Sylvester Land Field and Sports Complex Dedicated Roselle`s Inter

A publication produced on behalf of the Borough of Roselle
Sylvester Land Field and Sports Complex Dedicated
Roselle’s Inter-Generational Community Garden Blooms
Girl Power! in Roselle
Proud to be the First Village Lighted by Thomas Edison
Fall 2011
2
Borough Hall
210 Chestnut Street
Roselle, New Jersey 07203
(908) 245-5600
www.boroughofroselle.com
NFL Athlete Leads BELIEVE Football Camp
for Youth in His Hometown
Mayor
Garrett B. Smith . . . . . . (908) 216-4065
National Football League (NFL) Wide
Receiver Jesse Holley, who is on the active
roster for the Super Bowl Championship
Dallas Cowboys team, returned to his
hometown to encourage youth.
Council-At-Large
Jamel C. Holley. . . . . . . (908) 241-0405
Municipal Council
Councilman Yves Aubourg
First Ward . . . . . . . . . . . (908) 967-1504
Councilwoman Sylvia Turnage
Second Ward . . . . . . . . (908) 967-3628
Councilwoman Cecilia Dallis-Ricks
Third Ward . . . . . . . . . . (908) 245-0293
Councilwoman Kim Shaw
Fourth Ward . . . . . . . . . (908) 370-7033
Council President Christine Dansereau
Fifth Ward . . . . . . . . . . . (908) 241-9069
Borough Hall
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday,
9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Roselle Roundup is published by
Jaffe Communications, Inc. under the
auspices of the mayor and council of the
Borough of Roselle. This newsletter is
designed to keep citizens informed about
programs and events the municipal government has coordinated to improve the
quality of life in Roselle.
When Holley hosted his BELIEVE
Project football camp at Sylvester Land
Field and Sports Complex for youth in
Roselle, there were more than 100
young people in attendance. The young
participants listened eagerly while Holley
shared the steps he took to earn the
honor of wearing #16 for the Dallas
Cowboys. He coached and mentored the
campers while cheering them on as they ran
plays and drills on the football field throughout the day.
Holley, who was the winner of former
Dallas Cowboy great Michael Irvin’s football
reality television show called, “4th and Long,”
is a graduate and former athlete from
Abraham Clark High School (ACHS). He
looks forward to hosting the 2nd Annual
BELIEVE Project football camp participants
surround Jesse Holley (standing in the center)
at Sylvester Land Field and Sports Complex
in Roselle.
BELIEVE Project during the summer of 2012.
This 27-year old athlete is also
Councilman-at-Large Jamel C. Holley's
younger sibling. ●
Borough Council Meetings:
Workshop Sessions, Pre-Agenda Meetings and Regular Meetings are held in the Council
Chambers on the first floor, at Borough Hall, 210 Chestnut Street, Roselle, New Jersey. For
more information about the dates and times listed below, call the Office of the Borough Clerk
at (908) 245-5600.
Sept. 14
Wednesday
7:00 P.M.
Workshop Meeting
Approximately 10,000 copies of each
edition are printed. Copies are delivered
by mail to every postal patron in the borough. Copies are also available at
Borough Hall and the Roselle Public
Library.
Sept. 21
Wednesday
7:00 P.M.
Pre-Agenda Meeting
Sept. 21
Wednesday
7:30 P.M.
Regular Meeting
Oct. 12
Wednesday
7:00 P.M.
Workshop Meeting
Oct. 19
Wednesday
7:00 P.M.
Pre-Agenda Meeting
Although great care has been taken to
ensure the accuracy of information, the
Borough of Roselle assumes no liability
for errors or omissions. We welcome
your comments and suggestions. Contact
us at (908) 789-0700 and visit us at
www.jaffecom.com.
Oct. 19
Wednesday
7:30 P.M.
Regular Meeting
Nov. 2
Wednesday
7:00 P.M.
Workshop Meeting
Nov. 9
Wednesday
7:00 P.M.
Pre-Agenda Meeting
Nov. 9
Wednesday
7:30 P.M.
Regular Meeting
Dec. 14
Wednesday
7:00 P.M.
Workshop Meeting
Dec. 21
Wednesday
7:00 P.M.
Pre-Agenda Meeting
Dec. 21
Wednesday
7:30 P.M.
Regular Meeting
Note: The November Workshop, Pre-Agenda and Regular Meetings have been moved
ahead one week due to the League of Municipalities Conference, which is scheduled to take
place during the week of November 14, 2011.
Fall 2011
3
Mayor’s Message:
Greetings Neighbors
By Mayor Garrett B. Smith
It is my pleasure to welcome you to another edition of the Roselle Roundup! Whether
you are a long-time resident or a newcomer
to our Borough, I am glad you are a member
of our diverse community of more than
21,000 children, women and men. I take
great pride in serving as your Mayor.
The Roselle Roundup, a publication of the
Borough of Roselle, provides updates on
local projects, programs and initiatives that
impact life for families in each ward. These
pages will showcase the advances that are
being made on your behalf. Your Mayor and
Council are working aggressively to further
progress on road projects, redevelopment,
and upgrades to parks and play grounds.
Ultimately, through our actions, we aim to
help improve the quality of life for your good.
For instance, we are developing the infrastructure and upgrading the center of our
town through the Streetscape Project on
Chestnut Street. Construction bid propoals
will be distributed in October. In November,
we will hold a ground-breaking ceremony
this $2 million initiative. Funding for this project is being made possible the Urban
(908) 216-4065
[email protected]
MONDAY NIGHT
FOOTBALL
WIN with our YOUTH
Enterprise Zone, the Federal Government and
State Government grants.
Doors Open at 7pm
The Neighborhood Stabilization Program
funding of $2.5 million has made a strong
impact. Our borough has acquired and refurbished 10 foreclosed properties. As a result,
these properties are back on the tax rolls.
More will be done. Increasing the value of
these foreclosed properties represents a winwin situation for the entire community. Major
road, paving and sidewalk projects are also
now underway throughout the Borough.
Roselle Community Center
Grants totaling $100K are dedicated to
improving programs and services for senior
citizens. Recently, the senior center has
received a new parking lot, a much-needed
heating and cooling system as well as new
kitchen appliances. The parking lot at the
Anthony Amalfe Community Center was
repaved and expanded with an additional
10 spaces.
1268 Shaffer Ave., Roselle, NJ
(908) 245-6717 or (908) 590-6100
STARTING on
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12th at 7pm
ENDING on SUPERBOWL SUNDAY,
FEBRUARY 5th
These FREE weekly events are
sponsored by the Borough of Roselle.
Refreshments will be provided.
These advances are made possible
through the acquisition of grants and funds
from federal, state and county-level
resources. We will continue building a more
beautiful Roselle on your behalf. ●
Sylvester Land Field and Sports Complex: A Local Treasure
Years ago, a rain storm could wipe out
any hope of enjoying recreational activities at
Sylvester Land Field. Now, local families and
out-of-town sports teams, who visit Roselle to
compete, no longer have to worry about
floods ruining their exercise, fun and games.
The drainage system was repaired. That was
just one of the upgrades to the complex
which was named in memory of a local hero.
Last fall, this recreational landmark was
the focal point of attention when several
National Football League (NFL) players and
members of the community attended a rededication and ribbon-cutting ceremony. The
following professional athletes played for a
few different NFL teams, but they each were
member of the New York Giants squad at
one time or another: Ezekiel “Zeke” Mowatt;
OJ Anderson; Roman Oben; Stephen Baker.
The Roselle Council Recreation Committee,
the Roselle Board of Education and the
Mayor and Borough Council were pleased to
invite youth and adults to participate in the
evening event. Renovations included newly
installed stadium lighting, synthetic turf and
bleachers complete with a concession stand,
basketball court, baseball field along with a
track for walking and running.
Councilman-at-Large Jamel C. Holley
was the moderator for the occasion, which
marked the completion of the project. The
first football game kicked off later that
evening between the Roselle Rams freshman
team and Roselle Park. The borough’s
Recreation Committee named the event
Roselle Pop Warner Night.
Who was Sylvester Land?
Sylvester Land was a Sergeant in the
United States Marine Corps and a casualty of
war. Land was a patriot, who resided in
Roselle and graduated from Abraham Clark
High School. He died while serving in
Continued on page 6
Fall 2011
4
Borough Council President’s Message:
Locating Resources When We Need It Most
Councilwoman Christine Dansereau, Fifth Ward
My choice to live in Roselle is based on my
love for my neighbors, the tree-lined streets,
our proximity to mass transportation and the
small town feel that continues to make
Roselle a special place. It’s been an incredibly busy couple of years for the Council and
I’m proud of all the hard work and accomplishments achieved by my colleagues in their
standing committees.
In collaboration with the Board of
Education, improvements were made to three
of our schools playgrounds. We recently
received a $900,000 Green Acres Grant
award for the creation of an Intergenerational
Recreation Playground at Simmons Park on
Pine Street. The grant from Green Acres supports the following features: a state-of-the-art
splash park that will cool families off during
hot weather; new playground equipment for
children of mixed ages; a game area for seniors; and new trees and shrubs. Upgrades
are happening at Chandler Avenue and Polk
Park on Chestnut Street.
The changes outlined in the town-wide
(908) 241-9069
master road repair plan started this
Spring and will continue throughout
the Fall. For the first time, cost-effective technology is being used to
repair the sewer system. Thanks to
the Finance Committee and the several department heads, a minimal tax
increase was achieved without layoffs or a
decrease in service during one of the most
challenging fiscal climates. This was done
without the luxury of a state aid package or
deferment of pension opportunities.
The vision of the Communication and
Technology Committee has been to improve
our IT services, Website, Channel 34,
Borough publications and emergency notification system. Ultimately, this is part of our
plan of communicating up-to-date information to local families about resources that are
available in our community.
As many of you are aware, there has been
much discussion of the need for redevelopment. With the help of our citizens, professionals, planning board members and the
ROSELLE HAS A NEW COUNCIL PRESIDENT
Rhona Bluestein, the Borough of Roselle’s
Municipal Clerk, administers the Oath of Office to
5th Ward resident Christine Dansereau, the
Borough’s new Council President. Council
President Dansereau accepted the 5th Ward
Council seat in 2007 and is currently serving her
second term in office.
Council we are seeking ways to approach
redevelopment that helps offset the cost of
taxes and brings additional revenue to our
town. These accomplishments and activities
exhibit the growth of a town on the move.
This can only continue if we work together in
a partnership for a better future. ●
Borough of Roselle Improves Efficiency by Going Paperless
Recent transition protects the environment and cuts Borough’s cost
By Councilman Jamel C. Holley, Borough of Roselle
The cover-page image and this article are being reprinted with permission granted by New Jersey Municipalities
Magazine. To view the article, which was published in April 2011, visit http://www.njslom.org/
magazine/2011-04/pg-4.html.
Rather than sift through reams of paper
each day, my primary source for retrieving
information is electronic. Here is the reason.
The Borough of Roselle, which is the first village that was lighted by Thomas Edison,
made an environmentally wise and fiscally
responsible shift - we decided to go paperless.
When it was time to identify a model for a
paperless work environment, we aimed to
move towards improving efficiency and
“Going Green.” These were more than mere
catch phrases. In these fiscally challenging
times, they remain to be an essential way of
doing business. During a brainstorming session, members of our Technology SubCommittee and administrative staff focused
Fall 2011
on steps we could take to decrease costs and
increase productivity. Making a workplace
transition to a paperless environment simply
made sense. The Mayor and our Borough
Council agreed with this course of action.
As a result, the professionals in our business offices and each of our municipal
departments were given a directive. Now,
they give their office printers more of a
break. Instead, e-mail is their main source for
corresponding with colleagues throughout the
borough. This was made possible by implementing the technology of a Microsoft
Exchange Server.
We have opted to reduce the clutter
caused by piles of paper. Preparation for
meetings will no
longer require the
Mayor and my fellow Council
members to lift mounds of paper out of overflowing in-boxes. Memos, reports, meeting
minutes and agendas, will be retrieved using
laptops and hand-held mobile devices.
Even just a few years ago, none of this
would have been possible for a community of
our size. The advances in technology almost
always start in the Fortune 500 world, where
large corporations are able to make significant investments in research and development of new computer capabilities. The
Exchange Server mentioned above is an
Continued on page 11
5
SAFETY FIRST: Prevent Fires Before They Start!
Tips from the Roselle Fire Department
The Roselle Fire Department urges residents to keep this fire prevention and safety
checklist handy. Fire Chief Paul Mucha said,
“Do a room-by-room search for fire hazards
in your home and immediately correct any
hazards you find. Remember, the majority of
fires and fire fatalities occur in single family
homes.”
Throughout Your Home
• Install smoke detectors on every level
of your home in rooms, stair landings,
and passageways. Test each detector
monthly. Change batteries, at least,
once a year.
• Consider installing automatic fire
sprinklers to spray water on fire in its
early stages. This can help reduce or
prevent damage.
• Never throw cigarettes and cigars into
a trash can. Always use an ashtray.
Make sure embers are completely
distinguished and unable to ignite.
• Make sure there are two escape routes
from every room, including basements
and bedrooms.
• When storing or using cleaning products
and aerosol cans, keep them away from
heat. Don’t burn the containers or throw
them in trash that will be burned.
• Do not use electrical appliances or
tools when you or the cord are either
submerged in or near water.
Kitchen
• Have your stovetop and oven checked
annually to be sure they are in proper
working condition.
• Help avoid grease fires by keeping
the stovetop and oven clean.
• Keep towels, potholders, plastic bags,
newspapers and other flammable
materials away from the stovetop.
• Do not hang curtains or other
flammable materials above the stove.
• Keep all lighters and matches in
locations that are either locked or in
cabinets that are out of reach from
children.
• Replace or have an electrician fix
appliances with frayed or loose cords
and wires. Be conscious of cords that
get hot while appliance is in use.
• Use light bulbs that have the appropriate wattage for the each appliance.
• Do not use or store appliance cords
near water or in any place where they
can get wet.
• Properly discard and replace all frayed,
cracked or broken electrical cords.
• Check for independent testing lab safety
labels (i.e. UL, FM) on all appliances
and portable heaters.
• Be careful when using electrical outlets.
Don’t plug too many large appliances
into one outlet or overload an extension
cord. Don’t plug more than one extension cord into an outlet.
• Hang paper towel racks, curtains and
dish towels away from your toaster,
toaster oven and all heat-producing
appliances.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of
the stovetop.
• Use only microwave-safe dishes in
the microwave.
• Wear tightly fitted-long sleeve shirts
when cooking. Loose-fitting sleeves
should be rolled up when cooking.
• Unplug appliances when they are not
in use.
Living Room
• Clean wood or coal stoves and fireplace
chimneys before each heating season.
help reduce the build-up of creosote in
the chimney.
• Closing the screen or heat-tempered
glass door when the fireplace is in use
will help prevent sparks from igniting
furniture, carpet, draperies or other
nearby items.
• Avoid running cords or wires under
rugs, carpets, doorways, or near heat
sources where they can overheat or
become worn.
• Stack newspapers, wood, matches and
other flammable items away from fireplace, wood or coal stoves.
• Install approved stove board under
wood and coal stoves. Place these
stoves, at least, three-feet away from
any wall or combustible materials.
Follow local building and fire codes.
• Place clean, deep, non-tip ashtrays in
the living room and other rooms where
people are likely to smoke. Douse ashtrays with water before emptying to put
out embers.
Bathrooms
• Secure appliance cords away from
sink or tub.
• Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters
(GFCIs) in the bathroom, kitchen, and
wherever there is an outlet located within six-feet of water. GFCIs shut off the
current when there is a danger of shock.
• Use hair dryers and curling irons away
from items that might burn. Disconnect
after use. Don’t fold or crimp cords
when storing. ●
• Burn only dry, seasoned wood in your
fireplace or wood stove. This action will
Fall 2011
6
“911, where is your emergency?”
Roselle Police Department Installs State-of-theArt 911 Systems
The Roselle Police Department (RPD) took
steps to improve public safety by having a
new 911 communications system installed at
headquarters. A grant from the State of New
Jersey Office of Emergency
Telecommunications Services helped the RPD
purchase this new phone system. As a result
of a second grant, computers were installed
in all police vehicles in the Borough.
Technology makes it possible for the dispatchers and officers to improve responses to
emergencies.
According to Sergeant Brian K. Barnes, of
the Roselle Police Department, “The system
that we had before was more than 20 years
old. It was efficient, but the newer system
gives us much more flexibility.”
Now, if necessary, 911 operators can link
the caller on a cell phone or a land line with
an officer who is in the field and ready to
respond. There is no longer a need for a dispatcher to relay messages to officers. In
some cases, the three-way call will provide
officers with updates prior to arriving on the
scene. The three-way call allows the responding officer to hear, first hand, what is happening in real time.
“The 911 operator has the ability to ping
or trace that cell phone and help the
responding officer identify where that cell
phone is located within 100 yards,” said
Barnes, who is now in his 18th year on the
force. “Let’s say, someone is in the trunk of a
car or they are in a situation where they can’t
really speak. If the person calls 911 and
leaves the phone on, he or she can be located.”
The older phone system at the police
department did not have a cell-phone tracing
capability. Instead, it would trace the call to
the closest cell-phone tower. Now, if the call
is being made from a phone that is inside a
moving car, the system will be able to alert
dispatchers as to whether or not the cellphone signal is in motion.
“We had a series of 911 phone callers
that kept calling us and hanging up. The call
would stay open for a little while and then the
caller would hang up. This happened repeatedly. We were able to trace it and pinpoint
the location where the call was being made.
By knocking on a few doors, we found out it
was a boyfriend-girlfriend dispute. There was
no life threatening emergency at the time, but
we were able to trace the number back,” said
Barnes.
The addition of the Computer Aided
Dispatch and Records Management System is
designed to improve efficiency, and manage
emergency response as well as enhance
communications between dispatch, officers
and the community.
Sylvester Land Field and Sports Complex
Vietnam at age 23. The year was 1967.
Roselle Councilwoman Sylvia Turnage,
of the Second Ward, believes it is important
to remember Sylvester Land. According to
Turnage, “Land and his family are part of
the fabric of Roselle. He was the first veteran from Roselle to be killed the Vietnam
War.” She believes he is an ideal role
model for youth in the community.
Two of Turnage’s children have played
Pop Warner football at the field and sports
complex. When asked to share thoughts
about the field, she said, “Sylvester Land
Field and Sports Complex was a great project. The children are so happy. This is
something they can honestly say makes
them proud.” Several weeks after opening
Fall 2011
The Roselle Police Department will continue taking steps to keep pace with technology.
“We have had the 911 system in place for
about one year. The transition was seamless
and there was no interruption in service” said
Chief Gerard Orlando, of the Roselle Police
Department. “Each person who dialed 911
now or at that time would be connected to an
operator who asked, ‘911, where is your
emergency?’”
Administrators and officers at the RPD are
focused on identifying ways to continue protecting the citizens of Roselle. They say, these
upgrades were necessary. “The system we
had before was adequate. However, it wasn’t
giving us the ability to follow technology as it
is moving and evolving every day. Right now,
the Roselle Police Department is striving to
follow that technology,” Barnes said. ●
Continued from page 3
night, Turnage was not surprised when she
saw youth picking up trash and calling her
to be sure the people who were using the
facility had approval from the Recreation
Committee.
“The pride our children have in the field
and sports complex is a great tribute to the
man himself, Sylvester Land. The field is
wonderful for the kids and it was much
needed. Our youth have to realize the significance of the field. They should realize
whose shoulders they stand on, Turnage
said. “They have to know the history and
why it’s important. I don’t want us to ever
forget the historic tie between this field and
Sylvester Land, our local hero.” ●
POSING WITH GIANTS: Following the
Re-Dedication and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Roselle Councilwoman Cecilia Ricks, of the
Third Ward, posed with the former National
Football League (NFL) athletes at Borough
Hall: (from left to right) Ottis “OJ” Anderson,
Councilwoman Ricks, Roman Oben and
Stephen Baker.
7
New Grants Assist the Roselle Inter-generational Community Garden
Donations are being accepted at the Anthony Amalfe Community Center
A sanctuary exists in Roselle. For the second consecutive year, an Inter-generational
garden is in full bloom at the Anthony Amalfe
Community Center thanks to students, teachers, residents and grants from the National
Gardening Association, Home Depot and
Mantis Tiller.
greens, okra, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage,
beets, cucumbers, strawberries and cantaloupe. The students also arranged a rock
garden that displays creative art painted on
the side of rocks and there’s more. In addition to planting flowers, the youth installed
bird feeders and bird houses.
Each week youth and adults are working
together to maintain the Roselle Inter-generational Community Garden. Senior citizens
are encouraged to serve as sources of inspiration and guidance for the youth who are
students from Grace Wilday Junior High
School, Leonard V. Moore Middle School and
Abraham Clark High School.
“The students and seniors have created a
wonderful garden. Our seniors don’t have to
worry about any heavy lifting. Their presence
in supporting the young people is appreciated,” said BT Mathis, Senior’s Program
Coordinator at the community center.
“Additionally, the patio has been completed
for the purpose of being wheelchair accessible. That combined with the raised garden
As a result of their efforts, the garden of
vegetables and fruit includes: corn, collard
Students from Abraham Clark High School,
along with their teachers Ms. Thorn and Ms. Silva,
painted rocks and planted flowers and vegetables.
Continued on page 11
AN THO NY AMALFE C OMMUN ITY CEN TER
SUN
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
PAINTING: 10am-12pm
Every Monday
AARP: 1pm-3:30pm
1st Tuesday
TAI CHI: 10am - 12pm
Every Wednesday
ART APPRECIATION:
1pm-3:30pm
Every Monday
ROSELLE ART
ASSOCIATION:
10am-12pm, Every
Tuesday
SISTERHOOD
RECOVERY: 7pm - 10pm
Every Wednesday
MONDAY NIGHT
FOOTBALL:
Starting at 7pm
PAINTING:
10am - 12pm
Every Monday
ART APPRECIATION:
1pm - 3:30pm
Every Monday
MONDAY NIGHT
FOOTBALL:
Starting at 7pm
PAINTING:
10am - 12pm
Every Monday
ART APPRECIATION:
1pm - 3:30pm
Every Monday
MONDAY NIGHT
FOOTBALL:
Starting at 7pm
GIRL SCOUTS:
6pm - 8pm, Every Tuesday
ROSELLE ART
ASSOCIATION:
10am - 12pm, Every
Tuesday
Youth & Family:
6pm - 10pm, Last Monday
SISTERHOOD
RECOVERY: 7pm - 10pm
Every Wednesday
GIRL SCOUTS:
6pm - 8pm, Every Tuesday
ROSELLE ART
ASSOCIATION:
10am - 12pm, Every
Tuesday
SISTERHOOD
RECOVERY: 7pm - 10pm
Every Wednesday
GIRL SCOUTS:
6pm - 8pm, Every Tuesday
ROSELLE CHESS CLUB
& TABLE POOL:
6:30pm - 11:30pm
Every Thursday
SAT
ROSELLE ACTIVE
SENIORS:
1pm - 3:30pm,
2nd & 4th Fridays
ROTARY CLUB:
7am - 9am
Every Thursday
ARTS & CRAFTS:
10am - 12:30pm
2nd & 4th Fridays
LINE DANCING:
10am - 11am
Every Thursday
ITALIAN CLUB:
9pm - 10pm, 2nd Friday
ROTARY CLUB:
7am - 9am
Every Thursday
SENIOR ADVISORY
BOARD GAME DAY:
2pm - 4pm, 3rd Friday
SENIOR BRUNCH:
11am - 12:30pm
Every Thursday
ROSELLE CHESS CLUB
& TABLE POOL:
6:30pm - 11:30pm
Every Thursday
TAI CHI: 10am - 12pm
Every Wednesday
ROSELLE ART
ASSOCIATION:
10am - 12pm, Every
Tuesday
ROTARY CLUB:
7am - 9am
Every Thursday
FRIDAY
ROSELLE CHESS CLUB
& TABLE POOL:
6:30pm - 11:30pm
Every Thursday
TAI CHI: 10am - 12pm
Every Wednesday
PAINTING:
10am - 12pm
Every Monday
ART APPRECIATION:
1pm - 3:30pm
Every Monday
TAI CHI: 10am - 12pm
Every Wednesday
THURSDAY
SISTERHOOD
RECOVERY: 7pm - 10pm
Every Wednesday
ROTARY CLUB:
7am - 9am
Every Thursday
ARTS & CRAFTS:
10am - 12:30pm
2nd & 4th Fridays
ROSELLE CHESS CLUB
& TABLE POOL:
6:30pm - 11:30pm
Every Thursday
GIRL SCOUTS:
6pm - 8pm, Every Tuesday
Fall 2011
8
Your neighbor, Annette Hubbard
As a child, Annette
Hubbard dreamed of two
career paths. Either she
would become a beautician or a nurse. Like her
Annette
mother, Hubbard became
Hubbard
a nurse. Now, 15 years
after retirement, Hubbard is still an energetic
health care advocate who serves her community as the Roselle Board of Health Committee
Vice-Chair. Accepting this role just made
sense to Hubbard, a woman whose community service contributions and professional
accolades have focused on wellness.
Diabetes Association and the American Heart
Association. During conversations with people
about health, body and spirit, she is mindful
of how socio-economic conditions can contribute to smoking, drinking, poor nutrition,
and sedentary lifestyles. Hubbard, who
moved to Roselle in 1983, continues to be a
mentor and an outspoken advocate for children, women and men.
Jackie Mitchell, of the Roselle
Collaborative for Youth and Families, agrees.
“Since we met, she has helped and mentored
me. She emphasizes how important it is for
people to get screenings and how important
it is for people to see health care providers,”
Mitchell said. “For people who have no insurance, she lets them know where they can go
for health and wellness assistance.”
She became a Registered Nurse (RN) after
graduating from Grady Hospital School of
Nursing in Atlanta, Georgia. The year was
1955. Since then, she’s enjoyed a successful
career in the field and held numerous leadership positions in community-based organizations. When it comes to health, wellness and
quality of life, she is unafraid to use her voice.
Knowing you personally isn’t a pre-requisite
for sharing tips on nutrition and lifestyle. Over
the years, she has taken action to educate
people about women’s health issues as well
as diabetes, heart disease, kidney and stroke.
Conducting screenings, distributing educational handouts, and making presentations
helps Hubbard quench her desire to share
her expertise. During strolls through a local
grocery store, she talks with people and,
when someone needs assistance reading
labels, she helps. That is what she has done
for years. Her accomplishments prove it.
“When you look at diabetes, you cannot
separate it from heart disease, kidney and
stroke,” said Hubbard, a 75-year old who
has been a member of the American
Her love for people and an unwavering
commitment to improve the quality of life for
all, especially the underserved, inspired her
to establish a volunteer nursing organization
called, Concerned Black Nurses of Newark,
Inc. (CBNN). That occurred more than 30
years ago. Hubbard, Founder and President
Emeritus of CBNN, said, this organization
was the first black nurses group under the
umbrella of the National Black Nurses
Association to be formed in New Jersey.
Her yearning for higher education led her
to Seton Hall University where she earned a
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)
degree. Later, she attended Jersey City State
College where she received her Master of
Arts (M.A.) degree in Guidance and
Counseling coupled with a certification in
School Psychology.
According to Charles Glagola, the Health
Officer for the Borough of Roselle, “It has
been beneficial to have someone like Annette
Hubbard on our Board of Health. Her professional opinion has been of value to me. She
has consistently offered solid contributions
throughout the decision-making process on
health issues that impact local residents.”
This profile provides a mere glimpse of
her professional background. Currently, she
assists in community health planning, participates in health screenings, mentors students,
and weighs in on topics like vaccinations and
immunizations. She has done it all for one
reason. She cares. ●
TAKING THE OATH (right)
The Honorable Tiffany M. Williams, a N.J. State Administrative Law
Judge, administers the Oath of Office to Jamel C. Holley as he
begins his third term as
Councilman-at-Large in
the Borough of Roselle.
Councilman Holley, who
is also Mayor-Elect, is
standing with his nieces,
Jasiyah and Jania.
NEW COUNCIL MEMBER IS SWORN IN (above)
Kim Shaw is sworn in as the Borough of Roselle’s Fourth Ward Councilwoman
by The Honorable Tiffany M. Williams, an Administrative Law Judge of the State
of New Jersey. Judge Williams administers the Oath of Office to Councilwoman
Shaw, who is joined by her husband Donald Shaw and daughter, Niyala. At
that time her son, Na’im, was participating in a basketball game with his teammates from Abraham Clark High School.
Fall 2011
9
GIRL POWER:
PRINCESS Foundation launches empowerment program for girls
Roselle resident Ebony
McQueen felt troubled by
the plight faced by local
Ebony
teenagers, especially girls.
McQueen
So, this Abraham Clark
High School (ACHS) graduate took action and established a non-profit
organization. As Founder and CEO of
PRINCESS Foundation, McQueen hopes the
mentoring and empowerment programs for
girls at ACHS will help them develop effective
communication skills and prepare them to
give back to the Borough of Roselle.
Board Members from the PRINCESS
Foundation will host an information and registration table in the cafeteria at Abraham
Clark High School during the lunch periods
from September 12th to September 16th.
Teens are invited to stop by the table and
register for the free program.
In addition to college tours, the PRINCESS
Foundation will offer workshops on a variety
of topics including: communication skills,
scholarship opportunities, health and nutrition, self esteem and decision making,
healthy relationships and career paths.
“Transitioning in and out of high school is
not an easy task. Teenagers are faced with
many decisions and peer pressure that they
must be prepared to deal with on a daily
basis,” McQueen said. “Our goal is to provide a support system and mentoring program to give these young ladies the tools
they need to be successful in life.”
McQueen believes PRINCESS Foundation
board members will inspire the girls to grow
beyond what she perceives to be a lack of
ambition in young people. They want to help
the girls reach their potential despite the
challenges they encounter inside and outside
the classroom.
“I am excited for what this foundation will
bring to the Roselle community. The
PRINCESS Foundation team has hit the
ground running and we will not stop until we
have made a difference in the lives of these
young women,” McQueen said. She hopes
the PRINCESS Foundation model will one day
be used in communities throughout the State
of New Jersey.
PRINCESS Foundation board members
are coordinating fundraisers and community
PRINCESS Foundation
stands for:
P
=
Prepared
R
=
Ready
I
=
Informed
N
=
Noble
C
=
Confident
E
=
Educated
S
=
Selfless
S
=
Successful
service activities in Roselle. For more information, call 908-463-2724 or send an email to
mailto:[email protected]. ●
National Night Out returned to Roselle
Once again, the Roselle Police Department sponsored the Annual
National Night Out against Crime initiative. Just in case you missed the
event that took place during the first week in August, here is what more
than 500 attendees of all ages had a chance to enjoy.
National Night Out is registered trademark event that was established by the National Association of Town Watch in Wynnewood, Pa.
Families gathered for the barbeque, entertainment and games.
Following a free drawing, several youth won prizes such as bicycles,
backpacks and toys. This is an effort that allows the police deparment
to heighten crime prevention awareness and strengthen participation in
local anti-crime activities.
According to Chief Gerard Orlando, of the Roselle Police Department, more
than 15,000 communities involving 37 million people participated nationwide this
year. "Our department feels that National Night Out is a great opportunity to
meet and build better relationships with families in the community. It's a time
when all residents can come out to celebrate a night of crime free fun,” he said.
"We, at the Roselle Police Department, look forward to continuing our Community
Policing Initiatives such as Neighborhood Watch, DARE, and the Junior Police
Academy." For more information, call the RPD at (908) 245-2000.
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT BIKE WINNERS
Little boy beams while enjoying the new bicycle
he received compliments of the Roselle Police
Department. Girl in the background stands with
her new bicycle during National Night Out.
Fall 2011
10
Reminder to Residents From
Department of Public Works
BULK WASTE pick up is on the first and
third Wednesday of each month, except in
January and December. Residents, place
bulk materials at the curb the night before
each scheduled pick up. These items
include:
• Couches, mattresses, laundry baskets
• Wooden furniture, tables, chairs,
dressers, china cabinets, armoires,
headboards, shelves, frames, doors;
paneling (Wood must be cut into fourfoot lengths, tied and bundled (not to
exceed a 50 lb. weight limit)
• Window glass, drinking glasses, plate
glass, mirrors, glass dishes
• Vacuum cleaners, lamps, toys, figurines
• Plastic crates, plastic garbage cans,
toilets, ceramic sinks and tubs
• Rug padding, Rugs/carpet must be
cut, rolled and tied up in four-foot
lengths
Due to regulations issued by the Union
County Utilities Authority, the following
items will NOT be picked up. Plastic bags
and cardboard should NOT be used for
bulk trash. A summons will be issued.
The following items will not be
picked up:
• No construction debris such as:
sheetrock, roof shingles, tiles, ceramic
tiles, concrete, masonry bricks, stones,
rocks, dirt, asphalt, plaster or any
materials from a private contractor or
homeowner renovations
• Debris from a fire will not be picked
up. The homeowner is responsible for
disposal of debris.
• No car parts and no metal
For all DPW recycling updates,
visit the Borough of Roselle’s website
(www.boroughofroselle.com) and watch
Channel 34.
Fall 2011
Getting to know DPW Director George Phipps
When George Phipps accepted a job with
Roselle’s Department of Public Works (DPW)
as a Laborer nine years ago, he never
expected to rise through the ranks to hold the
primary leadership position. While Phipps
said, his greatest role in life involves being a
“family man,” he is grateful for the opportunity to serve as director of DPW.
In August 2010, when this father of two
took on the responsibility of leading the
department, it came at the right time. He
asked himself, “What more can I do for the
Borough of Roselle? I was up for the challenge, so I accepted the position.”
With a focus on being proactive, Phipps
says DPW employees are not just focusing on
one aspect of each job. He mentioned examples of how his employees take the extra step
towards improving the Borough. If an employee is cutting trees in a lot on the Eastside and
that person knows of a lot on the Westside
that needs attention, they take care of that lot
too. Everyone has a part to play.
In addition to keeping the Roselle clean
and safe, Phipps wants his crew of nearly 20
employees to be known for excellent service.
He maintains an open-door policy, encourages input from employees and seems to be
genuinely interested their professional development.
“A better worker is a trained and skilled
worker,” said Phipps, who has lived in Roselle
for most of his life and is completing coursework to become a Certified Public Works
Manager. He is certified in several areas
including: Municipal Planning and Urban
Development, Parks Management and
Liability Issues, and Operations Resource
Management.
When describing his views on management Phipps named two styles, the boss and
the leader. He said, “You can either be a
boss or a leader. I choose to be a leader.
The boss basically drives employees and the
boss usually says, ‘I want.’ Instead, I want
to be a leader. A leader coaches employees,
a leader inspires the employee.” He believes
the department’s success is based on a joint
effort. “I consider us here to be a team.
Everybody is working together to get the job
done. To me, the boss is all about himself,
not getting things done, worrying what everybody can do for him, not what he can do for
others. That is why I consider myself a
coach.”
QUIRKY QUESTIONS
• What are your favorite pastimes?
Spending time with his 13-year old
son and five-year old daughter;
Attending his son’s football and
basketball games; and exercising.
• Name the singer whose music is
currently in your CD player: Barry White
• What is the last movie you watched?
He watched “John Q” featuring
Denzel Washington on television.
• What motivates you? His children,
prayer and inspiring telephone
messages from his mother are key
motivators. Phipps said, “The message
my mother would tell me would be
keep your head up. Always hold God
first. Never let no one put you down.
Basically that’s it. Put God first and
keep your head up.”
11
Borough of Roselle Going Paperless
excellent example of technological progress.
Just ten years ago, this e-mail hardware and
software required the attention of a team of
specialists working together on an extremely
complicated platform. Of course, they might
have been supporting thirty or forty thousand
(or more) employees in a global environment. As those capabilities trickled down over
the decade to small and medium businesses,
and of course to a Borough of our size, the
price and complexity has also dropped dramatically. Today, the Borough of Roselle can
implement a sophisticated product like this
with not much more than some good planning and the assistance of a qualified network engineer who has specialized training.
Now, we benefit from the features that
Exchange offers such as, a smooth functioning e-mail along with the ability to schedule,
communicate and collaborate.
This same premise holds true for our wireless technology and mobile device deployment. A cornerstone of our paperless strategy
was to provide mobile computers for our
Mayor and Council. However, physically
attaching them to the network could be quite
cumbersome. Again, just ten years ago wireless technology was expensive, relatively slow
in terms of communication speeds, and
prone to security breaches. Many of these
issues were ironed out by the global organizations that could put such an investment into
the infrastructure. The result just a few short
years later has been high speed, reliable,
and secure devices that can be installed at a
relatively inexpensive rate for a small business. Or, a Town Hall! With those pieces in
place, we were ready to add the final touch,
the computers themselves.
For Mayor and Council, seven netbooks
were purchased at a State contract bargain
rate of $1,400. Netbooks offer reasonable
power and extreme portability. During council
meetings netbooks make it possible for
Rhona Bluestein, Roselle’s Municipal Clerk, to
distribute bill lists and other documents.
Netbooks contain Microsoft Word, document
sharing, as well as email and Internet capabilities. However, they differ from laptops in
that they are much more compact and cost
significantly less. The trade off is they offer
less processing power, which is only required
to run complex database applications in
Borough Hall. Tasks like this are handled by
employees who use more powerful desktop
computers than the Mayor and Council
require.
Making this purchase is ultimately a timesaving measure that translates into a reduc-
Continued from page 4
tion of approximately $20,000 annually in
paper alone. While our model is geared
towards local officials and staff, it does not
change the way we interact with our citizens.
We have a message for the residents in
our Union County based borough. This
phase of our paperless transition does not
impact the way we communicate with our
population of more than 21,000 residents in
our five wards. For example, applications for
permits, licenses and other official documents
will still be done the old fashion way, by filing
on paper. Future plans will give residents
both options.
Billing statements for taxes will continue to
be forwarded via the U.S. Postal Service.
Fortunately, the infrastructure is nearly in
place that will allow residents to submit online
payments for tax bills and each summons.
However, vendors who are interested in
doing business in Roselle will no longer be
handed a bid opportunity that is between two
to three-inches thick. Everything is being
done electronically. Business owners are
required to obtain RFPs, RFQs, and other bids
online. Currently, we only accept responses to
bids for out-sourced jobs if they are sent electronically. Qualified vendors who are selected
will receive notification by way of email.
In addition, officials statewide who want to
transition towards a paperless environment
should seek suitable document management
and storage systems. Before implementing
new methods of storing documents and
images, keep in mind upgrades and changes
to your hardware may be required.
Therefore, it is crucial to have your
Information Technology specialists at the
planning table. They play an essential role in
making sure your network is prepared to
handle the burden that comes with storing
and archiving: electronic photographic
images for both the police department and
construction offices; GIS systems; and document retention for OPRA can be included with
this transition.
Again, we expect this environmentally
friendly effort to represent a cost savings, less
clutter, a seamless way of sharing information
and an increase in productivity. It is incumbent upon all elected leaders to promote
policies and initiatives that are environmentally responsible. Our decision to go paperless is one way to make an immediate
impact. I encourage other governmental
leaders to explore this option.
While the concept of a paperless society
may seem elusive to many, our municipality is
dedicated to doing our part. We also plan to
identify and adopt additional best practices
and cost saving measures to enhance our
efficiency. These challenging fiscal times call
for forward-thinking mindsets and sound
plans of action. The decision to go paperless
is a fiscally wise way to increase efficiency
within the Borough. We will continue forging
ahead with our plans because doing things
the same old way is not an option.
Inter-generational Community Garden
makes this site a wonderful place for all
residents to participate in gardening.”
During the school year, weekly class
trips were held that gave students an
opportunity to visit and help with the garden. Throughout the summer, they are
encouraged to continue tending to the garden and enjoying the harvest. An excerpt
of a letter written by one teen said, “I
would like to thank you for showing me a
wonderful way to help our environment at
the Inter-generational Garden…Now, I
would like to tell you the things I enjoyed,
but there’s so much it would take me a
million pages.”
This project is led by Community Acting
Now, a grass-roots organization that was
awarded the 2011 Youth Garden Grant
Continued from page 6
and the 2011 Mantis Award. According to
Mathis, these contributions were essential in
getting the garden off to a great start, but
more is needed for maintenance and
expansion. So far, residents have donated
chairs and a table was received from the
Roselle Department of Public Works. Several
residents have donated garden soil, plants
and fertilizer. Would you like to donate garden tools, outdoor furniture or other garden
supplies? If so, contact BT Mathis on weekdays between noon and 4 pm at either
(908) 245-6717 or (908) 590-6100. ●
All are welcome participate or visit the
Roselle Inter-generational Community
Garden at the Anthony Amalfe Community
Center, which is located at 1268 Shaffer
Avenue. For more details regarding the
grants, visit www.kidsgardening.org.
Fall 2011
210 Chestnut Street
Roselle, New Jersey 07203
PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage Paid
New Brunswick, NJ
Permit #1
ECRWSS
POSTAL CUSTOMER
12
ROSELLE Resource Guide
ROSELLE SENIOR CITIZEN BUS
The Mayor and Council in the Borough of Roselle
are pleased to provide transportation for local
senior citizens. Pictured are the drivers: Ralph
Johnson (left) and Fieta Duperrier (right).
FIRE EMERGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . 911
Fire Department
Non-Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . 245-8600
POLICE EMERGENCY . . . . . . . . . . 911
Police Department
Non Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . 245-2000
BOROUGH HALL. . . . . . . . . 245-5600
Board of Health . . . . . . . . . . . 259-3032
Borough Administrator . . . . . . 259-3014
ROSELLE BUS SCHEDULE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
DAY
PICK UP TIME
PICK UP LOCATION
DESTINATION
Monday
10:00 am
East Side
Shop Rite & Pathmark (Elizabeth)
Monday
9:15 am
West Side
Seabras, Shop Rite & Pathmark
(Elizabeth)
Tuesday
9:30 am
East Side
Seabras, The Malls in Linden (1&9)
Tuesday
9:15 am
West Side
Walmart, Aldi & Meat City
Municipal Court . . . . . . . . . . . 259-3042
Wednesday
9:30 am
East Side
Shop Rite & Target in Clark
Office of Emergency
Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241-4966
Wednesday
9:15 am
West Side
Shop Rite & Target in Clark
Thursday
9:30 am
East Side
Line Dancing & Senior Brunch
Thursday
9:15 am
West Side
Seabras, Pathmark & Senior
Brunch
Friday
9:30 am
East Side
Pathmark Linden or Woodbridge
(every other week)
Friday
9:15 am
West Side
Aviation Plaza, Linden
Borough Clerk . . . . . . . . . . . . 245-5600
Building Inspector. . . . . . . . . . 634-4530
Crime Prevention . . . . . . . . . . 259-4005
Detective Bureau . . . . . . . . . . 259-4031
Drug Hot Line . . . . . . . . . . . . 298-3784
Engineer Department . . . . . . . 259-2059
Office of Mayor . . . . . . . . . . . 259-0269
Public Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245-5809
Public Works & Recycling . . . . 245-2920
Tax Assessor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241-4000
Tax Collector . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245-9000
Urban Enterprise Zone . . . . . . 259-3001
Zoning Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . 259-4502
Senior’s requesting a pick-up should call the community center at (908) 245-6717 between
the hours of 8:00 am and 8:45 am the day of the pick-up to be picked up.
Area Code 908 unless noted
Snapshots from our community…
CHECK OUT THE BOROUGH
OF ROSELLE’S NEW WEBSITE!
Visit http://www.boroughofroselle.com
Fall 2011
The Roselle Roundup Wants Your Photos
Do you have a recent community-oriented photo to submit to the Roselle Roundup?
If so, please email it to [email protected] and it will be considered for the next edition.
Please include the names of the people (from left to right) who are included in the photo.
Also, provide a brief written description of the event or activity.