News

BLACK LIVES MATTER: A group of peaceful protesters, including Livingston residents (above, left) Keenan Akinola, Brandon Shevins, Josh Akinola, and Aziza Arnette-Hardy, gathered at Livingston town center on Sunday and Monday in support of the Black community. Additionally, the memory of George Floyd was honored, after a police officer was charged with his murder last week. Brandon Dorf and Jerry Siskind Photos

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HONORING THE LIFE OF GEORGE FLOYD: Livingston Police Chief Gary Marshuetz, along with Captains John Drumm and Thomas Smith, attended a service at the Fifth Precinct in Newark on Monday, June 1. They joined in solidarity with other Essex County executives in honoring the life of George Floyd and in denouncing the actions of the former Minneapolis police officers that led to his death. Shown here are Chief Marshuetz; Essex County prosecutor Theodore Stephens and Essex County prosecutor’s office Chief of Detectives Mitchell McGuire; and captains Drumm and Smith.

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FIFTY NIFTY UNITED STATES: Bob Bucich, an artist and Livingston Kiwanis member, recently painted a map of the United States on the blacktop outside of Riker Hill Elementary School. Bucich worked on the project with his granddaughter, a high school student. He had previously painted a map at the school ten years ago, with the help of his then seven-year-old daughter. After the blacktop was resurfaced, he was asked to work his magic again. The paint used was donated by Livingston Kiwanis. MI Photo

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With the coronavirus pandemic putting an end to its collection of coats, clothing, toiletries, and personal items for the homeless, Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) has been adapting well to its new role of food distribution.
“It seems like yesterday when we discussed becoming a 501(c)(3), thereby unleashing the legal ability to accept monetary contributions,” noted founder and director Jeff Friedman. “That was two years ago. Through the efforts of Livingston non-profit heroes Walter Levine, Esq. and Alan Karpas, Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. was created after seven years as a well-oiled volunteer operation, which it continues to be today as a non-profit corporation in our ninth season of giving.”

The Livingston Planning Board, at its first virtual public meeting on Thursday, May 21, approved an application extension and a plan to expand a rehabilitation facility.

The meeting was live-streamed on the Livingston Township Facebook page.

Re-Opening Support

On Tuesday, May 26, Governor Phil Murphy announced that schools will be allowed to have outdoor graduation ceremonies that comply with social distancing after July 6.

Wednesday prior to deadline, Livingston Public School officials were discussing how this may affect plans for the high school ceremony.

Superintendent Matthew Block issued the following statement on Tuesday:

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Marisa and Josh Friedman of Livingston and their children, Alexa, five; Gavin, seven; and Connor, 21 months, have created a “Tree of Hope” and “Rocks of Strength” to send love and positive messages to their neighborhood and Livingston community during this uncertain time.

“We cut hearts out, and the kids enjoyed decorating and writing positive messages on the hearts. They are laminated and pinned to the tree,” noted Marisa. “We all enjoyed collecting, washing, and painting the rocks and thinking of positives messages to write on them.”

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CAR FIRE NEAR LIVINGSTON CENTER: Livingston firefighters spent 15 minutes extinguishing a major car fire at the intersection of Hazel and West Mt. Pleasant Avenues on Wednesday, May 20, at about 6 p.m. According to fire department officials, the driver of the 2015 Lexus smelled smoke, pulled over, and exited the car, which then became engulfed in flames. The exact cause of the fire, beyond mechanical failure, is not known, as the car was completely destroyed. JTM and SLM Photos

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In a ceremony that was tinged with an extra layer of poignancy due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Livingston VFW, VFW Auxiliary, and American Legion Post 285 held a Memorial Day ceremony at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 25. The small audience, the wearing of masks, the absence of a parade, even the overcast skies lent a different, but no less emotional, feeling to the event.

“We are not used to not doing anything,” said VFW Post Commander Thomas Bucca. “We were going to do something, and, when the Governor increased the allowable number of people gathering outside to 25, we were more comfortable.

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Things are looking no better for the poor and homeless of Essex County as the coronavirus pandemic continues to “grind on,” said Jeff Friedman, founder and director of Livingston Philanthropies Inc. (LPI).
“Too bad I have nothing new to report this week. That’s because it’s all the same – or worse,” Friedman noted. “I wish I could say that the homeless and profoundly poor are doing much better, but they’re not. It seems that some businesses and organizations are attempting to open, but unfortunately, that doesn’t change things a bit for the folks living below the poverty line just a few miles away from Livingston.”
He explained that food pantry lines are much longer than usual, with so many individuals having lost their jobs or having been temporarily furloughed without pay.