Mayors Weekly Briefing 5/29/09

In a continuing effort to inform residents on what is happening in the Township, I will write a regular update for the community. The briefings include issues being handled by my office, elected officials, and Township department heads.

Vote June 2- Woodcrest Fire Station (District 10) site relocated
For Primary Election Day on Tuesday, June 2, 2009, the Woodcrest Fire Station (District 10) polling location at Berlin & Burnt Mill Roads will be changed. The new location is the vacant 'Wow! Video' storefront in the Woodcrest Plaza shopping center at Berlin Road & Browning Lane, across the street from the fire station. The Fire Dept. will post a sign board in front of the station directing voters to the shopping center, and another sign will be placed at the new location directing voters to the storefront. So please, go out to the polls and participate in the democratic process that is engrained in the foundation of our great country. As always, the polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call the Municipal Clerk, Nancy L. Saffos, at (856) 488-7892 or e-mail Clerk@CHTownship.com.

Police Awards Ceremony honors state’s finest
The 33rd Annual Police Awards Ceremony was held the evening of Wednesday, May 27, here at Town Hall. Cherry Hill owes a debt of gratitude to all the law enforcement professionals and civilians who were honored at this special annual event, which was attended by State Sen. Jim Beach, Assemblyman Louis Greenwald, Assemblywoman Pam Lampitt, Township Council members, and Camden County Prosecutor Warren Faulk, among other dignitaries.

I commend the police officers and civilian employees for their commitment to excellence and dedication to service, and am proud to be part of a community where the residents work along side our law enforcement professionals to ensure the safety of our neighborhoods. It’s no secret that Cherry Hill has the finest police department in the State of New Jersey and I am proud of the work that they do for our community on a daily basis. Our officers have set the highest standards and exhibited the finest example of humanitarianism and civic responsibility through their tireless efforts to keep Cherry Hill a safe and wonderful Township.

Cherry Hill participating in ‘Live Where You Work’ program
Township Council members approved participation in the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency’s “Live Where You Work” (LWYW) program at their May 26 meeting. The program incentivizes first-time homebuyers who work in Cherry Hill to purchase a home in town, closer to their place of employment. The goal of LWYW is to build stronger, more sustainable communities, reduce the need for cars and, subsequently, pollution from vehicle emissions, ease rush-hour traffic congestion, and increase the use of alternative transportation, such as walking, biking, car-pooling, and public transit.

Employees/potential homebuyers benefit from attractive mortgage rates, criteria, and reduced commuting times to work. Municipalities benefit from having a committed workforce living nearby, and the activity and economic vibrancy that comes with people living near where they work. For more information on this program, visit http://www.LiveWhereYouWork.NJ.gov or please call my office at (856) 488-7878, or e-mail MayorPlatt@CHTownship.com.

Library offers free eye-health, vision exams on Saturday, May 30
On Saturday, May 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Camden Eye Center’s Mobil Vision Clinic will be at the Cherry Hill Public Library administering free vision screening to people of all ages. Each screening takes about 15 minutes and will check for common vision problems, such as near and far sightedness, astigmatism, glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic eye disease and macular degeneration. Patients who fail the exam can be referred to the Camden Eye Center or to their regular eye care professional. No appointment necessary. Eye screenings will be administered by a doctor from the Camden Eye Center. For more information call (856) 903-1207.

Spaces filling up fast in summer recreation programs
Cherry Hill Township is now accepting registration for Morning Fun Camp, our most popular summer program held throughout Cherry Hill.  Children entering kindergarten through grade 6 will take part in crafts, games and sport activities each day. Camp starts Monday, June 29, and runs through August 14 from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday.  Locations include Barton, Cooper, Beck, Bret Harte, Woodcrest, Kingston, Knight, and (recently added) Horace Mann.

Limited spaces remain for the unique Art a la Carte at the Croft Farm Arts Center (grades 1-6) and Adventure Camp at the Barclay Farmstead (grades 2-6).  Some Art a la Carte classes offered include bookbinding, papier mache, and watercolor.  The program consists of three sessions spanning two weeks each that begin June 29, July 13 and July 27. Parents are encouraged to sign their children up as soon as possible as spaces are limited in all summer programs. For more information about these and other summer programs offered by Cherry Hill Township, call the Recreation Department at (856) 488-7868 or e-mail Recreation@CHTownship.com.


For up-to-the-minute updates on any subject, call my office at 856.488.7878 or visit our municipal Web site: www.CherryHill-NJ.com .

Sincerely,

Bernie Platt
Mayor