Draft Agenda for Monday, February 27, 2012

Meetings held at:

Carl T. Valenti Meeting Room at New Brunswick Free Public Library

60 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, N.J.

7:00 – 8:45 pm

1. Greetings and Introductions
2. Quality of Life and Crime Watch Updates and Discussions with police officer(s) and city official(s)
3. Mail, Minutes, Treasurer’s Report
4. Roundtable
5. Closing

If you would like to add a presentation or discussion to the agenda, please send request to Maria Pellerano, President, at nbswnbc@gmail.com or call her at (732) 447-5196.

All are Welcome!

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New Brunswick's Second Ward Neighborhood Block Club (SWNBC) announced leadership changes after Monday night’s elections held at the New Brunswick Free Public Library Jan. 30, 2012.  Morris Kafka, president of the club for 18 years, has handed over the gavel to newly-elected president Maria Pellerano.

Other newly-elected leaders of the club include Phyllis Koenig, vice-president; Marge Kerber and Phyllis Koenig, co-secretaries; and Yana Hernandez, Treasurer.

After the election, club members gave a rousing tribute to Mr. Kafka, celebrating his many accomplishments -- most notably his two decades of work building a neighborhood organization that has become an important influence in New Brunswick, improving the quality of life for thousands of New Brunswick residents.

Founded in 1980, the Second Ward Neighborhood Block Club is the oldest neighborhood club and crime watch in New Brunswick.  Mr. Kafka said of his tenure, “I am very moved by all of the kind words and acknowledgements.  Remember that the founding members of this group were passionately committed and worked tirelessly for a better, safer, cleaner, and more beautiful New Brunswick.  These women and men welcomed me into the group while I was still a teen and taught me a great deal, including the need to balance our work with social and spiritual time.  I could not have done any of this alone. The inspiration these role models provided and the encouragement, generosity and support of the members, friends and city officials are what make our ongoing work possible.  I thank everyone who has worked with us. I have been honored to serve as President these 18 years. I look forward to being part of our future growth under the new leadership.”

Ms. Pellerano, a long-time resident of New Brunswick, said “I look forward to working with the block club over the next few years.  The club has a long history of activism and community improvement.  Our diverse membership works to enhance the quality of life in our neighborhoods and throughout the City.  I believe that working together with community residents, other community organizations, city officials, police officers, and local businesses we can improve the quality of life of all city residents.”

Regular meetings of the Second Ward Block Club are held at 7 p.m. on the last Monday of every month (except May, August & Dec.) at the New Brunswick Free Public Library.  The Club also holds parties and celebrations where people can meet casually and get to know one another.  Everyone is welcome at all club meetings and events.  To get involved, visit our website at www.swnbc.org, contact us at nbswnbc@gmail.com or phone 732-447-5196.

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Please join us on Monday Nov. 28th at 7 PM at the Public Library meeting room for our Neighborhood & Crime watch meeting.  All are welcome.  Light refreshments will be served.

Tentative Agenda:

1) Crime Watch session with city officials.

2) Regular participants who are residents of the city are asked to make their nominations for our slate of officers for 2012 (President. Vice President, Secretary & Treasurer, 2 year terms).   Elections will be at our January 30th meeting.

3) Mr. Bruno Oriti, co-founder of Prarie Fyre Time Exchange will give a presentation on the project and answer questions.

4) Our annual Holiday Open House is slated for Saturday Dec. 3rd.  Final planning at meeting.

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Forwarded by Michael Beltranena, Management Specialist for City of New Brunswick:

"Please let everyone know that the City Council will be reviewing the conditions imposed on the Tropicana Bar Liquor License.  Our residents should be present to let the council know that the conditions are working and must be made permanent.  The hearing will be November 16, 2011 at 6:30 PM at City Hall Council Chambers."

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This year for the first time, the Second Ward Block Club joined the Unity Square Partnership celebrating National Night Out August 2, 2011.  We provided watermelon and some general help and Lorena Gaibor and her staff and volunteers from Unity Square provided all the rest... music, dancing, raffles, and general good cheer.  We've posted a short video on YouTube.  As you can see, everyone had a great time!  Here are some photos of the event... 

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Just sending out a greeting as a test of the link here. Thanks, Morris

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Many Second Ward residents have expressed concern that the write-in process for voting June 7 was weird and murky.

During Tuesday's election, many people tried to write-in a name. But it was not clear how to do it. 

For example, one person typed in a first name, then couldn't figure out how to insert a space before typing in the last name. Hoping to insert a space, he hit the "Enter" key which terminated the entry all together. So his attempt to write-in failed.

Another voter asked a poll worker for instructions about how write-in works and she was told simply, "It's in the machine." There was no other help given. This is pathetic and unacceptable.

Several people said they were not sure their write-in had been registered by the voting machine.

Voting lies at the heart of a democracy. All our voting machines should be easy to use. And the people overseeing elections should be able to explain how the machines work. At the very least they should have some simple instructions written on a piece of paper.

There's no excuse for the voting process being weird and murky, as it was on Tuesday.

--Peter Montague

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At a meeting June 8 at Robeson School, Mayor Cahill described two concepts for giving Recreation Park a makeover.  Consultants discussed the pros and cons of each concept with about twenty attendees from the neighborhood.   For more information, contact the City's Planning, Community, and Economic Development Department at 732-745-5050. 

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