Columns/Opinions

This was not an easy week for Livingston residents. The township was blanketed with 15 to 18 inches of snow last Wednesday, March 7. At its peak, more than half the town was without power. Some residents could not leave their streets for days.

By Friday, more than 2,000 residents were still experiencing outages, and downed trees were preventing others from safely exiting their homes.

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At Monday’s Township Council meeting, a resident complained of parties that were held every weekend night into the early morning hours across the street from her home. That Fordham Road house, which is listed for sale on Zillow for $1.2 million, is available on Airbnb at $187 per night, though previously it was available for as low as $71 per night, according to the resident.

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At Monday’s Board of Education meeting, Livingston public schools officials expressed support for the nationally-recognized student walkout planned for March 14. While not a district-sanctioned event, superintendent of schools Christina Steffner said high school students may participate in the walkout to advocate for gun law reform. The demonstration is planned for 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, one month after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

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While the Tribune’s regular readership will not notice any changes to this week’s issue, some are picking up the West Essex Tribune for the first time. This week’s edition is a TMC (Total Market Coverage) – three times this year, we will send our newspaper to every residence in Livingston. So for those who are new, allow us to tell you why this paper is worth reading as you sip your morning coffee.

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Thousands attended gun control rallies in Livingston this weekend, many of them residents, eager to say “enough is enough;” it’s time for common sense gun reform. The shooting at Marjory Stoneham Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida may be a turning point. People appear to be fed up with current gun laws, which allow civilians to carry assault rifles and bump stocks that make rifles fire faster.

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At last week’s annual fire inspection, each member of the Township Council thanked the Livingston Fire Department for another year of dedicated service to the community.

The West Essex Tribune would like to join the Council in thanking the 65 members of the volunteer fire department for all they have done for our township in the past year.

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Last week’s school shooting in Parkland, Florida is another in a long line of horrific tragedies that has rightfully sparked debate, particularly on gun control.

Setting aside that very important issue, parents in Livingston are likely dealing with a flurry of emotions. Undoubtedly, one of the thoughts that may creep into their minds is, “not my school,” the belief that something so terrible could never happen in a township like Livingston. It’s a natural, even instinctual thought to have, even if it’s swatted away in an instant by the realization that Livingston is no more immune than Parkland or Newtown, Connecticut before it.

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At Monday’s Board of Education meeting, Board members discussed the possibility of recording and sharing video of the meetings online or on LTV.

Board members had a variety of opinions on the matter, with some in favor of recording the meetings while others opposed it. But the Tribune’s view is clear: Meetings should be publicly available to watch for anyone who wishes to do so.

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A mobile tracking system designed to let commuters know exactly where the Livingston Express Shuttle bus is on its route should provide them with peace of mind. A lot can happen on the six-mile route to and from the Livingston Mall to the South Orange train station, and the tracker will keep riders in the loop, letting them know exactly where the bus is and the estimated time of arrival.

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A first look at the 2018-19 school budget was introduced by the district this week.

With the new federal tax bill threatening to challenge household budgets, especially in high-taxed states like New Jersey, Livingston residents are wondering how the school budget will affect their taxes. Several have cautioned the Board of Education to be more cognizant of the taxpayers’ concerns this year.

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