Courage to Connect

admin | May 31, 2011 - 50 weeks 5 days
Courage to Connect

Courage to Connect NJ Forum
 June 8th at Rutherford Boro Hall
hosted by the Rutherford Community/Quality of Life Committee
 

Where:
Rutherford Boro Hall
Council Chambers - 2nd Floor
176 Park Ave
Rutherford, NJ 07070
Please enter through the side door off the small parking lot on Donaldson Avenue.

 
When:
Wednesday June 8, 2011 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
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What is Courage to Connect NJ?
Courage to Connect NJ is a non-profit 501c3 non-partisan organization whose purpose is to educate the public about the impact of "Home Rule", provide venues for public engagement and present a model connecting communities' administrative structures.
 
For more information, visit www.couragetoconnectnj.org.
 
Are you interested in learning more about the benefits of consolidation for Bergen County?
 
The mission of Courage to Connect NJ Bergen County Chapter is to engage, enlighten and energize Bergen County residents to consider implementing the consolidation of the administrative structures of its communities.
 
Courage to Connect NJ Founder and Executive Director, Gina Genovese will provide a fresh perspective on the longstanding effect of "Home Rule" and how Bergen County residents can have a positive impact on the future of their municipal government.
 
 
Join us for this interesting and informational event!  Registration is free and easy!  Just click on the link below.
Register Now!
If you can't attend but would like to find out how to host an event in your neighborhood, contact us at wendyworden@couragetoconnectnj.org.
 
Thank you and we hope to see you on June 8th at Rutherford Boro Hall.
 
Sincerely,
Courage to Connect NJ Bergen County
Board of Directors
Roberta Sonenfeld, Co-Chair
Wendy Worden, Co-Chair
Lynne Algrant
Sharon Goldstein
Andrew Gullestad
David Warshaw
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Courage to Connect

Future of Rutherford

David Pasquale | March 30, 2011 - 1 year 7 weeks
Future of Rutherford

Question:  What are you most concerned about when looking to the future of the Borough?  How would you propose to address these concerns?

In addressing this difficult question, the majority of respondents (87.5%) cited two issues as primary in their concern for the future of the Borough.  They are as follows:

  • The prevailing disputatious nature of our elected officials.
  • Better (i.e., more effective) use of our escalating tax dollars.

Concerning the former, respondents were particularly specific about the need to end pervasive in-fighting.  62% of those responding indicated that a genuine, concerted effort is needed to develop a comprehensive plan that puts the Borough - and its continued well being - above partisan politics and personal ego.  Respondents agreed that making difficult decisions would not be easy.  But given the Boroughs precarious financial situation, decisions must be made, and made without regard to personal preference and party politics.

The concern over taxes drew less specific, more general concerns.  Chief among these was the concern on the part of 67% of the respondents that more seems to produce less in terms of community and social services available to residents.  The very aspects of the Borough's quality of life that make it so appealing are now in danger of disappearing.  Once again, respondents overwhelmingly expressed their concern over the continued lack of leadership on the part of our elected office in making the kinds of decisions that will help contain the escalating costs that are so detrimental to the future of the Borough.

It should be noted, however, that 100% of our respondents remain positive about the Borough and expressed pride in  its level of quality of life.  However, 96% of those who participated felt that serious changes must be made as soon as possible, and 58% expressed the desire for a more responsive Mayor and Council.  

Obviously the road to the future is not an easy one, but should everyone be willing to forebear, sacrifice and cooperate we can work to save what makes our Borough so uniquely livable. 

 

Would you like to get involved in the Rutherford community? If so, How?

admin | September 5, 2010 - 1 year 36 weeks
Would you like to get involved in the Rutherford community? If so, How?

 Following are the results to the question: “Would you like to get involved in the Rutherford community? If so, How?”  This question is one of several found in the Rutherford Community Questionnaire.

 

Rough Statistics

About 50 % of the respondents answered this question.

About 33% of the respondents answered positively, of which 18% said they would like to get involved and 14% said the are currently involved.

About 11.5% answered negatively of which 4% gave age as a reason.

 

Areas of Voluntary Service

It bodes well that a third of the respondents either are willing to get involved or are currently involved in the community.

Those who are already involved cover a wide area of voluntary services: 

  • PTA
  • Girl Scouts
  • Little League
  • Recreation Department
  • Kip Center
  • Womans' Club
  • Garden Club
  • Assemble the jungle gym at Memorial Field
  • Friends of the Library
  • Community Chest

 

Stepping up to the Plate

One respondent “would love to see others step up to the plate and get involved. . . but for the good of the Rutherford community, not as a stepping stone to further personal agendas...”

Some of the ways in which respondents would like to get involved are:

  • Offer knowledge in stats and research methods
  • Volunteer time and effort in community events
  • advocate for existing progressive projects and trees
  • Run for Board of Education office
  • organize a recreation tennis team
  • Do something with library or parks
  • open a business on Park Avenue
  • Make Rutherford green
  • keep Rutherford clean
  • work with the Community Garden

 

Declining to Participate

Those respondents who declined to get involved in the community said simply “no”, “too many responsibilities”, or “not my job”. Others who may want to get involved declined due to being “too old” or of “advanced age”. 

 What if those currently involved in the community or those looking to get involved worked with these elders so that their advanced age would not serve as a barrier to their participation?

Responses to the Rutherford Community Questionnaire to be Published

Tom Sherlock | September 5, 2010 - 1 year 36 weeks
Responses to the Rutherford Community Questionnaire to be Published

Starting in September we began to publish the results of the first Rutherford Community Questionnaire.  However, as with the best laid plans, life has a way of getting in the way, delaying further publication of the results.  Expect the result of questions three and four (as listed below) to be published in December and January.

 

Month Question
September

Would you like to get involved in the Rutherford community? If so, how?
December

What are you most concerned about when looking to the future of the Borough? How would you propose to address these concerns?
January

What are the best qualities that contribute to Rutherford's community life?
February

In an effort to support a better quality of life, what additional activities, organizations, or events would you suggest?
March

What needs the most improvement in our community?
April

What does the Borough offer that makes it unique from any other place you have lived?
May

What else would you like to share with us?
June

What does the term “community” mean to you?

 

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