VETERANS SERVICE

Monday, April 07, 2008

Atlantic County Celebrates County Government Week, April 6-12

County Executive Dennis Levinson has proclaimed the week of April 6-12, 2008 as Atlantic County Government Week to increase public awareness of and promote access to county services. It is being held in concert with the annual national celebration of County Government Week created in 1991 by the National Association of Counties (NACo). This year's theme is "Protecting Our Children." Levinson encourages residents to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about their county government and the many programs and services it provides on a regular basis to a growing population of approximately 275,000 residents and millions of visitors each year. "Atlantic County consistently looks for ways to improve and enhance county services to meet the changing needs of our residents and visitors," he stated. "Our goal is not only to provide effective programs, but to make them as accessible as possible to as many individuals as possible. County Government Week provides a perfect opportunity to reinforce awareness." Levinson recommends becoming more familiar with county programs and services by exploring the county Web site at www.aclink.org and becoming an e-mail subscriber to receive notice of press releases, traffic advisories, recreational activities, special events, bid notices, public safety issues, public health screenings and more. Individuals may register for the e-mail subscription service online at www.aclink.org. While visiting the county Web site, residents can also test their knowledge of county government by taking a short online quiz which will be available on the homepage throughout the week. Another special online feature is "Atlantic County By the Numbers" that provides a glimpse of the volume of services provided by Atlantic County government. There are a number of activities planned for the week. They include the presentation of the Public Health Partnership Award on Wednesday, April 9 that recognizes a member of the community who has made a significant contribution to the public health mission by promoting healthy living and healthy communities. This year's honoree is Louise Hammell who speaks twice a month to participants of the county's Intoxicated Driver's Resource Center and shares the story of her 17-year old son Matthew who was struck and killed by a drunk driver. Also to be recognized are the winners of a student poster/essay contest for grades K-12. Winners of the annual Atlantic County poster contest for fourth graders will be honored on Friday, April 11 at 3:30 PM at the Atlantic County Library/Mays Landing where their artwork will be on display throughout the week. The contest is sponsored by Atlantic County's Constitutional Officers: the Sheriff, the Prosecutor, the Surrogate and the County Clerk. A YouthWorks Job Fair will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 3-6 PM, at the Atlantic County Institute for Technology to assist young adults, ages 16-21, in finding part-time, full-time or summer employment. There is no fee to attend the job fair, provided by the Youth Investment Council of the Atlantic Cape May Workforce Investment Board. Young mothers and their infants participating in the county's TANF Initiative for Parents (TIP) program will be treated to a music appreciation program, "Music for Little Ears," on Friday, April 11 at the TIP Center in the County Office Building in Atlantic City. Children of all ages are invited to attend a live performance by Geist on Saturday, April 12 as part of the KIDSHOWS series sponsored by the Atlantic County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs. The one-man performance combines a unique blend of new vaudevillian skills and tons of zany audience participation. KIDSHOWS is held at Dante Hall Theater of the Arts, 14 N. Mississippi Avenue in Atlantic City. Tickets are $5 and available at the door. The final show of the season will be on May 10 featuring Schoolhouse Rock Live! Representatives of the Atlantic County Office of Emergency Preparedness and Division of Intergenerational Services will attend an AARP meeting to be held on Friday, April 11 at Grace Lutheran Church in Somers Point where they will discuss emergency preparedness and the Special Needs Registry to help identify and locate those who may require assistance during an evacuation. Later in the month, several county offices will participate in a Senior Health Fair and Symposium on Wednesday, April 16 at the Atlantic County Library/Mays Landing, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM, sponsored by the Atlantic County Library System and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Atlantic County. Residents who are interested in the regional economic outlook may be interested in attending the April 25 summit at Atlantic Cape Community College in Mays Landing, 8:30 AM - 3 PM. The event will focus on emerging trends in job creation, health services, housing, education and transportation and how they will affect area businesses, growth communities and public agencies. The $30 fee includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Call 345-4524, ext. 12 for registration materials and information. "Creating a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence" will be the topic of a Peace Summit on Friday, April 25 at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. The event will feature representatives from several county offices as panelists and include the presentation of the inaugural Peacemaker Award to County Executive Dennis Levinson (elected official) and J. Forrest Gilmore, Department Head, Atlantic County Dept. Of Family & Community Development (social services). Also on April 25, Atlantic County will honor Brigantine resident Michael Scuillo at the annual Arbor Day ceremony. Scuillo is the chairperson of the Disabled Citizens Advisory Board and chairperson of the Veterans Advisory Board that recommended the creation of the Atlantic County Veterans Service Medal to recognize residents who have served their country in military service. "Atlantic County services touch the lives of every family in providing access to health care services, job training, recreation and cultural activities, senior services, road improvements, human services, public safety and more," noted Levinson. "We are here to protect and enhance the lives of our residents and the communities in which they live," he concluded. Residents may further increase their knowledge of Atlantic County government by obtaining a free copy of the Atlantic County Guide to Services, a 56-page booklet that identifies more than 100 county programs and services and how they may be accessed. The Guide was created and produced entirely in-house and first unveiled last April during County Government Week. It has since been updated and is available in county library branches and facilities and by request to gilmore_linda@aclink.org.