TOP MAPLEWOOD STORIES OF 2014

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.