News

Thu
08
Feb
News Staff's picture

Board of Education Hears Addendum of Equity Audit

At its Tuesday, February 6, meeting, the Livingston Public Schools Board of Education previewed the school district’s upcoming budget and were presented an addendum on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) audit.

At the start of the meeting, the Board outlined its budget goals. These included undertaking a districtwide security audit and expanding access to high quality programs, services, and resources; the college application process was mentioned as a specific focus. The 2024-25 district budget will include necessary updates to technology and mandated curriculum changes.

Equity Audit

Shelley Zion professor of educational leadership, administration, and research at Rowan University, presented the Board with an addendum on the previously presented DEI audit.

Thu
08
Feb
News Staff's picture

Livingston Police Officers Retire

Livingston Police Officers Retire
Livingston Police Officers Retire
Livingston Police Officers Retire

Three long-serving Livingston Police Department officers – Captain John Drumm, Sergeant Michael Herbert, and Officer Ralph Kolbusz – all retired from the department last month.

“All three officers were vital contributors to the operations and success of the department,” Chief of Police Gary Marshuetz said. “I wish Captain Drumm, Sgt. Herbert, and Officer Kolbusz happy, healthy and rewarding retirements.”

Captain Drumm retired on January 31, after serving as a Livingston Police officer for more than 34 years. Drumm was captain of the Patrol Division where, among many of his duties, he supervised four patrol squads covering the township on a 24/7 schedule.

Thu
08
Feb
News Staff's picture

Council Honors Capt. Drumm, Passes Ordinance, Resolutions

Council Honors Capt. Drumm, Passes Ordinance, Resolutions

During the Monday, February 5, Township Council meeting, Captain John Drumm was honored by the Council. Drumm retired at the end of January after working more than 34 years with the Livingston Police Department. February 5, 2024, was named John Drumm Day in his honor.

Each member of the Council, township manager Barry Lewis, deputy township manager Russ Jones, and township attorney Jarrid Kantor all spoke fondly of Drumm, saying that he was a friend and that the Livingston community would miss him.

Thu
08
Feb
News Staff's picture

Actress and LHS Alumna Returns To Visit Theater Students at Alma Mater

Actress and LHS Alumna Returns To Visit Theater Students at Alma Mater
Actress and LHS Alumna Returns To Visit Theater Students at Alma Mater

Leslie Kritzer, a 1995 graduate of Livingston High School, visited her alma mater on Monday, February 5, to talk with students involved in theater and chorus. An actress and singer, Kritzer is currently starring on Broadway in Spamalot as the Lady of the Lake. Many of the students in the audience had attended the show the previous week as a class trip.

Kritzer spent over two hours in the school auditorium, sharing memories and challenges from her time at LHS. She described the LHS stage and auditorium as “the home that was everything” to her during her school years.

She shared her perspective on her career and answered questions about roles, disappointments, being part of a cast, and working together as a team. She also offered insight on college selection, and auditioning. She encouraged the students to participate in every aspect of theater, and marveled at the expanded theater arts program at the high school.

Thu
01
Feb
News Staff's picture

Three Names Submitted For Vacant Council Seat

The Livingston Democratic County Committee has submitted three names to fill the pending vacancy on the Township Council. Laurence Bergmann, James Mcllvaine, and Ketan Bhuptani have been nominated to fill Rosy Bagolie’s seat on the Council.

The Council now has 3 0 days from the time of the submission to select one of the nominees from the list, which is done by resolution during a public meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 5.

The person chosen, who will be sworn in immediately following passage of the resolution at the meeting, will then serve until the next certified general election. The 2024 general election will be held on Tuesday, November 5. That election will be to fill the seat for the remainder of Bagolie’s term, which runs through the end of 2026.

Thu
01
Feb
News Staff's picture

Hundreds Attend Israel Rally Calling For Return of Hostages

Hundreds Attend Israel Rally Calling For Return of Hostages
Hundreds Attend Israel Rally Calling For Return of Hostages

Livingston resident Josh Commer is one of the organizers of a rally held last Friday, January 26, outside of Town Hall. The pro-Israel rally called to “Bring Them Home Now,” in reference to the hostages that were taken by Hamas on October 7,2023.

“This past Friday, we saw our community come together as one, to stand against terrorism, to stand with Israel, to stand for what is right and to stand up andunapologetically demand that we bring them home now,” Commer said. “On October 7,2023 the world changed not only in Israel but here in Livingston for so many who have direct connections to the land and people of the only democratic state in the Middle East. As days turned into weeks and weeks into months many local residents banded together into groups to support one another. From these support groups has developed a need to act.”

Thu
01
Feb
News Staff's picture

Mayor Anthony Addresses League of Women Voters

Mayor A1 Anthony took the stage at last week’s Meet the Mayor program, hosted by the Livingston League of Women Voters. He highlighted items that he is passionate about, including his enthusiasm to talk with residents, and inspired questions and comments from the attendees. This is Anthony’s third term as mayor, he had previously served in 2016 and 2019.

“Each January, the League presents Meet the Mayor, when Livingston residents get to know our new mayor, who will share his vision and answer questions, said Amy Ipp, copresident of the League along with Robin Weiss. The meeting was held on Zoom and may be viewed on the Livingston LWV Facebook page or at livingstonlwv.org.

Topics discussed included the new Department of Public Works garage; Open Space; pre-Council meeting talks with residents; student participation on town committees; and whether the town should make political statements.

Open Space

Thu
01
Feb
News Staff's picture

Livingston Philanthropies Calls For Partners in “Green Initiative”

Livingston Philanthropies Calls For Partners in “Green Initiative”

Last week, Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) announced its new “Green Initiative,” with the goal of continuing and growing its fresh produce and fruit distribution to families experiencing extreme poverty and living on the streets.

“LPI has been providing this otherwise unavailable sustenance to those without means to do so for themselves and their families, working with long-time distribution partner Newark Emergency Services For Families (NESF) through their monthly ‘Community Grocery Giveaway’ events,” explains LPI founder and chief executive officer Jeff Friedman. “It’s Livingston’s constant contributions that continue to make it all happen for about 2½ years.”

Thu
25
Jan
News Staff's picture

Zoning Board Names New Chairman, Approves Six Residential Applications

The Livingston Zoning Board, at its January 23 meeting, revisited its October 24 applications forAbhishek Gangwal at 6 Hazelwood Avenue and Jian Hu at 68 Amelia Avenue, ultimately rescheduling the former to February 27 and approving the latter. The Board then heard arguments for six new applications before approving all six requests.

Before the meeting, the Board appointed Edward Bier its new chairman, replacing Lauren Tabak Fass. A vote on the vice chairman position was put on hold, although Laurie Khan was named the new recording secretary. Additionally, Michael Affrunti and Ketan Bhuptani were reappointed as Class 4 Members, while Kalpesh Kenia and Vineeta Khanna returned to the Board as Class 4 Members; Todd Sherman and Hong Yuan were also appointed as Alternate members.

6 Hazelwood Avenue

Thu
25
Jan
News Staff's picture

Board of Education Discusses Equity Audit

During its meeting on Thursday, January 18, the Livingston Public Schools Board of Education discussed the results of its recent equity audit of the district. Board members shared their ideas on how to apply the audit’s recommendations into practice.

At the beginning of the meeting, superintendent of schools Matthew Block stated that meetings with administrators, advisors, and equity coaches in regards to the audit, are being conducted.

“We’ve met with the anti-bullying specialists, as well as implementation teams of administrators and supervisors,” he said. Child study teams are also scheduled to meet this month, and parents of the building equity team will have an opportunity to have a conversation with their coaches during their scheduled meetings this month.

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - News