Arbor Day ceremony and tree seedling giveaway at Clarendon School
Secaucus will celebrate Arbor Day on Friday, April 29 at 9:30 a.m. at Clarendon School. Everyone is welcome to this special event. Clarendon Principal Steve Viggiani will host the program which will include remarks from Mayor Michael Gonnelli, Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto, and Freeholder Albert Cifelli. Superintendent of Schools Kenneth Knops will read the Arbor Day proclamation. The school children will perform songs and recite poems in honor of springtime and trees. Gift cards will be awarded to the winners of the Shade Tree Committee poster contest.
In addition, the Tree City USA banner will be on display. This marks the 23rd consecutive year that Secaucus has earned Tree City USA status in recognition of its commitment to effective urban forest management.
After the ceremony, students will take part in planting and clean-up projects. The elementary school children will plant flowers on their school grounds while the Huber Street sixth graders and Middle School Environmental Club will plant and do a clean-up in Schmidt’s Woods. The High School Science Club will plant seedlings at Mill Creek Point.
Residents and businesses responded with donations totaling over $7,000 to the Arbor Day Tree Appreciation Campaign. These funds will be used to purchase and plant 35 trees to increase the town’s canopy.
Secaucus is also participating in the New Jersey State Forestry Service Tree Recovery campaign. The Forestry Service provided 2,000 free seedlings for distribution to residents to replant trees which were downed during Hurricane Sandy and other storms. Seedlings of varying species will available at the Arbor Day ceremony and also at the Green Festival in May. Residents may take up to five seedlings per household.
Persons of the Year Gala coming up
Partners in Prevention, a volunteer group serving Hudson County, has chosen Mayor Gonnelli as one of their Persons of the Year for 2016. The Persons of the Year Gala honors those who made contributions in their work and lives to support Partners in Prevention’s mission to combat and defeat alcoholism and drug abuse in the community.
The gala takes place on May 12 at 6:30 p.m. at La Reggia Banquet Hall at 40 Wood Ave., Secaucus. Tickets for the event are $75 per person. Those interested in purchasing tickets, sponsoring the event, or advertising in our gala journal, please contact Ernie Adames of Partners in Prevention at 201-552-2264 ore.adames@partners-in-prevention.com
Over the years Gonnelli integrated community strategies to counter drug misuse/abuse through the formation of Secaucus Coalition for a Healthy and Drug Free Community, a volunteer and staff run organization. He’s secured $625,000 in federal funds from the Drug Free Communities grant, the nation’s leading program to mobilize communities to prevent youth drug use, to support the coalition’s efforts. The grant provides funding to prevent youth substance use, including alcohol, prescription drugs, marijuana, and tobacco.
Other prevention programs Gonnelli launched include the installation of Rx drug drop boxes in the Secaucus Police Department, improved local underage drinking enforcement efforts, and expanded alcohol vendor service training. He’s also volunteered his time to support the work of Partners in Prevention throughout Hudson County by securing and expanding its office in Secaucus.
‘Town hall’ meeting on underage drinking is April 26
The Hudson County Coalition for a Drug-Free Community along with New Jersey City University (NJCU) Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program & Partners In Prevention will sponsor a “town hall” meeting on April 26 to discuss underage drinking from 6:30 to 8 p.m. with registration beginning at 6 p.m. During this meeting you will hear knowledgeable panelists discuss their experiences within the field of prevention and have questions answered. Attendees will also have the opportunity to partake of interactive activities, vote for the winner of their public service announcement contest, and enjoy many other surprises.
The meeting will take place in New Jersey City University’s Gothic Lounge in Hepburn Hall, Room 202, at 2039 Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City. At the completion, 1.5 hours of community service will be awarded to those who attend. Light refreshments will be served at the event.
To register for this event or for more information about the Hudson County Coalition, call Ernie Adames at (201) 552- 2264 or visit the website at Hudsoncountycoalition.org.