FORMER BUMPER TO BUMPER SITE TO BE DEMOLISHED

The former Bumper to Bumper building at Yale Street and Springfield Avenue has been empty for years.   

At one point the property owners bragged with a sign proclaiming condominiums were going to be built on the site of the former auto body business. 

But it will soon come down, according to the Township Committee, which directed Township Administrator Joe Manning to seek bids for the demolition project at Tuesday's meeting. This follows violations related to health and code issues. 

"This building has been there, it has had difficulties to sort out who is the actual owner," Mayor Vic Deluca said at the meeting. "We told them we want the building down. They have told us to wait until they sort it out. It is really an eyesore and it's a health hazard and we need to bring it down." 

The TC voted, 5-0, to authorize the bidding. No cost was estimated

CHS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL TODAY

From the Columbia High School Shakespeare Club:

This year marks the Fourteenth Annual CHS Shakespeare Festival and the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. It is an all-day event including members of the Shakespeare Club, various English classes, and anyone willing to perform. 

Every English class will be brought to the auditorium for forty-five minutes of Shakespearean immersion, presented in assorted scenes, videos, and interactive games. 

The festival showcases Shakespeare’s classics along with several of his lesser known plays. This year’s festival will feature a number of comedies: the outrageous porter’s monologue from Macbeth and the romantic hijinks of Much AdoAbout Nothing, as well as a few more serious pieces from tragedies Titus Andronicus and Othello. 

The festival will take place today in the Columbia High School
auditorium and will be running throughout the school day. 

Admission is free, parents are welcome, and hilarity anticipated!

DANGER AT POST OFFICE DEMOLITION AS POLE IS KNOCKED INTO STREET

A scary scene took place at the former Maplewood Village Post Office site on Wednesday when a pole was knocked down by a crane engaged in demolition of the site.

The pole then struck the fence surrounding the area and fell across Maplewood Avenue, causing a hazard for passing vehicles or pedestrians on that side of the street.

See below:




No injuries were reported, but it appears no police or other officials were on scene to monitor the work.

The scene was back to normal today, but the video -- shot by an area resident -- has been drawing concern and criticism as the demolition continues.

JMF Properties, which is tearing down the building to make way for a new housing/retail complex, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Mayor Vic Deluca and Township Administrator Joe Manning also were not reachable.

JMF began the demolition on Wednesday and it is expected to continue for at least three weeks. 

WELCOME JUST4HER TO TOWN AND MAPLEWOODIAN.COM

We would like to welcome our newest advertiser, Just 4 Her, at 1707 Springfield Ave. to Maplewoodian.com.

You may have seen their ad to the right for the past few weeks. Stop by and check out their great assortment of clothing and shoes for young ladies.

They will also be holding a fun event next month.

See information on that below:

MAPLEWOODIAN.COM WINS FIRST PLACE STATE NEWS AWARD

We are proud to announce that Maplewoodian.com has won a first place award in the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists Excellence in Journalism contest.

NJ SPJ named the site winner of the Best Local News first place prize in the Local Journalism category for the Weekly Newspaper/Local Website division.

We were honored for our coverage of Schools Superintendent John Ramos in 2015 and the concerns over his questionable ties and history.

The contest judges described the coverage as "good reporting that didn't stop after the first story. This is why newspapers and coverage of meetings and public entities are so important."

See all the winners HERE.

"Our first goal has always been to get the news out and let residents know what the people who spend their tax money are doing," said Editor Joe Strupp, who launched the site seven years ago. "We remain grateful to our readers and advertisers for continuing to support us."

Maplewoodian.com will be honored at the NJ SPJ awards brunch on Saturday, June 11 in Newark.