Maplewood introduces $43.6 million 2017 budget

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Though most of Maplewood’s expenses remained relatively flat for 2017, main drivers such as increased pension and debt payments, will leave the average homeowner paying approximately $75 more in property taxes this year than in 2016. “We’ve worked very hard to get this budget down,” Mayor Vic DeLuca assured residents at the […]

Resident, village go back and forth over pedestrian safety

Trustees: Crosswalk isn’t feasible at West End, Wyoming

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Pedestrian safety has remained a hot-button issue in the two towns for a long time now, with the towns struggling to implement measures that keep pedestrians and drivers safe without breaking the bank. One Lenox Avenue resident spoke out at the March 13 South Orange Board of Trustees meeting, criticizing the […]

Racism and insensitivity in our schools

Threats to lynch black people, swastikas, slave auction posters appear in SOMSD buildings

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — It has been a rough couple of weeks for the South Orange-Maplewood School District in regard to tolerance and cultural competency. Last week, South Orange Middle School reported two incidents of racist graffiti scrawled in bathrooms. The first incident, using the N-word, said that “Naughty (blacks) Get Lynched”; while […]

Four to run for 3 seats on village board in May election

Clarke, Hilton, Saeed, Schnall run for 3 open BOT seats

Four to run for 3 seats on village board in May election

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — While the race for the three open seats on the South Orange Board of Trustees may not be the largest we’ve seen in the village, it is sure to be exciting with two incumbents and two challengers facing off. Incumbents Stephen Schnall and Walter Clarke are running a joint campaign with […]

BOE affirms duty to educate all children

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — At the Feb. 27 South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education meeting, board members voted to affirm the South Orange-Maplewood School District’s commitment to educating all children. The board passed Resolution No. 3536, which states the district’s goal to education all children, regardless of ethnicity or immigration status. “The School District […]

Communities respond to anti-Semitism

Religious and government leaders take a firm stand following hateful graffiti, JCC bomb threat

Communities respond to anti-Semitism

MAPLEWOOD / SOUTH ORANGE / WEST ORANGE, NJ — Things have certainly been tense in America in the last few months, with organizations like the ACLU showing a marked increase in anti-Semitic, Islamophobic and racist incidents. Unfortunately, Essex County has also experienced some of this hatred. Residents and officials in Essex County were disheartened during […]

Preliminary district budget shows $2.36 million deficit

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — As has been the trend for a long time, the South Orange-Maplewood School District is facing a considerable budget deficit for the 2017-2018 school year. Business Administrator Paul Roth presented the 2017-2018 preliminary budget, based on “zero-based” budgeting, at the Feb. 27 Board of Education meeting and highlighted a […]

Debate over leaf blower bans rages at TC meeting

Residents support ban, landscapers point out problems

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — While Maplewood neighborhoods may be blissfully quiet this summer, landscapers claim the silence will cost homeowners increased lawn care fees. On Feb. 21, the Maplewood Township Committee continued the 14-year debate that has been raging around leaf blowers here, and dozens of landscapers came out to oppose further restrictions. In 2003, the […]

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