News

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.

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.

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.”

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

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.”

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

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.

The Livingston High School boys ’ indoor track and field started the championship portion of its season at the Essex County Relays on January 20 at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex. The boys faced some of the toughest competitors in the state from St. Benedict’s Prep, East Orange Campus, and Montclair High School.

“The squadknew the task would be tough but were ready for the meet,” said head coach Nancy Petryna. “Many of the athletes ran personal bests, and two squads broke school records on their way to the first place trophy over St. Benedict’s by just .5 seconds.”

The Livingston chapter of UNICO has announced that Rufino “Rudy” Fernandez, Jr. has been named the organization’s 2024 Citizen of the Year. Fernandez, the 67th recipient of this award, will be honored at a brunch on Sunday, April 21, at Hanover Manor. He follows in the footsteps of Stacey Rubinstein, Brian Boyle, Walter Joyce, Nick Santinelli, Sandy and Len Goodman, Nancy Dinar, Tom Cooney, and many more who have been honored for their service to the community, embodying the UNICO motto of “Service Above Self.”

Fernandez is well known for his commitment to public service. He served on the Township Council for 15 years, and was mayor in 2011, 2013, and 2020. Since 1998, he has taken a leadership role in Kiwanis, a community not-for-profit organization, serving as president, vice president, and, for the last ten years, as treasurer. Femandez has served on the Livingston Planning Board for six years and has recently taken on the role of board chairman.

Over the past week, Livingston Police officers responded to reports of a vehicle burglary, package theft, and shoplifting.

Burglary to Vehicle

At 10:54a.m. onTuesday, January 16, Livingston officers responded to the East Cedar Exxon gas station located at 327 East Northfield Road on a report of a stolen computer tablet from a vehicle.

Officers arrived and were met by the victim, who parks his business vehicles at the location. It was found that one of the vehicles was entered and a smart tablet was stolen from inside the vehicle. The Livingston Detective Bureau is investigating the matter.

Package Theft

At 7:46 p.m. on Tuesday, January 16, officers responded to a Mt. Pleasant Parkway residence on a report of a stolen package from the front porch.