OCTOBER 2021 FREE
COMMUNITYNEWS.ORG
The stuff of DREAMS
4 up for 3 Board of Ed seats
blue Devils attack
Nonprofit looks to expand access for those with Down sundrome
By Bill Sanservino
By Rebekah Schroeder
Melissa Burgos chose a hot air balloon as a logo for her achievement center Club DREAMS, highlighting the value of letting those with Down syndrome chase their aspirations into the skies and beyond. “She holds multiple titles like president of the Down Syndrome Association of Central New Jersey, as well as executive director and founder of Club DREAMS.” The acronym DREAMS stands for Down Syndrome Recreation Enrichment Academic Meeting Space, highlighting the nonprofit organization’s desires to expand access for those with the developmental condition. Operated by The Down Syndrome Association of Central New Jersey, they originally wanted to unveil their location at 25 Scotch Road in Ewing in spring 2020. At the start of the pandemic, Club DREAMS began virtual programming, making their live grand opening on Aug. 21 a special step forward. Prominently featured at the picnic and festival-style celebration was a truly symbolic hot air balloon ride. See DREAMS, Page 6
Blue Devils defenders Dante Hall (left), Kenric Davis and Tytus Tolliver converge on the Lawrence High School ball carrier during 55-34 victory on Sept. 10, 2021. For more photos from the game, turn to Page 31. (Photo by Todd Cloward/pixelsbytoddc.mypixieset.com.)
Ida a disaster for Mercer FEMA funds available to pay for storm-related property damage
By Rebekah Schroeder
In early September, New Jersey saw remnants of Hurricane Ida wreak havoc on the garden state with excessive flooding and tornadoes. Thirty residents
died, including two who perished in Mercer County. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) stepped in to help, establishing several Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) across the affected areas. On Sept. 6, President Biden approved major disaster declarations for New Jersey, concentrating on incidents from the period of Sept. 1 to 3. Ewing’s DRC opened on Sept. 14, estab-
lished at Hollowbrook Community Center on 320 Hollowbrook Drive. Representatives from multiple state and federal agencies such as FEMA, U.S. Small Business Administration, New Jersey State Office of Emergency Management, and others will be available to answer questions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, as well as 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. See FEMA, Page 8
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The race for three threeyear terms on the Ewing Township Public School Board of Education is the only municipal race on the ballot in this year’s election. On Nov. 2, voters will have the oppurtinity to choose between four candidates running for three open seats on the school board. Running are three incumbents: board President Lisa McConnell, Vice President Anthony Messina and board member Deborah Delutis. The three are being challenged by Crystal Fedeli, who is running under the slogan, “Advocate for Children.” Delutis is running under the slogan, “Honesty and Integrity,” and Messina is running with, “Ewing Kids First.” There is no race for Ewing Township Council this year. Under the township’s form of government, elections for municipal office are held every other year. Up for election in 2022 are four-year terms held by Sarah Steward and Kathleen Wollert. Currently the Democrats have a 5-0 majority on council. Mayor Bert Steinmann is also up for election next year. At this point, he has not given indication as to whether he intends to run for re-election to his four-year seat. The Ewing Observer’s coverage of this year’s election starts on Page 12.
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