Sept. 11, 1974: Al’s Place, 609 Van Houten Ave., is closed for 30 days by the Alcoholic Beverage Control board. Tavern owner Raymond Roman was accused of selling beer to a minor and pleaded guilty. Sept. 13, 1974: The Lions Club celebrates its 25th anniversary at the Robin Hood Inn. Oct. 1, 1974: Ravine Park neighbors appear before the Council in defense of the teenagers who gather there. Two weeks prior, the residents condemned the teenagers, saying that they cause ‘intolerable conditions’ by littering and damaging property. Oct. 2, 1974: The Board of Adjustment remains unconvinced that the Berkey Photo complex on Getty Ave. has enough parking for its expansion plans. Oct. 14, 1974: Wilson’s Liquor Store, at 117-119 Lakeview Ave., begins its 30-day suspension for selling three kegs of beer to a minor. Oct. 20, 1974: The Bicentennial Liaison Committee holds its first program in Nash Park. The committee was headed by Bill Chaky and Tom Miller. Oct. 28, 1974: Mayor Sylvester stands by his statement calling for the investigation of three city officials— Judge Nicholas Mandak, City Counsel Arthur Sullivan Jr. and Councilman Mervyn Montgomery—for representing clients in Board of Adjustment matters. Nov. 4, 1974: Umbriago’s Liquor Store, 805 Van Houten Ave., had its license suspended the previous month for 10 days for unknowingly selling beer to a minor. Nov. 11, 1974: Assemblyman William J. Bate states his opposition to a statewide casino referendum. Nov. 18, 1974: The Council and Library Board meet to discuss the details of the library expansion. Nov. 19, 1974: The BOE criticizes the newly-created Advisory Council of the Clifton Public Schools. The council was created as a result of a provision in the school board’s contract with the CTA. Nov. 26, 1974: AD William Elias defends the decision made by the CHS physical education department to bring back graded evaluation of student performance. Nov. 26, 1974: An old house with links to the Dundee Land, Water, Power & Light Co. is not salvaged as a museum. Frank Mileto, chief building inspector, rejected the idea of maintaining the building just off of Randolph Ave. by confirming that it was not cost effective. 40 August 2016 • Clifton Merchant
July 19, 1974: Action on the application of Keystone Camera Company to construct a two-story addition to its warehousing and manufacturing complex on Getty Ave. is postponed to Sept. 4. The firm moved from Boston to Clifton when purchased by Berkey Photo in 1968. In 1970, they began to manufacture the Everflash series of cameras in Clifton that accepted Kodak’s new 126 cartridge film and several years later, Everflash cameras that handled the then new Kodak 110 cartridge film. Keystone’s claim to fame was their built-in electronic flash rather than having to use a flash bulb or flash cube, which was popular then on many other cameras. From 1970 to 1977, Berkey accounted for 8.2 percent of the sales in the camera market in the U.S., reaching a peak of 10.2 percent in 1976. In 1978, Berkey sold its camera division and thus abandoned this market. Dec. 1, 1974: An envelope containing $3,000 is stolen from the office of Parker House, a building supplies firm at 1140 Rt. 46. The theft was the biggest haul in a series of weekend burglaries. Dec. 3, 1974: Tom Zicardi, an NJEA spokesperson, rebuked City Manager Holster for his remarks regarding teachers’ raises. Zicardi said to The Herald-News, “The Clifton teachers regard Bill Holster’s unprovoked attack on 600 professional educators as just another example of his heavy-handed political interference in the affairs of the Board of Education.” Dec. 13, 1974: Board of Ed members have second thoughts about allowing the Hawthorne Drum & Bugle Corps and the Muchachos to use Clifton Stadium for a five-band competition.