Vineland Rotary Newsletter August 5, 2024 (Aug. 05, 2024)

Highlights from our July 30th Meeting

President Jay Einstein called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Josie Spinelli. The Four Way Test was given by Sherry Soutiere. The invocation was given by Dave Schad. Linda Rumick was our notetaker and photographer. Special thanks to Harry Maloney for setting up the space for the meeting.

Guests included potential member Carol Conroy

(Compass Charter School) and Preston Foster (Sir Speedy).

Classification Talk -

Robyn Granberg

Robyn Granberg gave her classification talk. She is a business

member with Newfield National Bank. She was born and raised in Port Elizabeth, raised by her father and grandparents. Robyn received her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration last year and also has a certificate in Human Resources. Robyn started her banking career locally at BB&T which became Truist, working as a teller. She left to join Newfield Bank where she is in Operations. In Operations, she “tries to catch all the fraudsters daily because there is a lot of check fraud.” She is also involved with Marketing at the bank where she creates advertising. Robyn, in her spare time, is an Event Planner. She did all the planning for her own wedding three years ago. She does centerpieces and big balloon arches. “I have lots of supplies that we can use if Rotary ever needs them!” She noted that she likes to write.

Welcome to Rotary, Robyn! We look forward to planning events with you!

Announcements

President Jay welcomed everyone to the meeting, especially Carol Conroy and Preston Foster potential new members who have been attending meetings.

Community service Chairperson Sherry Soutiere announced that the project for August will be support for the South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter. The blue collection cans on the tables at our luncheon meetings will benefit the Shelter and donations of needed items will be collected at the meetings. Visit the Shelter's website at: http://sjras.org/

Our Program

Josie Spinelli introduced our guest speaker, City Councilman Paul Spinelli (yes he is her husband!). Paul was elected to City Council in 2012 and served as its President from 2016 to 2020. He has served on numerous committees while on council. Currently he serves on the Finance and Public Works committee,the VDC, UEZ, Landis Theatre Foundation, VDID and the Cannabis Committee. He has served 3 terms on council and is currently running for his fourth.

The Councilman spoke about many issues and sources of pride concerning the City of Vineland including:

The Vineland Electric Utility - known as the best in the state
Vineland EMT - the largest it has ever been and provides excellent service
Vineland Police Department - currently about 165 strong (about 10 short) and has gone for two years with no grievances against its administration.
Vineland Fire Department - a new fire station being built at the Boulevard and Plum
Vineland Senior Center - will experience a total overhaul starting this Fall
Vineland City Hall being updated one floor at a time
Public Works offices are moving and the existing site will be a storage area for equipment. It also houses the gas pumping station for city vehicles and school buses through a shared services agreement.
Work is being done to water towers to help alleviate water shortages as were experienced this summer.
Pilot program starting soon, starting with the Industrial Parks to provide high speed internet. The pilot will help them understand the strengths and weaknesses so they can be addressed before the product is rolled out to the public. This should offer a lower cost internet service for residents when the project is complete. Some employees of the Electric Utility are being cross-trained to provide the services required for the high speed internet.
Infrastructure improvements are being made with drainage and roads.
A new building has been purchased to house Code Blue which will also provide space for the Health Department which will vacate space it currently uses in City Hall.
No tax increase this year and dramatic improvements in the bonding interest paid because the city‘s financial condition has improved over the past 8 years.
Attitude among employees has improved as salaries and benefits improve and it shows throughout the city as things get done.

Paul said that things have changed during the current administration’s tenure noting “there's an attitude about the city that gives you a lot of pride. It's always growing season in Vineland. There's a public perception that is just positive and that’s a really good thing."

Thank you Councilman Spinelli for a very interesting view

of Vineland through the eyes of a long-time City Councilman!

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