Columns/Opinions

This week at a meeting of the Township Council, the community welcomed a new township manager and two new police officers to town. The Council voted unanimously in favor of hiring Gregory J. Bonin to take the helm as township manager effective August 7. In addition, Jalessa Wreh and Sheena Maldonado were sworn in as officers of the Livingston Police Department.

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On a local social media site this week, a woman posted that while driving she recently had a close call with a child on a bicycle. We commend her for sharing the information, taking some responsibility in the incident, and taking the time to remind everyone to pay close attention when they are on the road. Her advice should definitely be heeded at this time of the year. School is out and children are – and should – be taking advantage of some free time and great weather by being out and about in town.

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This past Tuesday, Livingston’s Fourth of July celebration was spectacular, as usual. It seems like every year, the crowd is growing exponentially, as residents and those from outside the township learn about all we offer in celebration of Independence Day. With a schedule of activities that could barely fit into a four-page pamphlet, the event literally offered something for everyone – and it sure seemed like everyone showed up. Much praise should be bestowed upon Livingston’s Fourth of July committee, which puts countless hours into planning this huge affair. They are most likely already thinking about next year!

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When it comes to helping others, it is easy to think that you want to do something. It is also easy to say that you are going to do something. It is, however, often hard to actually make things happen, and even harder still to make sure that the help is actually helping. A group of Livingston residents, now known as Livingston Neighbors Helping Neighbors (LNHN), took their thoughts and talk to another level by creating an organization specifically to assist residents in times of extreme need. LNHN is, as they say, “walking the walk.” We encourage Livingston residents to support this new and worthy effort.

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The West Essex Tribune is being mailed this week to every address in Livingston. We are hoping to introduce ourselves to all of our neighbors, both businesses and residents, and show them the value of their community newspaper.

In addition to reporting the “hard news” of the township, the Tribune is one of the few places where family notices – births, deaths and milestones such as b’nai mitzvot, weddings, and graduations – can be published to let your neighbors know about them and provide you with a lasting memento of the event. We keep voters informed by asking questions of candidates for office and explaining how our tax dollars are being spent. We allow our readers to make their voices heard, and enable neighborhood businesses to reach their most likely customers.

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At the Board of Education’s meeting this past Monday evening, the parent of a Livingston High School student brought up an issue with the school’s summer reading list. He pointed out that many of the titles on the list include subject matter that, in his opinion, is inappropriate for high school age readers.

Regarding the list, the LHS English Department’s web page asks parents to consult online book stores and reviews to help determine if the book their child chooses is “suitable and appropriate reading” according to their family’s standards. It warns that some of the books may feature mature themes or content that might be disturbing to some students. From an example the parent presented at the Board meeting of a description of rape that is written in one book on the list, we would say that the content could also be disturbing to some adults.

This Saturday, residents will have the opportunity to tour Livingston’s neighborhoods from their bicycles during the township’s fourth annual Bike Livingston event.

Those residents who wish to participate in this free event should note that helmets are mandatory for all riders. Why should you wear a helmet when biking? If you fall from your bike, the bicycle helmet takes the force of the blow – instead of your head. When you’re biking, wearing a bicycle helmet is the most effective way to prevent a life-threatening head injury.

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For the second year in a row, someone forgot to tell Mother Nature to cooperate for Livingston’s annual Memorial Day parade. Last year, the parade was cancelled due to predicted inclement weather that did not materialize. This year, once again the forecast did not look good, but this time, the weatherman was right.

The rain, however, did not turn off the most diehard of Livingston’s parade marchers and goers. The line of march included veterans’ groups, musical bands, floats, clowns, Scouts, local organizations, civic leaders, school groups, firefighters, police officers, and more. While the corridor of South Livingston Avenue was quite empty, those marching still interacted with the spectators who did brave the weather by smiling, waving and handing out mini American flags.

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