OUR CONGRESSMAN RIPS SCOTUS CONTRACEPTION DENIAL RULING

From Congressman Donald Payne's office today:

PAYNE DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED IN SCOTUS HOBBY LOBBY DECISION

Says Decision Is an Attack on Women’s Reproductive Rights and Has Taken this Country Backwards

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) released the below statement following the decision by the Supreme Court of the United States in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, allowing for-profit corporations to exclude birth control coverage in their employees’ insurance plans:

“I am deeply disappointed in today’s Supreme Court Hobby Lobby decision as it is a devastating blow to women’s reproductive rights and reverses the progress this nation has made over the last 40 years.  Bosses have no business in making an employee’s reproductive decisions for her.  What a woman chooses regarding her health care is a private decision between her and her doctor only.  Today’s Supreme Court decision sets a dangerous precedent and is a direct attack against women and their privacy rights.  I am hopeful that Congress can put forth a legislative fix to such an attack that continues to move this nation forward and further protects women’s reproductive rights.”

FIVE THEFTS AND TWO BURGLARIES IN ONE WEEK

From Maplewood Police today:

June 23, 2014; Burglary; At approximately 

1125 AM, officers responded to an alarm 

activation on Irvington Ave. Upon their arrival 

at the residence they discovered that a burglary 

had occurred. The homeowner responded and reported 

that a tablet was missing from the home.
 
June 23, 2014; Theft from Auto; A Mercedes parked in the driveway of a 

Parker Ave home had it’s passenger side window broken and a bag, cell 

phone and glasses stolen from it.
 
June 24, 2014; Burglary; During the morning hours, entry was forced to 

an apartment of a multi family home on Harding St.  A laptop and a large 

amount of change were reported stolen.
 
June 25, 2014; Bicycle Theft; Sometime over a three day period an 

unsecured bicycle was stolen from the rear yard of a Princeton St home.
 
June 25, 2014; Theft; At approximately 5:30 PM, a male sitting on a 

porch on Laurel Ave was approached by a male that reached into his 

pocket and removed cash.  The male then ran West on Springfield Ave 

towards Union.
 
June 25, 2014; Theft; At 6 PM, a 17 year old female was walking 

in the area of 1529 Springfield Ave talking on her cell phone. 

A male on a bicycle approached her from behind, grabbed the phone 

and road off with it.  The victim was not injured.
 
June 26, 2014; Theft; At approximately 815 PM a pedestrian was 

walking on Newark Way when two males in a vehicle asked to use his 

cell phone.  The victim allowed the males to use the phone and while 

doing so they drove away with the phone.

"SUSPECTED" RABID GROUNDHOG ON THE LOOSE

From Robert Roe, Maplewood Health Officer today:

An aggressive and possible rabid ground hog was reported Sunday afternoon on Colonial Terrace.  

Later that afternoon a resident of DeHart Rd. was scratched or bitten by a ground hog.  This is highly unusual activity by an animal that usually avoids people and rabies is suspected.  

The Maplewood Health Department is requesting that any person who sees a strange acting ground hog or finds one dead in this area of town to immediately call the Maplewood Police and the Maplewood Health Department.  

If the ground hog can be found soon, we will test it for rabies.

POLICE RESPOND TO AUTISTIC CHILD FALL FROM WINDOW

From Maplewood Police today:

On 06/30/14, at approximately 9:00 AM, the Maplewood 

Police Department received a 911 call from a resident on 

S. 4th St.  

 The father of a 15 year old autistic male reported that 

his son had fallen from his bedroom window.   

Officers arrived on scene and found the juvenile laying outside on the 

ground alert but complaining of pain to his leg and hip.   

A detective also responded to the scene and spoke with family members 

and performed an initial investigation.   

At this time there are no signs of foul play and it appears 

the juvenile may have attempted to jump from his 3rd story window to a 

tree that is just outside of the window.   

The juvenile was transported to UMDNJ by the Maplewood Fire Department 

for treatment of his injuries that appear to be none life threatening

PODCAST - AUTHOR JOANNA RAKOFF: MY SALINGER YEAR

J.D. Salinger was among the most famous, reclusive and complicated writers in history. 

Author Joanna Rakoff got to know him in a way few have.

Rakoff will be at Words Bookstore tonight at 7:30 p.m. discussing her experience and Salinger's and promoting her new book, My Salinger Year.

As a 23-year-old staffer at his literary agency nearly 20 years ago, she answered his mail and spoke with him on a regular basis. During that time, she also had something of a writer's awakening herself.

We caught up with her this week to ask about the book, her career, and his. 

Listen below:

SOME MAPLEWOOD POOL PROBLEMS

A few notes from the Maplewood Pool this past weekend.

First, emergency alerts occurred on several occasions when small children had to be tended to in the covered water slide, children who likely should not have been allowed down the slide. The staffers at the top are supposed to regulate this, no?

Also, a check of the newly renovated restrooms finds a water pressure problem that has the faucets offering up the wet stuff at a poor pressure rate.

Finally, and this is a problem for years, the showers seem to stay on hot no matter what temperature is sought. This is more than annoying when one goes to the pool to cool off and then decides to take a shower. The hot temperature pretty much negates the cooling effect.

Some improvements on these would help.

DUCKS ON THE POND, BUT THE POOL?

Late Sunday we found a few feathered friends who wanted to take a dip at the Maplewood Pool along with the rest of us. 
Photos: Cole Strupp

MAPLEWOODIANS OF THE WEEK- CHS GRADS!

Our Maplewoodian of the Week is actually a group - Columbia High School graduates. We highlight these students who completed their first big challenge, and also partied at the prom and Midnight Madness.

Good luck grads!

18 OPEN HOUSES TODAY

Check out your next home or just see what the market is offering.

Full list HERE.

WORDS AN ALL DAY BOOKSTORE

Wow, so 12 hours a day of Words. Great to hear

RAIN BRIDGE CELEBRATION TODAY

Monet In Maplewood

Celebrating the New Hilton Rain Garden Bridge

Come Join The Maplewood Garden Club at the dedication of

the new Monet-inspired bridge over the Hilton Rain Garden

in Tribute to Odette Jakel for her commitment

and generosity to the Maplewood Garden Club.

The Hilton Rain Garden - Saturday, June 28, 2014 at 10:00AM.

The Hilton Rain Garden is one of the largest in New Jersey and recharges about 200,000 gallons of storm water runoff each year. After the dedication festivities, rain garden experts Amy Rowe, David Nial, Joanne Beckerich and Kathy Kohlman will discuss the Why's and How's of rain gardens and the very important role they play in storm water management.

MMS STUDENTS ARRESTED IN PARK ASSAULT

Two Maplewood Middle School students were arrested Thursday afternoon after an incident in Memorial Park in which another student was punched after being asked for money and refusing.

Both 14-year-olds were released to their parents, according to police and witnesses. Capt. Michael Marucci said the two were arrested for allegedly punching the victim, also 14, during the 1 p.m. altercation.

All those involved are MMS students and knew each other, police said.

MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL DEPARTING

Outgoing MMS principal Jeffrey Truppo

The shake-ups at the South Orange Maplewood School District continue.

In addition to Superintendent Brian Osborne leaving for a new job in New York and Columbia High School principal Kirk Smith retiring, we now learn that Maplewood Middle School principal Jeffrey Truppo is departing for a job in another district.

Assistant Superintendent James Memoli, who will take over as acting superintendent on July 1, confirmed that Truppo will officially leave his post on Aug. 22.

He said the district is already advertising for a replacement. 

That ad can be found HERE. 

Truppo sent this letter to parents Friday:

Dear Maplewood Middle School Community Member, 

 

The purpose of this letter is to inform you of my resignation as Principal of Maplewood Middle School. Since joining the Maplewood Middle School faculty in January of 2009, I have been privileged to learn alongside our community and engage in discussions about what constitutes an excellent middle school experience. As I prepare for another position in a different school district, I continue to believe that MMS is one of the most thoughtful communities an educator will ever encounter. 

 

When we speak about school preparing students for life, we must also consider the way in which a school community operates, and how the way we go about our business can influence students. At MMS, families and staff have demonstrated interest and action for students and families in need. Community members have shown a concern for the learning of all students, and worked to support and enhance the classroom learning experience. I believe that students leave MMS in 8th grade not just prepared academically, but aware that their middle school experience was created by their community, and they are better for it. 

 

I will be at MMS working on my usual summer responsibilities until the middle of August. There will be communication to you from our central office administration regarding the search for a new MMS Principal. As always, please contact me with any questions pertaining to your child and their MMS program, and enjoy the summer. Thank you for your interest and support.

Sincerely,
 

Jeffrey L. Truppo

OUR OWN GOODBYE TO SUPERINTENDENT OSBORNE

We could not let Superintendent Brian Osborne leave without our own personal send-off.

As he leaves for good on July 1 for New Rochelle, N.Y., this tribute:

NO BOOK BAGS AT CHS 7-11

School may be out, but the 7-11 across from Columbia High School has started enforcing its new no book bag rule this week.

CHILD UNCONSCIOUS AT MAPLEWOOD POOL

...Police scanner reporting small child unconscious at the Maplewood Pool, near concession stand...

CHS PROM GALLERY ONLINE

NJ.com has a great gallery of photos from the Columbia High School prom last Monday night at Westmount Country Club in Woodland Park.

Check them out HERE.


Our favorite, the Batman attire. Who was that masked man?

NO INCUMBENTS WILL RUN FOR SCHOOL BOARD, RACE WIDE OPEN

The upcoming Board of Education election looks to be a competitive battle with all three incumbents up for re-election declaring they will not run again.

Bill Gaudelli, Andrea Wren-Hardin and Sandra Karriem have all announced they will not seek another term. Does this say something about the difficulties of the job or is it just a one-time thing?

This leaves a much better opportunity for anyone who wishes to challenge for those open seats on the nine-member board.

So far, just one person has formally entered the race; South Orange resident Donna Smith announced this week she plans to run.

In a statement she said:
“I know how things work in our District—who the participants are, how the funding works, and how the support organizations and volunteers work cooperatively with the schools to maintain our academic excellence ... I will ensure we move forward as a District with an educational experience that is well rounded and beneficial to all our children.

Other potential candidates have until July 28 to file for a spot on the November school board election ballot.

The board shift will occur at the same time the district is searching for a replacement for outgoing superintendent Brian Osborne, who leaves next week for a new job in New Rochelle, N.Y.

LIBRARY BINGO TODAY

All ages * Drop In

4pm Hilton Branch

You can play if you know your numbers. Prizes!

CHS GRADUATION TODAY, PARTY TONIGHT

Columbia High School seniors will be graduating later today at Codey Arena.

We wish them and their families congratulations and good luck.

Then later tonight is Midnight Madness project graduation, the secret all night, alcohol-free party that those flockings and other fundraising items around town have been helping to support.

In their honor:

 

MUNICIPAL COURT COMPUTER UPGRADE MAY BLOCK ACCESS

From Town Hall today:

Posted on: June 25, 2014

**COMPUTER UPGRADE JUNE 25, 2014 - SHARED COURT MAPLEWOOD & SOUTH ORANGE

THE COMPUTER UPGRADE MAY AFFECT THE STAFF'S ABILITY TO ACCESS THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS MAINFRAME WHICH WOULD PROHIBIT, LOOK-UPS, PAYMENTS, SCHEDULING, ETC. 

WE EXPECT THIS TO BE RESOLVED BY LATE AFTERNOON AND WOULD ADVISE ALL PUBLIC TO CALL BACK AT THAT TIME.

COLUMBIA HIGH PRINCIPAL WARNS OF DRUG ABUSE AND DANGEROUS POST-GRAD PARTYING

From CHS Principal Kirk Smith:

June 16, 2014

Dear Parents and Guardians:

The 2013-14 school year is rapidly coming to a close and I would like to take a moment to thank you for the support that you have shown to our high school.   

It has been an honor to have one more year working with “my children”.  I have always viewed my position as a parent first and a Principal/Educator second.  I like to think that I have treated my CHS children the same way that I wanted my own children treated in their high school.  I have only 8 school days to continue being a “School Dad” and I need the help of the Moms and Dads to make sure our children continue on the right path to success and happiness.

Final Exams are a very stressful time in students’ lives.  They feel so much pressure and feel that there is not enough time to study and prepare.  Please take the time to reassure them that they have studied all year long and just do the best that you can and things will work out.  There is a trend nationwide for students to use prescription medications to stay focused and study longer.  Some students have a medical need for such medications; however, please monitor their usage and make sure that they are not over medicating themselves.  Emphasize to them that personal medication is only for them and should not be shared with friends to extend studying hours.  All students should get the maximum rest the old fashion way by going to bed on time and eating the proper foods.

I also want to bring to your attention that many students plan on celebrating when exams are finished.  Celebrations are a good thing as long as students know where the lines are drawn and they use good judgment.  History has shown us that many students can make the wrong choices when “letting loose”.  Underage drinking and the use of recreational drugs are two areas that we must all discuss with our children as they attain new freedoms that come with being a high school graduate.

I especially extend these concerns to my graduating students who have plans for after prom and graduation activities.  I hope that the seniors have signed up for midnight madness to enjoy a final send off with their friends from school in a safe and secure environment.  I guess you can tell that I cannot stop being a parent.  Your sons and daughters are my children and they must always know that we will look out for them even when they prefer us to leave them alone.

Thank you for sharing with me the best sons and daughters that I could ever ask for and take a moment to congratulate yourselves on a job well done.

Sincerely,

Kirk E. Smith

Kirk E. Smith Principal