FROM THE DESK OF LILLIAN G. BURRY: Fair is fair and the library has an app

Freeholder Lillian G. Burry

Folks get ready, it’s that time of year again, and the 42^nd Annual Monmouth County Fair is set to get underway. Once again you can enjoy all the wonderful fun activities that have become synonymous with the Monmouth County Fair. Congratulations to the Monmouth County Parks system and the Monmouth County 4-H Association for leaving no stone unturned. This year’s fair will prove to be one that you surely will not want to miss, and it will run from Wednesday to Sunday, July 27 – 31 delivering excitement for the entire family. From the 4-H shows & exhibits, home and garden competitions and horse shows to the games, rides and live entertainment, it is guaranteed to be a great time. Additionally, you can expect to see crafters and commercial vendors. You will have many opportunities to sample some delectable food, as well as have an opportunity to make purchases from the farm stands that will be featuring local produce. There is even a climbing wall! I encourage everyone to come out to the Monmouth County Fair and be prepared to be totally entertained with lots of laughs and good surprises along the way.

More interesting news for Monmouth County is the date has been selected for the Open Space Pace. This year the event is scheduled to be held on September 17, 2016. The Open Space Pace was created to celebrate the horse, New Jersey’s official state animal and to promote Open Space in New Jersey, our nation’s most densely populated state. Open Space Pace is the primary activity held in support of non-profit organizations that promote Open Space in New Jersey for the equine, agricultural and recreation industries. The theme of this year’s parade will be a “Salute to Police and Firefighters”. Two of our local high schools, Freehold Township and Middletown North, will be sending their marching bands. Also featured will be antique cars, various equine groups, as well as what seems to be all the rage these days….Food Trucks! They will be serving American, Mexican, Italian foods and of course deserts. This is yet another “Save the Date”; you really won’t want to miss.

On another note, the Monmouth County Library System has recently developed a new campaign designed to promote library services for patrons to use on smart phones, tablets and computers. The “In the Palm of Your Hand” project is a 6-month effort to highlight the variety of ways, means, and sources available using the modern technology and programs already in place at the Monmouth County Library, at home or on the go. Throughout the years the Monmouth County Library has increasingly kept up with the changing technology, sophisticated equipment and new ideas to meet the needs of library patrons. The library provides its information and research technology both within the buildings and with eBooks and downloadable audiobooks, movies and magazines that can be accessed through MonCoLibrary, a free app that makes it possible to carry the library wherever you are, making research and enjoyment available virtually anywhere. As liaison to the Monmouth County Library System, I am particularly proud of this innovative concept. “In the Palm of Your Hand” undoubtedly bridges the gap on how one went about utilizing the endless library resources available in the past and catapults us into being able to acquire even more of the invaluable information the Monmouth County Library System has available to offer and puts it all right at our fingertips.

One final topic of interest is our Monmouth County Sheriff’s office is seeking re-accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). The Law Enforcement Division was originally accredited by the CALEA in 1998, and was subsequently reaccredited five times. Reaccreditation is required every three years. Also serving as liaison to the Sheriff’s Department and the Police Academy I remain a stalwart supporter and believe a full accreditation is forth coming. Regarding the Monmouth County Police Academy, they are seeking to achieve accreditation for the first time and if successful, they will be the only CALEA accredited academy in the state, and will receive the prestigious CALEA Tri-Arch Award for simultaneous accreditation of law enforcement, communications, and training academy.

Lillian G. Burry is a Freeholder for the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders

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