Wyckoff Township Takes Top Honor in 47th Annual Municipal Public Information Contest
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – Wyckoff Township (Bergen County) earned the “Best Overall” honor in the 47th annual Municipal Public Information Contest sponsored by the Center for Government Services (CGS) at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.
Selected the best among 37 entries, Wyckoff Township submitted a comprehensive entry packet that included cable access programs, a web site, a municipal calendar, newsletters, library bulletins, recreation bulletins, and public service announcements.
CGS Director Stuart Meck presented Wyckoff’s Township Administrator Robert J. Shannon with a permanent plaque and a circulating one-year plaque at the Thursday, November 20, Delegates Luncheon at the New Jersey State League of Municipalities annual conference in Atlantic City.
Bloomfield Township (Essex County) was awarded for “Best Print.” Its Bloomfield Department of Health and Human Services annual report was well designed, informative, and provided an impressive overview of the department.
Tenafly Borough (Bergen County) took the honor for “Best Web.” The web site was recognized for its easy navigation, user-friendly and efficient layout, new residents section, large number of forms, and interactive forms.
Jersey City (Hudson County) was cited for the “Best Innovative” entry for its informative and entertaining “Café JC” video that showcased the history, cultural diversity, urban renewal, and expanding business district of the city.
Ocean Township (Ocean County) was recognized for the “Best Electronic (Non-Web)” entry for its “Talkin’ Trash Series” public service announcement. The creative, entertaining, and informative video was about the proper disposal of leaves, including the adverse results of improper disposal.
The recipient of the “Special Recognition” certificate for print was Fair Lawn Borough. Their “Employee Wellness” newsletter provided current, useful information that is mailed with employee checks. The “Special Recognition” certificate for an innovative entry was awarded to Mansfield Township (Warren County) for their simple, cost-effective two-page newsletter of useful information that is mailed with tax bills.
Judges of the contest were Barbara Chandross, a communications specialist with 16 years experience as a municipal public information officer; Michael Capabianco, municipal manager of Scotch Plains Township; and Mark Gordon, senior fellow and director of Healthcare Information Networks and Technologies at Thomas Edison State College. Entries were judged on the comprehensiveness of content, presentation clarity, adaptability and use by other municipalities, and user-friendly appearance.
The New Jersey State League of Municipalities and the New Jersey Municipal Management Association were cosponsors of the contest with CGS.
The Center for Government Services is a unit of Rutgers’ Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. The center has been committed to serving New Jersey and local governments through continuing education, applied research, and technical assistance for more than 55 years.
For additional information, contact Larry Brown at 732-932-3640, ext. 635, or larrybro@rutgers.edu, or visit www.policy.rutgers.edu/cgs.
