Politics & Government

Freehold Borough Democrats Point to Experience, Ideas

Incumbent council members George Schnurr and Michael DiBenedetto face Republican challengers Don Clayton and Marianne Earle. J. Nolan Higgins running unopposed in mayoral race.

Candidates on the Freehold Borough Democratic slate say they want to continue the governing body’s efforts to maintain a stable tax rate and support a healthy business climate.

Council President George Schnurr, 53, and Councilman Michael DiBenedetto, 52, are seeking reelection to three-year terms on the Freehold Borough Council. Schnurr was appointed to an open council seat in January 2008 and was elected to his first full term later that year. DiBenedetto is seeking his fifth term. The incumbents face Republican challengers Don Clayton and Marianne Earle. Democrat J. Nolan Higgins, 54, is running unopposed in the mayoral race. The mayor’s seat is up for election every four years.

“Keeping a stable tax rate and focusing on the finances is job number one in this economy. I think it’s very difficult for someone to come in year one and be able to grasp the complexities of a municipal budget. This is a difficult economic environment to be a member of council just coming and getting on the job training,” said Schnurr, a 24-year resident of Freehold and married father of two. He works for a division of FedEx responsible for the company’s technology-related activities. Schnurr said the Borough Council has kept a stable tax rate with minimal increases. He would like to explore using the budget surplus to provide tax relief.

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DiBenedetto, a lifelong Freehold Borough resident and owner of Joe’s Barber Shop on South Street, said he is proud of the borough’s efforts in seeking out grants during the challenging economic climate.

“Jobs are scarce, just as well as money. I think we’ve done a great job acquiring grants for our streets and roads and for our fire department to keep the quality of services our residents are accustomed to receiving,” said DiBenedetto, who is married with two grown children.

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He noted that he would like to explore hiring class II special officers in the police department to cut down on overtime costs and support the efforts of full-time officers.

Higgins, who was born and raised in Freehold, said encouraging volunteerism and is of particular importance to him.

“We want to encourage more of our citizens to participate in our committees. There is a great talent pool in the borough,” he said.

Higgins is a former Freehold Borough Fire Department chief and the owner of Higgins Memorial Home on Center Street. The married father of two grown children began thinking about a run for public office after longtime Freehold Borough Mayor Michael Wilson announced he would not seek reelection.

“I wanted to be a part of the process instead of being on the outside,” Higgins said.

The Democratic candidates said maintaining the health of the downtown is paramount.

“If you look at a lot of downtowns, we have a good thing going here. It’s not by accident,” Schnurr said. He explained that in addition to streamlining the budget, keeping a tax rate stable is dependent on having significant ratables.

Members of the governing body have faced criticism in recent months after voting 4-2 that a proposed 7-Eleven at 63 E. Main St. was consistent with the municipality’s redevelopment plan. DiBenedetto and Schnurr, who voted with the majority, said the decision was not a matter of approving the project but of allowing the proposal to move before the Planning Board.

“We weren’t voting for it, we were giving them the OK to move forward with the process,” DiBenedetto said.

The Planning Board has heard six hours of testimony on the project. Further testimony and public commentary on the 7-Eleven was expected to be heard on Oct. 12, but the applicant requested an adjournment until Dec. 14. Councilman John Newman and other residents questioned the timing of the adjournment in the comments section of a . Schnurr, who serves as a council liaison on the Planning Board, flatly denied that the applicant was contacted or otherwise influenced to request an adjournment until after the election.

“In the end, all you really have is your good name. I’m not screwing that up for a 7-Eleven. I’m just not,” he said.

Freehold Borough is organized under the borough form of government. The six-member Borough Council and mayor are directly elected by the voters in partisan elections held in November. Borough Council members serve three-year terms and the mayor serves four-year terms. The members of the 2011 Freehold Borough Council are Mayor Michael Wilson, Council President George Schnurr, Michael DiBenedetto, Kevin A. Kane, John F. Newman, Sharon Shutzer and Jaye Sims.


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