Advance Robbinsville
DECEMBER 2021 FREE
Inside this issue:
SIX09 Senior Living!
COMMUNITYNEWS.ORG
Turning citizens into leaders
Police veteran set to be new chief By ReBekah Schroeder
Before he fell in love with police work, Michael Polaski became involved with the local first aid squad on his 16th birthday. Inspired by a cousin who was part of Lacey Emergency Medical Services, he took on the role of a volunteer EMT there, but his future belonged elsewhere, and so did his leadership skills—Polaski is now set to be the new chief of the Robbinsville Township Police Department. “It was almost immediate,” Polaski said of his interest in law enforcement, the attraction fostered through interacting with officers on calls. “[I] just love helping people, love everything about the job. It was clearly for me.” With 23 years of experience on the force, Polaski is currently the department’s administrative lieutenant and the township’s Office of Emergency Management Coordinator. He was announced as the new chief on Oct. 22, with his term officially beginning on Jan. 1, 2022, taking over from current Chief Chris Nitti. The first in his family to be involved in law enforcement, Polaski grew up in Lacey Township. After trying out higher education with Ocean County College, he was accepted into the police academy. Traditional See CHIEF, Page 14
MCCC program would help build residents’ engagement in their community By ReBekah Schroeder
Their courage and compassion Robbinsville restaurant inspire us all. owner
Owner Daphne Kent-Wilczynski (center) at Daphne’s Diner in Robbinsville. Helping her at the restaurant are her sisters Jennifer Kent (left) and Rebecca Lang.
expands into Hamilton By ThoMas Kelly
One morning, a message written in chalk appeared in front of an RWJBarnabas Health facility. The words couldn’t have been after simpler, or more soul stirring, Now, 25 years she estabKent-Wilczynski grew up in or more accurate. lished a diner in Robbinsville at Hamilton and is a product of
Daphne Kent-Wilczynski is a 1124 Route 130, Kent-Wilczyn- Greenwood Elementary, Notbusy lady. She has two phones ski has opened a second res- tingham Junior High and Steinof Hamilton, ert High School. She was a in her hand and three restau- taurant, Daphne’s “Heroes in thehere.” middle standout athlete in basketball, rants going, and she is hands on which she startedwork of the pandemic, in the heart softball and soccer. in running all three of them. “Playing varsity as a young Kent-Wilczynski was raised in Hamilton Square. The new fi ne-dining restaurant is located freshman was intimidating, but Hamilton, brought up her chilThree words of gratitude and encouragement that dren in Robbinsville, and has fed at 3681 Nottingham Way and brought you to a higher level capture the courage and compassion of health opened in July of 2021. quicker,” she says. many people from both towns workers across America. ToShe share your leadership and Herhere thirdand venue is Daphne’s learned through the years. She has been thanks or to support Emergency Catering, which our provides ser- Response at a youngFund, age, how you need a in the restaurant business since for both private and corpo- terrific team around you. “I still 1983, and her energy is almost visit vices rwjbh.org/heroes rate customers. as well-known as her cooking. See DAPHNE’S, Page 12
The United States is divided by numerous issues. People are increasingly at odds with each other, and the process of making important change is difficult, if not impossible. It is in this political climate that Mercer County Community College recently unveiled a multi-pronged program to combat the situation by educating citizens and empowering them to become leaders within their communities. The college has teamed up with The Citizens Campaign, a Metuchen-based nonprofit organization that works to ensure that discourse can be helpful, not harmful, and urges that people do not have to be elected officials or stop their advocacy at the ballot box. The organization’s message is that anyone can fight to make a difference. One piece of the program is the establishment of a Citizen Leadership Center in partnership with The Citizens Campaign. The purpose of the center, which will be located See LEADERS, Page 8
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