former councilman
honored in Freehold
Local volunteer,
former councilman
honored in Freehold
By clare marie celano
Staff Writer
Freehold Borough’s Sheryl Mott doesn’t do fanfare well. In fact, she’s spent a good part of her life avoiding the "hoopla" which surrounds many who engage in public service work.
Mott has managed to stay, in her own words, "behind the scenes" despite everything she’s done for the community, especially for the younger residents who live in the town she so loves.
Her actions have not gone unnoticed by borough officials.
George Kelder worked as a borough employee for many years and later served on the Borough Council. He is now retired.
In a first-time occurrence, Mott and Kelder have been selected to be co-recipients of the annual John G. McGackin Free-hold Renaissance Award. They are expected to receive the award at a council meeting in June.
The award, named after the late borough mayor who helped give the town’s renaissance its start in the early 1980s, is presented to a person deemed by a selection committee to have contributed most to the renaissance of the borough, according to Kevin Coyne, borough councilman and liaison from the council to the selection committee.
The award honors McGackin’s vision of what the town could one day be. The selection committee is made up of previous winners of the award.
"Wherever you turn, she’s there," Coyne said of Mott. "Whether it’s a senior holiday party or a function at the YMCA, Sheryl is always there. Many people don’t know her name, but they know she’s ‘that lady who’s always helping.’"
Mott, a lifelong resident of the borough, still lives on Institute Street.
She began her community involvement when she took a job as a counselor with the borough’s summer recreation program and has spent more than 20 years working for and supporting youth recreation programs.
Mott was appointed to the recreation commission in the early 1990s and two years ago she was named to chair that panel.
Although she has no children, Mott’s dedication to recreation opportunities for youngsters comes about because, she said, "I really love this town and the people."
"I saw a need for recreation," she said. "And, though I don’t have any of my own, I consider all borough kids my kids. People need to get involved in their town, especially with their children. They need to see what their children are doing."
Mott also became involved in the after-school program which began at the Freehold Intermediate School, under the auspices of the YMCA of Western Monmouth County.
Mott loves her hometown and though she has done a lot, she credits many others for the work she has been able to accomplish, stating, "I couldn’t have done any of this on my own. I had a lot of help."
She is the former president of the Freehold Colonial Basketball League and a member of the Old Freehold Day committee and the Halloween Spooktacular committee.
Mott works as a court representative of the Family Division of the Monmouth County court. She said she was honored and grateful to receive the McGackin award.
Kelder was born to parents who immigrated from Ireland to Freehold in 1917. He grew up the borough and when he married his wife, Joan, they settled in the community and raised their three children, George Jr., Michele and Lisa.
Kelder worked as senior engineering aide, purchasing agent and administrative assistant to the borough administrator for a total of 20 years. According to members of the McGackin committee who chose Kelder as one of this year’s honorees, he was "the most exemplary public employee the borough has ever known."
Kelder also served as administrative officer of the planning and zoning boards and was instrumental in revamping those offices by hiring a full-time board secretary. He was also involved with the Shade Tree Commission for more than 20 years, served on the Economic Development Committee, the Freehold Fire Department Engine Company No. 1 and was assistant deputy director and coordinator of the borough’s Office of Emergency Management.
Kelder served on the Borough Council from 1995 until he moved out of Freehold in 2000.
As a borough employee, Kelder played an integral role in overseeing the construction of the Triangle parking lot. As a member of the council, he had a hand in the redevelopment of Mechanic Street and the rug mill.
Kelder remains active in may areas, still devoted to the town he said he loves.
"There are always things to be done," he said.
Kelder said it is an honor to have been selected for the award and that he never expected it. He remembers McGackin with fondness and said, "Jack was a visionary who planted the seeds of his vision."