Dear Community Friends,
First and foremost, I want to thank our residents for providing me with the additional opportunity to serve the community that I love for the next three years. I’m excited to continue with my service as your mayor and I look forward to working hard for the betterment of our great community.
If you missed reading my weekly mayor’s messages, it was the result of the Mantua Sun Newspaper suspending mayoral interaction for the three weeks preceding the Nov. 5 General Election. I was extremely disappointed in this managing editor’s decision, however, I’m very confident that we can now get back to business. I have been released from “Mantua Sun jail” and will resume my efforts of open and transparent leadership.
Throughout the month of October, the MTPD handled 2,396 calls for service, made 42 arrests, issued 97 motor vehicle summonses, conducted 171 investigation reports and investigated 43 motor vehicle crashes. Our beloved police continue to keep the criminal element at bay.
I recently stopped and met with Adriana and Gabby Palmieri in the Snowy Owl neighborhood. These two young residents have been making and selling custom friendship bracelets. I purchased some really cool Philadelphia Eagles bracelets for my wife and two daughters. We love to encourage our youth to earn their own money. We’re very fortunate to have so many future entrepreneurs who are extremely talented and are also learning the value of a dollar at the same time.
On Thursday, Oct. 31 (Halloween), I took the liberty of traveling around the township and visiting some of our incredible Halloween houses. I’m absolutely amazed by the level of talent and commitment put forth by many of our residents throughout the community.
I’d like to thank everyone for the hospitality and for allowing me to be a part of the community’s passion for Halloween. I’d like to personally thank Theresa Devine, Al and Samantha Palmieri, Jim Powers and others for the personal tours of their Disneyland-like displays. The amount of time and effort is just off the charts.
For those that I missed, I sincerely apologize as there just wasn’t enough time to make my way around the township in a few hours. From the looks of things, it appeared everyone had an incredible Halloween throughout the great Township of Mantua.
Let’s now get pumped-up and ready for our 2nd Annual “Deck the House” holiday decorating contest that was started last year by myself and the township committee.
The sign-up period to register for participation in now through Friday, Nov. 15 at 11:59 p.m. Decorations must be completed by Monday, Dec. 2 at 5:00 p.m.
This year, we’ve added the additional categories to make things more exciting:
Most Colorful Display
Most Classic Display
Most Original Display
Best Inflatables Display
Overall Best Decorated
Public voting for the preliminary round is scheduled from Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 9:00 a.m. through Friday, Dec. 13 at 11:59 p.m. where the public can vote for their top three displays in each category.
Senior voting for the final round is on Monday, Dec. 16. Mantua Township Seniors will visit the top three displays in each category based on the public’s opinion to determine the first-place winners and the overall best decorated – grand prize winner.
Winners will be notified via email on Wednesday, Dec. 18 and must confirm attendance for the awards ceremony. Santa and I plan on delivering a township proclamation and plaque to the winners on Dec. 19. We hope to arrive on a fire truck and will proudly erect a “winners sign” on the front lawn and meet with family and friends in the neighborhood.
This is another way to enhance neighborhood spirit around the holidays, and to get our community involved and be more interactive. Like many, this is my favorite time of the year.
For questions, please contact Leah Clemenson, Mantua Township Administrative Project Coordinator at lclemenson@mantuatownship.com.
To obtain more information such as the rules and regulations, and to sign-up this year, go to www.mantuatownship.com.
On behalf of Deputy Mayor Pete Scirrotto, myself and the entire township committee – we look forward to continuing our service with honesty, integrity and trustful leadership.
Respectfully,
Mayor Robert T. Zimmerman, MAS
