UNDERAGE DRINKING?

....Scanner reports a "large group of juveniles" entering a house on Oakland Road with alcohol...Likely not the first or last tonight....

MARLON HAPPY NEW YEAR

Just saw this on Twitter. Wonder where the TC man is celebrating.

brownlee4mtc Marlon K. Brownlee 

Happy New Year 2012! Wishing everyone a happy, safe, prosperous and blessed new year!

BANK CROWD

...Scanner shows teens hanging out by the ATM at B of A on Springfield at Jacoby Street....

FIRST NIGHT TONIGHT

The best New Year's Eve event you will find close to home by far. See great entertainment, eat some food and get early evening fireworks.


Info HERE and below:

Schedule

All events (except fireworks) are at Maplewood Middle School.

WHAT	WHEN	WHERE
The Circus	5:00-5:45	Main Gym
	6:15-7:00	Main Gym
Fireworks	7:15 (after second circus ends)	Memorial Park
Origami with Mary Kao	4:30 – 7:30	Cafeteria
Parteaz LLC	4:30 – 7:30	Cafeteria
Beads ‘n’ Lisa	4:30 – 7:30	Cafeteria
Three Sisters Face Painting	4:30 – 7:30	Cafeteria
Doug the Amazing Balloon Sculptor	4:30 – 8:30	Hallway by ticket table
Blue Life Karate	5:00 – 7:30	Location posted at the door
Livingston Taylor, folk singer	8:00 (one full concert performance only, with one intermission)	Auditorium

• Important!  Admission to the circus will be strictly controlled to comply with fire codes.  Plan to attend the second performance if necessary.
• Doors will open for Livingston Taylor concert no earlier than 7:30.
• Light refreshments will be available for sale throughout the afternoon and evening.

HAPPY THIRD ANNIVERSARY

As we ring in New Years 2012, I wanted to thank all of those who have supported Maplewoodian.com since we launched three years ago on Dec. 31, 2008.


Since then, we remain a regular read for many and I remain grateful to all township officials and the Maplewood Police who continue to keep us informed, along with all of you who follow on Twitter and check here for my views and rants, as well as news.


Please keep reading and being  in touch at joestrupp@yahoo.com.


Peace, Joe

MAPLEWOODSTOCK BEER GARDEN PROPOSED

The Township Committee at its next regular meeting on Tuesday will consider the idea of a beer garden at Maplewoodstock.


Is this a good idea? Let them know what you think.


Agenda HERE

TOWN HALL NEW YEAR'S WEEKEND

Town hall closes at Noon today to give the hard-working help an early exit, but the annual New Year's Day reorganization meeting is set for 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012.


Watch newly elected TC member India Larrier get sworn in and Mayor Vic De Luca also take the oath for another term on the TC and fourth straight year as mayor.

PROFETA FAREWELL

PATCH with a good farewell interview with outgoing TC Member and former Mayor Fred Profeta.


Read it all HERE:

“It’s not what’s next. It’s really a continuation,” said Deputy Mayor for the Environment Fred Profeta, when asked recently about his plans after Jan. 1, 2012, when he steps down from the Maplewood Township Committee after nine years of service.

Profeta announced last spring that he would not run for re-election. When he leaves office on Jan. 1, Profeta will have served three three-year terms on the Committee — four of those years as Mayor of Maplewood.

Profeta leaves quite a legacy. He will be remembered for his efforts to improve communications with the public, the construction of the new police and municipal court building on Springfield Avenue, his efforts to incorporate sustainable environmental practices into every aspect of Maplewood life, and his penchant to speak his mind — sometimes sparking controversy.

SCHOOL'S OUT MONDAY

In case you didn't know there is no school on Monday, the district sent out this email:

Reminder from the South Orange Maplewood School District:

The district will be closed on January 2, 2012.   Schools and the district will re-open on Tuesday, January 3, 2012.  Please feel free to review the revised 2011-12 school calendar at your convenience.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy new year! 

I'M BACK!!!!

Been away on vacation if you could not tell. 


Back on the web and scouting for more interesting stuff.

BURGLARIES, CAR PART THEFT MARK WEEK

Just issued from Maplewood Police...

December 21, 2011: Burglary. On 12/21/11, officers responded to an Irvington Avenue condominium on a report of a residential burglary. The homeowner reported that she was on the second floor of the home asleep with her young child when she was alerted that her home had possibly been broken into. The homeowner checked the first floor and discovered that an unknown suspect had apparently broken a window to gain entry before removing a lap top computer, a purse and a Karate bag.

December 21, 2011: Robbery. On 12/21/11, officers responded to an Irvington Avenue Chinese restaurant on a report of a robbery in progress. Witnesses reported that two suspects had entered the store and one had stated, “Don’t move” while pointing a gun at a female employee who works the register. The second suspect then jumped over the counter and grabbed approximately $200-300 cash from the register. Both suspects then fled south onto Franklin Terrace.

The subject holding the gun is described as a medium-complected black male, approximately 6’2”, thin build, approximately 20 years old. He was wearing a black mask, and a grey coat with a hood connected. The second suspect is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 5’6” to 5’9” tall, medium build, possibly in his teens. He was wearing a colorful scarf covering his mouth, with a coffee colored coat with a flower design as well as baggy brown pants.

December 22, 2011: Theft. On 12/22/11, officers responded to the Maplewood Library on Baker Street on a report of a theft. A library patron reported that he left his Apple iPOD Touch unattended at approximately 5:00 pm for about 5 minutes and subsequently noticed it was missing.

December 25, 2011: Burglary. On 12/25/11, officers responded to a Berkeley Street residence on a report of a burglary. The homeowner reported that between the hours      3:00 pm and 11:30 pm unknown suspect(s) entered her residence through a basement window and removed two jars containing $75-100 in change.

December 26, 2011: Burglary (Arrests Made). On 12/26/11, officers responded to a Millburn Avenue business on a report of a burglary in progress. An alert resident had observed two men loading car parts into a nearby vehicle and notified police. Officer S. Reeves and Detective A. Sally arrived quickly and apprehended the suspects, Michael T. Palmer, 46, of 292 So. 6^th St.,  Newark, NJ and Larry D. Clemmons, 53, of 18 Liberty Street, Irvington, NJ.

CELL PHONE THEFT

....Scanner reports cell phone theft from a juvenile near Parker and Richmond in South Orange, just over the town line.....pursuing male wearing all black....accused on yellow bike traveling east on Parker......

DID THIEVES STEAL GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS

This week's police blotter includes two instances of packages (gifts?) stolen from homes. Some people do not care about the holiday cheer.


Also other transgressions, including two on the previous troubled Jacoby Street:

Maplewood Police Department

Press Release

December 20, 2011

December 16, 2011: Burglary to Vehicle (Arrest Made). On 12/16/11, officers responded to a Brookwood Drive residence on a report of a burglary to a vehicle. The caller had observed an individual in the driver’s seat of his vehicle. The suspect then fled towards Laurel Ave. Within minutes, officers located and stopped a male fitting the description identified as Ebon Hodge, 23, of 1304 Springfield Avenue, Irvington, NJ. Hodge was subsequently positively identified and arrested on charges of Burglary and Possession of Burglary Tools.

December 16, 2011: Package Theft. On 12/15/11, a Valley Street resident reported that unknown actor(s) removed clothing valued at $ 100 from a package that had been delivered to his residence at approximately 1:33 pm.

December 16, 2011: Stolen Motor Vehicle. On 12/16/11, a Hillcrest Road resident reported that unknown suspect(s) removed his 2007 Mitsubishi between 4:30 pm on 12/14/11 and 9:00 am on 12/15/11.

December 19, 2011: Package Theft. On 12/19/11, a Parker Avenue resident reported that unknown actor(s) removed a pair of Ugg boots that had been delivered by UPS on 12/02/12.

December 19, 2011: Robbery. On 12/19/11, a New Brunswick, NJ, resident reported that he was robbed in the area of Schaeffer Rd. and Jacoby Street at approximately 4:00 pm. The victim reported that while walking on Jacoby Street, the suspect pulled a tee-shirt up over his face, and then placed a handgun to his chest. The suspect stated, “Where’s it at? Give it up” before removing $350 from the victim’s pants pockets. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 33 years old, 6’1” tall, a goatee, wearing sunglasses, brown jacket, and a black hooded sweatshirt under the jacket.

December 20, 2011: Stolen Motor Vehicle. On 12/20/11, a Jacoby Street resident reported that her 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee was removed by a black male, approximately 18 years old, wearing a black hat and a black pea coat while it warmed up in her driveway. The vehicle then left the area on Boyden Ave. towards Irvington.

LAST TC MEETING OF 2011 TONIGHT

Send TC Member Fred Profeta off with a kind goodbye.


Agenda HERE.

LATEST MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVELING PLAN

Patch reports from Monday night:

The South Orange-Maplewood School District unveiled its much anticipated middle school restructuring plan on Monday night — throwing in a twist with the somewhat surprise announcement that the district was recommending adoption of the Middle Years Programme of the International Baccalaureate over the course of the next five years.

The IB program promises more rigor — according to proponents and district leaders — while enabling the district to accelerate de-leveling. Students would be moved into grade-level courses or Honors, Advanced Honors or accelerated courses depending on the subject and their grade. In all cases, it appears that at least one level would be deleted (if not two, as would be the case in 8th grade science and social studies, for example).

MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVELING ON AGAIN TONIGHT

The School Board meeting tonight has been relocated to the Maplewood Middle School, likely to handle the expected crowds on Middle School de-leveling.


You can also bring up any topics, such as, perhaps, the needless charter school idea that could add to our already too-high taxes.


Agenda below:


Regular Session - December 19, 2011

AGENDA                    PUBLIC BOARD MEETING      Monday, December 19, 2011
7:30 PM	REGULAR MEETING
		Call to Order – Announcement of Notice Roll Call          Pledge of Allegiance Board Acknowledgement Board Recognition Approve Board Minutes:       (Executive & Public Session Minutes November 21, 2011 & Public Session Minutes December 5, 2011)
	OATH OF OFFICE – Michael Anderson – Alternate Student Representative to the BOE
7:35 PM	SUPERINTENDENT’S MONTHLY PROGRESS REPORT ON DISTRICT GOALS
7:50 PM	DISCUSSION Academic Placement Recommendations
8:30 PM	HEARING OF INDIVIDUALS AND DELEGATIONS
9:10 PM	DISCUSSION Enrollment Projections From Demographer 2012-2013 Budget Analyses Update Long-Range Capital Improvements & Bond Issuance Policy 5519 Dating Violence at School – 1st reading Policy 5200 Attendance – 1st reading Policy 8505 School Nutrition – 1st reading Policy 2431.4 Prevention and Treatment of Sports-Related Concussions and Head Injuries – 2nd reading Policy 5512 Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying – 2nd reading Policy 3211 and 3222 Evaluation of Non-Tenured and Tenured Teaching Staff Members – 2nd reading
10:00 PM	ACTION
	2827		Personnel Fiscal
	2828		Personnel  Substitute
	2829		Transfer/Removal Of Non Domiciled Students
	2830		Special Ed Out Of District
	2831		Approve 2011-2012 Nursing Service Plan
	2832		Field Trip
	2833		Adopt AP French Language and Culture Curriculum
	2834		Adopt Policy
	2835		Student Suspension
	2836		QSAC Submission
	2837		Financials
	2838		Special Education Settlement Agreement
10:15 PM	HEARING OF INDIVIDUALS AND DELEGATIONS
10:30 PM	NEW BUSINESS
	The Board of Education will hold a Special Public Meeting on Wednesday, January 11, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium at Columbia High School, 17 Parker Avenue, Maplewood, NJ. The State of the District address by the Superintendent is scheduled to take place from 7:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. A Special Board of Education Meeting is scheduled to take place from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. No action will be taken. The Board of Education will meet in Closed Session on Wednesday, January 18, 2012, at 6:30 pm in the Superintendent’s Office to discuss personnel and legal issues, negotiations and other matters to be announced at a later date. Immediately following the Closed Session, the Board of Education will meet in Public Session at 7:30 pm in the District Meeting Room, 525 Academy Street, Maplewood, NJ. Action will be taken. The Board of Education will meet in Closed Session on Wednesday, February 22, 2012, at 6:30 pm in the Superintendent’s Office to discuss personnel and legal issues, negotiations and other matters to be announced at a later date. Immediately following the Closed Session, the Board of Education will meet in Public Session at 7:30 pm in the District Meeting Room, 525 Academy Street, Maplewood, NJ. Action will be taken. The Board of Education will meet in Closed Session on Monday, March 19, 2012, at 6:30 pm in the Superintendent’s Office to discuss personnel and legal issues, negotiations and other matters to be announced at a later date. Immediately following the Closed Session, the Board of Education will meet in Public Session at 7:30 pm in the District Meeting Room, 525 Academy Street, Maplewood, NJ. Action will be taken.