Publications
Honoring Our Mothers
By Mayor Al Morgan
Read article on page 10: https://issuu.com/suburbanchambers/docs/collection_mothers_day-22_web_issue
Large Crowd Celebrates the Reopening of the DeCorso Center in New Providence
NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – Mayor Al Morgan, Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis, New Providence elected officials, along with many community leaders were on site for the DeCorso Community Center’s “Grand Reopening” nearly a year since Tropical Storm Ida caused significant water damage to the facility.
Speaking in a room of over 100 attendees, Mayor Morgan exclaimed, “Welcome back,” and was quickly met with applause and cheers. “This senior center is such a big part of this community, you built this community, and we are happy to have you back,” he said.
“It looks terrific, I have seen the art room, and it looks beautiful,” said Linda Howe. Adding, “I live around the block I hope to be here often if they get exercise classes going again.”
Christine Maletano expressed joy, but also reflected on the path to the reopening, stating, “for us, this center has been closed since March 2020,“ due to the pandemic. “We lost a lot of members, it’s very bittersweet to be coming back here, but I am so glad.”
Allison Smith, Director of Community Activities, said the center suffered severe damage from floor to ceiling. “All the floors needed to be replaced, walls were cut four feet up and replaced all the way around; new paint, new ceiling, we had to replace everything,” she said.
During the time the center was under the repair, seniors temporarily resumed their activities in the municipal center. “Allison and the whole Recreational Department have been fabulous having us over, it’s been wonderful,” said Michelle Zack, Senior Center Coordinator.
Zack and Arthi Shri Selvaraj, Senior Center Program Coordinator, came up with a list of activities the seniors enjoyed most, and designed the new and improved space to accommodate the activities. Some changes include the flex room, which was previously a storage room and is now being used as a fitness room and possibly a rec room. The room directly adjacent to the great room, which was previously never used will be used as the treasurer’s office as well as a place for book club, knitting club, discussion, and small gatherings. The previous fitness space is now being used as the art room and is filled with art created by seniors.
The DeCorso Community Center is located at 15 East Fourth Street, New Providence. To reach the DeCorso Community Center, please call (908) 665-0046 or e-mail decorsocenter@newprov.us.
Reopening of New Providence Celebrated
Zumbini with Allie Celebrates Grand Opening with Ribbon Cutting
NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – Sing, Dance, Play, and Learn at New Providence’s newly opened Zumbini with Allie.
Allie Lasota opened this new spot to be the destination for families in the greater New Providence area relating to children’s music entertainment and provide the “best” experience in music and dance starting at infancy through adolescence in a safe and energetic environment.
Lasota and her family celebrated the grand opening of her new studio with a ribbon cutting ceremony along with Mayor Al Morgan, Councilwoman Diane Bilicska, and Michele Elefante and Cindy Reis representing the New Providence Business Community.
“Welcome to the New Providence community,” said Mayor Al after he cut the ceremonial ribbon. “There is no other facility like this in New Providence. We’re very gratified that you are here.”
Lasota started her business after having her daughter and moving to New Providence where she quickly brainstormed and researched different music and theater programs. She found the Zumbini LLC Franchise and began offering weekday classes, after school classes, and birthday parties. She had a vision of owning a studio and has reached that goal by opening Zumbini with Allie, a children’s music and dance studio.
“I love what I do, and I think my passion really shows,” said Lasota. “I put a lot of love into this studio and believe our community and children really need a place like this to explore.”
Continue readingNew Providence 4th Annual Race Unity Day Set for June 25
NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – The members of the Diversity Committee attended the Tuesday, April 12 council meeting to request the use of Centennial Park on June 25 for the 4th Annual Race Unity Day. New Providence High School students are leading the event and it is sponsored by the Diversity Committee.
This is the second year in a row that youth leaders are taking the reigns of organizing the event, Diversity Committee Sunil Abrol said. The goal of the event is to bring various cultures together and promote diversity. The program includes a series of dance and song performances representing different cultures. Discussion series are also offered and attendees can go around to different booths to learn about various groups or attend activities.
The event will run from 1 pm to 4 pm. The council unanimously approved the group’s request to use Centennial Park. “We look forward to attending,” Mayor Al Morgan said.
New Providence Council Celebrates Winning Hockey and Basketball Teams; Recognizes Public Safety Telecommunicators
NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – It was a proud moment for Mayor Al Morgan and the Borough Council as they recognized the Governor Livingston/New Providence Ice Hockey and New Providence High School Girls Basketball Teams at the Tuesday, April 12 meeting. They also recognized the National Public Safety Telecommunicator’s Week of April 10-16.
The ice hockey team won the Group C State Championship Game vs. Morris Knolls at the Prudential Center on March 7. This year marked the sixth season of New Providence High School ice hockey players participating with their peers from the Governor Livingston High School. The team finished with an impressive 18-6-1 record. Previously, the team earned conference championships in 2017 and 2021.
The mayor and council also honored Head Coach Michael Criscitello for being named the State Ice Hockey Coach of the Year by NJ.com. Criscitello has been with the joint GL/NP hockey team for its entire existence, the first two years as an assistant coach. He was recently appointed Assistant Principal of the New Providence Middle School and will not continue his coaching career next season.
The New Providence Girls Basketball team won the Union County Championship game by topping the defending county champion Westfield High School at Kean University on February 26. This marked the team’s first county championship in 32 years and it is the New Providence High School’s 13th county championship in all sports. The team finished the season ranked 11th in the entire state by NJ.com.
The proclamation honoring the National Public Safety Telecommunicator’s Week noted that emergencies can occur at any time that require police, fire or emergency medical services and when an emergency occurs the prompt response of law enforcement, firefighters and EMS personnel is critical to the protection of life and preservation of property. “The safety of our police officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel is dependent upon the quality and accuracy of information obtained from citizens who telephone the Mountain Valley Emergency Communications Center,” Morgan read. According to the proclamation “the Public Safety Telecommunicators of the Mountain Valley Emergency Communications Center have contributed substantially to the apprehension of criminals, suppression of fires and treatment of patients,” and that “each dispatcher has exhibited compassion, understanding and professionalism during the performance of their job in the past year.”
The New Providence Republican Committee Proudly Endorses Mayor Al Morgan, Councilwoman Diane Bilicska, and Council-Candidate Alex Kogan for New Providence Borough Council
The New Providence Republican Committee
The New Providence Republican Committee (NPRC) is proud to announce our endorsement and full support for the re-election of our good mayor, Mayor Al Morgan of New Providence, Councilwoman Diane Bilicska, and Council-Candidate Alex Kogan for New Providence Borough Council this November 2022. These three outstanding, diversely experienced, and highly qualified candidates embrace the values and honor our proud New Providence tradition of excellence and have extensive dedicated loyal service to our community.
Mayor Al Morgan is a man of the people with a solid record of Proven Leadership. A lifelong New Providence resident, Mayor Al’s passion and commitment to community, helping people, public safety, prudent financial standards, and strong leadership skills have always guided his every step as Mayor. Through every crisis, through every storm, and all throughout the pandemic, Mayor Al is always right there, sleeves rolled up, always fully engaged, always working to help make things better, always trying to bring people together, always protecting and promoting our community in everything he does, and always putting New Providence first. Ensuring safety, building a welcoming and inclusive community, preserving our small hometown look and feel, our quality of life, broadening our business and economic growth, keeping costs down and promoting growth and innovation is Mayor Al’s top priority. Mayor Al also works closely with our state, county, and local legislators continually advocating for our community. Under Mayor Al’s leadership, implementation and maintenance of our long term financial program has resulted in New Providence’s AAA bond rating and stabilized tax rates while increasing productivity through shared services and lower operating costs. His contributions to New Providence are tremendous. Mayor Al’s strength is not only his natural ability to listen, connect, and work well with people, but his strong leadership ability. Mayor Al’s spirit, consensus building, encouraging neighbors helping neighbors, and always working for the greater good, has become synonymous with all that New Providence stands for: A Nice Place to live with Nice People.
Continue reading‘Chat With Mayor’ Resumes Friday, April 1
Office of the Mayor of New Providence
