Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some men, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give men a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
TRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of TRT and HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
For men, getting older comes with its perks, like living life on their own terms and not having to "sweat the small stuff" day in and day out. At the same time, there are aspects of aging that men dread, like hormonal changes. Yes, you read that right – men, not just women, go through hormonal changes as they age. For men, the biggest change involves a drop in testosterone.
Lower levels of testosterone can wreak havoc on a male's mind and body and when left untreated, can result in symptoms like:
Those symptoms are concerning, but with testosterone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine, many males improve their quality of life with age. The good news is that TRT and anti-aging meds aren't only reserved for "old guys." In fact, there's no magic age at which men should start thinking about hormone replacement therapy. Everyone's body is different, so if you're experiencing the above conditions in your mid-30s, TRT could be a viable solution when you consult with a doctor.
Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men and plays an important role throughout the male lifespan. Most of a male's testosterone is produced through the testicles. Also called the male sex hormone, testosterone starts playing its part during puberty.
When a male goes through puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
As boys turn to men and men grow older, testosterone levels deplete naturally. Sometimes, events like injuries and chronic health conditions like diabetes can lower testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much T, it results in hypogonadism. When this happens, the testosterone must be replaced, or the male will suffer from symptoms like muscle loss, low libido, and even depression.
TRT is exactly what it sounds like: a treatment option for men that replaces testosterone so that your body regulates hormones properly and restores balance to your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates the symptoms that men experience with low T.
Originally lab-synthesized in 1935, testosterone has grown in popularity since it was produced. Today, TRT and other testosterone treatments are among the most popular prescriptions in the U.S.
Without getting too deep into the science, TRT works by giving your body the essential testosterone it needs to function correctly. As the primary androgen for both males and females, testosterone impacts many of the body's natural processes – especially those needed for overall health. For example, men with low T are more prone to serious problems like cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.
When your body quits making enough testosterone, it causes your health to suffer until a solution is presented. That's where TRT and anti-aging medicine for men can help. TRT helps balance your hormones and replenish your depleted testosterone. With time, your body will begin to heal, and many symptoms like low libido and irritability begin to diminish.
For men, aging is the biggest contributor to lower testosterone levels, though there are other causes like obesity, drug abuse, testicular injuries, and certain prescribed medications. Sometimes, long-term health conditions like AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease can lower testosterone levels.
When a man's testosterone levels drop significantly, it alters his body's ratio of estrogen and testosterone. Lower testosterone levels cause more abdominal fat, which in turn results in increased aromatase, which converts even more testosterone into estrogen.
If you're concerned that you might have low T, you're not alone. Millions of men in the U.S. feel the same way. The best way to find out if your testosterone is low is to get your levels tested.
For sustainable testosterone replacement therapy benefits, you must consult with hormone doctors and experts like those you can find at Global Life Rejuvenation. That way, you can find the root cause of your hormone problems, and our team can craft a personalized HRT plan tailored to your needs.
Are you used to blasting through a productive day and accomplishing all your daily goals? Do you find yourself losing muscle mass and the craving to be intimate with your partner? Does your partner complain about how irritable you have become? If you're not usually a curmudgeon, your body could be giving you a sign. It could be time to speak with a doctor about TRT and anti-aging medicine for men in Clifton, NJ.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might be battling against low testosterone:
One of the most common reasons that men choose TRT is because they have lost that "spark" with their partner. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not performing like they used to. Intimacy is a powerful part of any relationship. When a once-healthy sex life dwindles, it can cause serious relationship issues.
The good news is that low libido doesn't have to be a permanent problem. TRT and anti-aging medicines help revert hormone levels back into their normal range. When this happens, many men have a more enjoyable life full of intimacy and sex drive.
Weak erections – it's an uncomfortable subject for many men in the U.S. to talk about. It's even worse to experience first-hand. You're in the midst of an intimate moment, and you can't do your part. Despite being perfectly normal, many men put blame and shame upon themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while the inability to perform sexually can be caused by poor diet, obesity, and chronic health conditions, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, weak erections are a treatable condition. The best way to regain your confidence and ability in bed is to speak with your doctor. Once any underlying conditions are discovered, options like TRT may be the best course of treatment.
Hair Loss
Do you find it harder and harder to work out and lift weights in the gym? Are you having problems lifting heavy items that you once had no problem lifting?
Recent studies show that when men are inactive, they lose .5% of muscle strength every year, from ages 25 to 60. After 60, muscle loss doubles every decade. While some muscle loss is common as men age, a significant portion can be tied to low testosterone levels. When a man's T levels drop, so does his muscle mass.
Testosterone is a much-needed component used in gaining and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors prescribe TRT Clifton, NJ, for men having problems with strength. One recent study found that men who increased their testosterone levels using TRT gained as much as 2.5 pounds of muscle mass.
Whether your gym performance is lacking, or you can't lift heavy items like you used to, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
If you're like millions of other men in their late 20s and 30s, dealing with hair loss is a reality you don't want to face. Closely related to testosterone decline and hormone imbalances, hair loss is distressing for many men. This common symptom is often related to a derivative of testosterone called DHT. Excess amounts of DHT cause hair follicles to halt their production, causing follicles to die.
Because hair located at the front and crown is more sensitive to DHT, it grows slower than other follicles and eventually stops growing permanently. Thankfully, TRT and anti-aging treatments for men in Clifton, NJ, is now available to address hair loss for good.
While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone on your body. Whether you're suffering from thinning hair or hair loss across your entire head, TRT and other hormone therapies can stop hair loss and even reverse the process.
Also called "man boobs," gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of male breast tissue. This increase in fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances and an increase in estrogen. For men, estrogen levels are elevated during andropause. Also called male menopause, andropause usually happens because of a lack of testosterone.
If you're a man between the ages of 40 and 55, and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
Decreased energy was once considered a normal part of aging. Today, many doctors know better. Advances in technology and our understanding of testosterone show that low T and lack of energy often go hand-in-hand.
If you're struggling to enjoy activities like playing with your kids or hiking in a park due to lack of energy, it could be a sign of low T. Of course, getting tired is perfectly normal for any man. But if you're suffering from continual fatigue, a lack of enjoyment, or a decrease in energy, it might be time to speak with a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish activities you used to love, TRT could help.
A study from 2011 showed that men who lose a week's worth of sleep can experience lowered testosterone levels – as much as 15%, according to experts. Additional research into the topic found almost 15% of workers only get five hours of sleep (or less) per night. These findings suggest that sleep loss negatively impacts T levels and wellbeing.
The bottom line is that men who have trouble sleeping often suffer from lower testosterone levels as a result. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, you might have low T.
TRT and anti-aging medicines can restore your T levels back to normal, which can help you sleep better with proper diet and exercise.
You're feeling down about everything, and there's no solid explanation for why you're in such a crummy mood. Your daily life is great and full of success, but you can't help but feel unexcited and unmotivated. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed – and it may stem from low testosterone.
A research study from Munich found that men with depression also commonly had low testosterone levels. This same study also found that depressed men had cortisol levels that were 67% higher than other men. Because higher cortisol levels lead to lower levels of testosterone, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option gaining in popularity is TRT for depression. Studies show that when TRT is used to restore hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more improved mood. That's great news for men who are depressed and have not had success with other treatments like anti-depression medicines, which alter the brain's chemistry.
Ask anyone over the age of 50 how their memory is, and they'll tell you it wasn't what it used to be. Memory loss and lack of concentration occur naturally as we age – these aren't always signs of dementia or Alzheimer's.
However, what many men consider a symptom of age may be caused by low testosterone. A 2006 study found that males with low T levels performed poorly on cognitive skill tests. These results suggest that low testosterone may play a part in reducing cognitive ability. If you're having trouble staying on task or remembering what your schedule is for the day, it might not be due to your age. It might be because your testosterone levels are too low. If you're having trouble concentrating or remembering daily tasks, it could be time to talk to your doctor.
Why? The aforementioned study found that participating men experienced improved cognitive skills when using TRT.
Even though today's society is more inclusive of large people, few adults enjoy gaining weight as they age. Despite their best efforts, many men just can't shed the extra pounds around their midsections, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer.
Often, male weight gain is caused by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism and cause weight to pile on. This phase of life is called andropause and happens when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Couple that with high cortisol levels, and you've got a recipe for flabby guts and double chins.
Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men are numerous. TRT not only grants relief from low-T symptoms but can help give protection against age-related diseases. Additionally, doctors now recognize male testosterone as an important role in alleviating depression.
Some of the most exciting benefits of TRT can include:
Because men do not go through a specific period of hormonal changes like women do (called menopause), many doctors refer to "male menopause" as androgen decline. This is just another term for low testosterone, but like female menopause, the symptoms can be serious and affect your quality of life.
The best way to fight back against male menopause is with male HRT treatment from Global Life Rejuvenation. We provide the following HRT treatments for men:
Our treatment options are personalized for your body and are available as creams, gels, injectables, and implantable pellets. To find out if testosterone replacement therapy is safe for you, contact Global Life Rejuvenation today to schedule your comprehensive testing and anti-aging treatment consultation.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Benefits of Sermorelin include:
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it is suitable for both men and women. It provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies, boosting patients' overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life. When growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland using Ipamorelin, clients report amazing benefits.
Some of those benefits include:
Whether you are considering our TRT services, HRT for women, or our growth hormone peptide services, we are here to help. The first step to turning back the hand of time starts by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation.
Our friendly, knowledgeable TRT and HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
866-793-9933Looking to dive into some tacos and margs this Cinco de Mayo? These Garden State spots are hosting fiestas aplenty.NORTH JERSEYHudson Hall Marg Madness • Jersey CityKick off Cinco de Mayo a little early. On Wednesday, May 1, Hudson Hall is lighting the fuse with Marg Madness, a margarita contest for local bartenders. Enjoy $8 margaritas a...
Looking to dive into some tacos and margs this Cinco de Mayo? These Garden State spots are hosting fiestas aplenty.
Kick off Cinco de Mayo a little early. On Wednesday, May 1, Hudson Hall is lighting the fuse with Marg Madness, a margarita contest for local bartenders. Enjoy $8 margaritas all night long, plus merchandise giveaways. 364 Marin Boulevard, Jersey City; 201-659-6565
Have some uproarious fun at some of Hoboken’s best bars. For a $5.50 ticket, enjoy a bevy of perks, including two free tacos, up to 50 percent discounts on exclusive drinks and a free sombrero. 221 Washington Street, Hoboken; 718-216-6677
Enjoy upbeat music and cocktails like La Jefa, Secreta de Abuela and La Playa. Book your table online in advance. 36-42 Newark Street, Hoboken; 201-238-2594
On Saturday, May 4, and Sunday, May 5, enjoy live music, specials on tacos and street corn, and drink deals starting at $5. 365 NJ-3, Clifton; 973-777-6277 1150 South Stiles Street, Linden; 908-862-9800
Expand your skills behind the bar with a Cinco De Mayo cocktail class. Learn how to make three different kinds of margaritas. Snacks will be served, and swag bags come with tickets, which are $99 per person. 618 Park Avenue, Freehold; 732-577-0001
This May 4 event will include discounted food and drink specials at local Highlands restaurants, live mariachi bands and a margarita contest. The registration fee is $40. Huddy Park, 301 Shore Drive, Highlands; 732-291-4713
Chow down on a scrumptious Cinco de Mayo buffet at the historic Mathis House on Sunday, May 5. The menu includes a nachos and chili charcuterie, chili lime chicken, Mexican street corn, and much more. A five-piece mariachi band will perform. Tickets are $35 per person. 600 Main Street, Toms River; 732-818-7580
Meximodo boasts a selection of 1,000+ tequilas and mezcals, plenty of refreshing cocktails and many delectable menu items. 5 Pearl Street, Metuchen; 732-395-7767
Chose from more than 100 different flavor combinations to customize the margarita of your dreams. 215 Route 22 East, Green Brook; 732-200-5141
Firewaters Saloon is offering $5 drink specials, including margaritas, Modelo drafts and tequila shooters. Looking for live music? Head to Casa Taco & Tequila Bar for traditional Mexican music performances, plus the stylings of DJ JJ. 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City; 609-340-4000
MudHen’s Cinco de Mayo celebration on Sunday, May 5, features live music (dance your heart out!), a special menu, margarita tastings and giveaways. 127 Rio Grande Avenue, Wildwood; 609-846-7918
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2-minute readNorthJersey.comNew Jersey may have another emerging star.Hailey Mia, a 16-year-old Clifton native, appeared on the second episode of the newest season of "American Idol" on Sunday night, got a standing ovation from all the celebrity judges and advanced to the Hollywood round. The up-and-coming singer...
NorthJersey.com
New Jersey may have another emerging star.
Hailey Mia, a 16-year-old Clifton native, appeared on the second episode of the newest season of "American Idol" on Sunday night, got a standing ovation from all the celebrity judges and advanced to the Hollywood round. The up-and-coming singer spoke to NorthJersey.com about her experience, inspirations and upbringing in New Jersey.
Mia said she felt a combination of emotions on the day of her audition that included being nervous but also excited for the opportunity. She said that by the time she performed, she felt calm, and she proceeded to blow the judges away with her rendition of the Katy Perry song "Rise."
Mia, who is a junior at Passaic County Technical Institute in Wayne, explained that singing has been a key part of her life for as long as she can remember. "I started singing as soon as I could speak," she said. "Music is and was my life when I was younger." Her parents noticed her talents at an early age, and she attended vocal lessons in New York City when she was 8 years old.
Her weekly singing lessons continued until the COVID pandemic, when remote lessons posed some challenges, but she remained passionate and continued to perfect her craft.
All those days working hard paid off. Before she stood out on "American Idol," Mia made it to the final on NBC's "The Voice" in December 2021 when she was just 14. She loved her experience on that show but said "Idol" has been her dream for years. She emphasized how insane it feels that she has made it Hollywood.
The young singer said her parents are her inspirations and biggest backers and that she is "so grateful to have that huge support system behind me." Her family held a watch party for her first appearance on the show, and Mia said they were so excited at times that she could not even hear herself sing.
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As far as musical inspirations, Mia called Adele her idol. She considers her style a blend of musicians including Olivia Rodrigo, Tate McRae and, of course, Adele.
Despite the comparisons she makes, those around her recognize that she has a unique voice of her own. "American Idol" judge Lionel Richie said of her performance, "I think that's the greatest one so far, for me. ... Reinventing that song with your voice, you make it sound like yours."
The gifted teenager said she is proud to call New Jersey home. Mia was born and raised in Clifton and said she appreciates all the memories she has made within her home and neighborhood. Those who live in the Garden State can sometimes take a pessimistic approach to the cold, but Mia loves having all four seasons and embracing what Jersey has to offer.
"I'm still trying to figure out who I am as an artist and as a person. With these next performances I want to show the world what I am capable of and also be myself and have fun, because this is what I love to do," Mia said as she prepared for the next steps in her musical journey.
It it not known yet when Mia's next performance will be, but a Disney rep estimated that it could be in late March or early April. "American Idol" can be seen Sundays at 8 p.m. on ABC and the next day on Hulu.
Hailey Mia already has one reality singing competition on her resume. Now, the 16-year-old Clifton native is back on television in hopes of a win — and based on initial feedback, she may be an early frontrunner.Mia appeared on the second episode of the newest season of "American Idol" Sunday night. She wowed...
Hailey Mia already has one reality singing competition on her resume. Now, the 16-year-old Clifton native is back on television in hopes of a win — and based on initial feedback, she may be an early frontrunner.
Mia appeared on the second episode of the newest season of "American Idol" Sunday night. She wowed judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan with her performance of Perry's own song, "Rise," earning a standing ovation from all three when she finished.
Perry said it was "inspiring" to hear Mia's rendition of a song she wrote and performed. She then revealed a rather personal response to the song that showed just how impactful the audition was.
"To be re-inspired by someone else singing, full-body chills — even in places where I've been Botoxed," Perry said as Mia and her fellow judges laughed.
Perry's counterparts went even further with their praise, suggesting Mia may be one of the singers to beat in this year's competition.
"Definitely potential for top 10, in my opinion," Bryan said. "When I sit next to Katy and I see chill bumps from the shoulder to the bottom of the legs — while she's listening to her song — that's pretty incredible."
Bryan went on to call Mia's performance "probably my favorite audition we've had" throughout the first two episodes, an opinion Richie immediately echoed.
"I think that's the greatest one so far, for me," he said. "In terms of just knowing who you are, I don't have to guess. Reinventing that song with your voice, you make it sound like yours."
Unsurprisingly, all three judges voted to send Mia through to the Hollywood round, where she will compete to be named the winner of Season 22.
This is not Mia's first time on TV; she finished in fourth place on "The Voice" as a 14-year-old, the youngest member of that season, in December 2021. Incidentally, her coach on the show was Kelly Clarkson, who won the first season of "Idol" in 2002.
Many commenters on the "Idol" Instagram and YouTube videos of Mia's audition remembered her and remarked how much her voice has matured in the past two years. Like the judges, they also predicted a long run for her this season — one that may even eclipse her finish on "The Voice."
"She just might be the winner!!!" one commenter wrote.
Season 22 of "American Idol" airs Sundays on ABC. The show is also available on demand and on Hulu the day after each new episode premieres.
March 12, 2024Glenn Personette, of Clifton, New Jersey, says he is a church-going guy. When a kidney stone landed him in the hospital in early 2021—which led to doctors discovering he also had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma—he recognized it as divine intervention.“Everything happens for a reason. I had cancer but no symptoms, and no one knew. God didn’t want me to go yet, so he gave me a kidney stone to find the cancer,” says the now-59-year-old.After being discharged from the hospital, he ...
Glenn Personette, of Clifton, New Jersey, says he is a church-going guy. When a kidney stone landed him in the hospital in early 2021—which led to doctors discovering he also had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma—he recognized it as divine intervention.
“Everything happens for a reason. I had cancer but no symptoms, and no one knew. God didn’t want me to go yet, so he gave me a kidney stone to find the cancer,” says the now-59-year-old.
After being discharged from the hospital, he saw lymphoma specialist Andrew Ip, M.D., at John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center for a second opinion.
Glenn’s lymphoma was in advanced stages and located in a critical area next to his spine. “He was a high risk and required treatment immediately,” Dr. Ip says. “When we factored in his age and ability to tolerate treatment, we wanted to get him started on chemotherapy right away so we could get rid of the disease for good.”
Glenn was in full agreement. “If you’ve got cancer, you want to get rid of it as fast as possible,” he says. “I was like, ‘Let’s start chemo tomorrow.’”
Glenn was admitted to John Theurer Cancer Center the next day for the first of six rounds of treatment, with each round requiring a four-day stay in the hospital every three weeks. But after his second round, he experienced a severe reaction to the chemotherapy. He had to spend two weeks in the hospital being treated for mucositis (inflammation and sores in the mouth and gut).
“My whole mouth was black. I couldn't eat anything, and I could barely drink anything. My whole body had a rash,” he says.
His chemotherapy had to be stopped for two months while he recovered. When treatment was restarted, Dr. Ip moved Glenn to a different regimen that could be done on an outpatient basis.
In the end, the treatment was a success. “I went into remission shortly after the second session,” Glenn says.
Over the next couple of years, Dr. Ip continued to monitor Glenn regularly for any signs of recurrence. In summer 2023, a PET scan revealed a small tumor in Glenn’s back.
During a biopsy, Glenn’s surgeon was able to remove the whole tumor instead of just taking a sample. After that biopsy, Glenn was diagnosed with a second lymphoma. This time it was marginal zone lymphoma, a chronic or indolent type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
It’s rare to be diagnosed with two different cancers in two years, Dr. Ip says. “Although my suspicion is that the two lymphomas are related, I could never prove it. At this time, the thought is that they aren’t related,” he adds.
Dr. Ip treated Glenn with six weekly treatments of immunotherapy, which put Glenn in remission. Because the nature of chronic lymphoma means it might reoccur at some point, he will continue to be monitored.
Glenn is incredibly grateful to Dr. Ip and his team for their care and support over the last few years. “Dr. Ip is truly a caring person. The nurses in the hospital were absolutely fantastic,” he says. “You know what it's like when you're in the hospital—you’re woken up every few hours to check your blood pressure and so forth. But my care team would be so gentle that they wouldn't even wake me. Those little things really matter.”
The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.
CLIFTON — The city's voters will be asked in next Tuesday's election whether they want to set up an Open Space and Recreation Fund to preserve or purchase land.If voters say yes and the fund question passes, taxpayers would pay one penny for every $100 of assessed value and would raise in excess of $500,000. For instance, a home assessed at $350,000 would pay an additional $35 per year, or a $1 million assessed home's tax bill would increase by $100 per year.The fund for open space has been presented to vot...
CLIFTON — The city's voters will be asked in next Tuesday's election whether they want to set up an Open Space and Recreation Fund to preserve or purchase land.
If voters say yes and the fund question passes, taxpayers would pay one penny for every $100 of assessed value and would raise in excess of $500,000. For instance, a home assessed at $350,000 would pay an additional $35 per year, or a $1 million assessed home's tax bill would increase by $100 per year.
The fund for open space has been presented to voters twice since the late 1990s, and both times it was defeated. Each time, support for the fund increased, said Councilman Joe Kolodziej, who asked for the question to be placed on this year's ballot.
"The importance of an open space tax and trust fund is that it dedicates funding instead of relying on the political will of elected officials," Kolodziej said.
The funds would be used only for maintenance and acquisition of land for recreation and conservation within the city. An oversight committee of local residents would advise the city on how the funds should be spent.
Voters in half of Passaic County's 16 municipalities, Bloomingdale, Little Falls, Pompton Lakes, Ringwood, Wanaque, Wayne, West Milford and Woodland Park, have passed open space funds. Passaic County also has a dedicated open space tax.
Given residents' frequent complaints about the condition of some city parks and playground equipment, as well as concerns from those who say the city is already heavily overdeveloped, it is perhaps time to ask taxpayers again, Kolodziej said.
More:This is what New Jersey officials are doing to ensure a smooth election
"This referendum will allow the people to decide if we want to dedicate funds to fighting overdevelopment by preserving the two remaining farms in town and acquiring more open space," the councilman said.
City resident and open space proponent Ann Schnackenburg said a local open space tax has been a long time coming.
"Every citizen should be concerned about open space," she said.
The city, she noted, was hit by floods when the remnants of Hurricane Ida blew through two years ago. Runoff inundated waterways including Weasel Brook and Third River and caused much damage. It took the city almost two years to bring Fire Station 1 back after Ida's flooding.