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April 24, 2007

“Be Kind” Traffic Safety Sign Program Dedicated to Former Mayor Frank Pelzman

As part of Woodbridge Township “Youth Month” activities underway during April, Mayor John E. McCormac and Council President Brenda Velasco today announced that students from 11 Woodbridge schools will be posting 30 new “Be Kind” traffic safety signs near schools and high-traffic areas. The “Be Kind” signs remind drivers to “be polite, drive carefully, share the road and slow down.”

“I am pleased to be part of the Township-wide ‘Be Kind’ traffic safety campaign designed and implemented by students and teachers from various Township schools,” said Mayor McCormac. “With the arrival of spring and the blossoming of flowers, new ‘Be Kind” traffic signs will blossom in and around school zones and busy thoroughfares throughout the Township. This is a unique traffic-safety effort and will serve as a reminder to motorists to slow down and be considerate as they drive through Woodbridge.”

“I am overwhelmed that the ‘Be Kind’ sign campaign has grown into a Township-wide, student-initiated program designed to improve traffic safety by reminding motorists to be considerate while driving. As importantly, former Mayor Frank Pelzman and his wife Dorothy supported the ‘Be Kind’ program by announcing the placement of the very first sign on Inman Avenue,” said Council President Velasco. “By reminding drivers to take extra time and extra care as they drive through Woodbridge Township and our residential neighborhoods, we are saving lives and preventing accidents.”

Mayor McCormac noted that the “Be Kind” sign program is a partnership between students at nearly every school in Woodbridge, teachers, parents and, most importantly, motor vehicle drivers, working together to make Township streets a little bit safer.

Council President Velasco said that the “Be Kind” traffic safety sign campaign got underway in 2003 when students from the Colonia Middle School Service Learning Club designed the “Be Kind” sign in conjunction with Kindness International, Inc.’s statewide Kindness Awareness campaign. Colonia Middle School students launched the campaign, ultimately erecting four signs on Inman Avenue.

“It is extremely encouraging when students, teachers, parents and government officials get together to attack a problem such as traffic and pedestrian safety. This project demonstrates that students are aware of traffic and pedestrian safety and speeding drivers and that they will work to find solutions to the dangerous situation” said Woodbridge Township School Superintendent Vincent Smith.

The new “Be Kind” signs will be erected at various locations in and around 11 Township schools:

Ford Avenue School #14, Fords - Cathie Bedosky, Principal

Sherry Oliveira – “Be Kind” Project Advisor

One sign located at the corner of Ford Avenue & Main Street

Indiana Avenue School #18, Iselin - Jared Rumage, Principal  

Amy Ferrara – “Be Kind” Project Advisor

Five signs to be located at Elizabeth Ave. (on school side between ‘No Parking’ & ‘Curb Your Dog Sign,’) #82 Elizabeth Ave., #219 Berkely St., #236 Berkely St. and in front of #1072 Green St.

Ross Street School #11, Woodbridge - Sharon Strack, Principal

Richard Dosch, “Be Kind” Project Advisor

Two signs located at corner of Green Street and Rt. 35 and the corner of Bunns Lane and Rt. 35

Woodbine Avenue School #23, Avenel - Mary Jane Small, Principal

Danielle Bivona, Karen Kupcho, and Michele Masino, “Community of Caring” Advisors

Two signs located at Woodbine Ave. near School #23 driveway and Leesville Ave. near School #23

Menlo Park Terrace School #19 - Sharon McGreevey, Principal

One sign on school property

Matthew Jago School #28, Sewaren - Robert Patten, Principal

Valerie Valese, “Be Kind” Project Advisor

Three signs located at Central Ave. in front of school, Glen Cove Ave. at the side of the school, and at the rear of the school 

Avenel Middle School . Avenel - Gary Kuzniak Principal

Joy Caroscio, “Be Kind” Project Advisor

Nine signs – two signs located on Woodbine Ave., five signs on Avenel St., and two signs on Inman Avenue

Colonia Middle School , Colonia - Gregg Miller, Principal

Celeste Racano, “Be Kind” Project Advisor

Two signs to be located in front of Colonia Middle and on Lake Avenue

Woodbridge High School, Woodbridge - Lee Warren, Principal

Tina Provenzano, International Culture Club Advisor and Janet Engel, Character Club Advisor 

Two signs located on Rt. 35 & Freeman St. (at traffic light) and at the rear of the High School near Arbor Ave.

JFK High School, Iselin - Michael Cilento, Principal

Shirley Sexton, “Be Kind” Project Advisor 

Two signs located at the corner of Washington Avenue & Elizabeth Avenue and at the corner of Worth Street & Osborne Avenue

Colonia High School , Colonia - Robert McLaughlin, Principal

Lynn Sheehan, “Be Kind” Project Advisor 

One sign to be located on East Street near the High School

John R. Hagerty
732-602-6039
Mayor’s Office of Communications

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