Columns/Opinions

This week, the Tribune received a letter from Linda Bloomstein of Penwood Road, who wrote to applaud the Livingston Police and Public Works Departments.

“During a recent thunderstorm, a large tree branch fell on numerous wires in front of my house,” Bloomstein wrote. “Not knowing exactly what to do, I called the police, who filed a report with Jersey Central. Jersey Central followed up and cut the branch, leaving it on my front lawn. Again, not knowing exactly what to do, I called the police a second time.

“The Livingston Department of Public Works received the police report and, within two hours, two large trucks arrived. The men meticulously chopped, ground, and cleaned away all the sawdust.”

She concluded, “This may seem like a small incident to write about, but it symbolizes what makes Livingston such a special place to live.”

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Dear Editor:

I just noticed today that a tree is growing atop the chimney at the Burnet [Hill] School.

It has obviously been there for a long time because it looks to be around two- to three-feet tall.

This is a safety concern because the roots of the tree may work into the mortar and loosen bricks, which could then fall if the chimney crumbles.

Also, if the tree’s roots are obstructing fumes from exiting the chimney, carbon monoxide, smoke, and other noxious gases may accumulate in the school and cause sickening. Fred Schreiber Larkspur Place

An Engaged Community

In the past few years, several ordinances have been considered by the Township Council that will pave the way for the construction of multi-story buildings comprising dozens of housing units. Most, if not all, of these ordinances were part of an effort to fulfill the township’s affordable housing obligations (read our FAQ article in this edition of the Tribune for more information about this issue). Some of these ordinances were met with more pushback than others. Many of them were approved, while the few that were not approved typically had more public objections, in the form of a handful of upset residents or a lawyer hired on their behalf in an attempt to halt or alter the proposed plan.

Dear Editor: This is my 50th year as a volunteer in Livingston. I started in 1973, joining the FirstAid Squad. Shortly after that, I joined the Fire Department, and left after 46 years.

Over the years, I have been on many committees such as the Parade Committee, the Little Pond Ice Skating Committee, and the Senior Advisory Committee. I have also been involved in town recreational softball and volleyball programs.

To this day, I am still active in Fire Department activities and still serve on various committees.

Recently, I received a presidential award for volunteerism. Anthony Del Tufo Hazel Avenue

Dear Editor:

Does Livingston need the 45 South Livingston Avenue redevelopment project? The density for this location will be greater than any other area in town. Why do we need such density close to one of the town’s busiest intersections? Exiting from Arden onto South Livingston Avenue can be very difficult around 4 p.m. That is already quite far from the intersection. How will 276 apartments complicate this equation?

The main reason people move to Livingston is the schools. I recall reading in the Tribune that families usually do not rent two bedroom apartments. Will that still be the case for families that want to move here for the schools? Is our school system ready to absorb so many families and school children? How are we doing meeting the current population’s needs?

Off To College

As summer starts to wind down, hundreds of residents are about to embark on an exciting, and somewhat scary journey: starting college. It’s a momentous step, but our young residents are well prepared to begin secondary education, and to succeed, thanks in no small part to their upbringing in this town and its stellar school and support systems.

Taxpayers or Greed?

Dear Editor: In relation to the Bottle King redevelopment: Recently, a development on Eisenhower called ParkVue was built. It is 200 units on 21 acres. Bottle King is 267 units on six acres. Most homes in this area (Bottle King) are on quarter-acre lots.

When you compare ParkVue at two-and-a-half apartments per quarter-acre Bottle King’s 11 apartments per quarter-acre it is obvious that this mega complex not only is ridiculously big, but a common sense Town Council would not have even considered it.

The question now is does the Town Council put the interests of the taxpayers first or the greed of Mr. Andrew Friedman.

This development will be a nightmare of problems to the municipality. It is not and will never be a benefit to the town, area or residents. Michael Infante Sherbrooke Parkway

To the Editor:

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ALS Funding

This week, the West Essex Tribune presents its bi-annual “Celebrate Livingston’s History” section. It is one of our most popular features, in part because it speaks to our township’s sense of community; no matter who we are, we live here, together, in Livingston, and we all share that common thread.

Dear Editor:

This past Thursday, July 27, the veteran posts of Livingston commemorated the signing of the armistice to cease fighting during the Korean War. There was an excellent turnout even though the venue was changed to escape the heat. The town library was gracious to provide us space.

Summertime, and the livin’is easy. Especially for zucchini.

The gardeners among you will know what I’m talking about. Even in times of dreadful drought, this unstoppable squash seems to thrive. And this year’s rainy weather has resulted in a veritable bumper crop that has all of us – even innocent bystanders like my husband, Ray, and I – up to our ears in zucchini.

You see, while Ray and I do not currently have a vegetable garden, we have friends who do. And like so many unwitting gardeners, our friends, Duncan and Debbie, made the mistake of planting “just a little zucchini.” Now their garden is overflowing with the sneaky green things, which go from zero to 12 inches seemingly overnight and have overtaken half their lawn.