Post by admin on Jan 13, 2010 5:48:47 GMT -5
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2010-01-13/Front_Page/Freehold_Borough_set_for_a_busy_year.html
Freehold Borough set for a busy year
Officials encourage residents to volunteer in community
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — A Republican councilman now sits on the Freehold Borough governing body for the first time in almost a decade.
Mayor Michael Wilson summed up that unusual turn of events by saying, “I always said it would be a cold day in hell before we had a Republican sitting on the council. I don’t know what it’s like in hell right now, but I know what it is like here today (referring to the sub-freezing temperatures). I guess I was half right.”
The Borough Council held its 2010 reorganization meeting on Jan. 3 and Wilson delivered his annual state of the borough address.
Council members Sharon Shutzer, a Democrat, and John Newman, a Republican, were sworn into office by New Jersey Lt. Gov.-elect Kimberly M. Guadagno.
Shutzer has served on the council for 19 years and is beginning a new three-year term. Newman is beginning his first three-year term.Wilson said Shutzer’s “enthusiasm, zeal, style and energy belie her status as the senior member of the governing body. Sharon and her husband, Richard, truly reflect the strong sense of character and pride which is in no short supply in Freehold.
The mayor welcomed Newman to the council and said, “I extend my hand across the proverbial aisle to you so that we may work harmoniously together for the common goal, which is to continue to make Freehold Borough one of the finest middle class towns in New Jersey.
“The problems and challenges we face may, at times, seem insurmountable. However, our sincere cooperation, hard work and resolve will prevail. Please feel free to call on me for advice. My lifelong commitment to Freehold Borough transcends political party affiliation.”
Newman thanked the governing body for the warm welcome and thanked former Councilman Marc Le Vine for assisting him during the transition period. Le Vine lost his council seat to Newman in the November election.
The new councilman mentioned several issues he would like to see come to fruition, including what he called a more open and accessible government. He said his desire for a more open and accessible government did not reflect any shortcoming on the part of the borough’s current government.
Newman said he would like to see more information provided online, such as agendas for meetings and ordinances, to help people to become more involved and to keep residents informed about what is happening at Borough Hall.
He said he would also like to see a citizens budget committee established. Newman said having more people review the municipal spending plan might be a good thing for the town.
Newman said he would also like to work on having Freehold participate in additional shared services with other entities.
Councilman Jaye Sims was elected council president for 2010. Sims said he was extremely honored to accept the position and said he would fulfill his responsibilities and duties as president. He said a volunteer fair would be held in 2010. The volunteer fair is expected to introduce residents to Freehold’s boards and agencies which rely on volunteers to operate.
Sims recapped 2009, noting that a brick sidewalk was extended down Court Street.
“The coming year promises to be just as busy and we are excited. We will resurface Sheriff Street with grant funds from the state Department of Transportation Trust Fund. I have already instructed our professionals to meet with the residents at the appropriate time so we may receive their input during the design stages of this project. Their input is most valuable,” Sims said.
Additional road projects are still under review, he noted.
Wilson said the borough has received notification that it has been awarded a Community Development Block Grant and a Safe Routes to Transit Grant from the state.
“With these funds the borough will continue the revitalization to its downtown by installing brick sidewalks down Throckmorton Street,” he said, noting that the project will take place from Main Street to Monmouth Avenue and will include tree plantings and safety improvements at intersections.
Wilson referenced the recent reopening of the American Hotel, which he called the “crown jewel” of the borough. The mayor said he believes the hotel’s reopening will have a profound affect on the downtown.
He also spoke about the current economic climate in the state and especially in the borough.
“Freehold Borough, as with most municipalities in New Jersey, faces financial uncertainty. I have never witnessed such bleak economic conditions for such a prolonged period of time. Certainly, these tough financial times may force
Freehold Borough to change the manner in which it provides services to its residents,” the mayor said. “We are currently many services to determine if there is a more cost-effective way to provide them without sacrificing the quality of life for our residents.”
Wilson also referenced the Freehold Borough post office that is housed in a trailer on Lafayette Street, behind the Monmouth County Hall of Records.
“The plight of our downtown post office continues to be most baffling. (In 2009), we were able to stave off its premature closure when we gathered the support of Congressman Chris Smith, our state legislative delegation, and our good neighbors in Freehold Township,” the mayor said. “Our joint efforts provided a temporary victory when the post office announced that it forwarded our request (for it to remain in the borough) to its national consolidation (panel), which is where the fate of our facility still remains. We must remain vigilant in the monitoring of these events and we have been emphatic in our position to them.”
Wilson said he will be meeting with representatives of the state legislative delegation to express his concern about the state of New Jersey’s horse racing industry.
“I will ask that legislation be enacted at some point in the near future to install slot machines and other gaming devices in the remaining race tracks in New Jersey. Such a measure will infuse the tracks with additional funds to bolster purses in the races. This will help restore New Jersey competitiveness in this business. Freehold Borough cannot afford to lose the track (Freehold Raceway), which is one of the many hallmarks of our rich history,” Wilson said.
The mayor thanked Le Vine for his service on the council.
“This day of new beginnings ironically represents an ending to the public career of Councilman Marc Le Vine,” Wilson said.
The mayor offered his gratitude for Le Vine’s service to the borough and thanked him for “his insight, his tireless work ethic and his commitment to detail,” which he said were “contagious.”
In comments from the council members, Shutzer repeated a pledge she has made in the past.
“I will continue to do and to fight for what I believe in my heart is in their (residents’) best interests. I am humbled by your confidence in me and I thank you,” she said.
Councilman George Schnurr said public service allows an individual to find ways to help in the community and to meet people in the borough. He reflected on his first year in office and said that when he joined the council his goal was to listen to other people, to rise above any differences and to “cherry pick ideas.”
“I meant it then and I mean it now. There is no Republican snow plower, there is no Democratic leaf remover; just ideas and thinking through them, and putting plans into action to keep Freehold Borough the great town it is,” he said.
Councilman Michael DiBenedetto thanked residents who volunteer their time and effort to help the borough and said he, too, would miss Le Vine on the governing body.
“Although we didn’t always see eye to eye, his passion and his love for the town will be a hard thing to replace,” he said.
Councilman Kevin Kane said he was looking forward to the new year and asked residents to volunteer to assist the borough in any way they can. He thanked Borough Administrator Joseph Bellina, CFO Nancy Forman and their staffs for all the work they have do and continue to do to help save taxpayers money.
Kane announced that the Olde Freehold Day community celebration will return this summer
Freehold Borough set for a busy year
Officials encourage residents to volunteer in community
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — A Republican councilman now sits on the Freehold Borough governing body for the first time in almost a decade.
Mayor Michael Wilson summed up that unusual turn of events by saying, “I always said it would be a cold day in hell before we had a Republican sitting on the council. I don’t know what it’s like in hell right now, but I know what it is like here today (referring to the sub-freezing temperatures). I guess I was half right.”
The Borough Council held its 2010 reorganization meeting on Jan. 3 and Wilson delivered his annual state of the borough address.
Council members Sharon Shutzer, a Democrat, and John Newman, a Republican, were sworn into office by New Jersey Lt. Gov.-elect Kimberly M. Guadagno.
Shutzer has served on the council for 19 years and is beginning a new three-year term. Newman is beginning his first three-year term.Wilson said Shutzer’s “enthusiasm, zeal, style and energy belie her status as the senior member of the governing body. Sharon and her husband, Richard, truly reflect the strong sense of character and pride which is in no short supply in Freehold.
The mayor welcomed Newman to the council and said, “I extend my hand across the proverbial aisle to you so that we may work harmoniously together for the common goal, which is to continue to make Freehold Borough one of the finest middle class towns in New Jersey.
“The problems and challenges we face may, at times, seem insurmountable. However, our sincere cooperation, hard work and resolve will prevail. Please feel free to call on me for advice. My lifelong commitment to Freehold Borough transcends political party affiliation.”
Newman thanked the governing body for the warm welcome and thanked former Councilman Marc Le Vine for assisting him during the transition period. Le Vine lost his council seat to Newman in the November election.
The new councilman mentioned several issues he would like to see come to fruition, including what he called a more open and accessible government. He said his desire for a more open and accessible government did not reflect any shortcoming on the part of the borough’s current government.
Newman said he would like to see more information provided online, such as agendas for meetings and ordinances, to help people to become more involved and to keep residents informed about what is happening at Borough Hall.
He said he would also like to see a citizens budget committee established. Newman said having more people review the municipal spending plan might be a good thing for the town.
Newman said he would also like to work on having Freehold participate in additional shared services with other entities.
Councilman Jaye Sims was elected council president for 2010. Sims said he was extremely honored to accept the position and said he would fulfill his responsibilities and duties as president. He said a volunteer fair would be held in 2010. The volunteer fair is expected to introduce residents to Freehold’s boards and agencies which rely on volunteers to operate.
Sims recapped 2009, noting that a brick sidewalk was extended down Court Street.
“The coming year promises to be just as busy and we are excited. We will resurface Sheriff Street with grant funds from the state Department of Transportation Trust Fund. I have already instructed our professionals to meet with the residents at the appropriate time so we may receive their input during the design stages of this project. Their input is most valuable,” Sims said.
Additional road projects are still under review, he noted.
Wilson said the borough has received notification that it has been awarded a Community Development Block Grant and a Safe Routes to Transit Grant from the state.
“With these funds the borough will continue the revitalization to its downtown by installing brick sidewalks down Throckmorton Street,” he said, noting that the project will take place from Main Street to Monmouth Avenue and will include tree plantings and safety improvements at intersections.
Wilson referenced the recent reopening of the American Hotel, which he called the “crown jewel” of the borough. The mayor said he believes the hotel’s reopening will have a profound affect on the downtown.
He also spoke about the current economic climate in the state and especially in the borough.
“Freehold Borough, as with most municipalities in New Jersey, faces financial uncertainty. I have never witnessed such bleak economic conditions for such a prolonged period of time. Certainly, these tough financial times may force
Freehold Borough to change the manner in which it provides services to its residents,” the mayor said. “We are currently many services to determine if there is a more cost-effective way to provide them without sacrificing the quality of life for our residents.”
Wilson also referenced the Freehold Borough post office that is housed in a trailer on Lafayette Street, behind the Monmouth County Hall of Records.
“The plight of our downtown post office continues to be most baffling. (In 2009), we were able to stave off its premature closure when we gathered the support of Congressman Chris Smith, our state legislative delegation, and our good neighbors in Freehold Township,” the mayor said. “Our joint efforts provided a temporary victory when the post office announced that it forwarded our request (for it to remain in the borough) to its national consolidation (panel), which is where the fate of our facility still remains. We must remain vigilant in the monitoring of these events and we have been emphatic in our position to them.”
Wilson said he will be meeting with representatives of the state legislative delegation to express his concern about the state of New Jersey’s horse racing industry.
“I will ask that legislation be enacted at some point in the near future to install slot machines and other gaming devices in the remaining race tracks in New Jersey. Such a measure will infuse the tracks with additional funds to bolster purses in the races. This will help restore New Jersey competitiveness in this business. Freehold Borough cannot afford to lose the track (Freehold Raceway), which is one of the many hallmarks of our rich history,” Wilson said.
The mayor thanked Le Vine for his service on the council.
“This day of new beginnings ironically represents an ending to the public career of Councilman Marc Le Vine,” Wilson said.
The mayor offered his gratitude for Le Vine’s service to the borough and thanked him for “his insight, his tireless work ethic and his commitment to detail,” which he said were “contagious.”
In comments from the council members, Shutzer repeated a pledge she has made in the past.
“I will continue to do and to fight for what I believe in my heart is in their (residents’) best interests. I am humbled by your confidence in me and I thank you,” she said.
Councilman George Schnurr said public service allows an individual to find ways to help in the community and to meet people in the borough. He reflected on his first year in office and said that when he joined the council his goal was to listen to other people, to rise above any differences and to “cherry pick ideas.”
“I meant it then and I mean it now. There is no Republican snow plower, there is no Democratic leaf remover; just ideas and thinking through them, and putting plans into action to keep Freehold Borough the great town it is,” he said.
Councilman Michael DiBenedetto thanked residents who volunteer their time and effort to help the borough and said he, too, would miss Le Vine on the governing body.
“Although we didn’t always see eye to eye, his passion and his love for the town will be a hard thing to replace,” he said.
Councilman Kevin Kane said he was looking forward to the new year and asked residents to volunteer to assist the borough in any way they can. He thanked Borough Administrator Joseph Bellina, CFO Nancy Forman and their staffs for all the work they have do and continue to do to help save taxpayers money.
Kane announced that the Olde Freehold Day community celebration will return this summer
