Transportation Needs Connect Us All

The 2010 census confirms what many have observed over the past decade—the population is growing older. And this change is certainly apparent in South Brunswick. This rapidly expanding population presents a timely opportunity for the South Brunswick community to rethink and retool their approach to finding solutions beginning with a daylong “AIPP Accessible Transportation Community Forum” on Friday, June 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the township Public Works Building.

The Aging in Place Partnership, together with Easter Seals Project ACTION, is delighted to inform you that your community is convening this Community Forum, and invites you to participate in a vital initiative to help bring solutions to the mobility challenges facing the South Brunswick.

The AIPP Accessible Transportation Community Forum has attracted commitments of individuals at the highest levels to work on accessible transportation solutions.

As of this date they include Easter Seal reps Kristi Callaway and Rik Optstelten; Jim McClary, NJ Ambassador for the National Resource Center for Human Service Transportation Coordination (NRC); Grace Eagan, Executive Director of the New Jersey Foundation on Aging; and Krishna Murta, Director of Meadow-Link Commuter Services and Len Schickler, President of Brunswick Mobility Mall. It will bring together local transportation providers including Steve Fittante, Director of Middlesex County Office on Transportation, Ron Schmalz the South Brunswick Public Relations Director and the Transportation Advisory Committee; the disability and the aging community and others seeking to expand transportation options for all citizens.

The goal is to identify and provide the Aging in Place PARTNERSHIP with tools and technical assistance from Easter Seals Project ACTION, the national training and technical assistance center on accessible transportation; and to promote meaningful systems change.

The anticipated outcomes include: the Township will have gained new information and resources to support proven ways to utilize volunteer drivers, taxi vouchers, limousines and paratransit services; a community informed of new access to the County’s M1 Bus connection in South Brunswick; individuals willing to advocate for legislation providing volunteer drivers insurance protection; and a foundation for a “Plan for Action" to be presented at the AIPP annual Outreach FORUM at the Senior Center on Saturday, October 29, 2011.  Be sure to save both dates.

The Aging in Place Partners began this project building on prior years experience and the earlier Transportation Surveys. The working committee includes Dean Vlecides of Buckingham Place Assisted Living; Steve Fittante from Middlesex County Department of Transportation;  Ron Schmalz from the Township, and AIPP members, Karen Scalera of SB Community Development Corps, Pat Kay and Jacque Rubel, and Carolyn McCallum, volunteer.

Building mutually beneficial relationships means that diverse organizations get involved in the community around them. They make attempts to understand major issues in the community such as Transportation. They work with the community both inside their four walls and outside, by participating in community dialogues, events, and visions. And they do it both because it is beneficial to them and because it is the right thing to do.

The event is free BUT pre registration is a requirement. Contact the Aging in Place PARTNERSHIP at AgingInPlaceAdvocate.com. or call 732.305.7079. Or sign up with Sue Trilli at the South Brunswick Senior Center. Be sure to leave your phone number and, where possible, a clearly printed email address.