Midland Park June 24, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 13 Waldwick Police Chief Mark Messner recently graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy Program held at Quantico, Virginia. This year’s academy session included 250 law enforcement officers who hail from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, 23 countries, four military organizations, and five federal civilian organizations. FBI director Robert Mueller was the keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony. Program participants must have proven records as professionals within their agencies. According to FBI statistics, the average program participant has 19 years of experience in law enforcement and usually returns to his or her agency at the executive Police chief graduates from FBI National Academy level. The FBI accepts approximately one percent of the applicants who seek admission to this program. During the course of the 10-week academy, Messner and his peers participated in advanced investigative, management, and fitness training. Courses highlight leadership development and critical thinking. Instructors include Special Agents and other FBI staff members who hold advanced degrees. Many of these expert instructors have achieved international recognition in their fields. “It was a great experience,” Messner commented last week, when he returned to his office in Waldwick. “By meeting with police officers from 50 states and a number of different countries I got to know what people are dealing with in other areas.” He pointed out that exploring commonalities among law enforcement officers and departments allowed him to put local issues into perspective. In the classroom, Messner focused on legal and labor law issues. The chief also completed courses in fitness, conflict resolution, executive leadership, and stress management. “There are a lot of things to apply to dayto-day operations,” he said, when asked how he would use his education in Waldwick. While in Virginia, Messner visited a number of sites that enhanced his enjoyment of American history. The chief toured Mount Vernon, where George and Martha Washington lived until 1799; Monticello, the estate designed and inhabited by U.S. President Thomas Jefferson, who founded the University of Virginia in 1819; and several Civil War battlefields, including The Holland Christian Home Foundation recently welcomed Kenneth R. Kleinmanns of Midland Park to its board of trustees. A graduate of Rutgers University, Kleinmanns is vice president of finance at First Jersey Credit Union in Wayne. He and his Kleinmanns joins Holland Christian Home Foundation Manassas, Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and the Wilderness. A resident of Midland Park, Messner attended the Waldwick public schools, and went on to major in communications at what was then Glassboro State College. After 18 years of service on the Waldwick Police force, including duty as acting chief, Messner was sworn in as chief of police in February of 2006. Last year, he attended the Law Enforcement Executive Development seminar that was held in Princeton. His June 12 graduation from the FBI National Academy makes Messner one of over 42,709 law enforcement officers to have successfully completed this program since it was established in July 1935. Since 1972, program participants have been able to earn credits from the University of Virginia at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The cost of participation in this program is covered by the FBI. wife Leanne are residents of Midland Park and are members of the Sixth Reformed Church in North Haledon, where Mr. Kleinmanns serves as treasurer. “We are pleased to welcome Ken to the (continued on page 18) ���������� ennials ������������ Per ��������������� ������ ���������������� �������������� Caring for Your Beautiful Landscape is our Specialty LET THE PROFESSIONALS SAVE YOU TIME AND MONEY Seasonal garden care program Hand pruning of ornamental shrubs for natural shape Overgrown landscapes are our specialty Landscape design & construction – Design fees apply Irrigation & Lighting services ���������������������������������������� ������������������������������������� ����������� ��������������� Residential & Commercial We are a call or a click away One Call www.chrisjameslandscaping.com • N.J.D.C.A. Lic#13VH01114000 cjlinc1@aol.com • N.J.D.C.A. Lic#13VH01114000 All major credit cards accepted (201) 670-9000 6-3-09 joan/janine RamapoNurseryColor3x2(6-3-09) 3 x 2” 6-3-09----ChrisJamesColorGeneric3x4 3col x 4” Ester for PROOF... from Janine Residentia