Most Mercer County government offices and facilities will be closed Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, 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 4 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
Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes invites county residents, businesses and civic groups to join Mercer County employees in their annual Holiday Toy Drive.
Toys can be dropped off at a number of convenient locations around the county, and the Mercer County Park Commission will ensure your gift goes directly to a deserving area child.
“The holidays are upon us, and as you shop for your friends and family, I encourage you to consider adding to your list a gift for a child whose family might be struggling at this time of year,” Mr. Hughes said.
“Even the smallest or simplest item can bring a smile to a child’s face, so let’s make this year’s collection bigger than ever.”
TRENTON, N.J. — The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce (NJCC) are pleased to announce that Wilbur C. Milhouse III, Chairman and CEO of Milhouse Engineering & Construction, Inc., will be a featured speaker at the 2023 DEI Trailblazer Awards.
Milhouse, an award-winning entrepreneur with more than 30 years of diversified civil and structural engineering experience, has transformed his expertise into a global enterprise that has garnered national attention.
His passion for community advancement led to the co-founding of Milhouse Charities in 2012, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting academic achievements and opportunities for minorities and underrepresented youth by supporting STEM-focused initiatives.
“It is an honor to have the leader of the largest Black-owned engineering design firm in the United States speak at the DEI Trailblazer Awards ceremony,” comment John E. Harmon Sr., IOM, AACCNJ’s Founder, President, and CEO. “This is a special treat for our guests.”
This year’s DEI Trailblazer Awards event marks the second annual ceremony co-hosted by AACCNJ and NJCC. It is dedicated to recognizing companies and organizations that are making noteworthy progress in the crucial domains of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Specifically, the DEI Trailblazer Awards acknowledge outstanding achievements in six distinct categories:
Supplier Diversity: Recognizing businesses committed to diverse contracting for goods and services.
Access to Capital: Commending businesses supporting enhanced access to capital for historically marginalized enterprises and entrepreneurs.
Corporate Board Diversity: Celebrating businesses with diverse board compositions that reflect underrepresented communities.
Workforce Diversity: Honoring businesses that exhibit a strong commitment to diversifying their staff through comprehensive recruiting, hiring, and retention efforts.
Corporate Citizenship: Recognizing businesses with a significant commitment to philanthropy and community engagement, with a focus on historically marginalized communities.
Emerging DEI Influencer: Applauding businesses in the early stages of DEI implementation, demonstrating intentionality across the above categories.
The 2023 nominees include AmeriHealth; Bank of America; Bridge Builders Newark, LLC; CannPowerment; The Ceceilyn Miller Institute for Leadership & Diversity; Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi P.C.; Cole Schotz; Delta Dental of New Jersey; Gibbons P.C.; Hackensack Meridian Health; Johnson & Johnson; Lockerbie & Co.; Modivcare; New Jersey Institute of Technology; Phillips 66-Bayway Refinery; PSEG; Santander US; Somerset County Business Partnership; Tené Nícole Creative Agency; UnitedHealth Group; and We Are Jersey.
The DEI Trailblazer Awards ceremony promises to be an inspiring event. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to hear from Milhouse and other esteemed leaders as we celebrate the nominees and reveal the 2023 awardees. The awards reception will take place at the Olde Mill Inn in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, on Monday, November 20, 2023, 5-8 p.m. For more information about the DEI Trailblazer Awards and to register for the event, please visit: https://njchamber.com/events/dei-trailblazer-awards
The first phase of development of a new passive-recreation Mercer County park began Nov. 1, with the dredging of the 50-acre lake at what is known as Dam Site 21.
Located in Hamilton, Robbinsville, and West Windsor, the 279-acre property was acquired by Mercer County in the late 1970s in order to build a dam to reduce downstream flooding and to develop the land into a publicly accessible park. The dredging will rid the lake bed of weeds, debris and sediment that has built up over the years, and improve access for boating and fishing.
“One of our longstanding goals was to take this diamond in the rough and create a gem of a park, and I’m thrilled that the Mercer County Park Commission’s plan is advancing,” said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes.
The lake improvements are part of a larger Park Master Plan for the site, which was adopted by the Mercer County Park Commission in 2020. “The goal of our Master Plan is to make the largely hidden public site more accessible to County residents,” said Mercer County Park Commission Executive Director Aaron T. Watson. “But the first step in implementing our plan is to improve the lake’s flood capacity, water quality, wildlife habitat, and accessibility.”
After four years of planning, design, and permitting, the Park Commission recently awarded a contract to Capela Construction, which will begin lowering the lake and complete the dredging over the winter. During the course of this cleanup, there will be no public access to the lake area until the project is complete.
The larger Master Plan for Dam Site 21 calls for trails, parking and other park visitor facilities, and the conversion of farm fields into new natural areas for birds and other wildlife. When complete, the site’s natural features will be augmented through the establishment of up to 34 acres of new forest, which will contain an estimated 14,000 new trees, and 64 acres of new native meadows.
The Master Plan for the site, developed with Simone Collins Landscape Architecture and Princeton Hydro, was awarded the 2021 Chapter Award from the New Jersey Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects.
Residents are asked to be alert and watch for black bears as the bears forage for food ahead of their winter den season.
Though most of New Jersey’s black bears live in the northwest portion of the state, black bears have been sighted in all 21 counties.
Please take steps to secure trash cans and other potential sources of food.
Bears that find food in residential neighborhoods may learn to associate people with food. These bears may then become nuisances that cause property damage, seek handouts from people, or become dangerous. Intentionally feeding bears is illegal in New Jersey and carries a fine of up to $1,000.
Report black bear damage or aggressive bears to your local police department or to NJ Fish & Wildlife by calling 1-877-927-6337. Find more safety tips and information at the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
EWING, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (NYSE:CHD) today reported that its Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of twenty seven and one quarter ($0.2725) cents per share.
This quarterly dividend will be payable December 1, 2023 to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 15, 2023. It is the Company’s 491st regular consecutive quarterly dividend.
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. manufactures and markets a wide range of personal care, household and specialty products, under the Arm & Hammer brand name and other well-known trademarks.
TRENTON, NJ – The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce are excited to announce the nominees for the 2023 DEI Trailblazer Awards.
This event, now in its second year, aims to recognize companies and organizations that are making substantial strides in the areas of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The awards reception, which celebrates these nominees and awardees, will take place on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, at the Old Mill Inn in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, from 5-8 p.m.
The DEI Trailblazer Awards feature six distinct categories, each acknowledging a specific aspect of DEI commitment:
Supplier Diversity: Recognizing businesses that prioritize contracting with diverse enterprises for goods and services.
Access to Capital: Acknowledging businesses that actively work to enhance access to capital for historically marginalized businesses and entrepreneurs.
Corporate Board Diversity: Celebrating businesses with board compositions that reflect individuals from historically underrepresented communities.
Workforce Diversity: Commending businesses that demonstrate a commitment to diversity within their staff through comprehensive recruiting, hiring, and retention efforts.
Corporate Citizenship: Honoring businesses that engage in philanthropy and community engagement efforts, particularly benefiting historically marginalized communities.
Emerging DEI Influencer: Recognizing businesses in the early stages of implementing intentional efforts across the above categories.
The 2023 DEI Trailblazer Awards nominees are:
AmeriHealth
Bank of America
Bridge Builders Newark, LLC
CannPowerment
The Ceceilyn Miller Institute for Leadership & Diversity
Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC
Cole Schotz
Delta Dental of New Jersey
Gibbons P.C.
Hackensack Meridian Health
Johnson & Johnson
Lockerbie & Co.
Modivcare
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Phillips 66-Bayway Refinery
PSEG
Santander US
Somerset County Business Partnership
Tené Nícole Creative Agency
UnitedHealth Group
We Are Jersey
The awardees for 2023 will be revealed during the awards reception on Monday, Nov. 20.
“As we unveil the remarkable nominees for the 2023 DEI Trailblazer Awards, we are inspired by the dedication of these organizations to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. They are setting a strong example for all of us,” remarked AACCNJ Founder, President, and CEO John E. Harmon Sr., IOM. “I invite everyone to join us at the awards reception, where we will celebrate the achievements of these nominees and unveil the awardees. Your presence at this event is not just a testament to your support for DEI but also a commitment to fostering a more inclusive business landscape. Together, we can make a significant impact in the pursuit of equity and diversity in our communities.”
“The success of our inaugural DEI Trailblazer Awards left a lasting impact, but this year’s event promises to build on that legacy in even more profound ways. It’s inspiring to see organizations across New Jersey making substantial strides in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” added New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas Bracken. “We encourage everyone to be a part of this remarkable journey by attending the awards reception. Your presence will not only celebrate the achievements of our nominees but also propel us toward a more inclusive and equitable business environment. Together, we can continue to shape a future that reflects the values of diversity and equality.”
Notably, last year’s event featured the following nominees:
Abitronix, LLC
American Water Works
Back Thru the Future
Bestwork Industries for the Blind, Inc.
Curio Wellness/Far & Dotter
HelloFresh
Joseph Jingoli & Son, Inc.
Lyft
Mental Health Association in New Jersey
Phillips 66-Bayway Refinery
PMO Solution Pro, LLC
Princeton Area Community Foundation
Quality Dental School of Technology, Inc.
Somerset County Business Partnership
Target International Shipping Inc.
Truist Bank
Valley Bank
The 2022 awardees included Burns & McDonnell for Supplier Diversity, Union County Economic Development Council for Access to Capital, Columbia Bank for Corporate Board Diversity, Hackensack Meridian Health for Workforce Diversity, Gibbons P.C. for Corporate Citizenship, and Provident Bank for Emerging DEI Influencer.
About the African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) performs an essential role in the economic viability of New Jersey. While providing a platform for New Jersey’s African American business leaders to speak with a collective voice, the AACCNJ advocates and promotes economic diversity fostering a climate of business growth through major initiatives centering on education and public policy. The AACCNJ is a proactive advocacy group with a 501(c)(3) tax exemption, as is the National Black Chamber of Commerce, with which the AACCNJ is affiliated.
About the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce is a business advocacy association based in Trenton that lobbies key stakeholders for legislation and policies designed to make New Jersey a desirable state to operate a business and establish good-paying jobs. Chamber member companies receive exclusive invitations to events that offer valuable networking and educational opportunities. Additionally, the Chamber regularly disseminates legislative updates, industry insights, and employer-related news critical to conducting business in New Jersey. The organization unites local and regional chambers of commerce across the state to address significant business issues. The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation is committed to equipping New Jersey’s future workforce with the essential skills required for success in both college and employment.
TRENTON, N.J. — As we near the 2023 General Election, which will be held on Nov. 7, Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello reminds voters that in-person early voting locations will be open Oct. 28 – Nov. 5.
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 Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Accommodations will be made for voters with disabilities.
Early Voting Locations, Mercer County
Mercer County Library, Hickory Corner Branch – 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor, NJ 08520
Mercer County Office Park – 1440 Parkside Ave, Ewing, NJ 08638
Colonial Firehouse Company – 801 Kuser Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619
Mercer County Library, Lawrence Headquarters Branch – 2751 Brunswick Pike (at Darrah Lane), Lawrence, NJ 08648
Pennington Fire Company – 120 Broemel Place, Pennington, NJ 08534
Princeton Shopping Center (Around back on the left side) – 300 N Harrison Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
Trenton Firehouse Headquarters – 244 Perry Street, Trenton, NJ 08618
When seeking election information, the Mercer County election offices — the Clerk’s Office, the Board of Elections led by Chairwoman Jill Moyer, and the Superintendent of Elections Office led by Walker M. Worthy Jr. — have the most up-to-date and verifiable information. You can find all of the County Election Office websites at www.mercercounty.org.
People voting early at the Mercer County Library in East Windsor, NJ on Oct. 30, 2022. [Daniella Heminghaus]
TRENTON, N.J. — With the vote by mail ballots now mailed to the voters in Mercer County, Mercer County’s Election Officials, Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello, Mercer County Superintendent of Elections, Walker M. Worthy, Jr., and Mercer Board of Elections Commissioners, are now preparing voters for Election Day and announcing new processes and features being offered on Election Day, Nov. 7, 2023.
They announced on Friday that Mercer County will be using new voting machines with a verifiable paper trail in every voting district in Mercer County on Election Day. These voting machines are similar to those already used by Mercer County during early voting, and were purchased by Mercer County from Dominion Voting Systems, a State-certified voting machine manufacturer. They allow voters to use a touch screen device to print out ballot selections which they will then scan into the voting machine.
The three Mercer County election offices, led by Worthy, Sollami Covello and Chairwoman Jill Moyer announced that the new voting machines were part of Mercer County’s plan to address and resolve and prevent problems in ballot processing and tabulation that arose during last year’s November General election.
Pictured left to right: Board of Election Commissioner Martin Jennings, Esq., Superintendent of Elections Walker M. Worthy, Jr., County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello, and Board of Elections Chairwoman Jill Moyer
Mercer County has taken four concrete steps to make voting easier and to make the voting procedures consistent whether a voter chooses to vote early or on Election Day.
The steps taken by Mercer County to avoid future election problems are as follows:
1) The County has purchased new voting machines to avoid the transport of paper ballots to polling locations. While paper ballots will still be transported back to the Board of Elections at the end of an election as a back-up, they will not to be pre-printed and transported to the polls by poll-workers. This will be less overwhelming to poll workers and more secure overall.
2) The County learned that the ballots used in testing were pre-marked ballots created and generated by Dominion’s own program, instead of testing the actual ballots being used by voters on election day. That will no longer happen. Testing is being done on the actual ballots voters will use on Election Day and they will make sure they scan properly into the voting machines.
3) Dominion has assured the County that Mercer will have proper personnel and procedures in place to avoid any future problems. Dominion will also provide on-site assistance on Election Day.
4) The County Board of Elections is currently training poll-workers to ensure they are well-prepared to use the new voting machines and are familiar with how to secure ballots in their custody. The Board of Elections also added enhanced training classes, refresher classes, and online quizzes for poll workers to ensure that they are well prepared for any difficulty that might arise.
The Mercer County Commissioners, the County Executive and his staff, along with County election officials chose the Dominion ICX machine from among several N.J. State certified voting machines because they are easy to use, have a paper back-up, and do not read from a bar code.
They allow a voter to enlarge the voting screen font by touch, or to pull up the ballot in English or Spanish. And, additional languages can be easily added with population changes. Voters who prefer to hand-mark their ballots can print a blank paper ballot and use a black pen or marker.
Additionally, the new machines offer privacy sides and privacy curtains to protect voter confidentiality. The new machines are also equipped with lockable steel doors on both sides of each unit, which offer additional security when not in use. On top of this, we have purchased new asset-tracking software and made other internal changes to prepare for the use of new voting machines and for the future.
County officials held several public hearings over the past year, and received feedback from voters following last year’s election stating that they did not like using markers to vote and they did not think that the paper ballots were well-secured at the polling locations among their complaints.
The elections official are pleased to be able to say Mercer County has delivered on what advocacy groups have sought in its voting machines for many years by providing a paper trail and implementing the aforementioned initiatives.
If a voter wishes to obtain further information on the upcoming election, please visit www.mercercounty.org which contains the websites for all three offices.
TRENTON, NJ – The African American Chamber of Commerce New Jersey’s (AACCNJ) Mobile Academy is pleased to announce the formation of the AACCNJ Entrepreneur Academy.
This eight-part program is tailored to empower new entrepreneurs and those considering business ownership by equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their ventures. All classes will be free of charge, facilitated by seasoned entrepreneurs and consultants, and held in-person at Mill One located at 1 N. Johnston Ave., Hamilton, NJ.
“We are excited to offer this opportunity to aspiring entrepreneurs in New Jersey,” said John E. Harmon Sr., IOM, Founder, President and CEO of AACCNJ.
“The AACCNJ Entrepreneur Academy empowers individuals from all backgrounds to take the next step toward realizing their dreams of self-sufficiency and generational wealth creation. By providing this program at no cost, we aim to remove barriers and ensure that all interested individuals have the chance to participate.”
The AACCNJ Entrepreneur Academy will cover a wide range of topics crucial to entrepreneurial success, including:
ABCs of Starting a Small Business
Writing a Business Plan/QuickBooks
Goal Setting
Marketing Your Business
5 Cs of Credit/Access to Capital
Accounting Do’s and Don’ts and Taxes
Networking 101
Excellent Customer Service
How to Obtain MBE or WMBE Certifications
The academy is a testament to AACCNJ’s ongoing commitment to fostering economic growth and equity in disadvantaged communities. This initiative aligns with AACCNJ’s mission to provide resources, opportunities, and information to individuals looking to make a meaningful impact in the business world.
About the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) performs an essential role in the economic viability of New Jersey. While providing a platform for New Jersey’s African American business leaders to speak with a collective voice, the AACCNJ advocates and promotes economic diversity fostering a climate of business growth through major initiatives centered on education and public policy. The AACCNJ serves as a proactive advocacy group and holds a 501(c)(3) tax exemption, as does the National Black Chamber of Commerce, with which the AACCNJ is affiliated.
Click here to be considered for the academy’s inaugural cohort. For any inquiries or assistance, please send an email to mobileacademy@aaccnj.com.
