Choi Announces Campaign Slate, Launches Re-Election Bid

Mayor Jun Choi

EDISON – Mayor Jun Choi officially announced his re-election campaign and named his running mates on Monday. The mayor, a Democrat seeking his second four-year term, is again running without the backing of the township’s Democratic organization.

“We need to revitalize Edison Township and the Democratic Party, with an infusion of fresh talent, untarnished by old guard politics and willing to stand up to special interest politics,” Choi said.

Joining the mayor on the ballot are Rachel Callen, a teacher and community activist; Meiling Kravarik, president and owner of a local realty firm; and Edward Fitzgerald, a retired captain in the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.

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Edison Residents Can Pay Property Taxes Online

EDISON—Township taxpayers are now just a click away from making property tax payments. Edison has unveiled online property tax payments via the township web site www.EdisonNJ.org.

“This is a major step forward in streamlining and modernizing our government while providing better services. In our increasingly busy world, this should become a great convenience for our residents,” said Mayor Jun Choi.

Online payments provide the convenience of bill paying from a home or personal computer at a time that is convenient. Residents can find the tax-payment logo on the upper right side of the township web site’s front page.

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Edison Chamber Hosts Annual Speech

EDISON—The Edison Chamber of Commerce will host the 18th annual Edison State of the Town Address by Mayor Jun H. Choi.  The Jan. 27 event will be held at the New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center in the Raritan Center.

The public forum starts at 7 p.m.  A ticketed cocktail reception runs from 5:30-7 p.m.   A reception ticket is $30 per person, and includes gourmet hors d’oeuvres and open bar.  Advance registration can be made online or by calling the chamber office at 732-738-9482.  The address forum is free and no advance registration is required.

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Investors Savings Bank Starts Construction On New Edison Branch

EDISON – Groundbreaking for Investors Savings Bank’s second branch in Edison marks an important step in the economic revitalization of the community’s historic Clara Barton District.

 

Edison Mayor Jun Choi took part in last week’s groundbreaking for Investors Savings Bank’s ne branch in the township’s historic Clara Barton District.

Located at the corner of Seventh Street and Amboy Avenue, construction on the 3,000 square-foot branch will begin immediately with an opening targeted for the middle of 2009. The new, one-story facility will complement the classic design of this historic district’s nearby homes and businesses. The branch will have three drive-up lanes, including two teller stations and a 24-hour ATM as well as a secure night depository for business customers.

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Edison Mayoral Race Could Have Intrigue

Mayor Jun Choi

EDISON – Council President Robert Diehl and Councilwoman Antonia Ricigliano have both expressed interest in running for Mayor next year, and Councilman Anthony Massaro is considering his options.

The 2009 election season could get very interesting, since Mayor Jun Choi has indicated that he will seek re-election whether or not he gets the support of the local Democratic Party.

To be the Democratic Party’s nominee, a candidate has to win the majority vote of the 156 Township Committee members, who vote using a secret ballot. Any registered Democrat can screen before the party and letters of intent are due before the screening process starts in March.

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Edison Police Will Be Equipped With Ballistic Shields

EDISON—Last week, Police Director Brian Collier and Mayor Jun Choi announced a local law enforcement initiative to provide Edison police officers and the township residents they serve with the necessary tools to swiftly respond to acts of violence.

Police Director Brian Collier and Mayor Jun Choi announced yesterday that the Edison Police Department will be the first municipal department in the state to be fully deployed with ballistic shields.

The Edison Police Department is now the first municipal department in the state to be fully deployed with ballistic shields. The 34-inch high, 20-pound black shields with a light emitting diode system will be placed in first-responder Edison police cruisers. Each Edison school resource officer will also have a shield as well as three community resource officers who are continually in school settings.

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Edison Asked To Make A Difference With Township Food Drive

EDISON—Mayor Jun Choi launched a month-long township food drive to help those in need.

“As a community we respond to the needs of our neighbors. The need is growing and it is time to act to help those less fortunate,” he said.

The donation drive of non-perishable food and dry goods begins Nov. 1 and will last through the end of the month. Food collection bins will be placed at 13 locations throughout the township: the Municipal Building, Police Headquarters, Stelton Recreation Center, Minnie B. Veal Recreation Center, three public libraries and six firehouses. The firehouses allow donors to drop food 24-hours a day.

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Supporting Positive Behavior

Supporting Positive Behavior—Mayor Jun Choi presented a proclamation to Woodbrook Elementary School for its successful Positive Behavior Supports in School program. Choi presented the proclamation at an outdoor assembly in which the J.P. Stevens Pep Band entertained the crowd the J.P. Stevens cheerleaders performed cheers about respect and responsibility. Students won raffle prizes for their positive behavior. In the beginning of the school year, students were taught about the benefits of positive behavior. All 805 students will continue to participate in the program for the remainder of the school year. Pictured from left to right are Kindergarten teacher Andrew Brown, Mayor Jun Choi, Woodbrook Principal Nicole Cirillo and Brown’s kindergarten class.

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Mayor, Assemblyman Lead Election Forum

EDISON—On Friday, Oct. 3, The Wardlaw-Hartridge School hosted a forum on the upcoming presidential election. Edison Mayor Jun H. Choi, a Democrat, and Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (R-Union County) addressed the Upper School students and parents.

 

Assemblyman Jon M. Bramnick with Andrew Webster, Head of School at The Wardlaw-Hartridge School, and Edison Mayor Jun H. Choi. Photo by Michelle H. LePoidevin.

Choi focused on the campaign of Senator Barack Obama and the Democratic party, while Bramnick focused on the campaign of Senator John McCain and the Republican party. Both politicians also addressed the role of local politics in national issues. The forum was moderated by Andrew Webster, head of school.

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Mayoral Recognition

 

Mayoral Recognition—On Sept. 22, Edison Mayor Jun H. Choi, a first degree black belt, issued formal proclamations recognizing the achievements of Ricky Azari and Christopher Azari in Taekwondo. Ricky is a third grader and Christopher is a kindergartener at The Wardlaw-Hartridge School in Edison. Choi’s proclamation recognized the talented brothers as having demonstrated “outstanding physical fitness” and athletic excellence. Ricky and Christopher are the sons of Cyrus and Elizabeth Azari of Edison.

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Edison Preserves Former Superfund Site

 

Mayor Jun Choi

EDISON—Mayor Jun Choi, along with federal, state and local leaders, announced the township’s purchase and preservation of the former Chemical Insecticide Corp.

 

“On this historic day, we take hold of a piece of property that was once contaminated and has now been transformed into open space for recreational purposes. This will be another step forward to improve the quality of life of Edison residents. This happened through a team approach and many people must be thanked – our U.S. Senators Frank Lautenberg and Bob Menendez, Congressman Frank Pallone, our state delegation, the U.S. EPA and our local environmental advocate Bob Spiegel,” Choi said.

The township will preserve the 6-acre site for open space and recreation. The CIC property is a former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Superfund site. The EPA spent $53 million to clean up the site. Digging 30-feet deep into the ground in its cleanup efforts, the EPA removed more than 350,000 tons of contaminated soil. The site is now safe and well-suited for recreation and open space.

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County Grant Boosts Push To Revitalize Edison Tower

The Edison Memorial Tower, circa 2003

EDISON—The continued efforts to revitalize the Edison Memorial Tower received a boost via a $375,000 grant from Middlesex County.

“We’re grateful to the Middlesex County Freeholders for standing with us in our commitment to revitalizing this jewel in our community,” said Mayor Jun Choi.

The Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders awarded the $375,000 in Open Space Trust Funds. The county grant money will now be used as a match when applying for funds from the New Jersey Historic Trust Fund.

The Edison Memorial Tower Corp. – the non-profit organization spearheading restoration efforts – will also add $375,000 of privately raised funds to the matching grant application, thereby allowing the organization to apply for the maximum grant of $750,000.

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Edison Budget Calls For 5% Tax Increase

EDISON – Mayor Jun Choi unveiled his $118 million spending plan for the new fiscal year this week. It includes a proposed five percent increase in the tax rate, which the mayor emphasized was less than the rate of inflation.

Edison’s Township Council had clashed fiercely with the mayor on previous budget proposals, but this year Choi has four supporters on the seven-member legislative body. Within the next month, the council is expected to introduce the budget and begin public hearings.

Choi says his budget will bring financial stability to the township. “I have been and remain committed to restoring the fiscal integrity of our community by avoiding financial gimmicks and facing up to our fiscal realities,” the mayor said.

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Jersey Fresh Farmers Market Comes To Edison

EDISON—Mayor Jun Choi announced the establishment of the Edison Farmers Market on Amboy Avenue. The mayor lauded the new market as part of the positive changes he is committed to bringing to the community. This is the first Farmers Market on record in Edison since 1980.

Mayor Jun Choi announced that the Amboy Avenue farmers market will open this Sunday.

“This is a great quality of life improvement that will draw people to the area. Edison has a lot to offer and this will be another attraction. We were able to put this together through a grant program so it doesn’t add any cost to the taxpayers,” Choi said.

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New Minivan Expands Service to Seniors

EDISON—Driving seniors in need to critical medical appointments has become easier in the township thanks to the addition of a Chevy Uplander.

Edison is the first municipality in the county to obtain the Uplander – a minivan with a manual wheelchair ramp along with additional amenities to aid in transporting the senior citizen population.

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