News

A quick-thinking FedEx driver and the immediate response of the Livingston Police Department led to the arrest of a New York man who was caught attempting to intercept packages containing iPhones that were addressed to a resident. The incident occurred last month and the man was charged at the conclusion of the investigation this week.

At about 4:52 p.m. on November 9, police responded to a call from a FedEx driver who reported that two men had approached him on Bonnyview Drive and inquired about a delivery for a house on that street.

The driver was suspicious, believing that the men were trying to intercept the package before it was delivered. The driver stalled the men and notified police with a description of the car that the men were operating.

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The Livingston Board of Education voted unanimously on Monday to amend this year’s calendar and approve a partial day on Friday, December 21, the last day of school before the winter break. Business administrator Steven Robinson said the change will not set precedent for future years.

Students will be dismissed as follows: elementary schools at 12:15 p.m.; middle schools at 12:45 p.m.; and Livingston High School at 12 p.m.

Acknowledging that the calendar change may pose an issue for working parents, the district will arrange aftercare, if needed, for K-6 students who are not currently enrolled in an after school program. Staff supervision will be provided on site through the regular dismissal time.

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After weather delayed its formal opening, local families are now enjoying the Camuso holiday display near the gazebo at the Livingston Oval. The display will be open through New Year’s. A ceremony was held Wedneday evening, December 5, at the Camuso holiday display commemorating the fourth night of Chanukah. Shown at right, Rabbi Cliff Kulwin of Temple B’nai Abraham recites the blessings associated with the lighting of the fourth “candle” on the menorah. The official “Lights on” opening ceremony for the display was rescheduled from December 1 due to rain. It was held instead this past Saturday, December 8, coinciding with a scheduled appearance by Santa Claus. In addition to Santa’s visit, which was sponsored by Livingston UNICO, the festivities included Clydesdale horses, family wagon rides, pony rides, and a petting zoo.

Thanks to Livingston residents’ ongoing donations, Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) has surpassed the 1,000 mark in delivering coats to the “poor, homeless and disenfranchised.” That number, noted LPI founder and director Jeff Friedman, “is in addition to the hats, gloves, scarves, toiletries, cosmetics, diapers, women’s products, family clothing, men’s suits and more that have been donated. The volume of these additional items makes it logistically impossible to count.”
The Donation-Delivery Process
“Our generous Livingston neighbors sometimes ask about LPI’s process – ‘Who actually gets my donation, and how does it all happen?’ said Friedman. "It all begins with what you're reading now – our weekly update.

In keeping with their mission statements of promoting patriotism and assisting fellow veterans in need, members of the Livingston Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the VFW Auxiliary, the American Legion, and the Jewish War Veterans have conducted many activities throughout the month of November.

Veterans visited Hillside School, where they spoke to Jeanne Silberman’s fi fth grade class. They also assisted the students with “Operation Gratitude,” sending packages to U.S. troops overseas.

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Santa’s Mailbox is open now through December 19, on the front lawn of the Livingston Fire Department headquarters, 62 South Livingston Avenue. As part of a long-standing annual holiday tradition, local youngsters are invited to write to Santa and deposit their letters in the mailbox. Santa Claus, with help from staff members of the Livingston Senior, Youth, and Leisure Services Department, will answer letters to those who include a return address.

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At the start of the Township Council conference meeting on Monday, December 3, the Council discussed submissions for the renaming of Formosa Plastics Road.

“We had a lot of choices, a lot of participation,” mayor Ed Meinhardt said. “Some very interesting and nice suggestions.”

Specific names were not discussed, but each Council member agreed to submit a ranking of their top three choices to township manager Barry Lewis, who would then determine the winner based on which name received the most votes. The new name is expected to be announced on January 1, 2019, at the township’s reorganization meeting.

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The Camuso Elves gave the West Essex Tribune a preview of the Camuso Display at the Livingston Oval on Tuesday, December 4. Because of inclement weather, opening ceremonies at the Camuso Holiday display, including the Christmas tree lighting, have been rescheduled to this Saturday, December 8. The evening will also include a visit from Santa Claus, sponsored by UNICO, along with Clydesdale horses, family wagon rides, pony rides, and a petting zoo. The following Saturday, the Livingston Fire Department and Livingston First Aid Squad will host an activity night. The display will be open throughout December.

Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) founder and director Jeff “the Coat Guy” Friedman has reported that “philanthropic Livingston neighbors are creating smiles, words of good will and lots of ‘God bless you’s’ during visits to distribution partners in Newark and East Orange.”
Smiles also appear on the faces of volunteers from Livingston organizations who “are making a difference by collecting coats, toiletries, cosmetics, diapers and other items to help LPI provide for the “poor, homeless and disenfranchised,’ ” Friedman added. Just recently, volunteers from the Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center in Livingston, under the auspices of its Men’s Club, arrived at Friedman’s home in a caravan of five station wagons full of coats, clothing and toiletries to donate to LPI. The synagogue-wide effort was led by congregant and Men’s Club member Stephen Greenberg.

Opening the November 26 Livingston Board of Education meeting, president Pam Chirls expressed the Board’s appreciation for the work done by Livingston police, fire and public works personnel during “the very difficult weather pattern” on November 15.

“We wanted to have you here tonight to express our appreciation for keeping our children safe, warm, and fed,” Chirls said.

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