HOWELL – The Township Council and Monmouth County Commissioners recently recognized Howell resident Paul Schneider for contributing more than 50 years of dedication to the community.
Schneider served on the Planning Board for 15 years and on multiple Township boards and committees in various roles.
At the July 13 meeting, members of the council presented Schneider with a proclamation honoring him for the many ways he generously volunteered his time, which included:
- 1967 – Chair of the Howell Township Shade Tree Study Commission. Mr. Schneider was instrumental in establishing the Shade Tree Commission and was a long-time member.
- 1972 to 1981 -Vice President of the Howell Township Board of Health
- 2005 to 2007 – Environmental Commission Member
- 2005 to 2020 – Planning Board Class IV Member; Chair 2006, 2007, 2016 and 2017; Vice Chair 2012, 2014 and 2015
- 2010 – Municipal Green Team Member
- 2010 to 2011 – Strategic Planning Committee Member
Schneider is also a retired pharmacist and had served as Director of Pharmacy Operations for Food Circus Supermarkets for over 20 years. He also served as Chair of the Monmouth County Board of Health, was a member of the NJ Governors’ Council for Physical Fitness and Sports, and is a Master Masonic Member of Olive Branch 16.
In addition, he holds a membership in the following organizations: NJ Pharmacists Association, Howell Ocean and Wall Chambers of Commerce, Jewish War Veterans, Navy League, Olive Branch Lodge #16 F. & A.M., 320 Scottish Rite Masons, Lions Club, Optimist Club and High 12 Masonic Club.
Schneider has since stepped down due to an illness. Subsequently, he was not able to attend the council meeting to receive his proclamation. Instead, his daughter was there to accept it.
“I am proud to accept this award on behalf of my father Paul Schneider. He has been active in Howell more than I have been alive. He wanted me to say that he’s too ill to accept it himself but wish he could have,” his daughter Jill said.
“The Howell Township Council and it’s totality just simply cannot honor your father enough. For over 50 years Paul Schneider served this community, the county, the state,” Councilwoman Evelyn O’Donnell said. “We’ve been very fortunate to have him serve us and although he’s ill and he will no longer serve us in the capacity of coming to meetings and whatnot, he still answers the phone… he’s still more than engaged. So, it’s with a very humble heart that I’m very happy to give this proclamation to him.”
Monmouth County Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone and Commissioner Deputy Director Kiley were also at the meeting to honor Schneider and present him with a proclamation, marking July 13 as “Paul Schneider Day” within the county.
“He was a voice. He was a very reasonable person, but he was very strong in his commitment and he had a lot of knowledge when he was talking about something that he truly, truly understood,” Arnone said.
