George Schnurr earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Technology Management from Rochester Institute of Technology. He holds numerous computer system certifications. Prior to his retirement, he was responsible for all technology related activities as the Director of I.T. for a FedEx operating company in Roselle, NJ. He was frequently loaned out to other divisions within FedEx to collaborate on various technology initiatives. His technology automation work led to the issuance of six U.S. patents by a sister company. In 2015 Schnurr received the “Five Star Award” from FedEx. This award is given to less than 50 employees from a company that employs almost 600,000 people world-wide.

 

Schnurr served as President of the Freehold Borough Little League for four years and as a member of its Board of Directors for nine years. While President, he spearheaded the redevelopment of the Little League complex where he was instrumental in obtaining almost $400,000 in funding and grants for the Freehold Borough Little League. Later on, Schnurr started a scholarship program called the "Urban Initiative Program" to give underprivileged children a chance to play baseball. Schnurr was recognized by the Asbury Park Press as a “Hometown Hero" for his community involvement in organized youth baseball and for his leadership in the development of Community Park off of Otterson Road and on 4th Street.

 

Schnurr has been on the Freehold Borough Council since December 27, 2007, has been elected to five consecutive terms and was selected Council President twice. In 2020 Councilman Schnurr and DiBenedetto received the most votes in a municipal election in Freehold Borough's history. Schnurr was appointed in 2012 by Senator Vin Gopal when he was the Democratic Chairman of Monmouth County to the Monmouth County Democrats Executive Committee. In 2017 Schnurr was appointed by incoming Governor Phil Murphy as a member of the Governor’s Transition Team where he worked alongside men and women to carry out the vision of the governor.

 

Prior to his election to the Freehold Borough Council, Schnurr was a member of the Planning Board and served for 14 years. As the Planning Board council liaison, Schnurr recommended that the Zoning and Planning Boards be combined for cost savings and for continuity of public planning decisions. Schnurr was later appointed chairman of the Land Use Committee, which served as a clearinghouse for any issues effecting development. By changing existing policies and procedures to make sure the business community knows that Freehold Borough is “open for business”, this committee was responsible for millions of dollars in economic development. Freehold Borough’s ratables increased by over $56 million during this period, a new Master Plan was developed and Freehold Borough applied to the State of New Jersey to achieve “Transit Village” status which is a comprehensive redevelopment strategy for downtown.

 

But it’s not all about downtown. The back-streets are just as important as Main Street. Schnurr networked with the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) to bring a State of New Jersey program called the "Live Where You Work Program" to Freehold Borough. This program, which offers down payment assistance and below prime mortgage rates, coupled with a housing workshop he organized, brought area realtors, lenders and prospective homebuyers together. A year later, Schnurr introduced another NJHMFA housing program to Freehold Borough called "New Jersey HomeKeeper". This program provides relief for homeowners who are faced with foreclosure in the form of a second mortgage loan, repayable only if the homeowner sells, refinances or ceases to occupy the subject property within 10 years from the date of the assistance loan.

 

Schnurr serves on the Finance Committee since he has been in public office and has been the Finance Chairman since 2020. He is part of the team that makes Freehold Borough a municipal leader in shared services with other towns within the county. Schnurr is a founding member of New Jersey's largest shared services "think tank" - the Central Jersey Council of Governments. In that position, Schnurr is working with elected officials from other municipalities to come up with ideas to help streamline the delivery of services to residents. As Finance Chair, he has worked with the governing body and our professionals to create plans to move Boro Hall to its new location on Mechanic Street and to finance and build a new water treatment plant that will comply with state and federal guidelines for decades to come.

 

Schnurr is a member of the "Sierra Club", America's oldest, largest and most influential environmental organization. He is working with the other like-minded members of the governing body to develop plans to clean up the contaminated "Colaner Property". On council, Schnurr served as liaison to the Shade Tree Commission, which is an embodiment of his love for the environment and conservation of our natural resources. He has been a governmental leader in many of Freehold Borough's "going green" initiatives including the current recycling program that features the Boro blue and gold containers. Schnurr is also a member of Elected Officials to Protect America. This organization is a network of former and current elected officials focused on environmental issues.

 

Schnurr is also the council liaison to the Freehold Memorial Day Parade Committee and is an advocate for veterans in Western Monmouth County. In that capacity and as a member of the Elk’s Point Restoration Committee, Schnurr campaigned for the complete refurbishing of Elk's Point. Because of his efforts, Schnurr was awarded the "Distinguished Citizen Award" from the Marine Corps League. The parade on Memorial Day is one of the signature events for our community and Schnurr has been the Elk's Point Service of Reflection Master of Ceremonies a record fifteen times. The parade is the state's longest running parade of its kind and Western Monmouth's largest such parade with over 70 units participating each year.

 

Realizing that education is the key to a child's future success, Schnurr is on the Board of Directors for Freehold Borough's 21st Century Community Learning Center After School Program as well as a Trustee for the Freehold Borough Education Foundation. Schnurr is also a graduate of the Freehold Borough School District Citizen's Academy program developed by the District Administrative Team to provide an overview of the school district.

 

Schnurr and his wife Diane have two adult children, Michael and Nicole. They are members of the St. Rose of Lima Parish and he is a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1672.

 

Schnurr’s technology background and project management skills are an asset to the governing body. As a dedicated and committed advocate for Freehold Borough, his various community activities give him an ear and eye to the needs of the residents and businesses. He is a person that is known for his meticulous attention to detail, for taking on projects and for getting things done in Freehold Borough.

 

E-mail: George.Schnurr@yahoo.com