The Alternative Press

LIVINGSTON, NJ – Nominations are still being accepted for the Livingston Citizens’ Institute, which will begin its third year of programs on the evening of Wednesay, March 12.  Since its founding in 2011, the Livingston Citizens’ Institute has offered an opportunity to about sixty residents a year to learn more about their community and its government.  In addition to heaving presentations by  community leaders and township department heads, the focus is on conversation and dialogue among residents.

“Livingston is somewhat unique in offering this type of educational experience,” said Arlene Johnson, co-chair of the Institue.  “The goal is to have dialogue across political and cultural lines, to broaden our knowledge of the community,  and to gain information and skill for making informed judgments about issues that affect our town.”

A recent survey of past Institute participants found that what alumnae of the program value most is meeting people they would not otherwise have met and gaining a deeper understanding of some local issues.

All Livingston organizations, houses of worship and committees are invited to nominate one of their members to participate in the  Institute.   Residents are invited to nominate themselves or people they think meet the criteria for participation. Nominees should be Livingston residents who enjoy discussing issues and meeting new people and who are available to attend the three core sessions in March and April.

This year’s Institute core sessions will be held on Tuesday March 12^th from 7:30 to 9:00 PM at the Livingston Public Library, and Wednesday April 3^rd and Wednesday April 17^th, from 7:30 to 9:00 PM at the Senior/Community Center on Hillside Avenue. Community members will discuss questions such as “What makes a great community?” “What supports a great community?” and “What can we do to build an even better community?”

2013 elective sessions will be open to the whole community and offered on Wednesday, April 24^th – “Making ‘Cents’ of Municipal Funding” and  Thursday, May 16^th – “Understanding Livingston’s Council-Manager Form of Government.” Both electives will be held at the Senior/Community Center at 7:30 -9:00 pm.

Nominations should be sent by the end of the day Friday, March 8 to Lori Patino: Livingston Municipal Building, 357 S. Livingston Avenue, Livingston, NJ 07039, emailed to lpatino@livingstonnj.org, or register online with CommunityPass. For more information, to download forms, and to register online, visit www.livingstoncitizensinstitute.org.

Up to sixty participants will be selected from all components of Livingston’s population, based on nominations and applications.  www.livingstoncitizensinstitute.org.

If you have questions about the program or your nomination process, please contact Komal Panjabi (973-992-6290/ anandaki@hotmail.com), Cindy Wang (973-758-1898/ cindywang@comcast.net), or Arlene Johnson (973-994-2314/ arlene_johnson @verizon.net).