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Last week, Livingston Philanthropies Inc. (LPI) founder and director Jeff Friedman reported that the Livingston-based charity has moved into purchasing cases of fresh produce to provide for families living below the poverty line.
Based on the success of this emerging initiative, Friedman announced this week that LPI will continue to purchase groceries for Newark Emergency Services For Families (NESF) for the agency’s monthly “Free Grocery Give-away.” The next give-away event will be heldThursday, April 15.
“The number of profoundly poor and those living out on the hard streets has increased exponentially during the pandemic,” said Friedman. “Moms and dads are losing their jobs at record rates, yet still need to provide for hungry kids. That’s why food pantry lines stretch along streets and around corners in our neighboring communities and across the nation.”

STANDING UNITED: Hundreds of residents and elected officials gathered Tuesday evening at the Oval for a candlelight vigil to show solidarity with Livingston’s Asian American community, following the murders last week in Atlanta. Hosted by the Livingston Committee for Diversity and Inclusion, the event featured prayers, music, and speeches from Mayor Shawn Klein, Police Chief Gary Marshuetz, and more. Attendees brought signs showing support and speaking out against violence and racism, and held candles to commemorate those who have been affected, harmed, or killed as a result of anti-Asian hate. Another protest against Asian hate crimes, with dozens of attendees, was held on Sunday at Town Center. Additional photos may be seen on page A-7. Dexi Yang and MI Photos

Livingston’s volunteer Fire Department responded to a car fire in the parking lot of Heritage Middle School on Thursday, March 18. Upon arrival, firefighters found the engine compartment fully involved in a major blaze. The fire was extinguished without incident, however, and no injuries were reported. The car was towed from the scene. The cause of the fire was still under investigation as the Tribune went to press.

Firefighters also responded to an oil spill; a broken water pipe; reports of stalled elevators, natural gas odors, and burning debris.

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The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Computer Science Teachers’ Association (CSTA) has selected four high school students from among a poolo f graduating high school seniors throughout the U.S. for the ACM/CSTA CutlerBell Prize in High School Computing. The winners included Maurice Korish of Livingston, a student at Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School in Livingston.

Eligible students applied for the award by submitting a project/artifact that engages modern technology and computer science. A panel of judges selected the recipients based on the ingenuity, complexity, relevancy, and originality of their projects.

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Doris Beck, the former Livingston mayor who passed away in July of 2020, was honored this week by the Township Council. Doris, known as “Bubby” to her family, was the first female mayor of Livingston. She was memorialized during Women’s History Month in a moving tribute to a life well-lived in Livingston.

The memorial was organized by her sons, Bruce and Steven Beck.

“My mom loved to live and lived to love... her love was unconditional,” Steven said. Bruce offered a “play by play” of her time in town. “Doris believed politics could be clean, responsible, and responsive... she put the residents of Livingston first.” The brothers announced that they would be making a contribution to the town to refurbish the gazebo at the Oval in their mother’s honor. It will be named the Doris Beck Gazebo.

The Livingston Township Council discussed changes to Council procedures and a potential green density bonus for developers at its meeting on Monday, March 22. The meeting was held virtually and may be viewed on the Livingston Township, NJ Facebook page.

Green Density Bonus

The Council listened to a presentation from Sustainable Solutions Corporation employees Tad Radzinski and Nicole Meyer about a potential green density bonus for developers in town.

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Shown here, Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) founder Jeff Friedman and Livingston volunteer Alan Wishengrad load hundreds of pounds of fresh produce purchased with Livingston contributions at the Livingston Farmers’ Market. The “truck-full of health,” along with cases of baby food and baby formula purchased at a discount from Livingston ShopRite, helped stock the big Free Groceries Give-away event at Newark Emergency Services for Families (NESF), a long-time LPI distribution partner. “The recurring word here is ‘Livingston,’ ” said Friedman. “Livingston donors, through their continued support of Livingston Philanthropies, fed hundreds of profoundly poor Newark families living well below the poverty line.” Visit LPI at njhomeless.org to find out how to “personal shop for the homeless.”

POLICE TRADING CARD PROGRAM: Saint Barnabas Medical Center is a gold sponsor of the Livingston Police Department’s trading card program. This program, explains Officer Joy Klapal of the Livingston Police Department’s Community Policing Unit, “fosters a positive relationship between officers and the children within the community. In addition, it also creates productive dialogue between the community and police officers. Children will be encouraged to approach and speak with police officers in order to collect the officer’s trading card, and prizes will be awarded to children who are able to collect all the cards in the series.” The Police Department is anticipating a summer kick-off of the program.

Lee Peyser, of the Livingston Mall Committee, this week announced the committee’s recommendations for the Livingston Mall property, which include redevelopment of the site.

Previously, in January, the committee recommended that the township undertake a study to determine if the mall is eligible to be declared an area in need of redevelopment. The Planning Board also discussed on Tuesday a request from the Livingston Township Council to investigate whether the land on which the Livingston Mall sits is in need of redevelopment.

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The Township Council and manager Barry Lewis held a special meeting on Monday, March 15, to discuss the annual budget. It was a preliminary workshop, as the budget is not expected to be introduced for at least a few weeks, if not months, depending on whether or not the state allows an extension due to the pandemic relief bill, which will provide nearly $3 million to Livingston.

Due to the “extraordinary circumstances” of the past year, from COVID-related costs to incorporating the relief bill, another special meeting is expected to be planned in a few weeks.

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