News

Some Livingston High School students are expected to participate in a nationally-recognized walkout to advocate for reform to gun laws later this month, and the school district is developing a plan to ensure the demonstration operates safely.

The walkout, scheduled for Wednesday, March 14, is expected take place at 10 a.m. and last 17 minutes, one minute for every student and faculty member who died in the February 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The demonstration is being organized by the creators of the national Women’s March, who are calling it “ENOUGH: National School Walkout.”

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The February 26 Livingston Township Council conference meeting featured discussion of a possible name change for the township, an energy letter being sent to residents without the township’s endorsement, and the announcement of a nearly half million dollar grant the township recently received for road work.

The meeting began with a moment of silence, both to honor several recent notable township deaths and the victims of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida.

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A Hackensack teenager who threatened Livingston High School students in 2016 faces seven years in state prison after he entered a guilty plea Tuesday in Newark, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert Laurino said.

John Coulouris, 19, of Hackensack, pleaded guilty two eight counts related to threats against Livingston High School before Judge Mark Nelson, the Prosecutor’s Office said.

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By Jeff Friedman
Livingston resident Jeff “the Coat Guy” Friedman, founder and director of the Livingston Philanthropies, here, in his own words, introduces his charitable organization to new readers. Livingston Philanthropies conducts a seasonal coat drive and year ’round collections of toiletries for the homeless, as well as men’s dresswear, feminine hygiene products, and diapers.
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Bennington Road residents’ concerns about flooding around the Saint Barnabas Medical Center on Madonna Drive Community Field were acknowledged by the township last week.

The Township Council held a meeting with homeowners to address the issue on Thursday, February 15. Township officials heard complaints from the residents, who said flooding in the area has increased in the months since the field was built, but the engineer in charge of the project insisted the field posed no major flood issues. In fact, they said the field conditions have exceeded expectations.

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A fast-moving snowstorm dropped over five inches of the white stuff on Livingston on Saturday night, February 17. By Tuesday, however, most of the snow was a memory, thanks to subsequent rain and warm temperatures.

The forecast was for three to six inches of snow, and the storm dropped five-plus, according to Mike Anello, supervisor of the Livingston Public Works Department (DPW).

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An Orange resident was issued a motor vehicle summons following a Friday night crash, according to the Livingston Police Department.

In other news, a car was stolen while it was left running to warm up, and a man is facing drug charges in this week’s police blotter.

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SUNRISE ROTARY DISCUSSES PROM: The Livingston Sunrise Rotary hosted guest speakers, Liliana Branquinho and Bunnie Ratner at this week’s meeting. They discussed the 2018 Intergenerational Prom, which will be held on Wednesday, April 11, at Livingston High School.

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The next Board of Education meeting will focus on school safety within the district, a result of the February 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida that left 14 students and three faculty members dead.

“At the March 5 Board of Education meeting, we will be discussing school safety in light of the recent tragedy in Florida and as it impacts our 2018-19 budget planning,” Livingston public schools superintendent Chris Steffner said. “The Board will also be updated, during its executive session, on progress that has been made based on the recommendations from the most recent school safety audit.”

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By Jeff Friedman
Jeff “the Coat Guy” Friedman, founder and director of the Livingston Philanthropies, this week personally reflects on the continuing need for coats and toiletries to help the homeless.
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Was the holiday season nearly two months ago? What happened to Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa? How about those nice folks in red suits collecting for the poor?
Some call that special time of year the “giving season.” Monies are donated, coats are collected and a few hearty meals are prepared for those living beneath the poverty line. Then, inevitably, January 1 comes around. What happened to the generous giving, all done with love, fellowship and philanthropic hearts?