Somerset County, NJ

🔴⚪🔵Happy Independence Day!🔴⚪🔵 In Congress, July 4, 1776 The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed ... https://loom.ly/Gf5jdfU

🌻😎🍉NASA SAYS IT IS SUMMERTIME!🍉😎🌻 According to the smart folks at NASA summer arrives at 4:50 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, which is right now! There's so much great stuff to do, like the Park Commission's Summer Concert Series (https://loom.ly/pgonpss), but watch out for the heat!

🔵🔵Waterlines, Ping Pong and Pool, Oh My!🔵🔵 Montgomery and Somerset County officials cut the ribbon at the Montgomery Senior Center to celebrate the installation of a new waterline and the purchase of new ping pong and pool tables funded by the American Rescue Plan!

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was launched by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations. The purpose of WEAAD is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect. https://loom.ly/JY0WQ_U

Last night Somerset County Administrator Colleen Mahr presented a mid-year "State of the County" address to more than 60 governing officials followed by Q&A at the Columbian Steakhouse in Bound Brook. Topics included economic development, the new County budget that reduces the tax rate, the 2026 World Cup, and the plans for the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The Somerset County Governing Officials Association is a non-partisan organization of local, county and state officials who get together to talk about best practices, share solutions, and build relationships between governing bodies to help deliver more and better services to the residents.

🗽🗽🗽Honoring Women Veterans🗽🗽🗽 Somerset County's Board of Commissioners and Commission on the Status of Women honored women veterans at Tuesday's Board of Commissioners Meeting for Women Veterans Appreciation Day, June 12. Women have served in the American military roles since the beginning of our nation, including in the Revolutionary War, providing support services, spying on the enemy, nursing, and even disguising themselves as men to fight in battle. June 12, 2024 is designated as “Women’s Veterans Appreciation Day” by the NJ Legislature in commemoration of the 76th Anniversary of the Women’s Armed Service Integration Act giving women the right to serve as permanent members of the United States Armed Forces in times of war or peace. Left to right: 🔵Suzette Given, Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) member, North Plainfield Councilwoman 🔵Carol Senff, CSW member 🔵Janet Samuels, CSW member 🔵Sara Sooy, Commissioner Deputy Director 🔵Shanel Y. Robinson, Air Force Veteran and Commissioner Director 🔵Dimitra Bairaktaris, Montgomery - US Army Veteran 🔵Maria Salazar, Bridgewater, - USMC Veteran 🔵Karen Thomas, CSW Chair 🔵Melonie Marano, Commissioner

Commissioner Paul Drake presented citations for the multicultural performers at this weekend's 5th annual "Giving Thanks" Multicultural Festival at Drew University. The festival raises money to benefit Vision and Pathways' programs supporting NJ’s homeless youth.

🌹🌹🌹Take Some Time To Smell The Roses!🌹🌹🌹 The Rose Day Festival may have passed, but Commissioners Melonie Marano and Paul Drake want everyone to know the roses are still blooming, beautiful and in peak form at Colonial Park Gardens in Franklin! Head on out all summer long to this garden oasis in the heart of Somerset. https://loom.ly/CzMHeVA

Congratulations to all the young women who participated in Girls on the Run of Central NJ this year, and made the Girls on the Run 5K in Somerville this weekend such a roaring success! Somerset County Commissioner Director Shanel Y. Robinson was honored to give a welcome to the girls, and got a selfie right before the runners took off!