Mayor John Thoms of New Providence speaks at the Suburban Chamber in Summit

Posted by Denise Broesler

Mayor John Thoms spoke at the first Friday meeting for the Suburban Chamber this past Friday, April 6th.

I've taken some notes about his speech:

The Mayor recognized Joe Spillazzo, one of the 4 police auxiliary members that go on to become dispatchers and police officers.

The reason Mayor Thoms became mayor is because he wants to work to make a difference in this world.

His vision for New Providence:

-He's proud of downtown improvements - they've done new sidewalks, lighting, park benches; took 8 years to plan this.
-One of the last things was park benches - question was which way to face - some benches face street and some face the stores - compromise was the answer.
-He hopes to have a 45,000 square foot supermarket (most likely a Superfresh A&P) in 2008 that will be more of a colonial type facade. The burough wants a consistent design.
-They are working on a shared shopping area with Village Shopping Center. They want it to become a business friendly community.
-For South Street - Starbucks in negotiation but no lease signed yet.
-In early June they will have a farmer's market near Borough Hall on Wednesdays to generate activity.

Problems:

-Post office - moving but cannot find home in downtown - any ideas? June the post office will be displaced and may be in a trailer.
-There are 12,000 residents in New Providence sports. This puts a stress on the athletic facilities.
-They are looking at turfing fields in the near future.
-There will be lights in the tennis courts and they will be running tennis leagues (night included).

Why should New Providence go green? To foster environmental awareness:

-water mangement
-landscaping
-cutting trees
-organic environmental board
-we're working on shade tree committee

Property Taxes:

-Will go up 5.8%
-We have Community Tax Appeals this year - without this tax increase would be less than 3%.
-Property values have increased
-Equalized valuation ratio says commercial in step with residential. The ratio is now out of wack because appropriation of residents has grown up.
-There have been $40 million of assets on the books due to appeals
Properties should be valued at what they are worth, not compared to other properties.

Karate World Offers Kickboxing For Professionals

Karate World - Black Belt Academy of New Providence now offers a unique and innovative kickboxing program for men and women. Evening and weekend classes are offered to fit the busy schedules of today's professional community. The classes focus on health and fitness, while educating students on proper technique to prevent injury and learn effective self-defense. Fun, easy to learn, and guaranteed to get you in the best shape of your life - Call today for a FREE trial class.

For more information call Karate World at (908) 464-2836 or visit us online at www.BeginKarate.com . Karate World recently celebrated its one year anniversary at our location in The Village Shopping Center, 1260 Springfield Ave., New Providence. Directions

Karate World also offers Martial Arts programs for children, teens, and families.

Help us fight cancer by supporting Relay For Life!

From: Claire Kelly [mailto:ckk8@georgetown.edu]
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2007 12:41 PM
To: mkelly@suburbanchambers.org
Subject: Help us fight cancer by supporting Relay For Life!

Hello, Can you believe that more than 1.3 million new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in the United States this year? Those are staggering statistics, but there is hope. Each of us can do something to save lives and help those already fighting this disease. Thats why Ive decided to take action against cancer by supporting the American Cancer Society Relay For Life.

Relay For Life is an overnight event that brings our community together to help support the American Cancer Society and its lifesaving mission to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. The Society works hard every day to prevent cancer and save lives by supporting groundbreaking research, affecting public policies that protect us from cancer, and educating people on how to prevent or detect cancer early. The Society helps people with cancer right here in our own community. And our efforts at Relay For Life can help the American Cancer Society to keep working toward a cancer-free future. I want to invite you to show your support in the ongoing fight against cancer by joining us for this years event.

Please click on the link below for more information, including details on the inspirational Survivors Lap and the moving Luminaria Ceremony. We hope to see you there! If you cant join us, will you please visit the site and make a donation to support our efforts? Either way, you will make a real difference in the lives of people facing cancer and in the lives of the people who love them. Thank you!

For state fundraising notices and the American Cancer Societys Privacy Policy, please paste this link into your browser: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/SU/su_0.asp

Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support RFL of Georgetown University, DC

First Friday Breakfast at the Grand Summit Hotel

Don't forget the breakfast this Friday! Let us know if you're coming.

April 18 Special Needs Education Free Seminar

"Need to Know" series
Wednesday April 18 8am-9am
Special Needs Education Overview of state and federal laws; parental rights and school district responsibilities; discussion of non-educational services as well as non-traditional funding sources.
Cohn Lifland Pearlman Herrmann & Knopf LLP Park 80 Plaza West One, Saddle Brook, NJ 07663
RSVP required due to space limitations rsvp@njlawfirm.com or call 201 845-9600 ext. 148

1-800-GOT-JUNK, FUTURE NEWCOMER TO THE CHAMBER, MY NEW BEST FRIEND

There are some things a wife doesn't tell her husband.

And today, when I put the ugliest blue container my husband has been keeping in the front of the house I was thinking what a great idea! Have the debris and stuff you want your husband to get rid of by my new best friend Drew from 1-800-GOT-JUNK.

I was thinking of what an advertising campaign this company could have. I mean I was literally throwing stuff out that my husband would have DIED if he saw me throwing out...it was the BEST.

So off I went to work, seeing it all go - our construction cement, old radiators, broken trampoline, wooden bar, bags and bags of stuff. Driving up in the driveway tonight and what do I see...the big ugly blue container still there. I guess all men are alike.

SAVE BIG ON INK AND TONER

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Cartridge World, the world’s largest refiller and remanufacturer of inkjet and toner cartridges, is open in New Providence. The skilled staff at Cartridge World can refill or remanufacture most inkjet and toner cartridges at a savings of 30% or more without sacrificing quality, guaranteed.
Cartridge World uses only premium grade inks, toners and parts formulated specifically for each individual cartridge. Cartridge World’s expertise will enable businesses and individuals to greatly reduce the cost of printing while being environmentally friendly. Free pick-up and delivery is available for commercial accounts.
For more information or for a free price quote, visit the Cartridge World website at www.cartridgeworldusa.com,
e-mail us a cartridgeworldnp@yahoo.com,
call 908-771-9696 or stop in at 1253 Springfield Avenue, New Providence, NJ. 07974