3 Woodbridge Teens Provide Translation In Recent Election

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Kudos to these Woodbridge teens who offered translation services in the Woodbridge Fire Department elections last weekend!

As everyone knows, Woodbridge is an incredibly diverse community: There are immigrants from all over the world living here, and many native speakers of Urdu, Spanish, Tagalog, Chinese, Polish, Hindi, Russian and other languages.

Because some residents may struggle to read English, Fire Chief John Golden enlisted the help of Woodbridge High School principal Dr. Glenn Lottmann and stellar students Jackie Morel, Hirmi Patel and Musfirah Sohail to provide translation services.

The three high school students stood at the polls in the fire house last Saturday to aid residents in better understanding their ballots and special questions.

If a resident spoke another language more proficiently than English, these Woodbridge High students ensured proper translation was given.

“On February 19 an election was held for two commissioner seats and the working budget for the Woodbridge Fire Department. It’s important that the democratic process is easily understandable and accessible to all registered voters within Fire District #1," said Chief Golden. "One of the most important parts of being a civil servant is understanding that our communities are culturally vast and diverse."

"The Woodbridge Fire Department would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to Dr. Lottmann, Jackie Morel, Hirmi Patel and Musfirah Sohail," said the fire chief.

"We have to make sure we are doing everything in our power to let the residents in our district know that we not only welcome, but appreciate that diversity," he added.

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