Columns/Opinions

Thu
22
Jun
News Staff's picture

Inaccessible Crosswalk

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Dear Editor: Our son was confined to a 450-pound power wheelchair before he died from ALS in October 2021. We had headed a number of times from our house on Larkspur Place to the corners of Northfield Road and South Livingston Avenue for either a haircut or a visit to the Livingston Deli before he was too sick.

The crossing button that I’ve labeled “1” in the picture was not accessible to him. He could not safely get past the two black metal posts to the left of the tree, nor maneuver to the button. The ground was also too soft there to risk driving on it. He also did not have the strength to lift his hand to reach the button, nor could he even press it because his fingers were curled. It’s not accessible.

Additionally, the crossing button labeled “2” is missing; there’s just a hole where the button used to be. I myself cannot operate that button because the hole is too small.

Thu
22
Jun
News Staff's picture

Accessible Walkway

Dear Editor: I am writing to comment on an article you wrote concerning the new handicapped accessible walkway near the gazebo.

My wife and I were off to an event at the gazebo a few months ago. I use a motorized wheelchair. When we got there, I realized that I could not navigate the grassy area to get close enough to the gazebo to see or hear what was going on. I decided to get involved and contact key personnel in the town. I spoke to deputy town manager Russ Jones and Mayor Michael Vieira. Both officials set up a meeting with representatives from the town Engineering and Public Works departments. I was invited to be at that meeting.

Within a few months, plans were made and plans were executed. The communication was excellent and the cement was poured just in time for the upcoming summer concerts.

Kudos to Michael Vieira and Russ Jones for making it easier for many people who use assistive devices. Bruce Freeman Pointe Gate Drive

Thu
22
Jun
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Opinion

Congratulations Graduates

It is a very special day for many of our Livingston families. Today, Thursday, June 22, students from Livingston High School’s Class of 2023 are attending their graduation ceremony and receiving their diplomas.

For many, high school graduation marks the transition to secondary education, with students taking what they have learned in Livingston and applying it in the greater world. High school graduations are a bridge from one part of life to the next, whether it is to college, directly to the workforce, to military service, or a gap year. We wish our seniors luck in wherever their respective bridges take them. We eagerly look forward to seeing all that this class will accomplish.

Thu
15
Jun
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Opinion

Juneteenth

After becoming a federal holiday two years ago, Juneteenth will be observed on Monday, June 19, with many people having a day off work tomorrow, Friday June 16, which is 2023’s federally recognized date of observation.

For millions of non-Black Americans, observance of this holiday may still be very new. Juneteenth is a celebration of June 19, 1865, the date that a Union Army general arrived in Galveston, Texas to inform enslaved African Americans that the Civil War had ended, President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation, and they were free.

Thu
08
Jun
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Jenny's Journal

Last year, I had a “Little Free Library” installed near the side door of the Tribune office. Inspired by a feature story in our paper, I purchased the kit to make the library, and a couple of lovely young men in town built and installed it for me. They even included a couple of books to get us started. My staff and I brought in books from home that we were done with, and stuffed the library full.

I was ridiculously excited about our little library, and checked it every day to see what books had been taken. At first, there didn’t seem to be any action at all, but after a few weeks, people discovered the library. Books that I was sure would be gone in an instant, instead sat on the shelves for weeks or even longer. Some that I thought nobody would want were snatched up instantly. I had so much fun watching the shelves to see what was claimed.

Thu
08
Jun
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Michael’s Musings

My twin boys turned three last month, which is just mind-boggling to consider. It still feels like yesterday that they were born, in May of 2020, which was certainly an interesting time to become a first-time father of two to say the least.

Yet, it also feels like much longer than three years when I stop to consider all the diaper changes, uneaten meals, and protested bedtimes. If there’s one thing I was told before the boys were born that rings true, it is, most certainly, that the days feel long but the years feel short. It’s interminable, and yet it’s also gone by like a breeze.

And at three years old, they really are a lot of fun! I can have actual conversations with them. They’re getting into board games (which is wonderful, but I never need to play Candyland again). They recently had their first soccer practices. I can take them to the occasional movie.

Thu
08
Jun
News Staff's picture

Microsoft ScamWarning

Dear Editor: A Livingston resident called me this week to report how he was scammed by someone pretending to be from Microsoft; texting him and stating his computer was hacked, loaded with malware and needed to be repaired.All that was required was granting entry to his computer and a few minutes to correct it to avoid any contamination.

Of course this was a scam using false identification. The scammer had used AI to create a false Microsoft listing and what seemed to be legitimate Microsoft identification.

Allowing the scammer to take control of his computer resulted in the taking of much of his personal information. This led to the taking of thousands of dollars from the resident’s bank account. Plus, an attempt at identity theft. The attempt at identity theft was thwarted but required changing credit cards, bank accounts and other asset registrations, plus freezing credit bureau accounts.

Thu
08
Jun
News Staff's picture

Opinion

Welcome to the Tribune

While the West Essex Tribune’s regular readership will not notice many changes to this week’s issue, some are picking up our paper for the first time. This week’s edition is a TMC (Total Market Coverage) issue, the second of four newspapers this year that we will send to every home in Livingston.

Thu
01
Jun
News Staff's picture

Identity Theft Attempt

Dear Editor: A Livingston resident called me this week to report how he was scammed by someone pretending to be from Microsoft, texting him and stating his computer was hacked, loaded with malware and needed to be repaired.All that was required was granting entry to his computer and a few minutes to correct it to avoid any contamination.

Of course this was a scam using false identification. The scammer had used AI to create a false Microsoft listing and what seemed to be legitimate Microsoft identification.

Allowing the scammer to take control of his computer resulted in the taking of much of his personal information. This led to the taking of thousands of dollars from the resident’s bank account. Plus, an attempt at identity theft. The attempt at identity theft was thwarted but required changing credit cards, bank accounts and other asset registrations, plus freezing credit bureau accounts.

Thu
01
Jun
News Staff's picture

Book Choice Freedom

Last month, the Township Council issued a proclamation and passed a resolution declaring “Book Choice Freedom” in Livingston.

The resolution confirmed the township’s support of residents’ freedom to read whatever books they please, and denounced censorship and the efforts of “some individuals, groups, and public authorities” to “remove or limit access to reading materials, to censor content in schools, to label ‘controversial’ views, to distribute lists of ‘objectionable’ books or authors, and to purge libraries of materials reflecting the diversity of society.” The resolution also noted that “the freedom to read is essential to our democracy,” and that the township “encourages free people to read freely, now and forever.”

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