West Essex Tribune

Thomas “Tommy/Tom” Joseph Gaven, Jr. arrived at the pristine beaches of heaven on February 24, 2021, surrounded by his family and the peaceful sound of ocean waves. He was a devoted husband and soulmate for over 40 years to Maria Helena Knapik ofLivingston, New Jersey, and together they raised their children, Julie Marie (Ash), Marissa Eve, and Gregory Thomas in northern Virginia.

Born on June 11, 1958 inNewark, New Jersey, he was the eldest son of Thomas Joseph Gaven, Sr. and Doris Ann Delsandro. He was the best big brother to Edward (Janet), Robert (a.k.a. Big B), and Anne Marie Hughes (Joseph). His extended family of over 150 aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins will fondly remember his ever-present smile & kind, loving disposition.

VARSITY LADY LANCERS WIN: The Livingston High School girls’ varsity basketball team defeated the Terriers of Newark Tech, 39-22, on Thursday, February 25, in the LHS Fitness and Wellness Center. Avery McLaughlin led the Lancer scoring with 16 points. Shown above, Lancer forward Ava Intile beats the Newark Tech defender to score on a lay-up. Don Schwartz Photo

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PHONE THIEVES CAUGHT IN THE ACT: On Saturday, February 27, a Bunyan Drive resident called police to report that she had received an email confirming the shipment of an iPhone, valued at $1,200, purchased under her name. She then received a second email indicating that the phone was due to be delivered to her home by FedEx. Livingston police officers Levecy DeOliveira and Savino Balducci were able to locate the FedEx driver in the area of the victim’s home and confirmed that there was a phone to be delivered on the truck. Officer Adam McDavitt contacted FedEx and advised the company that the police were investigating a fraud involving the delivery. The FedEx manager allowed Officer DeOliveira to dress as a FedEx employee and deliver the phone, while another officer watched the house from a distance. Almost immediately after the phone was dropped off and the delivery was logged into the FedEx computer, officers observed a car approach the victim’s home.

The Temple B’nai Abraham Social Action Committee (SAC) continues the spirit of Mitzvah Day/Week throughout the year with a Mitzvah of the Month, led by SAC co-chairwomen Janet Penn and Ruth Ross. Each month, congregant families have an opportunity to help families and individuals in Essex County who find themselves in need during the pandemic.

The February Mitzvah of the Month involved a collection of warm hats for adults, teens and children, along with scarves, mittens, and gloves. Numerous bags were filled with muchneeded hats, scarves, gloves, and mittens for neighbors in need. Nick Santinelli of Livingston Neighbors Helping Neighbors (LNHN) came to B’nai Abraham to collect the donated items. They were promptly delivered to three churches in Newark for distribution.

We just endured one ofthe snowiest months in recent memory, seemingly weathering a major storm at least once a week in February. The town battled salt shortages, and residents ran their snow blowers and shovels into the ground, trying to keep up. It wasn’t easy, but we made it through and managed to clear the snow. Well, most of us managed to.

As is always the case, there were dozens of homeowners throughout town who didn’t clear their sidewalks. As a result, individuals trying to safely walk or jog around Livingston have been put in unnecessarily dangerous situations, forced to walk in a lane of traffic on Northfield Road, for example.

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After listening to Gabel Associates’ presentation to the community last week, explaining Livingston’s upcoming energy aggregation, we are pleased with what appears to be a way for Livingston to use more renewable energy at no additional cost to most residents.

This latest energy aggregation contract (the previous one ended in October 2020 after 16 months), will run from April 2021 through September 2022, at a fixed price of $0.12696 per kilowatthour. Energy Harbor will be the supplier. The deal is for 40 percent renewable energy content, compared to the state-required 23.5 percent renewable energy content. The renewable energy consists of about five percent in-state solar, and about 35 percent regional renewable energy, primarily wind.

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By Jeff Friedman
Editor’s Note: Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) founder and director Jeff Friedman, in his own words, reflects on the history and current mission of his non-profit organization, which began life as a seasonal coat drive ten years ago.
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For Livingston residents not familiar with Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI), we are your local 501(c)(3) non-profit “providing for the homeless, profoundly poor and disenfranchised.” LPI is in its tenth season of delivering the most basic of survival items to those living below the poverty line. Our constituencies include Newark and East Orange.

A displaced polar vortex and a polar jet stream that has been pushed more to the south than usual have resulted in an active winter weather pattern that has been sitting over New Jersey for several weeks. This pattern has been responsible for a snowier-than-usual February, with snow events taking place once to twice a week or more.

In the latest round, Livingston was hit by a one-two punch, with a long-lasting snow event on Thursday and Friday, February 18 and 19, that dropped five inches of the white stuff. The snow “took the weekend off,” then returned on Monday, with another two to three inches accumulating.

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“SNOW” PLACE LIKE HOME: Having fun in last week’s snow were the Godsy family of 45 Billingsley Drive, who built an igloo. Shown here, mom Jen and daughters Talia, four, and Whitney, five, enjoy the structure they built, which was designed by dad Joe Godsy.

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As of Wednesday morning, February 24, the Livingston Health Department has reported that a total of 1,610 Livingston residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since the first case was recorded in mid-March. 83 of those residents have died as a result of the virus. Compared to the same time last week, there are 37 new cases, with no additional deaths. In the past month, there have been 214 cases.

Houses of worship and religious services can now operate at 50 percent capacity. Masks are required, and members o f different households must be at least six feet apart at all times.

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