The first phase of our Hometown Heroes Veterans Banner Program is to recognize township vets who were killed in action or died on active duty. It will also include other local fallen heroes from emergency services and 9/11.
These banners are being paid for with sponsorships of $1,000 minimum donations. All banners for the first phase of the program will display logos of all six of the following sponsors who contributed $1,000. They are Bob’s Home Remodeling, Inc., Hardenbergh Insurance Group Inc., the Powell family, Joyce Rodak on behalf of JR’s Angels Inc., Lawson Cox VFW Post 7679 and the Gillies and Tuvell families.
We have fulfilled our needs for sponsorship funding for the first phase, and are extremely grateful for those who gave. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all those who are contributing in some way to bring this incredible program to fruition.
No data centers
Let me be perfectly clear, the township committee and I stand firmly in opposition to the introduction of data centers within our jurisdiction. A data center is not a constitutionally protected use, and therefore, can be prohibited by way of a zoning ordinance.
At our April 13 township committee meeting, we introduced Ordinance 9-2026 banning the facilities. We are taking an extremely proactive approach, and getting out in front of the data center debacle occurring in other communities. The ordinance will in fact prohibit the centers as a zoning use in Section 230-44 of our township codes and will prohibit the centers in all of our zoning districts.
The ordinance has been referred to our Land Use Board for Master Plan Consistency review. We anticipate a second reading on Monday, May 11, at 6 p.m. Residents can offer public comment on the matter at that time.
New website
Our new website has gone live at www.mantuatownship.com. Check out its features and register on the home page to receive my “Straight From The Mayor” messages by email. You can report a concern and file forms, among othr uses.
We’re still working out some kinks and improving things daily. Our goal is to become more communicative, to provide more user-friendly resources and to better serve the residents of our great community.
The top job
At our April 13 township committee meeting, Capt. William D. Murphy was named Mantua’s sixth chief in the police department’s 58-year history. It was truly an honor to administer the oath of office to Chief Murphy. He has spent well over two decades policing our community with dedication and professionalism, and is certainly well deserving and worthy of this promotion.
Pen is mightier
Mantua’s VFW Post 7679 and its auxiliary hosted their annual Patriot Pen and Voice of Democracy Awards Luncheon on April 19. I attended in support of our VFW Post and the following award recipients: Aliana WilczyÅ„ski, Lucia Cunanan, Logan Reim, Aida Fraserm, Kylee Galtman and Haley Elizabeth Smith.Â
It was an honor to help celebrate these outstanding students recognized in the Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy programs. These young leaders represent the very best of our community – thoughtful, engaged and committed to understanding and expressing the values that define our nation.
