The Daily Newarker — Press Wire

For Immediate Release

CITY OF NEWARK HOLDS OPEN REGISTRATION FOR 35TH ANNUAL

NEWARK DISTANCE CLASSIC; RACE SET FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 21;

City is also seeking volunteers to support first distance race of 2010 season;

Early registration deadline is March 15; Runners can register day of race

Joetta Clark Diggs Sports Foundation to co-sponsor this year’s annual 5K and 20K runs

Newark, NJ – March 16, 2010 – Mayor Cory A. Booker and Director of Neighborhood and Recreational Services Melvin L. Waldrop reminded residents today that the City of Newark is currently registering runners for its 35th Annual Distance Classic, which will take place on Sunday, March 21, 2010. The annual 5K and 20K run will tip off at 9:30 a.m. This is the first distance event of the 2010 running season.

“The Newark Distance Classic attracts runners from throughout the world who want to test their strength, dedication, and commitment upon the streets and hills of Newark,” Mayor Booker said. “I urge all of our residents to extend a warm welcome to all of the runners who compete in this event, and manifest the greatness of Newark by cheering them on as they race across our City.”

Cash awards will be given out for the top three male and female 20K overall finishers, as well as the top three USA Track Federation for New Jersey -certified male and female finishers, and the top three Masters USATF-New Jersey male and female finishers. First place-winners will receive $800, Second place gets $500, while third-place earns $300.

Awards will also go to 5K winners and 20K winners in various age groups. Businesses, schools, colleges, and other groups may compete with male, female, or co-ed teams for top three finishers in the “team” categories. All pre-registered runners will receive a souvenir t-shirt.

The Division of Recreation/Cultural Affairs is also recruiting volunteers to serve on race day to register runners, to man water stops, and act as race marshals.

The Joetta Clark Diggs Sports Foundation, founded by the four-time Olympian and New Jersey native, is joining to co-sponsor the race for the first time this year. The Foundation has partnered with the City to support other youth fitness and sports program. Joetta Clark Diggs will make a personal appearance at the race to greet the competitors.

The race is the first of the nation’s distance running season, and is considered a warm-up for events like the Boston Marathon and other major marathons. USA Track & Field New Jersey and New Balance North Jersey are co-sponsoring the race. The challenging route takes runners through Newark’s downtown and Branch Brook Park, and will be held rain or shine.

Race award categories are as follows: 20K Age Division Awards: 19 and under; 20-29; 30-39; and all Masters’ five-year age divisions. 5K Awards: Top three Male and Female Overall; Top three in the following Age Divisions: 14-under; 15-19; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69; 70-79; 80 and over.

The race is certified by the USA Track Federation for New Jersey. Registrations postmarked after March 15 cost $25. USATF-NJ members get a $2.00 discount off the registration fee. Registration closes at 9 a.m. on race day, Sunday, March 21, 2010. Everyone competing in the run will receive a race souvenir t-shirt. Runners muster for the race by 9 a.m. at Rutgers University Gymnasium (Golden Dome), located at 42 Warren Street, Newark, New Jersey. Support Volunteers should arrive earlier.

“The Newark Distance Classic has been a signature athletic event for the City of Newark for 35 years,” Director Waldrop said. “I am proud of how our residents turn out to participate, to support the runners, or to serve as volunteers, showing our City’s great hospitality and warmth. We want to continue to grow and strengthen this event so that it becomes one of the major running events in the nation. It is a great opportunity to showcase our City.”

The race will be preceded by the Mighty Milers Run, in which Newark youth aged 6-15 from all six of the City’s Recreation Centers will compete in a co-ed race over a one-mile route. The youth runners will join in the race as a celebration of their participation in the Mighty Milers, a New York Road Runners Foundation Program that strives to make running a part of every child’s school day. Winners in various age categories, the overall winning runner and recreation center team will receive awards presented by a representative from the Mighty Miler Corporate office.

Creating a healthier Newark is a priority for the Booker administration. At his Fourth Annual State of the City Address on February 9, 2010, the Mayor announced that he will serve as National Co-Chair of First Lady Michelle Obama’s campaign to fight childhood obesity.

Since 2006, the Booker administration has made the comprehensive rehabilitation of each of the City’s recreation centers a priority to improve the quality of life for Newark’s residents. After millions of dollars of capital investment, every city Recreation facility and pool has been successfully upgraded and is now open for expanded programs and community use. In addition, City programming at recreation centers has been thoroughly enriched. Residents can now access a full catalogue of recreation and cultural programs and services.

For more information on competing or volunteering, contact Miriam Santiago at (973) 733-3749. For information about any City of Newark program or policy, contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.

-NEWARK-

Contact:        Newark Press Information Office  - (973) 733-8004

                E-mail: pressoffice@ci.newark.nj.us

About the City of Newark, New Jersey

Newark, commonly referred to as Brick City, is the third oldest city in the United States and the largest in New Jersey, with a population of more than 280,000 people. Newark sits on one of the nation’s largest transportation super-structures including an international airport, major rail connections, major highway intersections and the busiest seaport on the east coast.

With a new Administration as of July 2006, Newark continues to see signs of a strong revival.  In population, it is one of the fastest growing cities in the northeast. Its six major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The production of affordable housing has doubled, businesses are returning and crime is going down. There is still much work to be done but Newark is on its way to achieving its mission: to set a national standard for urban transformation.

About Joetta Clark Diggs

Joetta Clark Diggs is a four-time Track & Field Olympian who has competed in the sport for more than 25 years. A native of New Jersey, she is considered by track enthusiasts as the most prolific 800-meter runner of all time. She made Olympic history, coupled with her sister and sister-in-law, when they made the 2000 Olympic team in the same event, 800 meters. The ladies were known as “Team Clark” and were coached by “J.J.” Clark, Joetta’s brother, who is also the Director of Track & Field at the University of Tennessee.

Mrs. Clark Diggs is the President, of Joetta Sports & Beyond, LLC and the Executive Director of the Joetta Clark Diggs Sports Foundation, Inc., and is also one of America’s most sought-after motivational/ team enhancement speakers. Joetta’s Foundation promotes involvement in physical activities for girls and boys grades K-12. Ms. Clark Diggs was also the host and producer of a cable fitness show for kids called Fitkidz, NJ.  She is a graduate from the University of Tennessee, and the daughter of Jetta and Dr. Joe L. Clark the subject of the movie, “Lean on Me.” Joetta is married to Ronald Diggs and they have one child.

About the Joetta Clark Diggs Sports Foundation

The Joetta Clark Diggs Sports Foundation (JCDSF) was founded by New Jersey’s four-time Olympian and author Joetta Clark Diggs.  The JCDSF promotes involvement in physical activities for girls & boys ages K-12.  The Foundation is committed to teaching good health and positive work ethics associated with participation in sports and introducing the different opportunities for girls & boys in the sports and entertainment industry. Joetta Clark Diggs is Executive Director of the JCDSF and after 25 years of competition, Joetta has worked with a variety of athletes, students, corporate professional and community leaders bringing about hope and solutions for our youth.  Now retired, Joetta’s ambition, determination and commitment are just a few qualities that have empowered others to achieve their destiny.

For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cityofnewarknj

The City of Newark e-mail system is for business purposes only. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. This communication may contain material protected by the attorney-client privilege. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original mail.

For Immediate Release

MAYOR BOOKER ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES TO TAKE

ADVANTAGE OF ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS TO SAVE ENERGY AND SAVE MONEY

Programs to help residents weatherize homes and pay utility bills; Programs

Help Newark businesses cover cost of energy efficiency upgrades, leading to on-going savings

Newark, NJ – March 15, 2010 - Mayor Cory A. Booker reminded residents and Newark businesses that there are ways to reduce the cost of utility bills by accessing the free and pocketbook friendly programs that are available to Newark residents and businesses.  A list of the available assistance programs is attached.

“The combination of winter and a weak economy can cause hardship for many Newark residents, families, and businesses,” Mayor Booker said. “However, if residents take advantage of the available energy efficiency programs, they can save money on utility bills and make their homes more comfortable.  Energy-saving programs, as well as our Financial HelpLine and Benefits Counseling, are examples of Newark’s efforts to help residents to access available assistance, realize savings and build wealth. Through Brick City Development Corporation and other partners, Newark also has a range of business assistance programs available, including programs to help businesses cover costs of improvements that will lead to immediate and on-going utility bill savings. By harnessing these resources for Newark, we are strengthening our resilience to these challenging economic times and setting a national standard for urban transformation.”

According to the US Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program, it is estimated that the average household spends about $1,400 a year on electric bills alone, and many homeowners do not realize there are easy and low cost ways they can save up to 30 percent on electricity and heating costs. The Booker Administration is committed to helping to ensure that residents can enjoy energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly homes. In addition to bringing on-line new affordable energy efficient homes, the city is helping to make existing homes more affordable. The City of Newark recently premiered its “Save Energy, Save Money, Save the Environment” brochure that makes it easy for residents to navigate the available assistance programs to help residents weatherize and access financial assistance.

“Everyone, renters and homeowners are encouraged to tap into the available assistance programs to start saving today. Weatherization assistance is free for qualified low income households through La Casa de Don Pedro and First Hopewell, and moderate income households in Newark can take advantage of the PSE&G ‘Whole House’ program that offers a pocketbook friendly approach to reduce your utility bill and make your home more comfortable,” said City Sustainability Officer Chelsea Albucher, who works across municipal departments and with the City’s Environmental Commission to develop policy, program, and partnerships to support healthy neighborhoods, vibrant businesses, and job creation.

Households receiving any form of public assistance are most likely eligible for free weatherization services. Contact La Casa de Don Pedro Weatherization: (973) 485-0701 ext. 4403 or First Hopewell Multipurpose Community Center Weatherization: (973) 497-9506.  If you are not income eligible for the free services, another new program is likely a good fit. The PSE&G “Whole House” program is designed to be appropriate for these economic times – there is no out of pocket cost for residents to start realizing savings.

The PSE&G “Whole House” program is provided in three steps. Step One is a free energy audit (a $300 value). In Step Two, receive up to $1,000 worth of free air sealing. In Step Three, receive a detailed, written report with recommendations of additional measures to make your home more energy efficient; such as added insulation or a more efficient heating system. Depending on your income, PSE&G will pay for either 50 percent or 80 percent of the cost of the additional energy efficiency measures. Once the work is done, you start saving and the remaining 20 percent or 50 percent of cost is paid via one time payment or spread out in payments via on bill financing at up to five years with 0 percent interest – making this an easy and affordable way to take action to make your home more energy efficient. To sign up for the Whole House program services, call (800) 854-4444.

Businesses can access assistance to reduce on-going operating costs.  PSE&G is now offering a no up front cost energy efficiency upgrade program called “Direct Install” that is available for small and mid- sized Newark businesses, for information about this program and other business development resources, contact Brick City Development Corporation at (862) 902-2849.

“By greening our households, our lifestyles, our businesses and our public works activities, we can realize the ideals of sustainable development – development that meets current needs without limiting the opportunities of future generations – development that yields triple bottom line benefits – that benefits our economy; enhances environmental quality and neighborhood well being; and creates opportunities for Newark businesses and jobs for residents,” said Kim Gaddy, Chair of Newark’s Environmental Commission, which was created in March of 2009.

Recognizing that savings from energy efficiency supports our households as well as our local economy, the City has developed a collaborative energy initiative to bring savings to the municipal, residential and commercial sectors. Ms. Albucher refers to this as the City’s “Climate Prosperity Strategy,” which is geared to harness opportunities for Newark as we take action to address the climate change challenge.

Newark is pursuing energy efficiency upgrades of city facilities; connecting residents to weatherization programs that can reduce utility bills, and is bringing hundreds of new energy efficient affordable homes on line. The City is also helping to green existing business by connecting them to cost saving energy efficiency programs and clean power choice. In addition, the City is also attracting new green businesses and working with its partners to connect Newark businesses and job-training programs to the growing clean energy economy. Together, these activities are creating opportunities and making Newark a greener, greater city.

For more information on programs to save energy, or any other Newark municipal issue, contact the Newark Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311 or visit http://www.ci.newark.nj.us

-NEWARK-

Contact:        Press Information Office (973) 733-8004

                Email: pressoffice@ci.newark.nj.us

About the City of Newark, New Jersey

Newark, commonly referred to as Brick City, is the third oldest city in the United States and the largest in New Jersey, with a population of more than 280,000 people. Newark sits on one of the nation’s largest transportation super-structures including an international airport, major rail connections, major highway intersections and the busiest seaport on the east coast.

With a new Administration as of July 2006, Newark continues to see signs of a strong revival.  In population, it is one of the fastest growing cities in the northeast. Its six major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The production of affordable housing has doubled, businesses are returning and crime is going down. There is still much work to be done but Newark is on its way to achieving its mission:  to set a national standard for urban transformation.

For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cityofnewarknj

ATTENTION RESIDENTS: UTILITY BILLS TOO HIGH? 

START SAVING NOW

Take advantage of assistance programs for Newark residents that provide free and low cost services to weatherize and make your home more energy efficient – whether you rent or own!  For information, call the City of Newark’s non-Emergency Hotline at (973) 733-4311.

Do you receive any form of public assistance?  Did you know you probably qualify for free home weatherization that can make your home more comfortable and your utility bills more affordable? 

To access free weatherization services for income qualified households, contact:

La Casa de Don Pedro Weatherization: (973) 485-0701 ext. 4403 or

First Hopewell Multipurpose Community Center Weatherization: (973) 497-9506.  

Or, the Comfort Partners program offers assistance for people spending a high percentage of income on utilities, call (888) 773-8326

What if I have fallen behind in paying my utility bills?  NJ Shares has one-time grants for people who have fallen behind on heating bills.  Call 1-866-NJSHARES.  In addition, contact the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and United Service Fund (USF) utility bill payment assistance programs.  Contact La Casa de Don Pedro Utility Bill assistance at (973) 485-0795, ext 4405, or contact First Hopewell Multipurpose Community Center at (973) 497-9506.  

Is there assistance available for seniors and disabled persons? For emergency oil delivery, heating system repair or replacement, contact La Casa de Don Pedro at 973-485-0701 ext. 4403 or the Division of Senior Services at (973) 395-8368. For help paying bills, seniors and disabled persons can contact the Lifeline Program at (800) 792-9745.

Can my gas or electricity be disconnected?

If you receive certain public benefits, the utility company may not disconnect your gas or electric during winter. Contact the Board of Public Utilities at (800) 624-0241

What if I have no heat?

Call the City of Newark’s no heat hotline at (973) 733-6471.

Don’t qualify for free weatherization but still need to save on expensive utility bills? 

If you don’t qualify for the free low income weatherization programs described above, but you still need to save then take advantage of the "Whole House" program that is available to eligible Newark households.  Improvements may include air sealing, insulation, and upgraded heating, air-conditioning and lighting.

The PSE&G “Whole House” program is provided in three steps.  Step One is a free energy audit (a $300 value!).  In Step two, receive up to $1,000 worth of free air sealing.  In Step Three, you will receive a detailed, written report with recommendations of additional measures to make your home more energy efficient; such as added insulation or a more efficient heating system.   PSE&G will cover either 50% or 80% of the cost of these additional energy efficiency measures.  Once the work is done, you start saving and the remainder is paid via one time payment or spread out via on bill financing at up to five years with 0% interest.  Start saving today, call (800) 854-4444.

What about lighting?  Appliance rebates?  Heating and cooling upgrades?

Lighting, appliances, heating and cooling:  If you are not taking a whole house approach, definitely consider taking advantage of rebate programs and incentives to make purchasing energy efficient lighting, appliances, and equipment more affordable. For information about rebates and incentives: http://www.njcleanenergy.com/  Note that you will find energy efficient light bulbs and other items at a discounted rate for NJ residents!   For appliance rebates, call Energy Star at (888) 782-7937 or visit http://www.energystar.gov

How can I buy clean renewable energy like solar?

There are a number of ways households can help increase the use of clean, renewable energy.  For example:

Buy renewable energy: you can ask your utility to make all or a percentage of your power useage from renewable sources like wind and solar.  Check your utility bill for information or contact NJ CleanPower Choice at (866) NJSMART.

Install a solar hot water heater: you can install a solar hot water heater, which is often a cost effective solar approach.  The State currently offers a $1200 rebate for solar hot water heaters, visit http://www.njcleanenergy.com/ or call 1-866-NJSMART (657-6278).

Install solar power:  PSE&G’s solar home loan financing program can help with affordability, call 973-430-8460. 

Are there other ways to reduce my carbon footprint?  

Recycle your old refrigerator/freezer. A new energy efficient fridge could save you up to $150 a year on energy. To arrange for a free pick up of your old refrigerator/freezer call 1-877-270-3520 and receive $30 for recycling.

Reduce waste at home and recycle. Contact Newark Recycling at 973-733-6683.

Recycle your electronics and household hazardous waste. Contact Essex County Recycling at 973-857-2350.

Keep your tires properly inflated and your car tuned up to save on gas.

Are there job-training programs in this field?

 There are a range of energy related courses and job training programs in the Newark area.  Contact Newark Works at (973) 733-8500 or Newark’s Sustainability Office at (973) 733-6575.

The City of Newark’s Climate Prosperity Initiative is geared to connect residents and business to cost effective ways to save energy, save money, and save the environment. 

For more information about the City of Newark, visit our website at http://www.ci.newark.nj.us

Further information about the City’s green initiatives, can be found at http://www.ci.newark.nj.us/residents/green_newark/

For assistance with energy saving programs and other municipal matters, contact the Newark Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.

ATTENTION: BUSINESSES & PROPERTY OWNERS

ARE YOU AWARE OF THESE ENERGY & COST SAVING PROGRAMS?

Businesses – small, large, commercial and industrial – and developers can take advantage of a range of utility company, private, state, and federal programs, which offer opportunities for savings. 

Is there assistance to help small and mid-sized businesses save on utility bills? What about non-profits?

Small and mid-size businesses and non-profits in Newark may be eligible for the Direct Install Program that will cover 80% of the cost of eligible energy efficiency upgrades with the remainder paid once you start saving.  The remainder 20% cost can be paid via one time payment or via a payment plan that spreads out payments on your utility bill over two years at no interest. For information about how to start saving today, as well as other business development and support resources, contact Brick City Development Corporation at (862) 902-2849 and visit http://www.bcdcnewark.org

In addition, there are rebates and incentives to help make purchasing energy efficient lighting, appliances and equipment more affordable.  Visit http://NJCleanEnergy.com

        Commercial or industrial operating costs too high?  Developing or rehabilitating a building or buying new equipment? 

Whether you are replacing equipment, undergoing renovation or beginning new construction, or simply want to make your facility more efficient, the New Jersey Clean Energy Program’s SmartStart and Pay for Performance programs can help.  Call 866-NJSMART or visit http://NJCleanEnergy.com

Is there assistance for clean energy technology firms to site or expand in Newark? 

Newark offers a range of assistance for companies looking to expand or locate in the City.  Useful contacts include the City of Newark Sustainability Office at (973) 733-6575.  Brick City Development Corporation offers site finder, financing, and incentives, contact (973) 273-1040 or (973) 462-8925.  NJ EDA also has a range of programs including the Edison Innovation Clean Energy Manufacturing Fund, call (609) 943-5928.

The City of Newark’s Climate Prosperity Initiative is geared to connect residents and business to cost effective ways to save energy, save money, and save the environment. 

For business development and support services, including cost saving energy programs, contact Brick City Development Corp at (862) 902-2849 and visit http://www.bcdcnewark.org

For more information about the City of Newark, please visit our website at http://www.ci.newark.nj.us

Tips to Cut Energy Costs

Easy and inexpensive solutions for Newark residents

EASY WAYS TO SAVE AT HOME

Take advantage of assistance programs for Newark residents that provide free and low cost services to weatherize and make your home more energy efficient – whether you rent or own!  These programs will help you take actions like those listed below.  For information, call the City of Newark’s non-Emergency Hotline at (973) 733-6575.

MONEY IN YOUR POCKET

Sample Energy Saving Improvement        Annual Savings*
Water Heater Blanket    $30    
Power Strip / Unplug Appliances $25    
Switch commonly used bulbs to CFLs      $60    
Weatherstrip doors      $30    
Turn down heat 5 degrees during day     $150   
Upgrade to Energy Star Fridge   $130   
*Total Potential Savings        $425   

ALL YEAR

.       Watch the hot water. Set your hot water heater to 120° F, which is hot enough for most households. This will help prevent scalding accidents and help your water heater last longer. Then wrap your hot water tank with an insulating blanket designed for hot water heaters. You could save 10 percent- about $30 – annually on your water-heating bill. To help conserve the water’s heat, also insulate the plumbing leading to faucets with pipe sleeves.

0.      Cut the power to electronic devices when they are not in use. Did you know that many modern appliances go into “standby mode” and continue to use electricity even when you hit the “off” switch? You can save about $25 a year by using a power strip to cut the power to these appliances. Or, simply unplug appliances when not in use.

0.      Switch off lights and use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Switching your five most commonly used lights to CFLs could save about $60 a year on your electric bill! Visit www.njcleanenergy.com to purchase CFLs at a discount and to learn about other resources.

        Please note that CFL bulbs must be disposed of properly. Call 973-733-4311 or bring them to Home Depot.

WINTER

.       Cover drafty windows. Caulk your windows and put up heavy curtains. Cover old window frames with clear plastic film. While you’re at it, put weather stripping around the frames of your front and back doors and save about $30 per year in energy costs.

0.      Insulate your home. Insulation is worth the investment: it could save you hundreds of dollars in energy bills.

0.      Turn down the heat. Lower the thermostat 5° F to 10° F when you are sleeping or out of the house. A 10° F decrease can cut your heating bill up to 20%.

The City of Newark e-mail system is for business purposes only. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. This communication may contain material protected by the attorney-client privilege. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original mail.

For Immediate Release

CITY OF NEWARK AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

ANNOUNCE NEW FEDERAL GRANT

Federal $100,000 Community Action for a Renewed Environment grant

will help Ironbound Community address environmental health risks

Newark, NJ - March 12, 2010 – Deputy Mayor of Economic and Housing Development Stefan Pryor, East Ward Council Member Augusto Amador, Federal Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Judith Enck, and Ironbound Community Corporation (ICC) Executive Director Joseph Della Fave, Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura and other dignitaries announced the award of a federal $100,000 Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) grant to the Ironbound Community Corporation to identify and address environmental health risks in the East Ward, during a press conference which was held at the River Bank Park Field House in Newark, yesterday. River Bank Park is located between Raymond Boulevard and Market Street, and between Van Buren and Somme Streets.

In a statement, Mayor Cory A. Booker said, “The City of Newark is committed to working with government agencies and community stakeholders to enhance our environmental, economic, and social well being.  We are pleased to announce that we will partner with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Ironbound Community Corporation to enhance the quality of life for Newark residents.  Together, we are building a greener and greater City that is becoming a national model for urban transformation.”

“The EPA is proud to partner with the Ironbound community to work in identifying and finding solutions to the environmental impacts affecting New Jersey’s largest city,” said EPA Regional Administrator Enck. “This CARE project will tap into local expertise to address environmental issues by finding consensus within the community and focusing on targeting actions that can ultimately bring some relief to people in the places they live, work, and raise families.”

Ironbound Community Corporation is a comprehensive social service provider located in the East Ward of Newark. The Ironbound, one of the most densely populated and diverse areas of the City, is home to more than 50,000 residents. In this area, 75 percent of those over the age of five speak a foreign language, typically Portuguese or Spanish. The wide variety of pollutants in the Ironbound – from both existing and former chemical plants, waste industries, and mobile sources like trucks, airplanes, and ships – require a comprehensive and innovative approach to decrease risks of exposure.

“I salute the Ironbound Community Corps for their long time leadership on environmental health issues,” said City Sustainability Officer Chelsea Albucher. “In addition to being the largest social service agency in the East Ward, ICC is one of the nation’s oldest environmental justice organizations. Through the grant announced today, ICC will empower residents and engage stakeholders in a process to better understand environmental issues and help design strategies to make Newark healthier and more vibrant.”

“The Ironbound Community Corporation is proud to be a recipient of the prestigious EPA CARE grant,” said Mr. Della Fave. “The Ironbound CARE Cumulative Impacts Project will be an important step toward improving the environment and public health in the Ironbound.”

“This grant is going to be instrumental in improving the quality of life for Ironbound residents. I commend Mayor Booker, the City of Newark Office of Economic Development, and the Ironbound Community Corporation for this wonderful partnership,” said Council Member Amador. Sheriff Fontoura attended, to represent Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo.

For the CARE Project, ICC has brought together various stakeholders including residents, business and community group representatives, members of the academic and governmental sectors to help gather diverse sources of information about current and potential environmental problems. The CARE project will also take into account community experiences, socio-economic and public health data to better determine the community’s vulnerability to pollution exposure. The project will also investigate the cumulative impacts of these environmental burdens and work through a consensus process to prioritize issues that must be addressed moving forward. Ultimately, ICC and its CARE stakeholders will work with the public to draft strategies for reducing or mitigating impacts and secure commitments for action.

“This EPA grant will be instrumental in identifying and implementing environmental solutions across Newark,” stated Ana Baptista, member of the Environmental Commission. “The best experts will collect data, identify cumulative impacts, and prioritize actions and recommendations.  The Environmental Commission is looking forward to applying these findings throughout our City to improve the quality of life and environmental conditions for our residents.”

“Under the Booker Administration, the City is committed to making Newark a sustainable community to live, work, and play,” said Deputy Mayor Pryor.  “We are working together with residents, community organizations, businesses and local, state, and federal agencies to make Newark a greener, greater city, and we are grateful for the support of the Environmental Protection Agency.”

“Going Green” has been a major priority for the Booker Administration since it took office in 2006. Together with the residential and commercial sector, the City has made significant progress in greening its neighborhoods, homes and business.  Hundreds of units of new energy efficient affordable housing are coming on line to ensure that residents can enjoy energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly homes. Newark is connecting residents to weatherization programs that can reduce utility bills and is connecting businesses to retrofit and job-training programs so they can participate in the clean energy economy. In addition, the City has leveraged millions of dollars to reclaim brownfields and has marked the largest rehabilitation and renovation project of City parks in decades, opening the largest such municipally-owned facility, Nat Turner Park, in 2008. Led by stakeholder recommendations gathered from the 2007-2008 Newark’s Green Future process, the City brought on its first Sustainability Officer. In March 2009, the City swore in its first-ever Environmental Commission.

Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) is a competitive grant program that offers an innovative way for communities to organize and take action to reduce toxic pollution in its local environment.  Through CARE, a community creates partnerships that implement solutions to reduce exposure to toxic.  By providing financial and technical assistance, EPA helps CARE communities develop renewed environments and CARE has been providing financial assistance to communities annually since 2005 and expects to award nearly $2 million in 2010.

For more information about the CARE grant, visit EPA’s Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/CARE Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit their Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/eparegion2.

For more information about all City of Newark programs and policies, contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.

-NEWARK-

Contact:        Newark Press Information Office: (973) 733-8004

E-mail: Pressoffice@ci.newark.nj.us

Environmental Protection Agency - (212) 637-3664

                Elias Rodriguez

E-mail: Rodriguez.elias@epa.gov

About the City of Newark, New Jersey

Newark, commonly referred to as Brick City, is the third oldest city in the United States and the largest in New Jersey, with a population of more than 280,000 people. Newark sits on one of the nation’s largest transportation super-structures including an international airport, major rail connections, major highway intersections and the busiest seaport on the east coast.

With a new Administration as of July 2006, Newark continues to see signs of a strong revival.  In population, it is one of the fastest growing cities in the northeast. Its six major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The production of affordable housing has doubled, businesses are returning and crime is going down. There is still much work to be done but Newark is on its way to achieving its mission:  to set a national standard for urban transformation.

For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cityofnewarknj

HIGHLIGHTS OF NEWARK’S GREEN ACCOMPLISHMENTS

“Going Green” has been a major priority for the Booker Administration since it took office in 2006. Led by recommendations from hundreds of stakeholders gathered through Newark’s Green Future process, the City established its first-ever Environmental Commission, which works closely with the Sustainability Office to work across municipal departments and develop police, programs, and partnership to support healthy neighborhoods, vibrant businesses, and job creation.

Notable accomplishments include hundreds of units of new energy-efficient affordable housing units coming on line; connecting over a thousand households to cost saving weatherization programs; helping more than 50 businesses reduce operating costs through energy efficiency upgrades; and supporting career path job-training programs to put Newarkers to work in green jobs. In addition, the City has leveraged millions of dollars to reclaim brownfields and has marked the largest rehabilitation and renovation project of City parks in decades, opening the largest such municipally-owned facility, Nat Turner Park, in 2008. The City has marked significant accomplishments in making Newark a sustainable, vibrant community in which to live, work, and play.

Together, with residents, businesses, and community organizations, we are making Newark greener and greater.

We are greening our neighborhoods, homes, and our businesses.

Here are some highlights: 

Greening our Neighborhoods:

·       Parks & Gardens: In our neighborhoods, with more than $40 million dollars committed, the City is in the midst of the largest open space expansion and rehabilitation in over a century, and has already doubled city available parkland.    In addition, our residents are using the Adopt a Lot program to create community gardens throughout the City.

·       Riverfront:  We are committed to working with EPA to advance the cleanup of the Passaic River and we have a concerted effort underway to reclaim the Newark’s riverfront.  Newark Riverfront Park, slated for completion in 2010, will be the City’s first true waterfront park, covering 3.5 acres and including a 1/3 mile riverfront walk, public access floating dock, plantings, and lawns.  The City has secured almost $5 million of funding and continues to engage the community at large in the planning and design of the City’s entire riverfront stretch.

·       Brownfields & Community Cleanups: Greening our neighborhoods with federal and state support for brownfields assessment and cleanup to bring underutilized property back into productive use; and partnering with residents, organizations and businesses for neighborhood cleanup actions.

·       Air Quality & Asthma:  Working with the Port, NJTPA and other agencies to address air quality that impacts the health of Newarkers.  With our asthma rates far exceeding our homicide rate, this is a priority for the City and our families. Initial steps to reduce harmful emissions include a Port Authority program geared to see over 500 of the most polluting trucks get off the road, reducing polluting ship fuel and electrifying cargo-handling equipment.

·       Fresh Foods:  To increase availability of fresh food and help fight obesity and diabetes, we have a three pronged strategy – we are helping small grocers expand their availability of produce, meat and dairy by providing forgiveable loans from Brick City Development Corps.; we are attracting supermarkets to underserved areas; and, we are bringing farm stands with regionally grown produce into neighborhoods throughout the City.

Greening our Homes:

·       Energy Efficient Homes: Greening our homes by bringing hundreds of new energy star affordable housing on line and weatherizing existing homes.  In 2009, Comfort Partners, La Casa de Don Pedro and First Hopewell provided over 450 residents with no-cost weatherization that can save up to 30% on utility bills.

·       Energy Awareness: As a NJ Clean Power Community Partner, we are engaging residents and youth to become energy efficient through workshops, fairs and other activities.  Through partners, more than 10,000 Energy Star light bulbs were distributed in 2009, and over 500 students participated in energy awareness workshops.   

·       Healthy Homes:  Newark is a Model Lead Safe City and is working to reduce the high levels of lead poisoning incidence in our community. 

·       Greening Buildings: Through our property disposition and tax incentives, the City encourages green building and has LEED qualified residential development, such as Richardson Lofts and Lincoln Park townhouses and hundreds of energy star affordable housing units in the pipeline. In partnership with NJHMFA and NJ BPU we have held two green building workshops for contractors and developers.  The City is also greening its new capital construction including the new police precinct.

Greening our Businesses:

·       Greening Existing Businesses:  Engaging Newark businesses in being environmentally and socially responsible through energy conservation, hiring locally, and participating in good stewardship activities such as tree planting and neighborhood cleanups. 

·       Helping Businesses Save Money & the Environment:  Connecting businesses to cost effective programs to reduce their electric bills – in 2009, over 40 businesses and non-profits enrolled in PSE&G’s Direct Install program where 80% of energy efficient upgrades are paid for by PSE&G. 

·       Attracting New Green Business:  Attracting new green business such as Innovation Fuels, a biodiesel producer, and two new solar companies.

·       Supporting Green Job Training:  Established a Green Jobs Network to provide residents with quality training for green career path jobs. There are training programs for youth, ex-offenders, career transition and white-collar workers. Highlights include Local 55 providing union jobs for weatherization workers; Clean & Green providing ex-offenders with immediate attachment to meaningful work reclaiming vacant lots; EPA funded brownfields job training; green building workshops for contractors; and UEI’s solar job training graduates helped install solar on a city leased municipal garage. 

·       Greening Municipal Operations:  Making municipal buildings more energy efficient; installed solar on a municipal garage in the East Ward; and are greening our fleets with 100% electric cars and cleaner sanitation trucks.

Combined our activities are geared to help the municipal, residential and commercial sectors in going green to save money, save energy, and save the environment.

Making Newark a greener and greater city requires broad participation, hence our slogan: 

City of Newark – Go Green With Us!

The City of Newark e-mail system is for business purposes only. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. This communication may contain material protected by the attorney-client privilege. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original mail.

For Immediate Release

CITY OF NEWARK REMINDS RESIDENTS: CHECK YOUR SMOKE ALARMS

WHEN YOU CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS THIS WEEKEND

Start of Daylight Savings time is also time to replace old batteries

in home and office smoke alarms and Carbon Monoxide detectors

Newark, NJ – March 10, 2010 – Mayor Cory A. Booker, the Municipal Council and Fire Director David Giordano reminded residents today that as they move their clocks one hour forward on Sunday, March 14 to begin Daylight Savings Time, they should also take the time to replace old batteries in home and office smoke alarms and Carbon Monoxide detectors.

“As we move our clocks one hour ahead this weekend it’s important for our residents to make another change that could save their lives – changing the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors,” said Mayor Booker. “The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most families are sleeping. Changing the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors will increase the chance of home fire survival.”

In many homes, using space heaters, stove ovens, and other devices can produce odorless but deadly carbon monoxide fumes that can kill. Furthermore, improperly-maintained space heaters and fireplaces are potential causes of house fires.

“While winter is nearly over, temperatures can still drop. When the mercury dips, some families, struggling to pay their heating bills, will turn on the kitchen stove burners and the oven in an effort to take the chill off of their home. What these families don’t realize is how dangerous this practice can be. A gas oven or range top should never be used for heating. A fire could start and poisonous carbon monoxide (CO) fumes could fill the home. Any fuel-burning heating equipment (fireplaces, furnaces, water heaters, space or portable heaters), generators, and chimneys can produce carbon monoxide,” said Director Giordano.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), hundreds of people die each year from unintentional CO poisoning. Fire departments responded to an estimated 61,000 CO incidents in 2005, a 9 percent increase from 2004. (This excludes incidents where a fire was present.) Close to 90 percent of CO incidents occur in the home.

“The Fire Department seeks to reduce the number of carbon monoxide incidents in the city of Newark and discourage anyone from using the range or oven to heat their home. Install CO alarms inside your home to provide early warning of accumulating CO. Have your heating equipment inspected by a professional every year before cold weather sets in,” Director Giordano said.

Communities nationwide witness tragic home fire deaths each year. Approximately every 3 hours a home fire death occurs somewhere in the nation and 80 percent of those occur in homes without working smoke alarms. Non-working smoke alarms deprive residents of the protective benefits home fire safety devices were designed to provide. The most commonly cited cause of non-working smoke alarms are worn or missing batteries. Additionally, many homes do not have adequate smoke alarms or have out-dated alarms that require replacing. Households using the 10-year lithium smoke alarms are encouraged to test their alarms to ensure they are functioning properly.

Often called a silent killer, CO is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels, such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil and methane, burn incompletely. CO enters the body through breathing. CO poisoning can be confused with flu symptoms, food poisoning and other illnesses. Some symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness or headaches. Everyone is at risk for CO poisoning, but infants, pregnant women and people with physical conditions that limit their ability to use oxygen, such as emphysema, asthma or heart disease, can be more severely affected by low concentrations of CO than healthy adults. High levels of CO can be fatal for anyone, causing death within minutes.

·       CO alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms. Know the difference between the sound of smoke alarms and CO alarms.

·       Test CO alarms at least once a month.


·       If your CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location and call for help. Remain at the fresh air location until emergency personnel say it is okay.

·       If the audible trouble signal sounds, check for low batteries or other trouble indicators.

The Fire Department also warned against leaving space heaters on and fireplaces blazing unattended.  The majority of heating fire deaths are caused by space heaters or creosote build-ups in chimneys. Home heating equipment was involved in an estimated 62,000 home fires in 2005, according to the non-profit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The cost of these fires is more than just property damage. The cost includes roughly 700 lives and roughly 1,500 injuries.

“Home heating fires are largely preventable when you know the rules. The Newark Fire Department’s goal is to reduce the number of home-heating fires in our community. But we need your help. We are urging Newark citizens to use extra caution when heating your home,” Director Giordano said. “Put fresh batteries in your smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors. Heat your house safely.”

The Fire Department recommends that you follow these guidelines:

·               Space heaters need space. Keep all things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment.

·       Turn portable heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.


·       Plug power cords only into outlets with sufficient capacity and never into an extension cord.


·       Inspect for cracked, frayed or broken plugs or loose connections. Replace before using.


·       Have your chimney inspected each year and cleaned if necessary.


·       Use a sturdy fireplace screen.


·       Allow ashes to cool before disposing. Dispose of ashes in a metal container.


·       Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home – when one sounds, they all sound. Test smoke alarms at least once a month.

·       Install and maintain a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside each sleeping area.


·       Never use an oven to heat your home.


·       For fuel assistance, contact the National Fuel Funds Network at 1-202-824-0660.

Since 2006, the Newark Fire Department, under the leadership of Fire Director David Giordano, has opened new and renovated fire stations, and added new vehicles to its inventory. In 2008, the Department graduated the 39th Recruit Class of 18 recruits from the Fire Academy. The Newark Fire Department also has a number of specialized units, including an Arson Unit, a Hazardous Materials Unit, a Fireboat, a Confined Space Rescue Team, a Foam Tanker, and a Cascade Unit, which responds to emergency scenes to fill air bottles. In addition, the Department is one of only nine in the State of New Jersey whose Metro Strike Team has a Collapse Unit, to deal with collapsed buildings. Most of the Department’s specialized units are assigned for regional response, to assist neighboring communities that lack such equipment and training.

For more information about fire prevention and all other City of Newark programs and policies, contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.

-NEWARK-

Contact:        Newark Press Information Office: (973) 733-8004

E-mail: Pressoffice@ci.newark.nj.us

About the City of Newark, New Jersey

Newark, commonly referred to as Brick City, is the third oldest city in the United States and the largest in New Jersey, with a population of more than 280,000 people. Newark sits on one of the nation’s largest transportation super-structures including an international airport, major rail connections, major highway intersections and the busiest seaport on the east coast.

With a new Administration as of July 2006, Newark continues to see signs of a strong revival.  In population, it is one of the fastest growing cities in the northeast. Its six major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The production of affordable housing has doubled, businesses are returning and crime is going down. There is still much work to be done but Newark is on its way to achieving its mission:  to set a national standard for urban transformation.

For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cityofnewarknj

The City of Newark e-mail system is for business purposes only. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. This communication may contain material protected by the attorney-client privilege. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original mail.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE WILL CAUSE STREET CLOSURES

IN DOWNTOWN NEWARK, TODAY, FRIDAY, MARCH 12

75^th Annual Salute to the Irish will close Mulberry Street,

Central Avenue, and Washington Street starting at Noon

Newark, NJ - March 12, 2010 – Mayor Cory A. Booker and Police Director Garry F. McCarthy reminded Newark motorists today to anticipate delays and closed streets in the downtown area today, Friday, March 12, as the City hosts the 75^th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, starting at Noon.

The parade will tip off at a reviewing stand in front of the Prudential Center on Mulberry Street (between Lafayette and Edison Place) and head north along Mulberry to Centre Street, past the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, across Broad Street, and up Central Avenue to Washington Street and St. Patrick’s Pro-Cathedral, where another reviewing stand will be located. The parade will then turn north up Washington Street and terminate in Washington Park.

From Noon to approximately 4 p.m., traffic will be diverted in the downtown area as a whole. Motorists driving in downtown should plan alternate routes, plan for delays, and allow extra time in reaching their destinations. They can also take advantage of parking lots on fringes of the downtown and walk or use public transportation to reach their destinations.

The parade is the oldest in the State of New Jersey, and Essex County Clerk Christopher J. Durkin will serve as Parade Grand Marshal. The Deputy Grand Marshal is Jennifer Nagle McGovern, founder of the DeNogla School of Irish Dance, located in Verona. The Parade is dedicated to Belleville Council Member P.J. Mac Donald, who also serves as president of the Belleville Irish-American Association.

Persons with questions about the re-routing can contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311 for more information.

For more information, contact the Newark Press Information Office - (973) 733-8004

-NEWARK-

For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cityofnewarknj

The City of Newark e-mail system is for business purposes only. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. This communication may contain material protected by the attorney-client privilege. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original mail.

NEWARK FIRE DEPARTMENT REMINDS RESIDENTS: CHECK YOUR SMOKE ALARMS WHEN YOU CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS THIS WEEKEND

Newark children will learn fire safety tips from Firefighter Katrina Hall and Sparky the Fire Dog;

Residents urged to replace batteries in Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors at start of Daylight Savings time

 

Newark, NJ – March 11, 2010 – Newark Fire Department Firefighter Katrina Hall and Sparky the Fire Dog will visit the preschool children of the North Ward Child Development Center on Friday, March 12 at 10 a.m. to remind residents that as they start Daylight Savings time this weekend they should also replace the batteries in their carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. The children will join Firefighter Hall and Sparky the Dog in moving the arm of a big clock one hour ahead and will learn fire safety tips.  The North Ward Child Development Center is located at 300-306 Mt. Prospect Avenue in the Casa Israel facility.

 

In October 2009, Newark Firefighter Katrina Hall was featured on the cover of Time for Kids magazine. Ms. Hall is the City of Newark’s only active female firefighter.

 

* MEDIA PHOTO OPPORTUNITY*

 

WHO:             Newark Fire Department Firefighter Katrina Hall, Sparky the Fire Dog, and students from the North Ward Child Development Center

 

WHAT:           Will remind Newark residents to change their clocks for daylight savings time and replace batteries in their carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. 

 

WHEN:           Friday, March 12.

                        10 a.m.

 

WHERE:        North Ward Child Development Center

                        300-306 Mt. prospect Avenue (in the Casa Israel facility)

                        Newark

 

                       

Contact:          Newark Press Information Office – (973) 733-8004

                       

                       

-NEWARK-

 

 

The City of Newark e-mail system is for business purposes only. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. This communication may contain material protected by the attorney-client privilege. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original mail.

 

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE WILL FORCE STREET CLOSURES

IN DOWNTOWN NEWARK, TODAY, FRIDAY, MARCH 12

75^th Annual Salute to the Irish will close Mulberry Street,

Central Avenue, and Washington Street after Noon

Newark, NJ - March 12, 2010 – Mayor Cory A. Booker warned Newark motorists to anticipate delays and closed streets in the downtown area today, Friday, March 12, as the City hosts the 75^th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, starting at Noon.

The parade will tip off at a reviewing stand in front of the Prudential Center on Mulberry Street (between Lafayette and Edison Place) and head north along Mulberry to Centre Street, past the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, across Broad Street, and up Central Avenue to Washington Street and St. Patrick’s Pro-Cathedral, where another reviewing stand will be located. The parade will then turn north up Washington Street and terminate in Washington Park.

From Noon to approximately 4 p.m., traffic will be subject to delays and re-routing on those streets and in the downtown area as a whole. Motorists driving in downtown should plan alternate routes, plan for delays, and allow extra time in reaching their destinations. They can also take advantage of parking lots on fringes of the downtown and walk or use public transportation to reach their destinations.

Persons with questions about the re-routing can contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311 for more information.

For more information, contact the Newark Press Information Office - (973) 733-8004

-NEWARK-

For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cityofnewarknj

The City of Newark e-mail system is for business purposes only. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. This communication may contain material protected by the attorney-client privilege. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original mail.

For Immediate Release

MAYOR BOOKER CELEBRATES FAMILY SUCCESS CENTER AND RESIDENT COUNCIL

AT GEORGIA KING VILLAGE WITH WEST WARD RESIDENTS

Center provides a variety of services to support families;

including nutrition, parenting skills, and youth development programs

Newark, NJ – March 11, 2010 – Mayor Cory A. Booker, West Ward Council Member Ronald C. Rice, Newark Now President and CEO Edgar Izurieta, and other dignitaries joined residents to celebrate the achievements of the City of Newark’s Georgia King Family Success Center at 250 Georgia King Village (off of West Market Street) in Newark’s West Ward, today. Also in attendance was Council Member-at-Large Carlos M. Gonzalez.

“We are a manifestation of the daring dream and the heroic hope of our ancestors. This Center and its success are the result of the fortitude and persistence and hard work of a community that was determined to do and get things done that others might not,” said Mayor Booker. “It’s been quiet here for a long time, in terms of violence and shootings, for a year. Nobody would believe you would have this kind of safety and security for such a long time four years ago. But we knew this would happen. We are showing what we can do as a community. I am proud of how we have turned Georgia King Village into towers of light, showing the way to America.”

Since its opening on August 17, 2009, the Georgia King Family Success Center has played a major role in improving the public safety and quality of life of Newark residents. It has provided neighborhood youth with karate classes, development trips to Washington, D.C., and a range of positive activities. In turn, the community has seen no shootings since August 12, 2009, fewer open-air drug sales, and an increased number in drug addicts seeking detoxification intake.

The Georgia King Village Family Success Center has partnered with The Georgia King Village Resident Council, the West Ward Collective, and other community organizations to connect Newark residents to key services and resources, including Food Stamps, health insurance, employment assistance, financial education workshops, parenting workshops, and much more.

The Georgia King Center has achieved a remarkable record of success since its opening, and a list of them is attached. One of its major achievements has been the “GKV Goes to Washington” youth development excursions. In partnership with Council Member Rice, 18 local youth visited the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., and met with U.S Representative Donald M. Payne in October 2009. In November, 2009, 14 winners of an essay contest also had the opportunity to visit with Representative Payne.

“As I stand here today, the first thing that pops in my mind is that phrase, ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ But this is no ordinary village. This is Georgia King Village, a village that is setting a new standard for that phrase, how governments, organizations, companies, and residents can work together to maximize opportunities for our people,” Mr. Izurieta said. “I have to thank Mayor Booker and Council Member Rice for their support of this initiative. It takes all the residents and all their tools to build the village that is Georgia King Village.”

“From parenting workshops to information about vital social services, when people are gong through some of the toughest times in their lives it’s a wonderful thing when you can go to a place where you can receive the support and resources that can help you. To help make families whole again is a great goal and these family success centers are part of a movement which is not only helping to strengthen families in Newark but throughout New Jersey,” said Rev. Darlene Reynolds, who is Executive Director of The West Ward Collective.

“Our resident council just became a non-profit this past November and we’ve been actively trying to improve the quality of life for our residents. There’s a lot of young people to we need to reach and a lot of seniors who need our support. There’s a lot of work to do and through our partnership with the Family Success Center program we are strengthening our families and building a safer community. People are coming out of the darkness into the marvelous light, and doing things we have never seen being done before. Now is not the time to grumble, but the time to stick to the wheel and push,” said Georgia King Village Resident Council President Pamela A. Muhammad.

Launched in 2007, the City’s Family Success Centers provide a range of governmental and non-governmental services and support to promote safety, well-being, and self-sufficiency for families who voluntarily request assistance at the Center sites. These include Earned Income Tax Credit support, Career Readiness, Abbott Pre-School, Parenting Workshops, Anti-violence Workshops, Food Stamps, Health Insurance, and Nutrition Workshops.

“My heart is full today as a son of Georgia King Village. In the spirit of Rev. Horace P. Sharper who is the founder, innovator and visionary who started Georgia King Village and named it after his mother Georgia and in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. this is a wonderful tribute to their memory. Georgia King Village is pregnant with possibilities as we continue move forward we have to seize this moment. In 2006, when we first tried to start a resident council here we faced and overcame many obstacles to get where we are today. I would like to thank Newark Now and all of our community partners for all of the support you have given to the residents of Georgia King Village which is on the rise,” said Council Member Rice.

For further information about any municipal service or program, contact the City of Newark Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311, Mondays to Fridays, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

-NEWARK-

Contact: Newark Press Information Office - (973) 733-8004

pressoffice@ci.newark.nj.us

About the City of Newark, New Jersey

Newark, commonly referred to as Brick City, is the third oldest city in the United States and the largest in New Jersey, with a population of more than 280,000 people. Newark sits on one of the nation’s largest transportation super-structures including an international airport, major rail connections, major highway intersections and the busiest seaport on the east coast.

With a new Administration as of July 2006, Newark continues to see signs of a strong revival. In population, it is one of the fastest growing cities in the northeast. Its six major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The production of affordable housing has doubled, businesses are returning and crime is going down. There is still much work to be done but Newark is on its way to achieving its mission: to set a national standard for urban transformation.

For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cityofnewarknj

LIST OF GEORGIA KING VILLAGE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

August 2009-Oct 2009

• 106 Individuals were screened for (government and non government) benefits using the Single Stop Calculator
• 47 Individuals utilized our employment opportunity services (resume building, online job search, weekly local job leads) 22 of those who utilized this service were residents of Georgia King
• 35 Families were enrolled in Food Stamps on-site
• 14 Individuals were enrolled in Medicaid
• 50 Referrals for local food pantries were provided to 40 individuals
• 16 Safelink wireless phones were applied for through the Center

Center serviced a total of 150 Families this quarter where 65 of those Families were residents of Georgia King Village

November 2009- Jan 2010

• 183 Individuals were screened for (government and non government) benefits using the Single Stop Calculator
• 92 Individuals utilized our employment opportunity services (resume building, online job search, weekly local job leads) 39 of those who utilized this service were residents of Georgia King
• 48 Families were enrolled in Food Stamps on-site
• 21 Individuals were enrolled in Medicaid
• 110 Referrals for local food pantries were provided to 64 individuals

Center serviced a total of 264 Families this quarter where 123 of those Families were residents of Georgia King Village

August 2009 to January 2010

• 289 Individuals were screened for (government and non government) benefits using the Single Stop Calculator
• 139 Individuals utilized our employment opportunity services (resume building, online job search, weekly local job leads) 39 of those who utilized this service were residents of Georgia King
• 83 Families were enrolled in Food Stamps on-site
• 35 Individuals were enrolled in Medicaid
• 160 Referrals for local food pantries were provided to 104 different individuals
• 16 Safelink wireless phones were applied for through the Center

Center serviced a total of 414 Families this quarter where 188 of those Families were residents of Georgia King Village

Partnership with UMDNJ

GKV Family Success Center serviced a total of 414 Families from August 17, 2009 to January 31, 2010. There were 188 Families (45.4 percent) who were residents of Georgia King Village. There were 226 Families (54.6 percent) who used the FSC who were not residents at the GKV complex.

Newark Rx

Newark RX and Newark Health Plus programs are promoted to the community at every opportunity and individuals are signed to the programs. In addition to these efforts, a representative from the Heinz foundation will be making a presentation to the site staff next week. The representative also has arranged on-site sign-ups.

The City of Newark e-mail system is for business purposes only. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. This communication may contain material protected by the attorney-client privilege. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original mail.

For Immediate Release

CITY OF NEWARK AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ANNOUNCE

FEDERAL GRANT TO ADDRESS POLLUTION AT RIVER BANK PARK FIELD HOUSE

Federal $100,000 Community Action for a Renewed Environment grant

will help Ironbound Community Corporation address pollution on Passaic Riverfront

Newark, NJ - March 11, 2010 – Deputy Mayor of Economic and Housing Development Stefan Pryor, East Ward Council Member Augusto Amador, Federal Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Judith Enck, and Ironbound Community Corporation Executive Director Joseph Della Fave announced today the award of a federal $100,000 grant to the Ironbound Community Corporation to identify and address pollution problems in the East Ward, during a press conference which was held at the River Bank Park Field House in Newark, today, at 2 p.m. River Bank Park is located between Raymond Boulevard and Market Street, and between Van Buren and Somme Streets. Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura was also in attendance, representing Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo.

In a statement, Mayor Booker said, “The City of Newark is committed to working with government agencies and community stakeholders to enhance our environmental, economic, and social well being. We are proud to have a partner in the Environmental Protection Agency for their recognition of the efforts of the Ironbound Community Corporation and City residents as they work to increase the quality of life for Newark residents.  Together, we are building a greener City that is becoming a national model for urban transformation.”

“The EPA is proud to partner with the Ironbound community to work in identifying and finding solutions to the environmental impacts affecting New Jersey’s largest city,” said Ms. Enck. “This CARE project will tap into local expertise to address environmental issues by finding consensus within the community and focusing on targeting actions that can ultimately bring some relief to people in the places they live, work, and raise families.”

Ironbound Community Corporation is a comprehensive social service provider located in the East Ward of Newark. The Ironbound, one of the most densely populated and diverse areas of the City, is home to more than 50,000 residents. In this area, 75 percent of those over the age of five speak a foreign language, typically Portuguese or Spanish. The wide variety of pollutants in the Ironbound – from both existing and former chemical plants, waste industries, and mobile sources like trucks, airplanes, and ships – require a comprehensive and innovative approach to decrease risks of exposure.

“I salute the Ironbound Community Corps for their long time leadership on environmental health issues,” said Newark Sustainability Officer Chelsea Albucher. “In addition to being the largest social service agency in the East Ward, ICC is one of the nation’s oldest environmental justice organizations. Through the grant announced today, ICC will empower residents and engage stakeholders in a process to better understand environmental issues and help design strategies to make Newark healthier and more vibrant. The City is pleased to partner on this important initiative and is grateful for EPA’s support.”

The non-profit Ironbound Community Corporation will use the funds to identify and address pollution problems in the East Ward, focusing on the cumulative impacts of multiple courses of pollution and finding ways to reduce posed risks.

“The Ironbound Community Corporation is proud to be a recipient of the prestigious EPA CARE grant,” said Mr. Della Fave. “The Ironbound CARE Cumulative Impacts Project will be an important step toward improving the environment and public health in the Ironbound.”

“This grant is going to be instrumental in improving the quality of life for Ironbound residents.  Not only is this instrumental to cleaning the air we breathe, but as a direct result of this grant we will be able to develop Newark’s waterfront as an attraction for all City residents.  I commend Mayor Booker, the City of Newark Office of Economic Development, and the Ironbound Community Corporation for this wonderful partnership,” said Council Member Amador.

For the CARE Project, ICC will bring together various stakeholders including residents, business and community group representatives, members of the academic and governmental sectors to help gather diverse sources of information about current and potential environmental problems. The CARE project will also take into account community experiences, socio-economic and public health data to better determine the community’s vulnerability to pollution exposure. The project will also investigate the cumulative impacts of these environmental burdens and work through a consensus process to prioritize issues that must be addressed moving forward. Ultimately, ICC and its CARE stakeholders will work with the public to draft strategies for reducing or mitigating impacts and secure commitments for action.

Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) is a competitive grant program that offers an innovative way for communities to organize and take action to reduce toxic pollution in its local environment.  Through CARE, a community creates partnerships that implement solutions to reduce exposure to toxic.  By providing financial and technical assistance, EPA helps CARE communities develop renewed environments and CARE has been providing financial assistance to communities annually since 2005 and expects to award nearly $2 million in 2010.

“This EPA grant will be instrumental in identifying and implementing environmental solutions across Newark,” stated Ana Baptista, member of the Environmental Commission.  “The best experts will collect data, identify cumulative impacts, and prioritize actions and recommendations.  The Environmental Commission is looking forward to applying these findings throughout our City to improve the quality of life and environmental conditions for our residents.”

The City of Newark has received three EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grants in the amount of $200,000 each. Following the City’s stimulus philosophy of putting funds directly to work, and not exacerbating municipal budget issues by adding staff, the budgets of each grant is 100 percent dedicated to the cleanup activities and related public involvement that is required under the State’s Brownfields cleanup program.

“Under the Booker Administration, the City is committed to making Newark a sustainable community to live, work, and play,” said Deputy Mayor Pryor. “We are working together with residents, community organizations, businesses and local, state, and federal agencies to make Newark a greener, greater city.”

The City is currently finalizing the remedial action work plans for these sites. Once the remedial action work plans are approved by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, in accordance with federal, state and local procurement rules, the work plans will be integrated into Request for Proposals, and clean up services will be procured via a competitive process. The anticipated time frame varies per site, but all cleanups are estimated to be under 12 months paving the way for redevelopment in short order.

Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to clean up the NSC Plating and Polishing Company at 242 South 12th Street. The site is a former plating and polishing facility that is contaminated with cadmium, nickel, and zinc. This site is currently blighting the Fairmont Neighborhood of the West Ward. This project is part of the City’s West Ward Initiative that is layering community development tools to reclaim abandoned properties and bring them back into productive use.

Grant funds also will be used to clean up the International Metallurgical Services site in the East Ward at 190-202 Blanchard Street. The 1.6-acre site is a former ethanol production facility and metal recovery operation that is contaminated with beryllium and other metals. After the cleanup project is completed, the site is expected to be part of the Morris Companies Blanchard Street development of a 600 to 700,000 square foot distribution center. This development is expected to create 350 temporary construction jobs; more than 300 permanent jobs, and generate almost $1 million in annual tax revenue.

Petroleum grant funds will be used to clean up a former gas station at 1037 Bergen Street in the South Ward that is contaminated with petroleum products. This property is expected to be redeveloped as a retail space that is expected to create up to 20 jobs. This is an example of stimulus supporting the vitality of our main streets, as this grant will help bring life back to an empty stretch of Bergen Street, a commercial corridor that is the lifeline of a residential neighborhood.

“Going Green” has been a major priority for the Booker Administration since it took office in 2006. The City has made major efforts to ensure that residents can enjoy energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly homes. Newark is connecting residents to weatherization programs that can reduce utility bills, connecting businesses to retrofit programs and supporting job-training programs so that residents are prepared to participate in the clean energy economy. In addition, the City has moved ahead on the largest rehabilitation and renovation project on City parks in decades, opening the largest such municipally-owned facility, Nat Turner Park, in 2008. In March 2009, the City swore in its first-ever Environmental Commission.

For more information about the CARE grant, visit EPA’s Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/CARE Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit their Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/eparegion2.

For more information about all City of Newark programs and policies, contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.

-NEWARK-

Contact:        Newark Press Information Office: (973) 733-8004

E-mail: Pressoffice@ci.newark.nj.us


Environmental Protection Agency - (212) 637-3664

                Elias Rodriguez

E-mail: Rodriguez.elias@epa.gov

About the City of Newark, New Jersey

Newark, commonly referred to as Brick City, is the third oldest city in the United States and the largest in New Jersey, with a population of more than 280,000 people. Newark sits on one of the nation’s largest transportation super-structures including an international airport, major rail connections, major highway intersections and the busiest seaport on the east coast.

With a new Administration as of July 2006, Newark continues to see signs of a strong revival.  In population, it is one of the fastest growing cities in the northeast. Its six major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The production of affordable housing has doubled, businesses are returning and crime is going down. There is still much work to be done but Newark is on its way to achieving its mission:  to set a national standard for urban transformation.

For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us

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HIGHLIGHTS OF NEWARK’S GREEN ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The City of Newark has numerous green initiatives underway to enhance quality of life, public health and support economic development.  The City has made significant progress in greening municipal operations and in “greening” the City at large.  For Newark, green is about the economy, the environment and social equity.  Here are some highlights: 

GREENING THE CITY

·       Newark’s first Sustainability Officer was hired in August 2008, and first Environmental Commission sworn in March 2009.  A package of proposed green ordinances is being developed. 

·       Sustainability is being folded into our master plan, design guidelines, economic development strategy, and funding for development of our Sustainability Action Plan recently secured. 

·       Green Space: With more than $40 million dollars committed, the City is in the midst of the largest open space expansion and rehabilitation in over a century, and has already doubled City park land.

·       Gardens & Trees: The City’s Adopt a Lot program encourages community gardens and the City has planted about 1,000 trees a year with help from our residents and businesses.

·       Green Building: Through our property disposition and tax incentives, the City encourages green building and has hundreds of energy star affordable housing units in the pipeline as well as LEED qualified residential development, such as Richardson Lofts and Lincoln Park townhouses.  The City is also greening its new capital construction including the new police precinct.   Also, in partnership with NJHMFA and NJ BPU we have held two green building workshops.  

·       Riverfront: like many older industrial cities our river and riverfront is polluted and inaccessible.   We are building Newark’s first riverfront park designed with community input and creating a plan for our entire stretch our riverfront.

·       Stormwater: Drafted enhanced stormwater regulations.


·       Brownfields: Drawing down over $4 million of federal and state funding for brownfields assessment and cleanup to bring underutilized property back into productive use. 

SAVING ENERGY SAVING THE ENVIRONMENT

·     Climate Prosperity Initiative:  Recognizing the potential to realize savings through energy efficiency, the City has developed a collaborative energy initiative to address the municipal, residential and commercial sectors.  We are connecting residents to weatherization programs that can reduce utility bills, connecting businesses to retrofit programs and supporting job-training programs so that residents are prepared to participate in the clean energy economy. 

·       Our homes pollute more than our cars and buildings are a significant source of a city’s carbon footprint.  This year alone, we expect to weatherize 1,000 homes (450 PSE&G and 550 La Casa); retrofit 60 businesses and non-profits and address at least 5 municipal buildings.

·    Engaging residents and youth through workshops, fairs and activities such as energy efficient light bulb distribution – more than 10,000 Energy Star bulbs were distributed this past year!

·    Like many Port communities, our community suffers from air quality issues that result from transportation-related pollution.  We are working with local stakeholders and the Port Authority to mitigate air quality impacts.  Initial steps include getting over 600 of the most polluting trucks off the road, phasing out polluting ship fuel and electrifying cargo-handling equipment. 

·     We are also promoting clean power choice and renewable energy.  The City has three geothermal schools; and two sizeable solar installations, one on a building supply center and another on a municipal garage. 

·     City is field-testing a fleet of 100 percent electric MINI E vehicles with no tail pipe emissions!

GREEN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

·       Greening existing businesses by helping them be sustainable through energy conservation, hiring locally, and participating in community initiatives such as tree planting. 

·       Attracting new green business such as Innovation Fuels, a biodiesel producer, and three new solar companies. 

GREEN JOBS

·       The City has developed a Green Jobs Network with NewarkWORKS to stimulate collaboration and coordination across organizations to provide residents with quality training, in areas such as weatherization, brownfields remediation, landscaping, solar installation and other green career path jobs.

·       Green Jobs for All – our network of local organizations have programs for youth, ex-offenders, career transition and white-collar workers. 

·    Laborers launched Local 55 in Newark, which is providing union jobs for weatherization workers. Clean & Green provides ex-offenders with immediate attachment to meaningful work reclaiming vacant lots.  EPA funded brownfields job training is ready to launch. NewarkWorks supported solar job training and trainees are currently installing solar on a city leased municipal garage.  

ACCESS TO FRESH FOODS

·       Fresh Foods:  To address the fresh food deserts common in inner city areas, we have a three pronged strategy – forgiveable loans for small grocers who expand availability of produce, meat and dairy; attracting supermarkets to underserved areas; and bringing farmstands with locally and regionally grown produce into our Family Success Centers throughout the City.

·    Supporting local urban agriculture initiatives and community gardens.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

·       Newark is a Model Lead Safe City and is working to reduce the high levels of lead poisoning incidence in our community. 

·       The City is also addressing other environmentally related illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease that disproportionately affect low income and inner city communities. 

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION & INVOLVEMENT

·       Numerous workshops and green events have been held, such as Newark’s Green Future Summit; the Green Fair at JFK Recreation Center; the Youth Leaders Earth Day Forum, and the Green Workshop for Faith Based Organizations

·       The Newark Public School system has formed a team that has prioritized environmental education, recycling and energy.

·       With assistance from the Sustainability Officer, NPS is scoping a Green Big Picture alternative school; pursuing signing up 12 schools for the State’s Energy Education program; and developing RFP for solar installations on up to 15 buildings.




Going green is not something that can be done in a vacuum or by any one office or program.  Going green requires broad participation – hence our slogan:  City of Newark – Go Green With Us!

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CUSTOM BICYCLES HANDMADE IN NEWARK
Folk Engineers Fulfill Their Dreams by Building Dream Bicycles

Newark, New Jersey – March 11, 2010 – Folk Engineered proudly announces New Jersey’s only custom handmade bicycle manufacturing service. Each Folk Engineered bicycle is designed and fabricated in-house, one at a time. Husband and wife framebuilders, Marie Pasquariello and Ryan Reedell, aspire to build the perfect bike for every person in their workshop in Newark.

Newark, once the bicycle capitol of the world, is a breeding ground for new talent and innovation. Folk Engineered helps to bring the cycling tradition back by resurrecting an ancient trade. Custom framebuilders offer something different than bike shops and department stores. Each bike is built for a specific rider and with extreme attention to detail. “Building custom handmade bicycles is a scientific art form,” Pasquariello says. “It is geometry, physics, chemistry, visual thinking, and sculpture.”

Each bicycle is drafted specific to the rider’s body, biking style, and aesthetic desires. Reedell explains, “A bike is a machine that’s designed to work with the human body. The better the fit, the better the experience.” Using the highest quality steel materials, each tube is carefully mitered, assembled using a fixture, brazed, and sanded until smooth. The finished frame and fork are inspected and aligned within a 0.02″ tolerance. Folk Engineered builds all breeds of bicycles, including city, touring, road, track or somewhere in between.

Pasquariello and Reedell love bicycles. Their first date was a 1500 mile bike tour, they rode a tandem during their wedding, and their cat is named “bottom bracket” (a bicycle component). Combined, they have accumulated over 6,000 miles of bicycle touring, a certificate for completing the United Bicycle Institute’s chromoly framebuilding course, 2 years of academic and sculptural bicycle studies at Rutgers University, 8 years of volunteer and professional bicycle mechanics, 1.5 years of machining experience, and 7 years of participation in bicycle collectives, including the New Brunswick Bicycle Library and the Brick City Bike Collective. Over the past two years, the couple has worked to transform their bicycling passion into a livelihood.

About Folk Engineered: We are Newark-based framebuilders that work with the needs of the rider and the concepts of physics to create dream bicycles. Catering to all disciplines of cycling and cyclists, we offer personalized services of the highest quality. We engineer bicycles for people. For more information, please visit www.folkengineered.com.