Pascack Press 10.10.22

Linking Hearts

‘AT FIRST I CRIED…’ ‘AT FIRST I CRIED…’

PVRDT cheers Coach Noone on a winning legacy

LAMBRINOS: ‘WEPLAYED INCREDIBLE SOCCER’

MAYORS PRESS MURPHYON HOUSING

BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

Montvale Mayor Michael Ghassali joined with 12 other municipalities — from 10 addition al counties statewide — to file a Superior Court lawsuit in September to compel Gov. Phil Murphy to appoint new members to the Council on Affordable Housing.

The governorʼs office did not respond to two letters sent by an attorney for the 13 municipalities in June that requested the governor to appoint new members to the council by late summer In order to force action by the governor, the municipalities filed suit.

Efforts to determine the status of the civil suit, filed Sept. 7, were not returned by press time.

the Supreme Court

The Pascack Valley Regional Dance Team is honoring coach Dena Noone for her 30 years of leading them to excellence.Main photo:JV and varsity dancers of the PVRDT,varsity coaches Dena Noone and Valentina DeSantis,and JV coach Gianna Solimano.Inset top:Valentina DeSantis, Dena Noone,and Gianna Solimano.Inset right:Dena Noone and Valentina DeSantis. Courtesy photos

BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

TO HONOR THEIR coachʼs three decades of success in running the Pascack Valley Regional Dance Team, the nearly two dozen girls who make up the varsity and jayvee teams together with the team parents association — decided to dedi cate this season to her and provide a portion of funds raised to her favorite charity in her honor.

Coach Dena Noone, who

HURRICANE

has been behind the regional dance teamsʼ success since 1992, was told this summer that the parents association and team wanted to honor her 30 years of coaching excellence by providing a contribution to Autism Speaks, one of her favorite charities.

Noone told Pascack Press, “At first I cried, I was so honored by this. We had been wanting to work with charities to continue to give back to the community. Itʼs an honor, and itʼs exciting and Iʼm super-motivated this year.”

Noone said last year was a tough one as she has two children that she was also helping to pre pare for college.

She said her son, who has autism, now majors in film at

This past summer, Alexandra Lambrinos, now an eighth-grader at George G. White Middle School, traveled to Gothenburg, Sweden and participated in the Gothia Cup, the worldʼs largest and most international soccer tournament, often referred to as the World Youth Cup.

Each year, approximately 1,700 teams from 80 nations take part in this tournament, which has a lavish, colorful opening ceremony similar to that of the Olympics.

There, at Ullevi Stadium before more than 60,000 spectators, Alexandra and her teammates had the honor of representing the United States by bearing the flag for their country in the Parade of Nations.

Playing up a year for her age bracket, says her family, Alexandra played on Team USA for FC New England with other 13- and 14-year-old girls selected from around the country. They competed alongside some of the most powerful soccer nations from every corner of the globe.

Of the 67 teams in the Girls 2008 U14 bracket, Team USA was one of eight to go undefeated — and not scored upon — in their

B kintime...

Emerson

Westwood

Woodcliff

Garret Hering’s saw mill was on Grand Avenue across from where the Montvale Post Office now stands. In the autumn, beginning at the turn of the century, the building also was a cider mill.

Valley Chabad Teen Leadership Initiative’s next decade of Linking Hearts programming.

PASCACK VALLEY

Montvale joins suit aiming at COAH restart

Borough teen representsUnited States with skill, grace at ʻWorld Youth Cupʼin Sweden

PASCACK PRESS

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Risbud says re-elect Dell, Bicocchi

To the editor:

NOTE: Letter submission deadline is 11 a.m. Wednesday for the following Monday’s paper. Publication not guaranteed. Subject to editing. Email topascackpress@thepressgroup.net.

I

ʼM PROUDTO endorse both Beth Dell and Rob Bicocchi for re-election to the governing body of the Borough of Westwood. Both have served our community thoughtfully and passionately throughout their residency in Westwood, and even more so in their terms as our councilmembers. Meaningful experience in municipal government will be more important than ever given the issues we will face as a community over the next few years.

Rob and Beth have served brilliantly across all committees that are tasked with managing the municipality. Iʼve had the honor serving with both of them across several of those committees, and I am in awe of their attention to detail and their focus on doing what is best for the borough.

As the current president of the Westwood Baseball Association and a past board member of both Westwood Youth Football and Westwood Softball, both Councilwoman Dell and Councilman Bicocchi have always engaged with us to ensure our needs are met and to help provide a fun and safe experience for all of our Westwood youth participants and adult volunteers.

Councilwoman Dell contin-

ues to demonstrate the wonderful spirit and camaraderie of someone who genuinely cares about her community. You can always expect a thoughtful dialogue when engaging with her. Her level of preparation to discuss the issues has always brought me comfort that we will have coverage over the critical details no matter the topic. Sheʼs always one of the first to pitch in to help or donate to help a fellow member of our community

As a parent volunteer or member of the governing body, Councilman Bicocchi always makes time to help solve problems. Municipal management is no easy task, and Robʼs professional experience continues to be a vital source to benefit our Westwood community. Iʼve had the privilege to spend time with him and his family over the past decade participating in a number of volunteer activities, be it coaching on a field or raising money for worthy causes. I know that his continued commitment to our borough will only make our community stronger and a better place to call home.

Both Rob and Beth have extensive experience in our Land Use and Zoning Boards, and given the challenges we will face

in the near future, that knowledge will be essential to protect against potential overcrowding that we are seeing in neighboring towns.

In my many years of municipal board participation (four years on the Environmental Advisory board, two years on the Recreation board and nine years on the Land Use board), I have witnessed firsthand their involvement and preparation to make Westwood a thriving community.

I feel that both Beth and Rob continue to be what is best for Westwood!

My continued thanks to Beth and Rob, and to all of the Westwood volunteers! I urge you all to do whatʼs best for our borough this Nov. 8, and cast your vote for both of them in the upcoming election!

Yash Risbud

The writer is a member of Westwoodʼs land use and recreation boards, and president of the Westwood Baseball Association

BOE election heat? ‘Simple to be civil’

To the editor:

A NYONE ELSE TIRED of the craziness of the board of education elections on social media? The election is a few weeks away and the behavior is disheartening. The cyberbullying that is happening with adults at the keyboard is shocking and tir ing to say the least. Please stop.

Please stop with inflammato ry posts, nasty comments, and all the accusatory finger pointing.

CALLTO ‘DOBETTER’ AFTERBOARD CIRCLESBACKONCURRICULUMVOTE

BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

WESTWOOD REGIONAL DISTRICT

A discussion about the school boardʼs recent 5-4 vote to adopt the state-mandated health and sex education curriculum led to testy exchanges on Sept. 22 between several trustees and a call by the board president for members to “find a way to do better.”

Trustee Roberta Hanlon asked for the followup discussion, she said, because she was upset by comments made at the Aug. 25 meeting that might have led to public misinterpretations of what is in the board-approved health/sex education curriculum.

The 35-minute discussion concluded the boardʼs slightly longer than 31⁄ 2-hour September meeting. As of Monday, Oct. 3, the video of the meeting showed 736 views.

In summer 2020, the state Department of Education approved a new Comprehensive Health and Physical Education Curriculum that included new sex education topics. The DOE required all school districts statewide implement the standards beginning in September.

The board agreed to imple ment the controversial state-mandated Comprehensive Health and Physical Education curriculum for grades 6–8, which includes topics such as gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, abortion, and various sexual topics.

A curriculum committee developed lesson plans over the summer that included all state-recommended topics. Many of the les-

sons included were adapted from a curriculum guide called The Great Body Shop. Most sensitive lessons will be taught near the end of the curriculum.

(See “5-4 Vote Adopts Stateʼs Sex Ed., Health Updates,” Pascack Press, Sept. 5, 2022.)

Superintendent Jill Mortimer said Sept. 22 that her job was to present to trustees and parents a “standards-aligned curriculum” by a certain date.

“We did that through a detailed email and a comprehensive webpage, complete with the actual lesson plans. Moreover, all of our curricula are available for

public viewing on our website. Transparency on the part of the administration is not an issue here,” Mortimer said.

Mortimer said that parents and residents can access the full health curriculum and lessons under the districtʼs website “Curriculum and Instruction” link.

She noted a detailed email was sent by the district Aug. 30 to parents providing an “opt-out” option for what she described as “sensitive” lessons.

She then read the complete list of “sensitive” lessons for grades 6–8 outlined in the email sent to parents. “I want to point out I am

reading directly from the chart that was in the parent letter. Nothing more than these standards appear in the middle school health curriculum.”

Topics included human reproductive systems in grade 6; pregnancy testing and prenatal care in grade 7; and gender identity, sexual orientation, define vaginal, oral and anal sex, contraception, sexual

consent, and sexually transmitted infections in grade 8.

During a second comment period, six residents spoke, several in opposition to aspects of the new health standards, and at least a couple who suggested trustees reconsider their prior vote to implement the new state standards.

DAY SALE COLUMBUS DAY SALE

Bckintime... Bckintime...

The best way to reduce your risks of getting the flu (and prevent passing it on to loved ones and others) is to have an annual flu vaccine.

Flu clinic Oct. 27

WESTWOOD

The Westwood Board of Health hosts a flu clinic on Thursday, Oct. 27 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Westwood Recreation Center, 55 Jefferson Ave. Pre-registration is required by calling (201) 445-7217. Westwood residents can register for transportation by calling Marisa Tarateta (201) 664-7100 ext. 109.

Residents from any town may attend. Both the regular and high-dose (ages 65 and older) vaccines will be available.

The only insurance accepted is Medicare Part B. For all other insurances, including Medicare Advantage plans such as HMOs, PPOs, etc., the cost is $25 (regular vaccine) or $35 (high-dose vaccine). Cash or check.

If you are enrolled in a nonMedicare Part B plan (HMO, PPO, etc.) you may wish to receive your vaccine from your primary care physician, where there may be no charge.

Medicare Part B participants must bring their Medicare Part B card in order to bill Medicare. Kids 3–17 can be vaccinated only with a parent or guardian present. Some kids 3–8 may need to receive a second dose. Kidsʼvaccine is preservative-free.

For more information call the Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission at (201) 445-7217.

A local favorite of autumns long ago

BY KRISTIN BEUSCHER SPECIAL TO PASCACK PRESS

ASPICTUREDAROUND 1910, Garret Heringʼs saw mill was on Grand Avenue across from where the Montvale Post Office now stands. In the autumn, beginning at the turn of the century, the building was also a cider mill.

The story of this mill is inextricably linked with that of the Octagon House that still sits a short distance away. The Octagon House was built by John Blauvelt upon land

he had inherited in 1832. That land also included a saw mill and a mill pond from which ice was harvested during the winter and sold in the summer

In 1857, Blauveltʼs daughter, Jane Amelia, married Garret Hering, 22. After Blauveltʼs death in 1882, Hering, Jane, and their three children moved into the Octagon House and Garret continued the operation of the saw mill and ice harvesting businesses.

Hering was a strong voice in petitioning for the creation of the Borough of Montvale in 1894. That same year, he was the first free-

holder to represent Montvale in the County Seat at Hackensack. He was also the bor oughʼs third mayor from 1898-1901, a station agent for the railroad, a justice of the peace, and Montvaleʼs postmaster.

In the 1923 “History of Bergen County,” author Frances A. Westervelt wrote that Heringʼs mill was famous throughout the county for producing the purest apple cider.

—Kristin Beuscher, a former editor of Pascack Press, is president of Pascack Historical Society in Park Ridge and edits its quarterly membersʼnewsletter, Relics.

Antiques sale fundraiser at museum Oct. 15-16

The Pascack Historical Societyʼs Autumn Curiosity Sale runs Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15–16, from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. at 19 Ridge Ave., Park Ridge. There is free onstreet parking, and admission is free. It takes place rain or shine. This is a cash-only sale.

The Curiosity Sale has become known for its unusual and one-of-a-kind items, and this year the offerings are especially diverse. The outside portion of the sale will include a selection of 19th century primitives, such as antique farming items, tools, and household antiques, some going back 200 years. Take home a piece of history.

Venturing indoors, shoppers will find antiques, collectibles, hundreds of pieces of vintage and costume jewelry, handbags, housewares, china, pottery, silver, glassware, vintage toys, mirrors and frames, artwork, and so much more.

The sale is a favorite among antique collectors and bargain hunters around the TriState region. It is an important fundraiser for the Pascack Historical Society, whose volunteers operate a free-admission community museum all about the history of the Pascack Valley. This sale helps fund the museum and other educational programs.

For more information, call (201) 5730307 or visit pascackhistoricalsociety.org. Sale preview photos will be posted on the Pascack Historical Societyʼs Facebook page.

Garret Hering’s saw mill on Grand Avenue in Montvale,approximately 1910.

58,000 voters could head to polls. By the numbers…

BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

Nearly 58,000 registered voters in our eight Pascack Valley towns will be able to vote early i n-person starting Oct. 29 through Nov. 6 as they cast ballots for a congressional race, Bergen County executive, three Bergen County commissioners, and a slew of regional and municipal council and school board races in the Nov. 8 General Election.

As this is an off-year election, not featuring a presidential or gubernatorial race for statewide voters, turnout may be lower than a presidential election but also feature heavy turnout in c ontested and sometimes contentious local elections.

Nine countywide locations will be open for early voting, similar to 2021 when New Jersey first offered early voting.

In the Pascack Valley, voters can visit River Valeʼs Community Center at 628 Rivervale Road and Woodcliff Lakeʼs Tice Senior Center, at 411 Chestnut Ridge Road, to vote.

Also, registered voters may visit any early voting location, including ones in Fort Lee, Garfield, Hackensack, Mahwah, Paramus, Rutherford, and Teaneck. The early voting sites are open Monday to Saturday, 10

a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For a complete locations list, visit the Elections & Voting menu at the Bergen County Clerkʼs Office website, or call your local town clerk.

Pascack Press recently featured candidates in regional school board races — our local school board candidate profiles, including those in the very competitive Park Ridge district — wrap Oct. 17.

Our municipal elections profiles and public questions overview are in the works.

Hereʼs a look at what Pascack Valleyʼs voters will decide, whether via a mail-in ballot, early voting, or in person on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Up-ticket races

Voters will choose between two-term Fifth District Congressman Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat who touts himself as a bipartisan dealmaker, and Republican challenger Frank T. Pallotta. Pallotta is challenging Gottheimer again, following a loss to him in 2020.

On the county level, voters will choose between incumbent

C ounty Executive James J. Tedesco III, a Democrat elected as county executive in 2014 and a former county commissioner and Paramus mayor, versus Republican Todd Caliguire, a former two-

term county commissioner and a former legal and policy adviser to Gov. Tom Kean.

Tedesco lives in Paramus, Caliguire in Midland Park.

Running for three open

county commissioner seats are incumbent Democrats Thomas J. S ullivan, Montvale; Mary Amoroso, Mahwah; and Ger-

Council seeks options on bones of proposed DPW building

BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON

town hall that incorporates design

that include the use of brick and mortar and steel buildings to house DPW employees, vehicles, and equipment

to lower an estimated $4.5 million price tag.

Mayor Peter Calamari said he would ask the architect for addi-

tional designs, after he tried to get council consensus on the number of storage bays that they wanted for vehicles/equipment in the proposed new DPW facility, which is proposed on the footprint of the now-demolished, former DPW building at town hall.

The next council meeting is

Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m. That building was razed following discovery of contaminated soil due to leaking underground oil and gas storage tanks in the 1980s, under orders from the state Department of Environmental Protection. Following its demolition, the contaminated soil was remediated to state standards.

(For a full report, see “Odors are expected; DPW soil removal contract approved,” July 5, 2021, Pascack Press )

A recent township effort to purchase 95 Linwood Ave. for $1.3 million to site a new DPW derailed when environmental concerns were found there.

Calamari said the architect wanted to put together designs based on the number of equipment bays that the council agreed upon. He said with that number, the architect could estimate the costs of brick and mortar versus a steel structure building.

However, council members told Calamari that they wanted to see more design renderings that incorporate uses of both brick and mortar structures and steel structures for a new DPW facility.

Calamari warned council members that expanding the footprint of the proposed DPW facility at town hall would further reduce available parking there, which is already in short supply. He again noted that all current DPW equipment could not be stored at the new DPW facility and alternate storage areas will need to be found.

He said that although the ambulance corps will eventually move to the new Emergency Services Building on Washington Avenue, the current building behind town hall will not be demolished until that move occurs, and its land area should be used for additional visitor parking.

Vice President Stacey Feeney suggested that Calamari invite the architect, Arcari Iovino, and DPW officials, to the next council meeting so that everyone could come to agreement on what might be best for a new facility.

During the nearly 25-minute discussion on options for a new DPW facility, Morgan said that all of the vehicles would be in steel constructed building, and office space in a brick and mortar construction building.

“So where would the steel go then? Sorry, Iʼm truly confused,” said Calamari, after Morgan explained that vehicles should be covered by a steel structure and that the remainder of the building be brick and mortar.

Replying to Calamari, Morgan said “thatʼs what the architect is for” and and Sears added, “Thatʼs where an engineer was supposed to look into.”

Morgan added, “Itʼs almost like a smaller airplane hangar thing in my head,” then noted that she envisioned a brick and mortar building that butts up to a metalframed structure.

when

Police investigate anti-Semitic e-mail

WESTWOOD REGIONAL DISTRICT

Superintendent Jill Mortimer wrote district parents and staff members on Oct. 5 promising aggressive follow-up after administrators were notified that “an email containing highly offensive content was sent from a studentʼs account to most of the high schoolʼs student body.”

She said principal Frank Connelly immediately contacted both herself and the Township of Washington Police Department.

“The email account in question was disabled by a member of our technology department so that additional messages cannot be sent,” Mortimer said.

Although Mortimer did not discuss the messageʼs specifics, district parents discussing the incident on social media said the emailʼs content was racist and anti-Semitic and that the sending account had been hacked.

Yom Kippur, the holiest, most important day of the year in Judaism, known as the Day of Atonement, began at sundown on Tuesday, Oct. 4 and ended the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 5, the last of the 10 days of penitence that

Club News?

began with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

Mortimer said, “Please know we are very disturbed, and this type of behavior will not be tolerated. We are aggressively investigating this offensive behavior on multiple fronts, and we will determine an appropriate course of action once due process has been afforded to all parties deemed to be involved.”

She said, “We promise you we will do a full review of what has happened, and our response will be meaningful and impactful. Remember, all parties are innocent unless it is determined otherwise. Please do not rush to judgment about what you may be hearing.”

She added, “If any student is upset and needs to speak to someone about the image, please reach out to the appropriate guidance counselor. If anyone has information about this incident, please reach out to either Mr. Connelly or myself. We will

keep the identity of anyone who speaks with us confidential.”

In a parentsʼboard on district topics, many agreed with one local parent who said, “We donʼt know who or where the email came from. Hopefully we will get to the bottom of this. … We should all be outraged by this. Itʼs concerning that many are silent and some are dismissing this since an email [from Mortimer] went out.”

The parent said, “Hopefully people wake up and use this opportunity to speak out and speak up. We canʼt tolerate any hate. Sadly I see a lot of it lately.”

Others commiserated for the student whose account was involved. One poster said, “My main concern at this point is the kid this happened to and how embarrassed he may feel over this … this happened to someone, a person that could be scarred from this incident.”

—Staff report

Arroyo presses lawmakers for hearing, debate on flood bills

BY JOHNSNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS

Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo has written the members of the New Jersey Senate and Assembly committees that have b een tasked with reviewing S790/A4200, which would require reservoirs to implement flood control measures.

He requested of the Assembly committee members, who are hosting a hearing on Oct. 6 to acknowledge the 10th anniversary of Superstorm Sandy and discuss storm mitigation, preparedness and resiliency, that this correspondence be included as testimony for that hearing.

The letter, which he made available to Pascack Press on Oct. 5, was sent to Assembly E nvironment and Solid Waste Committee andSenate Environment and Energy Committee chairmen and members.

T he legislation requires DEP and owners of certain reservoirs to implement certain flood control measures and authorizes Office of Emergency Manage-

ment to order lowering of reservoir levels in response to severe weather events.

Arroyo urges action that he says is desperately needed to stave off storm-related havoc in costs m easured in dollars and quality of life.

S tate senators Holly Schepisi ( R-River Vale) a nd Joseph Lagana (DParamus) introduced the legislation to regulate reservoirs in January. Assemblyman Robert Auth, (R-39) introduced bill A-4200, along with Assemblywoman DeAnne DeFuccio (R-39) and Christopher Tully (D-38).

Westwoodʼs Frances Yates, a member of New Jersey Flood Solution Advocates and an organizer behind a petition supporting legislation to require flood mitig ation from reservoir owners, mostly public and privately owned utilities, told Pascack Press in September, “If they pass this legislation, that will diminish

Federal Emergency Management Agency workers set up a case intake station Sept. 15,2021 outside the Community Center on Jefferson Street in Westwood to speak with residents suffering losses in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida,which as a tropical cyclone dumped record rainfall leading to flooding in the Pascack Valley. Michael Olohan photo.

the amount of flooding” from reservoirs statewide.

See “Veolia weathers voices seeking greater flood control,” Pascack Press, Sept. 12, 2022.

Arroyoʼs letter is copied to Schepisi, Auth, and Assemblywoman DeAnne DeFuccio, and is

well worth reprinting here. He says:

has been considering applying for grants to implement DEP permitted Stream Stabilization. The FEMA nomenclature Stream Restoration describes the same scope of work.

This program allows removal of some portion of the accumulated muck that has shallowed the creek bed, slowed the channelʼs flow, altered its course and reduced its effective drainage capacity. The removed material is reallocated along the badly eroded banks. The banks are reinforced with rip rap (and/or retaining walls where necessary) and the vegetation is replanted.

I

AMWRITING to share cost projections that underscore the need for S790 and A4200 to be signed into law. Westwoodʼs governing body

T he Westwood Borough Clerk is the designated point person for researching flood programs. She did a preliminary cost analysis based on estimated unit costs supplied by the borough engineer. A 15% allowance for soft costs was added in. [Arroyo enclosed a supporting spreadsheet, which he said was reviewed and confirmed by the borough engineer.]

Based on these estimates,

ROTARY’S ALZHEIMER’S WALK SUNDAY, OCT. 16

Park Ridge Rotary is supporting the Alzheimerʼs Association Greater New Jersey chapter as a select-level sponsor of the 2022 Walk to End Alzheimerʼs, the worldʼs largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimerʼs disease care, support, and research.

The Bergen-Passaic Walk to End Alzheimerʼs will be held on Oct. 17 at Overpeck Park, 199 Challenger Road in Ridgefield Park.

On walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimerʼs with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony — a mission-focused experience that signifies our solidarity in the fight against the disease. The colors of the Promise Garden flowers represent peopleʼs connection to Alzheimerʼs — their personal rea sons to end the disease.

Park Ridge Rotary says “Rotary clubs all over the country have made a nationwide commitment to joining Walk to End Alzheimerʼs including our club a National Walk Team. There are about 150 ALZ/Rotary National walk teams across the United States raising awareness and funding to be one of the top supporters for the cause. This year additional Rotary clubs in District #7490 have stepped up and joined in; Fair Lawn-Sunrise, Englewood, Wyckoff-Midland Park, Wayne, Paramus.”

For 2022, Rotary has partnered with Music Mends Minds, a nonprofit the Park Ridge chapter says is “built on a scientific neurological

study of Alzheimerʼs, dementia, Parkinsonʼs, PTSD, and autism showing the vibrations of music, a rhythmic energizer in itself, literally changes our brainsʼneuroplasticity to improve cognitive abilities and quality of life.”

The club says the husband of event co-founder Carol Rosenstein, a Rotarian president in California, was in this program — “a man who could hardly speak with little move ment. He was a pianist and sang. A piano was put in from of him — he played and sang and rest was histo ry. He has since passed but his pleasure in life was extended.”

Bergen Passaic Walk features a

with Mary Knyshʼs specialized music rhythmic exercise during the walkʼs opening ceremony.

Come join in — no instru ments are necessary. Be inspired and engaged. The link is act.alz.org/site/TR/W alk2022/NJGreaterNewJersey?team_id=772489& pg=team&fr_id=15735

Ciulla says, “As Rotarians we have the opportunity to make a difference in our communities and around the world. Alzheimerʼs and dementia affects the person, their families and the community We need to raise awareness and funds to be able to continue medical research to learn more about the disease.”

ARROYO

PARK RIDGE

Park Ridge Rotary Walk team captain Dan Antokal is flanked by club president-elect and Bergen-Passaic Walk Committee co-chair Vicky Meo and club president and Walk planning committee marketing chair Terry Ciulla.

Park Ridge Rotary photo

Woodcliff Lake BOE candidates sound off on their priorities

BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

We asked our local board of education incumbents and challengers to rank their school boardʼs responsiveness, suggest ways to reduce the schoolsʼtax burden on residents, and add any information that they wanted voters to know in advance of Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Municipal public school expenditures comprise 60% to 70% of local property taxes, with about 20% for municipal services such as police and public works, and 10% owed to Bergen County.

In Woodcliff Lake, three candidates are on the ballot for two seats, including incumbents Robert Wolpov and Debra Starr. Newcomer Andrew S. Eisler is challenging.

RobertWolpov and Debra Starr, running together, submitted one response, giving the boardʼs responsiveness a nine out of 10.

They said, “Our Board of Education strives to always do what is best for children while remaining in compliance with the multitude of government mandates that we face. As representatives of our community, we strive to always listen to all stakeholders. While we would like to say our ranking is a 10, there are times that we cannot meet every stake-

holderʼs concerns due to legal requirements or budgetary restrictions.”

They added, “However, to ensure that stakeholder needs are heard, we have worked to find creative solutions for communication. Next year the Superintendent will host monthly open parent meetings and create a parental forum for consistent communication, problem solving and community involvement.”

They said, “Approximately 80% of the Woodcliff Lake School District school budget is dedicated to employee salary and benefits. The continued success in working collaboratively with our teachers and administration is essential to the success of our district.”

With the remaining portion of the district budget, they said, “We have invested wisely in our facilities. Through our hard work on the Woodcliff Lake School Board Finance committee we have done an outstanding job of investing in the maintenance and improvement of our schools by planning ahead and being fiscally responsible. This diligence has enabled us to have state of the art facilities without needing to ask the taxpayers

for additional funding in the form of a referendum.”

They added, “One of the hallmarks of a successful board is a diverse membership. With Debbieʼs 15 years of experience on the board and Robʼs successful 3-year term, coupled with our many years of residence in Woodcliff Lake and history of being active in the schools and the community, we believe we are able to offer a valuable perspective that is needed to help with decision making and planning for the future of our district.”

Andrew Eisler provided a statement in response to our survey:

“My involvement as the Grant Committee chair of the Woodcliff Lake Educational Foundation has allowed me to oversee how funds are allocated towards the betterment of our schools, supporting the vision of our teachers, our administration, and board of education.”

He said, “As a board member, I would like to see the district continue to grow and flourish, making our kids the priority. I want the district to explore the possibility of adding a ʻbefore the bellʼprogram to our already successful ʻafter the bellʼprogram, allowing parents to drop their kids off earlier if needed.”

Eisler wrote, “Most of the surrounding towns already have

similar programs to model and I feel this would make it easier for parents and alleviate some of the traffic concerns at drop off. I also would like the school to further pursue opportunities to make real world connections to the curriculum, especially with the technology available to facilitate the process.”

Eisler said, “We need to be smart about district spending, making sure our funds are used wisely and appropriately to allow our schools to continue to be a premier district in the state.”

And he added, “My father

WESTWOOD

was on my hometownʼs board of education for 21 years and has helped me recognize the importance of the position towards both the school and community. My experiences have guided me towards this candidacy and allow me to better understand the issues schools face first-hand. As an educator, I am confident I can bridge the gap between teachers and the board as well as offer new perspectives to the position.”

Oct. 17:Our profiles in Park Ridge Schools and local districts in Hillsdale and Montvale.

Get in now: Brookside Bazaar Nov. 5

The Brookside Bazaar seeks artists, crafters, retailers, vendors, creatives and entrepreneurs of all ages to showcase their work and participate in an upcoming fair that aims to support local small businesses and celebrate fall.

All proceeds benefit Westwoodʼs Brookside Elementary School.

The inaugural bazaar, Saturday, Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Westwood Community Center, 55 Jefferson Ave., is a

family-friendly event with entertainment, food, local goods produced and sold by local vendors, activities and crafts for little shoppers, and chances at exciting raffles and other giveaways.

To participate, register at https://tinyurl.com/brookside bazaarupdates

Valley Chabad teens rally on Hurricane Ian relief

Sixty teens gathered at Valley Chabad on Sunday Oct. 2, for the CTeen Kickoff event of the year. The event launches a year of social and community service activities by the popular teen-led organization.

As the teen board met on Wednesday of last week to plan the event, Hurricane Ian was bearing down on Floridaʼs west coast.

The teens came up with an idea to use the event as a way to help those suffering most. They decided to collect supplies and donations for the community of Cape Coral, Fla.

The kids connected with a CTeen member in Cape Coral, who told them about some of the challenges they are going through. Many lost their homes; all lost

power and running water.

At the event, teens enjoyed sushi and brought cash, checks

and supplies for the cause and raised $974 to be sent to the Chabad Cape Coral relief efforts. The teens also wrote cards of support to be distributed to Cape Coral residents.

According to Jared Kisch, CTeen leader of Chabadʼs Cape Coral chapter, speaking via a WhatsApp video message, “Many in our community lost their homes and everything theyʼve saved. We have a family staying with us and our Chabad is helping others in need. It means to much to us to know teens across the county are here supporting us.”

Gari Lenkowsky, Valley Chabad CTeen leader and junior at Northern Highland High School, said, “Our group was so happy and to know we can do our small

RIVER VALE

part to help those so far away.”

Ethan Bibi, Valley Chabad CTeen leader and junior at Pascack Hills High School, told Pascack Press, “My friends loved participating and making a difference.”

Valley Chabad CTeen is the largest Jewish Teen group in the Pascack Valley and Saddle River communities and is part of the Valley Chabad Teen Leadership Initiative providing social, educational and community service opportunities to local Jewish teens. Rabbi Yosef and Estie Orenstein co-direct the organization, which is open to all Jewish teens regardless of affiliation.

To learn more or to enroll your teens, visit valleychabad teens.com or call (201) 476-0157.

Murder-mystery meeting, with costumes, Oct. 19

The River Vale Seniors Friendship Club meeting of Oct. 19 presents the rescheduled DOA Murder Mystery and is the mem bersʼ annual Halloween celebration theme. Costumes are optional. There are costume awards for

fourth through first place, as voted on by fellow members. (This is a pre-paid, reservationsonly meeting due to the murder mystery rescheduling.) For more information call Hilda at (201) 265-5257.

Valley Chabad CTeen members pivoted fast to raise nearly $1,000 for hurricane relief in Florida.

Valley Chabad photos

WestwoodFest a resounding success

S S

V A L

Approximately 2,000 people visited Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday, Sept. 10 for WestwoodFest, hosted by Celebrate Westwood and sponsored by the Borough of Westwood.

More than 40 local businesses, organizations, and families cosponsored activities and info booths. Local musicians entertained the crowds and local eateries provided refreshments. More than $700 was raised at the dunk tank for Westwood Cares.

For more information and photos from the day, see @CelebrateWestwood on Instagram and Facebook.

Join the first Fitness with Friends River Vale Day 5K Fun Run/Walk on Oct. 16.

Fitness with Friends had a dream of bringing a 5K race back to River Vale and want River Vale with its picturesque streets, small hometown feel, and vibrant community spirit, to be the star of this 3.1-mile journey

The race culminates in the

beginning of River Vale Town Day, where the town sponsors entertainment, bounce houses, petting zoo, rides and games, showcases and a chili cook-off This is the race for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Race begins 8:30. Registrants will receive a commemorative Fit-

ness with Friends and River Vale T-shirt. Profits will be donated to the Helping Hand Food Pantry, a non-profit charitable organization, entirely staffed by dedicated volunteers and reliant on private donations, grocery stores, fundraisers, food drives and grants to serve those in need.

Sign up at fitnesswithfriends.net/5kfunrunwalk

PASCACK VALLEY

Photos by Richard Frant/FrantVisuals

Setting the standard in dental therapy

Dental implants are not all the same and have varying success rates. The success is dependent on the product and the practitioner.

As a periodontist, which is the ONLY specialty recognized by the American Dental Association as a “dental implant specialist,” I feel it is important to inform the commu-

nity about how dental implant treatments have changed over the past 50 years causing a decline in success.

Dental implants have been well researched and placed in patients by periodontist and oral surgeons since the 1970s. The published scientific literature in the ʼ70s and ʼ80s estimated 9799% success rates when controlled for certain systemic diseases & smoking. More recently, the success rates have gone down while research and knowledge has

increased.

In 2007, I graduated from a full-time three-year dental implant specialty training program from Rutgers Dental School called Periodontics. This was in addition to general dental school. At the time, only a handful of companies were fabricating dental implants. These companies were partnered with universities, periodontists and oral surgeons for decades to establish research to prove that their products met or exceeded the standard of care which was 97-99% success

Leave it to the Specialists for your dental implants!

rate for 20-plus years.

Periodontists followed up on the implants for decades to see how the implants lasted in patientsʼmouths: to see if gum disease developed or affected them, if loss of an adjacent tooth affected them, if the implant suffered consequences from smoking or if added to a denture. This is all the knowledge which is taught at a university level and takes years to learn. If implants are meant to last forever, it must be handled in such a manner and treatment planned accordingly anticipating changes to a patientʼs dentition and aging.

Today many more companies are fabricating these implants and come from overseas with little to no research proving their product has the same level success. This is completely legal through the F DA 501(k) approval process which allows clearance to sell the product. But this should not preclude the company to perform some level of research to protect the public. These “knock-off” implants are much cheaper and have not taken initiative to prove their success.

What is also happening is that these implant companies and

private companies are offering short term “training programs” to general dentists in attempts to sell more product so generalists can do these surgical services at their.

In my opinion, as dental implants are meant to be a permanent tooth replacement option, it is important to go to a trained specialist, who is a periodontist, who has the science a nd university-based training and the opportunity to practice these procedures hundreds of times on patients before a private practice setting.

I am a solo, female, dental implant specialist, surgeon & periodontist. I am a lead to a team of four hygienists, each with over 25 years of experience. I place hundreds of dental implants a year and follow them in my highly trained hygiene practice. I partner with many general dentists throughout Bergen County to design, perform and maintain complex dental implant restorations.

For more information, call (201) 664-3023 or visit us at 354 Old Hook Road #201 or WestwoodPeriodontics.com.

Borough, Elks

The Park Ridge Recreation and Cultural Committee is excited to host a joint Family Fun Oktoberfest with the Park Ridge Elks at their lodge, at 13 Sulak Lane, on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 3 to 8 p.m. There will be great live music, delicious Oktoberfest food/beverages, games, balloon animals, face painting, prizes, and much more. Rain date is Oct. 16 from 1 to 6 p.m.

For the flyer and sponsor form visit parkridgeboro.com. Make your check payable to Park Ridge

Recreation Committee and mail it to Recreation, 53 Park Ave., Park Ridge, NJ 07656. (You also can put your form and check in the white mailbox marked “Recreation/Oktoberfest” in front of Bor ough Hall by Oct. 1.)

Organizers say, “Thank you for making a difference for our community by helping our Park Ridge Elks help so many! Proceeds go to the Park Ridge Elks who support vets and children with special needs.”

Patricia J. Villano

PRIYU

eats Dining & Cooking Guide

Hillsdale Free Public library fall notes

Hillsdale Free Public Library

adult programming coordinator Adam Keeble submits the following calendar items.

He says, “Please note the Flavian program listed for Sept. 26 has been moved to Dec. 5. If you registered for the original date your booking has been carried over to the new date.”

Tai Chi

Oct. 14 at 10:30 a.m.

Master Randy — an expert in multiple martial arts with more than 30 yearsʼ experience — returns with our Tai Chi classes. Register prior to the event to help our planning.

Knitting Group

Tuesday, Oct. 11 and 25 at 10 a.m. Join our social knitting group and bring your own project and materials to work on. Drop in.

Family BINGO

Monday, Oct. 17

Early start:6 p.m.

Itʼs back! The popular numbers game returns to the library with candy.

Oktoberfest

Saturday, Oct. 22 at 4 p.m.

Following their Mardi Gras concert, Florian Shantz and his Jazz Combo perform live waltzes, polkas and marches along with educational narrative to celebrate Oktoberfest.

“The blues”? Or depression?

Monday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.

Feeling “the blues” for too long, along with feeling exhausted and worthless may be signs of depression. Led by Susan Breithaupt, LCSW.

ADULTS ONLY

Jack the Ripper

Monday, Oct. 29 at 2 p.m.

The case of Jack the Ripper is one of the most infamous serial murder cases in the world. Dr. Mark R. Vogel tells the entire story,

reviewing original police files. Due to the graphic nature of some of the images children are not permitted to attend.

Comedy Mind Reader program

Due to the clash with Hillsdale

Day, we are moving this to Saturday, Nov. 19 at 3 p.m.

Mark Zacharia will baffle, boggle you and entertain you with his ability to “read minds.” You will be laughing while pondering How did he know that? as he appears to

predict the future (all in fun, of course). Audience participation is key to the success of the hourlong show, but only those who volunteer will take part. For teens and up.

Leading the way

Park Ridge Recreation and the Park Ridge Elks Lodge are having their Second Annual Family Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 3 to 8 p.m. in tents at the Elks Lodge parking lot on 13 Sulak Lane. Admission is free.

There will be live music by The Big Ones, German-inspired food and desserts, beverages, face painting and balloon animals, and much more fun. Rain date is Sun day, Oct. 16 from 1 to 6 p.m.

PASCACKVALLEY

The Greater Pascack Valley Womanʼs Club held its first meeting of the 2022–2023 club year on Aug. 29 at Park Ridge Borough Hall.

Co-presidents Linda Ramagnano and Merci Norwood, along with the Executive Board, have plans for a full year of activities designed for community service and personal growth for the members.

Events include a Sunday Afternoon High Tea in October, military bridge in the spring, CPR classes, and a fire safety presentation from the Park Ridge Fire

Department. These events and others held throughout the year are open to all.

The Greater Pascack Valley Womanʼs Club has been active in the communities of the Pascack Valley since 1990. The club is a member of the New Jersey Federation of WomensʼClubs, part of one of the largest non-partisan service organizations for women in the United States.

The club meets monthly at the Park Ridge Bor ough Hall. For more information about the club and its calendar of events, reach out to Carolyn Delafrange at (201) 819-1000 or GPVWC1990@gmail.com

The Executive Board of the Greater Pascack Valley Woman’s Club for the 2022–2023 club year:secretary Geralyn Cargulia, treasurer Mary Lynn Mazzarella, co presidents Linda Ramagnano and Merci Norwood, second vice presidents Elaine Mooney and Elaine O’Brien,and first vice president Carolyn Delafrange.

WESTWOOD

eats Dining & Cooking Guide

OCT. 14

The St. Thomas More Council #2188 Westwood/Hillsdale Oktoberfest dinner is set for Friday, Oct. 14 at 40 Crest St. The doors open at 6 p.m.

On the menu:sauerbraten, knockwurst, bratwurst, Weisswurst, German potato salad, red cabbage, sauerkraut, spatzle, soft pretzel with mustard, pickles/relish, dessert, coffee, tea, and soda. Cash bar service available.

The cost is $20 per person.

Hillsdale

Reservations are required and must be made by noon on Monday, Oct. 10. Payment may be mailed to the council address or deposited in the mailbox at the Council Hall entrance. All CDC guidelines are strictly followed.

Monies raised provide the funds for the councilʼs many charitable activities/donations.

For reservations call Jay Rattino at 973-760-3166.

WESTWOOD

Tricky tray, bunco night, 50/50 Oct. 21

The Womanʼs Club of Westwood, a member of the New Jersey State Federation of Womenʼs Clubs, invites you to its Tricky Tray/Bunco Night, with 50/50 drawing, on Friday, Oct. 21 at the Westwood clubhouse, 205 Kinderkamack Road. The doors

open at 7 p.m. and the game begins at 7:30. Refreshments will be served.

Tickets are $15. The nightʼs proceeds benefit the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation (ECF) and annual scholarships. ECF provides New Jersey families facing

the crisis of pediatric cancer a place to turn for comfort and support through professional inhome counseling and a uniquely tailored package of assistance — all free of charge.

For tickets, call (201) 2654285.

The Hillsdale 50+ welcomes all residents and non-residents to join and meet other folks. Meet ings are the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. (There are no meetings in July and August.)

On Wednesday, Oct. 19, the club will partake of an Octoberfest celebration at the Brownstone Restaurant in Paterson. Lunch consists of a drink, delicious lunch (sauerbraten/chicken), and dessert. There will be a live band, dancing, and a comedian. Meet at 10 a.m. at Hillsdaleʼs Stonybrook Pool for the ride to the Brownstone. The cost is $57. Call Evelyn Pachner at

(201) 666-7675.

On Wednesday, Nov. 9, theclub rides to Spring Lake to enjoy a delicious lunch at The Shore Club, formerly Doolanʼs Restaurant. An open bar, delicious lunch and dessert await. There will be a live band, dancing, and a comedian. Meet at 10 a.m. at Hillsdaleʼs Stonybrook Pool for the ride to The Shore Club. The cost is $59. Call Evelyn Pachner at (201) 666-7675.

On Wednesday, Dec. 14, the club holds its holiday gathering at Seasons in Washington Township. There will be holiday music, entertainment, and a delicious lunch.

Announcements?

Take your vehicle on a guided tour through 32 acres of spooktacular Halloween light displays, enjoy our farm fresh goodies in our retail farm

Take your vehicle on a

tour through 32 acres of spooktacular Halloween light displays, enjoy our farm fresh goodies in our retail farm market. Warm-up by the fire pits & make your own S’mores!

Take your vehicle on a guided tour through 32 acres of spooktacular Halloween light displays, enjoy our farm fresh goodies in our retail farm market. Warm-up by the fire pits & make your own S’mores!

Take your vehicle on a guided tour through 32 acres of spooktacular Halloween light displays, enjoy our farm fresh goodies in our retail farm market. Warm-up by the fire pits & make your own S’mores!

Take your vehicle on a guided tour through 32 acres of spooktacular Halloween light displays, enjoy our farm fresh goodies in our retail farm market. Warm-up by the fire pits & make your own S’mores!

Take your vehicle on a guided tour through 32 acres of spooktacular Halloween light displays, enjoy our farm fresh goodies in our retail farm market. Warm-up by the fire pits & make your own S’mores!

Letters:

FROM PAGE 2

You wouldnʼt want someone attacking your child or other family member on social media. Why would you do this to someone else? We all need to lead by example.

How about everyone stay in their own lane? Support who you feel is the best candidate. Be proactive for your candidate, but please stop dragging our community members through the mud, because you disagree with them. Remember itʼs just everyoneʼs opinion of who will be best suited for the dais.

Itʼs bad enough to have to drive down the road and see the line of campaign signs that started popping up in August for a November election. The town is littered with signs, which is not

very green. I am inserting my opinion here, but it feels that it has gotten out of control and everybody needs to just focus on who they want to be on the board. If you go around bashing everyone else it really is not helping our community at all.

In recent days, I shared another womanʼs post from a Facebook group on my personal page. It was about three kids who were kind to her younger son at the park. It turns out they were Westwood boys, who were kind and sweet to the youngster and his friend. My post had over 250 likes and many comments about how itʼs nice to see a positive post on social media.

Letʼs try to focus on the positive with our children and with each other. I donʼt speak for everyone, but it seems that many people are tired of all of it. The current board members and candidates are volunteers. Letʼs show people some decency and respect for putting

their name in the ring!

Itʼs simple to keep it civil.

If you would like to interact with a candidate, please comment on the specific platform that they created on social media to do so. Another option is to attend Meet and Greets so you can speak face to face.

Lastly and in actuality, you may just have to take a look around at the ball field or turn behind you on line at the local store, because who you bash and antagonize online might be the parent/community member/candidate standing beside you or behind you.

Letʼs be better community members.

Kristen Greco Westwood

Whyard will work for Westwood

To the editor:

this comes purchasing and requisitioning for the building. She is constantly working with vendors on the schoolʼs behalf. When I need a bus for a field trip it is Lesley who I seek to arrange for one. When that bus is late it is Lesley who contacts the company. And when the trip is over it is Lesley who pays the vendor.

Multiply that by the fact that I am one staff member out of 200.

In addition, she is also responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in over a hundred separate student activity accounts. She is the oil that runs the machine that is our school.

Stonybrook center as boondoggle

To the editor:

I

AMWRITING to express my support for Lesley Whyard for Westwood Council. In Lesley the people of Westwood will get a selfless servant leader who will deliver. How do I know… Iʼve watched her do it for the students and staff at Ridgewood High School for the last nine years.

Her day job sees her overseeing the budget for the largest high school in Bergen County. She works hand in hand with the building principal to create and main tain an annual budget of several hundred thousand dollars. With

In addition, Lesley serves as an association leader representing the districtʼs administrative assistants. She most recently served as a negotiations team member. Our last contract was a long and at times frustrating process, but putting in the time and effort is second nature for her. Lesley sacrificed many a late evening away from family to ensure that her coworkers were fairly represented and received a contract that was commensurate to the professionals that they are. Her hard work resulted in a contract that was overwhelmingly approved by staff especially since it was settled on time — which was a first for as long as anyone can remember.

I encourage you to vote for Lesley. Westwood deserves someone who will work tirelessly to better the community as she has done for Ridgewood Public Schools.

Michael Yannone

SOMETHINGʼSFISHY The residents oppose it. The mayor voiced his disapproval in these pages. The Planning Board survey indicated little if any support. Some council members said they would take the publicʼs opposition into consideration. But now I understand that the council in their questionable decision to go ahead and spend to build a $2 million community center at the Stonybrook Pool property, is actually overriding everyoneʼs opinion. So, I say again, thereʼs a distinct odor around these proceedings. One wonders who might benefit personally by this action of the governing body of my town. Iʼd like every councilmember to step forward and clarify their connection, if there is any or not, to this boondoggle. Donʼt make me pay for it, please.

Lou Ross Hillsdale

20

The writer is president of the Ridgewood Education Association

Letters:

Questions for Hillsdale Council

To the editor:

discuss holding a public referendum on their spending priorities. Free speech is not allowed on this council.

choice for voters, and free speech has been stifled. I will not be supporting this council on Election Day.

Doug Frank Hilldale

W

HENVOTERSHAVE a choice, candidates and incumbents seem to listen to the voters and act appropriately. Unfortunately, Hillsdale voters have lost that option. That is why the Hillsdale Borough Council is on a spending spree and is ignoring the publicʼs wishes.

Spending more than $7 million on sports fields and a second community center that no one wants shows true hubris. The majority on council have been deeply involved in our recreation programs for years and it shows. They have authorized spending hundreds of thousands of our tax dollars on studies and plans without getting public approval. They have hidden some of the studies and repeated others when they didnʼt get the answer they wanted. They would not allow Councilmember Zoltán Horváth to even

Questions for them are: Why do you want to spend millions on a second community center no one wants, and why are you putting it at Stonybrook, which is still not financially stable? Why do you refuse to provide justification for the second center? What will be the operating and maintenance costs of this unneeded second center?

T his will be the largest municipal borrowing in the townʼs history. There is potential for another large debt for the taxpayers to be incurred if the BOEʼs George G. White Middle School project is approved. What interest rates and inflation factors have you figured into your plans and estimates? Certainly, these should be discussed before you proceed. We are in volatile economic times. Only in government do you see such foolish, unjustified spending.

I am sure that there are residents in Hillsdale that have no problem paying thousands more in taxes for these pet projects of the council, but there are also many who canʼt afford this spending spree. This is what residents get when there is no

Scout calls for flood relief

To the editor: M

YNAMEIS Michael Greco.

Iʼm a Boy Scout. I am writing to you about the flooding that occurs in Westwood when it rains.

I think it is very sad that the water companies donʼt help the unfortunate people in Westwood and in Hillsdale. I think they should control the amount of water that is in the reservoir.

WOODCLIFF LAKE

I think they should clean out the river beds as well. I think the government and the DEP should work with the towns to help these hard-working people. I canʼt understand why these big companies and the state and federal government donʼt want to help people from getting water in their houses.

Michael Greco

Tenderfoot Boy Scout

WW works with Dell, Bicocchi

To the editor:

of Westwood is an example of government done right. All our municipal services work extremely

well, making life in Westwood a pleasure.

To make certain this continues, I support the re-election of Beth Dell and Robert Bicocchi to the Westwood Council.

Having served on several boards in Westwood, I found both Beth and Bob to be tireless in their efforts to make this borough the best it can be.

Whenever I have asked for help from them I was never disappointed.

They worked with me and my fellow board members until the question was answered or the problem was solved.

T HEMUNICIPALGOVERNMENTFor Westwood, I would ask that you cast your ballot in November for Bob Bicocchi and Beth Dell.

Dennis Farrell Westwood

Fire Department Open House Oct. 13

Woodcliff Lakeʼs annual Fire Department and Fire Prevention Open House is set for Thursday, Oct. 13, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Admission is free. Thereʼll be fire demonstrations, fire sprinkler demonstrations, a smoke house demonstration, and safety giveaways.

The event, at the Woodcliff Lake Fire Station, 180 Pascack Road, takes place during Fire Prevention Week, marking its 100th year this year. This yearʼs Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Fire wonʼt wait. Plan your escape,” works to educate every

one about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires.

The National Fire Protection Association, which sponsors Fire Prevention Week, says “Todayʼs homes burn faster than ever. You may have as little as two minutes

(or even less time) to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Your ability to get out of a home during a fire depends on early warning from smoke alarms and advance planning.” For more information visit woodclifflakefd.com and nfpa.org

eats Dining & Cooking Guide

Can’tgetouttoGiulio’sRestaurant?Prepareitssignaturedishathome

Giulioʼs Restaurant meets a full array of dining and entertaining needs. Giulioʼs welcomes walk-ins, but takes reservations and offers takeout.

Giulioʼs will be delighted to host your holiday business of family parties. Seating is available for up to 100. Catering is also offered and the restaurant has a full bar, including over 100 wines.

RIVER VALE

making our

Chicken alla Giulio

What youʼll need:

What to do:

from stove.

the pear and sherry

154 Washington Street, Tappan NY. Open 7 days a week for

TOWN DAY, OCT. 16

The 2022 Annual River Vale Town Day, sponsored by River Vale Social and Cultural Affairs, is set for Sunday, Oct. 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. rain or shine.

Join for an amazing day filled with fun activities, free rides, petting zoo, local school and town exhibits, delicious food, a chili cook off, 5K fun run/walk and best of all, amazing people.

Register for the Chili Cook Off by emailing Rachel at culturalaffairs1@rivervalenj.org

Run/walk the River Vale Town Day 5K, both with donations going to the Helping Hand Food Pantry in Hillsdale, which serves our community.

Sign up for the First Fitness with Friends sponsored River Vale Town Day 5K Run/Walk at fitnesswithfriends.net/5kfunrunwalk

Volunteers are needed to ensure this event is a continued success. Reach out to Monica at culturalaffairs2@rivervalenj.org

oven to 375 degrees.

chicken in pan with

P Paassccaacck k P Prreesss s welcomes press releases, birth announcements, wedding announcements and event photographs from all towns in the Pascack Valley. pascackpress@ thepressgroup.net

up a chair at Giulio’s Restaurant, where elegance meets affordable -and delicious -Italian cuisine.

to the chicken and shallots.

in 375 degree oven for 8–10 min. (ovens vary).

•Buon Appetito!

Restaurant is located

lunch and dinner. Visit Giulioʼs website for its menu: www.giuliosrestaurant.com

reservations, takeout, catering, and more, call (845) 359-3657

Valley Chabad Teen Leadership Initiative launched its 11th

Linking Hearts going strong

the monthly program is a hit. The teens gathered in the rear

year of Linking Hearts programming on Sept. 20.

Offering middle schoolers an opportunity to engage with local seniors for an afternoon of crafts, fun activities and games,

patio of Jewish Home Assisted L iving in River Vale for intergenerational games and interactive activities.

Linking Hearts is one of five programs offered by Valley

Seniors to meet Oct. 13

The Emerson Senior Citizens will hold their October member ship meeting on Thursday, Oct. 13 at noon at the club center, 20 Pal-

WESTWOOD

isade Avenue. Hilda Gonzales will present on a future membersʼ cruise.

Rec preschool enrolling

If youʼve settled into your fall routine with your 3-or 4year-old preschooler and realized they might need some more structured socialization, consider enrolling in the Westwood Recreation Preschool at 55 Jefferson Ave.

The three-day a week, halfday programs for children ages 3–5 are designed to foster kindergarten readiness by creating developmentally appropriate learning opportunities in a nurturing setting.

The part-time program is a perfect fit for parents who want to introduce their child to school but do not require full-time childcare.

The Westwood Recreation Preschool is a State of New Jersey licensed day-care facility and follows state curriculum guidelines.

Classroom activities prepare students for academic and social success by assisting in the devel opment of self-help skills, gross and fine motor skills, listening skills as well as providing a strong foundation in literacy, math, social studies and science. Art, music, seasonal activities and free-play round out the pro gram offerings.

The Westwood Recreation Preschool program is open to

children (resident and non-resident) between the ages of three and five as of Oct. 1, 2022.

Proof of residency and birth certificates are required for registration.

All children are required to be potty-trained before entering the program, however, late enrollments can be arranged as children reach this milestone.

Annual tuition is $2,000 for 4–5-year-olds who attend Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.

Annual tuition is $1,700 for 3-year-olds who attend Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

For convenience, annual tuition is payable in four install ments: April 5 (time of registra tion), Sept. 7, Jan. 2, and Feb. 6. The 2022-2023 school year began in September. Late enroll ments will be prorated accord ingly

Parents are encouraged to register immediately. For regis tration information, see the Preschool section of the Recre ation page at westwoodnj.gov To arrange a tour, call 201-6647882.

For more information, write recreation director Gary Buch heister at gbuchheister@westwoodnj.gov

cack Valley and Saddle River communities. The program is open to all Jewish middle school teens regardless of affiliation. For more information and to

join write rabbiyosef@valleychabad.org or valleychabadteens.org or call (201) 476-0157.

Valley Chabad Teen Leadership Initiative launched its 11th year of Linking Hearts programming on Sept.20, spending the day at River Vale’s Jewsh Home Assisted Living. Valley Chabad photos

P Paassccaacck k P Prreesss s welcomes press releases, birth announcements, wedding announcements and event photographs from all towns in the Pascack Valley. Send

submissions

pascackpress@thepressgroup.net

Montvale: Urging Gov. Murphy to restart COAH

deemed the Council on Affordable Housing (or COAH) “moribund” and ineffective in 2015 following 16 years of inaction due to lawsuits, squabbles over affordable housing formulas, and political stalemates, the court assigned all affordable housing jurisdiction to the stateʼs Superior Courts.

Oddly, when the stateʼs Fair Housing Act was passed in 1985, the legislation created COAH, which was set up to determine affordable housing numbers and enforcement that were previously decided by the courts.

The lawsuit by Montvale and 12 other communities calls on the court to force the governor to reconstitute the Council on Affordable Housing, or COAH, to resolve affordable housing numbers after July 2025, when the fourth round of

affordable housing mandates will begin.

Pascack Press asked Ghassali why Montvale endorsed the lawsuit to reinstate COAH.

He said, “The better question is, ʻWhy wouldnʼt it?ʼCourts are ill-equipped to handle these matters, and as a result, municipalities are leveraged into submission due to risk exposure in the court system. That process was driven by special interest groups, developers, and

Afternoon high tea Oct. 23

court masters, with overburdened judges who wanted to clear these cases off the docket.”

Ghassali said, “The borough was forced into open litigation, instead of being insulated while its plan was reviewed by a specialized and balanced board — COAH.”

And he said, “The borough (like many other towns) was forced to pay significant sums to its own attorneys and planners as well as a special master and FSHC. None of that would have been required with an approval process administered by COAH.”

He said, “Another better question is, ʻWhy is the governor refusing to satisfy his constitutional and statutory obligations?ʼThe same constitution that the Supreme Court interpreted to impose Mount Laurel responsibilities on municipalities explicitly states that the governor has the duty to ʻtake care that the laws be faithfully executed.ʼ”

Montvaleʼs mayor said the legislature established a bipartisan COAH board composed of professionals representing a diverse array of interests to ensure that all partiesʼ voices were heard, including municipalities, developers, and housing advocacy groups.

“The governor has violated his

WESTWOOD

constitutional obligation by refusing to appoint members to the COAH board as he was directed to in the Fair Housing Act. All Montvale seeks is for the governor to do what the constitution and the Fair Housing Act explicitly demand,” Ghassali said.

The lawsuit criticizes Murphy for not following through on what the Supreme Court cited in its 2015 decision assigning affordable cases to Superior Courts. The lawsuit quotes the courtʼs decision.

“The lack of a COAH board has not only violated the express and implied policies established by the legislature and forced the courts to play the activist role that the Supreme Court sought so desperately to avoid, but it has also hurt (state) taxpayers and municipalities.

Instead of having the benefit of a streamlined process…we have court proceedings that can take far longer and be far more costly to taxpayers,” the lawsuit quotes the 2015 Supreme Court decision.

Four years ago, both Ghassali, a Republican, and Park Ridge Mayor Keith Misciagna, a Democrat, rode together to Trenton to testify against the high-density housing being forced upon towns by courtmediated affordable housing settle-

ments.

Asked about Montvaleʼs lawsuit to bring back COAH, Misciagna said, “I believe the state should reinstate COAH and I support that but it would have to be completely overhauled and the affordable housing need looked at as a regional issue. The new COAH should implement regional goals that come with some state funding to make it all work.”

“Presently that falls on the back of the small towns that often have less money and influence than the large powerful developers. I hope Gov. Murphy explores the idea of a newer, better COAH for those in need of good quality affordable housing and those smaller towns that would like to provide it for them without changing into a city to do so,” Misciagna said.

In 2018, Ghassali told Pascack Press then that race “has nothing to do with” affordable housing after a Fair Share Housing Center representative had referred to the low percentage of African-Americans residing in certain towns, including Montvale and Park Ridge.

Ghassali said then that Montvale was home to families from at least 44 nations of origin.

Country-Western Night at Elks Oct. 14

Come on down to the Westwood Elks, 523 Kinderkamack Road, for country cowboy/cowgirl good time.

The Westwood Elks

Womenʼs Auxiliary is hosting Country–Western Night on Friday, Oct. 14 at 7. There will be country line dance lessons, food, drinks, and lots of other fun. The

cost is $60 per person.

For more information contact Joanne Staudt at (201) 906-2284 or jstaudthillsdale@aol.com

PASCACKVALLEY

The Greater Pascack Valley Womanʼs Club invites you to an afternoon high tea on Sunday, Oct. 23 at 1 p.m. at the Montvale Senior Center on Memorial Drive.

The British tradition of after noon tea dates back to the 1840s, when legend has the Duchess of Bedford craving a snack between lunch and dinner.

The trend became popular and is still a common way for todayʼs British to gather with family and friends for mid-afternoon refreshments and socialization.

The Greater Pascack Valley Womanʼs Club is bringing that tra dition home by providing a relax ing and enjoyable afternoon fea

turing a variety of teas, scones and finger foods for you to enjoy with your friends, family and neighbors while helping to raise money for local charities.

Tickets for the tea are $25 per person. All funds raised will be disbursed by the club to local charities and scholarships as well as the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation, the two year special project of the New Jersey Womensʼ Clubs.

Your check to secure your place should be mailed to the Greater Pascack Valley Womanʼs Club, PO Box 3, Park Ridge, NJ 07656.

For reservations and more information call Elaine Mooney at (201) 391-4947 or Elaine OʼBrien at 201-573-9132.

Photo via Kathy Grubb Get your tickets: Elaine Mooney and Elaine O’Brien make plans for the Oct. 23 Afternoon High Tea sponsored by the Greater Pascack Valley Woman’s Club.

P

S Sc c h o o ol l N e w s

DEAN’S LIST AND MORE: ALUMNIACHIEVEMENT

ASCACK PRESSSALUTES the

Pascack Valleyʼs highachieving alumni of our area high schools. Hereʼs what theyʼve been up to lately, according to their schools and families…

Park Ridge Mayor Keith J. Misciagna posted on Sept. 23 that two former students here have gone on to great success:

• “In August, PRHS graduate Greg Perez joined the 9NEWS weather team as the midday meteorologist in Denver, Colo. Greg has been working in weather and journalism in Pennsylvania, Washington and Montana since he graduated from Virginia Tech, but his interest in meteorology was honed right here in Park Ridge. We congratulate Greg and his family (who still live here in Park Ridge) on this exciting new job.

•“Kevin Herget made his MLB debut with the Tampa Bay Rays last week. I had the pleasure of coaching Kevin many years ago when he was a young wrestler and I couldnʼt be more thrilled with his success. Congratulations to Kevin and his family

(who also still live in Park Ridge) on making it to the show. As a Yankee fan, I donʼt make a habit of rooting for anyone on the Rays, but we might have to make an exception for Kevin.”

•Two local residents recently matriculated at Hamilton College, a leading liberal arts institution in Clinton, N.Y.: Kyle Bratcher, a graduate of Park Ridge High School, is a member of the Class of 2026. Alexis Mayer of Woodcliff Lake, a graduate of Pascack Hills High School, is a member of the Class of 2026.

•James Madison University is pleased to announce the following students graduated with bachelorʼs degrees during the August 2022 commencement exercises: Samuel Cassidy of Hillsdale graduated with a bachelorʼs in communication studies. Brendan Podest of Washington Township graduated with a bachelorʼs in sport and recreation management.

•Three Muhlenberg players, including Michael Feaster of Montvale, were named to the D3football.com preseason AllAmerica team.

Senior long snapper James McGettigan landed on the first team, while senior wide receiver Michael Feaster and senior cornerback John Washington earned third-team honors. McGettigan and Feaster repeated

from the 2021 All-America squad.

•Local students qualified for Seton Hall Universityʼs spring 2022 deanʼs list: Emersonʼs Ann Marie Balancio; Hillsdaleʼs Zaven Atakhanian and Amanda Solda; Montvaleʼs Valerie Ruberto; River Valeʼs Allison Sumereau and Kevin Doonan; Township of Washingtonʼs Souha ElDana, Michael Albero, Ryan Hyland, Sabrina Pushnya, Abigail Recchia; and Woodcliff Lakeʼs Giovanni Giacomarro

•Southern New Hampshire University congratulates two local students on being named to the Summer 2022 Presidentʼs List: Jennifer Henry of Park Ridge and Frank Lomia of Woodcliff Lake.

Mightynice!

PEABODY

•Ten Muhlenberg College players, including Ellsa Peabody of Westwood, were named to the Intercollegiate Womenʼs Lacrosse Association 2022 Academic Honor Roll. To be eligible for this honor, student-athletes must be a junior, senior or graduate student and have earned a cumulative academic GPA of 3.50 or greater

—John Snyder compiles Deanʼs List and More. Email your alumni updates, and news of other family milestones, to pascackpress@ thepressgroup.net. Please include a telephone number for follow-up.

Meeting the need: Girl Scouts Jessica Longo and Addison Lein of Montvale with their little free pantry. Courtesty photos

PASCACKVALLEY

Girl Scouts Jessica Longo and Addison Lein of Montvale have created a free pantry for residents of the Lehmann Gardens, an assisted housing facility in Park Ridge, for their Silver Award project.

Inspired by the little free pantry trend on social media, the pair got in contact with Janelle Larghi, the head of the Tri-Boro Food Pantry, who connected them with Lehmann Gardens.

After fielding the scoutsʼproposal to property manager Salva tore Monteleone, Lehmann Gardens happily approved.

Then Jessica and Addison began to bring their idea to life. They first visited Lehmann Gar dens to get a sense of the property and how the pantry could enhance residentsʼliving experience.

Next, thanks to the Lein familyʼs love for vintage furniture, they had an old cabinet that was transformed into a carbon copy of the little free pantries seen on social media. With staining and

PARK RIDGE

painting to taking on extra height to ensure it was handicap accessi ble, the cabinet was ready for service as an adorable miniature food pantry.

Jessica and Addison also cre ated a graphic to post on social media and hang in local businesses, urging residents to donate nonperishable food and essentials. Donations are always needed and can be dropped off at 20 Dogwood Lane or 33 Forest Ave. in Montvale.

Jessica and Addision told Pascack Press on Oct. 3 they plan to visit Lehmann Gardens once a week and, when they graduate high school, find younger Girl Scouts interested in keeping this pantry alive for years to come.

PLAY GOLF, PLAY TENNIS

K-5

Park Ridge Recreation is spon soring with TGA Junior Golf and TGA Junior Tennis evening Play Golf and Play Tennis for grades K–5 once more at East Brook and West Ridge schools.

All equipment is provided. The

programs, taught by certified TGA coaches, are designed to help players progress their skills and develop a pas sion for playing. Classes run until Nov. 22. For more information call Park Ridge Recreation at (201) 5731800 ext. 521.

PEREZ

Letters:

WW,re-elect Beth Dell, Rob Bicocchi

To the editor:

Sc c h o o ol l N e w w s

warning flood sensors for the Pascack Brook.

Take a good look at Rob and Bethʼs door hanger. Their long volunteer service to Westwood, invaluable Governing Body experience; and their actual accomplishments are the best reasons for their re-election on Nov. 8.

A vote for Beth and Rob is a vote for continuing calm, cooperative and confident leadership in Westwood.

Laura is one of the most articulate, clear thinking, and studied persons that I know. Her global career, education and leadership acumen has cultivated in her an outstanding wealth of experience and unique skills which will naturally translate into a highly productive, equitable, and informed BOE member.

dous asset to our Board of Education.

Barbara A. Peterson Westwood

1, Oct. 3, 2022]. It makes a Mamaʼs heart happy!

I noticed that on page 31 the paragraph that starts “Kazigian said the hiking path…” should actually say “Covello said the hiking path…” Just wondering if that could be changed online, so that it gives my son credit?

I

AMWRITING in support of Beth Dell and Rob Bicocchiʼs reelection to Westwood Council.

B eth is my neighbor on OʼToole. Michele and I have known her since our boys were in Ketler School together. Beth was a tireless advocate for our children and for their teachers. She carried that passion and dedication into her role as our council representative.

Iʼve watched Beth grow and mature into her council role. Her experience in that space makes her an effective, reasonable voice among a group that works well together with our mayor. The results are evident everywhere you look in Westwood.

Rob and I both coached our boys in Westwood Baseball. His facilities management experience was instrumental in the construction of the Meadow Brook field house. And now Rob has turned his expertise towards bringing a new, bicycle pump track to Westvale Park , improving our DPW equipment inventory and enhancing the boroughʼs technology footprint by securing new early

Vote Column: 1 Bicocchi/Dell! Joe Bergen Westwood

Laura Cooper for WWRSD BOE

To the editor:

I WANTTO share my support and enthusiasm for Westwood Regional School District Board of Education candidate Laura Cooper. I am a district parent and a long-time Westwood resident. I first met Laura nine years ago at Brookside Elementary school when her oldest daughter and my girls joined the Daisy Girl Scouts. Our girls are now freshman at the high school. Laura has lived in Westwood for twenty years and is married to a life-long Westwood resident who enjoys a rewarding high-school teaching career in another district.

With several top priorities for the district, from improving academic excellence to ignite passion for our children to become lifelong learners, more firmly established student socialization and behavior, whereby children strive to be collaborative, positive and healthy towards one another, to the creation of a stronger relationship between parents, community members and the school board, I know that Laura will make excellent contributions to our school district. With the recent superintendent change, I am confident Laura will build on the positive momentum under the new leadership of Dr. Mortimer.

Laura is objective and logical in her reasoning. She is unbiased, non-partisan, and honest; a straight-shooter who doesnʼt play games. She is a candidate with ethics rooted in research and facts who will get things done. Laura cares deeply for our children, for education, for our community and is both authentic and kind.

This election is important. It demands our attention and our scrutiny. Laura is the lesserknown underdog and I encourage everyone to take the time to get to know her as she will be a tremen

Scout’s mom: Credit where it’s due

To the editor: I ʼMIMPRESSEDWITH the Eagle

S cout article about my son Nick Covello and his fellow scout Michael Kazigian [“ScoutsʼEagle work goes ʻwildʼat Lincoln Park; Green Team backs Michael Kazigian, Nick Covello, who shared vision for spaceʼs potential,” page

TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON

I love reading this newspaper!

Tonya Covello Township of Washington Editorʼs note: We loved bringing readers this story and are delighted it made you happy. We apologize to Nick and Michael for the name slip; we have corrected the attribution in our online edition.

IHAopen houses Oct. 23 and 27

Immaculate Heart Academyʼs Fall open houses are Sunday, Oct. 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The school says, “If you are a young woman searching for a school known for its academic excellence, athletic competition, and creative expression grounded in traditional Catholic values, Immaculate Heart Academy (IHA) is the place for you.”

It adds, “Students from eight counties in New Jersey and New

York call IHA their second home, and we would love for you to join them. The sisterhood formed at IHA is incomparable, and the memories made last a lifetime— just ask the 10,869 graduates who have graced the IHA halls.”

Registration is requested at ihanj.com. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information, contact Lauren Rhein ʼ09, director of admissions, at (201) 445.6800 ext. 112 or lrhein@ihanj.com. IHA is at 500 Van Emburgh Ave.

Lambrinos: At youth cup, ‘We played incredible soccer’

rounds.

Moreover, Team USA was the only team to have scored a goal against the team that prevailed over them, coming in fourth place out of a field of 67 teams.

During the school year Alexandra plays for Match Fit Academy in Denville, in Morris County.

Her mom, Laura Lambrinos, told Pascack Press on Sept. 13, “We do a bit of driving, but itʼs fun.”

Alexandra, who plays defense, and on the trip also saw Denmark, told Pascack Press, “It was an amazing experience to be there. Imet incredible people from all over the United States and we clicked together and played incredible soccer while we were there.”

She said the pandemic “definitely threw a curve ball in” to her practices, “but I started to do a lot of training in my garage, which was great.”

Asked what advice she might have for others aiming to excel in

PARK RIDGE

Church’s fall garage sale Oct. 22

The First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, at 131 Pascack Road, invites you to its Fall Rummage/Garage Sale in conjunction with the Park Ridge Townwide Garage Sale on Saturday, Oct. 22, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

(Friday, Oct. 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. there will be a pre-sale with a fee of $5.)

Included in the sale: jewelry,

household items, linens, handbags, toys, electronics, sporting goods, furniture, shoes, handbags, and a limited selection of clothing for all the family.

There will also be a boutique room with new and nearly new items perfect for gifts for the holidays.

Book lovers will find a wonderful selection to choose from,

cookbooks to philosophy.

“Plus a huge Christmas section. You name it, we have it, come find it!”

Proceeds from the sale will go to mission concerns — local and abroad — and special projects.

For more information, call the church office at (201) 391-5800, visit congregationalchurch.net, or find the church on Facebook.

school and in additional challenges, she said, “Always stay tough. Thereʼs always a balance between everything, and as long as youʼre doing what you love in

school and outside of school then you will always be happy and have a perfect balance of everything.”

John Snyder

Views of the action at Ullevi Stadium,Gothenburg,Sweden,at this summer’s Gothia Cup,the world’s largest and most international soccer tournament,often referred to as the World Youth Cup.Hillsdale resident Alexandra Lambrinos,now an eighth-grader at George G.White Middle School,played hard for Team USA for FC New England. FCNE photos

Alexandra Lambrinos at home in Hillsdale. Courtesy photo

Health,Wellness &FitnessGuide

DR. KAPLAN: Stay connected to others for a happier brain

ship saved his brain.

My suggestion is to get off your phone, stop sitting at home on the computer or watching TV, and go out into the real world. If you donʼt have a friend to go out with, just walk outside and enjoy some people watching.

For example, take a dance class where you have different partners. Maybe you prefer to join a running or a bicycle group. I play tennis, soccer, and basketball.

DR. ERIC KAPLAN, KAPLAN BRAIN & BODY

The human need for community and interaction is not just sentimental. The brain truly needs this type of stimulation to boost your brain power. This need for community was researched in prisons, and they discovered that people who are in solitary confinement start to experience a quick decline in health. These prisoners hate being alone so much that they actually prefer to be next to murderers and violent criminals rather than in solitary confinement. Because the brain needs interaction, communication, and social activity, prisoners will do anything to avoid this punishment.

In regard to brain function, it doesnʼt matter how many Facebook friends you have, but rather how many in-person social experiences you have with friends or family. People are fooled into thinking they are being social because they are getting “likes” and “comments” on social media. We should actually call it “antisocial media” because it is preventing us from having face-toface interactions.

If patients tell me that they have no friends or family, then I let them know it is important to make some friends. If you really think it is too hard and there is absolutely no way you could ever make a new friend, you might choose to have a meaningful relationship with a pet.

If you canʼt get a pet, try a doll. In the movie “Castaway,” for instance, Tom Hanksʼs character personified a volleyball to talk to and interact with, and that relation-

You might see people sitting at a cafe having their first date, an old married couple holding hands walking down the street, kids hanging out together, or a mother strolling with her baby Watching these activities activates mirror neurons that will stimulate the brain as much as doing the activities yourself.

It might be hard to believe, but staying connected is an extremely important step to boosting brain power. Staying engaged with people and having good, positive, face-to-face interactions, or getting out into the world and spending time in your community stimulates the brain while maintaining its health and strength.

Start spending more time with your family. Neuroscience has proven that grandparents who spend time with grandkids live longer and report an increase in overall happiness. This is the result of a symbiotic relationship. Grandparents share their experience, knowledge, and love with their grandkids, and in turn receive a brain power boost—improving their happiness, body movements, health, and quality of life.

But donʼt just think about it. In these modern times, you have to actually manage your calendar— not only for work, holidays, or special events, but for meeting up with friends and family. Social interaction is vital to boosting brain function.

It is best to set up activities that require social interaction and get you moving at the same time.

These sports are great for my cardiovascular health, but they also facilitate making new friends, supporting old friends, helping them with their problems, hearing stories about their families, human interaction, socialization, as well as having many laughs and good times. Laughter is the best medi cine, so it is even better if you can socialize with people who are funny and have a good sense of humor.

Show love to people you know and those you donʼt. Hold the door open for the next person. Pick up the book that someone dropped. Offer to get a stranger a drink or food. Tip your grocery check-out person.

If you have a passion or a skill that you are really good at, volunteer to help those in need. If you do a good deed, not only will that reduce your depression or anxiety, but it will also reduce the depression or anxiety of the person you did the good deed for.

Additionally, it will also reduce the depression or anxiety of any person that witnessed the good deed. Then, hopefully, someone will pay it forward and change the world one good deed at a time.

If you or someone you know are interested in learning more about boosting your brainpower without drugs, surgery, injections, supplements, or herbs, please purchase my book, “Boost Your Brainpower: A Guide to Improving Your Memory & Focus.”

What better gift to give yourself and the gift of health! You can buy it on Amazon or Dr. Kaplan is offering signed books for free if you come pick it up at our office or

if it is easier you can just pay the shipping and handling fees and we can send it to you for free. This offer is valid for the first seven people who write info@kaplanbrainandbody.com or call (201) 261-2150.

Also we have a special gift for our readers in our Emerson office. For the months of October and November, you can receive a complete neurological evaluation to determine why you have problems with your brain, mood, energy,

WESTWOOD

SENIOR

The Westwood Senior Fellowshipʼs next meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 11:30 a.m. The club is hosting pizza, refreshments, cake, and coffee for members only. The flyers will be ready

memory, focus, sleep, digestion, anger, pain, inflammation, anxiety, depression, and many other brain problems. If you are interested in getting this non-invasive brain map or qEEG, it usually costs $400, but our gift to you, as long as you book it for a Saturday, you can get the entire brain map for $21. Please text or call (646) 221-6738 to reserve your spot immediately because there are five spots remaining in October, and seven spots in November.

for the clubʼs annual Christmas luncheon. Remember, too, the Halloween Hootenanny on Saturday, Oct. 29. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Paid tickets only admitted to the event.

SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY...AND BEYOND

When looking f or a firm to help you work toward your financial goals –w hether itʼs affording retirement, helping a child or grandchild pay for higher education, or making a luxury purchase, such as vacation home – you obviously want to find one with the resources you need.

But I think thereʼs more to it than that; you should seek one

Wells Fargo & Company, for example,

to:

Be leaders

employees

Be engaged and connected in our communities

Value and promote diversity and inclusion in every aspect of our business

ne way employees are encouraged to be leaders is by becoming members of board of directors at nonprofit organizations.

We know that employees play a valuable role in improving the lives of individuals and families, and board service is one way of demonstrating commitment to our communities.

To help deal with the significant time commitment that a board membership, or other charitable activity, can represent, Wells Fargo & Co. allots each employee 16 hours of paid time per year to be used exclusively for volunteer work.

In addition, the Community Care Grants program, governed and funded by the Wells Fargo

Foundation, recognizes employees for their financial giving and volunteer service activities –including board service. Through this program, an employee can qualify for up to $2,000 per year in Community Care Grants. Once an employee has received a grant, they can choose which eligible charities theyʼd like to support by directing the funds to any of the approximately one million eligible charities.

Leveraging our strengths

While our primary motivation is the chance to help others, we also see participating in community leadership as an opportunity for employees to commit to a cause, issue, or organization where they have an affinity and a passion. This experience can help them leverage their strengths and expertise, develop new skills, and tackle new challenges.

Investment and Insurance Products are:

• Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government Agency

• Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, the Bank or Any Bank Affiliate

• Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of the Principal Amount Invested

On top of that, volunteering offers a variety of development opportunities, including hands-on learning, either on the job or through volunteer activities or special assignments. Volunteering helps us to:

PARK RIDGE

• Positively shape our communities

• Expand community connections with others where we live and work

• Expand our networks, gain visibility, and build business acumen

• Build greater insight by being a “voice” for inclusion and build diversity awareness and cultural competence.

Promoting diversity

As the last bullet above shows, Wells Fargo & Co. focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our strategic framework is focused on driving outcomes in three key areas:

•Workforce diversity, equity, and inclusion outcomes ( recruitment, development, engagement, and retention)

•Marketplace outcomes (growing market share in diverse market segments and identifying new and improving existing relationships with diverse suppliers)

•Diversity, equity, and inclusion advocacy activities (supporting regulatory, externalrelationship, and reputationbuilding efforts as well as personal accountability for diversity, equity, and inclusion advocacy)

This article was written byWells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Eric Kohlmeier, Senior Financial Advisor, Managing DirectorInvestments in Park Ridge at (201) 505-0472.

Elks Oktoberfest

Park Ridge Recreation and the Park Ridge Elks Lodge are having their Second Annual Family Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 3 to 8 p.m. in tents at the Elks Lodge parking lot on 13 Sulak Lane. Admission is free.

There will be live music by The Big Ones, German-inspired food and desserts, beverages, face painting and balloon animals, and much more fun. Rain date is Sunday, Oct. 16 from 1 to 6 p.m.

ERIC KOHLMEIER

Do better: Meeting to clarify also throws sparks

FROM PAGE 3

Over the weeks since school resumed in September, state education officials have publicly stated that districts risk “discipline” if they do not adopt and implement state health and sex ed standards, though state officials stress local districts have latitude in implementing the standards.

McCallister lists items not in health curricula

Responding to issues raised by trustees at the August adoption of the health/sex ed curriculum, trustee Joseph McCallister read a

three-page statement he prepared listing seven concerns that he said were not included in the standards approved by the board.

Most of the issues he addressed were previously raised by trustee Michael Pontillo — a point Pontillo acknowledged. Moreover, Pontillo took exception to McCallisterʼs statement and also his Facebook page, calling them “misinformation.”

McCallisterʼs statement listed the seven issues trustees had raised that he said were not included in the curriculum, ranging from having a sixth grade student talk to any adult about puberty; or teaching

Hrbek Halloween PartyOct.22

PASCACKVALLEY

Save the date for the 11th Annual Sgt. Christopher Hrbek Halloween Party, Saturday, Oct. 22 from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at Washington Township Knights of Columbus, 79 Pascack Road Township of Washington.

Your $75 donation includes music, full open bar, and food. Thereʼs a costume contest with prizes — costumes are required. Ages 21 and over, only

For ticket info, call Louise Cue at (201) 755-2265 or write louisecue@verizon.net . For more information visit sgthrbek.com and follow on Facebook at the Sgt. Chris Hrbek event page

Via Cheryl Hodges

Westwood’s Sgt.Christopher Hrbek, USMC,a 2002 graduate of Westwood Regional High School,was killed in action in Afghanistan on Jan. 14,2010.He is recalled in part for his love of Halloween and gift of fun.

children about getting pregnant; or suggesting to 11- and 12-year old that they should be having anal sex.

Other items trustees previously raised Aug. 25 that McCallister emphasized were not in the approved curriculum included: Having 11- and 12-year-olds write sexually explicit stories in the classroom; teaching kids about how to go and get an abortion; and promoting sex, gender stereotyping and having students declare their sexual orientation.

“Thank you, Dr. Mortimer, and all of the educators in this district who helped develop this curriculum, for not having such inappropriate instruction,” said McCallister.

He added, “I am reassured to know that our district is operated and staffed by such conscientious professionals.”

He said, “The apparent disagreement over this curriculum is not one of objective content. If that were the case the (5-4) vote last month might have been closer to unanimous. No, this is a matter of what I can only hope is an unintentional misinterpretation and an unintentional misrepresentation of the facts.”

Pontillo responds

“Clearly itʼs campaign season,” replied Pontillo, who also is

HILLSDALE

Westwoodʼs chief of police. He said McCallisterʼs quotes were from the new curriculum written for middle school students that he had highlighted in his prior remarks.

He said in late August the superintendent sent an email that noted she “changed and removed aspects” of the new health curriculum based upon Pontilloʼs comments. He said that was “validation” of his comments.

“You can grandstand all you like, youʼre misinformed. I appreciate your speech. I will not be scolded by you, though,” Pontillo said.

Trustee Stacey Price said those who voted against adopting the new health curriculum had an issue with the state standards, not how those standards would be taught by local teachers as McCallister also had alleged.

“Our teachers did an amazing job with what they were given,” she said.

She said she was “highly offended” that McCallister went after her professionalism at the last meeting and in his comments on Sept. 22.

Trustee Maureen Colombo said McCallisterʼs comments were a “thoughtful response” to what happened at the last meeting. She said itʼs not “misrepresentation”

but itʼs each trusteeʼs own interpretation of the curriculum.

She said McCallister was giving another point of view, not grandstanding or playing politics. She said McCallisterʼs comments were not taking personal jabs at anyone.

Pontillo said every issue raised by McCallister was mentioned by him. He wondered why McCallister did not include the term “blow job” as he asserted it was said “30, 40 times” at the last meeting.

Trustee Kristen Pedersen said she appreciated Colomboʼs comments, noting itʼs “just different viewpoints” on the sex ed curriculum and said she was personally “disgusted by the fact that this community cannot respect people who have different viewpoints.”

She said thereʼs two sides “and the one side will call the other side a racist, a bigot, a homophobe, if the other side does not agree with every single principle from that side. And thatʼs absurd, that is disgusting, that is misinformation and that is causing a huge divide in this community, so we need to stop it, we need to cut this [expletive] honestly. Excuse my language, we need to stop it and we need to learn how to

Art studio open house Oct. 22

Youʼre invited into the magic of seven artistsʼworlds at Suzi Geraceʼs Dream Makerʼs Studio open house, at 101 West St., on Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Guests of all ages are wel come. Items will be for sale from $6 to $600.

Youʼll also find information on the studioʼs many new classes and workshops for kid and adults, including acrylic and watercolor painting, adult sewing and fabric painting, jew-

elry making, vision board work shops, drumming and meditation, and introduction to essential oils.

Refreshments will be served, and a free crafting table will be provided for kids and adults.

Guitarist Pete Pizzuti per forms from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Artists represented include:

• Suzi Gerace, founder of the Dream Makerʼs studio – original artwork, upcycled fashion designs

featuring unique clothing, handmade pottery, jewelry, and handpainted floor cloths and paint ings;

• Theresa Mustafa, member of the prestigious Potterʼs Guild of New Jersey – ornaments and tiles.

• Valerie Tomiello of Missoula, Mont. – beautiful handmade teapots and bowls.

• Margaret Durbeck of Hackensack – acrylic paintings.

• Jeanne Stella of Closter –prints and paintings.

• David Strauss of Park Ridge – watercolors.

• Lisa Wigutow of Montvale – pastels.

• Lynn Massey of Woodcliff Lake –oil paintings.

• Sheri Mesick of Hawthorne –watercolor and fashion illustration, and more.

Gerace has 40 years of experience as a toy designer, producing products made all over the world. Her designs include such iconic childrenʼs characters as Paddington Bear, Madeline, Beatrix Potter, Good Night Moon, Arthur, and Eric Carlʼs Very Hungry Caterpillar, and many others.

She was a founder of Masks Matter, an organization that has made and distributed thousands of masks to local hospitals, nursing homes, and more.

For more information, con tact Gerace at (201) 248-5502 or

Council: Seeks options on bones of proposed DPW

PAGE 6

When Calamari asked what Morganʼs idea would mean in relation to square footage or possibly two, one-story structures, she said she was “not sure what the DPW is going to need” and said she hoped the architect might “shed some light on several different options.”

Sears said they were hoping to cut the cost of the brick and mortar structure “in half by doing steel and then for the DPW people a brick and mortar building strictly for their use” that would include offices, sleeping space and a kitchen.

Calamari said that DPW “has signed off” on the number of bays, office space needed, and added, “The vehicles will not fit in the parking lot up here, they just wonʼt.”

He said it appeared council was talking about “cutting out the [visitor] parking” in the municipal lot for an expanded DPW structure, and noted some council members were “providing a mixed message” on what they wanted and what to tell the architect.

Calamari said the architect was initially instructed to design a new DPW facility in the prior buildingʼs footprint, and if that space was now larger, he needed to confirm that with the council.

The council appeared to be in

favor of leaving the new facility on the former DPWʼs footprint, although designs featuring a second-story storage option and steel structures for covering equipment were requested.

Member Steven Cascio said he wanted to see a couple other renderings of options for steel and brick and mortar buildings, including second floor space for additional storage. “Letʼs get our moneyʼs worth. Give me two or three versions of what we can do on this property.”

Morgan also asked if the architect could attend the next public meeting. Instead, Calamari said, he could bring questions directly back to the architect rather than wait until the next meeting.

Sears asked whether the council should see the square footage of the existing property, adding he liked more bays on the grounds. Cascio said he was not looking for more bays, but “a different design … a different rendering” to consider.

Cascio said constructing a building with half from steel and half from brick and mortar “does not make building sense or financial sense, thatʼs all I have to say.”

Morgan said the council “has a responsibility to look at every single option and decide with what they (DPW) need, what we can do responsibly.” Morgan said

she would like to see “multiple renderings” from the architect on possible DPW designs.

Feeney noted “we have been repeatedly told” by the administration and DPW that all the equipment DPW owns will not fit in a DPW facility built at the town hall property. “Regardless of how many bays we build, itʼs not going to happen.”

Feeney said that the architect and DPW officials attend a council meeting to have DPW confirm what building design works best for DPW operations, including bays and equipment storage needs. “Without that, weʼre not going to have the right answers.”

Member Daisy Velez said she wanted to see more renderings and that the architectʼs DPW packet included renderings that she said showed that steel structures would “take away from the (municipal) parking situation.”

Morgan said she did not want to store DPW equipment “permanently” at the recently purchased 6.1-acre former swim club property and that council should not request more bays if it does not reduce the DPW equipment storage at the swim club.

Calamari asked if the council consensus was five bays at the new DPW facility, versus four or six bays. Morgan wondered if the architect could specify how many bays it would take to house all the

current DPW equipment. Feeney said an email was sent to council describing what equipment could stay and not stay at the architectʼs first-proposed DPW facility.

Calamari said he would ask the architect how much square footage was needed to house all DPW equipment, and translate that into number of bays.

Morgan asked that if all DPW equipment is not stored in the new DPWʼs bays, and ends up left out in the weather, was there “another shed-like material” that can cover and protect it.

Calamari said they would need to look at the locations where excess equipment could be stored and then what could be done to protect it at those specific locations.

Calamari noted the Bergen County executiveʼs offer of temporary equipment storage was “short term in a pinch” and that the council “is looking for a 50year solution.”

Sears said that one town stores its equipment on a steel structureʼs second floor, which Feeney previously mentioned, noting that plows and generators

are examples of what might be stored there.

Replying to resident Thomas Sneeʼs questions, Calamari said township engineer Boswell Engineering “will have some answers to us later this month as to what can and cannot be done at that [swim club] because of the topography.”

Calamari also said the possible purchase of 3.2 acres at 450 Pascack Road “was active and on our radar” and had been discussed in recent closed-session meetings. Snee advocated for 450ʼs purchase to add space for possible parking for major sports events at nearby Memorial Field.

The property had been previously recommended for additional township parking during prior council discussions. The council bid $430,000 last summer for 450 Pascack Road, under threat of eminent domain should nego tiations not be successfully con cluded.

Negotiations are ongoing, but little information is available due to such legal matters being exempt from public disclosure.

FROM PAGE 5

maine Ortiz, Emerson.

Challenging them are Republicans Douglas Holden, S addle River; Ronald Lin, Franklin Lakes; and Dierdre Paul, Englewood.

The county executive candidates will square off in a virtual debate on Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m., the proceedings sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Bergen County A link to the Zoom debate will be posted on the Leagueʼs website.

H ereʼs a summary of our areaʼs municipal races:

Emerson

The boroughʼs 5,704 registered voters (data via Bergen County Clerkʼs Office Sept. 28, 2022) will decide the only may oral challenge in the Pascack Valley.

First-term mayor Danielle DiPaola, a republican, took office in early 2109 after campaigning in part ag ainst the late 2018 approval of the 147-unit “Emerson Station” downtown redevelopment. She is now challenged for the gavel by Jeanine Lamatina, wife of immediate past mayor Louis Lamatina.

JeanineLamatina is listed as

office manager and paralegal in her husbandʼs law office, in Paramus.

Redevelopment progress continues slowly, and DiPaola recently updated residents noting the project was “moving along” despite unresolved lawsuits and a legal dispute over $500,000 in c onstruction services that the redeveloper reneged on claiming the borough did not meet a contracturally agreed deadline.

The money was promised in exchange for the boroughʼs deeding the former ambulance corps property to Emerson Redevelopers Urban Renewal.

See “Emerson Station ʻmoving along,ʼsays mayor,” Pascack Press, Oct. 3, 2022.

We reached out Oct. 2 to the campaigns of DiPaola and Lamatina seeking platforms and positions. DiPaola replied requesting more time. We did not hear from the Lamatina team.

Moreover, incumbent Republican councilmembers Jill McGuire and Nicole Argenzia are being challenged by Democrats Jose Organ and Richard Dinallo.

Registered voters break down as 1,497 Democrats, 2,167 Republicans, and 2,040 unaffiliated voters, said the Bergen County Clerkʼs Office.

vote? Deadline is

Hillsdale

The boroughʼs 8,591 registered voters will see a ballot with two uncontested council seats as R epublican incumbent Janetta Trochimiuk, currently council president, and newcomer Justin P. Fox, run unopposed by Democrats.

Registered voters break down as 2,670 Democrats, 2,432 Republicans, and 3,489 unaffiliated voters, according to the Bergen County clerk.

Montvale

The boroughʼs 6,760 voters find an uncontested race for three c ouncil seats, as incumbent Republicans Timothy Lane, Christopher Roche and Theresa C udequest, run unopposed by Democrats.

Registered voters break down as 2,008 Democrats, 1,960 Republicans, and 2,792 unaffiliated voters, according to county clerk records.

Park Ridge

The boroughʼs 7,279 voters have a contested race for two council seats as incumbent Democrats Robert Metzdorf and Kelly Epstein are challenged by Republicans Bruce Goldsmith and Gregory Hoffman.

Registered voters break down as 2,151 Democrats, 2,205 Republicans, and 2,923 unaffiliated voters, said the county clerkʼs office.

River Vale

The townshipʼs 8,495 voters face an uncontested local race, with incumbent Republican Mark Bromberg, currently council president, running unopposed for mayor.

Two-term Republican Mayor Glen Jasionowski, a presence on the Township Council dais for a decade as mayor and councilman, decided to pursue other opportunities. (See “Jasionowski Out Of Race; Bromberg Campaigns For Mayor,” Pascack Press, April 1, 2022.)

Running unopposed for two council seats are incumbent Democrat Denise Sieg and Republican James Tolomeo Jr.

Registered voters break down as 2,482 Democrats, 2,577 Republicans, and 3,436 unaffiliated voters.

Township of Washington

No mayor or council races are on tap for the townshipʼs 7,632 voters. Registered voters break down as 1,998 Democrats, 2,814 Republicans, and 2,820 unaffiliated voters.

Westwood

two council seats, left vacant by the departures of one-term incumbent Republican Stephen Falanga and longtime Democratic incumbent Angela Hayes.

Republican council candidates are Joshua Stern and Brian DeStefano. Opposing them are Democrats Benjamin Pollack and Nicole Marsh.

M oreover, voters will be asked to approve continuation of the Open Space Fund, with an added public use as noted on the ballot question under Section D. The dedicated fund charges taxpayers 1 cent for every $100 of assessed property valuation. The new use includes:

“Open Space Trust Fund monies may also be used to pay debt service on indebtedness issued or incurred by the Borough for the purposes set forth in Section B and C above.”

Officials said that if this passes this will allow them to use local Open Space funds to pay down interest on any bonding required to complete the Galaxy Gardens passive park.

The other public question sections read:

in

tiled Foyer opens to LR/DR open concept which illuminates in natural light. Wooden floors warms throughout.

room has an easy walk out to the deck through large sliding doors. Private backyard opens to nature. Renovated Kitchen with all new appliances with granite countertop.

renovated full bathroom. Hallway and linen closet. Master bedroom has double door

Two additional bedrooms

this floor with a spacious pull down attic.

ground floor opens to a bright living area and bedroom. Sliding doors to the patio and serene level backyard. Full bathroom, laundry area, storage and utility room. Easy access to an oversized garage.

to

Paula E. Atakhanian

Ridgewood West Office

The boroughʼs 8,422 voters face a contested council race, at least partly, as incumbent Republicans Robert Bicocchi and Beth Dell face a challenge from Democrat Lesley Whyard for the two open council seats. Only one Democrat was nominated.

Registered voters: 3,014 Democrats, 2,374 Republicans and 3,034 unaffiliated.

Woodcliff Lake

The boroughʼs 4,985 voters will face a contested election for

“B. These funds shall be used for the purchase of open space so as to preserve such land as open space, and to keep said land in its natural state. C. If no open space is available for pur chase, then the monies in said fund shall be used for such other passive recreation, conservation, farmland preservation or historic preservation purposes as may be permitted by law, to be deter mined following a public hearing.”

Registered voters break down as 1,675 Democrats, 1,319 Republicans, and 1,991 unaffili ated voters.

Throughout the eight Pascack Valley towns, as of late September, there were a total of 57,868 registered voters.

Jimmy

FROM PAGE 30

respect each other, respect the fact that there are going to be different opinions and that is okay.”

She said, “People have always had different opinions, we need to respect it, we need to support them.

We donʼt necessarily have to believe them but just respect each other. I donʼt get why itʼs so hard. I donʼt understand how we got to this point. We have to stop it.”

Trustee Andrea Peck said she did not agree with “name-calling at all” but said when someoneʼs opinion is harmful to a specific group of people, then people “have a right to speak out” noting that there are “groups of people that need to be protected and supported and our job is to make sure that they are.”

As an example, Price said she has a daughter who has to share the bathroom with a transgendered male. “That makes her uncomfortable; she would rather not do that as would her friends. Does that make her a ʻtransphobeʼ?,” she asked, adding is it okay for others to call her that name.

Peck answered no and again repeated she did not agree with name-calling ever, noting the “community needs to come together with the children who are affected and try to find solutions that everybody is comfortable with.”

Romano said literally heʼs in “the middle” of the debate and he

likes to be even-handed in approaching issues.

He said, “Iʼm a person who thrives on hope and the behaviors that are described here exist on both sides, as someone described them tonight, and for me that extinguishes hope. It certainly extinguishes my hope.”

Concluding the meeting, he added, “For what itʼs worth we have to find a way to set an example for this community because it does become divided at times on issues like these and it gets ugly at times over issues like these … letʼs find a way, we have to find a way to do better.”

Letters:

Re-elect Joe McCallister at WWRSD

To the editor:

I

AMWRITING today in support of Joe McCallister for WWRSD Board of Education. As a community, we are lucky to have such a qualified candidate running for re-election.

As a mom of three young children, I take a lot of interest in our schools. I listen or attend nearly every BOE meeting which has allowed me to see the way Mr. McCallister handles himself on the dais. Meeting after meeting he h as shown professionalism, a calm demeanor and decorum. It is obvious how serious Mr. McCallister takes the position that he has been elected to fulfill.Mr. McCallister comes prepared, speaks calmly, and represents our community in a positive way. He is willing to work with members of the board and the community and truly has the best interest of all students in mind.

The BOE has historically

never been a political position but in the past few years itʼs w rongly starting to become political. Mr. McCallister is nonpartisan and doesnʼt serve on the board to satisfy any personal vendettas or political agendas. His motivation is bettering our district and the students it serves. Mr. McCallister shows and gives respect, with both his words and actions. He is an excellent example to our students on how to conduct yourself while speaking in public and in a position of authority. Mr. McCallister uses kind and respectful words towards others, even when they are on opposing sides, and doesnʼt rely on theatrics.

Mr. McCallister also holds professional qualifications to sit on the board. He is an English teacher in a highly ranked local district and is furthering his education while completing his doctorate in conflict resolution.

I know I speak on behalf of a lot of other school district families, both in Township and Westwood, when I say that Mr. McCallister is the type of board member, we want continuing to steer our district into the future. His experience has shown us the type of leader he will be, some one who wholeheartedly has my vote. I urge other Township residents to do the same on Nov. 8

MEDIA SALES ASSOCIATE

DiPaola team works for Emerson

To the editor:

development in a manner that protects Emersonʼs unique smallt own charm. We continue to believe that progress and development should be addressed carefully, with every attempt to protect Emersonʼs residential neighborhoods and enhance the Emerson we love.

Michelle has proven herself to be an effective leader and has always been involved in creating and adding positive opportunities for our children.

Kitchen Cabinet installers helper. Must have basic knowledge of tools. Valid drivers license. Ken Bauer Kitchens, Hillsdale NJ (201)664-6881.

LANDSCAPING - labor wanted, Immediate opening. Experience a plus but willing to train. Must have means of transportation.

201-664-3130.

Department Manager Borough of Westwood is seeking a qualified individual for full-time Health Department Manager The purpose of this position is the management of the overall day-to-day operations and personnel of the Health Department to assure the successful achievement of the department’s mission and identified objectives. The manager works to promote and support town health and ensures compliance with a broad range of regulations. Ideal candidate will have 5 years of supervisory experience. Successful applicants will have shown the ability to manage a busy office or department. Ability to plan, organize and supervise various department programs. Manager works in concert with contracted Health Officer to optimize services available communitywide. The successful candidate should be comfortable with managing a budget, resolving conflict and communi cating effectively. Demonstrated ability to effectively supervise office staff and their performance, build relationships and maintain critical records and files. Candidate should be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, willing to learn all state software registration programs, and actively prepare and participate in ongoing Board Meetings. Once hired new department manager must be willing to complete necessary on line training to achieve Certified Municipal Registrar (CMR) certification. Interested candidates should submit cover letter and resume via email, mbnetzer@westwoodnj.gov. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Westwood is an EOE

I

AMEXCITED to be running for reelection with Mayor DiPaola and Councilwoman Argenzia. Hardworking, dedicated and intelligent, Danielle and Nicole are women I deeply respect. It is a pleasure to serve the Emerson residents alongside them.

The DiPaola administrationʼs accomplishments these past four years are noteworthy. In fact, there are too many to reflect upon here. However, Iʼd like to touch upon some that I believe are value-adds to the Emerson residents. Livestreamed/televised meetings now bring government to the residents, ensuring all have easy access to borough information in a timely manner. The senior/special needs bus, increased recreational/volunteer opportunities, newly introduced community events, and newly welcomed community businesses also enhance Emerson, helping instill a sense of place and pride for res idents.

Collaboration has also been a priority. The hiring of SRO/SLEO officers for district schools, safety programming/events, such as Walk to School Day, and the reintroduced Veterans Day ceremony are but a few of our collaborative efforts.

Four years ago, Emerson residents entrusted the DiPaola administration to approach future

DiPaola, McGuire and Argenzia will continue to work diligently to improve Emerson for all residents. We will remain mindful that such efforts be made in a fiscally responsible manner, always with the goal of providing value for the Emerson tax dollar.

On Nov. 8, please cast your vote for DiPaola, McGuire and Argenzia. We will work hard for you! Thank you, Jill McGuire Emerson

Re-elect Sembler at WWRSD BOE

To the editor:

I AMWRITING this in support of Michelle Sembler for re-election to the WWRSD Board of Education.

For the past two years Michelle has been a tremendous advocate for our children and their education.

Michelle pushed for increased safety measures, supported our teachers and has been a positive voice in the community long before she was elected to the board of education. No matter what the community or sporting event was happening thereʼs a good chance Michelle was there supporting it.

I have never met anyone who is a more attentive listener to all stakeholders concerns and feel that re-electing Michelle would be of tremendous benefit to our community to continue the success and the positive direction our school system is heading towards.

I urge everyone in our community to vote Michelle Sembler back to the Board of Education for the sake of our schools, our community and especially for our children.

Anthony Lazaro Westwood parent

Lesley Whyard for WW council

To the editor:

COMMUNICATION , organization and keeping residents informed of community events are paramount to an effective local leader in my opinion — in fact, they are a few of the key motivations of why I officially ran for a seat on the Borough Council in 2017.

I am a mom of three (aged 8, 12, and 16) and staying plugged in to all of the wonderful programs, events and resources that our borough has to offer can sometimes feel like a daunting task! I knew of Lesley Whyard through her “I Love Westwood” Facebook page well before we

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS LABOR ER TEMPORARYF/T FALLHELP– HILLSDALE BOROUGH. The Borough is accepting applications for Temporary Full Time Fall Help. Duties will include but are not limited to working with a vacuum leaf loader, performing manual labor by raking, & other related duties.Must have a valid New Jersey Driver ’s License. Employment applications are available at www.hillsdalenj.org or at 380 Hillsdale Avenue, Hillsdale, NJ. To apply, please complete a job application from our website and submit to the DPW Superintendent at dhayes@hillsdalenj.org or you may drop off your application at 380 Hillsdale Avenue, Hillsdale, NJ 07642 by October 11, 2022. The Borough reserves the right to interview candidates prior to the expiration of the job posting. EOE.

The Westwood Police Department is currently hiring for the position of part time Public Safety Telecommunicator. Applicants are not required to possess a Basic 911 Telecommunicator Certification, Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification or CPR certification, but these are preferred if the applicant possesses them. The position requires good communication skills, public contact, the ability to multi-task, basic computer familiarity and the ability to solve problems. Applicants must be able to pass a background investigation and drug screening test. Applications are available at Westwood Police HQ - 101 Washington Avenue Westwood, NJ 07675. You may also contact Chief Michael R. Pontillo at 201-664-7000 ext #151. The Borough of Westwood is an equal opportunity employer.

CLASS REUNION! Courtyard Montvale, Montvale, NJ, Nov. 4–6. Contact: Doug Bowen, stonykill@verizon.net.

Caregivers seek position for evenings, weekends, overnight and live-in. Experienced, with refer ences. Fully vaccinated. Call 201-823-7923.

viduals.

and vote for Mr. Joe McCallister! Julie Ottaiano Rivera Township of Washington

H

ANNTTEED

S

TU

ATTIIOON N W WAANNTTEED D

PASCACK HILLS 1972

C

H HEELLP P W WAANNTTEED D

H HEELLP P W WAANNTTEED D

Coach: PVRDT honors Dena Noone with donation

FROM PAGE 1

Ithaca College.

Pascack Valley Dance Team Parents Association President Dina Mattessich told Pascack Press, “With Coach Dena celebrating her 30th year, the decision was easy, the team honored her by choosing Autism Speaks. Coach Denaʼs son was diagnosed at the age of 2, so you could imagine the tears rolling down her face when she was told that fundraising efforts would support an organization near and dear to her heart.”

She added, “This is just a small token of giveback from the team for all the school and community support they have received over the years.”

The team is partly funded by the Pascack Valley Regional High

Letters:

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34

met as parishioners at Zion Lutheran Church in Westwood. I was and am truly impressed by the labor of love that she took upon herself to inform and unify the Westwood community through her social media page in the early stages of Facebook.

Public service announcements about local weather, traffic, detours, lost pets, sporting events and more — all were shared enthusiastically and instantly with her growing online followers.

Lesleyʼs passion for commu nity service has continued with her involvement with local animal rescue groups — fostering ani mals until they have found loving

School District and parentsʼ fundraising.

Assistant coach Valentina DeSantis, who has been working alongside Noone for nine years, joined the team in 2006, when she was in high school. She said under Nooneʼs direction the team has won 11 dance titles in pom dancing

whereby the dancers use pom poms as part of high-energy, athletic dance routines — and 21 national championships overall, including pom, team performance, hiphop, jazz, and kick line dancing.

DeSantis said members of the Pascack Valley dance team attended an Autism Speaks Walk on Sept. 24 at the Meadowlands Racetrack. She said team members greeted participants who entered the grounds and also performed at the end of the event.

She said the week before that,

homes has become a signature staple in her day to day schedule. Lending a helping hand with our boroughʼs food pantries and making grocery deliveries to those who may be homebound has become a meaningful way for her to connect with residents on a weekly basis.

Motivated by service to our community and outreach to members of the borough (human and animal) have been demonstrated by Lesley Whyard well before she volunteered to put her name on the ballot for this yearʼs Borough Council race. A thoughtful, steady and forwardthinking temperament are the characteristics that Lesley Whyard embodies as a potential member of our boroughʼs dais.

Erin Collins Westwood councilwoman

team members conducted a car wash and donated a portion of proceeds to Autism Speaks. The Hillsdale police and volunteer ambulance corps surprised them with a donation at the event.

DeSantis said Noone was there at the start of the dance team in 1988, when she was a senior in high school. After graduating from college, she was able to take the reins as head coach of the Pascack Valley Regional Dance Team.

Noone told Pascack Press that she helped form the Pascack Valley Dance Team with one of her best friends, and that MaryLou Allgor was the teamʼs first coach.

Noone said at one point, her sister was on the team; her mom coached the team about three years before she took over as coach.

PASCACK VALLEY

“Our team motto is Never Me, Always We Our focus is always on the team and the girls feel this way too. They say this motto before competitions, and we have it on posters,” said Noone.

Mattessich said the team hosts three “Tween Scenes” throughout the year (Sept. 30, Nov. 4, and Dec. 9) and children in grades 3–5 are welcome to attend the two-hour event to play games, dance, and socialize.

On Nov. 22, she said, the team is partnering with Domani for a dine-in/out fundraiser event.

On Dec. 4, she said, the team is hosting a dance clinic for grades K-8. She said kids learn the latest jazz, hip-hop and pom technique and routines. Naturally, she said, parents are invited back to watch

their child perform what theyʼve learned.

On Jan. 29, 2023, the team will host the Sweetheart dance competitions for middle school, high school, and college dance teams from the Tri-State Area.

“We also welcome community members to come to the event to watch all the exciting performances,” she said.

Mattessich said the final showcase is the teamʼs send-off before varsity heads off to Orlando and Dance Team Union Nationals.

“Whether you are on jayvee or varsity, each team member plays an important role for each one of these events. They are the driving force behind making each one a success,” she said.

Walk to Reduce Suicide Oct. 16

The annual Bergen County Walk, hosted by the New Jersey Chapter will be held at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16 at Saddle River County Park – Otto C Pehle.

Funds from the walk will support the American Foundation for Suicide Preventionʼs research, education and support efforts and will help the organization achieve its bold goal to reduce the annual U.S. suicide rate by 20% by the year 2025.

The Bergen County Walk is one of more than 13 Out of the Darkness Walks taking place this fall in New Jersey. The walks will

bring together more than 9,000 walkers and raise one million for suicide prevention efforts. In 2021, the Bergen County Walk, raised over $125,000 with 880 participants. This year the goal is $130,000.

Local sponsors for the Bergen County Walk include: Platinum Sponsor: Sefcik Productions; Gold Sponsors: CBH Cares, McCann Health, Jim and Lynne Tosone, North Jersey Health & Wellness; Silver Sponsors: Inserra Supermarkets, Wegmans, A Work of Heart Counseling.

The American Foundation for

Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture thatʼs smart about mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide.

Learn more about AFSP in its latest annual report, and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

OBITUARIES

Molly J. LADEMANN

Molly J. Lademann, 92, a long-time resident of Park Ridge, passed away on Sept. 29, 2022. Molly was born in Xenia, Ohio on Nov 29, 1929, the daughter of the Hon. Judge Frank Johnson and Mary Ruth Hodge Johnson.

She was married to the late Ernest E. Lademann on June 20, 1953.

Molly was a graduate of Ohio State University. She completed graduate studies at the University of Virginia and William Paterson College of New Jersey She taught elementary grades in Columbus, Ohio, Alexandria, Va., and Paramus. When her children were older, she substituted in Montvale, Wood cliff Lake, and Upper Saddle River school districts.

She loved traveling the United States with Ernie in their RV, and spent many enjoyable days in their cabin in the Adirondacks. Her happiest moments were with her family when they were all together.

She is survived by her sister in-law Patricia Johnson, four children Patricia Grisolia and her husband, Albert, of Westwood; Ernest Lademann III and his wife, Maria, of Raleigh, N.C.; Carol Hansen and her husband, Chris, of Milford; and Christine Hartner and her husband, Jim, of Wyndmoor, Penn.

She has nine grandchildren: Dawn Elmore; Brittany, Victoria, and Alec Lademann; Christian, Connor, and Carley Hansen; and Knoll and Rae Hartner.

Visitation 5–7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at Robert Spearing Funeral Home Inc., 155 Kinderkamack Road, Park Ridge, rsfhi.com. A brief funeral service will be held at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a char ity of your choice.

Mary Jane A. LESKO

Mary Jane A. (Fitzgibbons) Lesko, 90, of Whiting, N.J., formerly of Westwood, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. She is predeceased by her beloved husband, Joseph Sr.

Mary Jane is survived by her loving children Joseph Jr and his wife, Cathrin; Mary Ann Izone and her husband, Donny; as well

as Michael and his wife, Cathy; and her grandchildren, MaryEllen and Carly, Kate, Kevin, and Sharon.

Mary Jane loved the beach and had a passion for sewing, ceramics and other crafts, and board games. She enjoyed reading on her porch in her chair. Mary Jane had a special place in her heart for her granddogs, Jane and Lucky, Darby, Timothy and Prada. Being a grandmother was her favorite role and she cherished her time with her grandchildren and family.

During her life, Mary Jane worked at the St. Andrewʼs cafeteria, Oritani Savings and Loans, Bethel Cedar Park Cemetary, BD, the Lakewood Blueclaws Stadium, sold badges at Harry Wright Lake near her home, and was a school bus aide.

The family will receive guests at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood on Monday, Oct. 3 from 4 to 8 p.m.

A Mass celebrating Mary Janeʼs life and faith will be held at St. Andrew R.C. Church in West wood on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 10:30 a.m. Interment at St. Andrew Cemetery in River Vale to follow. Memorial contributions can be made in Mary Janeʼs name to the American Heart Association.

Arroyo: Mayor urges lawmakers to move on relief

removing/reallocating

both sides of the Pascack

all along its travel through Westwood would range $5 million to $20 million (plus the 15%

dded to the final amount),

upon the mix of applications employed in a final scope of work.

To put the cost scale of the worst-case scenario into perspective: $23,000,000 is more than Westwoodʼs entire 2022 municipal budget. It is almost 30 times the cost of our 2022 road milling and paving program. And itʼs about the cost of the latest round of Westwood Regional School District expansions and improvements to the districtʼs learning infrastructure.

The physical improvements cited above address purely local conditions. Improving the flow of the Pascack Brook along both sides of its Westwood banks will send more water, more swiftly to the next unimproved stretch in a downstream town. The bottleneck simply follows the path of least resistance.

Still — strictly as a thought experiment — were Westwood, River Vale and Hillsdale to join together and get this done, it would be an impressive drive downfield, setting rushing records and scoring touchdowns. It might win a welcome reprieve of some duration for the residents along the brook in our respective towns.

But it doesnʼt win the war against an endless cycle of erosion, silt accumulation, and destabilized stream banks that are ever shallowing the drainage conduits, now carrying more runoff from overdevelopment along the watershed, dropped there by the increasing intensity of rain events. That would require a coordinated, regularly maintained top-ofdrainage-basin-to-bottom, feder ally or state-funded effort that has not been forthcoming.

Whether that failure to launch is due to the aggregate cost of such an effort, the priorities of state and national politics, or simply inertia, the fact remains that the individual municipalities will never be able to fund capital projects to restore channel capacity and flow in any meaningful way.

A full-blown, more universally effective stream stabilization effort along the entire length of the drainage basin would generate costs that are many multiples of the spreadsheet analysis — and even more out of reach.

In the meanwhile, FEMAʼs recent Risk Rating 2.0 shifts more of the cost burden of its taxpayersubsidized flood premiums on to the covered property owners. This is intended to dissuade new construction in flood prone areas. It also analyzes the unique risks to a particular property (actual distance from water and 100% value of replacement cost) versus the general standard of a homeʼs elevation relative to a designed flood zone.

By FEMAʼs own internal estimates this approach could, due to unaffordable premium increases, force one million ratepayers to forego flood insurance by the end of the decade.

Since inception of the new pricing parameters, 165,000 households nationwide have a lready left the NFIP. These homeowners will risk catastrophic losses, which may generate ancillary, public-safety-net costs.

Such statistical data indicates most cost-effective flood mitigation for our Pascack Valley residents and businesses is the passage of S790 and A4200.

The piecemeal approach the Pascack [Valley] towns might implement via stream stabilization/restoration, while providing highly localized relief, can nevertheless produce other problems downstream even as it multiplies the municipal debt service. Compelling the water utilities to man age their product can significantly mitigate physical damages, alleviate the upward pressure on flood premiums, and reduce the scope of stream stabilization projects to a more cost-effective level.

Recent events underscore yet another reason why the status quo makes no sense. Weʼve had a dry summer with no appreciable rain since the Memorial Day week. Weʼd flirted with flood then, yet the reservoir level, with the gates set to summer mode at 95 feet, had room for the influx due to the drought. On Sept. 1 the gates, on schedule, automatically went into winter mode at 91 feet, with the reservoir level at 89.5 feet.

Heavy rains that passed through the area over a 24-hour period (Sept. 6–7) came with flood advisory alerts from Bergen County OEM as the rain and runoff quickly filled the newly narrowed headroom, crested the gates and began to overspill.

After hearing all summer about drought conditions, this scenario begs the question of why the gates were not raised to retain more water. Were the dam operators subject to more flexible and

MEDIA SALES ASSOCIATE

situational interventions, more of the water asset might have been retained.

And, had the gates been moved higher than the rote winter mode protocol, the flood alert would have been unnecessary, rendering the inevitable stress on our residents and business owners

avoidable.

S790 has not moved in committee since it landed there on Jan. 18 of this year. Neither has A4200. Our local flood association — NJ Flood Solution Advocates — has collected as of this writing over 650 signatures in support of this legislation.

It deserves a hearing and a debate before the next Ida or its i lk wreaks havoc upon our towns.

Ray Arroyo Mayor of Westwood

Itʼs your turn. What do you think? See our Letters guidelines on page 2, and sound off!