Our neighbors talk about their hopes for 2018

BLOOMFIELD/GLEN RIDGE, NJ — New Year’s resolutions anyone? It seems that most people had them and when this newspaper asked some of the individuals who made Glen Ridge and Bloomfield news in 2017 to share theirs, the response was surprisingly good. What was requested, by email, was a personal resolution and/or one the respondent would like to see other people adopt. A brief description of the story in which the respondent appeared, if necessary, is included.

Alfred Piccoli
Bloomfield resident Piccoli held his “Friendly Man Tennis Tournament,” a summertime competition he began in the 1980s but discontinued for nearly 30 years.
“I am making the New Year resolution to pause before saying anything negative in retaliation to anyone, as I put myself in their position to see things from their perspective, with the hope of replacing any anger with compassion and understanding, as I strive to make the world a better place, one kind act at a time. I would also like to see our political leaders throughout the great USA adhere to the New Year resolution of at least getting their facts straight before twisting and distorting the truth, so that they can exploit them for their own self-seeking purposes.”

Dan Murphy
A Glen Ridge councilman, Murphy is the organizer of the annual Ashenfelter 8K and Tom Fleming Mile races.
“I’ve never been a fan of New Year’s resolutions; rather, I set goals for myself. These goals touch on personal, professional, social, spiritual, and physical wellness. Toward that I’ll touch on two of the several goals that I’ve set for myself. 1) As a newly re-elected member of the borough council, I will continue to help make Glen Ridge the ‘best it can be.’ New tax-law changes may have a dramatic impact on property values here in Glen Ridge and this concerns me. 2) A physical goal for myself — having just had knee replacement surgery — is to rehabilitate myself to a level that I’m once again competitive in my age group in running and triathlon events.”

Deborah Mans
Newly elected Glen Ridge council member
“Do my part locally to protect our environment, including recycling more, using Glen Ridge’s Freecycle program, increasing our renewable energy allotment of our electric bill, and walking or biking for local errands.

Michael Sceurman
Director of the Bloomfield Department of Recreation
“One resolution I’d like to keep this year is to live in the moment and enjoy life each and every day.”

Betsy Ginsburg
President of the Glen Ridge Board of Education
“I think my resolution for the New Year would be to be a better listener. I would like others to resolve to be more civil. Public and private discourse has gotten so harsh, judgmental and inhumane. There is no better time for each of us to resolve to buck that trend!”

The Rev. Diana Wilcox
Christ Episcopal Church in Bloomfield and Glen Ridge
“One of my resolutions is to try at least three new things — a new art skill, language, cultural tradition, cooking skill. The possibilities are endless and fun to think about and our community is a great place to engage in any of them.”

Mary Todaro
Principal of Demarest Elementary School, Bloomfield
“I heard something in church this morning that was a reminder about family. We are all part of several families — our own, our community, the nation and the world. We have to try to take better care of each other! This will be my resolution but I hope others will share it, too!”

The Rev. Damien Lake
Interim minister of the Glen Ridge Congregational Church
“My New Year’s resolution for the community of Glen Ridge is for us all to focus on being of healthy mind, body, heart, and soul. To be our best requires us all to love and care for each other with the help of God.”

Glen Ridge Police Chief Sheila Byron-Lagattuta
“My resolution for all members of my department, and all police officers, is that they find balance in 2018. Balance in their personal lives to include their physical, mental and spiritual health. Police officers have so many pressures within their profession that a healthy balance with their family and the needs outside the department should be paramount in 2018.”

Linda Colucci
Principal of the Early Childhood Center at Forest Glen, Bloomfield
“To spend less time in my office and more time in classrooms and supporting the ECC staff.”

Mike Napolitano
President of the Foley Field Federation, Bloomfield
“I resolve that we, the FFF, in cooperation with the Bloomfield Board of Education and the mayor and township council, will finally break ground on the new community activities building and our outdoor pavilion area, at Foley Field, in fulfillment of our pledge to the people and children of Bloomfield.”

Thomas Heaney
Newly elected Bloomfield Board of Education member
“I resolve to move forward with an open mind and love in my heart for all the children in an effort to make for a better Bloomfield.”

Meredith Moseley-Bennett
Moseley-Bennett is a Glen Ridge resident who, with another GR resident, Yolanda Grbic, began a skincare business. Their sales help to raise the standard of living of women in Ghana who provide an ingredient for the products.
“Of course most of my dreams go toward my daughter — that she continue on her journey to be a brave and compassionate person. My dream this year for our new business grows this year to the point where me and my business partner never have to sweat our mortgages again! To keep on pursuing my dreams even when things seem truly overwhelming and impossible. And for myself and others: To look beyond myself and my immediate circumstances. There is always a time to put yourself in someone else’s shoes.”

Marianne Abbasso
Principal of Franklin Elementary School, Bloomfield
“That is a tough one. For me, to stop shopping as much; spend less and save more. For others, to be kind and compassionate to all.

John Baltz
Principal of Carteret Elementary School, Bloomfield
“Carteret as a school has made a New Year’s resolution to practice being more mindful on a daily basis; to be more aware of what is happening to us as teachers and administrators, to our students and their families, and to what we are doing in our classrooms to help meet the individual social, emotional and academic needs of our students. When we are mindful, we can observe our thoughts, feelings and actions without judgement.”

Shihong Zhang
Shihong, a Glen Ridge High School Chinese language teacher, initiated a student-exchange program between GRHS and a sister-school in China.
“My New Year’s resolution is to have more time to read, more places to travel and be a better cook for my family. I didn’t cook much since my mother used to live with me for years. Now I only can cook some basic food including Chinese and other food after my mother passed away. I am getting better. There are a few dishes that my family likes, such as my dumplings or spaghetti. But I think I could do better next year.”

Mary Di Trani
Principal of Oak View Elementary School, Bloomfield
“For myself and the Oak View staff, our resolution is to continue to understand the academic expectations for our students as they progress through the grades. The better we prepare our students, the more successful they will be in both middle and high school. When students meet success, their self-confidence grows and creates the ‘can do’ attitude that is so important in life! I believe a resolution for students at Oak View School is to continue being kind to one another and to continue trying their best in all they do!”

Ron Bremner
A Glen Ridge poet, Bremner received an honorable mention from the Poetry Center at Paterson County Community College for a submission in the 2017 Allen Ginsberg Poetry Contest.
“My resolution is to use my writing to make people aware of the suffering and misery in the world, like the Zika babies, and those who are poor and hungry and right around us, and to inspire people to try to help. By donating their time or anything they can, and in the case of Zika, through research, which is expensive.”
(Editor’s note: Zika is a virus, spread by a species of mosquito, that can cause birth defects.)

Lauren Barton
Principal of Brookdale Elementary School, Bloomfield
“The success the district has had over the past five years will continue in 2018!”

Sal Goncalves
Superintendent of the Bloomfield School District
“The success we have had over the past five years will continue.”

Tova Narrett
Glen Ridge resident Narrett flower arrangements were exhibited at the Montclair Museum of Art.
“My New Year’s resolution is to have fun every single day and to exercise my brain every single day. And my Floresolution is to be aware of natural beauty around me every day. That’s my flower resolution.”

Ellen Rogers
Newly re-elected member of the Bloomfield BOE
“For a community resolution, to challenge myself to keep exploring ways to help my community through my service on the board of education. On a personal note, to remember to be tolerant and show compassion toward others.”

Tanya Liddy
A Glen Ridge resident and community activist
“I would say pay it forward every week, if not more — even in a small way. I would hope to see the same from others, the world would be a much better place.”

James Wollner
Bloomfield resident, author and Vietnam War veteran
“Every year everyone makes the same resolutions, lose weight, get more exercise, go to church every Sunday, etc. Well, I like the status quo and will do everything I have always done, liking those things I like, and not liking those things I don’t like. In essence, not changing a thing, My New Year’s resolution is therefore to be exactly like I am, do what I have always done, feel what I always felt, and change nothing!”