Columns/Opinions

5 p.m. (next Tuesday, December 21, will be the shortest day of the year), we must remember, as drivers and pedestrians, to be wary of others on the roadways. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many more people have taken to the streets to get some fresh air and exercise, and drivers must remember to be careful, particularly when it gets dark out. And walkers, runners, and bicyclists should not assume that motorists can see you; particularly when navigating around leaf piles into the center of streets, be sure to look out for vehicles, wear reflective clothing, and use flashlights.

While mentioning things to do in town this holiday season, we would be remiss not to highlight the Camuso Display, currently lit up for the season each night at the Oval. This past weekend, there was an incredible turnout for opening night, followed by a menorah lighting the next day. There is no fee to enter the display.

For those who are not familiar with the Camuso Holiday Display (and if you have spent a December in Livingston – or read a recent edition of the Tribune – how could you not be?), the spectacular figures were created by the late Ernest Camuso, a toymaker and machinist by trade, and displayed annually on the front lawn of his Burnet Hill Road home. The display grew larger and more elaborate every year, and served (and still does) as a fundraiser for the Saint Barnabas Burn Unit.

With the holiday season in full swing, we have loved seeing so many pictures of people gathering with loved ones through Thanksgiving and Chanukah. For many, it has been two years since they have experienced gatherings such as these, since COVID vaccines were not available at this time last year during the pandemic.

We are far from in the clear with COVID, of course. Delta is still raging and Omicron, the newest “variant of concern,” appears to be spreading just in time to threaten end of year festivities. We should continue to be mindful of the spaces we choose to inhabit, mask up in crowded indoor spaces, practice good hygiene, and stay home when we are sick. Anyone who has not already, should get a booster shot, as well.

At the latest Township Council meeting, we were also thrilled to hear about an exciting new Cycle for Survival event coming to Livingston in the spring of 2022.

The outdoor event would take place in the Haines Memorial Pool parking lot, next to the high school, during the weekend of May 14 and 15. It would feature 215 stationary bikes under a 100 by 200-foot tent on the lot. There would also be an audio setup involved. While the Council gave organizers permission to proceed with planning, some of these details may change in the coming months.

There has been chatter in town over the past few weeks centered on a potential ban of gas powered leaf blowers. Despite some heated discussion, and concerns that a potential ordinance was imminent, however, enthusiasm for a ban never gained much traction among the Township Council.

Local residents whose businesses would be negatively affected by the ban, which had been recommended by the Livingston Environmental Commission (LEC) to begin in a few years, were vocal detractors of such an ordinance. These business owners said that the technology to support commercial level battery powered equipment does not yet widely exist. The Township Council, at its most recent meeting, agreed, and said that they would not pursue a ban at this time, despite the LEC’s recommendation.

During recent Board of Education meetings, members have discussed plans for a new athletic turf field, which would be placed in “the pit” behind the football field at Livingston High School, near the Haines pool and Littell People’s Park. The school district could request bidders for the project as soon as December, according to business administrator Steven Robinson. As of the previous meeting, on November 9, the Board had not committed to the project; but that would happen if its members awarded a bid.

There are obvious benefits to adding another athletic field to the school district. More than half a dozen high school teams, as well as the marching band, would likely utilize the field. Funds also would come from the capital reserve, so it would not cost taxpayers additional money. Surely, a turf field would require less day-to-day maintenance during its lifespan than a traditional grass field, which would require landscaping and line painting, among other things.

Over the past few weeks we have heard from dozens of residents who have explained that they had been victims of a crime. All of these Livingston residents have had mail stolen, and as a result, have dealt with identity theft issues and cases of fraud. In some instances, people have been bilked out of tens of thousands of dollars. While these residents should receive restitution, it is undoubtedly causing undue stress. And all of this has caused many to lose trust in the security of their mail.

Several weeks ago, we published what we knew about the investigation so far. The United States Postal Inspection Services, along with the Livingston Police Department, is actively investigating the matter.

Unfortunately, we do not (officially and on the record) know much else about what happened at this point. Federal investigations tend to move slowly, and while they are active, there is little information to share.

Dear Editor:

My letter is in response to last week’s front-page article in which a resident asked members of the Town Council to consider a ban on gas powered leaf blowers. The article further mentioned that the matter was being considered for recommendation by the Livingston Environmental Commission to the Township Council. As a resident of Livingston for 56 years and a landscape maintenance contractor since 1978 in Livingston, the article caused my phone to ring off the hook with calls from fellow landscape contractors asking for my opinion on the matter. Here are some facts to be considered. Battery powered outdoor power equipment technology and actual equipment is in its infancy and not ready to deal with the task of blowing leaves, wet or dry, for the size properties we have here in Livingston.

I have always had a thing for elephants. Growing up, my favorite Disney movie was Dumbo. The story of a bullied baby elephant overcoming adversity really resonated with me (plus, this was one of the few Disney movies in which the hero’s mom or dad not get killed in some horrible way, leaving him or her tragically orphaned. You can’t beat it!) As a child, many of my makebelieve games involved elephants (being them, being with them, riding on them, you name it), and any zoo visit had to include long periods of time at the elephant enclosure.

Livingston is currently in the midst of its annual leaf collection. People who fall under section two (the area south of East and West Mt. Pleasant Avenue and north of East and West Northfield Road) are having their leaves picked up through November 21. This is a great service that allows residents a proper way to dispose of all of the leaves on their property.

And yet, we receive reports each week from the fire department about leaf and lawn debris fires in town. Not only does this waste the time of our firefighters, who are being called to investigate these reports of smoke in residential neighborhoods, but it is also dangerous, as one gust of wind can send that burning pile of brush toward a home or wooded area. It is also disrespectful of neighbors.

Not only that – it is also illegal.