Columns/Opinions

Due to a layout error, an article on last week’s front page headlined “Unlocked Luxury Vehicles Stolen” was not continued to page A-6, as indicated. The story may be read in its entirety on the West Essex Tribune’s Facebook page or on our website at https://www.westessextribune.net/ articles/2023/06/26/unlocked-luxury- vehicles-stolen-past-weekend.

Dear Editor: On the Fourth of July, do something patriotic. Take your family to hear the public reading of the Declaration of Independence, a Livingston tradition since 2000.

It’s at the naturally air-cooled Doris Beck Memorial Gazebo, on the town Oval across from the public library, and it starts promptly at 11:30 a.m.

This year’s accompanying historical talk will be on “The Signers Among Us” – the five New Jersey signatories to the Declaration.

Seating is limited. In case of rain, the reading will take place in the high school auditorium. Peter Berkowsky Colonel, U.S.A.F. (ret) Fredon Drive

Dear Editor: There are lots of ways to show support for a cause or an individual, from the anonymous to the well-know, donations, volunteering, signs on the front lawn, informally spreading the word, thoughts and prayers, handing out leaflets, the list goes on.

During Pride Month, I found myself wondering about shows of support for the LGBTQ+ community in Livingston. What show of support is there for our friends and neighbors, loved ones and family members in the LGBTQ+ community?

Thinking that houses of worship might be a good place to start, I drove around town last Saturday. I rode past 17 churches and synagogues to see if there was a public show of support visible from the street. Of the 17, I saw two that had what I was looking for.

I’d like to acknowledge and thank the Federated Church and Trinity Church. Both had clearly visible signs of support, with signs or flags on their property. This was inspiring and a clear show of support for Pride.

Dear Editor: Our son was confined to a 450-pound power wheelchair before he died from ALS in October 2021. We had headed a number of times from our house on Larkspur Place to the corners of Northfield Road and South Livingston Avenue for either a haircut or a visit to the Livingston Deli before he was too sick.

The crossing button that I’ve labeled “1” in the picture was not accessible to him. He could not safely get past the two black metal posts to the left of the tree, nor maneuver to the button. The ground was also too soft there to risk driving on it. He also did not have the strength to lift his hand to reach the button, nor could he even press it because his fingers were curled. It’s not accessible.

Additionally, the crossing button labeled “2” is missing; there’s just a hole where the button used to be. I myself cannot operate that button because the hole is too small.

Dear Editor: I am writing to comment on an article you wrote concerning the new handicapped accessible walkway near the gazebo.

My wife and I were off to an event at the gazebo a few months ago. I use a motorized wheelchair. When we got there, I realized that I could not navigate the grassy area to get close enough to the gazebo to see or hear what was going on. I decided to get involved and contact key personnel in the town. I spoke to deputy town manager Russ Jones and Mayor Michael Vieira. Both officials set up a meeting with representatives from the town Engineering and Public Works departments. I was invited to be at that meeting.

Within a few months, plans were made and plans were executed. The communication was excellent and the cement was poured just in time for the upcoming summer concerts.

Kudos to Michael Vieira and Russ Jones for making it easier for many people who use assistive devices. Bruce Freeman Pointe Gate Drive

Congratulations Graduates

It is a very special day for many of our Livingston families. Today, Thursday, June 22, students from Livingston High School’s Class of 2023 are attending their graduation ceremony and receiving their diplomas.

For many, high school graduation marks the transition to secondary education, with students taking what they have learned in Livingston and applying it in the greater world. High school graduations are a bridge from one part of life to the next, whether it is to college, directly to the workforce, to military service, or a gap year. We wish our seniors luck in wherever their respective bridges take them. We eagerly look forward to seeing all that this class will accomplish.

Juneteenth

After becoming a federal holiday two years ago, Juneteenth will be observed on Monday, June 19, with many people having a day off work tomorrow, Friday June 16, which is 2023’s federally recognized date of observation.

For millions of non-Black Americans, observance of this holiday may still be very new. Juneteenth is a celebration of June 19, 1865, the date that a Union Army general arrived in Galveston, Texas to inform enslaved African Americans that the Civil War had ended, President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation, and they were free.

Last year, I had a “Little Free Library” installed near the side door of the Tribune office. Inspired by a feature story in our paper, I purchased the kit to make the library, and a couple of lovely young men in town built and installed it for me. They even included a couple of books to get us started. My staff and I brought in books from home that we were done with, and stuffed the library full.

I was ridiculously excited about our little library, and checked it every day to see what books had been taken. At first, there didn’t seem to be any action at all, but after a few weeks, people discovered the library. Books that I was sure would be gone in an instant, instead sat on the shelves for weeks or even longer. Some that I thought nobody would want were snatched up instantly. I had so much fun watching the shelves to see what was claimed.

My twin boys turned three last month, which is just mind-boggling to consider. It still feels like yesterday that they were born, in May of 2020, which was certainly an interesting time to become a first-time father of two to say the least.

Yet, it also feels like much longer than three years when I stop to consider all the diaper changes, uneaten meals, and protested bedtimes. If there’s one thing I was told before the boys were born that rings true, it is, most certainly, that the days feel long but the years feel short. It’s interminable, and yet it’s also gone by like a breeze.

And at three years old, they really are a lot of fun! I can have actual conversations with them. They’re getting into board games (which is wonderful, but I never need to play Candyland again). They recently had their first soccer practices. I can take them to the occasional movie.

Dear Editor: A Livingston resident called me this week to report how he was scammed by someone pretending to be from Microsoft; texting him and stating his computer was hacked, loaded with malware and needed to be repaired.All that was required was granting entry to his computer and a few minutes to correct it to avoid any contamination.

Of course this was a scam using false identification. The scammer had used AI to create a false Microsoft listing and what seemed to be legitimate Microsoft identification.

Allowing the scammer to take control of his computer resulted in the taking of much of his personal information. This led to the taking of thousands of dollars from the resident’s bank account. Plus, an attempt at identity theft. The attempt at identity theft was thwarted but required changing credit cards, bank accounts and other asset registrations, plus freezing credit bureau accounts.