Clinton Township Newsletter

2 5 s e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 2 n e w l e a D e r a T h e l m o F u n i T e D w ay o F h u n T e r D o n United Way of Hunterdon County's (UWHC) Board of Trustees has announced Brenda Esler as its incoming Chief Executive Officer. Esler assumed leadership of the organization on August 1, succeeding Bonnie Duncan, who retired after 25 years of distinguished leadership with the organization. "Throughout the search process, we were impressed by Brenda's authentic and collaborative leadership style, success in organizational growth and development, commitment to community building and impact, and contagious enthusiasm. We are excited for her to lead our United Way as we continue serving and championing for all those who face barriers to income stability, healthy living, and education access and success in Hunterdon County," said Rebecca Testa, Search Committee Chair. Esler, a Raritan Borough resident, comes to UWHC from EmPoWER Somerset, where she advanced from Coordinator of Prevention Services to Executive Director, a position she has held for the last 10 years. During her tenure as Executive Director at EmPoWER, she has grown the scope and impact of programs and services, increased revenue, and developed a team of talented staff. "The job opportunity caught my eye because I thought it was a good match for my skills and experience, and a wonderful opportunity for me to take the next step in my professional journey," Esler said. "I am drawn to social work because it is a field in which you can make a positive impact through a variety of different approaches. There is lots of room for creativity. I knew I wanted to do something meaningful. When I went to Rutgers graduate School of Social Work to earn my MSW, I came to learn that my niche was in nonprofit work and providing support through grant writing and organizational management," she added. United Way of Hunterdon County has a pulse on the needs of the community and helps connect families as well as other nonprofit partners to resources and support. "I absolutely love the Volunteer Center and all that it offers to the community and the potential it holds. The dedication of the staff, volunteers, and board members is impressive and inspiring. I see United Way of Hunterdon County as a thriving community hub supported by many caring individuals working to make their community a better place for all," said Esler. "I am honored and grateful to be selected to serve as UWHC's CEO. The mission, to bring people and resources together to improve lives and advance the common good of our community, encompasses what inspires me the most about nonprofit work – the opportunities to create positive change through meaningful connections. I'm looking forward to the work that we will accomplish together!" Esler is a licensed social worker with a Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey). She is a certified Executive Non-Profit Leader and Prevention Specialist. For more information about United Way of Hunterdon, visit the website at: www.UWHunterdon.org. Eleven-year-old Noah Berg, a resident of Clinton Township, recently competed in the Tournament of Champions Invitational Karate Championship in Florida and won first place in the traditional kata (forms), third place in traditional sparring, another first place in the continuous contact division. "I worked really hard and was excited about winning! My favorite part was continuous contact because you can score a lot of points." – Noah Berg Combined, Anthony P. Kearns and Victor A. Rotolo have been serving the local community for over 60 years. Call Kearns Rotolo today 908.534.7900 to discuss any legal situation confronting you. Your half-hour consultation is free of charge! Their attorneys and staff are ready to serve your legal needs. Kearns Rotolo Law . 502 US 22 West, Lebanon, NJ 08833. www.KearnsRotoloLaw.com F i n D i n g T h e r i g h T a D v o C a T e F o r a C h i l D i n T r o u b l e Sometimes, despite our best efforts, our kids make questionable decisions. Dared by peers or enticed by internet challenges, they act without thought of the possible repercussions. Unfortunately, these decisions can have very serious consequences. It is imperative to retain an attorney experienced in juvenile matters to advocate for your child and protect their future. When minors – defined under the law as those under age 18 – get into serious trouble, they face legal consequences just like adults. In New Jersey, juvenile matters are handled at the Superior Court level, Family Division. If a juvenile is charged with certain serious crimes, that juvenile may be tried as an adult. A juvenile adjudication or a criminal conviction may adversely affect college and employment opportunities and subjects the juvenile to penal consequences such as probation, juvenile detention, and/ or incarceration. The law affords juveniles certain procedural safeguards in addition to the same constitutional rights as adults, including the right to due process, protection against unlawful searches and seizures, the right to remain silent, and the right to an attorney. Although criminal punishment can include house arrest, community service, counseling, curfews, probation, and juvenile detention, the juvenile justice system aims to rehabilitate the juvenile. There are differences, however, in how juveniles are treated by the Superior Court level, Family Division: • Except when tried as an adult, juvenile offenses are adjudicated as delinquencies, not adult criminal convictions; and • Juveniles do not have the right to a trial by jury; instead, their cases are heard and decided by a Superior Court Judge at the County level. When exercising your child's right to an attorney, it is important to retain one who is experienced in handling juvenile matters and understands the options unique to the juvenile system and available defenses to that particular juvenile's case. The severity of the charges will have an impact on how the case is docketed within the Juvenile Justice System. An experienced juvenile defense attorney can protect your child's rights and effectively advocate on their behalf in either Family or Superior Court. – Anthony P. Kearns 502 U.S. 22 Lebanon, NJ 08833 908∙534∙7900 www.KearnsRotoloLaw.com Tony Kearns and Vic Rotolo Working Together to Protect What's Important to You "The best way to predict your future is to create it." ~ Abraham Lincoln "Intelligence plus character — that is the true goal of education." ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

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