Ziad Shehady Newsletter for September 26, 2011

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

- Election Day is November 8.  Last year, about 50 votes decided the election and not even close to 50 percent of the registered voters came out to vote.  I need your support!  If you would like to help my campaign, please consider making a donation through my website at www.vote4z.com or by placing a lawn sign at your home.  Thank you to everyone who has already offered support.

- For a comprehensive Calendar of Springfield Events, visit my website and click on the Calendar tab at the top.  If you have events you would like listed, please e-mail me.

COMMUNITY

- The Springfield Farmers Market is still running until October 31 every Monday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.  It has relocated to Ruby Field off Caldwell Place.

- The Regional Health Department is offering Seasonal Flu Inoculation Clinics.  They will be in the Springfield Municipal Building on Thursday, September 29 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and will administer flu shots on a first come, first serve basis.  Many residents contacted me about the conflict with Rosh Hashanah, apparently due to a breakdown in communication between the Township and Health Department.  Committeeman Jerry Fernandez quickly notified our Health Department and requested an alternate date.  Another Clinic will be held on Thursday, October 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Springfield Municipal Building.

They are also offering Free Pneumococcal and Meningitis Vaccines by appointment if you call 908-789-4070.

- Many residents in the flood-damaged neighborhoods of Springfield have complained of a rise in mosquitoes.  Committeeman Jerry Fernandez has called the Union County Mosquito Control Bureau and arranged for an additional visit next week.

- I have been in touch with our State Legislators concerning the many electricity problems our residents have to deal with because of JCP&L.  The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has announced the schedule for the first round of public hearings at the direction of Governor Chris Christie.  For the schedule of hearings and more information, click here.

GOVERNMENT

-  The Township Committee is having their next regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, September 27th at 7:30 p.m. in Town Hall.  If you are unable to attend, you can watch the meeting live on my website and it will be archived for viewing later at your convenience.  For your information, I have posted the Agenda online.  Click here to view it.

There are, as usual this year, very few items of substance on the Agenda.  The Township Committee has only considered about half of the number of ordinances this year as last year.  It has been a very unproductive year.

One ordinance of importance will hopefully be considered for first reading.  This will extend the waiver of Permit Fees for residents who need to rebuild as a result of the Hurricane and flood damage.

There are just a handful of resolutions to highlight:

- Congratulations are in order to Erwin Heinrich on his promotion to Third Class Firefighter.

- Resolution 2011-191 will authorize non-union employees to receive a 1.75% Cost of Living Adjustment off their base salary retroactive to January 1, 2011.

- Resolution 2011-199 will approve execution of an agreement for use of the Springfield Municipal Parking Lot by the Barker Bus Company of Bridgewater, NJ to park their buses.  This may be of particular concern to residents of Morrison Road, Denham Road, Prospect Place, Donna Road, Colfax Road and Severna Avenue who will have to deal with about 17 buses traveling in and out of the parking lot between Labor Day and June.

- Resolution 2011-200 seeks to create an emergency appropriation of an additional $200,000.  This money will then count against the 2012 budget next year.

SCHOOLS

-  The Edward Walton School PTA is planning their 1st Walton School Social at McLynn’s for a family dinner while helping to raise money for the Walton PTA.  On Monday, September 26 or Tuesday, September 27, stop by McLynn’s to dine-in or take out and present this flier.  McLynn’s will donate 20% of your bill to the Walton PTA!

-  The Springfield Education Foundation is hard at work preparing for the Sprint for Springfield Schools 5K Run/Walk to be held on Sunday, October 30th.  Visit their website atwww.springfieldeducationfoundation.com for more information and to register.

- The Jonathan Dayton High School PTSO & Project Graduation Committee are organizing their annual“Bulldog Basket Auction” to be held on Wednesday, November 16.  They are asking for donations of prize baskets, gift items, or gift certificates. For more information, read the letter here.

ELECTION 2011

-  Save the date for my next campaign fundraiser on Wednesdsay, October 12th.

Help get the word out to more residents!  If you have family, friends or neighbors that you think may be interested in receiving this newsletter, please e-mail me.