JACKSON – Township officials announced the appointees to the recently formed Rova Farms Advisory Council. These volunteers will be making recommendations to the governing body on the best ways the historic property can be utilized for public recreation.
The members include: Matthew McCall of the Jackson Pathfinders, Ethan Noble, Paul Novello, Vinnie Rubio, Theodora Noordzy, Marlene Novick, Alyssa Agoston, Alla Long, Victor Sevenko and Elenor Hannum.
“We have members who worked in the Rova restaurant, one who was a camp counselor, representation from the town’s Pathfinders, representation from Saint Vladimir’s (Russian Orthodox Catholic Church) congregation and many that live within a mile of the property. We even have one of Jackson’s finest, a police officer who lives down the street from it being appointed to this committee,” Councilman Alex Sauickie said.
He added, “these folks are not elected. They don’t get paid and some may even have voiced concerns to the governing body in previous occasions. This is an opportunity for everyone in this diverse group to channel some positive energy to what the governing body and everyone hopes will be a jewel within the town for all residents from all parts of the town to enjoy.”
“Please show them your support and thanks for their time. To the new members on behalf of the mayor and council thank you for volunteering. We look forward to working with all of you,” the councilman said.
Sauickie had initially proposed the formation of this citizen advisory board. He said during a recent council meeting, “Tonight, we have 10 individuals willing to give their experience, their passion for this town and most importantly their time to provide input into how Rova Farms will transform to something positive for the entire town.”
Sauickie said he was “excited as we have a diverse group of individuals however in general, we were looking for people with a background in education as we felt from the very beginning that there should an educational as well as a historical component. In addition, we were looking for residents who lived near or had ties to what Rova Farms was in its heyday. In some cases, we got a combination.”
The story of the township’s Rova Farms property dates back to its settling by Russian immigrants nearly a century ago.
Hannum, one of the members and a frequent participant in town meetings, had shared some stories from her and her brother’s youth about some of the social events that occurred on the grounds of Rova Farms during a Jackson Council meeting held earlier in the year.
During that meeting she thanked the governing body for forming the committee. “Thank you very much for doing this. Rova Farms and the surrounding area has a very, very strong and deep culture especially for the Russian population. Many of them have moved since but the culture and the history that goes back is very precious to me.”
Hannum noted the Russian migration to the area came about when Russia was under Soviet control and led by Lenin and that “some of these Russians sold themselves into indentured servitude to finally make their way to Jackson and settle here. Many of them would hide their money in the land they lived on.”
Council President Martin Flemming noted previously, “the property was purchased through open space funds. We are trying to acquire as much as we can to keep open space.”
“Congratulations to the Rova Farm applicants. I know there was more than 10 applicants but for those who made it, I hope you make something really nice out of this,” Flemming said.
