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Post by fedup on Oct 24, 2006 20:10:36 GMT -5
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Post by admin on Oct 25, 2006 4:56:43 GMT -5
Well, the cat is out of the bag. I knew about this, not from Joe, but from others.
Joe and his wife live next to me. They are a wonderful couple. I have to post this so that all readers know why I am not making any endorsements. Being the administrator of this site puts me in an odd position.
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Post by fedup on Oct 25, 2006 7:01:30 GMT -5
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Post by Marc LeVine on Oct 25, 2006 10:22:37 GMT -5
I find it very admirable when a young newcomer to our town takes an interest in volunteerism or public service. Generally, one starts out learning the issues as a committee or commission member and gets to know the town better, through its people, while participating in club activities such as the cub/boy/girl scouts, little league, Elks, Knights, etc. Attending Council meetings and speaking out on issues of concern is also a great way to gauge the effectiveness of the governing body, first hand. There, you learn about the issues and the views of others from those on the council and residents in attendance. It's also a good way of becoming well known to others.
When I moved into Freehold Borough in 1981, I already had a strong familiarity with the town and it's people. I only grew up 4 miles away, my grandparents lived here, my sister graduated from FHS and Main Street was our street, too. I got my very first hair cut on South Street and my first pair of shoes from "Ben's."
However, it took me several years of direct community involvement to sufficiently understand the true workings of our community and the real issues that concerned our residents.
I attended Council and Board of Education meetings for awhile, before taking a shot at a Board of Ed seat versus Ed Eastman. That was in 1989, after living in the Borough for about 8 years. I got alot of votes, but Ed Eastman won, because he was already well experienced and effective. There was no real need for change.
Raising my children in town and being involved in the schools, as well as meeting and talking to residents at Soccer and Little League games and at the cub scout den meetings I ran as den leader, helped put me in touch with the real flavor of our town and the needs of the residents.
All this lead to my being asked to run for a council seat in 1990, almost 10 years into my becoming a Freehold Borough resident and long after I decided that I so loved the community and planned to remain here, indefinitely, with my family, John Rosseel and I cruised to victory because we knew the issues, had conviction and connected with our residents. In 1993, as the leading vote getter, my past efforts were rewarded.
People successfully running for council in our town have resided here for awhile and have participated in the community for a few years prior to contesting for such an important office. Over time they have learned about and gained a deeper understanding of the issues - well enough to discuss them with conviction and in detail. They have no need to rely on random and often inaccurate "sound-bytes" from others. Nor, have they had to offer suggestions that may be inappropriate and, in some cases, not allowed under law.
Our long term residents already are aware that anti-loitering laws are unconstitutional and the Borough's similar ordinance was struck down by the courts a few years ago. All our towns now use other legal means to prevent day laborers and employers from disrupting traffic or harassing bystanders when jobs are bartered in public areas. This is the case in all such towns currently dealing with the problems associated with day labor and illegal immigration.
Did someone mention a Hiring Hall? We all agree that the last thing Freehold Borough needs is a hiring hall or another expensive failure similar to the one we just witnessed in Lakewood. Those of us here for awhile remember that a local Freehold Church already tried setting up a temporary hiring hall in the borough. It failed, miserably. No one wanted it and it went away. It's replacement, a "virtual hiring hall," also failed. If you remember, the virtual hiring hall was supposed to get the people off the streets by encouraging employers to "call in and order" their employees. Illegal immigrants and their employers are not interested in registering their names and using a structured system to arrange work. It's all done undercover.
We have heard nothing more about the "virtual hiring hall" and adding more illegal immigration [glow=red,2,300]magnets[/glow] to the Borough is not advised.
Town like Keyport and Freehold agree that the best way to deal with illegal immigration, as a municipality, is to crackdown on slumlords and bad tenants. We are already engaged in this winnable war and are ratcheting up our efforts with inspections of ALL rental properties in the Borough; by working with the newspapers to release names of violators; by forming the rental advisory committee to make recommendations to council (they already recommended the rental inspections), by creating the No-Knock Ordinance, which will help stop blockbusting, and by making other code changes to encourage good behavior and to punish the bad.
Getting some good PR for our town and attracting young families to replace absentee landlords and their inconsiderate tenants is another strategy that will work. Just see how well that has worked in places like the South Bronx and Williamsburg Brooklyn. Freehold has so much more to offer its residents than those other places, as people are still dying to move to Western Monmouth County and we have the only true downtown here with public transportation, Victorian Homes, great restaurants and true community living, not bed-rooming.
Is it a perfect system, yet? Well, our court is busier than ever before. It's a work in progress - continuous improvement. And, we'll be d**ned if anyone thinks we are going to lose this war. It's our war and we live here, too. There is still alot of work to do and no one is sitting back on this.
The Mayor and Borough Council have been accessible to the community on any and all issues. I hear very few complaints that people are not being communicated with, by those of us on the council. Certainly, if anything, I OVER-COMMUNICATE and ALWAYS get back to people that reach out to me for help. Many will advise that I have visited them, at home, viewed their situations, first hand, took action and made followup calls to them, later on. And, I know of no one on council that gets involved much less than I do.
You all know me. You know who I am and what I stand for. You also know my fellow running mates...and can examine their track records, regarding their past community and public service. On election day, each of us is counting on you to go into the election booth, armed with ALL the knowledge about what each candidate - on EVERY LEVEL - running for office is all about.
Certainly, I would appreciate your continued support, if you can offer it to me. By now, I hope you realize that I always try to do what is best for you and for our town. Your vote for me, serves as the greatest recognition of my efforts on your behalf.
And then... you will make an informed decision based on each candidate's experience, accessibility, platforms - AND RESULTS. Democracy will be carried out, as it has always been.
Marc
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Post by Freehold Resident on Oct 25, 2006 11:51:53 GMT -5
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Panel hopes to advance historic district in town
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — Visitors to Freehold Borough may see the historical value and charming ambiance of the town more than some residents do.
With that in mind, members of the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee encouraged residents who attended a public meeting on Oct. 24 “to look up” at the architectural details that outsiders seem to notice right away and even come to town just to view.
The committee’s message to those in attendance was clear: They are going to do whatever they have to do to keep the town’s historic buildings from being demolished.
Last week’s meeting was held to inform the public about the details of an ordinance that will propose the creation of a Historic Preservation Advisory Commission which will protect historic properties in the downtown B-1 and B-2 business zones and the corridors leading into it. These are properties that committee members believe are the most vulnerable to the wrecking ball.
A small group of residents and several people who own property in the B-1 and B-2 zones were on hand for the presentation.
Councilman Kevin Coyne, who is the Borough Council’s liaison to the committee, said the town has no protection for its historic housing stock and wants to change that situation. The committee is working with a law from Newton, Sussex County, which Coyne said is similar to Freehold Borough in size, demographics and historical significance.
He said the advisory committee has some power over certain historic properties in town such as St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and the Court Street School, but its power is limited to buildings that are already on the National Register of Historic Places.
Coyne said borough officials tried to form a historic district in the 1980s, but that idea fell apart because people feared they would be told what they could and could not do with their homes.
Committee member Wayne Mason said the proposed ordinance “does not change any uses in the zones. Undeniably, the center of town has our greatest historic features. There are many other areas that have outstanding historic features as well, but this is a place to start.”
Mason sought to dispel a concern that having a historic district in town will reduce property values.
“It’s a myth,” he said. “By and large, property values will either be maintained or enhanced. You can’t just say you’ll have a historic district. You must have a commission and an ordinance to govern it.”
Commission members would include people with backgrounds in history and architecture who would evaluate Freehold’s historic resources and look at the properties within the historic district.
Mason said evaluations would fall into three categories: buildings that are genuine historic structures that have not undergone much alteration; structures that are historic in nature and have changed over time; and the construction of new buildings.
The commission will not seek to protect only the architecturally exquisite structures, but those that speak of a specific time and place. Mason cited the Freehold Grill on West Main Street as one of the latter.
“With its art deco streamline design you may question its history, but it’s a great example of the spirit of that time,” he said.
The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Evaluating Significance within a Historic District will be employed to evaluate all historic properties in the historic district. These standards govern whether or not a building contributes to the historic significance of the district.
According to the standards, “A building contributing to the historic significance of a district is one which by location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association adds to the district’s sense of time and place and historical development.”
Design guidelines are in the process of being written, according to Mason. He said members will develop design guidelines that will take the broad guidelines from the Secretary of Interior and make it “Freehold specific.”
“We are looking for compatibility,” Mason explained. “Buildings that blend and contribute, rather than those that detract.”
The economic advantages of designating a historic district were also discussed at the meeting. Mason said buildings that qualify may be entitled to federal tax credits and technical assistance form the State Historic Preservation Office.
Those who attended the meeting went home with a folder full of documents that included a copy of the sample historic preservation ordinance, frequently asked questions about historic districts and the Secretary of Interior’s standards.
The proposed ordinance may be presented to the Borough Council at the council’s Nov. 7 meeting.
Committee member Ken Kalmis said when guests came to visit him he began to see the borough in a different light.
“Freehold has just as good or maybe an even better fabric than towns such as Ocean Grove or Cape May. People who drive down Main Street many times a day may not see that value anymore,” he said.
Mason said some residents may need to see the historic fabric and old fashioned character of the town they live in the way visitors to the borough do — with “fresh eyes.”
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Post by admin on Oct 25, 2006 19:04:59 GMT -5
Marc,
Could you do all of our readers a favor and see it the other two candidates, Jay Simms and Sharon Shutzer would post some thoughts on this web site? It would be very good to see them here. I am very interested in Mr. Simms especially. Being that he is newest to the council, it would be great to hear some more from him.
Brian -- Admin
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Post by Marc LeVine on Oct 25, 2006 20:00:24 GMT -5
Brian:
I have passed your request along.
Marc
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Post by Joseph Liguori on Oct 26, 2006 22:43:52 GMT -5
Hello Neighbors,
I wanted to introduce myself and respond to some of the comments made regarding my statements to the press and my campaign.
I am a Freehold Borough Resident and want the best for my community. Marc's statement that I am "a young newcomer" does have some merit. I am only 32 years of age but my wife and I have resided in Freehold Borough for the past two and a half years. My wife and I love the neighborhood and intend on raising our family in Freehold Borough. However, during those two and a half years, I have seen and heard of numerous issues within Freehold Borough that need to be properly addressed. For that reason, I am running for Freehold Borough Council. I believe that I can provide a fresh perspective to the current council and make a positive change in Freehold Borough.
I have attended several council meetings over the past couple of years and I have spoken to over 200 residents of the community regarding the issues that surround Freehold Borough. It is my intention to alleviate the problems we face in Freehold Borough, both for my family and for the residents of Freehold Borough. It is further my intention to be a true representative of the residents and to address their concerns expeditiously and effectively.
I am not going to address each of the issues that we are faced with in Freehold Borough, but I will respond to the comments made regarding specific issues. With regard to a hiring hall, I never advocated for a hiring hall in Freehold Borough. I indicated that other towns in our area and in our country have continued to take steps to address issues surrounding illegal immigrants. An example I provided was the creation of hiring halls. At no time did I indicate a hiring hall would be appropriate for the situation we have in Freehold Borough. As to the issue of loitering, it is my belief that we can curtail loitering in our dowtown business district without the institution of anti-loitering laws. We can accomplish this through the enforcement of current ordinances and the creation of additional ordinances not directed at loitering. I hope this short message provides clarification on my position relative to these issues.
I will be happy to respond to any questions that anyone may have regarding my stance on any issue. Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions or comments at jrsyjdjoe@comcast.net. I thank each of you for taking the time to read this post.
Vey truly yours,
Joseph Liguori
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Post by admin on Oct 27, 2006 12:31:54 GMT -5
To all readers,
I have placed the Boro council race at the top of our list. Kind of makes sense since this is a Freehold Borough site. It is hard to think of any of the candidates as politicians. They are our neighbors and friends first and foremost. We all know they share the common goal of helping our town residents. We all know that they are good people.
I have taken initiative to try to get all of the candidates to come to our site and share some thoughts. We all know Councilman LeVine, at least from this site.
As we can see, Republican Candidate Joe Liguori has also taken some time to share some thoughts.
I have high hopes that we can also get Council President Sharon Shutzer and Councilman Jaye Simms to come on board and write to us all.
I am confident that all of our readers will join me in welcoming all four candidates as our friends. This has become a quality web site only because of the good people we have participating. I know that all of you will be fair and respectful.
I will, again, restate that administration of this site is not making any endorsements of any candidate.
Brian--Admin
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Post by Sharon Shutzer on Oct 28, 2006 10:50:42 GMT -5
My name is Sharon Shutzer, and I am running for re-election to the Borought Council. I made a pledge when I first ran for Council, and it was that I would always keep the best interests of Freehold Borought as my primary concern. I believe that I have kept that promise.
The quality of life of our residents continues to be the focus of the Mayor and Council. We are all aware of how profoundly illegal immigration has affected our town and our schools. Our taxpayers are footing the burden for overcrowding in our schools and our housing.
We have and will continue to focus on strict code enforcement measures to protect the health and safety of our residents. But we need to do more. The Mayor is putting together a committee to investigate how we can offer incentives for home ownership and reduce the number of absentee landlords. We are looking to partner with local banks to offer low interest mortgages to first-time homeowners, possibly with Borough backing. We need to get creative to encourage home ownership, and, therefore, discourage absentee landlords.
I love Freehold Borough, and that love is what keeps me going and determined. I welcome ideas and criticism from the people as that is how we will work together to make a better town. Rest assured, I will always do what I, in my heart, believe to be in the best interest of the people of Freehold Borough.
Sharon
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Post by Jaye Sims on Oct 30, 2006 9:24:38 GMT -5
I am Jaye Sims, and I am running for my first term on the Freehold Borough Council. I was recently appointed to the seat vacated by Kevin Coyne. I recognize that I have big shoes to fill. I have learned a great deal about the operation of a municipal government and have enjoyed working with and learning from my colleagues on Council and the Borough staff. I am a volunteer fireman here in the Borough and serve as liaison to the Human Relations Committee.
Our code enforcement office recently embarked on a rental inspection plan that has already been fruitful. I expect them to continue their good efforts and I will be closely monitoring their results.
Like everyone in town, I am concerned with the quality of life issues facing us and vow to continue to fight for our quality of life, using new and innovative ideas. I am a Freehold native, a proud alumnus of the Borough school system and will do everything I can to keep our town a great place to live and work. I have a strong commitment to Freehold Borough and am not afraid to work hard and make difficult decisions to ensure its future. I come from a large family with deep roots in this community and my family, friends and all residents know they can come to me with any problems or ideas they have concerning the town.
I look forward to working with the Administration to obtain grants to continue improvements to our streets and sidewalks and other infrastructure.
Jaye
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Post by John McLaughlin on Oct 31, 2006 17:24:52 GMT -5
And the Answer is?
Keep the young, vote out the old. Any young bloods are going to have the problem of not being as intimate with the details as those behind closed doors. And there is no doubt that this issue has been dealt with behind closed doors. Joe's problem is that if he is elected, he is only 1 against 5.
Jay Simms is running unopposed so there is no real issue there. Anyway, he is new blood so the balance tips in his favor anyway.
Sorry incumbents, but this is the solution in every race we face.
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Post by Freehold Resident on Oct 31, 2006 17:45:54 GMT -5
Mrs. Shutzer has done a great job on council and brings lots of experience to the table. Mr. Levine just got appointed last year and is getting lots done for the town. He's in the papers every week. I was very young when he was on council last time, but everyone says he was great. Jay will be really good, I know.
You don't throw out good people just for the sake of it. And you don't elect people who haven't done anything just for the heck of it.
F R
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Post by Joseph Liguori on Oct 31, 2006 20:12:05 GMT -5
Calliope,
Thank you for expressing your thoughts. Unfortunately for me, it appears that your mind is set for the upcoming election. Nonetheless, I will attempt to address your concerns. I would request however, if you have the opportunity, that you read the articles printed in the News Transcript and Asbury Park Press relating to the Freehold Borough election. Each article illustrates that the issues surrounding illegal immigration are not the only issues we face in Freehold Borough.
Other issues that I have previously identified are: inconsistency in code enforcement; failure to keep residents properly informed of new and/or revised ordinances; and a failure to enforce certain ordinances. As I indicated in my prior post, I have discussed these issues with numerous residents. I was not merely pressing a hot button, but rather, I was conveying the concerns of the residents of Freehold Borough by identifying numerous issues in our community.
There are additional issues that I have not previously mentioned but which have been conveyed to me by residents of Freehold. Examples are poor street conditions, cracked sidewalks, congestion on Main Street, and a failure to timely repair problems on certain streets. The underlying concern is that the current council has either failed to address these issues or not addressed the issues in a proper fashion. My vow is to be responsive and accesible to residents and to present ideas for resolution of the aforementioned issues based upon what the residents of Freehold Borough want accomplished.
Notwithstanding the above, I would encourage each of you to vote for the members of the current council if you are happy with the state of Freehold Borough and truly believe that Freehold Borough would not benefit from change. "If it is not broken, don't fix it." On the hand, if you believe that I can provide a positive change for our community, I would request that you consider voting for me on November 7, 2006. I would reiterate that if you have any questions you can e-mail me at jrsyjdjoe@comcast.net.
Very truly yours,
Joseph Liguori
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Post by Tom Jefferson on Nov 1, 2006 8:57:13 GMT -5
"I hold it, that a little rebellion, now and then, and is a agood thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical."
I wrote this to James Madison on January 30, 1787, and the principal still holds true today.
Or you can just vote the status quo. that's good too. I mean, why break up the party?
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Post by Joseph Liguori on Nov 8, 2006 8:33:54 GMT -5
Jaye, Sharon, & Marc,
Congratulations to each of you! Good luck in the upcoming year.
Joe
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Post by Marc LeVine on Nov 8, 2006 9:16:48 GMT -5
Joe:
Thank you for being a class act!! As I said before, I admire ANYONE that wants to get involved to help his or her town.
I know that your behind the scenes role is to try and rebuild the local GOP and I'm sure many of your supporters are appreciative of your efforts in that direction. However, if you ever feel that you can break free of your partisan charge and share a cup of coffee, I'd be very pleased to get to know you a little better and understand your personal perspectives on Freehold Borough.
Fortunately, you nor I are part of the Washington or Trenton establishments, so, WE CAN sit together as Freehold Borough residents and talk turkey at Thanksgiving.
Marc
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Post by Jaye Sims on Nov 8, 2006 14:12:26 GMT -5
Thank You Joe! Although we have not met each other yet and we only live a few blocks away from each other, I respect the fact that you have a strong desire to see things change in this town. I encourage you to come to council meetings and voice your concerns. Although our political parties are different, I think we are on the same page that much needed work is still ahead here in Freehold Borough. Looking forward to hearing back from you.
Jaye Sims
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Post by richardkelsey on Nov 8, 2006 16:46:56 GMT -5
Congratulations to the newly elected and re-elected in the Borough.
I still stand ready to help.
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Post by Joseph Liguori on Nov 10, 2006 0:23:48 GMT -5
Marc & Jaye,
I look forward to the opportunity to formally meet both of you. My interest lies solely in representing the best interests of the residents of Freehold. Since I was unsuccessful in my bid for council, I will represent the residents in another capacity, which is bringing the issues to the attention of the council and mayor in the hopes that each issue is addressed in an expeditious and appropriate manner. Marc, please e-mail me and let me know when we can get together to chat. Thanks.
Joe.
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Post by Marc LeVine on Nov 10, 2006 9:23:03 GMT -5
Joe:
Great! I will reach out to you very soon to do just that. As you may have heard, my father is gravely ill and was in a coma on election night. Since then, there has been some encouraging news. He has begun to emerge from the coma, after surgery, and is showing signs of recovery, the extent of which is still unknown. Still, things are a little touch and go right now - at least through the upcoming weekend. So, please bear with me until this crisis passes.
Perhaps, Jaye Sims can join me when we get together. This way we can all bounce thoughts and ideas off each other. I'll be in with you touch, soon.
Regards,
Marc
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Post by Marc LeVine on Nov 10, 2006 9:26:04 GMT -5
Sorry, should read...."I'll be in touch with you, soon." I long for the day when there is better voice recognition on PCs to replace typing.  Marc |
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