Post by richardkelsey on Jan 16, 2008 12:34:05 GMT -5
I have no snarky comment for this story. I would like to go on record, though, as saying that I like Mike D very much.
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/0116/Front_Page/007.html
Kane, Sims, Schnurr take seats on council
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD - Three members of the Borough Council were sworn into office when the governing body of Freehold Borough held its annual reorganization meeting on Jan. 6.
All six members of the council and Mayor MichaelWilson are Democrats.
Incumbent councilmen Kevin Kane and Jaye Sims were sworn in to begin serving three-year terms and George Schnurr was sworn in to begin serving a one-year unexpired term.
Kane told a packed meeting room at BoroughHall that Freehold Borough is still a wonderful place to raise a family. He spoke about families besides his own that have made the effort to stay in town because they believe in the community and its values.
The councilman spoke about his father, former mayor Roger Kane, and his uncle, Rich Kane, and mentioned how both men have been involved in the community. Kane said Freehold is about raising a family.
He said, "These are exciting times for us. Steve Goldberg (the owner of theAmerican Hotel) has made a huge investment in our town by purchasing what we know as the crown jewel of the downtown area. We are very excited about the reopening and we can't wait to attend weddings and parties there again. We will make sure the entire town gets together tomake the grand opening last at least a month. We know the entire town will benefit from Mr. Goldberg's work."
Although the oldest section of theAmerican Hotel was razed two weeks ago because it was determined to be structurally unsound, Goldberg has said he will construct a building in the style of the old hotel at its familiar location on EastMain Street.
Kane said Mike Page, the owner of the Court Jester, and Rob Kash, the owner of the Metropolitan Café, helped guide Goldberg through the process of dealing with municipal officials and approvals.
Kane said a downtown vision study that is being conducted will help the town's economic growth and property values.
In his remarks, Sims said he was honored to have been elected to serve for the next three years. He said his journey as a councilman over the past 18 months has been filled with learning experiences that would not have been possible without the support and help of his wife, Danielle, his mother, Eva, and his siblings.
Sims thanked his council colleagues for making his learning experience easier and acknowledged their passion for the town. He thanked BoroughAdministrator Joseph Bellina and Police Chief Mitchell Roth for their help in his development as a public official.
Sims ended his speechwith a quote from Maya Angelou. He read, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel."
Calling himself "the new guy on the block," Schnurr said he was thrilled and honored to be in a position to represent the residents of Freehold Borough. He also spoke about the challenge that illegal immigration is posing for the town.
In regard to the issue of illegal immigration, Schnurr said, "One side of me says we will enforce Freehold Borough's housing codes and ordinances to the fullest extent of the law,while the Christian side ofmemust realize and understand the differences in the community's culture. I don't think the two are mutually incompatible."
Schnurr said he is happy to have the opportunity to be involved in helping to keep Freehold a "great American hometown."
Schnurr said he is honored to have Bellina as the borough's administrator. He called Bellina a "big grant machine," a reference to the administrator's pursuit of funding for municipal projects.
Councilwoman Sharon Shutzer said she continues to be "thrilled and honored" to represent the people of Freehold Borough.
"If we could capture the love that each and every one of us feels for this town, there would be no question about our source of power," she said.
Shutzer once again pledged to protect and improve the quality of life for residents and to continue to support the Freehold Borough Board of Education in every way possible and to work with the board "to give our precious children the resources they need to have a thorough and efficient education."
Councilman Marc Le Vine said that every January council members have the opportunity to start anew and to come up with fresh ideas. He said Schnurr has the courage, intelligence and resolve to be a good councilman.
"The man does his homework," Le Vine said. "He asks the right questions. He's a role model by definition and a leader by example and will be a most effective and respected councilman."
Le Vine said 2008 will be a pivotal year for Freehold Borough. He said the nation's problems trickle down to local problems and include issues such as illegal immigration, school funding and property taxes.
Councilman Michael DiBenedetto, who was elected council president, said 2008will be a tough year financially for taxpayers in the borough and for municipalities in general. DiBenedetto said the borough lost a fine public official when Councilman Robert Crawford moved out of town late last year, but he said a step forward was taken with the appointment of Schnurr to a seat on the council.
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/0116/Front_Page/007.html
Kane, Sims, Schnurr take seats on council
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD - Three members of the Borough Council were sworn into office when the governing body of Freehold Borough held its annual reorganization meeting on Jan. 6.
All six members of the council and Mayor MichaelWilson are Democrats.
Incumbent councilmen Kevin Kane and Jaye Sims were sworn in to begin serving three-year terms and George Schnurr was sworn in to begin serving a one-year unexpired term.
Kane told a packed meeting room at BoroughHall that Freehold Borough is still a wonderful place to raise a family. He spoke about families besides his own that have made the effort to stay in town because they believe in the community and its values.
The councilman spoke about his father, former mayor Roger Kane, and his uncle, Rich Kane, and mentioned how both men have been involved in the community. Kane said Freehold is about raising a family.
He said, "These are exciting times for us. Steve Goldberg (the owner of theAmerican Hotel) has made a huge investment in our town by purchasing what we know as the crown jewel of the downtown area. We are very excited about the reopening and we can't wait to attend weddings and parties there again. We will make sure the entire town gets together tomake the grand opening last at least a month. We know the entire town will benefit from Mr. Goldberg's work."
Although the oldest section of theAmerican Hotel was razed two weeks ago because it was determined to be structurally unsound, Goldberg has said he will construct a building in the style of the old hotel at its familiar location on EastMain Street.
Kane said Mike Page, the owner of the Court Jester, and Rob Kash, the owner of the Metropolitan Café, helped guide Goldberg through the process of dealing with municipal officials and approvals.
Kane said a downtown vision study that is being conducted will help the town's economic growth and property values.
In his remarks, Sims said he was honored to have been elected to serve for the next three years. He said his journey as a councilman over the past 18 months has been filled with learning experiences that would not have been possible without the support and help of his wife, Danielle, his mother, Eva, and his siblings.
Sims thanked his council colleagues for making his learning experience easier and acknowledged their passion for the town. He thanked BoroughAdministrator Joseph Bellina and Police Chief Mitchell Roth for their help in his development as a public official.
Sims ended his speechwith a quote from Maya Angelou. He read, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel."
Calling himself "the new guy on the block," Schnurr said he was thrilled and honored to be in a position to represent the residents of Freehold Borough. He also spoke about the challenge that illegal immigration is posing for the town.
In regard to the issue of illegal immigration, Schnurr said, "One side of me says we will enforce Freehold Borough's housing codes and ordinances to the fullest extent of the law,while the Christian side ofmemust realize and understand the differences in the community's culture. I don't think the two are mutually incompatible."
Schnurr said he is happy to have the opportunity to be involved in helping to keep Freehold a "great American hometown."
Schnurr said he is honored to have Bellina as the borough's administrator. He called Bellina a "big grant machine," a reference to the administrator's pursuit of funding for municipal projects.
Councilwoman Sharon Shutzer said she continues to be "thrilled and honored" to represent the people of Freehold Borough.
"If we could capture the love that each and every one of us feels for this town, there would be no question about our source of power," she said.
Shutzer once again pledged to protect and improve the quality of life for residents and to continue to support the Freehold Borough Board of Education in every way possible and to work with the board "to give our precious children the resources they need to have a thorough and efficient education."
Councilman Marc Le Vine said that every January council members have the opportunity to start anew and to come up with fresh ideas. He said Schnurr has the courage, intelligence and resolve to be a good councilman.
"The man does his homework," Le Vine said. "He asks the right questions. He's a role model by definition and a leader by example and will be a most effective and respected councilman."
Le Vine said 2008 will be a pivotal year for Freehold Borough. He said the nation's problems trickle down to local problems and include issues such as illegal immigration, school funding and property taxes.
Councilman Michael DiBenedetto, who was elected council president, said 2008will be a tough year financially for taxpayers in the borough and for municipalities in general. DiBenedetto said the borough lost a fine public official when Councilman Robert Crawford moved out of town late last year, but he said a step forward was taken with the appointment of Schnurr to a seat on the council.