Post by admin on Apr 9, 2008 5:51:55 GMT -5
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/0409/Front_page/033.html
Freehold wants to build pride in neighborhoods
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD- Plans are in the works to strengthen the community and to make the town a better place to live, "block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood," according to Freehold Borough Mayor Michael Wilson.
Wilson recently announced the establishment of a Neighborhood Pride Committee. He said the panel will take advantage of Freehold's most valuable resource - its residents. Based on the Neighborhood Pride Program that the mayor said is working well in Columbus, Ohio, Wilson began working to bring it to Freehold Borough.
The program's mission is to strengthen community activism, build stronger relationships and empower neighborhoods and businesses to work toward improving the community, according to information provided by borough officials.
Wilson said Mayor Michael B. Coleman's Neighborhood Pride Program in Columbus focuses on street cleaning, repairing trash receptacles, paving potholes, repairing broken streetlights, sprucing up public areas, parks and recreation areas, and beautifying streets and roads.
Freehold officials are planning to focus on those items and also to address code enforcement and public safety, two issues that have been ongoing thorns in the side of borough officials.
"Working closely with residents will allow officials to encourage and inspire everyone to work together to enhance our community pride through better property maintenance and a greater sense of shared camaraderie," Wilson said.
Councilman Marc Le Vine said, "We will look at Freehold Borough and make the program fit for our town. We'll start small by taking on projects we know we can accomplish. We can't take on the whole town at once."
Le Vine has been appointed as the Borough Council's liaison to the Neighborhood Pride Committee. The committee members are Casey Surgent,Annette Jordan, Debbie Keelan, Sheryl Mott, Dan Xavier, Kathy Blum, BillyAnderson,Maureen Haley, Lynn Cannon, andAnthony Di Flumeri.
Le Vine said the members had an orientation meeting to discuss the tasks they will need to address.
According to Le Vine, each neighborhood in the borough will appoint a team captain. Residents will help to identify neighborhood problems and issues and report them to the captain who will, in turn, report the issues to the committee.
However, the Neighborhood Pride Program is not just about identifying the bad things about a neighborhood; it uses a positive approach to try to identify and to deal with problems and make positive suggestions.
Le Vine said the committee will be involved in planning activities such as block parties, talent searches, community nights and safety forums.
Committee member Debbie Keelan said the orientation session was interesting and enlightening.
"I want to take part in this committee because I am very proud of Freehold Borough and I want to work with others who are trying to show that pride," she said. "I think this program will help residents to feel proud, not just about what we see ourselves, but about how others will see us as well."
One of Keelan's ideas is based on the success the borough has seen over the years with the annual Halloween Spooktacular events.
"I think we can bring that Halloween feeling to town at other times of the year," she said.
Keelan noted how once the fall season comes around, neighborhoods in the borough come alive with the sights and sounds of the season, producing or maybe inducing that Halloween feeling she referred to.
Wilson said he is hoping the Neighborhood Pride Committee will develop the type of activities that will bring people together so that "we all might better appreciate the benefits of smalltown living in our town
Freehold wants to build pride in neighborhoods
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD- Plans are in the works to strengthen the community and to make the town a better place to live, "block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood," according to Freehold Borough Mayor Michael Wilson.
Wilson recently announced the establishment of a Neighborhood Pride Committee. He said the panel will take advantage of Freehold's most valuable resource - its residents. Based on the Neighborhood Pride Program that the mayor said is working well in Columbus, Ohio, Wilson began working to bring it to Freehold Borough.
The program's mission is to strengthen community activism, build stronger relationships and empower neighborhoods and businesses to work toward improving the community, according to information provided by borough officials.
Wilson said Mayor Michael B. Coleman's Neighborhood Pride Program in Columbus focuses on street cleaning, repairing trash receptacles, paving potholes, repairing broken streetlights, sprucing up public areas, parks and recreation areas, and beautifying streets and roads.
Freehold officials are planning to focus on those items and also to address code enforcement and public safety, two issues that have been ongoing thorns in the side of borough officials.
"Working closely with residents will allow officials to encourage and inspire everyone to work together to enhance our community pride through better property maintenance and a greater sense of shared camaraderie," Wilson said.
Councilman Marc Le Vine said, "We will look at Freehold Borough and make the program fit for our town. We'll start small by taking on projects we know we can accomplish. We can't take on the whole town at once."
Le Vine has been appointed as the Borough Council's liaison to the Neighborhood Pride Committee. The committee members are Casey Surgent,Annette Jordan, Debbie Keelan, Sheryl Mott, Dan Xavier, Kathy Blum, BillyAnderson,Maureen Haley, Lynn Cannon, andAnthony Di Flumeri.
Le Vine said the members had an orientation meeting to discuss the tasks they will need to address.
According to Le Vine, each neighborhood in the borough will appoint a team captain. Residents will help to identify neighborhood problems and issues and report them to the captain who will, in turn, report the issues to the committee.
However, the Neighborhood Pride Program is not just about identifying the bad things about a neighborhood; it uses a positive approach to try to identify and to deal with problems and make positive suggestions.
Le Vine said the committee will be involved in planning activities such as block parties, talent searches, community nights and safety forums.
Committee member Debbie Keelan said the orientation session was interesting and enlightening.
"I want to take part in this committee because I am very proud of Freehold Borough and I want to work with others who are trying to show that pride," she said. "I think this program will help residents to feel proud, not just about what we see ourselves, but about how others will see us as well."
One of Keelan's ideas is based on the success the borough has seen over the years with the annual Halloween Spooktacular events.
"I think we can bring that Halloween feeling to town at other times of the year," she said.
Keelan noted how once the fall season comes around, neighborhoods in the borough come alive with the sights and sounds of the season, producing or maybe inducing that Halloween feeling she referred to.
Wilson said he is hoping the Neighborhood Pride Committee will develop the type of activities that will bring people together so that "we all might better appreciate the benefits of smalltown living in our town
