woodbridgenews.net

Woodbridge's 10 towns, one community aspect is hailed as a model for New Jersey in a new video by a non-profit organization that seeks to encourage small communities in New Jersey to begin thinking about combining.

Gina Genovese, the former mayor of Long Hill Township and founder of Courage to Connect, said Woodbridge offers a model for small towns that are concerned about losing their identity in a merger.

 

"What a great example of what our future could look like – ten towns with one government. When residents recognize that their local government is not the sole creator of their sense of community, then we can begin to connect communities through petitions and referendums," Genovese said. "Connected communities with one government are more efficient, more affordable and can create better plans for the future of the community."

Genovese interviews Woodbridge Mayor John E. McCormac as well as residents throughout the township, including the Tide Watchers Club, a group of men who gather at a park in Sewaren every day. What residents tell Genovese is that although they live in a township with more than 100,000 residents, they still very much identify with their communities like Iselin, Colonia and Sewaren.