Post by richardkelsey on Jan 16, 2008 12:28:26 GMT -5
The Transcript continues its pipe-hitting, in-depth coverage of Mayor Wilson! LOL
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/0116/Front_Page/003.html
Mayor says Freehold is 'worth fighting for'
Michael Wilson sworn in for new term in hometown
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD- Mayor Michael Wilson told a standing-room-only crowd in Borough Hall that words could not do justice to the profound sense of gratitude he had for the people of Freehold who honored him with the job of leading them for another four years.
Wilson and Councilman Kevin Kane, Councilman Jaye Sims and Councilman George Schnurr took their oaths of office on Jan. 6 during the annual reorganization of the town's government.
Wilson, Kane and Sims were the winners in the November election. Schnurr was recently appointed to the council to fill the seat that opened when Councilman Robert Crawford moved out of town.
In his remarks, Wilson said, "This never gets old and I will never tire of the obligations of this office. Although my longevity in office (23 years as mayor) has provided many battle scars, I feel wiser and prepared to deal with the complex issues and times in which we live."
Wilson, who is not 6 feet 2 inches tall, claimed he was that height when he first took office. The remark drew smiles and laughter from the crowd.
The mayor said that when he announced his candidacy for re-election last year, he was staying to fight for a better Freehold.
"This is what I will always do. Freehold is my home. And, you," he said with emphasis, looking at people crowding into Borough Hall, "are my family."
Wilson said Kane and Sims are dedicated to their office and have a "clear vision" of the town's future.
He called Crawford an "enduring servant to Freehold" and said the former councilman's commitment to the town had transcended many areas - the Freehold Little League, St. Rose of Lima Church and the Shade Tree Commission.
"We have very large steps to follow," Wilson said.
He welcomed Schnurr to the council dais and praised his previous public service.
Wilson mentioned projects that had taken place in 2007 and sketched an image of the improvements on tap for 2008. He said that with a New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) Trust Fund grant, officials were able to completely resurface Monmouth Avenue and Ann Street.
Wilson said the coming year will be just as busy and will include the resurfacing of Bond Street, Conover Street and Ward Avenue.
Another DOT Grant will provide the capital for improvements to Center Street.
The borough has also been awarded a Community Development Block Grant. With those funds the borough will install brick sidewalks from Main Street to the Monmouth County Court House at Monument and Court streets. The project will also include tree plantings and decorative lighting.
Wilson then addressed the renovation and rebuilding of the landmark American Hotel on EastMain Street. The oldest part of the building has been razed to make way for a new building that its owner, Steve Goldberg, said will closely resemble the original structure.
"There will be no more of a profound punctuation mark on our downtown than the reopening of the American Hotel," the mayor said.
Wilson continued his remarks by referencing the issue of illegal immigration, which he said has "victimized" Freehold Borough.
"Our small town has borne a disproportionate share of this burden for many years," the mayor said. "We instituted effective code enforcement initiatives to combat the housing and other quality of life issues that have plagued us for quite some time. The effectiveness of code enforcement can be seen in the continued increases in fines at the municipal court level. Rest assured we will remain vigilant in our efforts."
The mayor said the so-called quality of life municipal court sessions produced $167,000 in fines in 2007, up from $84,000 in fines collected in 2005.
Wilson also discussed a federal program (commonly referred to as 287g of the Immigration Reform Act of 1996) that would deputize local or regional law enforcement officers to enforce federal immigration laws after a period of training.
Wilson said he believes the 287(g) program should be explored on a county-wide level because of the "significant degree of resources at the county's disposal."
Those resources include a jail/detention facility and trained corrections and sheriff 's officers.
"This program could prove to be most beneficial to Freehold and other towns in Monmouth County who share our frustration with the burdens brought about by illegal immigration," Wilson said.
Wilson said he would contact Monmouth County Sheriff Kim Guadagno in the hope of spearheading a county-wide initiative.
During her campaign for sheriff in 2007, Guadagno expressed support for the implementation of the 287(g) program.
Wilson concluded his remarks by stating that his mission as mayor has always been to "fight to make our town a beautiful place in which to raise a family."
He quoted author Ernest Hemingway in his concluding words.
"In his novel 'For Whom the Bell Tolls,' Ernest Hemingway said that 'the world is a fine place and worth fighting for.' Well, my dear people, that sums up my truest feelings of Freehold. Freehold is indeed a fine place and it is certainly worth fighting for," the mayor said.
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/0116/Front_Page/003.html
Mayor says Freehold is 'worth fighting for'
Michael Wilson sworn in for new term in hometown
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD- Mayor Michael Wilson told a standing-room-only crowd in Borough Hall that words could not do justice to the profound sense of gratitude he had for the people of Freehold who honored him with the job of leading them for another four years.
Wilson and Councilman Kevin Kane, Councilman Jaye Sims and Councilman George Schnurr took their oaths of office on Jan. 6 during the annual reorganization of the town's government.
Wilson, Kane and Sims were the winners in the November election. Schnurr was recently appointed to the council to fill the seat that opened when Councilman Robert Crawford moved out of town.
In his remarks, Wilson said, "This never gets old and I will never tire of the obligations of this office. Although my longevity in office (23 years as mayor) has provided many battle scars, I feel wiser and prepared to deal with the complex issues and times in which we live."
Wilson, who is not 6 feet 2 inches tall, claimed he was that height when he first took office. The remark drew smiles and laughter from the crowd.
The mayor said that when he announced his candidacy for re-election last year, he was staying to fight for a better Freehold.
"This is what I will always do. Freehold is my home. And, you," he said with emphasis, looking at people crowding into Borough Hall, "are my family."
Wilson said Kane and Sims are dedicated to their office and have a "clear vision" of the town's future.
He called Crawford an "enduring servant to Freehold" and said the former councilman's commitment to the town had transcended many areas - the Freehold Little League, St. Rose of Lima Church and the Shade Tree Commission.
"We have very large steps to follow," Wilson said.
He welcomed Schnurr to the council dais and praised his previous public service.
Wilson mentioned projects that had taken place in 2007 and sketched an image of the improvements on tap for 2008. He said that with a New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) Trust Fund grant, officials were able to completely resurface Monmouth Avenue and Ann Street.
Wilson said the coming year will be just as busy and will include the resurfacing of Bond Street, Conover Street and Ward Avenue.
Another DOT Grant will provide the capital for improvements to Center Street.
The borough has also been awarded a Community Development Block Grant. With those funds the borough will install brick sidewalks from Main Street to the Monmouth County Court House at Monument and Court streets. The project will also include tree plantings and decorative lighting.
Wilson then addressed the renovation and rebuilding of the landmark American Hotel on EastMain Street. The oldest part of the building has been razed to make way for a new building that its owner, Steve Goldberg, said will closely resemble the original structure.
"There will be no more of a profound punctuation mark on our downtown than the reopening of the American Hotel," the mayor said.
Wilson continued his remarks by referencing the issue of illegal immigration, which he said has "victimized" Freehold Borough.
"Our small town has borne a disproportionate share of this burden for many years," the mayor said. "We instituted effective code enforcement initiatives to combat the housing and other quality of life issues that have plagued us for quite some time. The effectiveness of code enforcement can be seen in the continued increases in fines at the municipal court level. Rest assured we will remain vigilant in our efforts."
The mayor said the so-called quality of life municipal court sessions produced $167,000 in fines in 2007, up from $84,000 in fines collected in 2005.
Wilson also discussed a federal program (commonly referred to as 287g of the Immigration Reform Act of 1996) that would deputize local or regional law enforcement officers to enforce federal immigration laws after a period of training.
Wilson said he believes the 287(g) program should be explored on a county-wide level because of the "significant degree of resources at the county's disposal."
Those resources include a jail/detention facility and trained corrections and sheriff 's officers.
"This program could prove to be most beneficial to Freehold and other towns in Monmouth County who share our frustration with the burdens brought about by illegal immigration," Wilson said.
Wilson said he would contact Monmouth County Sheriff Kim Guadagno in the hope of spearheading a county-wide initiative.
During her campaign for sheriff in 2007, Guadagno expressed support for the implementation of the 287(g) program.
Wilson concluded his remarks by stating that his mission as mayor has always been to "fight to make our town a beautiful place in which to raise a family."
He quoted author Ernest Hemingway in his concluding words.
"In his novel 'For Whom the Bell Tolls,' Ernest Hemingway said that 'the world is a fine place and worth fighting for.' Well, my dear people, that sums up my truest feelings of Freehold. Freehold is indeed a fine place and it is certainly worth fighting for," the mayor said.
