community news from Livingston

At the end of the October 15 Board of Education meeting, former superintendent of schools Christina Steffner surprised the audience by stepping up to the microphone and providing a short statement during the public input portion of the meeting. About ten minutes later, during the Board’s new and old business category, Board member Samantha Messer spoke at length about the Board meeting of July 25, when the Board voted 3-2 to accept Steffner’s resignation and to approve a separation of service agreement.

Both speakers sought to correct what they say are inaccuracies. Both speakers said they did not know that the other would speak that night.

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At the Township Council conference meeting on Monday, October 15, Council members said Essex County executive Joseph DiVincenzo has started preliminary cleanup and surveying of Riker Hill Art Park. The work comes less than a week after DiVincenzo attended a meeting in Livingston to discuss residents’ ideas for renovating the park.

At the conference meeting, the Council discussed a county request to install a four-way stop at the intersection of the entrance to Riker Hill Art Park and Homestead Terrace. There are currently stop signs on the entrance road, but not Homestead, and the Council members questioned if adding signs would inconvenience homeowners on the roadway. They agreed to ask the county if emphasizing the existing stop signs with additional signage would be sufficient.

The Livingston High School cross country program hosted the 15th annual Lancer Invitational on Friday, October 12, at Littell’s Pond. The meet, attended by opponents from Kearny, Madison, New Brunswick, and Morris Knolls, saw Lancer Philmon Mehari repeat as champion. Despite efforts to improve conditions, the recent rainy weather had resulted in a course that was muddy and slippery in parts, and would cause slower race times than in ideal conditions.

But the Lancers’ Philmon Mehari, noted coach James Memory, “had prepared well and left nothing to luck. For the second time in as many years, he took it out hard, opened up a lead and never looked back, claiming his second consecutive Lancer Invitational Crown, in 17:30, a full 23 seconds ahead of the next finisher.”

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GIRLS’ SOCCER SUPPORTS BREAST CANCER FUNDRAISER: Lady Lancer soccer players wore pink uniforms while the Booster Club held a Cancer Awareness Fundraiser at the Lyndhurst-Livingston soccer game on Saturday, October 13. Shown here, members of the Lancer freshman girls’ soccer team work the snack table during the fundraiser.

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The Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy (JKHA) and Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School (RKYHS) in Livingston have embarked on a number of campus-wide capital initiatives to enhance the educational, spiritual, and physical experience of its students.

This summer, the Fishel Felix Rozen Torah Reference Library, located in the newly renovated RKYHS Study Center, was dedicated in memory of Fishel Felix Rozen, father and grandfather of JKHA/ RKYHS students and alumni.

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The 8U Livingston Stealth White baseball team continued its undefeated season by beating Summit, 9-6, on Sunday, October 14. The team remains atop the leaderboard in the USABL National North 1 Division with only one regular season game left, and have clinched the number one seed for the postseason.

Spencer Traub increased his division leading record to 6-0 by pitching the first three innings. Flamethrower Ben Bahler came in to close the game out with style. Both pitchers combined to strike out 11 in five innings against the second place Summit team.

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As Election Day draws closer, the Tribune is receiving a steady infl ux of calls, emails, and comments concerning the races and candidates. We are thrilled to see the township actively engaged in the electoral process and pushing for the men and women they feel will best fill the open seats on the Township Council and Board of Education. We expect big voting numbers at the polls and are waiting eagerly to see who residents elect to represent their interests.

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With less than three weeks to go until Election Day, and with two contested local elections on this year’s ballot – five candidates are vying for three seats on the Township Council and four candidates are in the running for two Board of Education positions – we want to remind residents to pay attention to the candidates and issues.

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Livingston Township will begin its 2018 Leaf Collection Program in early November.

The township will be divided into three sections for the annual leaf collection. Leaves may only be placed in the street gutter on the specific dates listed in the 2018 Leaf Collection Program Schedule for each respective week and section.

“Our Public Works employees do a great job on leaf collection every year,” said Department of Public Works (DPW) superintendent Mike Anello. “Every year, we publish our Leaf Collection Program Schedule, along with a reminder to our residents of the rules and guidelines for the program.”

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Lee V. (Grasso) Adamski, wife of the late Joseph Adamski of Livingston, New Jersey, passed away at home October 12. She was born Pasqualina Veronica Grasso on January 17, 1925, to Nicola and Rose (Lardieri) Grasso of Newark, New Jersey. In addition to her husband, Joseph, she was preceded in death by her parents and six siblings: Joseph, Marie, Carmen, Julia, Victor, and Armando. She is survived by her daughters, Beverly and her husband Anthony Nardiello of West Orange, New Jersey; and Debra and her husband, James O’Neill, of Midlothian, Virginia; five grandchildren, Nicole Munoz (Albert), Dr. Megan O’Neill, Lisa Nanartowicz (Joseph), Matthew O’Neill (Sydney), and Anthony Nardiello III (Nicole); and six greatgrandchildren. She will also be remembered by her numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family and dear friends. Lee was graduated from Central High School in Newark, New Jersey, and began her secretarial career with the law firm Frenetical & LaMorte.