community news from Livingston

This week, Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) founder and director Jeff Friedman has announced that the Livingston-based charity is in need of new footwear for the homeless.
Friedman said, “ ‘You have to take care of your feet when you’re out on the street,’ the homeless gentleman told me. ‘If your feet go, you’re done.’ That’s why Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. acquired and donated almost 10,000 pairs of Bombas socks to homeless and profoundly poor recipients in Newark.
“It’s also why LPI is reaching out for relationships with footwear wholesalers, manufacturers, jobbers, discontinued footwear sellers, department stores and other related entities to purchase men’s sneakers and family footwear to ‘provide for the homeless, profoundly poor and disenfranchised.’ ”

CLASS OF 2021 HONORS: Livingston Public Schools has announced the students who have achieved top academic honors in Livingston High School’s Class of 2021. Rosa Xia (above, right) has been named valedictorian and Kevin Chen (left) has been named salutatorian. LPS Photo

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The Livingston Public Schools administration introduced a draft of the 2021-22 school budget at its meeting on Wednesday, March 3, and provided additional details at its meeting on Monday, March 8.

Highlights about curriculum, technology, staffing, and facilities were also presented. The meetings were held virtually and can be viewed on the Livingston Public Schools Facebook page and on its website, www.livingston.org.

The Board is expected to approve the draft budget at its next meeting on Monday, March 15. Board business administrator Steve Robinson called the tentative spending plan “just a cog in a wheel, not the final budget,” noting that it allows him to send a budget to Essex County Board of Education for review.

TRUCK FIRE: On Friday, March 5, the Livingston Fire Department extinguished a fire in a pick-up truck in the parking lot of Chabad at Short Hills at 650 South Orange Avenue in Livingston. The exact cause of the fire was not known, but the truck had been experiencing mechanical issues just prior to the fire, according to Fire Chief Chris Muffin. The truck’s occupants were able to safely exit the vehicle, and no injuries were reported. LFD Photo

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The Livingston Board of Education, at its meeting on March 3, approved the appointment of Danielle Rosenzweig as principal of Livingston High School, effective April 1. The school has over 1,900 students and 200 staff members.

Rosenzweig began her career in Livingston in2009 as a leave replacement special education teacher, first at LHS and later at Heritage Middle School. In 2010, she became a permanent special education in-class support teacher at LHS, and was promoted to assistant principal in 2016.

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The Township Council, at its meeting on Monday, March 8, held a preliminary discussion on where each member stands after Governor Phil Murphy signed the marijuana legalization bills into law last week.

The bill was signed on February 22, and the township has 180 days from that date to pass any ordinances restricting marijuana-related business in town, making August 22 the “opt out date.”

“We need to consider where we are going to stand,” Mayor Shawn Klein said.

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Former Livingston resident Michael Bart Rubin died at Woodland Behavioral and Nursing Center in Andover, on Saturday, March 6.

Born in Newark and raised in Livingston, Mr. Rubin was predeceased by his parents, William and Beatrice. He is survived by his sister, Susan and her husband, Ken Samson; his niece, Jodi Samson, and his nephew, Jeremy Samson and his wife, Amy.

Private services were held under the direction of Bernheim Apter Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel in Livingston. Burial was in Mt. Lebanon Cemetery in Iselin. To leave a message of condolence, visit www.bernheimapterkreitzman.com.

CHEERLEADERS HONORED ON SENIOR DAY: Members of the Livingston High School varsity cheerleading squad were honored on Senior Day prior to the tip-off of the boys’ varsity basketball game against Montclair Kimberley Academy on Friday, March 5. Each senior cheerleader was introduced, presented with a floral bouquet, and photographed at center court. Shown here, from the bottom row up, are Ally Fong, Amanda Maganeheim, Laine Kowalski, Ja’Nasia Hansome-Conover, Vanessa Villalobos, Yemmanuella Bragarnik, Imani Medy, Emma Michaels, Avery Smidt, and Jamie Britt. Don Schwartz Photo

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The Livingston High School ice hockey team ended the year on Thursday, March 4, with a 4-0 loss to Glen Rock in the McInnis Cup championship game. The McInnis Cup Tournament consisted of seven teams —Westfield, Glen Rock, Summit, West Essex, Montclair, Verona and Livingston.

It was a very successful season for LHS hockey, as veteran varsity coach Dave Conklin’s team ended the season with an 8-3-2 record. Seniors playing in their last high school games were Mitchell Hersch, Alex O’Keefe, Cade Prendergast, Lenny Kanchik, assistant captain Tyler Schultz, and captain, First Team All League Michael Mumm. “All six seniors had great high school careers and will be missed,” said coach Conklin.

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Last week, Governor Phil Murphy signed adult use cannabis reform bills into law. This news came after a majority of voters in the November election cast their ballots to approve recreational marijuana in New Jersey. With these historic bills come many questions from the public, and much work to be done in town.

We do understand the specific concerns of some parents regarding one part of the new laws, which lets first-time underage consumers of marijuana and alcohol off with a warning, and no call to a parent or guardian. Many families feel like their rights to parent their children how they see fit are being taken away, and we appreciate that perspective.

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