A MESSAGE FROM COUNTY EXECUTIVE BRIAN M. HUGHES
As we approach the two-year anniversary of the first reported cases of COVID-19 in New Jersey and in Mercer County, there is no denying that the virus has exacted a heavy toll on all our communities. The New Jersey Department of Health reports that 29,840 New Jersey residents, and 1,179 Mercer County residents, have died due to complications related to COVID-19 since the pandemic began. And countless other lives have been disrupted due to illness, closures, cancellations and pandemic fatigue.
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But you have persevered, and vaccines that became available just over a year ago have helped reduce infections and prevent serious illness and death. I thank our front-line workers, and everyone else who has made the necessary sacrifices in the name of public health during the past 24 months. With the Omicron strain of the virus that drove COVID-19 cases to record levels in December and January continuing to ebb, and infection rates and hospitalizations on the decline, the prospects for a closer-to-normal spring and summer look good.
Annual events such as Hamilton’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, and Mercer County’s Cultural Festival and Concert Series are back on the calendar after being shelved by the pandemic. And travel is picking up again, as evidenced by the number of people using our airport. The virus is still out there, and we do not know what else it might have in store for us. Those who have not gotten vaccinated and boosted should do so to protect themselves and people around them, especially those who are most vulnerable. But if current trends continue, and we take proper precautions and use common sense, we can start getting back to doing things we enjoy.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment in the fight against COVID-19. Let us continue to support each other, keep each other safe and work together.
Brian M. Hughes
Mercer County Executive
NEWS
No new taxes in Hughes' 2022 County budget proposal
TRENTON -- Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes presented to the County Board of Commissioners his administration’s proposed 2022 budget, a $358 million spending plan that stays within the state-mandated 2-percent cap and would result in no increase to the tax levy.
Of the total budget, $269 million would be collected through property taxes, the same levy as last year.
A resident’s actual tax rate will rise or fall depending on his or her municipality once the county rate is equalized to reflect the difference between municipal property assessments and property market values.
The spending plan “reflects our continued response to the challenges brought by the pandemic and the toll it has taken on the health of our residents, as well as our county finances, and as a result of our responsible planning, we can propose a budget that is considerate of our taxpayers and offers relief by holding the line,” Mr. Hughes added.
Mercer County Park Commission releases Rutgers parks report
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP -- The Mercer County Park Commission has released a report from Rutgers University’s Center for Urban Sustainability (CUES) on Mercer County’s parks and open space network. The report is the culmination of a year-long study by CUES and provides a detailed inventory and analysis of County parks and how they provide a diverse variety of recreation amenities and also protect the County’s natural resources. The report includes park-specific recommendations for future enhancements in order to further restore natural habitat and improve visitor experiences. The survey assessed county-owned regional parks, golf courses and urban parks by land type, ecology and infrastructure, providing a detailed inventory of the park system. The full inventory and analysis can be viewed here: http://mercercountyparks.org/stewardship.
Read more: Park Commission releases Rutgers parks report
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Park Commission, Forest Fire Service plan prescribed burns
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP -- The Mercer County Park Commission will be working with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service to perform prescribed burning at Mercer Meadows and Baldpate Mountain.
Prescribed burns will be administered to the Pole Farm and Reed Bryan Farm sections of Mercer Meadows, and Baldpate Mountain. Burns are expected to take place between now and late spring as determined by the Section Forest Fire Warden. These burns will occur over a two- to three-day period. The Section Warden will determine when the conditions fall within safe range and will notify the Park Commission and appropriate township and emergency response officials with 48 hours’ notice before the burn will begin. The park will be closed to the public during the burns.
Read more: Park Commission to conduct prescribed burns
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Mercer County, UCEDC continue Small Business Workshops
The next free, live webinar in the four-part Small Business Workshop Series being presented by the Mercer County Office of Economic Development and the UCEDC is scheduled for March 10. This workshop, “Writing a Business Plan,” was developed to guide you through that process and give you a hands-on, systematic way to develop an outline, investigate and evaluate the resources and created a draft of your own business plan. Click here for details on the final two workshops of the series, including registration information.
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Cash-back tax credit available to those who qualify
Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes encourages eligible taxpayers to take advantage of New Jersey’s expanded Earned Income Tax Credit (NJEITC) program, which can provide anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars in relief to those who are eligible.
For tax year 2021, New Jersey taxpayers could receive a refundable credit of up to $2,691 with qualifying dependents or $601 without dependents. For more information on eligibility requirements and applying for the New Jersey Earned Income Tax Credit, visit njeitc.org.
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EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
March is Women's History Month!
Mercer County draws strength and inspiration from women who came before us, and the remarkable women working among us today. They are part of our story, and a truly balanced and inclusive history recognizes how important women have always been in American society. To submit your event to our calendar of Women's History Month events, email contactus1@mercercounty.org
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RECYCLING:
MCIA wants your household hazardous waste, old electronics
The Mercer County Improvement Authority's first Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling event of 2022 will be March 26. It's time to visit those corners of your shed, garage and home office to weed out offending products and keep them out of our landfills. Click here or on the the flyer for more information.
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Mercer seeks craft, art, food vendors for Cultural Festival
From crafters to food purveyors, Mercer County is seeking vendors for the 10th annual Cultural Festival & Food Truck Rally, slated for Saturday, June 11, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Mercer County Park Festival Grounds.
The annual festival showcases the region’s cultural diversity through the arts and crafts, dance demonstrations, music and cuisine. The festival organizers are seeking traditional artists and craft and food vendors to contribute to the wide variety of ethnicities and cultures that make up Mercer County. Interested parties should call (609) 278-2712 or email culturalfestival@mercercounty.org. The deadline to register is May 13.
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Spring is coming. Experience nature!
Upcoming Mercer County Park Commission nature programs include:
- “Be a Busy Beaver!” – Saturday, March 5, 1:30 to 3 p.m., Tulpehaking Nature Center. Free, families with children 12 and under. Registration required.
- “Just a Hike” – Friday, March 11, 2 to 4 p.m., Blackwell lot @ Mercer Meadows. Free, teens and adults. Registration required.
- “Eyes on Eagles” – Saturday, March 26, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (30-minute time slots). Free, all ages. Registration required.
For a complete list of Park Commission nature programs and registration information, click here or on the image.
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Plan a picnic! Online reservations are now open
The Mercer County Park Commission is accepting reservations for the five county-owned picnic areas for the 2022 season. The West and East Picnic Areas in Mercer County Park, Rosedale Picnic Area in Mercer Meadows, Princeton Country Club Picnic Area in West Windsor and Valley Road Picnic Area in Hopewell Township are open to in-county and out-of-county residents.
Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis and can only be made online through Community Pass. For more information, visit the Park Commission’s Picnic Areas page or email picnics@mercercounty.org.
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Mercer County Bike Drive will support Boys & Girls Clubs
Do you have a bike that you no longer use? Maybe you have one that your child has outgrown? Mercer County and the Park Commission are hosting a Bike Drive at several locations throughout the county on Saturday, April 9 (rain date April 16), from noon to 4 p.m. at the following locations:
- Ranger Headquarters, Mercer County Park, West Windsor
- Historic Hunt House, 197 Blackwell Road, Hopewell Township
- Tulpehaking Nature Center, 157 Westcott Ave., Hamilton
- Mercer County Wildlife Center, 1748 River Road, Hopewell Township
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The Park Commission will take your old bikes – no matter the condition – and give them to the Trenton Bike Exchange, a volunteer organization that collects, repairs and sells used bikes at a very low price. The mission of the Bike Exchange is to help low-income families get decent bikes and to raise money for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Mercer County. Donations are tax-deductible. Click here for more information.
Exciting new shows added at Mercer's CURE Arena!
Mercer County's CURE Insurance Arena's 2022 schedule is shaping up with something for everyone. Upcoming events and shows include:
- Disney On Ice "Mickey and Friends," March 17-20
- Hotwheels Monster Trucks Live, April 8-10
- Thamon Live, April 16
- Beartooth: The Below Tour Part 2, April 29
- Trolls Live, May 10-11
- Laxmikant Pyarelal Live, May 15
- Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market, May 21-22
- Jeff Dunham: Seriously?! Oct. 23 (rescheduled)
February is Black History Month
As the monthlong celebration reaches its end, don't forget to check out these ongoing events:
Slavery At Morven
Morven Museum
55 Stockton St., Princeton
(609) 924-8144
The topic of human beings being treated as property is a difficult one and we aim to address it with the appropriate gravitas. Morven Museum & Garden's mission is to preserve our legacy by sharing its authentic stories. By not shying away from our story of enslaved people, we believe our visitors will have a better understanding of how our world evolved to where we are today.
To view this online exhibition, please see the link below:
https://www.morven.org/slavery-at-morven
THROUGH MARCH 5
Overcoming: Reflections on Struggle, Resilience, and Triumph
Arts Council of Princeton
102 Witherspoon St., Princeton
artscouncilofprinceton.org
Several days before his assassination, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. proclaimed that “We Shall Overcome”, in a refrain motivated by the hymn of the same name and the generations of Americans who fought (and will continue to fight) for justice and freedom for people of color. In “Overcoming,” artist, activist and writer, Rhinold Ponder, inspired by Dr. King, employs his mixed media paintings to provoke reflection of the resilience of Black people in a continuing struggle for recognition of their humanity and demand for human rights.
THROUGH MARCH 26
Creating Art for Publication
Plainsboro Public Library Gallery
9 Van Doren St., Plainsboro
609-275-2897 | plainsborolibrary.org
Princeton-area artist, designer and illustrator Terrance Cummings – the artist for such award-winning works as “We Shall Overcome,” “In Search of Color Elsewhere” and “Go Down Moses” -- will show his work in the Plainsboro Public Library Gallery. The show features Cummings’ graphic work, which often consists of flattened areas of color assembled into stylized figures. For more information, visit https://plainsborolibrary.org/creating-art-for-publication/.
THROUGH MAY 22
Posing Beauty in African American Culture
New Jersey State Museum
205 West State St., Trenton
NJSM.Info@sos.nj.gov | statemuseum.nj.gov
The New Jersey State Museum presents “Posing Beauty in African American Culture,” a touring exhibition that opened Jan. 29, 2022. The exhibition explores the contested ways in which African and African American beauty have been represented in historical and contemporary contexts. For more information, visit www.statemuseum.nj.gov.
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COVID-19 UPDATES
Protect against COVID-19 by getting vaccinated, boosted, tested
Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes announced that the County will continue to offer COVID-19 vaccination clinics and free COVID-19 testing during March.
Vaccinations are free regardless of immigration or insurance status. Ages 5 and up are eligible. Testing is for anyone ages 2 and up who lives, works or goes to school in New Jersey. Test type is based on availability. Walk-ins are welcome at all clinics. For the upcoming vaccination schedule and information, click here. For the upcoming testing schedule and information, click here.
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A helping hand for homeowners in need
If you have experienced a financial hardship and an increase in housing-related expenses associated with the coronavirus pandemic that created a risk of mortgage delinquency, mortgage default, foreclosure or property tax lien, the Homeowner Assistance Fund may be able to help. Click here or on the flyer for more information and to apply.
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Assistance may be available for renters affected by COVID-19
As New Jersey winds down the COVID-19 eviction moratorium, the State has introduced critical protections to renter households who experienced economic hardships during the pandemic. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a temporary eviction moratorium. To take advantage of state and federal protections, you should complete both the State's self-certification form and the CDC declaration. To fill out these forms and find more information, visit the State’s web page dedicated to this. You also may call 609-490-4550 for assistance.
In addition, the Mercer County Department of Human Services may be able to help renters and landlords. For more information, visit the County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program web page.
Looking for work? County, state offer job-seeker services
As a result of COVID-19, many New Jerseyans are facing economic insecurity and are seeking benefits and resources to help them safely get back to work. Mercer’s One-Stop Career Center offers a variety of services to job seekers throughout the county, including free virtual job preparation workshops and links to job listings. Click here for information. The State’s COVID-19 Information Hub provides links to the New Jersey Career Network and other resources.Click here for information.
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Coping with stress during COVID-19
If you’re feeling stressed, anxious or depressed due to COVID-19, please call New Jersey's Mental Health Hotline at 866-202-HELP (4357) or visit njmentalhealthcares.org for emotional support, guidance and mental health referrals as needed. You also may call or text the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 to connect with a trained crisis counselor, 24/7. Spanish speakers can call the hotline and press “2” for 24/7 bilingual support.
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Support for post-COVID patients
The Institute for Prevention and Recovery’s Hope and Healing program offers virtual workshops in self-care and emotional support for patients recovering from COVID-19 and those experiencing long-term effects of the virus. For more information, click here or on the image.
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