West Essex Tribune

“This Was a Nasty One:”

A strong overnight storm, with winds of up to 60 miles per hour, battered the state late Thursday, October 31, into Friday, November 1. Statewide, more than 14,000 homes and businesses were without power early Friday, and portions of major roads were closed due to either flooding or downed wires.

An Enhanced Fujita 1 (EF1) tornado was confirmed to have touched down in Harding Township, said Fire Chief Chris Mullin. An EF1 tornado, with maximum speeds of 100 miles per hour, also touched down in Madison, where a state of emergency was declared.

In Livingston, the winds did their share of damage as well. “This was a nasty one,” said Department of Public Works (DPW) superintendent Mike Anello. “I believe we may have gotten brushed by the tornado that hit Madison.We definitely had wind gusts that exceeded 60 miles per hour.”

The two incumbents for Livingston Township’s two local races both retained their positions, while a third candidate was elected to the Board of Education for the first time. Council member Michael Vieira won the race for the lone available seat, while Samantha Messer and Seth Cohen took the two open Board of Education positions.

With no major congressional races on the ballot, voter turnout was low in Livingston. Of the 22,954 eligible voters in town, 3,950 went to the polls on Tuesday, 17.21 percent of eligible voters. The numbers provided by the Livingston Township Clerk’s office were unofficial and did not include provisional, mail-in, or emergency ballots.

By comparison, last year, during a midterm election, 10,159 Livingston residents (45.48 percent of that year’s list of eligible voters) voted. In 2017, 6,514 people (29.37 percent) voted, while during the 2016 presidential election, 13,233 people (58.41 percent) voted.

An East Orange man was arrested last week after attempting to take money that was not his from an account at Chase Bank on West Mt. Pleasant Avenue.

At about 1:30 p.m. on Monday, November 4, a man entered Chase Bank and represented himself as an account holder, attempting to transfer $19,500 from one account to another. He presented an Illinois driver’s license bearing his photo and the real account holder’s personal information. In addition, he had a fake Social Security card and a credit card both in the account holder’s name.

Bank employees were suspicious and questioned the identification. The man left the bank without the identification only to return a short time later to claim the ID. Bank employees then contacted Livingston Police and responding officers located the suspect walking a short distance from the bank.

LFD BATTLES BLAZE: Livingston firefighters responded to East Northfield Road on Tuesday, November 5, and extinguished a house fire that appeared to have originated in a second floor bathroom. At about 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5, Livingston Police officers dispatched the Livingston Fire Department to an East Northfield Road home for a report of a possible ceiling fan fire. Firefighters arrived to find smoke venting from the eaves of the home. Crews then advanced lines into the residence from the front door to find a working fire in the second floor master bathroom and attic. The fire was extinguished within 15 minutes, and no injuries were reported. The cause remained under investigation at press time. The westbound lanes of East Northfield Road were shut down for about a half hour as firefighters battled the blaze.

MI and Rob Munson Photos

With the weather getting colder, Livingston Philanthropies’ winter coat drive season is going into high gear. “With evening temperatures forecast to be dropping to the mid-20s on Friday and Saturday, it’s coat and winter accessories season once again,” noted Jeff Friedman, founder and director of Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI).
“It’s the same story every season – warm coats, jackets, hats, gloves and scarves are needed by the homeless and profoundly poor,” he continued. “Actually, with many experiencing cuts to benefits, it’s a worse situation this year and the need is more compelling than ever in 2019. It’s time to check closets, basements, attics and garages for unneeded and unused family coats. Most of us will find we have some to spare.”
“Fur Extravaganza” a Success

It was a tough week for gas lines in Livingston, with Livingston Fire Department volunteers responding to three gas lines struck by contractors and a fourth one leaking in a Mayhew Drive home.

On Wednesday, October 23, a contractor working at 36 Rainbow Ridge Drive struck a gas line. Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G) personnel were called to the scene.

Later that day, fire officials investigated a strong odor of gas coming from a catch basin between 14 and 16 Cliffside Drive. PSE&G responded to the scene.

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TEAM IS UNDEFEATED: The Livingston High School girls’ junior varsity volleyball team finished its season on Monday, October 28, with an undefeated record of 22-0. The young team, made up of freshmen and sophomores, “never give up and always put their best efforts out there,” said coach Stephanie Fox. The team also won Livingston JV Volleyball Tournament Championship in September. Shown, Stella Ahn (4) and Rhea Matthews (11) get ready to switch into their positions. EL Photo

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Ronald F. Gasparinetti, 80, of Livingston, died on October 21.

Services were held at Shook’s Cedar Grove Funeral Home, followed by Mass at St. Lucy’s Church, Newark. Cremation was private.

Born in Newark to the late Louis and Rose Gasparinetti, Mr. Gasparinetti lived in Edison before settling in Livingston.

Prior to retiring, he was a detective with the Newark Police Department. For 12 years, he served as president of the Newark Policeman’s Benevolent Association. He taught in the police academy, led several associations, and received a number of professional awards.

In his youth, Mr. Gasparinetti played in several semi-pro football teams, including the Newark Bears and Jersey City Jays (later named the Jets).

Lenny Garrett, who lived in Livingston for 35 years, died on Tuesday, October 8. He moved to Jackson 12 years ago.

Born and raised in Newark, Lenny attended the Manhattan School of Music. He ran Harry Gross and Sons Beauty Supply with his father-in-law and then opened Things of Beauty at several locations. He also owed and operated Leness Beauty Supply in Livingston.

Mr. Garrett was the husband of the late Essie for 54 years; the father of Hildy and Michael, Nancy and Eric, and Caryn and Frank, grandfather of nine, and great-grandfather of one. He was also the brother of Bobbi and Rich, and partner of Natalie Bindler.

Services were held on October 10, with arrangements by Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Funeral Chapel. Donations may be made to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org.

Doris Goldman died on Monday, October 28. She grew up in Irvington and lived in Newark, Maplewood, Livingston, and Verona.

Mrs. Goldman graduated from the Rutgers College of Pharmacy in 1942, where she met her late husband, Sidney Goldman. They married in 1944 and co-owned Orange Drugs, and later built PIC Corporation, an insecticide company.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Goldman was predeceased by her sister, Libby Wolff, and her brother, Lou Kaye. She is survived by her daughters, Lois (Frank) Dyer, and Phyllis (Allen) Rubel; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Private graveside family services were held. Shiva will continue today, Thursday, October 31, from 1 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m., with a minyan at 7:30 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or other charity of choice.