Post by admin on Jan 14, 2009 5:55:10 GMT -5
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2009/0114/front_page/026.html
Town faces challenge of 'hard times' in '09
Councilman Marc Le Vine named council president
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — Borough Councilman Marc Le Vine has been elected to serve as president of the Borough Council for 2009.
Le Vine was tapped by his fellow council members during the annual reorganization meeting of Freehold Borough's municipal government on Jan. 4 at Borough Hall.
In remarks to the audience, Le Vine said that with the economy in crisis, the council will work hard to develop the leanest budget possible to make it through these "hard times." He said the borough will continue to keep roads paved, thoroughfares cleaned and streets safe.
Le Vine said officials will focus on the downtown revitalization plan and work toward making Freehold a "model community" where residents enjoy living and others enjoy visiting.
"We will work hard to produce the best possible results for Freehold Borough residents," he said. "As a council, we will also work together with our business community to move forward with a major revitalization for our downtown. Not only will we enhance our current reputation as an enjoyable destination town for out-of-town visitors, but more importantly, for the people who live here.
"It is you who will be asked to weigh in on what you want to see on Main, South and Throckmorton streets and throughout the entire town. You will tell us where you want to eat, shop and be entertained. Those in surrounding towns already envy us for having the only true downtown in western Monmouth County."
Le Vine said quality of life issues continue to be an area the council members will address year after year.
He said the "dedicated work of the code enforcement office, the Rental Property Advisory Committee, the Historic Preservation Commission and the Neighborhood Pride Committee have created a smooth mechanism to establish all necessary guidelines and codes; ways to educate the public in their responsibilities in the town and to one another; operations to enforce all ordinances; and activities that foster neighborhood togetherness, cooperation and pride.
"We also strive to create a model community, respected for our small-town charm, our diversity and the manner in which we all live together as neighbors and as friends," Le Vine said.
The council president said that 2009 will be an especially challenging year for everyone in America. But he promised that "as tough as it may eventually get for some of us and as painful as it may become for some local families, we will all pull together and make it though these hard times."
The council president said the borough will host a community job fair in April in an attempt to assist individuals who are unemployed.
During the reorganization meeting, Councilman Michael DiBenedetto and Councilman George Schnurr took their oaths of office in front of a packed meeting room. The two men who were elected in November began serving three-year terms on Jan. 1.
Kerry Higgins was reappointed as borough attorney; Scott Basen was reappointed as municipal judge for a three-year term; Kathleen A. Sheedy was appointed as municipal prosecutor; and Jonathan Lomurro was appointed as public defender.
Other appointments for 2009 included the following: Nancy Forman, deputy tax collector; Kevin Coyne, town historian; Daniel Megill, deputy coordinator of emergency management; Freehold Borough Police Chief Mitch Roth will be in charge of public safety; Freehold Fire Department Chief Jack Reichman will oversee fire and rescue; and Garry Jackson, fire official. Alice McCobb was reappointed chairwoman of the Memorial Day parade.
Le Vine summed up the feelings of the governing body in regard to the coming year when he said, "Whatever it takes, we will be there for you. We must all be positive and be open to working together to solve our problems and Freehold Borough will have become a great place to celebrate an entire community of residents being there for one another."
Le Vine, DiBenedetto and Schnurr are joined on the council by Kevin Kane, Jaye Sims and Sharon Shutzer. All six members of the governing body are Democrats.
Town faces challenge of 'hard times' in '09
Councilman Marc Le Vine named council president
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — Borough Councilman Marc Le Vine has been elected to serve as president of the Borough Council for 2009.
Le Vine was tapped by his fellow council members during the annual reorganization meeting of Freehold Borough's municipal government on Jan. 4 at Borough Hall.
In remarks to the audience, Le Vine said that with the economy in crisis, the council will work hard to develop the leanest budget possible to make it through these "hard times." He said the borough will continue to keep roads paved, thoroughfares cleaned and streets safe.
Le Vine said officials will focus on the downtown revitalization plan and work toward making Freehold a "model community" where residents enjoy living and others enjoy visiting.
"We will work hard to produce the best possible results for Freehold Borough residents," he said. "As a council, we will also work together with our business community to move forward with a major revitalization for our downtown. Not only will we enhance our current reputation as an enjoyable destination town for out-of-town visitors, but more importantly, for the people who live here.
"It is you who will be asked to weigh in on what you want to see on Main, South and Throckmorton streets and throughout the entire town. You will tell us where you want to eat, shop and be entertained. Those in surrounding towns already envy us for having the only true downtown in western Monmouth County."
Le Vine said quality of life issues continue to be an area the council members will address year after year.
He said the "dedicated work of the code enforcement office, the Rental Property Advisory Committee, the Historic Preservation Commission and the Neighborhood Pride Committee have created a smooth mechanism to establish all necessary guidelines and codes; ways to educate the public in their responsibilities in the town and to one another; operations to enforce all ordinances; and activities that foster neighborhood togetherness, cooperation and pride.
"We also strive to create a model community, respected for our small-town charm, our diversity and the manner in which we all live together as neighbors and as friends," Le Vine said.
The council president said that 2009 will be an especially challenging year for everyone in America. But he promised that "as tough as it may eventually get for some of us and as painful as it may become for some local families, we will all pull together and make it though these hard times."
The council president said the borough will host a community job fair in April in an attempt to assist individuals who are unemployed.
During the reorganization meeting, Councilman Michael DiBenedetto and Councilman George Schnurr took their oaths of office in front of a packed meeting room. The two men who were elected in November began serving three-year terms on Jan. 1.
Kerry Higgins was reappointed as borough attorney; Scott Basen was reappointed as municipal judge for a three-year term; Kathleen A. Sheedy was appointed as municipal prosecutor; and Jonathan Lomurro was appointed as public defender.
Other appointments for 2009 included the following: Nancy Forman, deputy tax collector; Kevin Coyne, town historian; Daniel Megill, deputy coordinator of emergency management; Freehold Borough Police Chief Mitch Roth will be in charge of public safety; Freehold Fire Department Chief Jack Reichman will oversee fire and rescue; and Garry Jackson, fire official. Alice McCobb was reappointed chairwoman of the Memorial Day parade.
Le Vine summed up the feelings of the governing body in regard to the coming year when he said, "Whatever it takes, we will be there for you. We must all be positive and be open to working together to solve our problems and Freehold Borough will have become a great place to celebrate an entire community of residents being there for one another."
Le Vine, DiBenedetto and Schnurr are joined on the council by Kevin Kane, Jaye Sims and Sharon Shutzer. All six members of the governing body are Democrats.