Mayor Garrett Smith
Dear Resident,
Welcome to the first issue of The Smith Roselle Connection. I personally launched this newsletter to provide the residents and businesses of Roselle with a publication that keeps you informed on the positive initiatives that are shaping the future of our great community.
The Smith Roselle Connection is also my way of keeping connected to you, the people of our community, as well as connecting the community to me. I would love to hear from you to gain your input on how we can make Roselle a better place to live and work. I also invite you to share your thoughts on the type of content you would like to see in our newsletter.
Mayor Smith Announces Democratic Run for the New Jersey Assembly
When I was elected mayor in November 2003, one of my objectives was to open a dialogue within all corners of our community to cultivate new opportunities for economic prosperity and youth education and recreation, and to help build a safe, stable, responsive and vibrant community for families, senior citizens and all those who live and work here.
Voters also gave me a mandate to bring change to Roselle. I would like to take this mandate one step further by becoming assemblyman in our district. I am running in the Democratic Primary on June 7 for the New Jersey State Assembly seat in the 20th Legislative District.
As mayor, I recognize the importance of connecting Trenton to all the communities in our district, which includes Roselle, Elizabeth, Kenilworth and Union. It is because of my commitment to the office of mayor of Roselle that I am running for state assembly. As assemblyman I would leverage my experience as mayor to work hard for our residents and to gain funding and legislation that benefits our borough and district.
Other mayors, such as the mayors of West Orange, Orange and Perth Amboy currently hold state assembly positions and are successfully serving their constituents. As a result, their communities are in the midst of a massive revitalization. It is this same drive for change that I would bring to our borough and district if I am elected to the assembly.
I am grateful to all of you, the residents and businesses of Roselle, for all you do to make Roselle an exciting and remarkable community.Regardless of your political affiliations, I urge you to vote on June 7 and have your voice heard. I remain respectfully committed to working for you and the borough of Roselle.
Sincerely,
Garrett Smith, Mayor
CHURCH LEADERS PROPOSE SUMMER FAMILY FORUM
The latest meetings of the United Clergy of Roselle have featured an important topic - Roselle.s youth. The United Clergy gathers each month to discuss how local churches can provide a base of support for the community.
From left, Deacon Emanuel Shumate, Tyeast Edmonds, Mayor Smith and Dana Wilson.
In order to utilize this support base,Mayor Smith joins Deacon Emanuel (Manny) Shumate, Dana Wilson, Tyeast Edmonds, Reverends Annie Wright-Cherry and David Ford to collaborate on ways to help the children of Roselle express themselves. Reverends James Moore,Karen Chamis and Art Snow, Minister Imam Abdulaleem Razzaqq, and Bishop Wayne Johnson are also members of the United Clergy of Roselle and participate in monthly meetings spearheaded by Mayor Smith.
Deacon Shumate began the discussion by proposing to hold a forum for Roselle teenagers and parents this summer..Speak Life: Bringing Healing to Our Family and Our Community. would bring churches and organizations together with families to represent the whole community and .speak life. into the children.
.There.s so much going on in these children.s lives, from being raised in singleparent homes, to gang violence and incarceration, that there.s no life being brought out of them,. said Deacon Shumate. .We have to take responsibility for our children and educate them about positive decisionmaking and how to communicate their needs..
.We want parents present at the forum, but the children need to understand who they are and have ownership of their feelings and ideas,. added Tyeast Edmonds. .Ownership leads to power, which leads to decision-making and understanding consequences..
With the summer forum in mind, Rev. Ford suggested an immediate action . for the mayor to invite ten high school students to join his weekly community meetings..Let.s get them involved as soon as possible,. said Ford..The children want to feel like they belong in something, and since they look up to the mayor, they will appreciate him asking for their opinions and ideas..
Pastor Cherry extended an open invitation to all residents and families to .use the churches as safe places to gather and seek advice..
In addition, Mayor Smith will hold a rap session with several groups of students at Abraham Clark High School before the end of the school year.
.We need to listen to the students who speak for their peers and be a resource for them,. he said..Let.s make them a part of the community, listen to their ideas and make them happen . then keep them going. We don.t want the children of Roselle to lose positive momentum or let their goals out of sight..
To get involved contact Deacon Shumate or Betty Ingrin of the United Clergy at 908-241-7139.