News

School superintendent Dr. Matthew Block, at the August 14 school board meeting, clarified the school district policies and responsibilities that govern elections while also praising the four candidates seeking seats on the board.

“It’s a lot of work, it’s all volunteer, to serve the district and community... kudos to everyone for putting their names forward,” he said.

The district has two policies, 7510 (Use of School Facilities) and 9700 (Special Interest Groups) that deal with elections. These policies restrict the use of school buildings for political events or for political reasons, as well as the handing out of election materials, particularly to students, on school grounds, Block explained.

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Livingston police are investigating a burglary at a Chadwick Road resident that was reported at 9:52 a.m. on Monday, August 19.

According to police, the exact timing of the burglary was unclear, as the house was empty and the homeowners were away on vacation. The family’s nanny arrived on Monday morning to check on the house, and discovered it had been entered and ransacked.

Police discovered an unlocked door, but the exact circumstances surrounding the burglary were still under investigation at press time. Pending a complete inventory by the family, a television is known to be missing.

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It’s not too early to donate unused coats and winter accessories to Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI), notes LPI founder and director Jeff Friedman. “I’m sorry to say it, but jacket and coat season is just around the corner!”
Although it’s quite warm this week, he continues, “Crisp fall evenings when we reach for our long-lost fall outerwear are coming. Those favorite jackets and coats are waiting to emerge on the first cool evening, perhaps in September.
“LPI, whose mission is ‘providing for the poor, homeless, and disenfranchised,’ respectfully requests your continued and generous donations of warm jackets and coats, including gloves, scarves and winter hats.”

Two thunderstorms in two days – on Wednesday and Thursday, August 7 and 8 – took down trees, caused brief but extensive flooding, and resulted in temporary power outages throughout the township. Storm clean-up delayed the opening of Northland Pool on Thursday until 2:30 p.m.

The more severe storms took place on Wednesday afternoon, with 3½ inches of rain falling within a one-hour period, according to Mike Anello, superintendent of the Livingston Department of Public Works. The downpour resulted in flooding of local brooks,sewersystems, and streets.

POSTER CONTEST WINNERS: The winners of the National Night Out poster contest were announced at the event. This year’s theme was “Together, We Make a Safe Neighborhood.” Contestants ages five through 13 submitted artwork over the summer, and prizes and recognition were given to 12 young artists who created an outstanding array of messages to support the theme. Showing off their works of art with Livingston Community Police Officer Joy Klapal are some of the winners: Akshay Gupta, Avyan Agrawal, Layla Sharret, Lsawede Lassat de Pressigny, Shona Kumar, Aayna Gupta, Jayden Xie, Abby Miu, and Sarah Kumar. Winners also included Nicole Chua, Avyan Agarwal, Annah Ge, and Daisy Yao. MCA Photo

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KNOLLWOOD DRIVE WORK: Sanitary sewer manhole covers and frames were raised on Knollwood Drive prior to the milling of the roadway in preparation for the installation of a new asphalt pavement binder course. The work, part of the township’s Knollwood Drive street improvement project, was being done by Ischia Construction and Paving on Knollwood between its intersections with East Mt. Pleasant Avenue and Vere Terrace on Tuesday, August 13. Russ Jones Photo

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Livingston Police officials are asking the public for information regarding a hit-and-run that took place on Tuesday morning, August 13.

At 7:06 a.m., residents Robert Novick, 49, and Andrew Sonnenberg, 46, were riding bicycles in the westbound right lane of West Northfield Road, near house number 182 on the street.

A maroon Jeep Grand Cherokee then struck the back of Novick’s bicycle forcing Novick to collide with Sonnenberg and causing both riders to fall into the roadway, police said.

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A proposed drive-through Starbucks facility at 92 South Livingston Avenue has been denied, although an eatery with outdoor seating may now seek approval at the location, the Planning Board learned at its meeting on Thursday evening, August 8.

During multiple hearings over the past year, the Board had heard an application by CP Management Group II, LLC, for a minor subdivision and preliminary and final site plan with variances for the property. The site, located between Wilson Terrace and Oak Street, was previously the site of a Bank of America. The applicant had proposed to subdivide existing Lot 3 to create two new lots. The existing, nowvacant building would be expanded on one of the new lots to house a child care center, Lightbridge Academy. A Starbucks with a drive-through was proposed to be constructed on the second lot.

Editor’s Note: This week, Jeff “the Coat Guy” Friedman, founder and director of Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI), here, in his own words, reflects on the plight of the homeless in New Jersey.
    •    •    •
By Jeff Friedman
While thinking about what to write this week, I’m reflecting on just how bad-off those living on the streets and below the poverty level are. In fact, the plight of the profoundly poor is seen daily in the headlines, whether in print, online, or on television. That’s why I decided to share some headlines I read with West Essex Tribune readers:
“New Jersey had an estimated 9,398 experiencing homelessness on any given day” – United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, 2018
“Homeless: ‘It’s very hard to live in NJ if you don’t make a certain level of money’ ” – Asbury Park Press, 2019
“Homelessness: ‘People think it can never happen to them, but it can, in the blink of an eye’ ” – The Guardian, 2017

Editor’s Note: Mitch Singer, a member of the Livingston High School Class of 1969, wrote to the Tribune to reflect on the class and its upcoming 50th year reunion. Singer, a retired public relations practitioner, currently lives in Springfield, Virginia.
By Mitch Singer
I recently attended a high school graduation party for a neighbor’s daughter, which brought back a memory of a similar party my parents held for me 50 years ago. As I observed the gathering of young people brimming with enthusiasm and excitement as they are about to enter the next stage of their life’s path, I asked myself the following question: “Was I ever that young?”
As the Livingston High School (LHS) Class of 1969 approaches its 50th reunion over Labor Day weekend, I would imagine many of my former classmates are asking the same.