FREEHOLD – Two Democrats are running unopposed for a pair of three-year terms on the Borough Council in Freehold Borough. Election Day is Nov. 6.
The terms of Democrats Sharon Shutzer and Ron Griffiths will end on Dec. 31. Griffiths is not seeking re-election. Running for the two seats are Shutzer and Annette Jordan.
Jordan, who has been a resident of Freehold Borough for 28 years, is making her first bid for council. She is a 19-year member of the Freehold Borough K-8 School District Board of Education. Jordan is a former president of the Monmouth County School Boards Association.
In addition to her position on the school board, Jordan has served on the borough’s Planning Board, Human Relations Committee and Innovation Committee, as well as the Freehold Municipal Alliance to Prevent Substance Abuse, which serves Freehold Borough and Freehold Township. Professionally, she worked in several account management capacities at Gannett Media before retiring.
“Mayor (Nolan) Higgins and the council members have worked hard to enhance the quality of life in the borough and I want to be part of that effort,” Jordan said. “Freehold Borough is my passion. I have spent the past 29 years serving my community.
“If given the opportunity to serve on council, I will promote collaborative partnerships for redevelopment, continue citizen engagement through participatory budgeting, and work to move the borough forward while preserving the historical charm of our community,” she said.
Shutzer has been a resident of Freehold Borough since 1971. She has served on the council since 1992 and is serving as council president in 2018. She previously served on the Board of Education for six years in the 1970s and 1980s.
On the council, Shutzer is currently the chair of the Personnel Committee and a liaison with the Council on Aging, the Alliance to Prevent Substance Abuse, Public Safety, Emergency Management and the Board of Education.
“I am seeking re-election because I continue to be passionate about preserving and protecting a good quality of life for our residents,” Shutzer said. “My record shows I fight for what is good and right and fair. I take very seriously my position, and I am tenacious in representing the best interests of our residents. I consider it an honor to serve.”
Shutzer was a public school teacher and taught eighth grade language arts in the Toms River Regional School District for 44 years before retiring.
“My professional life prepared me in countless ways,” she said. “My strong work ethic, my undeniable determination to fight for what is right, and my limitless energy were all developed through many years of working with adolescents and the public in general.”
If re-elected, Shutzer said, “Preserving and protecting a good quality of life for our residents is always my primary goal. Of course, responsible spending in order to keep our taxes down is of the utmost importance. Monitoring and improving our deteriorating infrastructure is a priority as we are moving forward with the replacement of our water plant.
“Combating the ill effects created by absentee landlords continues to be a challenge,” she said. “And, I will continue to be a vocal advocate for Freehold Borough’s right to its fair share of funding for our schools.”
