All the local papers, both on line and in print, blogs, and Facebook pages are all talking about Lillian G Burry, the Monmouth County Commissioner who just announced she is not running for another term heading the County.
But unlike just about every other political name who has retired from a paid office, Lillian also made it clear this doesn’t mean the end of her dedication to the county and all its residents. Lillian made it clear she plans on continuing to honor all her civic commitments. By anyone’s standard, they are immense.
Let’s see. Lillian was a councilwoman in Matawan when the Burrys lived there, a councilwoman and Mayor in Colts Neck, the first female director of the Board of Freeholders, a Freeholder/commissioner for 15 years or so, a member and also vice chair of the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Planning Authority, chair of the Veterans Affairs Sub-Committee of the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority where she is also on the real estate committee. She is a Commissioner on the Fort Hancock 21st Century Advisory Committee for the National Park Service of the national Department of the Interior. She formed the committee in Colts Neck after the 9-11 attack when five of her fellow residents perished, fundraising and having a perpetual fountain installed to honor them. She is the stalwart backbone of the town’s Historical Committee and wrote the book on its more historic sites. And the list goes on.
She’s practically single-handedly led that construction of the badly needed MAST building on the Mast campus at Sandy Hook so those scholarship-wining cadets can finally have an indoor place to do their widely acclaimed drill practices and have storage areas and bathrooms. One does wonder what’s going to happen with that now, since it appears things have slowed down, changes appear to be being made, and construction is behind schedule since other commissioners are finally taking an interest in what’s going on in one of the top ten schools in the state.
It’s also the little things this thoughtful leader does. When she was unable to make the MAST graduation last year and personally shake the hand of every one of these young men and women who all went on to colleges, universities and military academies to continue their education and become leaders, she was not content to simply send congratulations and regrets. Instead, she wrote a very personal letter to the graduates and asked if their commanding officer could read it during the ceremony. There was great applause and appreciation.
Or all those Commissioner meetings when she presented awards to history essay winners, elementary school kids who may never have met an elected official before and will remember their own pride in being recognized by someone so important at an important meeting attended by lots of people.
Or those Colts Neck students who were treated to a modern day living facsimile of Thomas Jefferson or other famous national leaders and were drawn into conversation with people representing important times in American history. Those kids won’t remember, probably never even know, that it was Mrs. Burry that brought him there. But they’ll never forget shaking the hand of the 1700s costumed, red-headed 21st century version of the nation’s third President.
And at the historic one room schoolhouse in Colts Neck, adult and child alike will never forget Mrs. Burry’s annual reading of the Night Before Christmas.
To her, the little things that made people happy and introduced them to a piece of history were as important as the big things that made a newsbreaking difference.
As a commissioner, Mrs. Burry has always gone above and beyond with time, talent and follow-through to be sure the job is done and it’s done right. Look at that magnificent Soldier-On apartment complex the result of creating new friendships and lots of hard work.
That Lillian is highly protective of, and even more proud of, our military is evident in every phase of her dedication to all that honors them. Knowing and honoring what these men and women have given for the country might be one of her greatest achievements. From praising everyone of those MAST cadets who earn entry into each of the nation’s military academies to fighting constantly for former installations such as Fort Hancock and Fort Monmouth to be honored and preserved, she has gained the respect of every veteran who’s ever heard her name.
A New Yorker by birth, Lillian Burry has certainly become the heart of Monmouth County.
State Senator Vin Gopal, the former Monmouth County Democratic leader and a current state Senator who has praised and thanked Lillian many times in the past, told the Two River Times how he recognized and was awed by her tenacity and straightforwardness, how she connected with the voters, how she did more to preserve open space in Monmouth County than anyone has ever done. He said all these qualities and more that made him a supporter and admirer of her.
And that’s from a Democrat Senator!
So where are the Republicans? It appears that the Republican Chairman was contacted by the paper for a comment about the retiring Commissioner. He hasn’t had time to respond. Not a word. County Director Tom Arnone did say something; he admitted she’s head strong, determined and committed when she sets her mind on something. He said that at the opening festivities for the Soldier Home facility. But not a word on her retirement from politics announcement.
But none, not one single one of the commissioners has come out with any words of praise or thanks for Lillian G. Burry, the lady who has been consistently high voter in elections. Not one has asked why if she is so dedicated to continuing all her civic activity she is not seeking another term on the board.
Instead, they, and the GOP Chair, are proudly supporting Shrewsbury Mayor Erik Anderson to replace her. That’s all well and good, and Mr. Anderson might make a great commissioner, who knows? But at the very least, this board of commissioners should show the courtesy to the outgoing commissioner by at least giving her a call, issuing a statement, doing anything public to give a hint that they recognize her great talents and volunteer time and efforts so much and she, and all her energy will be missed. That’s simply called common courtesy. Or appreciation.
Perhaps I am being too quick in making an assessment. Perhaps these commissioners are keeping quiet now because they have plans to issue great congratulations and honors on Commissioner Burry after she officially leaves office the end of the year. Perhaps they are already looking into naming a building, be it Eastern Branch Library where she was also deeply involved in having that sculpture placed in front and done so much more, or the hopefully to be completed MAST building. Perhaps they are looking to change the name of Navesink River Road to Burry Lane, or calling the Freehold office the Burry Hall of Records. Or maybe it’s a bridge they will name for Commissioner Burry, similar to the Senator Kyrillos Bridge in Red Bank. Or maybe it’s something else.
If that happens, I will be the first to offer an apology for an early disappointment in the lack of any comments or expressions from any of the Monmouth Cou9nty leadership. Then I will also join the line with all the others who want to praise and thank the Commissioners for giving notable credit where it is due.
