New town initiative promotes healthy alternatives

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Bloomfield Department of Health has several new projects that it hopes will promote healthy eating and exercise habits. One is a contest among fifth- and sixth-graders at Fairview and Carteret elementary schools. Two convenience stores, one near each school, have agreed to set aside a small area where only fresh fruit, unsalted […]

Town files papers in Supreme Court on OPRA request

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The township of Bloomfield has filed papers with the New Jersey Supreme Court challenging several requests made to the court by a Bloomfield resident. The resident, Pat Gilleran, had submitted an OPRA request to the town in 2014 to obtain a video surveillance tape. The township denied her request, and Gilleran brought them […]

First Engineering Night at Watsessing School is a success

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A mother of two children attending Watsessing Elementary School, and the media specialist there, recently created the first Engineering Night at the school. The event was held Thursday, Feb. 11, in the gymnasium. It was planned to commemorate the Feb. 21 to 27 observance of National Engineering Week, which focuses scholastic attention on […]

Historical Society seeks members

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Historical Society of Bloomfield celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2016. The HSOB is an outgrowth of the Sesquicentennial Celebration of 1962 and was incorporated in 1966. The museum, located on the third floor of the Bloomfield Children’s Library at 90 Broad St., is also celebrating 50 years, having had its grand […]

Dental health foundation provides free care

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Children, ages 2 to 12, from Bloomfield and surrounding communities, had the opportunity Friday, Feb. 5, to receive free dental care at the Give Kids a Smile community oral health fair. Sponsored by the KinderSmile Foundation, the event, which occurs on the first Friday of February, was held for the ninth consecutive year […]

BMS Forensics team wins county tournament

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Bloomfield Middle School recently won first place at the Essex County Forensics Tournament, held at Heritage Middle School, in Livingston. Four other schools competed. They were Caldwell, Orange, East Orange and Livingston. BMS also won individual honors, with eighth-grader Elizabeth Nucci taking first place; seventh-grader Emma Morse, second place; and eighth-grader Anna Haraka, […]

Oakview School receives donation

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Home and School Association of Oakview Elementary School received two checks totaling $10,735 at its recent monthly meeting. The donation was from Bloomfield businessman Sanj Patel, owner of Sanj’s Smoke Shop, located on Broad Street, in the North Center. In January, to commemorate his 24th year in business, Patel held an invitation-only, […]

Chalet will not resign, recall possible

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — An effort to remove 1st Ward Councilman Elias Chalet from office was recently turned aside, while another effort for removal awaits a possible showdown in November, on Election Day. Chalet, who has been indicted by a state grand jury for official misconduct and bribery, was asked by Mayor Michael Venezia, on Sunday, Jan. […]

NJ Legislature honors Bloomfield Tech teacher

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Bloomfield Tech English literature teacher David Shallcross received a bipartisan accolade from the New Jersey Legislature on Thursday, Jan. 28, for his contribution to education. “One-hundred and twenty legislators voted for this,” Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, R-21st District, said in a classroom full of students, before a group of school officials. Assemblyman Ralph Caputo, […]

Hispanic Heritage Committee proposal discussed

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A proposal by a councilman to create a Hispanic Heritage Committee drew criticism at the Bloomfield Township Council conference meeting Monday night. Councilman Carlos Pomares deferred his proposal, which was listed on the agenda, before any discussion took place, because he said he is still putting together committee members. But two members of […]