DOTRA'S ... DotLine ...

DOTRA MAILING ADDRESS

DOTRA
P.O. Box 77160
West Trenton, NJ 08628-6160

Please send your dues and notes of interest there!!

SPRING LUNCHEON
By Joe and Marion Bodnar

On Monday, March 12 DOTRA members and their guests attended the Spring Luncheon held at Charley's Other Brother in Mount Holly. Members and their guests enjoyed not only the social hour, but also the delicious food served by very gracious and pleasant waitresses. A very enjoyable time was had by all.

The Trenton Thunder baseball games on the DOTRA schedule for this season will be on Wednesday June 20th vs. New Britain and Wednesday July 25th vs. Bowie. Both games start at 7:05 P.M.

Ticket prices are $7.50 each. Send orders for tickets to: Raymond Schulley, 14 Butterfoss Ave., Titusville, NJ 08560-1818, phone 609/737-0525. Please include your telephone number.

Make checks payable to "DOTRA" but please do not send the checks until I contact you. Tickets should be received several weeks prior to the games.

DOTRA President Dick Hobson has just released the information that Commissioner James Weinstein, Deputy Commissioner Al Ari, and the Commissioner's Chief of Staff, Laurie Gutshaw will attend our 10th anniversary luncheon on June 6, 2001. Commissioner Weinstein will be the guest speaker for the occasion. Flyer attached.

DOTRA BOARD MEETINGS

DOTRA Board meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at:
Eddie's Eatery
628 arena Drive
Hamilton Twp.
609/888-1414

Next meeting is Tuesday May 1, 2001.

All members are welcome!!

DOTRA
P.O. BOX 77160
WEST TRENTON, NJ 08628-6160

Please check the mailing label on DotLine for the expiration date for your dues and if needed mail your check to the address above.

We welcome the following retirees who have recently joined our organization:

Carol Paszamant Librarian
R. Jeffrey Lanigan Project Manager
Edward F. Stella Maint. Fernwood
Daniel J. Wedo Aeronautics

Once again, these are familiar names to our members. We hope to see you at our social functions and monthly meetings. WELCOME!

If you know of any retiree who is in the hospital, confined at home or needs help of one form or another, please call or write to Guy LoBue, 19 Mount Avenue, Hamilton, NJ 08620, phone 609/585-4979. During the past few months we've heard of the following:

Dorothy Stout is at home with a live-in care giver.

Ted Kiselewicz is in St. Lawrence Rehab Center, 2381 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville NJ 08648. Phone:609/896-9500 Ext. 4595.

We are sure that they would appreciate a card or call.

We sadly report the following obituaries:

Violet A.C. Iodice  (78)  DMV   1990
Carl M. Yoders  ( ? )  DOT
Ruth Frances Schroth  (77)  DOT ?
Herbert Gerber  (93)  DOT 1969
Rae D'Angelo  (82)  DMV 1983
Edward A. Meckel,Jr.  (63)  DOT ?
Albert T. Mannifield,Jr.(73)  DOT 1987
Angeline Linkwich  (91)  DMV ?
George E. Curry (84)  DOT  1983
Bruce E. Ranson (63)  DOT  ?
Mildred Petrangeli  (71)  DOT  1999
Edward M. Ryan (79)  DOT  1988
Mary Rose B. Angle  (73)  DMV  ?
Ethel M. Roberts  (87)  DMV  ?
John A. Graham  (63)  DOT  ?

Acting Governor Donald DiFrancesco visited the NJDOT on Thursday April12, 2001.

Upon hearing of the DOT Memorial, the persons who lost their lives and of the hard work and spirit of teamwork and cooperation involved to forever honor them, Governor DiFrancesco wanted to visit our memorial and , in particular, to meet and acknowledge all those who contributed, supported and helped to build it.

The Memorial is an important part of the DOT fabric and the department is pleased to share what the Memorial represents, with those who value not only those honored on it, but those who help to honor them.

DOTRA's website Chairperson and photographer Kristina Erin Kaye took many pictures of the event. Visit our website at DOTRA.org for a record of this and other occasions.

DOTRA EXECUTIVE BOARD
OFFICERS
President - Dick Hobson
1st Vice President - Guy LoBue
2nd Vice President - Walt Gable
Treasurer - Frank Herrera
Recording Secretary - Hazel Rockhill
Corresponding Secretary - Dee Wisneski

DIRECTORS
Chet Andres     Adrian Lincoln
Joseph Bodnar     Dolores Murphy
Frances Geurds     Mary Stafford
Wilma Gruzlovic     Peg Wieger
Don Hutchinson

COMMITTEES
CHAPLAIN   Guy LoBue
MEMBERSHIP   Guy LoBue
BY-LAWS   Chet Andres
HISTORIAN   Wilma Gruzlovic
ACTIVTIES   Dolores Murphy
DotLine   Dot Andres & Dee Wisneski
WEBSITE   Kristina Erin Kaye

HISTORIAN'S CORNER
Submitted by Wilma Gruzlovic

History of the State Highway System:
Turnpike Opens to Traffic in 1952

Taken from "Development of the State Highway System", a booklet written in the 1960's by John F. Summers of the NJ State Highway Department's Bureau of Public Information.

Twelfth in a Continuing Series

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority was established in 1948 and the freeway opened to traffic from Deepwater to near the George Washington Bridge in January, 1952. A seven mile spur, from the vicinity of Newark Airport to the Holland Tunnel, was completed in 1956. A similar spur, connecting the Turnpike in the vicinity of Bordentown with the Pennsylvania Turnpike, was also opened in 1956. Total cost of the route and it's spurs was $466 million. In April, 1952, the State legislature created the New Jersey Highway Authority to complete the then proposed 164 mile Route 4 Parkway that had been started by the State Highway Department in 1947. Due to limited available funds the State road building agency had been able to complete only 19 miles of the scenic freeway. These three sections, the longest of which is a 13 mile stretch between Route U.S. 22 in Union County and the Raritan River at Perth Amboy, still remain under State Highway Department control and are toll free.

The entire length of the originally planned 164 miles, from Paramus down the eastern third of the state to Cape May, was opened as the Garden State Parkway in July 1955. A nine mile long extension from the Paramus area to a New York Thruway connector near Suffern, N.Y., was opened in July, 1957. Total cost of the route was $330 million.

Each operating Authority consists of three members appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the State Senate, to serve nine - year terms. The State Highway Commissioner, by executive order, serves as the Governor's liaison and advisor and acts as coordinator to these authorities.

A third separate road-building authority was created on February 19, 1962, when legislation was approved and put into effect establishing the New Jersey Expressway Authority. The five authority members serve five year terms upon appointment by the Governor with the advice and consent of the State Senate.

The basic legislation authorized the construction of the Atlantic City Expressway from the southern terminus of State Route 42 in Camden County southeasterly to Atlantic City, with a spur to Cape May to be added if and when deemed necessary. Construction would be paid for by Authority bonds that would be retired through proceeds from tolls. The major portion of the Expressway, from Route 42 to the Garden State Parkway, a distance of 37 miles, was opened in 1964. The final portion into Atlantic City was opened in 1965.

FLORIDA 7TH REUNION A BIG SUCCESS!!
By Dot Andres

On a beautiful sunny day in Rockledge, Florida a group of sun-tanned, youthful retirees gathered for a fine buffet luncheon and several hours of nostalgia. There were 43 DOTRA members and guests gathered at the Rockledge Country Club on February 13th for another great reunion of New Jersey DOT'ers. The annual event was skillfully arranged by Frank and Kathy Wegel ( Materials ) and graciously sponsored by Shirley Birkhead Pierce ( Bill Birkhead Const.) Many thanks to them for planning, communicating and arranging the event.

While many there are permanent Florida residents or "winter migrators", there were several who made their winter trek south specifically to include the DOTRA Reunion. Marie and Joe Cleary (Eqt.) drove down from their new home in Sanford, North Carolina, Dee Murphy (Central Services) flew down from Ringoes to visit Frank and Betty Roy (Data Res.), Katherine and Joe Mooney (Local Aid) planned a visit with relatives in Titusville FL in order to attend, Maxine and Bill Howarth (C&M) drove down from NJ and even DOTRA Prez Dick Hobson and wife (C&M) motored down for the big event. Dick presented DOTRA membership lapel pins to the attendees.

There were a number who drove long distances from within Florida to get there - Ruth Zasoski (Accident Records) and Trude Hart (Data Proc.) with their spouses drove from the Palm Springs area, Jan and Mike Hanlon (Supp. Serv.) arrived from Cape Coral, Betty and Don Clark (Elec.) from Punta Gorda. There were Florida residents Peggy and Mike Busketta (Elec.) from Rockledge, Loretta and Charlie Zweigle (Eqt.) from Orlando, Joan and Rick Fugaro (DMV) from Titusville, Al Alaimo (C&M) and friend Lisa from Sebastian. Catherine and Maury Guadagno (Const.) were in the midst of Construction alumni - Dave Benoist, Ted Hamler, Frank Scarpati, and Dave Quaid.

Then too, the perennial FL snowbirds were there: Stan and Doris Friedman (C&M), Adolph and Marie Stepowany (Civil Rights), and Dot Andres (C&M) and Chet Andres (Design).

Missed from attending at the last minute were permanent Florida residents Marie and Sante Falvo (Const.), and Lube and Nick Nicu (Geo. Tech.) Hope to see them next year along with more DOTRA members making the trek to Rockledge, on Tuesday February 12th 2002.

Perhaps our theme should be - "Well, we helped build these roads and bridges, so we may as well use them!!"

HERE AND THERE
By Dot Andres

The DOTRA mailbox has been overflowing this late winter and early spring and we are delighted to hear from all of you! News comes from people all over the USA. Keep the notes coming in as that is what all of our members want to read in the DotLine.

Al Alaimo (C&M) reports that he visited with Betty and Jim Schuyler (Eng. & Oper.) in Riverside California this winter and they are doing well. Life is busy and they are travelling quite a bit. Al says to walk into the Schuyler's den is like walking into the NJDOT Snow Room of old. There hangs NJ license plate "TD500" and the NJDOT Seal, along with other memorabilia from Jim's days at the old Highway Department. They wanted to be remembered to all back home! Al Alaimo is also traveling about the country and reports that daughter Allison is getting married in Michigan and daughter Lauren lives in Memphis. Al is a happy grandfather of three!

Bill Breen (Maint. Reg.4) writes: " I've been to 45 states and I think I like New Jersey as well as any." Robert Wicox says "I enjoy DotLine. Thank goodness for PERS and SS." Nick Nicu (Geo. Tech.) down in Florida orders us to "Keep up the good work!" Additional kudos from Dominic Tassone Equip.Reg,4) who says, "The DOTRA news is very informative. Keep up the good work.

Spending the winter months in sunny Hallandale Florida." Also in Florida, Jean Melana (Data Resources) writes "we have moved to Boynton Beach in early September and love it. We were looking forward to attending the Florida Reunion but my husband Augie had surgery. God willing, we plan to attend next year!" Dottie Stam (Acctg.) writes "Pete and I spend our winters in Florida - we look forward to seeing the DotLine." From the far north Charles Fetterly (Maint.). writes "Enjoy the DotLine. I spend 9 months of the year in Upton, Maine. Hope all is well with DOTRA members and a Happy New Year to all." From the far West in Tucson, Arizona, Gene Helsel (Acctg. & Audit) encourages "more members to become Life Members. My life Membership in the American Legion has been worth the money." Robert Preston (ROW) wishes a "belated Happy New Year to all. Where is the time going?" And Al Nass (C&M Reg.1) writes about his fun up in wintry Vermont. We will report his news separately in our August issue when we will want to think about SNOW!! And from Mike Mele (Equip.Reg.2) comes a "big Hi!" Mike worked in the Newark and Lodi garages and still lives in Newark.

Some of our former co-workers haven't given in to a life of relaxation yet. Gordon Malick (Design) is "working part-time two days a week and does volunteer work at the Mercer County Extension Service." Norm Deitch (Traffic Engr.) "has been working since retiring in 1993. I have been Director of Traffic Engineering Services for Orth-Rodgers & Associates. I have just opened a Mercer County office which reduces my commute from 35 miles to one. It's great!!" And Herbie Beatty (Health Services Reg.1) sends a note with great advice. "Think Spring!! So good to hear about many friends through DotLine. Each day is very exciting and I'm living it to the fullest. So many blessings and miracles have been mine." You've always been a nifty lady, Herbie!And to all, take former nurse Herbie's excellent advise! Keep those notes about your life after NJDOT coming in!

UPCOMING DOTRA EVENTS

Speaking of living life to its fullest, how about saving some time in yours for some of the events that DOTRA has planned for this year?

On May Wednesday May 9th we have the bus trip to the luncheon theater to see "The King and I" we still have some vacancies left.

Then we have the 10th anniversary luncheon on June 6th with a special guest speaker - DOT Commissioner James Weinstein.

On June 20th and July 25th we have the Trenton Thunder games. Notice on the front page about ordering tickets.

On August 1st we have planned a Spirit Cruise of New York Harbor.

The following month we are planning our annual picnic for September 12th. More info on that in the August issue of DotLine.

In October, the 11th, we are planning another "small bus" trip to Atlantic City. The last one was very well received because of the deluxe service.

Our next venture, a trip to the Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster, PA for the Christmas Show is still in the formative stage since we were concerned the price might be prohibitive - approximately $65.00 (includes lunch). We will have a discussion about that at the Anniversary Luncheon.

We finish up the year with the great Holiday Luncheon at Giovi's in December. More info on that in the August issue of DotLine also.