BONDLOSS ‘COMESAS ABLOW,’ SAYSSUPT.

Lombardy predicts another referendum; lively turnout on middle school question; official tally March 27

BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

By a nearly 2-1 margin, local voters defeated the $82.7 million school bond referendum to replace the century-old George G. White Middle School, despite a continuous communication and outreach effort for months by school officials to make the case that a new school was needed for local students.

BY JOHN SNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS

THE POLICE DEPARTMENT describes it as “a miracle 20 years ago this month in Park Ridge,” and it rings absolutely true: tragedy turned miracle turned unexpected and beloved new family

On March 6, 2003 a lateseason sleet storm creates icy driving conditions in Park Ridge. Amid the elements a woman, 46, from Tenafly, loses control of her 2002 Camry on Brae Boulevard, slides off the snowy road and down a 15-foot embankment, then smacks into a boulder. Physics flips her car over and she splashes down in a creek, where frigid water surges up, around, through the sunroof The driver drowns. She goes into cardiac arrest.

On March 8, 2023, the department says, “Thanks to witnesses, good Samaritans, and police, she was pulled from the car and revived by officers. Helayne Simon, the victim, came to our headquarters today with her family to thank us again for coming to her aid 20 years ago. We met her 3-yearold granddaughter, her daughter, and son-in-law today What a special visit by a very special woman and her family. We are so glad to have a true friend in Helayne.”

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Late on Tuesday, March 14, Borough Clerk Denise Kohan told Pascack Press that unofficial vote numbers showed the “yes” or “no” vote to replace the middle school at 1,947 votes against and 1,114 votes in favor. Approximately 63.7 percent voted no and 36.3 percent voted yes.

On March 15, Superintendent Robert Lombardy told Pascack Press, “I am personally disappointed by the outcome of the referendum because it means delaying a solution for what many, many people acknowledge as a problem for Hillsdale. But beyond me, I know that this comes as a blow to the Board of Education, our citizens committee, the staff and most of all

See BOND on page 25

Pascack Press