Remember to remove all ice and snow from your vehicle before driving, especially from the hood, windows and roof. It’s the law in New Jersey! Motorists who fail to do so face fines of $25 to $75 for each offense, regardless of whether the ice and snow is dislodged from the vehicle. If flying ice or snow causes property damage or injury to others, motorists face fines of $200 to $1,000 for each offense.

Winter Driving Tips:

-    Drive slow (at or below the posted speed limit) and adjust your speed for the changing road conditions.

-    Turn on your headlights, using low beams when traveling in snow
Increase your following distance. In winter weather, travel at least eight to 10 seconds behind the car in front of you.

-    Give snowplows plenty of room to work. Don't tailgate and try not to pass. If you must pass, take extreme caution in doing so. Remember, a snowplow operator's field of vision is restricted. You may see him, but they don't always see you.

-    If you skid, don't brake or accelerate. Remove your foot from the gas, and gently steer your car in the direction of the skid (the direction the rear of your vehicle is sliding.) When your car starts heading in the desired direction, carefully straighten the wheel.

-    Slow down before exiting the highway. Exit ramps often have icy patches, sharp curves and stalled or stopped vehicles.

-    Have a personal safety kit easily accessible in your vehicle that includes: an ice scraper/brush; shovel; jumper cables or battery starter; blanket; sand, salt or kitty litter for traction; lock de-icer; flashlight and new batteries; extra windshield wiper fluid; safety flares/warning device; cell phone with spare battery; water and non-perishable food (i.e., granola or protein bars); and paper towels or a cloth.

-    If your vehicle does become disabled, pull off the road as far as possible and turn on your emergency flashers. Remain with your vehicle until help arrives. If you can't get your vehicle off the road and are uncertain about your safety, do not stay in your vehicle or stand behind it. Proceed carefully to a safe location away from traffic.

Dear Friends in Roselle,
 
Greetings from Agape House of Worship; I am pleased to let you know that Agape House of Worship in Roselle has been approved by the IRS as an authorized e-file provider under the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).  The VITA Program offers free tax help to low- to moderate-income (generally, $50,000 and below) people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. 
 
Starting from February 4 through April 15, 2012, IRS trained and certified individuals from Agape House will be available every Saturday from 10:00am - 2:00pm to electronically file tax free for people who qualify for the program. They will also be providing financial and Tax counselling to anyone who needs the service.
 
This is the first of its kind in Roselle and in the entire area. I am proud we continue to live up to our commitment to serve our community in everyday we can. Please spread the word to everyone you know. I have attached a copy of the flier for you to help pass along to anyone who might benefit from this program.

Dear Fifth Ward Neighbor,
 
I would like to wish you a Happy New Year and thank you for your continued support. As most of you know Roselle’s new Mayor, Jamel C. Holley, had to vacate his seat as Councilman‐at‐Large to assume his new office. I was honored to be chosen to fill this vacancy by a majority vote of my council colleagues. I felt confident in assuming this new role because I knew that our ward would have an outstanding individual in the person of Roy Locke to step into the position of Fifth Ward Councilman.
 
I’m inviting you to a Fifth Ward Town Hall Meeting where you will have the opportunity to meet your new councilman. We will also discuss this transition further and provide you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Mayor Holley, Council President Aubourg and I look forward to seeing you at this Town Hall meeting. Please note the information below and place it in your calendar.
 
FIFTH WARD TOWN HALL MEETING
Hosted By Mayor Jamel C. Holley, Council President Yves Aubourg,
Council‐at‐Large Christine Dansereau
 
WHERE: The Amalfe Community Center at Shaffer Avenue
WHEN: Monday February 13, 2012
TIME: 7 p.m.
 
Light refreshments will be provided.

Glass, plastic bottles, and aluminum, tin can, newspaper, cardboard, magazines, mixed paper, junk mail, books, fluorescent bulbs, car batteries, and rechargeable batteries only! Cooking oils, oil filters, motor oil (for the igloo only!) These are items that are accepted at the Public Works Yard for recycling, located at - 1121 Chandler Avenue between the hours of 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM.

There will be a buffet lunch at "Careme's" Academy of Culinary Arts in Mays Landing, NJ. Then the next stop will be five hours at "Showboat" in Atlantic City. The bus will leave at 9:00 AM on Thursday, March 8, 2012 from Malfe Center, 1268 Shaffer Avenue. The cost is $50.00. Any questions, feel free to call Franchine at (908)-241-8789.

Girls Ages 5-16
Pick a day to join at the Roselle Firehouse!
Saturday, February 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2012 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Saturday, March 3, 2012 and March 10, 2012 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Wednesday, March 7, 2012 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Kean University - University Center - Little Theater
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM.
Free Admission!
 A bus for senior citizens will be departing from the Anthony Amalfe Community Center, 1268 Shaffer Ave., Roselle, NJ. Sign up at the Community Center to ride on the bus.

For more information, BT Mathis, Senior's Program Coordinator
Cell: 908-590-6100

First quarter 2012 property taxes are due February 1, 2012.  Please use the blue coupon marked 2012-1 for this payment. If you recently received a whitetax bill showing a Homestead Benefit credit, please use that tax bill to make your payment.  If you have already paid these charges or your mortgage company pays your property taxes, please disregard this e-mail.