Post by Freehold Resident on Jan 8, 2007 12:37:38 GMT -5
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Council members take oath of office
Freehold looks ahead to year
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 01/8/07
BY NICK PETRUNCIO
FREEHOLD BUREAU
FREEHOLD — Two re-elected Borough Council members took the oath of office at an organization meeting Sunday, which included a look at last year's accomplishments and a glimpse of the projects and challenges Freehold may take on in 2007.
Councilman Marc Le-Vine and Councilwoman Sharon Shutzer, who held her 2-year-old grandson as the oath was administered, each promised separately to execute the duties of their offices to the best of their abilities.
"The people of our town have returned these two individuals to office because of their dedication to the office and the clear vision of our future that they project with their decisions and their actions," Mayor Michael Wilson said. "Along with their brethren, these two people share my passion and love for our town."
Shutzer, who is in her sixth three-year term, thanked the borough's employees and volunteers, and her family. She also thanked the citizens for their support and, she said, for "hopefully believing in us."
"I love it," Shutzer said after the meeting about serving on the council.
She said she loves giving back to the community and making a difference in people's lives.
LeVine, who begins his third three-year term, served in the 1990s, took a break and then accepted a mayoral appointment in October 2005.
"I've always had a love for this town," LeVine said after the meeting.
A neophyte on the board is Councilman Jaye Sims, who was appointed in June 2006 as a replacement to Kevin Coyne.
"Jaye has been a quick learn, and his zeal of purpose and knowledge of the issues that confront us will hold him in good stead. Jaye's presence is refreshing, and I look forward to serving with him well into the future," Wilson said.
Sims has been a member of the Fire Department for 14 years and is a past member of the Recreation Commission and the Community Drug Alliance. His older brother also is involved in the community.
"I always like to give back as much as I can. My mother taught us that," Sims said after the meeting.
Councilman Kevin Kane begins his first year as the council president. This is the start of his sixth year.
Kane grew up in a family that was involved in the borough. His father, Roger Kane, served as mayor and a councilman.
During the meeting, the mayor noted several capital improvement projects the borough undertook in 2006. Those included the installation of brick sidewalks along South Street and on West Main Street from the center of town toward borough hall, and a plaza in front of borough hall with a fountain. Also, the borough offered its sidewalk program to residents in which the borough and homeowners split the cost of sidewalk repairs.
Moreover, the borough restored Barkalow Avenue and awarded a contract to the firm of Schoor DePalma to develop and design a plan for the downtown.
This year, the borough looks to repave Monmouth Avenue and Ann Street, sell the old police station on Hudson Street and possibly include Throckmorton Street as part of downtown improvements.
Kane said after the meeting, the borough is looking to enhance Freehold Day, which takes place in the summer, and he said he wants to recruit people to take an active role in the community.
"The goal is to get more people involved," he said.
A challenge the borough has been facing and likely will face this year is illegal immigration. The borough's position has been that illegal immigrants put a strain on small towns' facilities and add to overcrowding in public schools.
Shutzer called it, after the meeting, the borough's biggest challenge and "an attack on our financial infrastructure."
Wilson said during the meeting, "Perhaps the newly elected leadership in Washington will understand the urgency of this issue and the impact it has had on small towns such as ours. I guess congressional junkets to foreign countries and sovereignties are enlightening. However, our tax dollars would be judiciously spent on tours of small towns (that) are victims of their neglect in dealing with this issue."
Nick Petruncio: (732) 308-7752 or npetruncio@app.com
Council members take oath of office
Freehold looks ahead to year
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 01/8/07
BY NICK PETRUNCIO
FREEHOLD BUREAU
FREEHOLD — Two re-elected Borough Council members took the oath of office at an organization meeting Sunday, which included a look at last year's accomplishments and a glimpse of the projects and challenges Freehold may take on in 2007.
Councilman Marc Le-Vine and Councilwoman Sharon Shutzer, who held her 2-year-old grandson as the oath was administered, each promised separately to execute the duties of their offices to the best of their abilities.
"The people of our town have returned these two individuals to office because of their dedication to the office and the clear vision of our future that they project with their decisions and their actions," Mayor Michael Wilson said. "Along with their brethren, these two people share my passion and love for our town."
Shutzer, who is in her sixth three-year term, thanked the borough's employees and volunteers, and her family. She also thanked the citizens for their support and, she said, for "hopefully believing in us."
"I love it," Shutzer said after the meeting about serving on the council.
She said she loves giving back to the community and making a difference in people's lives.
LeVine, who begins his third three-year term, served in the 1990s, took a break and then accepted a mayoral appointment in October 2005.
"I've always had a love for this town," LeVine said after the meeting.
A neophyte on the board is Councilman Jaye Sims, who was appointed in June 2006 as a replacement to Kevin Coyne.
"Jaye has been a quick learn, and his zeal of purpose and knowledge of the issues that confront us will hold him in good stead. Jaye's presence is refreshing, and I look forward to serving with him well into the future," Wilson said.
Sims has been a member of the Fire Department for 14 years and is a past member of the Recreation Commission and the Community Drug Alliance. His older brother also is involved in the community.
"I always like to give back as much as I can. My mother taught us that," Sims said after the meeting.
Councilman Kevin Kane begins his first year as the council president. This is the start of his sixth year.
Kane grew up in a family that was involved in the borough. His father, Roger Kane, served as mayor and a councilman.
During the meeting, the mayor noted several capital improvement projects the borough undertook in 2006. Those included the installation of brick sidewalks along South Street and on West Main Street from the center of town toward borough hall, and a plaza in front of borough hall with a fountain. Also, the borough offered its sidewalk program to residents in which the borough and homeowners split the cost of sidewalk repairs.
Moreover, the borough restored Barkalow Avenue and awarded a contract to the firm of Schoor DePalma to develop and design a plan for the downtown.
This year, the borough looks to repave Monmouth Avenue and Ann Street, sell the old police station on Hudson Street and possibly include Throckmorton Street as part of downtown improvements.
Kane said after the meeting, the borough is looking to enhance Freehold Day, which takes place in the summer, and he said he wants to recruit people to take an active role in the community.
"The goal is to get more people involved," he said.
A challenge the borough has been facing and likely will face this year is illegal immigration. The borough's position has been that illegal immigrants put a strain on small towns' facilities and add to overcrowding in public schools.
Shutzer called it, after the meeting, the borough's biggest challenge and "an attack on our financial infrastructure."
Wilson said during the meeting, "Perhaps the newly elected leadership in Washington will understand the urgency of this issue and the impact it has had on small towns such as ours. I guess congressional junkets to foreign countries and sovereignties are enlightening. However, our tax dollars would be judiciously spent on tours of small towns (that) are victims of their neglect in dealing with this issue."
Nick Petruncio: (732) 308-7752 or npetruncio@app.com
