By Rod Hirsch

The Elizabeth School District has accomplished what few districts in America can rival – it’s opened four new schools in the past two years and 10 in the last decade. Yet so much more needs to be done to upgrade older buildings and alleviate chronic overcrowding in the 22,000- student district, according to school officials.

That is why city and school officials are anxious to learn from state officials how much money they can expect from the federal stimulus package approved by Congress in February.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will shower $787 billion across the country to help stimulate the nation’s faltering economy, pumping money into hundreds of thousands of civic and private projects and programs that will help create job opportunities.

The stimulus package also contains much-needed assistance for the growing burden on the state Unemployment InsuranceFund and other social safety net programs.

The Center for American Progress has estimated that New Jersey will receive some $17.4 billion from the federal stimulus program, including $7.2 billion in tax cuts that will provide relief to more than 3.5 million state taxpayers.

According to figures from the Congressional Research Service provided by New Jersey Rep. Donald M. Payne – whose congressional district includes several Union County municipalities – New Jersey schools would receive a total of $1.4 billion for a variety of programs, including construction.

Under the category of “Education Modernization, Renovation and Repair,” New Jersey is slated to receive $290 million for K-12 schools, while higher education facilities would receive $130 million.

However, Kerry McKenney, chief of staff for Payne, senior member of the House Education and Labor Committee, cautions that most of the figures cited are preliminary and are likely to be readjusted.

Despite the uncertainty over how much money will come in and when, the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) has reached out across the state to assemble a “shovel ready” list of projects. The SDA oversees distribution of state funds for school construction in the so-called Abbott School Districts, of which there are 31, including Elizabeth. These special needs districts qualify for hundreds of millions of dollars in school construction aid.

It is likely funding for infrastructure improvements like window upgrades, roof repairs, fire alarm systems and overall building improvements will be the most visible expenditures.

“It’s easier to repair a boiler than it is to design a new school building,” Hanover said. While at first glance it does not seem as though there will be funds available to build new schools, there will be money available for upgrades and improvements throughout the Elizabeth school district, which includes 33 buildings – 23 K-8 schools and six high schools and early childhood centers, according to Luis Couto, director of plant, property & equipment for the Elizabeth Board of Education.

“We did get a communication from the Schools Development Authority informing us that potentially we could get close to $10 million for construction-related items plus other instructional-related funding,” Couto said.

“We came up with a list of projects in order of priority (for which) we would be interested in having funding.

The Elizabeth School District hopes the federal stimulus plan will contain money to help continue its much-needed construction efforts, such as those that resulted in Juan Pablo Duarte-Jose Julian Marti School opening in December for students kindergarten through grade eight.

Added Anne Bryant, executive director of the National School Boards Association (NSBA), “This funding is critical to the future of not only our schools and communities through job retention and creation, but it is funding our future – the education of our young people to be the leaders in our society. Getting the stimulus funding into the hands of our school districts is essential to their continued success.

“We are pleased that the stimulus funds will reach local school districts, allowing them to retain teachers and school staff, preventing layoffs, and in many communities where school districts are  the largest employer, provide economic stability. This bill is a lifeline and a life saver.”

The economic stimulus will provide $77 billion to states and school districts for a number of priorities, according to an analysis by the NSBA.

Specific investments include state fiscal stabilization funding ($39.6 billion) to help avert education cuts; increased funding ($25.2 billion) for special education programs and Title I grants for disadvantaged students; increased funding ($5 billion) for early childhood programs, including Head Start, Early Head Start, Child Care Block Grants and programs for infants with disabilities; and $2 billion in investments for data systems, teacher quality, education technology and aid to federallyimpacted school districts.

The ARRA also includes provisions that allow a portion of state fiscal stabilization funding to be used for school repairs and modernization. In addition to the $77 billion investment in education, the ARRA will provide $24.8 billion in bond authority to states and local governments for school construction and modernization through the Qualified Zone Academy Bond program and a new Qualified School Construction Bond program.

School construction, repairs and modernization are major components of the stimulus package.

Nationwide, the costs for repairs, maintenance and modernization exceed $300 billion, according to the NSBA. “Foremost, federal funding for school infrastructure is not only timely, but would prove mutually beneficial for the nation’s education system and for local and national economies by providing employment and contracting opportunities,” according to a statement from the NSBA in a position paper on the Stimulus Package.

A study conducted by Rutgers University – “Economic Impacts of Planned School Construction Projects in New Jersey” cited in the position paper – indicates that 9,000 full-time jobs, paying an average of $54,140 annually, could be created and/or sustained from about 50 percent of the total project cost of every billion dollars invested in school repairs and modernization.

While the family mattress seems increasingly more inviting and secure for a life’s savings today, the problems and scandals plaguing the world of banking have led many people to consider a more rational alternative to traditional banks. The question is: Where can someone keep their money that is both safe and offers all the conveniences of a bank?

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will shower $787 billion across the country to help stimulate the nation’s faltering economy, pumping money into hundreds of thousands of civic and private projects and programs that will help create job opportunities.

The stimulus package also contains much-needed assistance for the growing For many, the answer is their local credit union, according to industry officials.

“The biggest difference between a credit union and a bank is that a credit union is a ‘cooperative financial institution, owned and controlled by the people who use its services,’” according to Paul Gentile, president and CEO of the New Jersey Credit Union League. “In today’s environment many people are more comfortable with putting their money into a non-profit cooperative.”

By putting money into a credit union a depositor becomes a “member” of that union. “While a bank’s first responsibility is to see that it makes money for its shareholders, a credit union is only responsible to its members,” Gentile explains.

That means that while a publicly held bank is returning profits to shareholders in terms of dividends, a credit union returns profits to its members in the form of higher interest rates on accounts, lower interest rates on loans, and sometimes even cash dividends at the end of the year, according to Mary Ann Small, spokesperson for Atlantic Federal Credit Union.

In addition, while a large bank may have a global base of shareholders, a credit union, which is run by a volunteer board elected by all the credit union’s members, is usually very local in nature. That means better and friendlier customer service, Small added.

At one time most credit unions were “sponsor-based” – in other words they restricted their membership to a specific employer or sponsor. Today, many credit unions are “regionally based.”

Atlantic Federal, for example, is open to “anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or does business in Newark, as well as employees and family members of over 300 companies,” Small said.

Another area credit union, Aspire FCU, is open to federal employees, including members of the Customs Agency and Border Patrol, the FBI, CIA and IRS. Employees of Whole Foods Market, UPS and 150 or so smaller employers also are eligible for membership in Aspire, according to its business development manager Daniel Peters.

“Almost everyone can find a credit union they are eligible to join,” says Gentile. He suggests visiting www.findacreditunion.com.

Banks still have certain advantages over their smaller competition. For example, while credit unions offer most of the same services as banks, the fact that they are smaller and have fewer branches can make it less convenient for some people to use them as their primary banking institution.

However, some credit unions have formed cooperatives to negate this problem. Aspire, for example, has six of its own branches throughout the county plus members who do not live near a branch can use the services of other credit unions that are part of Aspire’s network. In addition, most credit unions also participate in an ATM network that offers 25,000 free ATMs in the tri-state area alone, according to Peters.

Most credit unions also insure deposits through the NCUA (National Credit Union Association), the equivalent of the FDIC that insures banks. In fact, the NCUA insures deposits up to $250,000, $150,000 higher than the FDIC standard insured deposits. (On October 14, the FDIC announced it was temporarily raising that level to $250,000, through December 31, 2009). However, a few credit unions (one estimate is about 3 percent) do not have this insurance. Therefore, before placing their money in a credit union consumers should make sure the institution is insured.

The business community also might feel underserved by credit unions. Credit unions make personal and commercial loans, just like most banks. However, there are some restrictions on commercial lending.

“A credit union can only lend up to 12.25 percent of its assets,” said Gentile. “That means that it is more difficult to make some of the larger commercial loans.” However, he pointed out, “there are ways around that. For instance, several credit unions can band together to jointly issue a larger loan.”

For personal loans, credit unions usually offer lower interest rates than banks, and in the current credit crunch, one of the best advantages of credit unions may be that because they were less likely to be involved in subprime and other “exotic” loan practices, they have money to lend.

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I had been promoted to manage the sample and estimating/pricing department.

For their contribution to our society, whenever you see a model maker, you might just want to thank him or her                                                               

Woodlands Center Genesis Healthcare, Inc.

Woodland's Nursing Center providing modern care for the elderly

Woodlands Nursing Center is a skilled nursing center located at 1400 Woodland Ave. in Plainfield and operated by Genesis Healthcare. The Woodlands contains 120 beds, half of those being dedicated to sub-acute rehabilitation.

Specialized services are available for patients with a diagnosis of dementia and Alzheimer’s. In addition, the center has a 20-bed residential unit for customers who live independently with nursing care available.

A comprehensive rehabilitation program is available to all residents of the Woodlands. This includes physical, occupational and speech therapy. The rehab department emphasizes a holistic approach to rehabilitation, always striving for the highest possible level of functioning.

Families are invited to visit the rehabilitation gymnasium both to observe therapy and to learn how to safely transfer a patient from curbside to car or from bed to bathroom. Therapy goals are functional. For example, when a patient has stairs to climb at home, practice on stairs is given by physical therapy.

Occupational therapy focuses on activities of daily living, including dressing, bathing and cooking.

Speech therapy seeks to improve communication skills, as well as to ensure the patient can eat and swallow safely and includes instruction on the most appropriate diet. Whenever possible, the goal of rehab is for the residents to return home to live independently or with families.

Residents of the Woodlands can enjoy a dining experience, rather than cafeteria-style meals. The dining room is decorated, complete with a fireplace and landscaped aquarium. A registered dietician oversees the dining room.

Part of the dietician’s job is to see that a variety of special diet requirements can be met, which is often critical to the healing process. On admission, each resident meets individually with the dietician to discuss food preferences and special needs.

The recreation department offers a wide variety of activities for residents, including cooking groups, gardening, crafts, painting, sing-a-longs, bingo and movie and horse racing nights. For a patient who may be bed-bound, the recreation department takes its services bedside to meet the individual needs of each resident. A monthly birthday party ensures that every resident’s birthday is celebrated and is special.

Recreation includes theme parties, such as Western day or holiday events. Musical entertainment is brought in and residents are encouraged to sing and dance along with the entertainers. On one occasion, a strolling violinist entertained the diners at lunchtime and on another an Elvis impersonator entertained residents and staff and encouraged them to sing along to favorite rock ‘n’ roll hits.

Residents of Plainfield and surrounding communities often tour the center and meet the staff, which specializes in geriatric care. Regular seminars and in-service training on the topic of aging keep the staff up to date.

The Woodlands Rehabilitation Center makes every effort to return patients to their homes. Of course, every resident wants to return home but for some that is not the safest or best alternative.

When this is the case, rehab continues to be available to support those who stay for long-term care.

A physiatrist, a doctor specializing in rehabilitation, consults with our rehab team on a weekly basis to ensure that we make the best decisions for each patient, including whether the patient can return home or needs additional care.

Genesis Healthcare operates 40 skilled nursing and assisted living facilities in New Jersey, including Woodlands. Some 6,000 employees provide care daily to more than 5,500 elderly residents.

Genesis also provides support services nationwide of medical equipment, pharmaceutical supplies, and home health care.

.Inside Views

"Who's afraid of the big bad debt?"

Every day we hear our national leaders pontificate on the evils of the exploding national debt. I’m not quite sure how many generations of our descendents we are now dooming to abject poverty. It is at least our grandchildren or maybe our great-grandchildren or even our great-great- grandchildren.

Or it may be that this is just the normal political bunk that we hear on so many issues. Politicians rarely understand the issues they are discussing, so they try to scare us with their magnitude.

Debt is growing, and it is growing rapidly, to be sure. As it now stands, our national debt is over $11 trillion, a number that is really hard to grasp. With the Troubled Assets Relief Program, several rounds of economic stimulus and a huge operating budget, we are looking at a trillion dollar deficit and another trillion dollars added to the debt. Big numbers.

Because these numbers are so big, it is easy to see why it is going to take so many generations to pay them back. Or is it?

Twenty years ago I bought a home computer with a 20 megabit hard drive, a huge amount of memory at the time. I now walk around with a 4 gigabit memory stick in my pocket and have a 500 gigabit hard drive in my computer. However, because of the growth in memory requirements, in percentage terms my hard drive is just as full now as it was 20 years ago.

In looking at debt, it is better to look at the relative size of the debt as compared to the economy rather than just some big number. At the end of 2008, the ratio of debt-to-gross domestic product was about 75 percent. This means it would take nine months of work to pay off the debt.

The highest debt-to-GDP ratio was back during World War II when it reached over 120 percent. The lowest post-WWII level was 33 percent during Carter’s presidency. By the end of Clinton’s first term it was up to 67 percent, almost where we are now. It did then drop until 2002, when it was 57 percent.

While this may be a great numeric way of showing we really aren’t shackling our children with debt, an analogy might make the debt-to-income analysis even easier to grasp.

Take for example a family with an annual income of $100,000. Assuming they have no other debt, it would not be unreasonable for them to buy a house for $300,000. Doing so would give them a debt-to-income ratio of 300 percent, four times greater than our national level of 75 percent. However, since this is a long-term investment and property values over the long term appreciate, it actually makes good sense to incur debt.

Now that we have established that the debt isn’t really this huge monster that is going to devour future generations, why is analysis important? Because so much of the policy debate on economic stimulus devolves to a debate about the level of the debt.

When an economy is in recession, it is important to pump in a lot of stimulus, and fast. While spending on some things may have a more stimulative effect than others, speed is of the utmost importance.

Limiting spending because of fear of the level of debt can constrict the economy. It also makes people feel negative about the stimulus when the most important aspect is to make them feel positive.

Even worse, debt discussion can and has lead to a discussion of tax increases. Nothing is a bigger drag on economic recovery than a tax increase during a recession. Taxes defeat the whole purpose of a stimulus package. People need money to spend, new money. If you take it from one guy to give it to someone else you get no net gain.

Alas, very few politicians understand the effect of their misstatements. The way the debate is shaping up, this may really be a long deep recession.

James Coyle

President

When asked about Gov. Corzine considering the use of emergency powers to address the state’s budget crisis – including imposing a forced pay freeze and furloughs – a spokesman for the Communications Workers of America called the idea “breathtakingly arrogant,” according to the Star Ledger.

What is breathtakingly arrogant is the continued insistence on the part of the state’s largest labor union that its members not be asked to help carry the burden of weathering this storm when every other sector of the state is doing so.

New Jersey is facing a staggering $7 billion shortfall in the approximately $29 billion state budget for 2009. That follows Corzine’s slicing $1.3 billion from the current fiscal budget year of $32.9 billion, including proposing two days of furloughs for all state employees at a saving of $35 million.

According to the state Treasury, nearly every major source of revenue for the state is coming in below expectations.

For New Jersey to make it through this crisis, all sectors of the state have to sacrifice. In fact, many already are doing so.

The state’s residents and school children are sacrificing: State municipal aid and contributions to school budgets are down, forcing towns and school boards to be creative and/or cut services.

Consumers are being targeted: The governor is considering an increase in taxes on cigarettes, wine and liquor. The state’s wealthiest households will be asked to give more: Corzine is proposing a 5 percent income tax surcharge on households earning more than $250,000.

Even the Legislature is kicking in. Senate President Richard Cody reported that the Legislature plans to save $1 million on its $73 million operating budget by leaving vacancies unfilled.

Yet the leaders of the Communications Workers of America continue to balk when asked to carry their fair share. A CWA spokesman recently stated that its employees “have expressed a willingness to do our part and help the state address its economic problems.” Yet so far, these words ring hollow.

For the coming fiscal year, the governor has proposed an 18-month wage freeze and 12 unpaid furlough days for all state employees. But the majority of state employees are represented by the CWA, which has vowed to fight the measures. It seems they would rather call the governor’s bluff that absent the wage freeze and furloughs, he will be forced to lay off 5,000 to 7,000 of their fellow employees.

Then there is the issue of health benefits, which are widely disproportionate in favor of CWA employees when compared with the average workers in this nation. Contributions to health benefits by state employees represented by the union are among the lowest in the nation and are dwarfed by what the average employee in the private business sector is asked to pay. (What private sector employee would not jump at the opportunity to contribute only 1.5 percent of their salary toward their benefits – if that much?) In fact, CWA leaders bragged to their members about the deal they negotiated with the last contract.

When asked to accept wage agreements or benefits packages less costly to management, it is not uncommon to hear labor leaders first demand cuts in pay and perks from senior management. Why should we sacrifice when management is still living high on the hog, they ask.

That was the refrain heard from labor leaders in Detroit for decades. Now the American automobile industry is on life support and labor’s refusal to work with management on reasonable benefits packages all these years played a major role in bringing the industry to its knees.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Merkt has proposed cutting the pay of every state legislator by 10 percent – for a grand saving of $600,000. On the other hand, an 18-month salary freeze for all state employees would save $152 million.

The unemployment rate in New Jersey has risen to 7.3 percent and in January, the state’s employment contracted for the 12th consecutive month. One in every 699 homes in the state is in foreclosure. The state is broke.

Unlike the federal government, which can borrow money to meet its budgetary obligations, New Jersey is required by the state’s constitution to balance its budget. That means the shortfall must be accounted for through savings. Everyone seems to understand this.

Everyone except the CWA leadership. The union’s continued resistance to sharing the burden during an extraordinary economic challenge is reprehensible.

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Almost all economists and most Americans agree that we are in the midst of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression and that immediate action by the federal government is needed to help turn around the American economy.

Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (“The Stimulus Bill”) to do just that. And I work every day to make sure important projects throughout New Jersey are being funded, to make life and work better.

As the only Democratic member of Congress from New Jersey on the House Appropriations Committee, I have always looked to help the entire state. Over the years I have helped secure funding for various projects throughout Union, Essex and Middlesex counties, including, but not limited to, road improvements to Kapkowski Road in Elizabeth, funding for the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Essex and the Edison National Historic Site in Middlesex.

The Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds important projects like those, while creating or saving 3 to 4 million jobs. The Act also rebuilds America; makes us more globally competitive; provides tax cuts for our people; moves toward energy independence; transforms our economy for long-term growth; provides tax incentives and financing opportunities to small businesses that will help them create jobs; addresses the needs of Americans suffering the most; and helps states avoid raising local property taxes and possible financial collapse.

The recovery plan invests in roads, bridges, mass transit, the national electric grid, flood control, clean water and other infrastructure projects. It provides funds for business incentives and numerous energy-efficiency and renewable energy projects. It devotes federal dollars for 21st century school renovation and increases assistance for college tuition. There is money for modernization of medical record technology to reduce errors and save lives and billions of health care dollars. All of these efforts will create jobs, 90 percent of them in the private sector.

Ninety-five percent of American workers will receive a tax cut. In addition, the child tax credit is expanded and middle class families have been spared from paying the Alternative Minimum Tax.

Nearly 80 percent of the money in the plan will be spent in the next 20 months.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act contains a package of loan fee reductions, higher guarantees, new Small Business Administration (SBA) programs, secondary market incentives, and enhancements to current SBA programs that will help unlock credit markets and begin economic recovery for the nation’s small business sector.

The recovery plan also offers relief for local property tax payers by supporting aid to states and localities overburdened by historic unemployment and tax revenue losses. Rather than force New Jersey’s state and local governments to cut essential services, like police, fire, health and education, or raise local property taxes, this Act sends federal dollars to our state for these specific needs. The majority of the money will be distributed under existing federal formulas to lessen the possibility of misuse by state or local governments.

The federal government needs to act because the states and the private sector have been so weakened by this recession. Adding to this, banks have almost completely frozen their lending.

At this point, the federal government is the only entity with the resources to make the necessary investments in our economy to slow the recession and help us get out of this deep financial hole.

This recovery plan alone will not solve the confounding economic problems facing our country, but it is a vital first step. Next we must fix our banking system and get credit flowing again to qualified businesses and families. And we must also create and enforce sensible regulations that will ensure that we don’t end up in this mess again.

The Northfield Bank Foundation announced that Stanley Applebaum, John Connors, Jr., and John Alexander have been elected to the Foundation’s board of directors. Applebaum is an attorney at law based in Staten Island, New York. He serves on the board of directors for Northfield Bank and Staten Island University Hospital.

Alexander is chairman, president and CEO of Northfield Bank. He is a member of the board of directors for the Community Bankers of New York State, the Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Staten Island University Hospital, Sky Light Center and the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation. Connors is the owner of Connors & Connors, P.C., a Staten Island, New York, law firm. He serves on the board of directors for Northfield Bank, Notre Dame Academy and St. Vincent’s Services.

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Spencer Savings Bank, SLA, members have re-elected board members Albert Chamberlain and Peter Hayes to serve three-year terms on the institution’s board of directors. Chamberlain was employed at Spencer Savings Bank from 1993 to 2005, where he last held the position of vice president & treasurer. He has been a board member since 2006.

Hayes is the recently retired chief operating officer of Variety Wholesale Inc., and also served as president and CEO of Family Dollar, Inc., Child World and Gold Circle. He has served on Spencer’s Board since 2002.

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The Provident Bank marked its 170th anniversary February 27 with a series of celebrations throughout its 82 branches statewide. In addition to decorating its branches, Provident is sponsoring an essay contest for students – asking students to pick their favorite president or invention from the last 170 years – and introducing special product offerings.

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Members of Fazio, Mannuzza, Roche, Tankel, LaPilusa, LLC, of Springfield recently participated in their first “Go Red Jean Day” to raise awareness and help the American Heart Association support ongoing research and education about women and heart disease. FMRTL members were encouraged to wear red and denim in exchange for a $5 donation to the American Heart Association.

Fazzio also announced that Anne Mould, CPA; Dawn Marinelli, CPA; Franchesca Rodriguez; and Henrique Miguel have joined the firm.

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The law firm Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper, P.C., has announced that four attorneys have become partners of the firm.

Marisa Kussoy concentrates her practice in health care law. She received her law degree from Hofstra University School of Law and a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Isabel Machado represents school boards on a range of issues. She received her law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law and her bachelor of science degree from Rutgers University.

Dennis McKeever focuses his practice on education law, labor and commercial litigation. He received his law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law and his bachelor of arts degree from Lafayette College. Thomas Sateary concentrates his practice in general and commercial litigation and municipal law and land use. He received his law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law, his bachelor of arts degree from Syracuse University and his master of public administration degree from the State University of New York at Albany.

In addition, the firm has added a bankruptcy and reorganization attorney to its practice. Scott Pyfer received his law degree and master’s in governmental administration from the University of Pennsylvania and his undergraduate degree from St. Joseph’s University. Lindabury also announced activity by its Women’s Business Initiative (WBI). Five WBI members recently participated in a group volunteer project with seniors at Time Out Adult Care Center in Madison. With Valentine’s Day approaching, members spent time with the seniors designing Valentine’s Day crafts. The WBI also recently teamed with WithumSmith+Brown to host an evening of fashion for the successful woman in support of the Spring House in Eatontown, a transitional home for homeless women and their children.

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As part of the national observance of American Heart Month during February, Trinitas Regional Medical Center recently hosted “Go Red for Women!,” an evening of dining, information and fashions. Arthur Millman, M.D. and chief of cardiology at Trinitas, spoke about heart disease in women and empowerment coach Patricia Diesel shared insights on how organization works to make life less complicated. Part of the evening also was devoted to a Go Red Fashion Show by Lord & Taylor of Westfield.

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Berkeley College announced that it has established an Office of Institutional Advancement and External Relations and he has appointed Lily Sidorovich as senior vice president to oversee these vital areas for the college.

Sidorovich most recently served as president of All American Apparel, where she oversaw the launch of the Army Brand sportswear collection, a ground-breaking collaboration between a fashion garment manufacturing company and the U.S. government. She also served on the Berkeley College Board of Trustees from 1991 to 2009.

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Networking Technologies & Integration, Inc., announced that Jeffrey Newman has joined the company as director of business development. Newman is a graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park with a degree in business.

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The Occupational Center of Union County will be holding its 50th anniversary celebration kickoff Tuesday, April 7, beginning 10:00 a.m. at its facility at 301 Cox Street in Roselle. The Occupational Center provides employment opportunities, job training and placement, and mental health counseling for adults with disabilities. For more information call 908.241.7200.