It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic East Brunswick Museum Corporation gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in East Brunswick, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I had a great experience with the agency, Always Best Care! I am attending college,”
“Roberto took care of my husband like he was a member of his family. He”
“The aide's were respectful, reliable and friendly and staff responds timely to calls and needs”
“Everyone was great. I’ve come a long way due to the help of your aides.”
“You have a GEM in Mrs. Terry. She is worth so much more than she”
“Very very helpful, I was desperate when I called and that same day I had”
“We had an exceptionally good experience with Always Best Care during my mother's illness. The”
“Thank you Jahima, Esther, Satta, Myra, Kelly & Susan. Carmen should be pleased. Keep up”
“Words cannot express how grateful my family and I am for the kindness, care, and”
“Gimbert & Carmen were very accommodating and knowledgeable with the needs of my father. They”
“You have been outstanding in caregiving and concern for us both. We cannot thank you”
“Gimbert and Carmen Fernandez are very knowledgeable in the area of elder care services and”
“My wife and I are eternally grateful to Always Best Care for the wonderful care”
“Your service was just what I needed. I would not hesitate to use your services”
“Mai was wonderful in every way. She gave great care to my father and also”
“ALWAYS BEST CARE, Princeton Junction is the place to call if you need help in”
“It was a pleasure meeting Carmen! I appreciate the time she spent with me -”
“My wife and I are eternally grateful to Always Best Care for the wonderful care”
“Angela was a very thorough, compassionate, and kind aide.”
“We very much appreciate your flexibility, attention, and care”
“I am a current client of this provider I hired Always Best Care for Mom Monday”
“I had a great experience with the agency, Always Best Care! I am attending college, and they always provided me an aide that is helpful, considerate, and hardworking. Thank you for always providing me with an aide like Ms. Colleta!!”
“Roberto took care of my husband like he was a member of his family. He was God sent; thank God for him”
“The aide's were respectful, reliable and friendly and staff responds timely to calls and needs”
“Everyone was great. I’ve come a long way due to the help of your aides. Thank you again!”
“You have a GEM in Mrs. Terry. She is worth so much more than she is paid! I miss her. Her help was timely, professional, and invaluable”
“Very very helpful, I was desperate when I called and that same day I had professional help. Tremendous your service”
“We had an exceptionally good experience with Always Best Care during my mother's illness. The management met with us and assigned caregivers almost immediately. As our needs evolved and increased, they were responsive and flexible. The caregivers were well-trained, kind, hard-working, and truly fine people whom we enjoyed having in the house.”
“Thank you Jahima, Esther, Satta, Myra, Kelly & Susan. Carmen should be pleased. Keep up the good work, and be safe!”
“Words cannot express how grateful my family and I am for the kindness, care, and concern that was shown for my husband by the Always Best Care staff. Thank you for the exceptional attention to his comfort, as well as the wonderful insights, strength, knowledge, and emotional support you showed our entire family. Watching someone you love make the transition out of this life is a really difficult thing, and your wisdom and comfort helped us navigate this challenging time. I will always be thankful for the service you provided for him. I would also like to acknowledge the excellent care provided to my husband by Ms. Marie Louisjean. We thank Ms. Louisjean for her incredible patience, tenderness, and attention to his needs. We thank her for being such a dedicated caregiver. God has given her a very special talent and He has blessed her with a compassionate heart. I could not have asked for a more passionate group of people. May God continue to bless the Always Best Care staff as you continue to care for people in need.”
“Gimbert & Carmen were very accommodating and knowledgeable with the needs of my father. They came out to his house and offered suggestions so that he would be able to get around with his walker easily. Their person took great care of my Dad. It is such a relief to my sister and I that we had someone stay with my Dad that was so reliable. I highly recommend them.”
“You have been outstanding in caregiving and concern for us both. We cannot thank you enough. Thanks for always being there for us in every way.”
“Gimbert and Carmen Fernandez are very knowledgeable in the area of elder care services and how best to provide workable care solutions for aging relatives. They are well informed on current issues and available options. I speak from my own experience here and strongly recommend then and their company to anyone in need of assistance in this area. They are compassionate and caring people which is critical in their business!”
“My wife and I are eternally grateful to Always Best Care for the wonderful care they provided for our Aunt and Uncle as they battled with diminishing health and mental conditions. Carmen and Gimbert were always available to us to answer questions and discuss aspects of care that was needed. Without their help the situations that we faced would have been so much worse. God Bless.”
“Your service was just what I needed. I would not hesitate to use your services in the future if needed. I would recommend you to anyone needing your help. Again, thank you for caring.”
“Mai was wonderful in every way. She gave great care to my father and also cared for me and my family.”
“ALWAYS BEST CARE, Princeton Junction is the place to call if you need help in caring for a loved one. We have a brother and his significant other who were living independently and when visiting them realized they had not been eating or keeping their home clean. Since we knew of Always Best Care and heard of their excellent reputation we contacted them. They immediately stepped in and assisted us in knowing what steps we needed to take. After taking both our brother and his significant other to the doctors and learning that they had the beginnings of Alzheimer’s disease, we met with Carmen who helped us set up a plan. She suggested that we start with a few days a week of in home care so that we would know that they were eating. She provided us with excellent aids that not only helped prepare meals, but also interacted with our family members to encourage socialization. These few days increased to five days a week which left us with Saturday and Sunday to monitor their eating. While this was taking place, Carmen helped us find an Assisted Living Community where they could move. We visited several in the area and decided on one after consulting with Carmen. She and Gimbert were always available to take our calls if we had any questions. They helped us with finding someone to clean out the house and assisted us in relocating our bother and his significant other to their new home. We have recommended Always Best Care to several of our neighbors who have needed assistance with caring for loved ones. Carmen is on top of any situation that needs attention. Whether a person needs an aid for a week, a month or indefinitely she arranges the right person for the client’s needs. Always Best Care, Carmen and Gimbert, cared for our family members as if they were their own family. We would not have been able to care for our family members as well as the aids from Always Best Care.Hopefully we will not need the services of Always Best Care again, but if we do we know that they will be there to help us.”
“It was a pleasure meeting Carmen! I appreciate the time she spent with me - her knowledge/advice, genuine caring, and friendly personality. We're managing well and hopefully that continues and if needed, we know to call ABC.”
“My wife and I are eternally grateful to Always Best Care for the wonderful care they provided for our Aunt and Uncle as they battled with diminishing health and mental conditions. Carmen and Gimbert were always available to us to answer questions and discuss aspects of care that was needed. Without their help the situations that we faced would have been so much worse. God Bless.”
“Angela was a very thorough, compassionate, and kind aide.”
“We very much appreciate your flexibility, attention, and care”
“I am a current client of this provider I hired Always Best Care for Mom Monday through Friday. They are expensive, but that's the going rate, unfortunately. They were very reactive; I called them, and the next day, they were at the house doing the assessment to see what was exactly needed. However, there were two occasions where I called them and did not get a response back within 12 hours. On one occasion, I called them on a Friday afternoon, and they called me back on Saturday at 10:00. But, they're not bad. The person they recommended was wonderful. I don't have complaints about that.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Great Oak Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Orchid Fine Asian Cuisine or visit Museum at Buccleuch Mansion, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in East Brunswick, NJ, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in East Brunswick, NJ understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in East Brunswick, NJ 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Physician Ateka Gunja tells Patch why she's running for Mayor as an Independent candidate in East Brunswick. Patch StaffEAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — Physician Ateka Gunja is seeking public office for the first time. A longtime township resident, Gunja decided to move back to East Brunswick to raise her family here.In a Q&A with Patch, Gunja talks about why she’s running for Mayor and her plans for East Brunswick.Patch has sent out a questionnaire to all candidates. They will be published as we receiv...
Patch Staff
EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — Physician Ateka Gunja is seeking public office for the first time. A longtime township resident, Gunja decided to move back to East Brunswick to raise her family here.
In a Q&A with Patch, Gunja talks about why she’s running for Mayor and her plans for East Brunswick.
Patch has sent out a questionnaire to all candidates. They will be published as we receive them. If you are a candidate and haven’t heard from us, please contact Sarah Salvadore at [email protected] for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements.
1. What drove you to seek public office?
I actually never considered public office before, even though I’ve taken on other leadership positions. Things changed a lot for me a year ago, as it did for so many around the world, when we bore witness to the tragic attack on civilians in Israel, followed by a year-long genocide in Gaza. As a concerned U.S. citizen, I have been writing to all my elected officials including Mayor Cohen to demand a ceasefire. I haven’t received a response yet, and my attempts to meet with him and the Town Council have been turned down. So, I started going to town council meetings and drafted a ceasefire resolution, as a way for us to apply local pressure to our state and Federal government to pass an immediate, permanent ceasefire. The Town Council refused to even bring up the resolution for a vote, citing that they don’t get involved in foreign relations. However, in 2022, we passed a resolution in support of a sisterhood in Rivne, Ukraine that condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine. So, our town council has taken a stand on foreign issues before when it feels it’s important to the residents of our town, and I believe this issue of Palestine is no different.
2. What sets you apart from the other candidates?
I think all the candidates have strong qualifications and backgrounds. I grew up in East Brunswick and I know this town. I love this town and decided to move back here to raise my family. I am a physician and single mom, so I am used to making hard decisions and handling challenges. It’s very important to me that we keep our town a safe, happy, and healthy place to live and raise our families.
3. Has the current administration delivered on its promise to redevelop the Route 18 corridor? What more needs to be done?
I think a lot of progress has been made, but it’s still very much a work in progress. I would definitely work hard to support the construction and redevelopment efforts and make sure that they’re completed efficiently.
4. Even as recession fears fade, cost of living continues to be a nationwide problem. What are your plans to keep East Brunswick affordable for young families and seniors?
I think this issue is so important. So many people and families are struggling financially although the economy may be strong. Affordable housing, schooling, and childcare are important, and I am a firm believer in universal healthcare. As Mayor, I would like to pursue universal pre-K for our township, continue to strengthen our community recreational and library services, support our farmers and conserve land, and take the financial concerns of all our residents seriously.
5. What, according to you, is the biggest issue in East Brunswick right now? How do you plan to tackle it?
I think there is a lot of discord around the Board of Education election. I would want to make sure as Mayor that we maintain the highest standard of education and that the public schools always remain the gem of our town.
6. What is your favorite part about living in East Brunswick?
I love the diversity of East Brunswick. Having the opportunity to grow up with friends of different races, religions, and backgrounds helped me grow into someone who values diversity. I have always felt safe and valued in my community, and I hope it stays that way for generations to come.
7. Favorite place to visit with family in East Brunswick?
Butterfly Park is our go-to.
Have a correction or news tip? Email [email protected]
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Incumbent Dana Zimbicki tells Patch why she's seeking reelection to town council. Patch Staff|Updated Tue, Oct 15, 2024 at 3:34 pm ETEAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — Councilwoman Dana Zimbicki is seeking another term on the East Brunswick Council. She will be on the ballot with Councilman Dinesh Behal and Mayor Brad Cohen.In a Q&A with Patch, Zimbicki talks about her love for community service and how a career as an educator prepared her for the role of councilwoman.Election is on Tuesday, Nov. 5....
Patch Staff
|Updated Tue, Oct 15, 2024 at 3:34 pm ET
EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — Councilwoman Dana Zimbicki is seeking another term on the East Brunswick Council. She will be on the ballot with Councilman Dinesh Behal and Mayor Brad Cohen.
In a Q&A with Patch, Zimbicki talks about her love for community service and how a career as an educator prepared her for the role of councilwoman.
Election is on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Patch has sent out a questionnaire to all Council candidates. They will be published as we receive them. If you are a candidate and haven’t heard from us, please contact Sarah Salvadore at [email protected] for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements.
Name: Dana Zimbicki
Age: 58
Party: Democrat
Town of residence: East Brunswick
Education: Bachelor of Arts degree in history/political science and K-12 education; Masters Degree in the Art of Teaching; Doctorate in Education Leadership; K-12 Social Studies Certificate.
Occupation: Public school teacher and President of the East Brunswick Education Association.
1. What drove you to seek public office?
Community service and helping others have always been something engrained within me. My education is in political science and history. During my college years, I interned for Pennsylvania State Representative Raymond Book, where I learned and experienced first-hand a deep appreciation toward public service. Also, as an educator for 26 years, I served the students and the community of East Brunswick. For the past 10 years, I have been president of the East Brunswick Education Association where I work for 1400 teachers and support staff. My desire to assist, collaborate, inform, advocate, negotiate, and seek consensus has become second nature. I want to use the skills I have obtained over my lifetime to help keep East Brunswick moving in a positive direction. It is important to keep public safety, public services, green space, businesses, roads, infrastructure, Arts, and our Department of Aging to name a few, cared for with responsibility. These are cornerstones of our amazing town. However, I know it is equally essential to do this all while maintaining stable municipal property taxes. This takes work and “thinking outside the box” to achieve. I am committed to doing just that!
2. What sets you apart from the other candidates?
I bring unique skill sets to the Town Council. As an educator and union president for 37 years I have learned and developed many important skill sets over my professional career -collaboration, compromise, negotiations, social astuteness, the art of delegation, and the ability to look for the “glass half-full”. I am by nature a positive person – never looking to diminish the ideas of others but rather, looking for what we can learn from one another. – building others up! Leading with kindness and fairness is the basis of my personal ideology.
My family is four generations strong in East Brunswick. We love East Brunswick and are a fabric of this beautiful community.
3. Has the current administration delivered on its promise to redevelop the Route 18 corridor? What more needs to be done?
The Mayor Brad Cohen administration, which I am part of as the Vice President of the Town Council, has certainly delivered on our promise to redevelop the Route 18 corridor. Legacy Place is still being built but of those units that are currently built they are over 90 percent occupied. Of course, East Brunswick was required by the State of New Jersey to have our quota of affordable housing units by the 2026 deadline. Many of these units are in Legacy Place. We have taken a blighted property that was not bringing in any significant tax income and has developed it into a vibrant community. In the Legacy Place complex, we were able to begin construction of a two-sheet ice arena. We received $3 million in grants from the State for this project and also held the developer of Legacy Place to their commitment of paying and completing much of the infrastructure work at the arena property such as drain basins, and curbing which save the community significant money. Additionally, the Vermella project is also underway which will feature mixed-use housing, stores, a hotel, a park, and an outdoor arena to name a few. Much time was spent examining this area and making changes to include the reduction of apartments and the addition of single-family housing. Attention was also given to adding green space at this location. Currently, we are looking at the opposite side of Route 18 to clean up the blighted property there. This will require more work, and we are currently enthralled in that work now. We are always looking to improve the Township, meet our affordable housing requirements, and improve our blighted areas.
4. Even as recession fears fade, cost of living continues to be a nationwide problem. What are your plans to keep East Brunswick affordable for young families and seniors?
I am proud to say this is something we have been doing well. Town Council only has jurisdiction over the municipal taxes. We have nothing to do with the county tax and school tax. Over the past seven years of Mayor Cohen’s administration, we have kept taxes flat all while improving quality of life in East Brunswick. This year, the municipal tax went up less than one dollar a month for the average homeowner. Proudly, we have received nearly $27 million of grant money to make road improvements, to build a 2-sheet ice skating complex, to be the first NJ municipality to build an all-inclusive playground for our neurodiverse children and adults, to expand our Community Arts Center, to make park improvements, and towards the expansion of Crystal Springs to include a year-round pool just to name a few. Meanwhile, new requests for programs and services are constantly being suggested by residents. The balance of keeping municipal taxes flat while increasing quality of life is immensely important to our administration.
5. What according to you is the biggest challenge facing East Brunswick right now? How do you plan to tackle it?
What makes our town great is the diversity of our community in many different aspects. Diversity in ideology can be the most challenging. The key to success is being an open-minded leader who listens, reflects, seeks input, and is inquiry-minded. When we put these skills into practice, we all succeed in making informed, smart, and researched decisions. I firmly believe that we should continue the great work that has gone on over the years to continue moving East Brunswick in a positive direction with balance in mind. Fiscal responsibility is key to the success of our town. Under this administration we have been able to keep the municipal taxes essentially flat even during the pandemic and with inflation, all while bringing in hundreds of businesses, redeveloping blighted areas, expanding our recreational areas, repairing aging infrastructure, repaving roads, and building our cultural programs. I want to be a public servant to our East Brunswick residents who uses the critical skills for the best outcomes I just described.
6. What is your favorite part about living in East Brunswick?
East Brunswick is diverse! The diversity of our community on so many different levels is what makes us special. I have dedicated the majority of my life to living, working, volunteering, and raising my family in East Brunswick. I have been blessed with the opportunity of family members who would share stories about East Brunswick describing the days when Ryders Lane was a dirt road, the building of the first schools, the creation of beautiful recreation spaces, the building of new residential developments, the expansion of Route 18 and more. This unique perspective of being able to see East Brunswick grow through their eyes, their stories, their photos make me feel proud to live in our community. We have so many amazing opportunities to continue to create proud moments within our community, after all…we are the “heart” of New Jersey – officially!
7. Favorite place to visit with family in East Brunswick?
We enjoy visiting every corner of East Brunswick. We enjoy quiet walks and taking in a soccer game at Heavenly Farms, fishing at Dallenbachs and Bicentennial Park, enjoying the numerous community events sponsored by the Recreation and Parks Department at the Community Arts Center, just to name a few. Every resident of East Brunswick can find something to do within our 22.5 square miles. Our community is bright!
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Holidays"Do-you-think-he-saurus?"Photo Credit: TAPinto East BrunswickGreetings from the Spotswood Shop-Rite!Photo Credit: TAPinto East BrunswickGROGU in shades! What could be better?Photo Credit: TAPinto East BrunswickPickachu, Pickle, CowPhoto Credit: TAPinto East BrunswickTaking a ride in East Brunswick!Photo Credit: TAPinto East BrunswickNot scary - just ...
"Do-you-think-he-saurus?"Photo Credit: TAPinto East Brunswick
Greetings from the Spotswood Shop-Rite!Photo Credit: TAPinto East Brunswick
GROGU in shades! What could be better?Photo Credit: TAPinto East Brunswick
Pickachu, Pickle, CowPhoto Credit: TAPinto East Brunswick
Taking a ride in East Brunswick!Photo Credit: TAPinto East Brunswick
Not scary - just yawning!Photo Credit: TAPinto East Brunswick
Vouge-ing with Robin!Photo Credit: TAPinto East Brunswick
It's all about the candy!Photo Credit: TAPinto East Brunswick
Icky and funny!Photo Credit: TAPinto East Brunswick
Monster University!Photo Credit: TAPinto East Brunswick
They call me Mellow Yellow. Quite rightly!Photo Credit: TAPinto East Brunswick
Never too early for Christmas!Photo Credit: TAPinto East Brunswick
Baby's first Halloween!Photo Credit: TAPinto East Brunswick
Grave concerns in East Brunswick!Photo Credit: TAPinto East Brunswick
The VFW home team!Photo Credit: TAPinto East Brunswick
Sign to remember your vet! I remembered Joe McVeigh, United States NavyPhoto Credit: TAPinto East Brunswick
Best t-shirt: "I'm only here for the Boos"Photo Credit: TAPinto East Brunswick
There's that East Brunswick Education Association, again! With BOE member Heather James an EBEA President Dana Zimbicki.Photo Credit: TAPinto East Brunswick
Ladies, I present your candy! Please distribute!Photo Credit: TAPinto East Brunswick
Shiny! Shiny! But where's the candy????Photo Credit: TAPinto East Brunswick
Get some Halloween tinsel in your hair at the Sparkle Bar!Photo Credit: TAPinto East Brunswick
The End.Photo Credit: TAPinto East Brunswick
"Do-you-think-he-saurus?"Photo Credit: TAPinto East Brunswick
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By Maureen Berzok
Published October 27, 2024 at 7:49 PM
Last updated October 27, 2024 at 8:05 PM
EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ - On a gorgeously unscary Sunday afternoon on the weekend before Halloween, the East Brunswick VFW Post #133 opened their doors and parking lot to host a Trunk and Treat event for kids and their families.
As part of the ongoing outreach of the Veteran post to the greater community, the event featured decorated trunks, cosutumed people, and best of all, lots and lots of candy for kids and adults who wore costumes ranging from Grogu (Baby Yoda,) to Jurassic dinosaurs, to devils, Pikachu, aliens and dreadful nightmarish things!
Car trunks gaped to reveal giant sets of teeth (the better to bite your children with!) dangly sparkles, and icky somethingness.
There were prizes, and a little bit of scary drama from the East Brunswick High School Drama Club, and a good overall feeling of the Veterans' post being an integral part of the East Brunswick community.
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There will be no more happy hours to celebrate the weekend at TGI Fridays in Central Jersey.
The chain, which pioneered the casual dining experience in the United States but is now considering to file for bankruptcy, has abruptly closed its restaurants in Bridgewater and Watchung. Other locations in Central Jersey that have closed include Piscataway, Franklin, Woodbridge, North Brunswick, East Brunswick, Old Bridge and Iselin.
The closures mean the only TGI Fridays open in Central Jersey is in Linden on Park Avenue. The other nearest TGI Fridays to Central Jersey is on Route 130 in East Windsor. A location in Allentown, Pa. also recently closed.
The other remaining locations in New Jersey are West Orange, Manahawkin, Turnersville, Burlington, Toms River and Brick.
Lawsuits were filed this week in Somerset County Superior Court by the owners of the Somerville Shopping Center in Bridgewater and the Blue Star Shopping Center in Watchung seeking back rent from TGI Fridays.
More:Our 14 favorite Central Jersey restaurants that closed too soon
The Bridgewater location owes $71,487 on a lease that expires in November 2027 with a monthly rent of $20,457.
Blue Star is seeking $95,276 for a lease that expires in April 2027 with a monthly rent of $18,791.
Earlier this month UE 675 Route 1 filed suit in Middlesex County Superior Court for $341,386 in back rent on the restaurant's Route 1 locations.
According to Bloomberg News, the chain, headquartered in Dallas, announced Oct. 18 that was considering filing for bankruptcy.
At one time, the chain had more than 270 locations in the United States. That number is down to 155.
In all, the chain said at the beginning of 2024 it had more than 650 restaurants in 51 countries.
Email: [email protected]
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EAST BRUNSWICK – Dave's Hot Chicken is opening its first location this week in Middlesex County on Route 18.
The chain, which specializes in Nashville-style hot chicken, will have a soft opening Oct. 31 at the site once occupied by Moe's Southwest Grill, 326 Route 18 North, next to Pearl Vision.
A grand opening will be held Nov. 1, Noraiz Khan, the franchisee of this location, said.
Hours will be from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 10:30 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays.
"We're very excited to choose East Brunswick as Dave's Hot Chicken's first location in Middlesex County," Khan said. "We will continue to expand within the county. We're getting a warm welcome already and our doors aren't even open yet. We've given 80 people in the area jobs in this store only."
The restaurant specializes in Hot Chicken Tenders and Sliders, along with sides of house-made Kale Slaw, Mac n’ Cheese and seasoned French Fries, shakes and slushers. It offers seven various spice levels – no spice, lite mild, mild, medium, hot, extra hot and Reaper.
Based in California, Dave’s was founded in 2017 by four friends as a parking lot pop-up restaurant in East Hollywood.
More:Arcade, theater, bowling: A new family entertainment center has opened in East Brunswick
The fast-growing chain has locations across the United States, in Canada and abroad. In New Jersey, the locations include Union, Ocean Township and Cherry Hill.
Mayor Brad Cohen, Economic Development Officer Rob Zuckerman, and members of the Chamber Commerce will be doing a ribbon-cutting Oct. 31 to welcome them to East Brunswick.
Email: [email protected]
Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
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