Good Afternoon All RJF&C Families,                                                                                                             05/07/20

First and foremost, we hope you and your families are safe & healthy. The RJF&C program has a lot of EMS, Police, Fire & Healthcare professionals on the front lines, know you are in our thoughts. I write this in response to the questions we have been receiving concerning the 2020 football & cheering season.

We are obviously in a sit and wait situation and need to see how current events unfold. Other in town sports (Little Lg, Babe Ruth, Lacrosse, Soccer, Camps & High Schools) have taken a large hit with the State, County & Borough fields closed. We can’t be tone deaf and assume that this virus will not affect us nor can we offend other in town youth athletic groups by hindering any opportunity they might have to play a shortened season. At some future point, Rutherford Rec and the heads of all Rutherford youth athletics will need to meet & discuss their roles/play for the balance of 2020.

The Governor and BOE have closed the schools for the year and the State of Emergency has been extended to June 5^th.  We need definitive information and path prior to meeting physically to discuss our 2020 season. We are very dependent upon College and High School football action plans and will follow suit. I will recommend a shortened season at our next MFL meeting, starting Sept 1 versus the normal Aug 1 start date.  I will also suggest players, cheerleaders & coaches visibly disinfect with wipes/foams/soaps prior and after each practice/game. Please reply with any other proactive suggestions you might have in combating all fears.

In the meantime, please help Rutherford by filling out your Census 2020 information. Rutherford is currently at a 69% return compared to the overall states 59% return. This information will help in receiving grants and funds for our schools, roads and parks: https://2020census.gov.

Please follow our Mayor and Council with their daily Rutherford updates https://www.rutherfordboronj.com. Hang some Blue Hearts in your windows to thank our locals who are out there fighting the pandemic. Support our restaurants by making take-out purchases and take advantage of your family time.

Stay safe and if you need any help, please feel free to ask. Otherwise, be optimistic and aware of others personal space and hopefully we get thru this working together. Hopefully, we get back to some sort of normalcy very shortly.

Michael Paskas

201-615-3126

RJF&C Trustee www.leaguelineup.com/rjfbulldogs



MFL President www.meadowlandsfootball.net