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8th
Ward Councilwoman
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My name is Michele Yamakaitis and I am Linden’s 8th Ward Councilwoman. I was elected to serve in this position in November, 2005 and was sworn in on January 3, 2006. I am now serving my first three-year term. I consider it an honor and a privilege to represent my fellow residents in the 8th Ward and be their voice in city government.
I reside on McGillvray Place with my husband, Luke, our two sons, Danny and Tommy, and our yellow lab, Samantha. I grew up on the Elizabeth/Linden border in the Bayway section of Elizabeth. I am the third of four children of Robert and Patricia Szewczyk. I am a graduate of St. Hedwig Grammar School, Elizabeth High School, and Union County College where I obtained an Associates of Art degree and majored in Education.
My husband, Luke, is a lifelong resident of Linden and is the fifth of eight children of Bernard and Bernadette Yamakaitis. When Luke and I were married in 1991, we resided on Washington Avenue with his grandmother, the late Frances Yamakaitis, until we bought our home in 1992 on McGillvray Place. My children, Danny and Tommy, attend the Linden Public School system.
I am currently employed as a group teacher and work with children with special needs.
Since moving to the 8th Ward in 1992, I have become very involved and volunteer many hours of my time to programs, organizations, and activities that promote our community. I have served in the 8th Ward Neighborhood Watch since 1992, and one program that I am particularly proud of is the 8th Ward Children’s Recreation Program. With the help of my predecessor, Albert Youngblood and the Linden Recreation Department, we designed a program to meet the needs of a community that did not have a neighborhood school. The group is designed for children grades kindergarten through fifth grade and is open to all Linden residents. The group meets each Saturday in the 8th Ward Community Center on Bedle Place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. under the supervision of volunteer parents and myself. Activities include playground games, arts & crafts as well as snacks. This is all run on a donation and volunteer basis. This group was started in 2003.
Additional civic experience, community involvement and affiliations include the following:
- President/member - 8th Ward Democratic Community Club
- Director – 8th Ward Children’s Recreation Program (2003-Present)
- Co-Captain - 8th Ward Neighborhood Watch
- Member – Linden Historical Society
- Member – Friends of Linden Public Library
- Member – Linden Educational Support Team
- Member – Linden City Democratic Club
- Member – The Union County Women’s Political Caucus
- Member – Phi Alpha Theta (Historical Honor Society) – Kean University
- Member – Union County College Alumni Association
- Volunteer Director of Religious Education – St. Hedwig R.C. Church
- Member – Pulaski Day Parade Committee – St. Theresa Church
- Parent Teacher Association Secretary
Linden Elementary School No. Four – 2001-2002
On Council, I proudly serve on the following committees:
-Board of Health
-Fire Department
-Affordable Housing & Redevelopment of Linden
-Accident Review
-Central Dispatch 911
-Real Estate & Cable T.V.
-Vehicles & Equipment
I am also one of three liaisons to the Linden Board of Education.
If you have any
questions or concerns, you can call me at (908) 925-2309 or e-mail
me at
shellyyam@aol.com.
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