Mayors Corner

No matter how you decide to cast your ballot, participating in elections is one of the key freedoms of American life. This year, New Jersey has joined other states in initiating early voting for the Nov. 2 General Election.

You will be able to vote in person at several locations in Union County between Oct. 23 and 31. The closest for Summit residents is in New Providence at the Municipal Center, 360 Elkwood Ave. Early voting will take place in the gymnasium from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day except Sunday, when the polls are open from 10 to 6. The entrance is on Academy Street.

If you prefer to vote at the polls on Election Day, nothing has changed. Registered voters can vote at their regular polling place. If you need information on where to vote, go to cityofsummit.org/ elections.

This year, I chose to vote by mail and have submitted my ballot in advance. Although the deadline to apply to vote by mail has passed for this election, signing up to vote by mail in future elections is simple and can be completed at unioncountyvotes. org. If you decide not to mail your ballot, there is a secure drop box in the Chestnut Street parking lot at the corner of Broad Street and Morris Avenue.

Elections are decided by the people who take the time to vote. If you are concerned about continued excellence in Summit schools, crime prevention, clean air and water, and infrastructure improvements, it is essential to vote for those who you believe will represent your interests on Nov. 2. Thank you.

Mayor Nora Radest

Summit Back to school means Berkeley Heights is abuzz with activity.

It was exciting one recent Thursday to gather with FiServe CEO Frank Bisignano, Governor Phil Murphy, Senator Tom Kean, Assemblyman Jon Bramnick and Tim Sullivan from the NJEDA. FiServ will relocate approximately 1,500 employees to the 100 Connell building and create another 1,500 jobs over the next 24 months or so. We will have more about the Community Benefit Agreement that will be coming forward for a public hearing at our next council meeting.

Our Mount Laurel committee met. It’s the working group that will help to ensure we are in the best position possible for the next round of affordable housing obligations. Our professionals believe the township’s position is strong. We were able to bank on the progress that has been made with our current redevelopment projects, most of which were a part of the Judgement of Repose signed in 2017.

The PBA negotiation team also met recently. Many residents may be unaware the Police Benevolent Association contract is negotiated every three years or so. I look forward to working with our police department, administrator, CFO, Council President Jeanne and Councilman Alvaro to work toward a fair and equitable contract that respects both the police department and our residents. We will be working expeditiously, as the contract ends Dec. 31.

The Economic Development Committee is working on a number of new initiatives, including streamlining the process through which businesses get all necessary permits and information to open their doors as quickly as possible. The economic video series is behind schedule. We hope to pick back up soon.

Stay healthy! Best wishes for a wonderful school year, and I look forward to the next update.

Angie D. Devanney

Mayor Berkeley Heights

BOROUGH GEARS UP FOR A BUSY AUTUMN

Fall is bustling in New Providence. We have wonderful family-friendly events and activities all around town, and we welcome everyone to participate.

The New Providence Annual Decorated Pumpkin Contest and Trunkor-Treat, hosted by our New Providence Police in partnership with our Lions, are free, and will be held Saturday, Oct. 23, at 3 p.m. at the New Providence Community Pool Parking Lot.

The Street Fair returns Sunday, Oct. 24, on Springfield Avenue between South Street and Livingston Avenue from 10 to 4.

Downtown Trick-or-Treating is Saturday, Oct. 30. Businesses with orange pumpkins on their doors or in windows will greet trick-or-treaters with candy and surprises.

This Halloween, we again invite everyone for safe, socially-distanced neighborhood trick-or-treating. There will not be any door knocking. Trick-ortreating will be between 4 and 8 p.m. on Oct. 31, and those who would like to distribute treats should place a table at the end of their driveway and spread items apart to minimize handling.

This fall the New Providence Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit, along with mayor and council, began conducting a series of “Listening Sessions” to help address traffic and safety concerns of residents. This initiative is part of a boroughwide Traffic Safety and Circulation Improvement Plan that seeks to identify potential traffic management and calming measures and strategies to enhance safety, accessibility and mobility around New Providence. Please visit the borough website for information.

The Friday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 26, we ring in the season at our Christmas Walk and Holiday Festival. This festive event will feature the arrival of Santa, our New Providence Marching Band, merchant giveaways and fireworks. The New Providence Presbyterian Church will have a live nativity, tree lighting and a retelling of the first Christmas. The following Friday, Dec. 3, our Night of a Thousand Stars Community Tree Lighting will be held in Centennial Park at 7 p.m., hosted by our New Providence Diversity Committee with help from the New Providence Lions. This free, outdoor concert-like event includes wonderful holiday programs, hot cocoa and heartwarming performances. Mayor Al Morgan New Providence

No appointments are necessary for free Covid testing two days each week at Downs Hall on the campus of Kean University, 1000 Morris Ave. Parking is also free.

“With the new variants, testing continues to be an important tool in our fight against Covid-19,” said Alexander Mirabella, chairman of the Union County Board of Commissioners. “We are proud to continue to offer this free service, and encourage all residents to get tested if they have been exposed or if they are experiencing symptoms.”

Testing takes place on Mondays from 7 to 11:30 a.m., and on Thursdays from 7 to 11:30 a.m. and from 4 to 7:30 p.m., though for the evening session, arrival by 7 is advised. The process consists of a self-administered swab that will be tested for Covid, Influenza A and Influenza B.

Kean's center opened in March 2020 as New Jersey’s first countyrun testing site, and since then, more than 153,000 PCR tests have been administered there.

The service is available to all Union County residents, whether or not they are experiencing symptoms, and there is no charge, whether or not a person has insurance.

The site is also available to all first responders and frontline health workers who are asymptomatic and are employed in Union County, no matter where they reside, and in addition is open to first responders and frontline health workers who live and work outside the county but reside in New Jersey.

For details, visit ucnj.org/testing or call 908-214-7107.

NO BETTER TIME TO SHOP, SUPPORT LOCAL THAN AS WE APPROACH HOLIDAY SEASON

Local businesses continue to face challenges due to Covid, and added woes include product shortages and shipping and delivery challenges. Customers are asked to show their love for local in ways that include:

Try to order a meal at least once a week from a local restaurant or food shop.

Purchase a gift card online or over the phone to use locally at a later date. Gift cards from local establishments can make ideal holiday gifts for friends, family and tough-to-buy-for colleagues.

If you can’t make it in person, reach out to local businesses anyway. Many continue to provide curbside pickup, and lots offer local delivery service, too.

Give thought to every purchase you make. Placing an online order via a website or big box store? Ask yourself if perhaps the same items could be purchased from – and support -- a local business.

Leave a good review online for a local merchant.

Sign up for local businesses’ email newsletters. You’ll get updated information on specials, coupons and hours of operation. Interact with social media accounts of businesses with which you are familiar. Like their posts, follow their accounts and share what you like about them, their products and services. Understand and be supportive of hard decisions being made by local business owners. Hours may have to be reduced, customer capacity may be lessened and wait times may be longer, but owners and staff are following protocols to keep themselves and you as safe as possible. Be patient and kind.

When you’re posting online, share accounts and posts with friends and family. Write about the steps you’re taking to support businesses in local communities, and encourage others to do the same.