Township Committee
Celebrates 2020 Awards Recipients
On Friday, February 19,
Mayor Lauren DiFilippo and Township Committee honored outstanding Edgewater Park citizens and
businesses for their service throughout 2020, and Police Chief Robert Hess welcomed
two new patrolmen to his ranks.
Community Kindness Award
goes to USS Car Wash
USS Car Wash, on Route 130 South, donated substantial PPE supplies
to the EP Police Department during this COVID-19 year of stress.
(Chhaca Singh and Jassi
Singh accept the Community Kindness Award on behalf of USS Car Wash.)
Citizen of the Year 2020 Goes to Mrs. Marian Johnson
(Marian Johnson
receives the 2020 Citizen of the Year Award from Mayor Lauren DiFilippo.)
For 15 years, Mrs. Marian Johnson has been involved
in many aspects of Edgewater Park, first as Recreation Coordinator managing
events such as the Memorial Day Parade, Summer Camp, Christmas with Santa, and
Breakfast with the Bunny.
She
has also been
an active member of the Edgewater Planning Board for the last 12 years, filing
the position of Chairman for 11 of those years. In this role she reviewed,
approved and signed off on major construction and development in the Township,
such as the Burlington Coat Factory offices and distribution center, Auto
Direct Car Sales, and Fox Run Housing Development.
This will be the fifth year she has served as Secretary
of The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks #2550 in Edgewater Park, where
she was personally responsible for writing several grants that were approved
and enabled the Elks organization to make its large donation to the Beverly
Methodist Church food bank.
Elks #2550 Earns the Outstanding
Community Service Award
(Shown here, Exalted
Ruler Don Dahlman of Elks Lodge #2550, accepting the Outstanding Community Service Award
for 2020, from Mayor DiFilippo.)
Click here for a
complete story of the Elks’ busy year of 2020!
Township Committee Taps United Dollar Plus with Business of the
Year Award
Since
January 2005, Jawad Alam, (known to many as "Jay") has been the
owner of the United Dollar Plus grocery store at 1141 Cooper Street in
Edgewater Park Township. He and his employees are one of many local businesses
on the frontline of this COVID-19 pandemic. Jay has provided the community with local
shopping convenience, friendly extraordinary service, reasonable prices,
and a wide variety of products. Besides Jay
and his employees having a great rapport with their customers, greeting many by
name, they stock seasonal items, offer the NJ Lottery, and do their very best
to meet the needs of their customers. When possible, Jay will order special
brand products requested by customers.
Outstanding Service
Recognition Award goes to Jim Bernard, Supt. of Public Works
With a tough year
requiring COVID-19 protective measures throughout the Municipal Building and
around the township, plus more extreme weather events, the Department of Public
Works had its hands full in 2020… and even now in early 2021. With Superintendent Jim Bernard at the helm, his
PW crew helped keep Edgewater Park on course with the inventive building
modifications they installed, giving employees a safer workplace. They also remained safe while still handling
township-wide maintenance with an altered schedule of social distancing among
workers.
John P. Augustino Retires,
Hands the Reins to son Matt Augustino!
After 29 years of
dedicated and committed service as the Edgewater Park Fire Official, John P.
Augustino was honored for this stellar career.
His son Matt Augustino now steps into his shoes to continue this
service.
(Father to son
congratulations, between retiring Fire Official John P. Augustino and his son
Matt Augustino, the incoming Fire Official.)
Police Chief Bob Hess
Welcomes New Police Officers!
Chief Robert Hess swore
in two new police officers (above, flanking Chief Hess, left to right, Altan
Ozqurel and Patrick Daly) as a number of fellow officers joined the ceremonies
on February 19, 2021.
(Altan Ozgurel’s family
looks on as he is sworn-in by Chief Hess.)
(Patrick Daly’s family
looks on as he is sworn-in by Chief Hess.)
(Edgewater Park police
officers seen here are, left to right:
Ptl. Aaron Robinson, Sgt. Mark Herkoperec, Ptl. Kyle McPhillips, new
Ptl. Altan Ozgurel, Chief Robert Hess, new Ptl. Patrick Daly, Lt. Brett Evans,
Det. Charles Ryder, Jr., and Det. Sgt. John Harris.)
Fond Farewell &
Tribute to Mayor Emeritus Charles Amutah
Finally, Mayor Lauren
DiFilippo presented a plaque for his dedicated service on Township Committee to
Mayor Emeritus Azunnah “Charles” Amutah, and surprises him (above) with a clock,
from Township Committee, as an extra tribute for his service.
(Seen here: Deputy
Mayor Bill Belgard, Mayor Lauren DiFilippo, Mayor Emeritus Charles Amutah, and
Committeeman Kevin Johnson. Committee
members Mike Trainor and Juanita Scott were unable to attend.)
“Considering what a
tough year 2020 was for all of us, Edgewater Park citizens, businesses,
organizations and staff all stepped up to make it much easier to survive! Thanks so much to all!”
Mayor Lauren DiFilippo