Waldwick May 12, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5 Parents rally to save summer recreation program in borough It’s now up to Waldwick parents to determine whether the borough runs its summer recreation program this year. If enough children to make the program self supporting pre-register by the end of May, the camp will be reinstated, the mayor and council decided last week. Borough Administrator Gary Kratz said that 200 registrants would be needed for the camp to run, and 80 for the tennis program. It would operate at two locations instead of three: Crescent School and HCA Park. Last summer, when the cost was $20 per child for a five-week program, 371 children participated in the camp and 93 in tennis. Previous to 2009, the program was offered free of charge. Since the governing body announced the cancelation of the camp late last month, former Mayor James Toolen and parent Kristin Baxter secured signatures from 132 residents willing to commit to the program. “That is enough to move to the next step,” Kratz told the governing body. “By the end of May we will know if we can mount a viable program,” he added. Kratz said the applications will be posted on the borough website www.waldwicknj.org, and distributed through the schools. The four-week recreational program would begin after July 4th and cost $100 per child. It would cost $18,000 to $20,000 to operate, Kratz said. Tennis program expenses run about $2,000. The camp offers a balanced program of physical activities, including soccer and kickball, along with arts and crafts projects taught also by certified teachers. Each recreation site is supervised by a fully-certified teacher with assistance from teenage counselors. The funding for the camp was eliminated from the 2010 municipal budget as a cost savings measure following a last-minute reduction of $450,286 in the state energy tax payments. The summer concert series and free bags for leaf collection have been cut as well. Cost savings are also anticipated by delaying the opening of the pool season from Memorial Day until after school closes in June. “The problem was with the funding, so I offered an alternative idea. Rather than get rid of the program, which was working fine, get the funding from the participants instead of from the town’s general fund,” Toolen said. “So I polled the participating parents to see if they wanted to support the idea, and many do,” he added. Baxter, in a letter sent to the mayor and council accompanying signatures of parents willing to make a financial commitment to the summer program, enumerated the benefits to the children. These include: getting fresh air and exercise to combat obesity, continued social interaction, opportunities for children and their parents to bond with their respective peers, and affordable childcare for parents for a few hours each day. “Our work as parents, as citizens, to work together to reinstate this program models the kind of positive, civic engagement that we would all like to nurture in our children. Our children are the civic leaders of the future,” Baxter concluded in her statement. Kratz said that if the summer recreation program goes forward it would be structured as a trust paid from the proceeds of the registration fees. It would be a self-supporting operation outside the cap. In appreciation Waldwick 5K Run Director Stan Kowalski receives a token of appreciation from Waldwick Chamber of Commerce President Christine Figliuolo during a recent wrap up meeting. The event drew nearly 300 runners to the certified course. Kowalksi, who has directed the run from its inception three years ago, was responsible for attaining the certification for the course. TWO OF WALDWICK’S FINEST HOMES OPEN HOUSE Sunday, May 9 • 1-3 PM 89 Moore Ave $419,900 3BR, 2FB C/C, FDR, MEIK/sgdrs/deck, full basement, part finished, great yard!   CALL NOW! 201-652-4447 1973 - 2010 ~ 37 Years of Excellence MIDLAND PARK 24 Godwin Avenue COMPREHENSIVE KOREAN MARTIAL ARTS  4 BR, 3FB, raised ranch, DR/sgdrs/deck, new CAC, frt. door, extended family lower level has sep. entry, deep property. Builds Up Your • Stamina • Courage • Confidence • And also releases stress (ages 16 & up) Call Kathy for a Private Showing ® Kathleen Scorzelli, ABR, CRS, GRI, SRES Broker/Sales Associate RE/MAX HomeTowne Realty, Wyckoff Cell 201-704-9677 Office 201-891-8858 x 201  1 Month Trial Course $ 99 CALL NOW! WITH T-SHIRT Ramsey • 201-327-7080 Bai’s Tae Kwon Do