Day: December 3, 2019

Pope Bestows Honors Upon 10 People for Service to the Church of Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA PA–The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is proud to announce that Pope Francis has bestowed Papal Honors upon 10 individuals for their exceptional service to the Catholic Church.  One individual will receive the Benemerenti Medal; four will receive the

Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice

(Cross for the Church and Pontiff); three have been named Dame/Knight in the pontifical Order of

Saint Gregory the Great; and two have been named Dame/Knight Commander in the same Order.

The honors will be conferred by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. at an evening Vespers service:

Monday, December 9, 2019

6:00 p.m.

Chapel of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Background Regarding the Benemerenti Medal

The Benemerenti Medal was established by Pope Pius VI in the last quarter of the 18th century as a military honor for outstanding service to the Holy See.  The medal was later extended to worthy  members of the clergy and civilian laity.  It can be granted to persons as young as 35, and its reception is open to Catholics as well as members of other faith traditions.

Mr. Christopher J. Stefanick

Mr. Stefanick began his career as a highly regarded youth and young adult minister working at the parish level before assuming larger responsibilities at the diocesan level. He later founded and continues to lead successful evangelization efforts on a national scale. His work forming the character and leadership skills of Catholic men has been exceptional.  He has provided outstanding counsel for many years to various bishops throughout the country, including Archbishop Chaput, and to several committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Background Regarding the

Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice

The Cross

Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice,

or Cross of Honor, was established in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII.  It is awarded to Catholics aged 45 and above who have shown long and distinguished service to the Church and to the Papal office.

Reverend Philip G. Bochanski

Father Bochanski, a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for more than 20 years, has spent the last decade counseling and supporting persons who experience same-sex attraction. He has worked tirelessly, with compassion and great sensitivity, to advance Church teaching on human sexuality, and gained national respect for the Courage apostolate in the process. Starting as a local chaplain for Courage International, he later advanced to National Associate Director, and now serves as the National Executive Director.

Mrs. Helen Mc Connell

For three decades, Mrs. McConnell has cared for the priests of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as a registered nurse, Administrator of Villa Saint Joseph, and Director of Priest Retirement Services. In addition to her administrative duties on site at the Villa she frequently travels to care for priests living independently, in parish rectories, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes.  Her career in service to the Church has been one of extraordinary compassion and care for those men who have given their lives to a priestly vocation for the benefit of others.

Dr. Phillip J. Miraglia

Dr. Miraglia, a distinguished clinical counseling psychologist, began his professional association with the Archdiocese in the mid-1970s. At that time, he worked as a counselor for Catholic Social Services. Over the last four decades, he has served the needs of clergy, religious men and women, and seminarians with exceptional dedication and discretion. As a psychologist consultant and collaborator, Dr. Miraglia’s counsel— on some of the most difficult and sensitive issues faced by the Catholic Church — has been generous, wise, and honest. His career has been an invaluable gift to the Church.

Mrs. Louise M. Sullivan

Mrs. Sullivan has served the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in various capacities for more than 30 years. In the early 1990s, she was part of the leadership team responsible for Archdiocesan nursing homes. During that time, she worked on numerous projects aimed at ensuring the highest quality of life for the aging. Since 2005, she has served as Office Manager for the Archdiocesan Vicar for Clergy. In addition to her critical administrative service for this secretariat, she assists with on-going formation programs, retreats, workshops, and continuing education programs for the priests and deacons of the Archdiocese.

Background Regarding the Order of Saint Gregory the Great

The Order of Saint Gregory the Great, one of the five pontifical knightly orders, was founded by Pope Gregory XVI in 1831 to honor his great sixth century predecessor. Over the course of nearly two centuries, it has been awarded to philanthropists, diplomats, military and business leaders, artists, scientists, and interfaith leaders who have shown, by their service, extraordinary love for Jesus Christ and his Church. With the exception of Catholic heads of state, diplomats assigned to Vatican City State, and others of international standing, the Order of St. Gregory the Great is the highest honor granted by the Holy Father to laypersons.

Dame/Knight in the Order of Saint Gregory the Great

Mrs. Jacqueline J. Delaney

Mrs. Delaney has embodied a lifelong, active commitment to the mission of the Church. She has served on numerous Catholic-related boards and committees, and is the first woman named chair of the Board of Directors for the Malvern Retreat House. Over the last decade, Mrs. Delaney has also served as the chair of the Archbishop’s Benefit for Children, raising funds vital for youth programs administered by Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese.

Mr. James Delaney

Mr. Delaney has more than 40 years of business leadership in the health care and financial industries. He has served on numerous boards and foundations including the National Advisory Council of the U.S. bishops, the National Advisory Board of the Church Leadership Institute, the National Catholic Community Foundation, the Catholic Philopatrian Literary Institute, and Catholic Athletes for Christ.   He is also the former Chairman of the Board at Neumann University, in addition to serving as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee for the Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Board of Trustees.

Miss Kerry F. Kober

Miss Kober has provided superior and irreplaceable executive assistance to Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap for more than 25 years. She has supported his episcopal ministry in Rapid City, Denver, and Philadelphia with exceptional discretion and diligence on a wide range of sensitive Church matters. Her commitment to Jesus Christ and to the work of the Church makes her a powerful Christian witness.

Dame Commander/Knight Commander in the Order of Saint Gregory the Great

Mrs. Suann T. Maier

Mrs. Maier’s distinguished teaching career — in Catholic schools in New York, Los Angeles, and Denver — spanned more than four decades. As a mother and grandmother of children with disabilities, she has been a counselor, coach, grassroots organizer, volunteer, and leader in prolife and special needs organizations for 45 years.   In addition to her parish volunteer work over the decades, Mrs. Maier founded 14 prolife centers and 21 prolife hot lines for women with problem pregnancies, and has served in leadership and on boards for various Catholic women’s organizations.

Mr. Francis X. Maier

Mr. Maier has a career spanning 41 years in Catholic journalism and senior diocesan service, including 23 years as senior advisor and special assistant to Archbishop Chaput in Denver and Philadelphia.  Over the decades he has written, spoken, and mentored extensively on Church matters, served as a youth minister and catechist, and been active in Catholic men’s groups and prolife advocacy. In 2005, Mr. Maier and his wife Suann, were named Knight and Dame in the Order of Saint Gregory the Great by Saint John Paul II.

Liberty National Golf Club Millionaire’s Golf Course is Back

NEW JERSEY SIERRA CLUB OPINION

Liberty National Golf club is back and billionaire Paul Fireman is pushing legislators and lobbying to get his ultra-exclusive golf course expansion onto the Caven Point are of Liberty State Park. Just two weeks ago,

A4903 (Mukherji)/ S3357 (Cunningham),

the Liberty State Park Protection Act, aimed at keeping public parkland open to the public and away from private developers, unanimously passed out of the New Jersey Senate Environment and Energy Committee. Developers are working to be exempt from the legislation to build their golf course.

The opening of the new golf course is a great opportunity for locals who are interested in golf to start playing the sport. In case you want to play golf but are unfamiliar with the gear and other basics of the game, you should start with a simple, inexpensive golf club set.

Callaway Strata Review

explains all the reasons why this set is so popular among beginners. It’s generally agreed that it is one of the best golf club sets for beginners.

“Once again, billionaire Paul Fireman is trying to play games with Liberty State Park. He is trying to expand his golf course in Caven’s Point, which is a wilderness area. This time he is pushing to weaken

A4903 (Mukherji),

that protects LSP, and land that belongs to all of us. Fireman is behind the scenes lobbying and campaigning to weaken the law and put a loophole in the bill big enough to fit a bulldozer, or a golf cart through. Liberty National Golf want to cut down trees and fill in wetlands for their wealthy members just to see the skyline. They will also be using an enormous amount of water, pesticides, and herbicides to maintain the course,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

“This land is held in the public trust and belongs to all of us, not just to be for a private club. This billionaire is trying to destroy wilderness and take our public land for millionaires.”

The Caven Point Natural Area of Liberty State Park is a 22-acre peninsula located at the southwestern-most area of the park, accessible by the waterfront walkway. This area is frequently used by birders, and fishermen, and people enjoying nature. Proponents of the golf course proposal argue it is not just a golf \”academy.\”  It is a proven youth development program where life-changing opportunities are offered and fulfilled every day. They claim that if the proposed land swap that will allow the creation of The First Tee Learning Links funded by Liberty National is needlessly blocked, thousands of youth in Jersey City each year will be denied these same life-changing opportunities.

“This is the only wild are in an urban part of New Jersey. Filling in wetlands and cutting down forests here would be a reckless act for greed. Last year, Liberty National Golf Club put out a public relations campaign to try to grab public land that belongs to all of us. The youth-golfing program is a puppet show to own Liberty National Park.  Liberty National Golf Club is trying to take public land from the families of these kids for their private golf course. These families can’t even afford this golf club because membership is over $300,000 a year,”

said Tittel.

“Children are already in nature programs at Caven’s Point. The golf course would deny those children opportunities to explore the environmental benefits and beauty of Caven’s Point.”

In the NJ Statehouse, legislation to protect Liberty State Park is moving forward.  The \”Liberty State Park Protection Act\”,

A4903 (Mukherji),

establishes Liberty State Park Advisory Committee and requirements concerning DEP actions related to Liberty State Park. The bill would prohibit the DEP from considering any proposal to commercialize, develop, or privatize Liberty State Park, except as provided in the bill.  The bill would prohibit any concession, conveyance, or lease within the 235-acre natural restoration area in the interior of Liberty State Park, and at Caven Point Peninsula.

“Thousands of people use Caven’s Point for environmental programs and recreational uses such as fishing and bird watching. It is a critical area because it is the buffer between Liberty Golf Course and Caven’s Point. It is in an environmentally sensitive area that needs to be preserved. Legislation like the LSP Protection Act will help prevent harmful privatization proposals to be built at LSP. That is why it is critical for our New Jersey State Legislators to move forward on passing this bill,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

“LSP belongs to all of us and Caven’s Point is an important part of the park. It should be left for people to enjoy. It is not a millionaire’s golf club. We have been fighting for 30 years to protect Liberty State Park from water parks, marinas and we will keep on fighting.”

New Jersey Department of Health Reminds Residents It’s Not Too Late To Vaccinate

National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is December 1-7, 2019

The New Jersey Department of Health is reminding residents to get their annual flu vaccine as part of National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW). While flu vaccination is recommended before the end of October, NIVW was established to remind people that getting vaccinated can be beneficial through the holiday season and beyond.

“As the holiday season is beginning, increased travel and close family gatherings can create a great opportunity for illnesses to spread,” Acting Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said. “Getting vaccinated now can help protect yourself and your loved ones.”

For millions of people every season, flu means a fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, fatigue and miserable days spent in bed. Millions of people get sick, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized, and thousands to tens of thousands of people die from flu each year.

There is a vaccine that can help reduce the risk of flu and its potentially serious complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine to everyone six months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal flu viruses.

Certain people at greater risk for serious complications if they get sick with the flu:

Children younger than 5 years old, but especially children younger than 2 years old

People 65 years of age and older

Pregnant women and women up to 2 weeks after the end of pregnancy

American Indian and Alaskan Natives

People who have medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease, and diabetes

“Flu vaccine also has been shown to save children’s lives, prevent serious events associated with chronic lung disease, diabetes and heart disease, and prevent flu-related hospitalization among adults and older adults,” Persichilli said. “Getting vaccinated isn’t just about keeping you healthy; it’s also about helping to protect others around you who may be vulnerable to becoming very sick, such as infants, older adults, and pregnant women.”

Flu vaccines are safe, effective and offered in many locations including doctor’s offices, clinics, health departments, urgent care centers, and pharmacies. Click

here

for general flu information and to find a flu shot near you.

The Department has two ongoing initiatives to promote flu prevention. The

New Jersey Influenza Honor Roll

recognizes institutions that are striving to promote influenza prevention at their facilities. It is open to four categories of honorees: business, community-based partners, education, and healthcare facilities. In addition, the Department is challenging students at 10 participating colleges and universities to engage in a friendly competition to improve flu vaccination coverage on their campuses through the

New Jersey College & University Challenge

.

For more information about NIVW, visit the CDC’s website

here

.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for newly-renovated Millsboro Pond boating and fishing area

DOVER (Dec. 2, 2019) – Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Shawn M. Garvin was joined today by U.S. Senator Tom Carper, State Senator Gerald Hocker, State Senator David Wilson, State Representative Ruth Briggs King, State Representative Richard Collins, Millsboro Mayor Michelle Truitt, and DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Director David Saveikis and staff, to cut the ribbon officially opening the newly-renovated Millsboro Pond Boating and Fishing Access Area.

Millsboro Pond is one of the most heavily-fished DNREC-maintained ponds in Delaware, hosting numerous bass tournaments and attracting largemouth bass enthusiasts regionally as well as locally. DNREC has partnered with the Town of Millsboro since the 1980s to provide public access to the town-owned pond.

Due to the popularity of Millsboro Pond, funding was secured to update public access, and construction began in July. The four-month project involved total reconstruction of the boat ramp, addition of a courtesy dock and lighting, and expansion and repaving of the parking lot to provide additional parking.

Funding for the $625,000 project was provided by DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife from Delaware fishing license revenues and federal Sport Fish Restoration grant funds, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Millsboro Pond Boating and Fishing Access Area is managed by DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife and supports DNREC’s mission to enhance outdoor recreation access and support local communities.

For more information on the Little Creek Boating and Fishing Access Area, please contact the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.

Time for a Hero: Save a Life on Giving Tuesday

Veterans with TBIs are 155% more likely to take their own lives, with SOF at greatest risk. Under the VA, veterans with TBIs aren’t healing, they are dying in record numbers. Suicide rates tripled

in 2018.

Time For A Hero is stepping into the gap left by government’s failure.Our focus is on serving Special Operations Forces who’ve incurred one or more combat related brain injuries.

Right now 221 SOF veterans have submitted applications to Time for a Hero – and the list grows longer every day.

With your support, Time for a Hero can continue to provide personalized treatment plans including modalities like stem cell therapy and a variety of other alternative treatments that the VA doesn’t provide and insurance doesn’t cover.

DONATE HERE

DONATE NOW | #GivingTuesday | HELP SAVE A HERO

$449,119 Jersey Cash 5 Ticket Sold in Bergen County

TRENTON (Dec. 3, 2019)

– One lucky ticket matched all five numbers drawn winning the $449,119 Jersey Cash 5 jackpot from the

Monday, Dec. 2

, drawing. T

he winning numbers were: 03, 15, 20, 35 and 36 and the XTRA number was: 02.

The retailer will receive a bonus check for $2,000 for the winning ticket sold. That ticket was sold at Krauszer’s Food Store, 403 Midland Ave., Garfield in Bergen County.

Acting Executive Director James Carey announced that there were 453,181 tickets purchased for the drawing. By adding XTRA, for an additional $1.00 per play, winners are able to multiply their non-jackpot prizes by the XTRA number drawn. For correctly matching four of the five numbers drawn, 61 ticket holders won $573 each and 17 others won $1,146 each with the addition of XTRA. Moreover, for correctly matching three of the five numbers drawn, 2,600 ticket holders won $16 each and 459 others won $32 each with the addition of XTRA. Lastly 5,733 ticket holders each won $2 for correctly matching two of the five numbers drawn with the addition of XTRA on their purchase.

New Orleans City Council Budget Includes $3M Investment for Early Childhood Ed

The city grows its early childhood education budget from $750,000 in 2017 to an unprecedented $3 million in 2020, as well as several additional key funding initiatives

NEW ORLEANS

– After several weeks of budget hearings, the New Orleans City Council

adopted the City\’s 2020 Operating and Capital Budgets, concluding the annual budget review process and establishing spending levels for the coming year. Prior to the meeting, Nthe City held a special Revenue Estimating Conference to adopt an adjusted 2020 revenue forecast and capture newly identified sources of revenue.

Since October 17, when Mayor LaToya Cantrell appeared before the Council to present a proposed $721.9 million annual operating budget from the City\’s general fund, the Council has held a rigorous budget review process to learn the needs of each department and listen to residents\’ concerns. As a result of the budget revenue process, the Council adopted an amended operating budget totaling $725.9 million, which represents an increase of $4 million.

\”Today is a historic one for the City of New Orleans and our children. We\’re setting an unprecedentedly high bar for the State of Louisiana and the entire country with this incredible investment in our young people. We\’ve gone from $750,000 two years ago, to $1.5 million in 2018, to an unprecedented $3 million for early childhood education in 2020. I\’m extremely grateful to my colleagues, the Administration, and my staff for the months of hard work that went into this budget. Our future and that of our children, has never been brighter,\” said District \”D\” Councilmember and Budget Chair Jared Brossett.

2020 Budget highlights include funding for the following:

Early Childhood Education programs to expand access to quality early childcare and education in New Orleans (doubling funding by $1.5M to bring the allocation to $3M)

Total Community Action to purchase a food pantry freezer to store food provides low-income vulnerable individuals/families with food supplements ($8,000)

Demolition of the blighted Higgins Gate apartment complex ($800,000)

Algiers Water Management Study ($250,000)

Code Enforcement to address quality of life needs and eliminate blight ($700,000)

Department of Health for mobile decibel monitors to address noise concerns ($45,000)

Department of Health for a Domestic Violence Initiative ($250,000)

\”I\’m very pleased with the collaboration of the budget process,\” said Council President Helena Moreno. \”My colleagues and I on this Council have been laser-focused on making New Orleans a more affordable city to live in since we began in 2018. Today, the Council followed through by lowering – not raising – property taxes at a time when assessments are skyrocketing and potentially forcing long term homeowners out of their neighborhoods. The Council also made clear its priorities: infrastructure and public safety. I\’m also proud that we once again doubled funding for early childhood education and allocated specific funding for domestic violence initiatives.\”

Throughout this year\’s budget hearings, the Council led a negotiation process with the Mayor\’s Administration to ensure critical initiatives and services are funded while minimizing the burden on our residents\’ tax bills. Given that the 2020 tax year is a quadrennial reassessment year, there has been considerable discussion regarding the reassessment process and the rising property tax assessments that resulted, leading to heightened concern among residents about their tax bills and the effect a potential roll forward could have on that bill.

In a reassessment year, the Council may roll forward millages up to the maximum authorized rates. Recognizing the concerns of residents, Councilmember Brossett ensured the redirection of certain millages to fund public safety and infrastructure while reducing (rolling back) other millages during the negotiation process with the Administration. This redirection of millages allows the Council to ensure critical initiatives and services are funded while remaining revenue-neutral.

Key millages being funded:

New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) & Fire Department (NOFD)

Sewerage & Water Board (S&WB)

City Alimony

Neighborhood Housing Improvement Fund (NHIF)

Certain millages being levied below the rollback millage rate:

Economic Development Fund

Capital Improvement Fund

Audubon Park

New Orleans Public Library

\”The extraordinary commitment we\’ve made here today will pay way more dividends for our city in the long-run,\” said Council Vice President Jason Williams. \”Because of Governor John Bel Edwards, and what\’s happened at the State level, we\’re now in a position to receive matched funding to the already historic amount we\’ve approved, doubling the number of young people we\’re able to help with a total $6 million investment. This is a tremendous day in the City of New Orleans as we become the only state providing this level of localized investment in early childhood care and education. Finally, New Orleans is becoming the city on a hill for the State of Louisiana, the South and the entire United States, and our children will be a testament to that for generations to come.

\”Today, we protected funding for vital public services in a smart way,\” said District \”A\” Councilmember Joe Giarrusso. \”Government\’s first job is to provide those public services responsibly. This deal between the Mayor and Council concentrates on quality of life issues with spending for first responders, streets, drainage, maintenance, and other fundamental needs.\”

David A. Baxter, Jr., of Bellmawr.

David A. Baxter, Jr., on December 2, 2019, of Bellmawr. Age 74.

Reunited for Eternity with his beloved wife, the late Helen (nee Buckholdt). Devoted father of Natalie Hartey and David A. Baxter III. Loving Pop-Pop of Caitlin, Shane, Erin, David IV, Steven, Matthew, and Morgan. Dear brother of Joan Bozarth. Loving uncle of Scott, Brian, and Susan.

There will be a viewing from 9am to 10:30am Saturday morning at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, BELLMAWR, 200 S. Black Horse Pike, Bellmawr, NJ 08031.

Funeral service 10:30am Saturday at the funeral home.

Interment Arlington Cemetery at Pennsauken.

Shirley M. Carter (nee Smith), – 84, of Ocean City, formerly of Westville

Passed away on Sunday, November 24, 2019 at The Shores at Wesley Manor. Born in Philadelphia, PA, she was formerly of Westville, NJ moving to Ocean City, NJ 10 years. Mrs. Carter worked as Executive Secretary for Pennsylvania Bell Telephone in Philadelphia, PA for 30 years. Surviving are a son, Charles E. Carter, Jr. (Leslie) of Somers Point, NJ, three grandchildren, Patricia Beck, Kristen Carter and Charles E. Carter, III, four great grandchildren, Kaydence Beck, Jeffrey Beck, Jr., Makenzie Beck and Addisyn Beck.

A Memorial Service will be offered Saturday, December 7th at 11 o\’clock from Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 30th Street at Bay Avenue, Ocean City, NJ where friends may call from 10:30 am until the time of service. Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to Grace Hospice, 105 Fieldcrest Avenue, Ste. 402, Edison, NJ 08837. For condolences to the family, visit

www.godfreyfuneralhome.com

.

Code Blue Issued in Newark

Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Department of Health and Community Wellness Director Dr. Mark Wade are activating a “Code Blue” for Monday afternoon, December 2, 2019 through Tuesday afternoon December 3, 2019.

“Code Blue” is called when temperatures reach 25°F or lower without precipitation, 32°F or lower with precipitation, or a wind chill factor of 15° or lower.

‍

“Newark is preparing for snow and cold temperatures early this week,” Dr. Wade said. “We will meet nature’s challenge with the strength and resilience that defines us. I urge our residents to take precautions to keep their homes safe and be safe when they are out and about, and to check on their neighbors, especially the disabled, children, and the elderly.”

‍

In addition, Dr. Wade reminded residents of the hazards of cold weather. “Several layers of warm clothing and protection against moisture and wind are important, even though weather may not seem to threaten cold injury. Gloves and socks should be kept as dry as possible. Insulated boots that do not obstruct circulation are essential in very cold weather. Warm head covering is particularly important, since 30 percent of heat loss is from the head,” he added.

‍

“We are expected to endure temperatures as low as 27°F and residents should take measures to ensure their safety at home and when outside of their home,” said Dr. Wade.

‍

The City is reminding residents that there are emergency shelters operating during the extreme cold weather that have partnered with the City to provide overnight sheltering.

For more information about sheltering services, contact the shelters listed below or the Department of Health and Community Wellness, Division of Social Services at

(973) 877– 9481, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The City offers the following tips on keeping homes safe and coping with extreme cold weather:

· Keep the house heated to a minimum of 68 degrees. The temperatures inside the walls where the pipes are located is substantially colder than the walls themselves. A temperature lower than 68 degrees will not keep the inside walls from freezing.

· Identify the locations for the main water shutoff in your home. Find out how it works in case you have to use it.

· Open hot and cold faucets enough to let them drip slowly. Keeping water moving within the pipes will prevent them from freezing.

· Check on seniors to make sure that they are warm and dry.

· Stay indoors as much as possible.

· Check all windows and doors for drafts. Place plastic if you feel a draft.

· Do not leave space heaters unattended.

· Do not use generators indoors.

· It is illegal to use kerosene heaters indoors.

· Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.

· Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.

· Never use your oven to heat your home.

· Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.

· Take inventory of emergency items.

· Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms monthly.

· Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning by checking and cleaning your furnace and chimney regularly and ensure you have proper ventilation and the exhaust pipe is free of debris.

The City of Newark Housing Code requires all property owners to supply heat from October 1 through May 1 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. at a minimum inside temperature of 68°F, and between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. at a minimum inside temperature of 65°F.

To report no heat or hot water in your apartment, call the Division of Code Enforcement at (973) 733-6471.

Anyone with questions about the City’s heat ordinance or any other Newark municipal policy or program can contact the Newark Non-Emergency Call Center at

(973) 733-4311

, from

8:00 am to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday

.