“There are just so many great things in a small town that you don’t see anywhere else and it makes you feel proud.”
John Gural is the type of guy who has the borough of Palmyra running through his blood.
The 57-year-old has been the borough administrator since July 2011 has served his town in a number of ways.
Gural was a Borough Council member for eight years, prior to taking over as administrator, but was also mayor for eight years as well.
When added up, Gural has totaled 23 years of service to the town he calls home.
“I have been in Palmyra for mostly my whole life,” Gural said. “I spent a short time in Mt. Laurel at one point, but I currently live in the house I was grown up in and raised my children here too.”
Gural graduated Palmyra High School in 1978, where his two daughters also graduated. His oldest daughter Lauren is a Temple graduate and now an actress in Los Angeles, while his youngest daughter Amanda works for the Burlington County Health Department in the Education Department.
“I am very proud of both of them,” Gural said. “They grew up in the same house that I grew up in, which is pretty remarkable in today’s day and age.”
It didn’t take long for Gural to get involved with the borough and serving his community, which he states has the second-most importance, other than his family.
“I could’ve moved anywhere in the country, like my daughter is doing now,” Gural said. “It never really crossed my mind to move, and I enjoy calling Palmyra my home.”
Due to his many years of living in the borough, Gural knows a lot of the townspeople and business owners. Giving back to his community is “a great award” Gural stated, which not many people take advantage of.
“Even after my time on council and as mayor, I wanted to stay involved,” Gural said. “I think I do a pretty good job at assisting our current mayor and council, and to me there is no greater reward than giving back to our community.”
With Palmyra going through changes like any town does, the option for growth is always available. Two key projects that Gural helped with included the Palmyra Community Center and Legion Field, which provide the town with not only a recreational place but also something to call their own.
“The Community Center cost about $3 million, while Legion Field was about $5 million,” Gural said. “They both took some time to get off the ground, but both speak for themselves. Legion Field is probably the best sports complex in South Jersey and really identifies us.”
Outside of his time at work, Gural enjoys big game hunting out west and down south. He also enjoys gardening, working on his home, and spending time with family and friends.
One thing is for certain, Gural enjoys the numerous events that take place in Palmyra year around.
“The farmers market and Halloween Parade are two great events we have,” Gural said. “Also, when Christmas time comes around and Santa visits the borough is nice to see. There are just so many great things in a small town that you don’t see anywhere else and it makes you feel proud.”
For more information regarding Gural or the Borough of Palmyra, check http://boroughofpalmyra.com.
