On Monday, December 16, the Verona Town Council surprised Gerard Shimonski with a certificate of appreciation and a proclamation in honor of his 10 years of service on the Verona Environmental Commission.
Shimonaski was the VEC’s chairman for six years, until stepping down to become vice chairman this summer. Under his leadership, the VEC implemented recycling in all six Verona public schools and a campaign to educate drivers about the health problems caused by idling in front of the schools. In October 2012, the VEC won an Environmental Achievement Award for its “Go Idle Free Verona” program from the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions. He has organized regular cleanups of the Peckman River by VEC members, Verona High School students and other volunteers and made presentations at Verona’s schools about the danger that pollution poses to the Peckman.
Shimonaski, who is also the current vice-chair for the Verona Public Safety Committee and Verona’s representative to Essex County’s Solid Waste Advisory Council, posed for pictures with the Town Council, his family and current and former members of the VEC.
