December 23, 1982: The Livingston Board of Education scheduled a special meeting to conduct a formal vote on whether to close both Burnet Hill and Harrison Schools at the end of the 1983-84 school year, the Tribune reported on its front page 40 years ago this week.In keeping with a long-established tradition for its last issue before Christmas, the Tribune printed a story of “Christmas in Old Livingston” by Freeman Harrison.The Township Council approved a liquor license transfer that in effect gave the green light to a major expansion of Sweet Maggie’s Pub in the Livingston Mall.The Council also voted to reject bids received for emergency repairs to a sanitary sewer main.The current campaign of the United Way of North Essex, which included Livingston in its service area, had reached 50 percent of its goal.In other front page news, a farewell reception was held for Township Council members Doris Beck and Stephen Geffner, both of whom were stepping down from the governing body.E. Christopher “Kit” Cone, editor and publisher of the Tribune, wrote two editorials this week in 1982. In “Moment of Silence,” he explained, “The state Senate last week overrode governor Thomas Kean’s veto of a bill mandating a minute ofs ilence to begin each school day. A controversy continues to rage over the constitutionality of that law. We also question the reasons for passing such a regulation. If the law is not intended to introduce prayer into the public schools, as its proponents claim, then what are the students supposed to be ‘contemplating?’ Will they be instructed as to what ‘quiet and private contemplation or introspection’means? It would seem a difficult concept for young children to understand… Can the proponents of this law honestly say that they can switch their quiet thoughts on and off? We believe that introspection comes when one feels it, not when one is told that it is time.” In conclusion, Cone noted, “We do not think that the law is constitutional,” but like Livingston superintendent of schools Barnard Shulman, “We agree that it must be obeyed until it is rescinded.”In his second piece, entitled, “A Serious Problem,” Cone discussed drunk driving, and governor Thomas Kean’s recently proposed legislation to combat it. “While it is not limited to the holidays, perhaps its greater visibility at this time makes drunken driving a more recognizable problem,” he wrote. “Drunk drivers kill around 25,000 people in this ...
