Columns/Opinions

Earlier this month, the federal government introduced new rules to require public systems to measure and reduce PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The move established the first-ever nationally enforceable drinking water standards for PFAS.

PFAS is a synthetic chemical found in everyday household products such as nonstick cookware, as well as in things like firefighting foam. It is used to make products stain, grease, heat and water resistant, and its sturdy structure means it takes much longer to break down in comparison to organic chemicals. More specifically, PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid, which falls under a broader category of PFAS) are used for its emulsifier and surfactant properties, or as fluoropolymers (such as Teflon), firefighting foams, cleaners, cosmetics, greases and lubricants, paints, polishes, adhesives and photographic films.

With the advent of warmer weather, we are seeing more people – especially children – out around town. That means it’s time to think about vehicle and roadway safety. This month, the state is conducting its “UDrive.UText.UPay” campaign, a federally-funded campaign to raise awareness and crack down on distracted driving. But it’s not just about avoiding traffic tickets; it is about personal responsibility and weighing the value of human life.

Distracted driving includes all situations in which drivers take their eyes off the road, take their hands off the wheel, or generally take their mind off driving.According to the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety (HTS), talking and texting on cell phones is the number one cause of distracted driving among drivers of all ages. Nine people in the United States are killed each day in crashes that involve a distracted driver, the CDC’s Transportation Safety division reports.

That chill in the air is finally subsiding, signaling that spring has arrived. Nowhere is that more evident than at Livingston’s baseball and softball fields, which are finally being put to good use after those dormant winter months.

Last week, the Livingston Lancers varsity baseball and softball teams opened their seasons. The varsity baseball team’s next game is scheduled for today, April 11, at 4 p.m., at home against Columbia High School. Varsity softball will play today, April 11, at 4 p.m, away against Columbia at Cameron Field, 5 Mead Street in South Orange.

Of course, the rest of spring sports are also in full swing, as well, including track, tennis, volleyball, lacrosse, and golf seasons. The Tribune plans to follow them all this spring, and we hope you’ll join us (and please send us your photos so we can share them in the paper!).

My husband Ray and I recently purchased a condo in Florida, fulfilling a long-time dream of mine: becoming a “snowbird” and escaping these cold northern winters. As of March 12, we are the proud owners of a villa in Venice, on the west coast of Florida.

Our big new purchase – our first in real estate in over 30 years – evoked a much wider variety of feelings than just the simple “jumping up and down with joy” that I had anticipated.

First there was surprised disbelief: “Is this really true? Did we finally do it? I can’t believe we finally did it…” I had been dreaming about this for so long that, now that it has finally come to pass, I’m still trying to wrap my head around it.

Then there was mild terror: “Holy cow, what did we just do?Are we out of our minds?” For the first several days, we looked at the numbers on paper, and our elation was tempered with a certain degree of queasiness.

Last week, Livingston Public Schools superintendent Matthew Block announced that he will resign from his position at the end of the school year to take another superintendent job in an upstate New York school district.

Superintendent Block began his tenure in Livingston during a tumultuous period. After just a few months on the job, the school district was the victim of a ransomware attack, where hackers broke into the network and took data hostage from Livingston’s schools. Just as that mess was cleaned up, the COVID pandemic hit. The next few years in school involved a lot of difficult planning and conversations around remote schooling, masking, budgetary issues, staffing, absences and more. It was, to put it lightly, an unenviable time to be in that role and he handled it well, given the once-in-a-lifetime circumstances.

At last week’s Township Council meeting, roughly a dozen East Hanover residents showed up to complain about the Livingston Police Firing Range, which is located in close proximity to them.

That shooting range is used by police officers to complete required firearms training, and is located off of Eisenhower Parkway behind the Lithos restaurant, bordering the Passaic River.

The range has been in use for more than seven decades, but complaints about it appear to have ramped up recently, after New Jersey State Police (NJSP) officers were permitted to use it for training, causing an influx of hundreds of additional people firing weapons, including automatic rifles. Livingston officials said that permitting NJSP’s hundreds of troopers to use the range was a “mistake” that has since been ended, but East Hanover residents now want more changes than that. Those who spoke asked for the range to be enclosed, moved, or simply closed.

Livingston is in need of poll workers for its upcoming elections, and we highly encourage readers to consider signing up for the job. Working the polls provides people with the opportunity to become a part of their local election experience and witness Democracy in action, while also making some extra money.

All one needs to be eligible is be 16 years of age or older, be a registered voter in Essex County, and be available to attend a free training course held by the county.

In return, workers will get to experience the excitement of Election Day, and $300 for the day of work. In addition, those who choose to work on in-person early voting days will receive $21.44 per hour.

Anyone who has been to Livingston’s Senior/Community Center likely knows of the issue we are about to discuss. The littering behind the building has once again gotten out of control.

People (Residents? Business owners? Others who live outside of town?) are dropping off electronic and bulk items behind the property where it is illegal to do so and forcing town employees to deal with the mess.

There are now very clear signs indicating that this dumping is illegal, as well as mentioning a $2,000 fine that would be incurred for those caught doing so. It is worth noting, too, that another sign mentions that the area is now under 24-hour surveillance, so anyone caught illegally dumping should be fairly easy to track down.

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.

As always, our “Celebrate Livingston’s History” section contains interesting tidbits about the history of our town and its residents: stories of beloved, but now defunct institutions; tales of the founding families who gave their names to our streets and schools; and old photos and news articles that provide insight to what Livingston was like back “in the old days.”

This week, March 10 through 16, is Sunshine Week. It occurs every year in March, coinciding with James Madison’s birthday, on March 16, which is also National Freedom of Information Day. The week, and that holiday, seek to shine a light on the importance of open government. How sad it is, then, on this of all weeks, that the New Jersey Legislature is once again taking aim at our state’s Open Public Records Act, better known as OPRA.

Abill, S2930/A4045, was introduced on March 4, sponsored by Senator Paul Sarlo (D-36), and was heard just one week later. This fast-moving bill would be a devastating blow to the Open Public Records Act in New Jersey. As a result, several notable organizations have denounced it, including the American Civil Liberties Union, and the League of Women Voters. The editorial boards of North Jersey and the Star-Ledger have also spoken out in opposition to the bill.