By Matthew Sockol
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD – Two Democrats have announced their intention to seek a pair of three-year terms on the Borough Council this year and they are not expected to face a challenge from Republicans.
Democratic incumbents George Schnurr and Michael DiBenedetto will seek re-election to their seats in November. Schnurr is serving as the council president in 2017.
Schnurr, who has been a resident of Freehold Borough for 29 years, has served on the council for 10 years. In addition to his service on the council, he has been a member of many boards and committees, including the Planning Board. In his professional career, he is responsible for all technology related activities for FedEx Office Commercial Press.
“I believe in the power of public service to improve people’s lives,” Schnurr said. “To that end our priorities are to work with the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority to have Freehold Borough designated as a transit village by the New Jersey Department of Transportation. This public planning framework will ensure the economic viability of Freehold Borough for years to come.
“We will also work with our downtown partners to continue to make sure we have a first class downtown district that attracts visitors from all over the region,” Schnurr said. “An additional priority is to repair our roads. The Finance Committee has reviewed our capital budget and Freehold Borough will be investing in our roads more this year than in any other year I have been on council.”
DiBenedetto is a lifelong resident of Freehold Borough who was elected to the council in 1997. He is the owner and operator of Joe’s Barber Shop, South Street.
DiBenedetto did not respond to repeated requests seeking comment about his bid for re-election.
Democrats currently hold all six council seats and the mayor’s office.
The deadline for individuals to file a nominating petition to run for council under a party affiliation was April 3. No Republicans filed to run for office in the borough. The deadline for an individual to file to run for office without party affiliation is June 6.
