Jamesburg committees and groups defined plans for the upcoming year.
By: Audrey Levine
JAMESBURG With the new year quickly approaching, many are looking to the future of their organizations and committees, and planning goals for 2006.
From the Historical Association and the public library, to the Chamber of Commerce and Recreation Department, local groups are looking at the coming year as a time for renovations, improving business and garnering more attention from, and participation in, the overall community.
Teddy Ehmann, president of the Chamber of Commerce and owner of Jamesburg’s Family Framers, has two goals for the upcoming year.
Mr. Ehmann’s first goal for the Chamber of Commerce is to convince businesses and political leaders to work together to promote the economic development of downtown areas.
In addition, Mr. Ehmann said he is looking to increase membership by bringing in participants from the surrounding towns, including Monroe, Cranbury, Dayton and Spotswood.
"We will let people know we are here (through) the Internet, fliers and networking meetings and have existing members invite friends to come to chamber events," he said. "We want to increase membership so it represents Jamesburg."
Members of the Jamesburg Historical Association say they’re planning for a year of renovations and changes designed to attract visitors to historic sites.
Ronald Becker, president of the Historical Association, said the group is trying to make structural and other changes to Lakeview: Buckelew Mansion, which dates back to 1685 and was the home of borough founder James Buckelew.
The association recently held a fundraiser to renovate a room dedicated to Jamesburg High School, which first admitted students in 1932 and closed in 1979. In addition, the Jamesburg High School Alumni Association is raising money to refurbish trophies, repair glass cases and clean uniforms, all housed in the mansion.
Mr. Becker said he hopes seeing these repairs will convince people not to discard their own pieces of Jamesburg’s history.
"As the community sees us preserving history, instead of throwing items away, (hopefully) they will become more aware of the need to preserve the items and donate them," he said.
In addition, Mr. Becker said the association is working on adding a handicapped bathroom for the building.
He said the improvements are still being designed and that the project will be finished by June. After that, other areas of the house will be made accessible, including a wheelchair ramp leading to the first floor from the outside.
The association also wants to get the word out about what it does.
"We want to increase community awareness of the Jamesburg Historical Association," Mr. Becker said. "We recognize that thousands of people pass the mansion, but only a few know what it’s all about."
Mr. Becker said the association may offer more tours of the building in 2006. The building is open two Tuesdays a month, but weekday evening programs may be added.
In addition, the association is looking to hold joint programs with other township organizations to appeal to more members of the community.
Mr. Becker said he also wants membership to grow.
"We hope by this time next year, we will have doubled the membership and Lakeview will be stabilized sufficiently to last another 320 years," he said.
The Jamesburg Library also is looking to increase community involvement, said Cynthia Yasher, director.
"The library is a terrific resource," she said. "We want to bring in more diversity."
Ms. Yasher said the library plans to offer more programs that celebrate the diversity of the town, beginning in February with an event in conjunction with Black History Month.
Tahira, a professional storyteller from Delaware, will present "Gift of Story, Song and Poetry from the West African Oral Tradition."
Ms. Yasher said the library will begin opening on Sundays on Feb. 12 until May 21. It will not be open Sundays during the summer, but will again offer Sunday hours when the new school year begins.
Mayor Tony LaMantia, who also is director of the Recreation Department, said the department wants to hold more craft programs with the local YMCA and other events later in the year.
Overall, he said, there is always a good turnout for the events offered and he hopes this will not change in 2006.
"We gain a few people here and there, but we take whoever wants (to participate)," Mayor LaMantia said. "We don’t turn anyone away."

