By: Richard L. Smith
With academic excellence leading the way and smart legislative wins to follow, Bloomfield is continuing to define itself as a model of growth, leadership, and local progress in Essex County.
Just last month, Bloomfield High School celebrated two rising stars: Valedictorian Windel Manalansan, who earned the district’s highest honor with a legacy of academic rigor and compassion, and Salutatorian Teresa Nole, whose commitment to excellence stood as a testament to the strength of Bloomfield’s public schools.
Both graduates represented more than individual success—they symbolized a community investing in its future.
That same spirit of commitment and advancement was echoed this week with a major announcement: Bloomfield will receive $2 million in direct state appropriations as part of the New Jersey Fiscal Year 2026 State Budget, signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy.
The funding reflects months of focused collaboration between Mayor Jenny Mundell and the District 34 legislative team—State Senator Britnee N. Timberlake, Assemblyman Michael Venezia, and Assemblywoman Carmen Theresa Morales.
According to a statement released by township officials, the $2 million will fuel key local initiatives, including a new pedestrian safety campaign, continued public health services that faced reductions in federal support, expanded senior transportation and social programs, mental health services for students, and upgrades to local parks and green spaces.
“This funding reflects a strong, intentional partnership with our state legislators,” said Mayor Jenny Mundell. “From the start, we had a clear, unified vision for Bloomfield—especially when it came to protecting our most vulnerable. Thanks to Senator Timberlake, Assemblyman Venezia, and Assemblywoman Morales, those priorities didn’t just make it to the table—they were funded. That’s what real government looks like: cooperation, compassion, and results.”
Senator Timberlake, who led the charge in the State Senate, emphasized the need for state leadership to act when federal resources fall short.
“This isn’t just a budget win—it’s a full-spectrum investment in the infrastructure, opportunity, and care our community needs,” she said. “We stepped up when we were needed most.”
Assemblyman Venezia, a former Bloomfield mayor and current member of the Assembly Budget Committee, stressed the power of local insight in statewide planning. “We turned real community needs into legislative results,” he said. “This $2 million isn’t symbolic—it will make a tangible difference.”
Assemblywoman Morales added that the funding reflects core values in action. “From student mental health to senior mobility, these dollars show our commitment to equity and service,” she said. “This was a thoughtful, people-centered process from beginning to end.”
This latest funding milestone comes at a time when Bloomfield is seeing promising signs of revitalization—from educational achievements to infrastructure upgrades to a renewed sense of civic pride.
The partnership between local leaders and state lawmakers not only secured vital financial support but also demonstrated how effective governance can uplift a community.
From the classroom to the council chambers, Bloomfield is proving what’s possible when vision, leadership, and unity work hand-in-hand.
