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Local News Politics

County Exec. Hughes calls for answers, changes in wake of election challenges

TRENTON, N.J. — In the wake of numerous issues with voting and counting on Election Day, challenges that are still under investigation, Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes is calling for a thorough public review of what went wrong and a comprehensive overhaul of the elections process in Mercer County.

 

“After issues in the last two elections, I have come to the conclusion that we must fundamentally change the management of the election process in Mercer County because it is clearly not working,” the County Executive said.

 

“There are legal limits to what I can do as County Executive but rest assured that I will do everything within my power to ensure the integrity of elections in Mercer County and will tolerate nothing less.”

 

In Mercer County, three separate entities, the Board of Elections, the Superintendent of Elections, and the Office of the County Clerk each plays a role in elections. Board of Elections commissioners are appointed by the respective County Chairs of the Republican and Democratic Parties, the Superintendent of Elections is an appointee of the Governor, and the County Clerk is an elected position.

 

 “I am happy that Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami-Covello requested that the County Prosecutor look into the election. But we also need a more thorough and public review. We’ve got too many people in control and the quality of our elections has suffered as a result, undermining peoples’ faith in the democratic process,” Mr. Hughes said.

 

Moving forward, County Executive Hughes proposes the following:

  • Request a special meeting of the Commissioner Board to bring together the Clerk, Superintendent and Election Board Chair explain to the public what went wrong.
  • Reform and simplify our election process by merging and unifying the Office of the Superintendent and the Board into one, and having an experienced Executive Director oversee our elections.
  • Call on legislators to enact changes that will allow Mercer County to reform our system.
  • Pledge any county resources needed to ensure every vote is counted and help get to the bottom of what went wrong hasten and conclude investigation.

“I pledge to you that we will get to the bottom of this and that every vote will be counted,” Mr. Hughes said.

 

“I have listened to the people of Mercer County and have spoken with election officials, and we are committed to finding out how we can improve the election process and to prevent future incidents as the one on Election Day.”

 

In Mercer County, the Office of the County Executive does not supervise the Board, their offices, nor does it have jurisdiction. The board is responsible for selecting polling places, training board workers, receiving and counting vote-by-mail ballots, and counting and certifying provisional ballots. The Superintendent of Elections handles voter registration, renews registration records, investigates provisional ballots, and is the custodian of voting machines. The County Clerk designs and prints all election ballots, processes vote by mail applications, and officially certifies the election results.

 

CONTACT: Julie Willmot; jwillmot@mercercounty.org; 609-218-4314 mobile.

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Culture Lifestyle Local News Perks Sports & Gaming

Mercer Holiday Toy Drive under way

The Mercer County Park Commission and Hughes Administration’s annual Holiday Toy Drive is underway, and County Exec. Hughes encourages community-wide participation.

 

“If you are able, please join me in bringing a smile to the face of a child whose family might be struggling this holiday season,” — Mr. Hughes

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Education Healthcare Lifestyle Local News Science

New Study from a leading NJ Public Health program finds more media support for Gov. vaccine promotion in socially unstable nations

New report from TCNJ’s public health program finds surprising connection between social instability and government vaccine promotion in the media.

 

EWING, N.J. – With a recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Europe, there are fears of an upcoming virus-surge this winter. And due to lagging booster rate in the U.S., these signs spell trouble for the prospects of moving beyond the pandemic.

 

Amid grim predictions, a new study from public health students and faculty in the newly rebranded School of Nursing and Health Sciences (SNHS) at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) finds media outlets in socially unstable nations are more supportive of government vaccine efforts.

 

Senior student-author, Mia Gomes, Class of 2023, explains, “This cross-national study’s findings are surprising. Media in less socially stable (often developing) countries are notorious for often representing elite interests, but they appear to represent the interests of the most vulnerable in this instance, calling for more government intervention to reduce vaccine hesitancy.”

 

Peer-coauthors include Danielle Nicoletti, Jai Sookram, Jessica Farrell and Courtney Sacco, all of whom attend or graduated from The College of New Jersey.

 

Gomes, a public health student, presented the study, “Cross-national news coverage of vaccine hesitancy: Community structure theory, political instability, and privilege,” at the biannual April 2022 University of Kentucky Health Communication Conference in Lexington, KY—the oldest national health communication conference in the U.S.

 

Leaning on a Global Peace Index—a renowned measurement of national security and stability—the investigation compares media coverage across 19 nations and in every continent, ranging from Turkey to Thailand and Russia to Zambia. Overall, social instability is robustly connected to media coverage emphasizing more government responsibility for COVID-19 responses.

 

TCNJ Professor of Communication Studies and Public Health, and the paper’s scholar-coauthor, Dr. John C. Pollock, says, “Although relatively privileged countries buffered from economic uncertainty can be expected to support government efforts to help the less fortunate, in this case countries privileged by high levels of stock investment from other countries and with high female life expectancy surprisingly manifested less media support for government efforts to reduce vaccine hesitancy. These startling findings demonstrate the importance of original research to challenge conventional wisdom.”

 

TCNJ’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences’ Dean Carole Kenner explains, “This groundbreaking study suggests that people in more socially stable countries like the U.S. aren’t just confused about getting a booster shot, but they might not receive media encouragement to do so. Our pioneering students and faculty remain field-leaders in public health and the broader health sciences sector, and our School is proud to offer helpful insights to key decision-makers—locally and nationally.”

 

The School rebranded in 2022 to reflect its robust and diverse, cross-disciplinary health science curricula.

 

TCNJ’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences educates aspiring health professionals to become future leaders across the healthcare industry. Faculty work closely with local healthcare partners to provide students with applicative skills and foundational knowledge. The nationally acclaimed school is dedicated to preparing individuals—through programs in nursing, public health, exercise science and physical education teaching—for the many rewards of guiding people, communities, and populations toward improved health outcomes. The School is nationally recognized as aHealthy People 2030 Champion.

 

Contact Information

Crothers Consulting | info@crothersconsulting.co | (800) 831-3840

Source: TCNJ School of Nursing and Health Sciences

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Culture Local News Regulations & Security

Join Mercer County Veteran Services for their annual Veterans Expo

Mercer County Veteran Services, led by a veteran, Chief Medina Wilson, and the Trenton Branch of NAACP are supporting local veterans at the annual Veterans Expo, Thursday, Nov. 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mercer County Office Park, 1440 Parkside Ave., Ewing.

 

Admission is free, and Veterans will have the opportunity to enjoy raffles, food, entertainment, information, and more, and connect with other service members. Among the vendors and resources promised are:

 

  • Mercer Veteran Service for on the spot, DD214 request
  • County Connection
  • County Clerk’s Office
  • VA Vet Center
  • Rutgers Cooperative Extension
  • Mercer County Community College
  • Amazon
  • DMAVA
  • NAMI Mercer County Penn Medicine/Princeton Health
  • Greenwood Cemetery
  • Wegmans
  • Attitudes in Reverse (AIR)
  • Catholic Charities
  • USA Mortgage
  • Harkes Realty
  • Westin Hotels

 

To learn what goes on behind the scenes at Mercer County Veteran Services, led by Chief  Wilson, watch our video! 

Check out our other videos on the Mercer County, NJ YouTube Channel. 

 

Mercer County Veteran Service provides veterans and their families with a variety of supports, including assistance with VA claims, career fairs, transitional housing, and more. If you are in need of services, please visit the MCVS website here: Mercer County Veterans Services.

 

To learn more about the Mercer County Veterans Expo, please contact the organizers at (609) 989-6120

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Lifestyle Local News Travel & Leisure

Frontier at Trenton-Mercer marks 10 years of commercial service to Trenton region

Airline signals commitment to Mercer region

Trenton-Mercer Airport celebrated its 10-year partnership with ultra-low fare carrier Frontier Airlines at a spirited celebration at the terminal’s Sky Lounge at Ewing Restaurant, Thursday.

 

It was a joyous occasion featuring remarks by Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes, Frontier Vice President Daniel Shurz, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann, Mercer Commissioner Board Chair Nina Melker, and Princeton Mercer Chamber President Hal English, all who touted the economic importance of Trenton-Mercer Airport and endorsed the county’s proposal to build a new terminal to replace the functionally obsolete one.

 

Frontier, which is the only commercial airline offering scheduled service from Trenton, will carry its 6-millionth passenger from the airport later this month.

 

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Trenton-Mercer Airport and celebrate 10 years of operations together,” said Shurz. “In cooperation with the outstanding leadership at Mercer County and Trenton-Mercer Airport, we have established a highly successful commercial airline operation and look forward to continued growth together. We currently operate service to eight destinations from TTN and will continue to deliver ‘Low Fares Done Right’ to area residents.”

 

 

“This milestone is exciting for Mercer County and Trenton-Mercer Airport,” said County Executive Hughes. “Over the past decade, millions of passengers have discovered Trenton-Mercer Airport and have embraced us as a better alternative. We are proud of that designation and we look forward to Frontier Airlines’ continued success.”

Also highlighted at the event was the reveal of the airport’s new brand. Created by Oxford Communications, the new logo is among the ways the airport says “welcome back” to loyal airport users and invites new customers to try the airport, said Aaron T. Watson, Deputy Administrator who oversee Trenton-Mercer. Looking ahead, the airport will soon unveil a new user-friendly website.

 

Joining the speakers were Commissioner Lucylle Walter, Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli, County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello, Hopewell Borough Mayor Paul Anzano, members of the trades, local businesses, members of the Cheer Squad from The College of New Jersey, Trenton Thunder Mascot Boomer, Frontier Mascot Powder the Polar Bear, airport supporters, passengers and more.

 

Frontier currently offers service from Trenton to Orlando, Atlanta, Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham and Fort Myers (the latter four routes operate on a seasonal basis).

 

In conjunction with this special milestone, Frontier is offering fares from TTN starting at $39 per person. *For additional information, click here.

Categories
Culture Local News Politics

Most County government offices to close for Election Day

TRENTON, N.J. — Most Mercer County government offices and facilities will be closed Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in observance of Election Day.

 

The Mercer County Clerk’s Office, 209 South Broad St., will be closed for regular business on Election Day but will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. to perform election duties. Completed mail-in ballots can be delivered to the Mercer County Board of Elections, 930 Spruce St. in Lawrence (next to Trenton Farmers Market), until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

 

The following County facilities will remain open on Election Day: Trenton-Mercer Airport (except administrative offices), Correction Center, Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Services Communications Center. Also open for business will be four branches of the Mercer County Library system: Ewing, Hickory Corner, Lawrence Headquarters and West Windsor, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; all other branches will be closed.

 

The following Mercer County Park Commission facilities will be open on Election Day: Ice Skating Center, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for public skating; Tennis Center, 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; all five County golf courses, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Mercer County Stables, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Wildlife Center, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for patient drop-off, by appointment only. The Tulpehaking Nature Center, Howell Living History Farm and Park Commission administrative offices will be closed. For more information on Park Commission facilities, visit www.mercercountyparks.org.

Categories
Art & Life Culture Lifestyle Travel & Leisure

International artists exhibit at the Watchung Arts Center

The NJ Photography Forum opens its 28th Annual Photography Exhibit, Our Best, online and in person on Nov. 1, 2022. Seventy-five works by 44 artists were chosen for this year’s show from hundreds of entries which came from across the U.S and around the globe.

 

The show will remain available online until Jan. 15, 2023. The in-person exhibit will be on display at the Watchung Arts Center in Watchung, NJ from Nov. 2, through Dec. 10, 2022.

 

The link to access the exhibit:  New Jersey Photography Forum | 2022 International Photography Exhibit/Watchung Art Center/Nov. 1 – Nov. 20, 2022 (njphotoforum.com)

 

Nancy Ori, director of the Photography Forum and the curator of the exhibit was very enthusiastic about the response to the call for submissions and says, “the emotional impact of the pieces range from mysterious and thought provoking, to stunning black and whites and digitally enhanced pieces, to traditional and beautiful color works. The variety of creative ideas and processing techniques has produced an interesting show with many more pieces which we can accommodate because of the format of the show.”

The public is invited to attend an online conference via Zoom moderated by the curator to review the exhibit and hear from some of the artists on Nov. 12, 2022 from 3-5 p.m. eastern time. Contact Nancy Ori to get the link.

 

At the same time as the Our Best exhibit is in the Main Gallery of the Watchung Art Center, the New Jersey Photography Forum will also be showing The Best One, works by the members of the Forum’s Exhibit Committee in the more intimate downstairs gallery.

Both exhibits can be viewed during regular gallery hours. Visit the Watchung Arts Center website at: www.watchungarts.orgfor visitation requirements and times. Entrance is free at: 18 Stirling Rd. in Watchung, N.J. on the circle.

 

All the images will be for sale with a portion of the proceeds going to support the Watchung Arts Center.

 

         Three years ago, The New Jersey Photography Forum celebrated the 25th anniversary of its founding. The group is dedicated to furthering the interests of professional and serious photographers living or working in the Metro area. Under the direction of Nancy Ori, the NJPF has grown to be the largest and most recognized group of fine art exhibiting photographers in the state.

 The monthly meetings are currently held virtually using Zoom and will return to their regular in-person sessions at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey in Summit, when possible. Meeting attendees are encouraged to share expertise and advance their skills. At each meeting, member and guest photographers have an opportunity to share their work as well as have access to a wide variety of current creative and technical information through informal presentations and demonstrations. Exhibition possibilities within the fine art community are constantly being explored with the group producing as many as a dozen group exhibits each year at various venues. These opportunities have become an invaluable resource for Metro area photographers interested in becoming fine art exhibitors.

 

         The Watchung Arts Center offers new art exhibitions each month, performances of music, comedy, improv and classes for children and adults in art, photography, dance, yoga, and more. Visit their website at www.watchungarts.org.

 

         You can learn more about the New Jersey Photography Forum by visiting their web site at www.njphotoforum.com or by contacting Nancy Ori at nancyori@comcast.net

Categories
Environment Lifestyle Local News

Students and Faculty in leading NJ public health program study water overflow to reveal how climate change impacts socio-economic disparities

Public health students and faculty at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) reveal pathogens in water overflow in cities, an occurrence increasing due to climate change.

 

Public Health Prof Alexis Mraz working with studnents filtering water, STEM Building, April 6, 2022 (photo/ Aaron Wilson Watson).

‘’People, particularly those in lower-income homes who might not have access to air conditioning, utilize surface waters as a free way to cool off…’’

Dr. Alexis Mraz, Assistant Professor of Public Health at TCNJ

 

EWING, N.J. — With the devastation Hurricane Ian inflicted on Florida and other Southern U.S. states last month, conversations about how to deal with climate change are once again thrusted into the national conversation. While once-in-a-generation weather events become more frequent and severe, public health students and faculty in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences (SNHS) at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) reveal climate change’s effects on not just the environment, but on existing socio-economic disparities.

 

Spearheading this effort, Dr. Alexis Mraz, Assistant Professor of Public Health at TCNJ, explains, “As a result of global climate change, we are seeing an increase in both the frequency and the severity of heavy rainfall events that lead directly to combined sewer overflows (CSO). CSOs discharge untreated sewage to surface waters. People, particularly those in lower-income homes who might not have access to air conditioning, utilize surface waters as a free way to cool off, especially on very hot summer days… Therefore, any pathogens (bacteria, viruses or protozoa) in wastewater have the potential to encounter those recreating in the affected surface waters and make them sick.”

 

The student-faculty team takes samples from surface water in Philadelphia and Trenton, NJ to inform the investigation.

 

“Small environmental changes can have large impacts on people. Our goal is to help monitor those changes in order to help protect communities from illness, especially ones that do not have the resources to remove CSOs from old sewer systems that are polluting surface waters,” says TCNJ student Anthony Cuccurullo, Class of 2023. “While, ideally, there would be no combined sewage overflows discharged into surface waters, many communities do not have the resources to prevent it. Removing CSOs requires significant changes to sewer systems. Developing quick, affordable methods to quantify the risk of illness from recreating in surface waters allows these communities to better plan public health interventions and communication strategies.”

 

TCNJ’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences’ Dean Carole Kenner explains, “Our faculty-student partnerships like this one show how education can be used as a vehicle to affect real change in the real world. Our School is honored to support initiatives that address disparities in our surrounding communities.” The School rebranded in 2022 to reflect its robust and diverse, cross-disciplinary health science curricula.

 

TCNJ’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences educates aspiring health professionals to become future leaders across the healthcare industry. Faculty work closely with local healthcare partners to provide students with applicative skills and foundational knowledge. The nationally acclaimed school is dedicated to preparing individuals—through programs in nursing, public health, exercise science and physical education teaching—for the many rewards of guiding people, communities, and populations toward improved health outcomes. The School is nationally recognized as a Healthy People 2030 Champion.

Contact Information

Crothers Consulting | info@crothersconsulting.co | (800) 831-3840

Source: TCNJ School of Nursing and Health Sciences

Categories
Culture Lifestyle Local News

Eight Mercer County residents win honors at New Jersey Senior Citizen Art Show

TRENTON, N.J. — The 18 Mercer County residents participating in the 56th annual New Jersey Senior Citizen Art Show, held Sept. 23 through Oct. 27 at Meadow Lakes in East Windsor, took home eight awards, including four first-place honors.

 

Photo: David Potts of Hamilton (second from left), who took top honors in the Works on Paper category, stands with other Professional Division first-place winners from around the state at the 2022 New Jersey Senior Art Show awards ceremony. They are flanked by Mercer County Commissioners Lucylle Walter (left) and Nina Melker. (Photo by Sarita Wilson).

The awards were presented at a ceremony attended by more than 250 artists and art lovers earlier this month at The Boathouse at Mercer Lake in West Windsor. The exhibit and award winners may be viewed online at www.njseniorarts.com.

 

The New Jersey Senior Citizen Art Show is a project of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the Mercer County Division of Culture and Heritage. The artwork on display represented the first-place winners from individual county art shows held earlier this year.

 

“I commend all of the artists whose work was on display at the state show and thank them for sharing their artistic talent with us,” said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes.

 

Artists competed in 11 different mediums – acrylics, crafts, digital art, mixed media, oils, pastels, photography, prints, sculpture, watercolor and works on paper — in the Non-Professional or Professional divisions. All entries were original artworks created within the past three years. The 271 exhibiting artists representing 18 of New Jersey’s 21 counties ranged in age from 60 to 101.

 

The exhibit was juried by a three-person panel of professional artists who selected first-, second- and third-place winners and honorable mentions in each category. Best in Show/Professional was awarded to Lisa Hendrickson (Burlington County) for her mixed media entry, “Wary: Living with Scarcity,” and Best in Show/Non-Professional was awarded to Susan Lauricella of Middlesex County for her watercolor entry, “She is Fragile and Beautiful.”

 

The following Mercer County residents were New Jersey Senior Citizen Art Show winners:

1st Place Acrylic (Non-Pro)
Arcelio Brignoni of East Windsor for “Small Token”

1st Place Pastel (Non-Pro)
Vivienne Wingfield of Hopewell for “Hope Will Prevail”

1st Place Photography (Non-Pro)
William Boyles of West Windsor for “Plein Air 1776”

1st Place Works on Paper (Pro)
David Potts of Hamilton for “Peek-a-Boo!”

3rd Place Photography (Pro)
Maia Reim of West Windsor for “Dangling Conversation”

Honorable Mention Craft (Non-Pro)
Robin Levinson of Hamilton for “Polymer Clay Earrings”

Honorable Mention Craft (Pro)
Barry Hantman of Ewing for “Caribbean Blue”

Honorable Mention Works on Paper (Non-Pro) 
Susan Tsui of East Windsor for “Red Boat”

Categories
Culture Local News Politics

Mercer County Clerk offers early voting information and other election reminders

TRENTON, N.J. — As we near the 2022 General Election to be held on Nov. 8, Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello would like to remind voters that in-person early voting locations will be open Oct. 29 – Nov. 6.

 

Early voting allows an individual to vote on a voting machine at any of the locations listed below during this nine-day period. Early voting hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.  Accommodations will be made for voters with disabilities.

 

Early Voting Locations, Mercer County

TRENTON – Trenton Fire Department – 244 Perry St., Trenton NJ 08618*

HAMILTON – Colonial Fire Company – 801 Kuser Road, Hamilton NJ 08619*

LAWRENCE – Mercer County Lawrence Library – 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence NJ 08648

PENNINGTON – Pennington Fire Company – 120 Bromel Place, Pennington NJ 08534

PRINCETON – Princeton Shopping Center – Unit #260, 301 N. Harrison St., Princeton NJ 08540

EAST WINDSOR – Mercer County Hickory Corner Library – 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor NJ 08520

EWING – Mercer County Office Park – 1440 Parkside Ave., Ewing, NJ 08638

 

When seeking election information, know that the New Jersey Division of Elections (https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/) and the Mercer County election offices — the Clerk’s Office, the Board of Elections and the Superintendent of Elections — have the most up-to-date and verifiable information.

 

For new voters who wish to vote at the polls on Election Day, it is recommended that they verify their polling place by checking the poll address on their sample ballot as some locations have changed due to redistricting. To view the complete list of polling locations, click here.

 

How can I track the progress of my ballot?

Voters can visit https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/vote-track-my-ballot.shtml to see the progress of their mail-in ballots. If you do not already have a “My Voter Record” account, you will need to set up an account here. This website allows voters to see if their ballot has been received, rejected or accepted by the Board of Elections. It will show you the date mailed and date received back to the Board of Elections. However, the “Track My Ballot” tool is not updated with final information, as to whether a ballot was counted or rejected, until after the election is certified.

 

Ballots can be rejected for a number of reasons, the most prevalent being a missing or non-matching signature. Some Mercer County voters will receive letters from the Mercer County Board of Elections over the coming weeks to advise them of signature deficiencies in their Vote-by-Mail ballots. Under New Jersey State law, a voter who receives a “cure” letter has the opportunity to update his or her signature in order for his/her vote to be counted in the Nov. 8 General Election. “Cure” letters will be accepted untilNov. 17. A missing or non-matching signature is the only reason, by law, that a ballot can be “cured” and then counted. For more information on cure ballots, please call the Mercer  Board of Elections at609-989-6522.

 

On Election evening, results will be available for everyone who wants to view them at https://www.mercercounty.org/government/county-clerk/

 

For additional information regarding the 2022 General Election, please visit the Mercer County Clerk’s websitehereor call609-989-6494 or 609-6495.To reach the Board of Elections, please call609-989-6522or visithttps://www.mercercounty.org/boards-commissions/board-of-elections

 

*The Trenton and Hamilton locations have changed since 2021. Also, there is no longer a location in West Windsor.*