Post by Freehold Resident on Jul 18, 2007 8:26:39 GMT -5
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2007/0718/Front_Page/067.html
New panel will promote Freehold to the world
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD - A new committee will sing Freehold Borough's praises and focus on getting others to hear that song.
The Community Information Committee will establish a public perception that Freehold Borough is a vibrant and diverse town to visit, conduct business in and reside, according to Lisa Schofield, one of the movers behind the new initiative.
On July 2, the Borough Council formally created the committee.
Councilman Marc Le Vine got the ball rolling on the project earlier this year. Additional work was done by Schofield, Brian Sullivan and Le Vine's son, Steven Le Vine, all of Freehold. Bob Byrne of Marlboro has recently volunteered to serve on the committee.
The Community Information Committee will consist of no less than five and no more than 11 volunteer members to be appointed by Mayor Michael Wilson.
An initial goal for the committee will be to work on ways of gathering and distributing information about Freehold. The panel is also expected to develop a media kit about the town.
The idea is to remind people who live in the borough how great the town is and to allow that positive, upbeat attitude about their hometown to eventually radiate outside the immediate borders of the town, bringing and attracting new business owners and new residents to a thriving community which has a wonderful character and a rich history.
Schofield, a freelance writer, said she believes residents will benefit indirectly from the committee's work through "upbeat, compelling and informative press features, and announcements that bring more people, potential homeowners and business owners who will collectively fortify what is truly a rare gem of a picturesque and historic town.
"In addition, the more residents know about what is going on throughout town, the more appreciative they would be about being apprised of various groups and activities to take part in," she said.
"I think this committee will present a historic change for Freehold Borough and I foresee an outstanding future ahead for the town. I know the borough will greatly benefit from this committee and would like to note that this is not just our committee, but the town's committee," Steven Le Vine said.
"What we plan to do is going to truly enhance the public perception of Freehold Borough, which will influence others such as creative people to visit Freehold Borough, shop and dine, open up exciting and interesting new businesses that we currently do not have and purchase homes," Le Vine said.
Sullivan, who works as a park ranger for the Monmouth County Park System, said, "I know our community spirit is alive and well and the town will benefit from having that energy harnessed and directed in a good way."
He thanked Marc Le Vine for leading the initiative to where it has come - the formal establishment of a panel that will promote Freehold Borough.
"Councilman Le Vine had the foresight and faith to realize the value of what the new committee has to offer. He understands, as the rest of us do, that our town is a good town with good people and we need to be proactive in going in the right direction," Sullivan said.
Byrne has worked in the publishing industry for 30 years and has spent a lot of time in town over the past 15 years. He said he is happy to assist in the effort because he loves the borough.
"The borough has great restaurants, but they should not be the primary reason that people come to the borough. The restaurants should be the beneficiary of why people come to the downtown area," he said.
Byrne said he believes Freehold has the potential to become more of a thriving downtown area. He referred to Red Bank as an example, stating that Red Bank, which now boasts jewelry stores, music shops, antique boutiques and other types of retail businesses, began this process more than 20 years ago. He sees the borough going down that same path.
Byrne said he believes marketing the retail end of the downtown area, along with the combination of the wonderful eateries and the rich history of the town, will be the borough's winning ticket.
Steven Le Vine, who works in the field of public relations, summed up his feelings about the committee's work and about the borough itself in the following statement: "When Bruce Springsteen called Freehold Borough his hometown, he metaphorically brought to the table the notion that this was America's hometown and that it is welcoming to everyone."
New panel will promote Freehold to the world
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD - A new committee will sing Freehold Borough's praises and focus on getting others to hear that song.
The Community Information Committee will establish a public perception that Freehold Borough is a vibrant and diverse town to visit, conduct business in and reside, according to Lisa Schofield, one of the movers behind the new initiative.
On July 2, the Borough Council formally created the committee.
Councilman Marc Le Vine got the ball rolling on the project earlier this year. Additional work was done by Schofield, Brian Sullivan and Le Vine's son, Steven Le Vine, all of Freehold. Bob Byrne of Marlboro has recently volunteered to serve on the committee.
The Community Information Committee will consist of no less than five and no more than 11 volunteer members to be appointed by Mayor Michael Wilson.
An initial goal for the committee will be to work on ways of gathering and distributing information about Freehold. The panel is also expected to develop a media kit about the town.
The idea is to remind people who live in the borough how great the town is and to allow that positive, upbeat attitude about their hometown to eventually radiate outside the immediate borders of the town, bringing and attracting new business owners and new residents to a thriving community which has a wonderful character and a rich history.
Schofield, a freelance writer, said she believes residents will benefit indirectly from the committee's work through "upbeat, compelling and informative press features, and announcements that bring more people, potential homeowners and business owners who will collectively fortify what is truly a rare gem of a picturesque and historic town.
"In addition, the more residents know about what is going on throughout town, the more appreciative they would be about being apprised of various groups and activities to take part in," she said.
"I think this committee will present a historic change for Freehold Borough and I foresee an outstanding future ahead for the town. I know the borough will greatly benefit from this committee and would like to note that this is not just our committee, but the town's committee," Steven Le Vine said.
"What we plan to do is going to truly enhance the public perception of Freehold Borough, which will influence others such as creative people to visit Freehold Borough, shop and dine, open up exciting and interesting new businesses that we currently do not have and purchase homes," Le Vine said.
Sullivan, who works as a park ranger for the Monmouth County Park System, said, "I know our community spirit is alive and well and the town will benefit from having that energy harnessed and directed in a good way."
He thanked Marc Le Vine for leading the initiative to where it has come - the formal establishment of a panel that will promote Freehold Borough.
"Councilman Le Vine had the foresight and faith to realize the value of what the new committee has to offer. He understands, as the rest of us do, that our town is a good town with good people and we need to be proactive in going in the right direction," Sullivan said.
Byrne has worked in the publishing industry for 30 years and has spent a lot of time in town over the past 15 years. He said he is happy to assist in the effort because he loves the borough.
"The borough has great restaurants, but they should not be the primary reason that people come to the borough. The restaurants should be the beneficiary of why people come to the downtown area," he said.
Byrne said he believes Freehold has the potential to become more of a thriving downtown area. He referred to Red Bank as an example, stating that Red Bank, which now boasts jewelry stores, music shops, antique boutiques and other types of retail businesses, began this process more than 20 years ago. He sees the borough going down that same path.
Byrne said he believes marketing the retail end of the downtown area, along with the combination of the wonderful eateries and the rich history of the town, will be the borough's winning ticket.
Steven Le Vine, who works in the field of public relations, summed up his feelings about the committee's work and about the borough itself in the following statement: "When Bruce Springsteen called Freehold Borough his hometown, he metaphorically brought to the table the notion that this was America's hometown and that it is welcoming to everyone."