Service, education and community are top priorities for residents of Harrison Township
Celebrations will commence as the clock strikes midnight on Jan. 1, when the world enters a new year, new beginnings and often a fresh start. As the holidays come to an end, many will toast to change with hopes of self-improvement in their personal lives, jobs or families. Many residents of Harrison Township are looking ahead to make 2018 a year of service, education and community through the annual tradition of New Year’s resolutions.
While 2017 brought a variety of recreational and volunteer opportunities through various public events and service projects, Township Administrator Mark Gravinese said his goal in the new year is to connect with more active community organizations to help local families in need.
“I will be actively searching for opportunities to engage organizations, with the end result of being able to volunteer my time and using my leadership in making a difference in the community,” Gravinese said. “I live, work and love.”
Denise Racano, who was elected as president of The Rotary Club of Mullica Hill in 2017, also hopes for continued community service efforts in the year to come. According to Racano, her New Year’s resolution would be to interact with more children and students through the Rotary by getting involved in local schools to act as a mentor or tutor, supporting education and increasing literacy.
“My hope is to work with the educators and other professionals who work with these vulnerable students to provide speakers for the students to learn about different careers and to stress how important it is to learn the basics of reading and writing,” Racano said.
Ultimately, she said, she hopes in 2018 the Rotary will be able to provide more scholarships to students who have “the potential to change the community for the better.”
Matthew Bradley, recently appointed as the permanent head of school at Friends School Mullica Hill, said his New Year’s resolution is to continue providing high quality education for students with the help and support of the teachers and staff at the non-profit educational institute.
“My New Year’s resolution is to work with our exceptional faculty to continue the strong momentum and positive spirit we’ve built in 2017 and carry it into 2018 and beyond, because our students deserve the best we can give them,” Bradley said.
In place of a resolution or something to do, Mayor Louis Manzo said he has decided to “break a habit.” Manzo said in the new year he will be working toward keeping his contributions to public comment and feedback on agenda items light, and will not allow meetings to “go on.”
“Resolutions, everybody makes them, but just like any goal it needs to be specific and with a timeline,” Manzo said. “My New Year’s resolution as mayor is to ensure the committee meetings are shorter.”
According to resident Pat Settar, the new year is a time to focus on loved ones, ensuring family is valued and time is set aside to enjoy their company throughout 2018.
“Time to laugh, love and reflect,” Setter said. “I’m going to actually focus on getting these special times right on my schedule like the most important appointment, because it is. I believe time with those you love is the greatest gift of all.”
