Mayor Anthony R. Suarez
Special Needs Registry for Disasters
May 25, 2010
RE: Special Needs Registry for Disasters
Dear Mayor:
Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent, New Jersey State Police and State Director of Emergency Management, and Major Dennis McNulty, Commanding Officer, Emergency Management, have asked us to share this important message.
In preparation for 2010 Hurricane season as well as any potential emergency event, the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management has created New Jersey's Special Needs Registry for Disasters - a free, voluntary and confidential program designed to assist people with special needs who may find it difficult to get to safety in the event of an emergency.
“The time to get ready is now,” said Colonel Fuentes. “Make an evacuation plan for yourself, your family, and your pets. Prepare a readiness kit of things you’ll need to have with you if you must evacuate or shelter in place for an extended period of time. Talk now to friends and family who can help you get to safety when a crisis hits,” Colonel Fuentes added.
People with special needs (or caregivers on their behalf) are encouraged to register electronically, if possible, by accessing https://www13.state.nj.us/SpecialNeeds/. Alternatively, they can call New Jersey’s toll-free 2-1-1 telephone service. This service will register people, offer free translation, and provide TTY services for the hearing-impaired. Paper registration forms are also available at all 21 county offices of emergency management via: http://www.ready.nj.gov/about/association.html .
We encourage you to share this information with your constituents through your website, newsletter and other means at your disposal. For that purpose, you can download the promotional poster from our website at http://www.njslom.com/documents/Special-Needs-Registry-Ad.pdf
Thank you.
Very truly yours,
William G. Dressel, Jr.
Executive Director
INSIDE THE STATE HOUSE Your Role in the Process
Social Security Survivors’ Benefits Information Sources
January 20, 2010
RE: Social Security Survivors’ Benefits Information Sources for Haitian Community
Dear Mayor:
We have been asked by David Vinokurov, District Manager – Trenton, NJ, Social Security Administration, to share this information with you.
During the past week, we asked Mr. Vinokurov about outreach efforts to the Haitian community. His office has provided us the following information regarding Social Security Programs, which you and your staff can pass along to community service organizations and other private entities.
Depending upon their citizenship or residency status in the United States, surviving victims of the earthquake or the family members of those who died might qualify for disability or survivors benefits, respectively. Below are the Social Security publications and the links to the electronic versions on Social Security Administration’s website, www.socialsecurity.gov. You can link to them directly, as well as their Multilanguage Gateway at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/multilanguage/ which hosts publications in 15 languages. General information about Social Security benefits also is available from their national, toll-free number, 1.800.772.1213 (1.800.325.0778 TTY).
* A "Snapshot" (Yon “Foto”) of the most important features of the Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicare programs.
SSA Publication No. 05-10006, May 2009, ICN 451421 (SSA Pub 05-10006-HC)
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10006.html
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/multilanguage/Haitcreo/10006-HC.pdf
* Your Payments While You Are Outside The United States
SSA Publication No. 05-10137, June 2009, ICN 480085
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10137.html
* How Social Security Can Help You When A Family Member Dies (Kňman Sekirite Sosyal Ka Ede Ou Lč Yon Manm Nan Fanmi Ou Mouri)
SSA Publication No. 05-10008, January 2008, ICN 451390 (SSA Publication No. 05-10008-HC)
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10008.html
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/multilanguage/Haitcreo/10008-HC.pdf
* Survivors Benefits (Benefis pou Swivivan)
SSA Publication No. 05-10084, August 2009, ICN 468540 (SSA Publication No. 05-10084-HC)
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10084.html (http://www.socialsecurity.gov/multilanguage/Haitcreo/10084-HC.pdf)
* Disability Benefits (Benefis pou Enfimite)
SSA Publication No. 05-10029, August 2009, ICN 456000 (SSA Pub 05-10029-HC)
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10029.html
(http://www.socialsecurity.gov/multilanguage/Haitcreo/10029-HC.pdf)
If you have any questions, please call Jon Moran at 609-695-3481, ext. 121.
Very truly yours,
William G. Dressel, Jr.
Executive Director
January 15, 2010 RE: Update on U.S. Relief Efforts in Haiti
RE: Update on U.S. Relief Efforts in Haiti
Dear Mayor:
This is a follow-up to our letter of January 13.
In response to the devastating hurricane in Haiti, the White House provided the National League of Cities with an update on its efforts, which continue to focus on saving lives, supporting recovery efforts on the ground, and accounting for the thousands of American citizens who are currently in Haiti.
In addition, the White House has established a centralized website, www.whitehouse.gov/HaitiEarthquake, which will be updated in coming days with informational tools and resources for individuals and communities seeking to support relief efforts. Families of Americans living in Haiti who are trying to determine the status of loved ones are encouraged to contact the State Department at 1-888-407-4747.
According to the White House, cash donations are the most efficient and effective way to help the relief effort in Haiti right now. They allow humanitarian organizations to purchase (often within the affected region itself) the exact type and quantity of items needed by those affected by the crisis. Read about the advantages of monetary donations here. You can immediately donate to the Red Cross to assist the relief effort. Contribute online to the Red Cross, or donate $10 to be charged to your cell phone bill by texting "HAITI" to "90999." You can also find more ways to help through the Center for International Disaster Information, or through USAID’s interactive website.
Finally, the White House has requested that city officials keep track of all offers of in-kind services and supplies so that as needs on the ground are assessed the Administration can quickly turn around the resources and get them to Haiti. Through the League, the National League of Cities will continue to keep us posted as more information becomes available.
We also encourage you to visit our website at http://www.njslom.org/Haitian_Earthquake.html where we will post the most recent information we have on our response to this humanitarian crisis.
William G. Dressel, Jr.
Executive Director
Unemployment Insurance Extended Benefits
September 11, 2009
Re: Unemployment Insurance Extended Benefits
Dear Mayor:
On August 29th, about 33,000 New Jerseyans exhausted their Unemployment Insurance Extended Benefits (UIB). Pending consideration and passage of federal legislation providing up to 13 additional weeks of Unemployment Benefits, there are currently no further assistance options available through the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DLWD). It is estimated that an additional 3,500 to 4,000 individuals a week through the end of the calendar year will face similar circumstances.
As a result, many families will be turning to the Department of Human Services to apply for programs for which they may previously have been income-ineligible. To ease the transition for many who may be unfamiliar with the scope of services offered by DHS for individuals in need of temporary assistance, here two websites that may be useful to your residents: www.NJHelps.org and www.NJ211.org.
NJHelps allows individuals to self-screen eligibility for nearly 30 social, housing and utility assistance programs including, Food Stamps, NJ FamilyCare and Low Income Heating, Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
NJ 211 is a database of local services that is customized by person through category-specific entries (such as food assistance or health care) and by need, which is assessed through individual survey responses. NJ 211 also offers an option for individuals to talk to a professional online with ‘Live Chat’ similar to instant messaging or by dialing 211 from any phone.
Please see attached document prepared by DHS that can be distributed to residents with information on these and other important programs.
Very truly yours,
William G. Dressel, Jr.
Executive Director
Mayors Fax Advisory
June 22, 2009
Re: “Express Lane” Application Process for Children’s Health Insurance
Dear Resident:
In these trying economic times, we wanted to alert you to an important State service that might help some young families in your municipality. The Association for Children of New Jersey would appreciate your help in getting important information out to parents who have a child with no health insurance.
Parents of more than 450,000 uninsured children statewide will be getting in the mail this summer an easy, one-page application for free or low-cost insurance from NJ FamilyCare.
The mailing is part of an unprecedented outreach effort by the state to get more eligible children enrolled in NJ FamilyCare. The state is mailing the applications to all parents who checked a box, on their state tax returns, indicating they have a child without insurance. The mailings began this month and will continue over the summer.
We want to make sure parents don’t mistake this mailing for junk mail.
The flyer alerts parents to keep an eye out for a yellow envelope marked NJ FamilyCare Express Lane Application for Health Insurance Enclosed and tells them to open this mail right away and return the completed application.
These easy applications will allow children to get the health insurance they need for checkups and preventive care to stay healthy and for medical treatment when they get sick or injured.
The Association for Children of New Jersey, is assisting the state in getting the word out to parents about the mailings. If everybody helps, together we can do a lot to make this outreach effort a win for New Jersey kids!
Please Click Here for Flyer
New Jersey League of Municipalities Mayor's Advisory Notices
The Making of Our Nations's Laws
NEW JERSEYANS HAVE ‘HOPE’ IN THE MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE CRISIS.
For Up-to-Date Information on Social Security's Programs and Benefits
New 2009 Borough Housing Rehabilitation Program
Dear Neighbor,
The Borough is again offering 0% interest home improvement loans of up to $20,000 to income-eligible Borough homeowners through the Borough Housing Rehabilitation Program. This program insures that the Borough's lower income homeowners are able to maintain their homes in a safe, energy efficient condition.
The Ridgefield Borough Housing Rehabilitation (RHRP) loans are for specified home improvements such as the repair or replacement of your roof & gutters, heating system, plumbing (kitchens and bathrooms), windows, doors, electrical system, porches, insulation and storm doors as well as other basic items. Ridgefield Borough Housing Rehabilitation loans are repaid only when the house is sold or title transferred. Priority is given to single-family homeowners.
As of February 2009, Ridgefield has funding to assist 38 eligible families over the next 2 years.
Income eligibility is based on family size. The maximum current gross income for a household to be eligible currently is as follows:
1 person family $43,160
2 person family $49,326
3 person family $55,492
4 person family $61,658
5 person family $66,590
6 person family $71,523
7 person family $76,455
8 person family $81,388
Please click on this link to see the RHRP preapplication form. If you think you are eligible for this program, please download, print and fill out the pre-application form and mail or bring it into the Borough Hall. Our Ridgefield Housing Rehabilitation Coordinator will contact you soon afterwards to let you know the status of your application and your rank on our waiting list.
Applicants will be helped on a first come, first served basis.
Feel free to call the program office at 201-943-5215 x381, for assistance with the preapplication form.
If you, yourself, are not eligible for this program but you have friends, relatives or neighbors in the Borough who might be eligible, please pass this information along to them. By helping to maintain the quality of the Borough housing stock, you will not only be helping your neighbor, but you will also be helping to preserve everyone's property values.
Sincerely,
Mayor Anthony Suarez
Click here to view and print a pre-application form for the Ridgefield Housing Rehabilitation Program
For additional information contact:
Steven J. Weinberg, Program Coordinator
Ridgefield Housing Rehabilitation Program
604 Broad Ave., Ridgefield, NJ 07657
201-943-5215x381 or 732-390-4745
Email Program Coordinator
Ridgefield Recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Ridgefield Recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month the Mayor and council has approved the third annual tying of pink ribbons on town trees along Shaler Blvd. and Prospect Avenue. The Tie A Ribbon campaign is sponsored by the Susan G. Komen For The Cure Breast Cancer Foundation, North Jersey Affiliate. Last year 11,000 ribbons were tied in 50 towns in the 9 county area served by Komen North Jersey. Judy Bozza of Ridgefield is coordinating this event with help from a group of junior girls who attend Bergen Academies, Paramus Catholic and Ridgefield High Schools. The ribbons are meant to be a reminder to schedule a mammogram, show support to those who have been diagnosed and memorialize those who have died from breast cancer. The tying will take place on 9/28 (12:00-3:00) and will remain up through the month of October.
Ribbons are available for a $5.00 donation to Susan G. Komen North Jersey Affiliate. If you are interested in sponsoring a “town tree” or in having a ribbon for your own tree please contact:
Judy Bozza
969 Linden Ave.
Ridgefield
201-943-8036
The attached pictures show Mayor Anthony Suarez and Stephanie Cervino tying ribbons in 2007. .
Ridgefield Remembers 9-11-2001
A well attended ceremony was held at the Michael Asciak Memorial at Veterans Field at 8:30AM on 9-11-2008. In attendance were from left to right Father Jose Manuel, Anthony Pope, Mayor Anthony Suarez, John Condon and Richard Lakawic. Also in attendance were Councilmen Warren Vincentz and Nicholas Lonzisero, representatives of the Fire Department, Ambulance Corp, the Office of Emergency Management,Police Dept and the Ridgefield Memorial High School and many members of the public.
MAYOR SUAREZ STARTS SECOND TERM BEING SWORN IN BY SENATOR ROBERT MENENDEZ
On Friday, January 4, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Ridgefield Community Center, 725 Slocum Avenue, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Ridgefield Mayor Anthony R. Suarez, was sworn into office by the Honorable Robert Menendez, United States Senator. Also expected to be in attendance, along with the Mayor's family and friends, are a number of elected officials from Bergen County and Hudson County, along with Freeholder Tomas Padilla, of Bergen County.
Mayor Suarez, the first elected Latino Mayor in Bergen County's history, and the second Democratic Mayor in the history of Ridgefield, is a life long resident of Ridgefield, and graduated from Ridgefield Memorial High School in 1984. Thereafter, the Mayor attended and graduated from Saint Peter's College in Jersey City and Fordham Law School, in New York City, where he was a member of the Environmental Law Review. Mayor Suarez is presently an attorney in private practice at the Fort Lee law firm of Dario Yacker Suarez & Albert, LLC.
Initially elected to the Borough Council in 1998, Mayor Suarez was reelected to the Council in 2001, elected Mayor in 2003, and reelected on November 6, 2007.
During his tenure on the Mayor and Council, Mayor Suarez has been able to bring in millions of dollars to the Borough for taxpayer relief in the form of state aid and grants; and spearheaded such projects as the construction of the new public library in the Borough, and a number of new recreational fields in town.
Mayor Suarez resides on Oak Street with his wife Catherine and two children.