Livingston New Jersey news

Next Tuesday, November 5, is Election Day, and Livingston residents’ ballots will feature two local elections. There will be a special election for a one-year term on the Township Council, and two open seats for three-year terms on the Board of Education. Republican candidate Brandon Minde is challenging Democratic incumbent Michael Vieira for the Council seat. The four candidates for the Board of Education are incumbent Board member Sam Messer, as well as newcomers Seth Cohen, Alyse Berger Heilpern, and Sasha Pailet Koff.

Last year, we noted that Livingston prides itself on its volunteer opportunities, and we hoped that the candidates who did not win would have a continued presence in town, pursuing other positions where their efforts and ideas can be put to good use. That stands again this year. We hope to see all six of these candidates contributing to Livingston for years to come, regardless of the outcome of next week’s election.

Dr. Edmund Speidell was born on June 4, 1933 and died on Saturday, October 19. He graduated from Millburn High School, Williams College and George Washington University School of Medicine.

Dr. Speidell served in the U.S. Army for two years during the Vietnam era, and then returned to his internal medicine practice with Dr. Kevin Leen in Livingston.

He was pre-deceased by his parents; his older brother, the Rev. Henry Speidell; and his sisters-in-law, Ruth and Bonnie Speidell. He is survived by his three younger brothers, Walter Speidell (Phyllis), Richard Speidell (Gayle), and Paul Speidell (Mary).

Arrangements were by the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to the Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter, 194 Route 10 West, East Hanover, New Jersey, 07936.

Helen Flores, executive director of the West Essex YMCA, recently spoke to the Kiwanis Club of Livingston about the Y’s Special Olympics swim team, the Piranhas.

The team began nine years ago with seven athletes and currently numbers more than 30. It was the first Special Olympics swim team in Essex County, Flores explained.

The Piranhas provide an opportunity for individuals with autism, Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, from ages eight through adult, to develop new strengths and participate in friendly competition.

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The Livingston Planning Board held another special meeting on Thursday, October 24, to hear two applications. The Board adjourned an application by Saint Barnabas Medical Center for a 2.5 megawatt heat and power plant. It approved an application by Drop Fitness, Inc. to convert the former Toys R Us building at 599 West Mt. Pleasant Avenue into a fitness facility.

Saint Barnabas Plan

Adjourned to Dec. 3

Saint Barnabas Medical Center is requesting preliminary and final site plan approval to construct a 2.5 megawatt combined heat and power plant on a new steel platform above the existing boiler room at the rear of the main medical building. The plan calls for replacement of an existing substation and a new power monitoring system, heat recovery systems, and chiller.

Last week’s Livingston Township Council debate featured several lively discussions between the two challengers, as both candidates made their pitch to a standing room only crowd at the Senior/Community Center.

Hosted by the League of Women Voters on Wednesday evening, October 23, the debate saw incumbent Democratic candidate Michael Vieira face off against Republican challenger Brandon Minde. Because there were only two people in the debate, the questions regularly saw the two directly challenging one another in addition to simply responding to the prompts.

Below are some of the topics discussed during the debate.

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Sixth in a Series of Campaign Questions:

During the period prior the November 5 election, the West Essex Tribune is making space available to each of the Township Council and Board of Education candidates, at no cost, for them to present their views to the public. In an effort to keep the campaign focused on relevant issues, we have again asked the League of Women Voters of Livingston for assistance in preparing questions, as we have in previous years. It is our hope that this will enable the voters to make a direct comparison, which will assist them in making an informed voting decision.

Although the League of Women Voters has agreed to work for an informed electorate through helping to provide uniform questions for the candidates, it must be emphasized that the League does not support any candidate in this election.

EWG Report Described as “Misleading:”

A recent article published online on the Livingston, NJ Patch, entitled “Cancer-Linked Contaminants in Livingston Drinking Water: Report,” has caused concern and raised questions among Livingston residents.The article is sourced by a report that was recently released by the independent non-profit “Environmental Working Group” (the “EWG”).

In light of the headline, township officials felt that it was important to provide accurate information and reassure our residents as to the quality of their drinking water.

The following statement was released by township officials on Thursday, October 24.

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Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) enjoyed a highly successful Fur and Leather Extravaganza on Saturday, and, with more furs left to sell, will hold the event again this Saturday.
“We had a great sale, shattering our forecast for the fundraising event,” said Jeff “the Coat Guy” Friedman, founder and director of LPI. “Thanks to our many customers, and especially to our philanthropic Livingston neighbors who donated their fine quality furs and leathers.”
The sale will be continued this Saturday, November 2, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Friedman’s home, 8 Country Club Road, across from Cedar Hill Country Club. Proceeds from the sale will go toward the purchase of a much-needed vehicle for the Livingston-based charity to deliver donated items to distribution partners in Newark and other urban Essex County areas.

The Livingston High School girls’s varsity tennis team won its first State Sectional Championship in seven years with a 3-2 win over rival Ridgewood at the Memorial ParkTennis Courts.The Lancers were last crowned sectional champions in 2012.

Unfortunately, in the state finals, the Lancers fell to East Brunswick, 3-2.

The North I, Group IV Sectional Championship was won by Ridgewood in five of the last six years, while Morristown was the 2016 sectional champion.

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The Livingston Fire Department had two general alarms this past week, extinguishing working fires at 280 West Mt. Pleasant Avenue and 91 Sykes Avenue. The causes of both fires were still under investigation at press time.

Garage Fire

On Friday, October 18, fire officials went to 280 West Mt. PleasantAvenue after the homeowner, Bruce Leiwant, reported smoke coming from an attached rear walk-out garage. Firefighters arrived to find a working fire in a rear storage room of the garage. The fire was extinguished within about ten minutes of their arrival, without incident or injuries.

Damagewas sustained to theroom’s contents, plus a window that firefighters had to break to gain access.

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