ROBO CALL

Got the robo call from Tuscan School, today about what they termed a "monthly safety drill."


Not sure if this is a fire drill or for a nuclear attack.


Anyway, glad the principal has time to call us via robo call to tell us.

COP ACCIDENT

Scanner reports police car struck in the rear at Byran and Springfield avenues near Union line...no injuries...but "extensive damage to my vehicle."

SNOW AGAIN!?!

Yes, they could not leave winter in winter, here in spring more white stuff.

CHS POLICE SEARCH

Police on scene at Columbia High School in response to some kind of fight, hunting for suspects on Parker and Kensington.


At least one injury - facial laceration.

'RACE TO NOWHERE'

Film showing tonight at CHS


More HERE

MORE CHEAP GOODS

Looks like A&P site lives on with a Dollar store. Shake those piggy banks out!

TEACHERS TAKE NOTE

Great column by a parent on how the teachers union is abusing power and neglecting its responsibility.

TEACHERS UNION PROTEST LACK OF CONTRACT, SO PAY UP

The SOMEA remains protesting against no contract after 20 months.

If they would agree to pay as much for health benefits as most of us do they would have a contract

SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES NIGHT

Date:	March 17th, 2011
Time:	7:30pm
Information:	The Hilton Neighborhood Association will sponsor a South Orange -Maplewood Board of Education Candidates Forum on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 7:30 PM in DeHart Community Center, 120 Burnett Avenue, Maplewood. The candidates will respond to questions they have received prior to the meeting. A question and answer period will follow. Find out the opinions of the candidates who set the policy for South Orange - Maplewood schools. The excellence of our schools is important for the future of our town, as well as our country. Homeowners' property values are  also affected by the quality of our schools. The meeting is free and open to the public. Bring your questions and concerns. Refreshments will be served. For further information, please contact cabms@aol.com or 973-761-4672.

IS A CELL PHONE SUSPICIOUS?

Scanner says police looking for suspicious man on Tuscan near Spfld. Ave on cell phone. 


From anonymous caller

PROFETA STATEMENT

TC Member and former Mayor Fred Profeta announced he would not seek re-election this year at Tuesday's Township Committee meeting.


Read his statement below:

                        STATEMENT ON STEPPING DOWN

                         March 15, 2011

            All good things must come to an end, and that’s how I feel about my time on this Maplewood Township Committee.  It’s time for me to step down - not because I’m tired, not because I’m out of ideas.  It’s actually because I have some new ideas, and I need the time to pursue them.  One thing all of us up here know is that the Maplewood Township Committee is a jealous mistress – it can take up an enormous amount of your time if you let it, and we often let it.

            So I will not be running for re-election this year.  I will finish out my third term in December, and that will be the end of my ninth year on this important body – to which I aspired for a long time, ever since I was a kid in this town.  I am very lucky to have been able to live out that dream.  Lots of people don’t get that chance.  With politics, you have to be in the right place at the right time – and you have to take your shots when you can.  Opportunities don’t have a way of coming around more than once.

            And I do have some new opportunities – primarily in the environmental field, some which might actually pay real money.  I have worked hard on the Sustainable Jersey program in this state, and Senator Menendez may be soon introducing a bill which could bring the program to the rest of the United States.  I want to be a part of that.  I am a big believer in renewable energy, especially solar, and I am partnering with some folks who are in a position to bring substantial private money to the effort.  Getting this country off its dependence on fossil fuel is a very important goal. 

Everyone on this Township Committee will tell you that this is a very fulfilling job.  As I have said on more than one occasion, during my term as a Maplewood elected official I have never wondered, in the middle of the night, if I was doing anything important.  Working for this town is very important.  Trying to make life better for fellow citizens is as important as it gets. 

I think that this Township Committee has accomplished a lot over the last decade, and I am happy to have been part of that.  A number of things come to mind – the revitalization of Springfield Avenue, the new DeHart field, the new Police Station, the Green Team, Maplewood Green Day, an emphasis on frugality in the budget, and the beginning of real shared services with South Orange.  I am personally proud of having organized 3 Mayors’ Balls which raised $150,000 for kids, of having formed YouthNet, of being a staunch supporter of integration and diversity in this town, and of leading a campaign to bring a new turf football field to the Underhill Sports Complex. 

It’s been a great run for me.  It’s not over yet.  I can still make plenty of trouble for my colleagues in the next 9 months.  Thank you all for your help and support.

DEMS SEEKING CANDIDATES

With Fred Profeta announcing he will not seek re-election, the DCC has extended its search for candidates.


See their notice posted at MOL below:




So, BIG NEWS:
-Fred Profeta announced officially tonight at the Township Committee meeting that he has decided NOT to run for reelection after his current term is over in approximately nine months.

SO, -with this latest development, since it is believed that some potential candidates may have been reluctant to throw their hat into the ring if Fred was running we are now AGAIN and still open and asking for Democrat candidates who may wish to seek the endorsement of the Maplewood Democratic Committee for the upcoming primary election. 

Our Democratic Committee meeting is to take place on the 28th of this month and that is when we will vote for which two candidates to endorse (we still by law have to give Essex county the names by April 1st). So you basically have until the 28th although the SOONER you let us know that you are interested the better.

Please email your resume and a short letter of intent to:
me4tc@comcast.net

PS: There will be a complete article on this tonight (?) or certainly tomorrow in "The Patch" including a complete statement from Fred.

Carry on.

PROFETA OUT

Bombshell of the night, Fred Profeta will not seek re-election. This throws a wrench into things.


The Twitter announcement:


MaplewoodTwpNJ 

  

Twp Committee meeting begins with announcement from Deputy Mayor for the Environment Fred Profeta that he will not seek reelection this year.

KARI'S CAFE HIT

Someone smashed in Kari's front door at Spfld and Prospect. Sad we have idiots like this among us. 


Make sure to buy a lot form her when they re-open.

WELCOME WOK

The latest eatery in the Village is open.


Wok Star

OLD POLICE STATION BACK TO DRAWING BOARD

Is this a sign the housing is not supposed to be built there?


PATCH has it HERE

FIRE ON THE SCENE AT SPRINGFIELD AVE.

Scanner reports something involving the Chinese restaurant....

THE PLAQUE IS ON

Looks like the Maplewood Township Vietnam Vet memorial is shaping up with this plaque recently placed on the rock in the great set-up near the Valley/Baker corner.


But no dedication event?

WELCOME TO MY WEB SITE

The end of Maplewoodian has prompted the start of this blog, aptly named Joe Strupp. 


I will continue to post my thoughts, info and occasional rants about our town, Maplewood, N.J. and living in it. And the police scanner is on.


You can still reach me at joestrupp@yahoo.com. Please pass on any thoughts and/or ideas


Thanks, Joe