Residents can help pick Robbinsville logo

Can see designs at Community Day Festival

Saturday, June 14, 2008
BY CARMEN CUSIDO

ROBBINSVILLE -- Though a new town logo was to be unveiled today, residents now will have an opportunity to give their input dur ing this afternoon's Community Day Festival.

Jeffrey Barnhart, chief executive officer of Creative Marketing Alliance, said he is "very excited" about displaying the logos his firm designed.

Barnhart, who also is a Robbinsville resident, was hired by the township to craft a logo as part of the municipality's plans to market the town's new identity now that its name has changed from Washington Township.

Barnhart reached out to residents and business owners to seek guidance.

He presented five logos at a council meeting last month and the governing body responded favorably to two in particular.

One has the word "Robbinsville" in a bluish color with a map of New Jersey resting on the "i" and a dot marking the town's location in the state. The slogan on the logo is "Be at the Center of It All."

In the other logo, the "s" in the town name marks the start of an outline of New Jersey, incorporating the state within "Robbinsville," which appears in a green hue. The tag line for that logo says, "On the Path to Progress."

Residents will have an opportunity to look at all the logos during the festival at Community Park on West Manor Way and Gordon Road, which starts at 2 p.m.

The township also will have a mock-up of a new police badge at its booth today, said Councilman Tim McGough.

McGough said the logo was originally supposed to be un veiled at the festival today, but Mayor Dave Fried felt it was important to give residents a chance to look at all the designs before one is chosen.

"I think we've done a lot of work on this, (Fried) wants to hear from the public a little bit more," said McGough, who added the logo will ultimately be Fried's decision. Fried could not be reached for comment yesterday.

In April, the township decided to spend up to $25,000 to develop its "brand" and distinguish itself from other towns in New Jersey and other economic centers in the Mercer County area.

Having changed its name from Washington Township -- five other towns in the state have the same name -- at the beginning of the year, Robbinsville hopes the new logo will help it stand out as a place to eat, shop and play.

Barnhart said the logos create an awareness of where the township is located within the state. The "center" logo promotes the township's proximity to the Shore, Philadelphia and New York City. The "path" logo "ties the ease of access in Robbinsville," giving more emphasis to the New Jersey Turnpike and Route 130.

Once a logo is chosen, it will appear in all official township communications and on marketing material in the next phase of the campaign: to increase the number of businesses in the township and improve the vitality of existing businesses.

Contact Carmen Cusido at ccusido@njtimes.com or (609) 989-5708.