Venezia elected Dem’s chair

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Mayor Michael Venezia has been elected as Bloomfield Democratic Party chairman. “I’m excited about the challenge,” Venezia said in a telephone interview. “We’re going to make it a true committee. The former committee and chairman made unilateral decisions.” Venezia succeeds Peter Strumolo who was chairman for 16 years. The house-cleaning began when Strumolo […]

Memorial dedicated to longtime Watsessing office aide

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — On Thursday, June 9, Watsessing Elementary School dedicated a weeping cherry tree to former office aide Rae Kiessling. Kiessling, 80, who died June 12, 2015, had worked as an office aide at the school for 41 years, beginning in 1974. Attending the dedication were two educators whose Bloomfield school-district careers commenced at Watsessing […]

Town now testing ‘touch and display’ parking meters

Town now testing ‘touch and display’ parking meters

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Bloomfield Parking Authority has installed seven “touch and display” parking meters on Washington Street for a 90-day pilot program with Municipal Parking Service, of Minneapolis, Minn. The meters take quarters and credit cards and are activated by touching a screen. If you need help, they will talk you through it— there is a […]

Bloomfield Police increase use of body cameras

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — By the end of this week, Bloomfield Police Director Sam DeMaio said there will be 22 body cameras in use by his police officers. The devices are less than one-half the size of a pack of cigarettes and record both video and audio. They will not be issued to individual officers; they will […]

Bendin set to retire after 25 years in GR school system

Bendin set to retire after 25 years in GR school system

GLEN RIDGE, NJ — With a total of 25 years in the Glen Ridge School District, kindergarten teacher Diana Bendin is retiring after spending the last 22 years at Forest Avenue School. Bendin taught previously at Linden Avenue School and the United Nations International School. She received her teaching certification at Ithaca College and her master’s […]

Math teacher Kennedy will be stepping down this year

GLEN RIDGE, NJ — Glen Ridge High School mathematics teacher Darlene Kennedy is retiring this month. She has been a middle school teacher for the last 13 years. Kennedy received her certification at Glassboro State College. In a telephone interview, Kennedy said most of the changes in teaching over her years of employment have been in […]

Downtown Alliance gears up for summer

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A parade of classic cars will travel down Broad Street at about 6 p.m. on July 6, Aug. 3 and 31. Their destination will be the five-point area at Bloomfield Avenue and their purpose will be to show off during another classic car display. Classic cars will gather at the site each Wednesday […]

Jury says Haberman train station is worth $2.9 million

Jury says Haberman train station is worth $2.9 million

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Following two weeks of testimony, a six-member jury in Newark Superior Court determined that Bloomfield would have to pay investor Howard Haberman $2.9 million as fair and just compensation for the historic train station property on Lackawanna Place. The verdict was 5-1. Haberman owned the property until the township condemned it and took […]