think and hearing their concerns. While every problem can't be solved overnight, he said he enjoys working toward a solution.
"It's a work in progress," he said.
Sims wanted to thank the members of the council for helping him through his first year and for always being willing to answer his questions. He said he especially wanted to thank Coyne, who still serves the borough as historian.
"Everyone's been very helpful," he said, also thanking his wife for her support.
Wilson said Sims studies his work, is a good listener and is very conscientious.
"In the short time he's been on (the council), he's proven to be an excellent elected official," Wilson said.
Sims serves on several committees, including the Human Relations and Memorial Day Parade committees. The parade is one of the oldest in New Jersey, and Sims said he has never missed one since he began marching in it as a Cub Scout, then later as a firefighter.
Nick Petruncio: (732) 308-7752 or npetruncio@app.com
www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070222/NEWS01/702220431/1004
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 02/22/07
BY NICK PETRUNCIO
FREEHOLD BUREAU
FREEHOLD — While borough native Jaye S. Sims is proud to be the first African-American to serve on the Borough Council, he hopes that in the future, America will see people simply as people and get past the labels.
Public service and leadership are nothing new to the 31-year-old public official. He was president of Freehold High School Class of 1993 during his senior year and served on the student council. He has been a volunteer firefighter for 14 years and served on the borough Recreation Commission for about five years.
"I always like to give back as much as I can. My mother taught us that," Sims said, referring to himself and his siblings.
Sims' hero is his mother, Eva. She raised him, his older sisters Pamela and Geraldine, and his older brother Reginald as a single parent.
"She made sacrifices so we could be where we are, and I'm very grateful for that," he said.
Sims said he believes in family values and is thankful for the people who came before him and were influential in his life growing up, both directly and indirectly.
Those people include the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Sojourner Truth, an ex-slave, abolitionist, minister and women's rights activist, on the national level. He said many local residents have inspired him, and he acknowledged the unsuccessful council runs of African Americans Danny Lewis and Cathy Caldwell.
"She was like another neighborhood mother I looked up to," Sims said of Caldwell.
Sims was appointed to the council in June by Mayor Michael Wilson, who asked him five or six times to fill a seat vacated by Kevin Coyne. Sims ran for Coyne's unexpired term in November and was elected to the seat. He plans to run again this year.
Why was the mayor so persistent?
"Because that's the way I am," Wilson said. "When you're asking someone to run, you never take "no' for an answer the first time. I knew he'd be a good public servant. I know his family. He's an excellent fireman. He was president of his high school class. He was just the right person to actually make history in Freehold Borough to become the first African-American councilman, or woman, which he did."
Sims said he at first declined to take the position mostly because of the time commitment involved in serving on a governing board. After talking with his wife, Danielle, and listening to the mayor's repeated invitations, Sims eventually decided to accept the appointment, and he said he's happy he did.
"He used his sales charm, I guess, and he charmed me right in," said Sims, referring to the mayor, who works in sales. "Thank God I made that decision. It's a different experience, but one I'm glad I chose to do."
Sims said he likes serving the people, seeing what they think and hearing their concerns. While every problem can't be solved overnight, he said he enjoys working toward a solution.
"It's a work in progress," he said.
Sims wanted to thank the members of the council for helping him through his first year and for always being willing to answer his questions. He said he especially wanted to thank Coyne, who still serves the borough as historian.
"Everyone's been very helpful," he said, also thanking his wife for her support.
Wilson said Sims studies his work, is a good listener and is very conscientious.
"In the short time he's been on (the council), he's proven to be an excellent elected official," Wilson said.
Sims serves on several committees, including the Human Relations and Memorial Day Parade committees. The parade is one of the oldest in New Jersey, and Sims said he has never missed one since he began marching in it as a Cub Scout, then later as a firefighter.
Nick Petruncio: (732) 308-7752 or npetruncio@app.com
www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070222/NEWS01/702220431/1004