After a 4 year hiatus, the Dunellen Municipal Alliance is back…
The Dunellen Municipal Alliance is a community-based volunteer organization representing families, schools and businesses, along with faith-based and nonprofit organizations in Dunellen. Working together, Alliance members develop a strategic plan to decrease misuse and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, especially as they relate to our youth.
The Alliance membership includes: Chairperson Diana Starace; Coordinator Terri Albertson; Council Members Ken Baudendistel and Kevin Bachorik; Borough Clerk William Robins; Dunellen Police Officer Jon DeAngelo; Dunellen High School Assistant Principal Cuyler Tobin; Student Assistance Counselor Lisa Leibowitz; Dunellen School staff members Jessica Puckett, Beth Willoughby, Lori McManus, Tammy DelRosario and Tim O’Sullivan; First Presbyterian Church of Dunellen Director of Worship & Music & Student Ministry Karl Geiger; and Dunellen Business Owner Peg Lockwood. Community members Peter Albertson and Tyler Baker round off the group.
We bet you’re thinking, “How do you plan on tackling such a big issue?” Well, we have some exciting ideas in mind, but first, we will be recruiting additional members, especially teens, young adults and parents (we hope that’s YOU). We will be tabling at National Night Out on August 2nd, the Dunellen Street Fair on September 11th and HarvestFest on October 9th. Stop by – introduce yourself – let us know how you can help us and how we can help you. Whether you are a teenager, or just know how to think like one, we would like to hear from you.
So, what’s in the works? Here’s a taste of what we have planned…
- Fun, teen -driven activities at the Senior Center on a regular basis as an alternative to just “hanging out”.
- Educational programming in Dunellen’s schools to provide ways of helping young people find alternative solutions to social situations that otherwise might be solved with drug use.
- Advocating for municipal laws geared toward making our community safer and healthier for all of us.
- Engaging Dunellen businesses and organizations in activities focused on building a responsible and safe community.
Now that you have heard from us, let us hear from you.
What suggestions do you have to help create a healthier Dunellen? Share your ideas with us at National Night Out, the Street Fair or the HarvestFest. If you can’t wait until then, email us at DunellenMA@gmail.com. And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @dunellenma and Facebook.