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Freehold mayors have seen, and made, history
Serendipitous meeting outside Borough Hall produces historic photo
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
GLENN CASHION Freehold Borough's living mayors gathered on the steps of Borough Hall on July Fourth following the annual public reading of the Declaration of Independence. They are (l-r) John Dawes, Bill Boyle, Michael Wilson, Frank Gibson and Roger Kane.
FREEHOLD — Smalltown America has a name, according to Roger Kane — and it is Freehold Borough.
Kane was one of four former mayors who, along with Freehold Borough's current Mayor Michael Wilson, appeared on the steps of Borough Hall on July Fourth following a public reading of the Declaration of Independence.
The five men gathered to pose for a picture on a day they said was one of the most important dates in American history.
Referring to the event as a Norman Rockwell image, Kane said, "There's nothing more American than this. People reading the Declaration of Independence on the steps of Borough Hall? This is Smalltown America."
Looking at the photo of the five mayors — Wilson, Kane, Frank Gibson, John Dawes and William Boyle — one sees the continuity of community pride and respect, passed from one person who cared deeply about his town to another.
Gibson, who will turn 90 this year, has lived in the borough all his life. He served as mayor from 1961 to 1967 after serving for 10 years as president of the Freehold Regional Board of Education.
Gibson owns Frank C. Gibson Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors, Throckmorton Street. He was a member of the Freehold Fire Department, grand knight of the Knights of Columbus, Freehold, and exalted ruler of the Freehold Elks Lodge No. 1454.
Gibson, a 1942 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, said Freehold was "hurting" when he took office in the early 1960s. He recalled trying to secure funds to help build up the town with an urban renewal plan, but the plan included tearing down many buildings, according to Gibson.
"The people of Freehold Borough did not want that," he said.
When asked how he felt about being mayor, Gibson replied, "It was a good feeling to sit back and make things happen."
Now retired from his business, Gibson volunteers at the soup kitchen hosted by St. Peter's Episcopal Church.
Attorney John Dawes took over as Freehold Borough's mayor after Gibson and served in that position during 1968 and 1969.
Dawes, 72, was a member of the Freehold Area Hospital (now CentraState Medical Center) board of directors, served as president of the Jaycees, president of the YMCA and was a member of the Monmouth County Chamber of Commerce.
Although he was a member of the Republican Party and many Borough Council members were Democrats, Dawes said they worked together "pretty cohesively."
The time period when Dawes was mayor was marked by racial strife and unrest in the community and eventually led the New Jersey State Police to declare martial law for a short time.
"The town came together and we got past it," Dawes remembered.
His administration saw the relocation of the municipal building from the second floor of the Freehold Fire Department to its current location at 51 W. Main St.
Dawes said when he saw the original plans for the municipal building, his first comment was, "It's not Colonial." So he had columns and shutters added to bring some Colonial character to the brick building.
"We had good times," Dawes said as he reflected back. "Even though we had disagreements, we have all remained friends."
During his long professional career, Dawes served as the attorney for the Manalapan Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education. When he retired from that position several years ago after 40 years of service, school district officials named a new school in his honor, the John I. Dawes Early Learning Center on Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan.
William Boyle, who was raised on Throckmorton Street, has seen much in his 84 years. Some of those images include some "tough times," in his words, when he was mayor from 1970 to 1974.
"Those years when we had racial unrest were very difficult times," he said.
Boyle remembered when Freehold was under martial law and recalled that he had to be escorted by two police officers every time he went into town because of threats that were made against him and his family.
He said the atmosphere calmed down after a while and he was back to stopping at Borough Hall every day. It was an easy trip for the mayor, since his law office was right in the downtown area.
Boyle said he started his career in criminal justice early. At the age of 18, he worked as a clerk for the FBI in Washington, D.C.
He joined the U.S. Air Force and spent some time in Greenland during World War II. After coming home from the service, Boyle joined the FBI as an agent, where he worked from 1950 to 1954, assigned to New York City, Memphis and Chicago.
Boyle opened a law practice in Asbury Park in 1954 and later moved it to Freehold Borough. He served as the magistrate for Allentown, Upper Freehold Township and Freehold Township, and worked as a municipal attorney for Manalapan.
Boyle ran for mayor in again 1980, was elected and served until 1984. He worked as the Monmouth County surrogate from 1981 to 1985 and as a workers' compensation judge from 1987 to 2000, when he retired.
Boyle said he tried to focus his attention as mayor on cleaning up the town, upgrading shops in the downtown area and maintaining and repairing streets.
Kane, 67, served as Freehold Borough's mayor from 1975 to 1980.
"Our biggest problem was the racial strife sweeping the country. We had our share at the end of the 1960s and the early 1970s. We had to start healing before we could correct any problems," he said.
Kane said he tried to create a welcoming atmosphere to open up dialogue with people.
"I am a firm believer that talking can work out problems," he said.
Kane's administration saw the relocation of the Freehold Borough Police Department from the second floor of the Freehold Fire Department to the former Hudson Street School.
The Hudson Manor senior citizens residence was built during Kane's time as mayor. Kane founded the Lake Topanemus Commission, a cooperative effort between Freehold Borough and Freehold Township that worked to preserve and renew Lake Topanemus. He still chairs the commission. He has also been a member of the borough's Human Relations Commission.
"We had our first outdoor café on Main Street when I was mayor," he said.
He said Jeff Jones, the late owner of the Court Jester, came up with the idea, and a new concept in Freehold Borough dining was born.
Kane, who was also a member of the Freehold Fire Department, is well known for his involvement with the borough's Halloween Spooktacular events. He operates 111 South Contractors Commercial Cleaning Service, a family-owned business in Freehold.
The borough native said, "Freehold still remains a nice quaint little town that is a great place to live and a great place to visit."
Following Boyle as mayor in 1984 was Jack McGackin, the man who is credited with getting Freehold Borough's renaissance as a community off the ground. The effort centered around the downtown area with the creation of plans that eventually helped to revitalize the town.
McGackin died in office in April 1985, and Wilson, who was serving on the Borough Council, was appointed mayor. He has remained in office ever since, winning re-election numerous times en route to becoming the longest-serving mayor in the borough's history.
During his initial years in office, Wilson continued to push for the renaissance McGackin started.
Wilson had been appointed to the council in 1979. He ran for office in 1980 but lost to Ralph Musgrave. He ran again for council in 1981 at the age of 31 and won.
Wilson, 58, who spent 30 years as a broker/real estate agent, now works for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.
Wilson took over the vision of the renaissance McGackin had for Freehold Borough. During Wilson's administration, tackling the downtown area was first on the list. The McGackin Triangle Parking Lot, the Main Street promenade and the revamping of Mechanic Street were all part of the improvements.
The conversion of the abandoned Karagheusian rug mill into apartments for families and senior citizens, a headquarters for the police department and a YMCA Community Center were also accomplished under Wilson's administration.
Among the most memorable events duringWilson's tenure were the night Freehold Borough native Bruce Springsteen came home to perform a benefit concert at St. Rose of Lima School and a visit from President Bill Clinton, who spoke to a crowd of thousands outside the Monmouth County Court House. Both of those historic events occurred in 1996.
McGackin's death was a difficult time for Wilson. McGackin was not only Freehold's mayor, he was also Wilson's good friend.
"It was so sudden and so unexpected," the mayor said.
Although McGackin is not physically in the July 4, 2008, picture with his fellow mayors, his spirit and memory remain etched in the minds and hearts of these men as they remembered someone they consider to be an integral part of the town's history.
Wilson said he is pleased that the unplanned moment on July Fourth brought together almost 50 years of history.
"It was heartwarming to see us all together," the mayor said. "This is the first time, to my knowledge, that I remember all of us being at the same venue. I think it was a great idea to take the photo, Democrats and Republicans together, all dedicated to Freehold Borough. You don't want to let a momentous occasion like this pass. It may never happen again."
Freehold mayors have seen, and made, history
Serendipitous meeting outside Borough Hall produces historic photo
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
GLENN CASHION Freehold Borough's living mayors gathered on the steps of Borough Hall on July Fourth following the annual public reading of the Declaration of Independence. They are (l-r) John Dawes, Bill Boyle, Michael Wilson, Frank Gibson and Roger Kane.
FREEHOLD — Smalltown America has a name, according to Roger Kane — and it is Freehold Borough.
Kane was one of four former mayors who, along with Freehold Borough's current Mayor Michael Wilson, appeared on the steps of Borough Hall on July Fourth following a public reading of the Declaration of Independence.
The five men gathered to pose for a picture on a day they said was one of the most important dates in American history.
Referring to the event as a Norman Rockwell image, Kane said, "There's nothing more American than this. People reading the Declaration of Independence on the steps of Borough Hall? This is Smalltown America."
Looking at the photo of the five mayors — Wilson, Kane, Frank Gibson, John Dawes and William Boyle — one sees the continuity of community pride and respect, passed from one person who cared deeply about his town to another.
Gibson, who will turn 90 this year, has lived in the borough all his life. He served as mayor from 1961 to 1967 after serving for 10 years as president of the Freehold Regional Board of Education.
Gibson owns Frank C. Gibson Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors, Throckmorton Street. He was a member of the Freehold Fire Department, grand knight of the Knights of Columbus, Freehold, and exalted ruler of the Freehold Elks Lodge No. 1454.
Gibson, a 1942 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, said Freehold was "hurting" when he took office in the early 1960s. He recalled trying to secure funds to help build up the town with an urban renewal plan, but the plan included tearing down many buildings, according to Gibson.
"The people of Freehold Borough did not want that," he said.
When asked how he felt about being mayor, Gibson replied, "It was a good feeling to sit back and make things happen."
Now retired from his business, Gibson volunteers at the soup kitchen hosted by St. Peter's Episcopal Church.
Attorney John Dawes took over as Freehold Borough's mayor after Gibson and served in that position during 1968 and 1969.
Dawes, 72, was a member of the Freehold Area Hospital (now CentraState Medical Center) board of directors, served as president of the Jaycees, president of the YMCA and was a member of the Monmouth County Chamber of Commerce.
Although he was a member of the Republican Party and many Borough Council members were Democrats, Dawes said they worked together "pretty cohesively."
The time period when Dawes was mayor was marked by racial strife and unrest in the community and eventually led the New Jersey State Police to declare martial law for a short time.
"The town came together and we got past it," Dawes remembered.
His administration saw the relocation of the municipal building from the second floor of the Freehold Fire Department to its current location at 51 W. Main St.
Dawes said when he saw the original plans for the municipal building, his first comment was, "It's not Colonial." So he had columns and shutters added to bring some Colonial character to the brick building.
"We had good times," Dawes said as he reflected back. "Even though we had disagreements, we have all remained friends."
During his long professional career, Dawes served as the attorney for the Manalapan Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education. When he retired from that position several years ago after 40 years of service, school district officials named a new school in his honor, the John I. Dawes Early Learning Center on Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan.
William Boyle, who was raised on Throckmorton Street, has seen much in his 84 years. Some of those images include some "tough times," in his words, when he was mayor from 1970 to 1974.
"Those years when we had racial unrest were very difficult times," he said.
Boyle remembered when Freehold was under martial law and recalled that he had to be escorted by two police officers every time he went into town because of threats that were made against him and his family.
He said the atmosphere calmed down after a while and he was back to stopping at Borough Hall every day. It was an easy trip for the mayor, since his law office was right in the downtown area.
Boyle said he started his career in criminal justice early. At the age of 18, he worked as a clerk for the FBI in Washington, D.C.
He joined the U.S. Air Force and spent some time in Greenland during World War II. After coming home from the service, Boyle joined the FBI as an agent, where he worked from 1950 to 1954, assigned to New York City, Memphis and Chicago.
Boyle opened a law practice in Asbury Park in 1954 and later moved it to Freehold Borough. He served as the magistrate for Allentown, Upper Freehold Township and Freehold Township, and worked as a municipal attorney for Manalapan.
Boyle ran for mayor in again 1980, was elected and served until 1984. He worked as the Monmouth County surrogate from 1981 to 1985 and as a workers' compensation judge from 1987 to 2000, when he retired.
Boyle said he tried to focus his attention as mayor on cleaning up the town, upgrading shops in the downtown area and maintaining and repairing streets.
Kane, 67, served as Freehold Borough's mayor from 1975 to 1980.
"Our biggest problem was the racial strife sweeping the country. We had our share at the end of the 1960s and the early 1970s. We had to start healing before we could correct any problems," he said.
Kane said he tried to create a welcoming atmosphere to open up dialogue with people.
"I am a firm believer that talking can work out problems," he said.
Kane's administration saw the relocation of the Freehold Borough Police Department from the second floor of the Freehold Fire Department to the former Hudson Street School.
The Hudson Manor senior citizens residence was built during Kane's time as mayor. Kane founded the Lake Topanemus Commission, a cooperative effort between Freehold Borough and Freehold Township that worked to preserve and renew Lake Topanemus. He still chairs the commission. He has also been a member of the borough's Human Relations Commission.
"We had our first outdoor café on Main Street when I was mayor," he said.
He said Jeff Jones, the late owner of the Court Jester, came up with the idea, and a new concept in Freehold Borough dining was born.
Kane, who was also a member of the Freehold Fire Department, is well known for his involvement with the borough's Halloween Spooktacular events. He operates 111 South Contractors Commercial Cleaning Service, a family-owned business in Freehold.
The borough native said, "Freehold still remains a nice quaint little town that is a great place to live and a great place to visit."
Following Boyle as mayor in 1984 was Jack McGackin, the man who is credited with getting Freehold Borough's renaissance as a community off the ground. The effort centered around the downtown area with the creation of plans that eventually helped to revitalize the town.
McGackin died in office in April 1985, and Wilson, who was serving on the Borough Council, was appointed mayor. He has remained in office ever since, winning re-election numerous times en route to becoming the longest-serving mayor in the borough's history.
During his initial years in office, Wilson continued to push for the renaissance McGackin started.
Wilson had been appointed to the council in 1979. He ran for office in 1980 but lost to Ralph Musgrave. He ran again for council in 1981 at the age of 31 and won.
Wilson, 58, who spent 30 years as a broker/real estate agent, now works for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.
Wilson took over the vision of the renaissance McGackin had for Freehold Borough. During Wilson's administration, tackling the downtown area was first on the list. The McGackin Triangle Parking Lot, the Main Street promenade and the revamping of Mechanic Street were all part of the improvements.
The conversion of the abandoned Karagheusian rug mill into apartments for families and senior citizens, a headquarters for the police department and a YMCA Community Center were also accomplished under Wilson's administration.
Among the most memorable events duringWilson's tenure were the night Freehold Borough native Bruce Springsteen came home to perform a benefit concert at St. Rose of Lima School and a visit from President Bill Clinton, who spoke to a crowd of thousands outside the Monmouth County Court House. Both of those historic events occurred in 1996.
McGackin's death was a difficult time for Wilson. McGackin was not only Freehold's mayor, he was also Wilson's good friend.
"It was so sudden and so unexpected," the mayor said.
Although McGackin is not physically in the July 4, 2008, picture with his fellow mayors, his spirit and memory remain etched in the minds and hearts of these men as they remembered someone they consider to be an integral part of the town's history.
Wilson said he is pleased that the unplanned moment on July Fourth brought together almost 50 years of history.
"It was heartwarming to see us all together," the mayor said. "This is the first time, to my knowledge, that I remember all of us being at the same venue. I think it was a great idea to take the photo, Democrats and Republicans together, all dedicated to Freehold Borough. You don't want to let a momentous occasion like this pass. It may never happen again."
