This was an interesting year for
Maplewoodians, with positive successes and new directions, but also some
scandal and tragedy. We assembled what we see as the top 10 news stories for
our township in 2014. See if you agree.
10. Olivia Baker – The Columbia High
School track phenom graduated last spring, but not before taking the state
track world by storm and shattering many records while earning a post as an
international contender. Now at Stanford University, Baker is a top prospect
for the 2016 Olympics. You go girl!
9. The Woodland – After the
controversial $1 million purchase of the former Woman’s Club, the Township
re-christened the landmark spot with a new name and opened it for business.
Since then, the location has become a hot spot for private events, concerts and
is the new home for the fundraising Rent Party.
8. Lockdown – Columbia High School went
into a serious lockdown on
November 10 after one student was arrested with brass knuckles and a former
student who had gotten into an altercation with him was at large. After several
hours of tense, tight security, school was re-opened and the second assailant
later arrested.
7. Racial Lawsuit – The ACLU on behalf
of a group of African-American parents filed a complaint of
racial bias with the federal Department of Education on how students in the
district are given advanced placement and how they are disciplined. The
district reached an agreement on some aspects, but others remain outstanding.
6. Zach Doubek –Maplewood Middle
Schooler Zach Doubek drew high praise and support for a medical
battle few his age have had to experience. Hit with a rare MRSA
infection, Zach was in a coma for days at one point in 2014 and hospitalized
for weeks. He has come through strong and is actually back playing basketball.
A true hero.
5. De Luca and Larrier – Mayor Vic De
Luca won yet another term on the Township Committee in 2014, along with fellow
TC member India Larrier. De Luca, who won with one of his largest vote counts
ever, is also set to serve again as mayor in 2015 for his seventh straight
year. Larrier’s victory came despite her revealing opposition to gay marriage.
4. Post Office Redevelopment – One of
the most controversial and altering projects in Maplewood history is the
redevelopment of the current Maplewood Village post office. The initial plan
was for Kings to relocate there with one developer. But when the supermarket
announced it would not move, the first developer pulled out. That led to a
scramble for a new firm, which was chosen in late 2014 and will build the
retail/housing mix in 2015.
3. Coda Deaths – May 30, 2014 was a dark
day
in Maplewood Village when one construction worker inside the Coda restaurant
was killed and another trapped after a stairwell structure collapsed. The
eatery was shut down for weeks, but re-opened and remains in good business.
2. Nicole Dufault – The shock was swift
and strong when Columbia High School teacher Nicole Dufault was arrested and
charged with having sex with at least five under-aged students, allegedly on
school grounds in some cases. Dufault made bail, but her trial is expected to
receive heavy media attention.
1. School District Upheavals – The
school district saw its biggest changes in decades this year. First when
long-time Superintendent Brian Osborne left for a better-paying job in New
Rochelle, N.Y., then later when new principals were appointed for Columbia High
School, Maplewood Middle School and Jefferson School. Add to that three new
school board members elected to replace three who chose not to run again and
things could not be more different. The new superintendent will be chosen in
early 2015.
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