Freehold Borough Council Race Three in race for two 3-year council terms
Republican challenger squares off against Democratic incumbents
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer

The Freehold Borough Democratic team of (l-r) Jaye Sims, Marc Le Vine and Sharon Shutzer wants to continue its service on the Borough Council.

FREEHOLD - Republican candidate Joseph C. Liguori is challenging Demo-cratic incumbents Sharon Shutzer and Marc Le Vine for a seat on the Borough Council in the Nov. 7 election.

There are two three-year terms on the governing body up for grabs and a three-way race has shaped up among Liguori, Shutzer and Le Vine.

Democratic Councilman Jaye Sims will run uncontested for a one-year unexpired term. Sims was appointed to the council in June after Kevin Coyne stepped down from the governing body.

Le Vine was appointed to the council in October 2005 after Michael Toubin left the governing body. Le Vine had previously served on the council from 1991-97.

"I was appointed to the council last October because it was thought that I could make a difference for Freehold Borough," Le Vine said. "I am running for a full-term in November because I know that I already am (making a difference). There is still much to accomplish for our town and I look forward to continuing my efforts as part of a capable and dedicated team of leaders over the next three years."

Republican candidate Joseph Liguori is seeking a three-year term on the Borough Council in Freehold Borough,

Le Vine said Freehold is facing many important challenges that will require someone with previous council experience, an understanding of the issues, creativity, persistence, integrity, accessibility and high energy.

"Being hands-on as well and being an independent thinker with good judgment also comes in handy," Le Vine said. "I believe these are all attributes that I have to offer.

"Over the next three years I would like to concentrate on making ours a hometown of choice, in attracting and retaining more young families [who are] wishing to plant their roots in a town with much to offer them," he said. "We need to better promote our town as the great place it has always been to live and raise a family."

Le Vine's goal continues to be to help to improve the quality of life for residents who, he said, often measure today's Freehold against its sentimental past.

"I believe our best days are ahead of us as a vital and thriving community," he said. "We simply need to encourage more owner-occupied homes throughout the borough so as to retain the wholesome community lifestyle that sets us apart for neighboring bedroom communities."

Le Vine said he will continue to work toward reducing the negative impact of illegal immigration in the community by working with all parties involved to address the many strains placed on the town and taxpayers.

The candidate said he would like to encourage a better mix of businesses that would attract affluence to the downtown area. Attention to parking issues is also on his list of goals to accomplish.

Le Vine, who owns Integrity Consul-ting Associates, a human resources consulting business, serves as a council liaison to the Rental Advisory Committee, the Historic Preservation Advisory Com-mission, the Personnel Committee and the Code Enforcement Department. He sits on the Freehold Area Board of Health and on the borough's Planning Board and Personnel Committee.

Liguori, an attorney with Mazraani and Liguori, North Brunswick, has lived in the borough for about two years. His wife, Kara, teaches at the Marshall W. Errickson School, Freehold Township.

When asked why he chose to run for the council, Liguori said he wants to be "a true representative of the residents of Freehold Borough."

He sees several issues as his priorities.

"No. 1 is the issue of the council members not properly addressing things and not providing enough information about certain things," he said.

Liguori said he does not believe council members are responsive enough to the concerns of residents or that the council keeps the community well enough informed of local ordinances.

He referred specifically to the Historic Preservation Advisory Commission ordinance. He said business operators were not properly informed about the ordinance and its impact on them.

The issue of illegal immigration that Liguori said results in loitering on Throckmorton Street is another issue he would like to address.

"A number of residents are concerned that every time the issue of illegal immigration is brought up, officials tell them their hands are tied and there is nothing they can do," he said. "Other towns are making efforts to improve their illegal immigration situation. Freehold is taking no action at all."

Liguori suggested creating a hiring hall to keep day laborers off the streets when they are looking for work.

He said the borough has recently taken action with its code enforcement department, but he believes certain code enforcement ordinances are not being properly enforced

"Even the ordinances that are being enforced are not being done so with consistency," Liguori said.

He mentioned a situation he said he had heard about in which several residents who each installed an inflatable pool without a proper electrical permit were given a violation, while another person who did the same thing was not given a violation.

He said he was told that the people who received a violation had not known they were violating a borough code and did not receive a warning before being hit with a substantial fine.

"Many times residents express their concerns at town meetings and council members become defensive," Liguori said. "If residents are asking council members to address certain issues, they (the council members) should show some accessibility and show they really care about the concerns of the residents."

The candidate said he feels confident he will be able to take some initiative to alleviate the problems that are the result of illegal immigration such as overcrowded housing and schools, and especially the loitering situation on Throckmorton Street.

"My obligation as a representative of the town is to be responsive to residents and accessible to them," Liguori said.

Shutzer joined the council in January 1992 and is completing her fifth term. During her service on the council she has served as fire commissioner and as the council liaison for the Council on Aging, chairwoman of the personnel committee, and member of the Multiple Dwelling Review Board.

She has also worked with the health and welfare departments and the code enforcement department and has been a member of the Shade Tree Commission and the recreation committee. Shutzer is serving as council president in 2006, which marks the third time she has held that position.

Shutzer said quality of life issues will top her list of borough matters to address if she is re-elected. Her concerns include the issue of illegal immigration in Freehold.

"This issue has profoundly affected the financial infrastructure of our whole town," Shutzer said.

The councilwoman said illegal immigration has put a burden on taxpayers who are footing the bill for many services, including overcrowded schools, in addition to other strained municipal services.

Absentee landlords are also a concern. Shutzer said absentee landlords are yet another issue resulting from illegal immigration in the town. Shutzer said Freehold officials will continue to do their best to clamp down on absentee landlords.

"We've done so much and come so far, and we will continue to keep up the pace on this issue," Shutzer said, adding that she loves the borough and that love is the driving force behind her community service. "I want to make a difference in people's lives. Whether it is the issue of illegal immigration and how it affects residents, or making sure residents clean up after their dog, that's what I'll do," she said. "I will do whatever I think is in the best interest, in my opinion and in my heart, for the people of the borough."

Shutzer is a teacher in the Toms River Regional Schools.

Sims said serving on the council has been a great learning experience.

"It has been everything I expected and more in a very positive way. I've learned a great deal," he said, adding that he is looking forward to learning more about the operation of the town's government during his next year of service.

The councilman said he would like to see the efforts of the code enforcement department's rental inspection plan continue. He said the program is successful and is going well.

Sims said he would like to see the sidewalk repair program continue, as well as grant programs so that work can continue on improvements to the borough's streets.

Sims is a hazardous materials technician employed by the Monmouth County Health Department Hazardous Materials Unit. He is a member of the Freehold Fire Department's Good Will Hook and Ladder Company, serving as fist lieutenant.

He serves as the council liaison to the Human Relations Committee.