Freehold Borough Republicans Say Town Needs New Direction

The Freehold Borough Republican candidates vying for two seats on the Borough Council believe the municipality is headed in the wrong direction. Don Clayton, 41, and Marianne Earle, 73, are challenging Democratic incumbents Council President George Schnurr and Councilman Michael DiBenedetto in the November election. Republicans did not field a candidate to challenge Democrat J. Nolan Higgins in the mayoral race.

“We’re fresh eyes looking at the borough. We think with innovative ideas, the borough can be the shining star it should be,” said Clayton, a 15-year resident of the municipality. He works in sales for Clayton Concrete and joined the Freehold Borough Fire Department 22 years ago as a Freehold Township resident.

Clayton, a former Planning Board member, cited recent lawsuits involving the borough as examples of a need for change. He questioned the Borough Council’s decision to appeal a use variance granted by the Planning Board to allow attorney Veronica Davis to convert her Court Street home into a law office.

“The Planning Board being sued by the borough—how does that go on? That’s just a waste of money,” Clayton said.

Earle, a resident of Freehold Borough for 50 years and a former member of the Planning Board, voiced concern about the historic character of the municipality being maintained.

“It breaks my hear to see old Victorian homes being sold as rentals. I own a 180-year-old home. I know how much maintenance and care it takes. I’m not too sure as a rental that would happen and the homes would continue to deteriorate. And that is a terrible thing for a beautiful town. We’ve got to stop the downward spiral Freehold is taking. We’ve got to turn it around,” Earle said.

The Republicans said they bring strong leadership skills and history of volunteerism to the table. In addition to his service in the fire department, Clayton said he volunteers with the Freehold Board of Health, participates in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program, and assists in activities at First Presbyterian Church of Freehold, where he is a member. Earle, a widow and mother of seven grown children, is a charter member of Downtown Freehold, the area’s business partnership, and is active in St. Rose of Lima Church, where she is a congregant. She is a retired nurse, and her husband Walter Earle, who died in 2004, founded the Earle Asphalt Company.

Earle credited Downtown Freehold with improving Freehold Borough.

“If it wasn’t for the partnership we wouldn’t have 50 percent of what we have in Freehold. They are an active group. They have done a wonderful job and I’m proud to be part of that group. They try to bring in businesses,” Earle said.

She noted that she would like to see high-caliber businesses fill vacant properties.

“The attitude of the current Borough Council is ‘Fill that store, I don’t care what it is.’ They just want that space filled. I don’t agree with that. The owner of the property is going to be paying taxes on that property anyway. Why not wait until somebody that is a little more upscale wants to come in and put in something we can be proud of?” Earle said.

Clayton explained that in small, close-knit community such as Freehold, party lines are ultimately irrelevant. He said he wants to work closely with departments such as Public Works and Code Enforcement to ensure municipal workers are receiving the support they need and find out where cost savings can be realized.

“We just want to do what’s best for the borough. I’m looking forward to working with Nolan and the other council members,” 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.