Bloomfield TV Station, Facebook Curator Earn Awards

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A television station that serves Bloomfield and the creator of a local Facebook group have earned awards for serving their communities.

On Friday, Bloomfield town officials announced that Bloomfield NJ TV (WBMA-TV) has been recognized by the JAG Awards for its exceptional broadcasting work over the past year. The annual awards are facilitated by the Jersey Access Group, and honor excellence in local and regional Public Education Government cablecast programming.

According to a statement from township officials:

“WBMA-TV Executive Director Bob Duthaler and Bloomfield IT Director Jean-Guy Lauture and their operations have become a model for sharing and providing information to Bloomfield residents. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they had to make changes to provide broadcasting and emergency information to the public. The TV station along with the IT department stepped up to the plate and implemented a state of art system that is now being looked at as a model for future broadcasting for local stations and municipalities.”

The station found creative ways to broadcast live from multiple locations and multiple platforms, including being able to broadcast hybrid remote and in person meetings as well, bring in live press conferences from the governor of New Jersey on a daily basis.

“Navigating through the COVID-19 crisis and the unique challenges we face, Bob and his WBMA-TV team are instrumental in providing us with informative and instructional programing to help keep us safe,” said Karen Lore, director of Health and Human Services.

Mayor Michael Venezia also said the award was well-deserved.

“Bloomfield TV is a critical resource for members of our community and I am thrilled to see them recognized for their outstanding work,” Venezia said. “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, they have assisted us in getting information out to residents and helping us to keep everyone informed.”

OUTSTANDING CITIZEN AWARD

Last week, the Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Advisory Committee announced that Bloomfield resident Maria Probst has earned the town’s 2021 Outstanding Citizen Award.

Here’s why Probst deserves the spotlight, officials said:

“While Maria has been an active volunteer within her hometown of Bloomfield since childhood she is most likely known by the community as the creator and administrator of the Facebook group "The Bloomfield Pulse." which launched in March 2014 with the premise of getting information out to community members…. a place to gather and share the latest news, meetings, events, fundraisers and happenings in Bloomfield. Shortly after the group launched, the Bloomfield Pulse Business Tuesday was created to aid struggling Bloomfield Center businesses due to construction on Washington Street & Glenwood Avenue. Bloomfield Business Tuesday has evolved over the years to now include any and all Bloomfield based business, not just store front businesses.”

The committee continued:

“When asked about her motivation for creating the Pulse, Maria stated, ‘To get community members involved and participate at town council meetings and board of education meetings, as well as zoning and planning board meetings. I have attended many zoning board, planning board and town council meetings since 2010....my motto always was "show up and speak up”….you can make a difference.’ Since the Bloomfield Pulse's inception, it has gained followers and is now over 14,000 strong.”

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