Little Silver Mayor Makes Rhyming Start

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Mayor Robert Neff Jr. swears in Councilman Dane Mihlon as Mihlon's wife, Lauren, holds the Bible.

LITTLE SILVER — It was as if  Dr. Seuss took over as mayor for a little while at the borough’s annual reorganization meeting last Thursday.

 Robert Neff Jr., who was sworn in to his first  four-year term as mayor, used the opportunity deliver an address to his constituents in the form of a poem.

Using rhyming couplets, the mayor noted, “Last year, this time three feet of snow gave Little Silver fits./Later still, Irene’s ill will, and earthquake tremors, hit.”
Additional verses offered further reflections on the year just past, hailed recent borough accomplishments, offered thanks and congratulations to those being sworn in to elected office and to those receiving various appointments.
“I’ve missed some names—we know you’re there, and no offense was meant/Appreciation is the key, our thanks were the intent.”
Afterwards Neff said that while he had some reservations about waxing poetic, he ultimately decided to give it a whirl to keep the mood light and festive.
“This has been a really nice meeting,” he observed as the meeting adjourned.
Neff, a former Republican council member, had declared his candidacy for mayor when he was named last year to fill the vacancy caused by the death of long serving Mayor Suzanne Castleman. Donald Galante, a former Republican councilman, was appointed to fill Neff’s vacant council seat.
Along with Neff, his running mate, newcomer Dane S. Mihlon, and incumbent Democrat Daniel J. O’Hern Jr. were sworn in for their respective three-year terms.
The borough council selected member David Gilmour to serve as this year’s council president; reappointed John O. Bennett as borough attorney; and reappointed Gregory Blash as borough engineer.