Ho-Ho-Kus May 1, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5 Community can stay informed via various methods by Jennifer Crusco Ho-Ho-Kus Councilman Steve Shell encourages borough residents to stay informed – and to keep their personal contact information up to date. At last week’s council session, Shell pointed out that the borough currently uses Swiftreach, Nixle, Facebook, Twitter, and the Ho-Ho-Kus website (ho-ho-kusboro. com) to help disseminate information to residents. He encouraged residents, business owners, and local employees to register their home and cell phone numbers with the Swiftreach alert system and with Nixle, to “like” the borough’s Facebook page, and to follow the borough and its police department on their respective Twitter accounts. After Hurricane Sandy devastated New Jersey on Oct. 29, 2012, many residents – including citizens of Ho-Ho-Kus -- were left without electricity and land line telephones. The borough quickly latched on to the use of social media in an attempt to keep residents updated thanks to Shell’s initiative. In late 2012, Shell announced that Ho-Ho-Kus has a Facebook page, which he developed with his teenage daughter, Allie, after consulting with Mayor Thomas Randall and Councilman Kevin Shea. Shell and his daughter created the page while sitting in a Ridgewood coffee shop that had power. Shell explained that he quickly realized that Allie was able to remain connected to her friends through social media despite the post-storm loss of power and land lines, and wanted the borough to have the same advantage. In order to receive information from the Ho-Ho-Kus Facebook page, individuals are invited to go online, visit Facebook, and “like” the borough’s page. The borough’s Facebook page can be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/pages/HoHo-Kus-Borough-NJ 368231613266732. It is not necessary to be a member of Facebook to view this page, which contains general community information. As of last week, Shell reported 159 “likes.” Last week, Shell noted that the library provides access to public computers and library personnel can assist residents with online enrollment in the borough’s communication resources. Enrollment in Swiftreach may be completed online at swiftreach.com. The borough has also partnered with Nixle to offer free text and/or e-mail alerts during emergencies. Residents are encouraged to register their cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses to receive Nixle notices. To sign up for Nixle, text “07423” to 888777. Those who enroll will receive real-time information from the Ho-HoKus Office of Emergency Management, police, fire, DPW, and administration. There is no registration fee, but standard text messaging rates will apply. To opt out, text “stop” to 888777. Individuals may also register for Nixle alerts at nixle.com. Those who register online may include their cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses and choose the types of alerts they wish to receive. Because other agencies use Nixle, borough residents should be sure to select alerts from Ho-Ho-Kus. The borough’s Nixle page is https://local.nixle.com/Borough of HoHoKus OEM NJ. Shell also reported that the borough now has a Twitter account. He noted that the police department has already been using its own Twitter account for non-emergency situations for over a year. Residents are invited to follow the borough and the police department. The borough’s account is @HoHoKusBoro. The police department’s account is @HoHo-KusPD.