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.

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THOUGHTS ON THE 4TH OF JULY

By Freeholder Lillian Burry (as prepared for delivery to the Borough of Avon’s July 4th ceremony)

Hello and thank you for having me here today. With the Fourth of July at hand, I thought it appropriate to reflect on the meaning of that day in American History and the cause of liberty that makes it special. The fourth is the celebration of the founding of our nation and the ideals on which that founding was based.

When we think of the American Revolution we do not think of any single place or person or act more than the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. And we recall those powerful words with which our founding fathers bound themselves together and we remember the great men who put their names to them. “We mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our Sacred Honor”.

While that was a singular event, there were many other moments that led up to and followed along after it that also embodied the same spirit of American freedom. We must remember that this was a revolution that rose from the people of the thirteen colonies, each with its own leaders and prominent voices. All were inspired and united with a spirit best remembered in the work of Thomas Paine. Our second President, John Adams, wrote “Without the pen of the author of “Common Sense” the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain.”

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MAST gets another Fort Hancock building, Students will have a gym

By Muriel Smith

MIDDLETOWN – “We’re a long way away from putting a shovel in the ground, but if we’re able to agree on a project plan that meets our needs, and is acceptable to all community stakeholders, it will be a huge step in the future of our program. We really can’t thank Ms. Burry and the Freeholders enough for recognizing our need for a gymnasium, and offering their support.”

That’s what Earl Moore, principal at MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology at Fort Hancok said this week when he learned the Monmouth County Vocational Board of Education and the National Park Service signed a Memorandum of Intent, paving the way  for conversion of Buildings 56 and 23 at Fort Hancock into a new facility.

The announcement, which was signed by all parties involved on Thursday, was made at the Fort Hancock 21^st Century Advisory Committee meeting at Thompson Park Friday.

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Confidence, Courage and Character

Lillian G. Burry

Remarks of Lillian G. Burry as prepared for delivery on April 1, 2016 to the Jersey Shore Girl Scouts annual Women of Distinction Dinner.

Confidence, Courage and Character

A slogan featured by the Girl Scouts.

I would like to tie it into my life.

Confidence, Courage , Character.

These are three things that start growing in the heart of every girl from the day she is born. If she is lucky, she has them nurtured by parents and family and friends. But just like muscles, these qualities must be exercised regularly if they’re to become strong and certain. Fortunately, life affords us regular chances.

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Burry and Hammond To Receive History Awards

Freeholder Lillian G. Burry

MANALAPAN, NJ – Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon is pleased to announce that Freeholder Lillian G. Burry has been selected to receive the inaugural M. Claire French Award for Leadership in Historic Preservation and Joseph W. Hammond has been selected to receive the 2015 Jane G. Clayton Award at Archives and History Day.

Both awards will be presented at Monmouth County Archives and History Day on Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters.

“Both of these recipients are very deserving of recognition,” Hanlon said. “There is no public servant more deserving of the inaugural M. Claire French award than Lillian Burry. Lillian has been an advocate, champion and enthusiast of historic preservation in Monmouth County as a citizen and throughout her entire career as a public servant and elected official.”

Freeholder Burry has made many notable contributions to historical preservation throughout her career, including heading Matawan’s Historic Preservation Program while serving on the Matawan Council, during which time the group purchased and restored the borough’s most historic 1700’s era mansion. She also founded and chairs the Colts Neck Historical Preservation Committee.

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Freeholder Lillian Burry Recoverying From A Fall

Freeholder Lillian G. Burry photo by Art Gallagher

Monmouth County Freeholder Lillian G. Burry is resting comfortably at home after being released from Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank where she spent most of last week after sustaining injuries resulting from a fall outside of her Colts Neck Realty office.

During a phone interview this morning, Burry told MMM that she sustained a mild concussion, injured her left knee and crushed her right elbow.  Her elbow joint was replaced.

“There’s still a lot of life in this old broad,” Burry said, “that’s it.  When I do something, I really do it.”

Burry’s knee is being treated with an ice pack.  Her right arm is in a cast that feels like it weighs 50 lbs., she said.

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82 New Officers Graduate from Monmouth Police Academy

82 young men and women were sworn in as law enforcement officers today during their graduation ceremony from the Monmouth County Police Academy at Neptune High School’s Performing Arts Center, according to an announcement by Sheriff Shaun Golden.

43 officers completed the Basic Course for Police Officers, a 19 week program with 780 hours of training. 39 completed the Basic Course for Class II Special Law Enforcement Officers, a three month program that consists of approximately 600 hours of training with full police powers while on duty. Both classes are run through the Monmouth County Police Academy and upon completion the officers are well trained and well prepared to serve their respective law enforcement agencies.

The new officers’ training was sponsored by jurisdictions in Monmouth, Middlesex, Mercer and Burlington counties.

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Monmouth County Officials Honored By Defense Department For Supporting Citizen Soldiers

L to R: James Plousis, Chairman N.J. State Parole Board, Michael Ruane, Director Office on Aging, Disabilities & Veterans Services, Col. Carmen Venticinque, NJ ESGR, Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, Sheriff Shaun Golden & Acting Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni. Click photo for larger view

Sheriff Shaun Golden, Freeholder Lillian Burry, Acting Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni and Michael Ruane, Director of the Monmouth County Office on Aging, Disabilities and Veterans Services were each presented the Seven Seals Award by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) office during a Show of Strength ceremony held at the Sheriff’s Office in Freehold on Wednesday.

ESGR is comprised of dedicated and trained volunteers and staff. They develop and promote employer support for Guard and Reserve service by advocating relevant initiatives, recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of applicable laws, and resolving conflict between employers and service members.

ESGR informs and educates service members and their civilian employers regarding their rights and responsibilities governed by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA).

With the Seven Seals Award, ESGR recognizes significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative, or support that promotes and supports the ESGR mission to develop and promote supportive work environments for service members in the Reserve Components.

48 percent of the U.S.Military comes from the National Guard and Reserve.

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Ten Day Detour For Building Traffic Circle in Colts Neck

The intersection of Crine Road (County Road 4) Dutch Lane (County Road 46) and Heulitt Road in Colts Neck will be closed from April 22 through May 2 for the installation of a roundabout.

Motorist heading east should follow Vanderburg Road to Boundary Road to Cedar Drive to Heyers Mill Road to Flock Road to State Hwy. 34 to Conover Road. Motorists travelling west should use the reverse route. A detour route has been posted.

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Freeholders honor MAST students

By Muriel Smith

FREEHOLD –  Eighty cadets from the Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) NJROTC unit were honored Thursday night at the regular meeting of the Board of Freeholders, when each received a certificate of appreciation and the day was proclaimed MAST Day in Monmouth County.

Freeholder Lillian Burry brought the honors to the high school students citing their first place awards in senior and freshman divisions of drill competitions. The senior team placed first in three of the four, second in the fourth at the senior level, while both the senior and freshmen teams took all the top honors in the academics portion of the events. MAST’s varsity Color Guard led by Cadets Steven Vieira and Kyle McKean also is undefeated in each of the competitions.  The Color Guard opened the meeting Thursday night and presented colors for the pledge of allegiance which starts every freeholder meeting.

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