Do you recognize this Freehold Cowboy?
Author: Anthony Ammiano
David Segal, probably born in Brooklyn, New York, doesn’t mention it because as far as he’s concerned, his life began after arriving in Freehold Township, New Jersey, is probably its greatest cheerleader. Graduated from Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn, a heritage he shares with other attendees and graduates like Clive Davis, Neil Diamond, James Florio, Beverly Sills, Barbra Streisand and Eli Wallach, just to name a few. No, Dave does not personally know them all, even if they may have voted for him as mayor of Freehold Township, which he served 5 times during his tenure of 26 years on the governing body.
Retiring in 2000 to move to Florida with his patient and wonderful wife, Celia, she following family, and he following his passion for boating and great fishing. I guess he didn’t find Lake Topanemus challenging enough.
According to Dave, “I’m just another guy retiring from public office.”
Well not so insignificant. He served for 26 years on the town’s Board of Health and 20 years on the Planning Board. He was also involved in county government having served on the Monmouth County Planning Board, as emergency management coordinator and as a commissioner and former chairman of the Manasquan River Regional Sewerage Authority.
In 1999, Segal was inducted into the New Jersey League of Municipalities Elected Officials Hall of Fame in recognition of 20-plus years spent as an elected official.
As he often puts it,” I still consider Freehold my hometown and follow the news there regularly.” Dave still keeps up with goings on in Freehold Township either thorough Facebook, emails, Skype, and oh yes, even through cell or land line phone calls.
Oh, did I mention that Dave is a former Marine! Semper Fi.