Columns/Opinions

As Governor Phil Murphy said earlier this month, Halloween is “on” in New Jersey, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. But what “on” means should vary from household to household, depending on the level of comfort felt by each family as coronavirus cases continue to rise.

Of course, Halloween matters most to our youngest residents, who, just like all of us, have been deprived of many things in 2020. They have missed out on months of in-person schooling and the socialization that comes along with it. They have missed recitals, sports, and play dates. They have missed visits from grandparents and vacation trips. So it makes sense to do what we can, within reason and safety, to give them as normal a Halloween as possible.

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Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, residents have gotten a head start on the 2020 General Election, and have been voting by mail for the past several weeks. We have been thrilled to see all of the photos circulating of the Livingston community casting their ballots. From first time voters to seasoned veterans of the process, it is inspiring to see everyone exercise their right to participate in this democratic institution.

While millions of the 6.2 million registered New Jersey voters have already cast their ballots, we know there are hundreds of thousands, if not millions, who have yet to do so.

To them, we simply say: What are you waiting for?

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It has been a strange year, for many reasons, so it should not surprise us when we have to make unexpected adjustments to our production schedule. Historically, the West Essex Tribune offers its endorsement of local candidates — specifically the Township Council and Board of Education races — in the final edition before Election Day. That was the plan for this year as well, even when it became clear that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our state’s elections would be done entirely by mail (those who show up to polling stations on Election Day may fill out provisional ballots).

Those keeping up-to-date on Livingston’s COVID-19 case tallies are undoubtedly aware of the recent spike that has been reported in town.

After staying relatively flat for several months, Livingston saw an additional 35 residents test positive for COVID-19 in the past two weeks. Three cases have also been reported within the schools, which recently started reopening. It is worth mentioning that deaths have not risen at the same rate, with just two of 72 reported residents who have died as a result of the virus doing so since August 17, according to the township. This may be due to younger individuals contracting the virus, as well as improved treatment as we learn more about COVID-19.

The spike in cases should be a wake-up call for us. We may be able to do more than we could this past spring, but we are still dealing with a novel disease, and all the uncertainty that comes with it. Still, we know so much more about COVID-19 than we did six months ago.

Next week, the Livingston Township Council will continue a public hearing about a proposed ordinance to amend chapter 170 of the township code, establishing a new inclusionary development zone, designated “MU-2 Mixed-Use Overlay District.” The ordinance does not change the zoning, but rather provides a zoning overlay, an option, if the court approves it and it passes, that can be used to build both townhouses and a mixed-use building containing retail stores and apartments. It would also permit the township to settle an affordable housing obligation.

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In this edition of the West Essex Tribune, you will find our fall high school sports section. Each year around this time, we highlight our student athletes and get excited for the upcoming season.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were not sure we would have a sports season at all, let alone a section in the paper devoted to it. So, we are beyond thrilled to see it, a few weeks later than usual and slightly different (photos had to be taken socially distant, so there will not be the large team shots we typically feature). In the coming weeks, we look forward to embracing our Lancer pride and covering live games for the first time since February.

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All 6.2 million New Jersey residents who are registered to vote should be receiving their mail-in election ballots this week, and those who intend to vote using them should do so sooner than later.

At a time when the U.S. Postal Service has been politicized and used as a tool, we must trust our institutions not to fail us, but still take every precaution we can to protect against it happening. That means returning the ballots using secure drop boxes, and voting as early as possible to ensure the ballots arrive on time. Recentlyappointed postmaster general Louis DeJoy has admitted to slowing down the speed of the mail this summer, causing delays and chaos that some say people in power are using to delegitimize the very legitimate process of voting by mail. We should not be afraid to utilize this means of voting.

The end of summer has always been a bittersweet time for me, as it is, hands down, my favorite season. I love the long, lazy days. The warm, lovely nights. The feel of the sun on my face. The “coconutty” smell of sunscreen. Flip-flops my only footwear. It’s a time for hanging with family and friends, vacation trips, and dinners outdoors, at home or at restaurants.

This year, of course, has seen everything disrupted. But my husband, Ray, and I have been amazingly fortunate. We have stayed healthy, and employed: the two greatest concerns in this year of pandemic. So have most of our friends, and as the spring warmed into summer, we were able to go back to doing many of the things that we enjoy, so that the summer felt nearly normal.

Give Back and Sign Up

As those of you who have checked your mailbox in recent weeks know, it’s that time of year when we are asked to contribute to an organization with members who work tirelessly to keep us safe: The Livingston First Aid Squad. It is important to realize that its active members are not paid. They are our neighbors and friends, who donate their time to be there for us during emergency medical situations, as well as provide many other supports and services to the community.

Livingston residents count on the LFAS in times of need but, unfortunately, when it comes to stepping up with monetary support, we have been falling short. Two years ago, less than 30 percent of the township donated. It is disappointing to think that so few of our residents support a service which could someday save their lives.

Tomorrow marks the 19th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the fall of the World Trade Center, the crash of and the attack on the Pentagon.

This year in particular, in the absence of a public ceremony for the first time since those 2001 attacks, due to COVID-19 restrictions, we must do what we can to remember the moment and honor the seven Livingston residents we lost that day.

Luke A. Dudek.

Jeffrey Brian Gardner.

Donald Thomas Jones II.

Ming-Hao Liu.

Joseph P. McDonald.

John M. Pocher.

Kenneth Albert Zelman.

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