SALE OF TOBACCO & PRODUCTS PROHIBITED TO THOSE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE By John M. Mitch, Municipal Clerk
It is unlawful for anyone, including retailers, to sell, give or permit to be sold or given to a person under the age of eighteen (18) years of age tobacco or tobacco products in any form. Included with the prohibition of tobacco products is rolling papers as they are generally recognized as being for the purpose of creating cigarettes or other items for the smoking of same. Tobacco shall also mean products made from a tobacco plant for the purpose of smoking, chewing, inhaling, and other personal use including cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, snuff and cigarettes in any form. If you suspect a retailer is selling to those under the age of eighteen, please notify the Health Department at 732 855-0600.
The above Ordinance and others can be found on line at www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us under (Departments) Clerk’s Office, General Ordinances.
REPORT FROM WOODBRIDGE By Mayor John E. McCormac
As Mayor, one of the most important tasks I have is to make sure that every Woodbridge Township resident is “Safe & Secure” during an emergency. As we have seen over the past couple of years, the threat of a disastrous storm (Super Storm Sandy and Hurricane Irene) or storm-related or emergency event is something that we must plan for well in advance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has declared September as “National Emergency Preparedness Month” and Woodbridge Township is at work reminding residents that the best way to manage a disaster event is to be well-prepared well in advance. As part of our Township-wide emergency management plan, we have implemented a CodeRed emergency notification system. If you would like to be contacted on your home, business, cell, VolP phone, or TTY/TDD system, you must register the phone number(s) with the Woodbridge Township Office of Emergency Management. Please note that the service being offered is for Woodbridge Township residences and businesses only. Go to the Township Web Page at: www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us (Services & Forms – Emergency Services Registries) to register for CodeRed notification. NOTE: IF YOU PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED A REGISTRATION FORM YOU DO NOT NEED TO RE-REGISTER. Don’t wait for a disaster to strike… Register to receive Woodbridge Township Office of Emergency Management CodeRed emergency messages. The Office of Emergency Management also maintains a “Safe & Secure” or “Special Need” registry for Township residents who may have difficulty leaving their home during an evacuation because of physical limitations or lack of transportation. WHAT IS A “SPECIAL NEED”: Residents who are non-ambulatory or wheelchair bound; connected to a respirator or dialysis machine; bedridden or critically ill; suffering from Alzheimer’s or a similar condition; diagnosed with impaired eyesight or loss of hearing; or have limited mobility, have a ‘Special Need’ and should register with the Woodbridge Township Office of Emergency Management – all information remains confidential and is used only in time of emergency evacuation. Woodbridge Township residents with a “Special Need” (or caregivers on their behalf) are encouraged to complete a ‘Special Need’ registration form available from the Office of Emergency Management at 732-634-5401 or download the form from the Township Web Page at: www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us (Emergency Service Registry).
I want to remind residents of our September events and programs:
“A Township Remembers: An Interfaith Memorial Service & Salute to Our First Responder Community” September 11, 2019 stands as the 18th Anniversary of the “Attack on America.” On that fateful day in 2001, nine Woodbridge Township residents fell victim to an act of terrorism – never to return to their families: Cmdr. Patrick S. Dunn, Edward Allegretto, Marilyn Bautista, John Adam Larson, James Lynch, Charles Mauro, Tonyell McDay, Narender Nath, and Sankara Velamuri. The Mayor’s Office, the Municipal Council and the Woodbridge Interfaith Clergy Council will host the annual 9/11 Memorial Service on Wed., Sept. 11, 2019 at 6:00 P.M. outside Town Hall (One Main Street) at the Township 9/11 Memorial Park. This year, the 9/11 Remembrance Service will offer a special “Salute of Support” to our First Response community – the Woodbridge Police Department, Township Fire Fighters, First Aid Squad and Emergency Management personnel. Plan to attend as we remember the sacrifice of the nine Township residents who perished in the attack and to honor our Emergency Service First Responders who respond to crisis – not just in time of disaster, but every day in every way.
The Central Jersey BeerFest – hosted by J.J. Bitting Brewing Company – is “on-tap” for Sat., Sept. 21 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM at Parker Press Park. Experience New Jersey’s finest “hand-crafted” beers and brews… Great Food… Live Entertainment… Admission: $30.00 Adults. $15.00 Non-Drink Adults. Children under 12 FREE. Tickets available at J.J. Bitting Brewing Co. (Main Street) and at the gate. For Information Call: 732-634-2929.
“National Public Lands Day” is Sat., Sept. 28, 2019. This year, we are encouraging Woodbridge businesses, residents, schools and community associations to participate in cleaning-up neighborhood parks, school grounds, playgrounds and public areas. Volunteers can contact the Woodbridge Township Department of Recreation at 732-596-4047 or eileen.caggiano@twp.woodbridge.nj.us to register. The Annual Ernie Oros Woodbridge River Celebration (Ernie Oros Wildlife Preserve, Omar Ave., Avenel) kicks-off at 9:00 AM. FREE Festival Events… Food… Live Music… Walking Tour of the Wildlife Preserve or Kayak the Woodbridge River with the NY/NJ Baykeeper. Find us on FaceBook at: WoodbridgeNationalPublicLandsDay.
The 10th Annual “Tour de Woodbridge” bike tour rolls through town on Sun., Sept. 29, 2019. Sponsored by the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign, the tour starts and finishes at The Club at Woodbridge (585 Main Street). Attention Riders: While the tour is recreational (30 or 15 miles) it does include some hills and the 30-mile length is a substantial distance that may be a challenge for new bikers and children. Registration: 7:00 AM. Tour: 8:00 AM. Register today at: www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us .
Thoughts From The Editor…Debbie Meehan
September 2019
It seems like yesterday I was dropping my son off at SJV pre-school. He had been quite ill at the time and my fear of letting someone else care for him took my breath away. I stood quietly in the hallway after he went into the classroom for what seemed to be hours. I was afraid because he had respiratory problems and he was crying so hard that I knew there was a chance he would have difficulty breathing and I didn’t know if they would know how to help him like I did. After about 15 minutes (wasn’t really hours) his teacher came out and gently took my hand and assured me I could leave, that he had stopped crying and they would take good care of him. As I turned to walk out of the school another mother asked me if it was my first child to go to preschool. I realized she had been standing in the same hallway with me, assuming with the same tears in her eyes. I smiled at her and said “No, he’s my third child, you’d think it would get easier.” She understood just what I meant, one mother to another.
Fast forward 15 years and I feel like that same mom again but this time I’m standing in a college room helping that same child unpack his things knowing that this time when I drop him off I wouldn’t be coming back at the end of the day to get him, this time he was on his own making his way into a whole new world and he couldn’t wait. As his roommate (a fellow CHS graduate and friend) and my son started to unpack their things with the help of their tearful moms, I knew, though as sad as I was, that this was what I raised him to do, what we all raise our children to do, become independent. So the answer to that question of “Does it get easier with each child?” Absolutely not!
When I looked around I noticed most of the parents had the same look on their faces; confusion, fear (though not sure if the fear was the letting go part or the college payments around the corner), excitement, pride and a touch of sadness, not for their children but for themselves, at the thought of letting go. After we finally settled the boys in we took them to lunch then headed back to the dorms. We jokingly asked the boys if they wanted us to come in and finish setting the room up, I don’t have to tell you what the answer was to that. We knew it was time to say good-bye and let them start exploring their new world which they couldn’t wait to do. I hugged my son as he whispered to me that it was OK to leave, he would be fine…just go mom, don’t cry. So with a heavy heart filled with happiness for him I got in the car and I cried from Rowan University to exit 131 on the Parkway.
I knew that the tears rolling down my face were because I knew at that moment, once again life had changed, for the better of course, but they still changed. But life is about change and without change we would never move ahead, we would never become better and we would never find out where our place is in this world. Sometimes we stumble, sometimes we get lost but they are things that help build our character and give us courage and strength along the way as we walk forward to become the best we can all be. After all what else could you wish for your child than health, happiness and love, that’s what binds us all together.
As we move ahead in our lives so will our children, sometimes they will need our strength and courage to guide them and sometimes we will need theirs. So whether you pick them up at the end of the day, they drive themselves home in a month or they come visit you with their own children, remember life is about change and knowing that no matter where that change leads you, you can always come back home.
Wishing all of your children and grandchildren a wonderful school year and for those who have graduated and are starting out in the real world, I wish you a successful future.
10TH ANNUAL “BOWL FOR HUNGER” RAISES MONEY TO FEED THE HOMELESS
Assemblyman Craig J. Coughlin in partnership with the Middlesex Water Company, Hackensack Meridian Health and Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce held the 10th Annual “Bowl for Hunger on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Majestic Lanes of Hopelawn. Since the event’s inception in 2010, more than $250,000 has been raised to feed the hungry. This year’s event once again featured a double session, 5:30 to 7:30 PM and 8:00 to 10:00 PM, where nearly 600 bowlers took part on nearly 80 bowling lanes. Assemblyman Coughlin, Robert Garrett, Co-CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health, Dennis Doll, President and CEO of the Middlesex Water Company and Karen Barnes, President of the Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce thanked event participants and sponsors for supporting the fun event and the area’s thirty (30) food banks who help nourish the underserved. While all pledges and donations are still forthcoming, the 2019 Bowl has raised approximately $40,000.00. Interested community members or businesses still wishing to make a donation to the “Bowl for Hunger” should contact the Bowl for Hunger committee at 732-925-8769 or E-mail BowlForHungerFundraiser@gmail.com. The grand total will be released in the coming weeks.
The event drew pledges and support from all five Mayors of the 19th Legislative District including—Mayor Daniel J. Reiman of Carteret, Mayor Wilda Diaz of Perth Amboy, Mayor Kennedy O’Brien of Sayreville, Mayor Fred Henry of South Amboy, and Mayor John E. McCormac of Woodbridge.
In total, 65 corporate, community and individual sponsors donated at least $125.00 to support the cause. Of the 65 sponsors, 33 individuals and organizations donated at the $500 level—Acrisure Insurance Group, Allegiance, Amerigroup, Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez and Senator Vitale of the 19th Legislative District, Cape May Brewing Co., Carpenter Contractor Trust, CME Associates, CMC Steel, Elizabethtown Gas, Fair Share Hospitals Collaborative, Farmer’s Insurance, Foundation Title, Garden State Dispensary, GEICO, Gibbons, Health and Fitness Professionals, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, James P. Nolan & Associates, Middlesex County Democratic Organization, Mott Macdonald, New Jersey Bankers Association, New Jersey Business and Industry Association, New Jersey Credit Unions, New Jersey Food Council, New Jersey Hospital Association, New Jersey Realty Advisory Group, NJM Insurance Group, Raritan Bay Area YMCA, Riker Danzig Scherer Hyland & Perretti LLP, SII, Wakefern Food Corp, WellCare, Woodbridge Community Charity Fund Inc.
Assemblyman Coughlin, Presidents Barnes and Doll and Co-CEO Garrett thanked the combined 65 corporate and individual sponsors, including 32 sponsors who donated $125 or more:
American Irish Association of Woodbridge, Assemblyman Nicholas Chiavaralloti, Berkeley College, CCBRM LLC, Columbia Bank, Cultural Arts Commission of Woodbridge, Councilwoman Sharon Sullivan of East Brunswick, D.B. Kelly Div. #1 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Dave and Buster’s, Daniel Harris, Eric Aronowitz Esq., First Presbyterian Church of South Amboy, First Presbyterian Church of Avenel, First Presbyterian Church of Iselin, Flying Fish Brewing Co., Investors Bank Woodbridge, Insurance Council of NJ, JGT Management, Kaufman Zita Group, Metuchen Democratic Organization, Michael V. Testa, Architect, Middlesex County Federation of Democratic Women, Middlesex County Young Democrats, Middlesex County Surrogate Kevin Hoagland, Perth Amboy Democratic Organization Peter’s Pantry, Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey, RSI Bank, Spevack Law Offices, State Trooper Fraternal Association, Trinity Episcopal Church of Woodbridge, and Woodbridge Center LLC.
COLONIA THEN & NOW
Donations
Debbie Caccaro, an original member of the Colonia History Club and an excellent source of information about Dr. and Mrs. Albee and the U.S. Army Hospital #3 in Colonia has provided to me, three original hand-written letters dated November 1918. Two of the letters were written by Louis Dieruff (pictured above) to his parents in Minersville, Pa. The stationary came from the Army and Navy Young Men’s Christian Association. (YMCA). He gives his location as Rahway, New Jersey. Louis volunteered for service in the Army Medical Corp and was stationed in Colonia. The son of a coal miner, Louis graduated from what is now Kutztown State University in 1912 with a teaching certificate. He married his wife Alma in 1917 and makes reference to her visits to the hospital. His letters talk about inquiry into his mother’s health and his bout with influenza that killed two in the hospital. Another tragedy he speaks of is about a fire that killed two Officers (Captains) in the Officers’ Quarters, which was located on the corner of New Dover Rd. and Meredith Rd. (Recently the ranch home on the property was demolished. My map of the Hospital grounds indicates that the Quarters were located almost on the exact location as the house.) He helped to remove one of the men from the ruins but it was too late. Louis also refers to the most “thanksful Thanksgiving” we have had for a century. The letters were written after the armistice was signed to end the ‘Great War’. As it turns out, Louis returns to Allentown after the war and spends his entire educational career in the school district until he was forced to retire by state law at the age of 70. He was so loved in Allentown for his dedication to this students and town that the second Senior High School in Allentown was named Louis Edgar Dieruff High School in 1959. Sadly, he passed away in his home Saturday October 17, 1964. Thanks to Debbie for her continued support of this article and for her interest and time spent preserving Colonia’s history. Any contributions are always welcome to continue the investigation and discoveries of days gone by in our section of Woodbridge Twp.
The “Trees”
As you know, the “Trees” the home of the Cone Family on the “S Curve” on New Dover Rd. has been subject to a subdivision that has changed the nature of the acreage and the Historic home. Two homes will be built on the front lawn between Middlesex Ave. and Sherwood Rd. Construction has begun on one and the hardwood trees have been removed on the adjacent lot. It seems that the original purchaser has decided not to demolish the home and build a home for himself and put the home on the market for sale and let the new owner decide its fate. The home has been placed under contract recently. The status has not been clarified but I am not optimistic about the outcome. I am providing a picture of the “Trees” for prosperity sake. Look carefully and you will see the “Cone clan” assembled on the porch of the home. The picture was probably taken around the turn of the century. If there is any doubt of why it is called the “Trees”, let the picture prevail.
Thanks for reading,
Daniel D’Arcy 908-599-3958 dandrc@aol.com
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