Livingston New Jersey news

As a community, Livingston generally agrees on most issues. We all tend to unite around the common good, and when we disagree, typically, we respect the fact that we are all trying to make the decisions we feel are best for the whole. Yet, if there is one issue where factions of our community feel genuinely opposed to one another, it is what to do with our schools. Do we send our children and faculty back in to schools during a COVID-19 pandemic when the virus is known to spread significantly easier indoors? Or do we keep everyone at home, continuing a remote learning plan that, at best, had its share of pros and cons? There are no easy answers, and opinions on how to proceed run the gamut.

Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. has announced a new partnership with Bimbo Bakeries, headquartered in Wayne. “Generous Livingston residents have kept the donations flowing, so I have kept the food purchases flowing,” said Jeff Friedman, founder and director of the Livingston-based charity. “Now, I’m pleased to announce a partnership with Bimbo Bakeries in Wayne. This is huge development for LPI, our Newark distribution partners, and most importantly, disenfranchised populations.”

To the Editor:
Neglect of Public Safety
Dear Editor:
As the father of two young children who enjoy going for walks, I have struggled navigating the sidewalks in town since I moved back in 2018. Frequently, I am forced to push my children’s stroller in the street with oncoming traffic. At first, I thought the town would issue citations and have the problems fixed. I was wrong. I have learned over the last two years that sidewalk ordinances are systematically not enforced; I was even told so by the former code enforcement official.
The Council is fully aware of the situation; their lack of action put our families in this dangerous situation. I have brought the issue up to our town manager and Council, but most members (excluding Michael Vieira, who is very responsive and in favor of sidewalk reform) have chosen to ignore our residents’ safety and have failed to properly address the situation.

During a relatively quiet week in which most of its calls were false alarms, Livingston Fire Department volunteers responded to two incidents of downed wires, investigated a burning odor, and freed a man trapped in an elevator.

On Wednesday, July 22, fi re-officials went to 44 South Ashby Avenue, where a large tree had fallen into the roadway, blocking Hillside Terrace and getting stuck in telecommunication wires. Firefighters secured the scene while Department of Public Works personnel removed the tree.

On Monday, July 27, fi refi ghters were asked by Livingston police to check a downed street light in the parking lot of the Bank of America at 554 South Livingston Avenue. The firefighters found the wires were still live, and Public Service Electric and Gas was notifi ed. Firefi ghters secured the scene until PSE&G could cut power to the light.

As of Tuesday afternoon, July 28, the Essex County health department has reported that a total of 511 Livingston residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since the first case was recorded in mid-March. 68 of those residents have died as a result of the virus.

Compared to the same time last week, that is 10 more cases, and no additional deaths. While this marks the highest weekly surge in several weeks, numbers have moved up and down, around 500 cases and the high 60s for deaths, as individuals have been recategorized into their hometowns. The outbreak in Livingston has, generally, leveled off and been relatively flat for the past few weeks. However, cases appear to be slowly rising, which is consistent with the statewide trends.

The Livingston Board of Education’s meeting on Tuesday, July 28, focused on the district’s reopening plan, what it may consist of, and when it will be announced.

While the state is requiring districts to announce their plans four weeks before the start of school, superintendent Matthew Block said he is hoping to do so sooner, most likely at the next school Board meeting on Wednesday, August 5.

Reopening Survey

Tuesday night, preliminary results from the district’s survey about reopening that had been sent to parents and staff were released at the meeting.

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Bridgette Nevola has announced her intention to run for the open seat in the upcoming Livingston Public Schools Board of Education election this November. Below, the 22-year Livingston resident has submitted a statement upon entering the race:

The Zoning Board of Adjustment held its regular meeting online on Tuesday, July 28. During the fourplus hour meeting, the Board heard five applications. Several will continue at future meetings in August and September.

JD Fitness Application

The Board continued hearing the application by Fitness Institute, LLC and Properties 143 LLC to renovate the existing structure and construct a second floor at 203 Hillside Avenue. The building sits on a half-acre across the street from the Livingston Senior/Community Center and on the corner of Essex Court, a residential enclave. The building had previously been a medical office, a pre-existing nonconforming use.

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FOOTBALL, PHASE ONE: With pandemic-related restrictions beginning to ease, the Livingston High School football team has started practicing for the fall season. The team is engaging in a four-part phase one session, before moving into phase two. Shown above, the Lancers get into shape during an early morning practice; at left, school district nurse Paochu Tseng administers a temperature check to team member Nick Endl prior to football practice entry.

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B. Ruth Soffen (née Kerman), 105, of Livingston died on March 22. She was born and raised in Brooklyn and had also resided in Queens, Cliffside Park, North Bergen, and South Orange.

Mrs. Soffen graduated from New Utrecht High School in 1932. After working in the private sector, she attained a civilian position with the federal government in 1942.

She married Norman Soffen in 1952, and they founded Soffen Furniture Company in Union City in 1958, relocating to West New York in 1972.

Mrs. Soffen is included in a book, “We the Resilient: Wisdom for America from Women Born Before Suffrage” published in 2017. The South Orange Village President and State of New Jersey issued proclamations for her 102nd birthday, and April 17 was proclaimed B.Ruth Soffen Day in the Township of Livingston on her 104th and 105th birthdays.