Post by admin on Oct 2, 2009 9:50:00 GMT -5
www.app.com/article/20091001/NEWS/910010354/1285/LOCAL09/Firefighter+named+to+Freehold+school+board
FREEHOLD: Borough school board members chose volunteer firefighter and active community member Daniel Xavier to fill Andrew DeFonzo's vacated seat Tuesday.
Xavier's term runs until April, which could be a busy month with now five school board seats up for grabs.
The board's newest member was picked Tuesday from a field of three candidates. The three — Xavier, retired educator William Barricelli and dentist David Gillfer — were first publicly interviewed by board members, with questions ranging from the skills they could bring to the job to the role they thought they could play on the board.
Board members then recessed into executive session for about 70 minutes before emerging to nominate Xavier.
"It was a difficult decision," Board President Annette Jordan told the candidates.
Board members unanimously voted for Xavier, a 33-year-old married father of a 1-year-old. Xavier brings to the table nine years of experience in advertising, as well as four years in the U.S. military, he said.
Since moving to Freehold in 2005, Xavier has gotten involved with the borough fire department, the Neighborhood Pride Committee and the local Masonic lodge. He counts among his accomplishments a holiday toy drive he spearheaded through the Masons last year, which he said brought in more than 700 gifts.
Xavier is one of five board members whose terms expire next year. The other four are Jordan, Audrey Evans, Eileen McGough and Ron Reich.
Kim Predham
FREEHOLD: Borough school board members chose volunteer firefighter and active community member Daniel Xavier to fill Andrew DeFonzo's vacated seat Tuesday.
Xavier's term runs until April, which could be a busy month with now five school board seats up for grabs.
The board's newest member was picked Tuesday from a field of three candidates. The three — Xavier, retired educator William Barricelli and dentist David Gillfer — were first publicly interviewed by board members, with questions ranging from the skills they could bring to the job to the role they thought they could play on the board.
Board members then recessed into executive session for about 70 minutes before emerging to nominate Xavier.
"It was a difficult decision," Board President Annette Jordan told the candidates.
Board members unanimously voted for Xavier, a 33-year-old married father of a 1-year-old. Xavier brings to the table nine years of experience in advertising, as well as four years in the U.S. military, he said.
Since moving to Freehold in 2005, Xavier has gotten involved with the borough fire department, the Neighborhood Pride Committee and the local Masonic lodge. He counts among his accomplishments a holiday toy drive he spearheaded through the Masons last year, which he said brought in more than 700 gifts.
Xavier is one of five board members whose terms expire next year. The other four are Jordan, Audrey Evans, Eileen McGough and Ron Reich.
Kim Predham