West Essex Tribune

Evelyn Ruth Green Ploch, a former resident of Livingston, died Friday, March 11. She was 85 years old.

A prayer service was held for her on Wednesday, March 16, at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home of Livingston. Interment took place at Hollywood Memorial Park in Union.

Mrs. Ploch was born on January 12, 1937 to Frederick and Ruth Green of Livingston. She married John Walter Ploch in 1956; he predeceased her in 1988. They were both members of the Livingston First Aid Squad for many years.

Mrs. Ploch was involved in amateur radio and was a lifetime member of Northfield Baptist Church in Livingston, even after she had moved to West Caldwell.

Thomas Donald Mumm Jr., 32, of Los Angeles, California, died on March 6.

He was born in New York City, raised in South Brunswick and Livingston, and was a longtime resident of West Palm Beach, Florida.

Mumm was an avid fisherman throughout his life and spent much of his youth at the Jersey Shore.

He is survived by his father, Thomas; stepmother, Diane; brother, Michael; grandfather Donald; as well as his extended family.

Services are being held privately.

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The NJSIAA Individual Wrestling State Championships were held in Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall from March 3 through 5. Five Lancer wrestlers qualified for this showcase of New Jersey’s best grapplers: Aidan Carmody at 106 pounds; Shaun Quirk at 126 pounds; Max Lee at 165 pounds; Stratos Kantanas at 175 pounds; and Eddie Padilla at 215 pounds. “The Livingston wrestlers had an incredible weekend as each Lancer reeled off at least two wins at the hardest tournament in the state” noted head coach Dan Brill.

Theodore (Ted) Panek, owner of Panek’s Servicenter at Livingston Center, passed away on March 13, 2022, at his home in Livingston, New Jersey, following a brief illness.

Born in 1948 to Kasimer and Frances Panek (née Zach), Ted graduated from Livingston High School in 1966, and dedicated his life to his towing and repair facility. No matter what time of day or night, Ted would run to help anyone who was in distress. Ted loved to cook and entertain friends and family at the garage. He was

Ted loved to cook and entertain friends and family at the garage. He was most happy when he prepared Sunday and holiday meals, and everyone would gather together for a good home-cooked lunch or dinner.

Ted was a master car and truck mechanic, and was known throughout New Jersey as a professional tow truck operator. His nicely painted fleet showed the pride he took in his business.

Last weekend, we were thrilled to see the re-emergence of a live performance by the Children’s Theatre of Livingston (CTL). The group presented A Year with Frog and Toad Kids, a one-act musical about two friends, the cheerful Frog and grumpy Toad, through four seasons.

We were, as always, impressed with the amount and spirit of teamwork CTL achieved throughout the show, both on stage and behind it. Three Frogs and three Toads seamlessly shared roles and interacted. The ensembles gracefully covered but never overwhelmed the stage; each individual helped move the story forward. We were particularly charmed by the “Snail with the Mail.”

During the March 8 meeting of the Livingston Public Schools Board of Education, the budget for the 2022-23 academic year was presented and discussed. In all, it is expected to total more than $135.6 million, an estimated annual increase of $256 on the average home in Livingston.

Balancing a budget of this size is never easy, and that is especially so given the challenges presented over the last few years. But it is paramount that we continue to invest in our students. Doing so is not only crucial to ensure our children have the brightest possible future, but it is also an investment in our town. Countless parents have said that our outstanding education system is the driving force for their decision to move to or remain in Livingston. Continuing to fund the schools at a level that ensures the district remains a leader in the state is for the betterment of our entire community.

Also discussed during the March 8 meeting was the 2023-24 district calendar.

Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) has issued a request for new and gently used business attire. Jeff Friedman, founder and chief executive officer of LPI, has already delivered a load of women’s professional clothing to distribution partner Newark Emergency Services for Families (NESF), and is hoping to collect more clothing for men and women interviewing for jobs.
 “Two local donors, almost simultaneously, provided quality clothing in garment bags, cleaner’s bags or from the closet on hangers,” said Friedman. “I’m reaching out to Livingston residents to assist with NESF’s strong commitment to getting folks back to work, or getting them from welfare to work.” He added that Markisha Deville, SAIF (Supportive Assistance to Individuals and Families) program director at NESF, asked him for men’s career attire as well, noting, “We really need these donations.”

Correction:

Budget Presented, Not Approved

Due to an error in the editing process (not the reporting process), the headline and introductory paragraph to an article on the school district budget incorrectly indicated the school budget had been tentatively approved by the Board of Education.

The budget was NOT approved; it was simply presented and discussed.
The budget will be further honed and discussed, and Board members will meet March 22 with the expectation of approving a tentative version. That version will then go to a public hearing.

The Tribune apologizes for the error and any confusion it may have caused.

The Livingston Board of Education presented the 2023-2024 calendar at its March 8 meeting.

The meeting was a hybrid format held in-person and on Zoom. It can also be viewed on the Livingston Township, NJ Facebook page.

School Year to Start Sept. 5

Superintendent Matt Block presented the 2023-2024 calendar to the Board for the first time at the meeting. It is not yet subject to a vote.

The 2023-2024 school year is scheduled to begin with two professional development days on August 30 and 31. Students will begin September 5, which is the day after Labor Day.

Block explained his reasoning behind the start dates. “We have our two beginning-of-the-year professional development days for teachers that are scheduled for August, which is prior to Labor Day,” Block said. “That’s not always the case, but it has been more often in recent years, and this particularly allows us to keep the February break.”

The Livingston High School ice hockey team capped its season with a spot in the New Jersey Public A State Championship final, playing Ridge at the Prudential Center on Monday night, March 7. It was the Lancers’ first state finals game in 40 years; they had defeated Montclair, 4-2, to win the state championship in 1982.

The Lancers advanced to the State Championship game by defeating the Westfield Blue Devils by a score of 2-1 in the semifinal round, avenging a 5-2 loss in the McInnis Cup final in Westfield. Junior defenseman Brett Conklin had opened the scoring, and Alex Selvin found the back of the net, while Ryan Zales and Jace Dockx provided assists in the state semi-finals game.