Pascack Press 10.17.22

Small world!

HAWKS, RAIDERS AT METLIFE HAWKS, RAIDERS AT METLIFE

Fundraiser puts youth players, cheerleaders in spotlight

SEASONS OWNERS PROPOSE RETAILMALL

ZBA hearing Oct. 18 on ʻ4 Seasons Town Squareʼ at Pascack Road, Washington Avenue

BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

PASCACK VALLEY

JOEY’S FUND DRIVESBIG DONATIONS

The 8th Annual Joeyʼs Fund Charity Car Show went all out on Sept. 18, raising $13,500 for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Care Center. This year, Joeyʼs Fund also donated to the Make-AWish Foundation and St. Jude Childrenʼs Research Hospital.

Free to attend, the event at Closter Plaza in Closter featured a wide variety of classic cars, a DJ, trophies, food trucks, and many door prizes and giveaways — including jewelry, a flat-screen television, and a grill.

Joeyʼs Fund Inc. charity event coordinator Naureen Hussain told Pascack Press that trophies went to best car, best truck and for every decade, from turn of the

Bringing it: Hillsdale Hawks and River Vale Raiders youth football and cheer teams Sunday Oct. 9, at New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium.

THE HILLSDALE HAWKS andRiver Vale Raiders youth football and cheer teams enjoyed spending the day together, Sunday Oct. 9, by attending the New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins game at MetLife Stadium in East Ruther ford.

Craig Kardell, president of the Hillsdale Hawks Football and Cheer Association, told Pascack Press this inaugural fundraiser for both associations was a huge success.

“The day started off with both football joining in the pregame festivities by participating

STANDOUT STUDENTS

in a tunnel run out onto the field to join the Jets and Dolphins players for the national anthem. After watching the game, both teams collided in a friendly fullcontact scrimmage game down on the field,” he said.

An improved major intersection and a new Emergency Services Building might not be the only two improvements coming to the Pascack Road–Washington Avenue crossroads.

Two new retail buildings comprising more than 17,000 square feet of retail space — one of 14,700 square feet and one of 2,400 square feet — are proposed there by the owners of Seasons Catering, a longstanding event and catering hall.

The proposal, tentatively called “4 Seasons Town Square” (in some materials “4 Seasons Marketplace”) would cover approximately threequarters of the 2.16-acre site north of Seasons. The site contains several dilapidated houses deemed unsafe but also unsightly, homes that have sat vacant for years.

Floor plans provided offer a glimpse of ownersʼthinking on tenants: a deli, sporting goods store, beauty salon, bank, breakfast place, juice/gelato store, and cellular phone store.

The townshipʼs retail hub for years has been Washington Town Center, anchored by The Fresh Grocer and Rite Aid, at 285 Pascack

B

those words could be ominous.

open space

still

American

property is being bought for develop-

there

the

Valley.

8th annual fundraiser supports cancer care, Make-A-Wish, and St. Judeʼs

PASCACK

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Parent for Doug Cusato at WWRSD

To the editor:

A SAPARENT of four daughters, three who currently attend school in the WWRSD, I proudly and wholeheartedly endorse Doug Cusato. Although this public endorsement is sure to receive backlash, I remain committed to speaking my truth, being authentic and transparent. Doug believes in students first He isnʼt afraid to stand up and

fight for the parents and students of this district.

understands the importance of parental rights We need a voice and Doug Cusato is that voice.

My four daughters also happen to be biracial, which causes a whole bunch of confusion when it comes to the “woke” culture. Are they the oppressors or are they the victims? Should they feel guilty for what one half of their family may have done to the other half of their family hundreds of years ago? You can see how this teaching is divisive!

Additionally, I am a doubleboard-certified mental health professional with 18 years experience in acute psychiatric settings. I have extensive experience in child

and adolescent mental health. I know all too well of the suicidality among the LGBTQ demographic. However, I do not believe in the teaching that has been thrust upon our children without parental consent. We are all entitled to what we would like our children to learn when it comes to sexuality and religion as they are in public school. I find it grooming behavior and unfair as it violates parentsʼ rights. Where is the outrage over that?

Acceptance is key, for both sides. Both sides must accept that there is a choice at hand on how we want to raise our children. If there is a conversation to be had on sexuality I would like to be the one to teach my children. Doug Cusato stands for so many parents in Washington Township that are fearful of coming for ward due to cancel culture/mob mentality I applaud him and his courage to do so.

This statement has been written with the utmost respect and I am hopeful that any responses will be reciprocated similarly.

Desserie Morgan Township of Washington

Westwood needs Dell, Bicocchi

To the editor:

IAMWRITING this quick note to support Beth Dell and Rob Bicocchi for re-election to Westwood Council. I have lived most of my life in Westwood and loved growing up in a community that is so united.

Westwood truly has a classic, hometown feel. Itʼs wonderful that everyone supports each other at all times.

I enjoy cheerleading, playing softball and volunteering to help the community continue to do the great things that it does for our residents.

Beth and Rob have been a big part of my, and my sisterʼs and brotherʼs personal upbringing. Whether Bethʼs work with the schools and the Westwood Public Library. Or Robʼs work coaching youth athletics.

They continue to invest their time in helping all and ensuring the Westwood that I grew up in is here for the next generation. We are fortunate to have people like Beth and Rob leading our community.

They have made a positive difference in my life. And I trust them to keep Westwood a great place to grow up.

Marina B. Robles Westwood

Concerned citizen for Cusato

To the editor:

M

YNAMEIS Rae Rinaldi and

I have lived in the Township of Washington for over 40 years. I raised my three children in this town and have been blessed with nine grandchildren.

For years, this community has come together on the tradi tional values of our country including family, education, hard work and support for your neighbors. My deceased husband maintained numerous roles in the com-

NOTE:

munity including volunteer fireman (fire chief for two years), police director, director of emergency management, and peewee football coach.

Respect for all human beings is a philosophy on which I hope we can all agree. As stated in the United States Constitution, all men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Having recently attended the Westwood board of education meetings, it has been an eye-opener and I am sure woke ideologies are being embedded in the educational curriculum of Westwood Regional School District.

A perfect example: the government sex education that the current school board voted to implement by a vote of 5–4.

Public schools are teaching doctrine — principles presented for acceptance or belief. I would argue that secular beliefs and ideologies being taught in the government schools are antithetical to most peopleʼs belief systems. Secularism is a belief system that rejects religion. Religion is a belief system that rejects secular ism. Neither should be taught in public schools, period. I propose and believe that what is being taught to our children is political indoctrination and an ideological belief system.

How is it all right to have a child leave home as a biological boy or a girl and be able to go through school as whatever they want to be (including being an animal) and the teachers are not allowed to tell the parents. This is according to the New Jersey sex education curriculum.

I believe that for many chil dren this is a cry for help with deep psychological implications and rather than seeking professional counseling which includes the parents, the New Jersey sex curriculum not only dismisses the harmful effects this could have on the child and the other children, but they actually are also encouraged by accommodating them to be whoever or whatever they want to be — no questions asked.

With the academic decline of students, emphasis should be placed on reading, writing and

Family Town council candidates

BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

EMERSON

While Emersonʼs mayoral candidates — Republican incumbent Danielle DiPaola and Democratic challenger Jeanine Lamatina — top the ticket, two Borough Council seats are contested by two incumbent Republicans who are squaring off against two little-known Democratic challengers.

Lamatinaʼs running mates, Democrats Jose Organ and Richard Dinallo, oppose incumbent Republican council members Jill McGuire and Nicole Argenzia, on Nov. 8.

Dinallo emailed Pascack Press on why heʼs running for council. He said he and his wife, Patricia, have lived in Emerson since 1973.

“We raised our two children in Emerson, and are now enjoying our three grandchildren who live nearby. Getting married, and raising a family in Emerson has been one of the most rewarding lifetime decisions. When my children were young, I coached in the recreation program in both baseball and softball,” said Dinallo.

He said he served on the Environmental Commission for “many years” and while chairman “was instrumental in the creation of Centennial Park.”

He said he worked with the county to seal a well in the park, and participates in the local Senior Citizens Club, and is a member of the Church of the Assumption.

“I totally understand what it means to live in the ʻFamily Townʼ,” he told Pascack Press

Dinallo retired from the Bergen County Utilities Authority about a decade ago, which made him familiar with local public finance laws and regulations. “Since I am retired,

I have time to dedicate to the town and its departments to stabilize local taxes without sacrificing services or township personnel,” he said.

Dinallo said he was “asking the voters of Emerson to give me a chance to be your councilman for only one term to achieve my goals. A two-party system enlivens conversation and brings new ideas and perspectives to the forefront, this makes us stronger.”

He said Lamatina and Organ “are both conscientious and diligent workers, and I am proud to be on a ticket with them.”

Organ did not reply to a request for candidate information by our press deadline.

Incumbent Republican council members Jill McGuire and Nicole Argenzia also told Pascack Press why they want to continue representing borough residents.

McGuire has been a resident for nearly 17 years, and has a bachelorʼs degree from Thomas Edison State University. She has been chair of the local Historic Preservation Committee, and is Emerson Parents for Athletes sport liaison.

McGuire joined the council in 2019 to fill DiPaolaʼs unexpired term and was elected to a full term later that year. She told us, “I am excited to be running for reelection with Mayor Danielle DiPaola and Councilwoman Nicole Argenzia.

Danielle, Nicole and I share the same vision of progress for Emerson — the kind that is fiscally responsible with the goal to protect the small-town charm that Emersonians cherish. Itʼs the kind of progress that welcomes all residents and promotes greater access to community programs, activities and events for all to enjoy.”

She said over the past four years, she has seen successful efforts including newly introduced recreational sports, community activities and events, increased vol-

unteering, extended summer camp hours, and a new senior/special needs bus.

“Progress is also about transparency in local government, which is why we prioritized getting all council meetings televised in our first year, and then livestreamed later in our term. This accomplishment was invaluable to residents during the Covid-19 pandemic. We continue providing greater access to borough news

SCARY

Bckintime... Bckintime...

“From the high point it is possible to see New York City, and to the north and east to look over wide stretches of wonderfully lovely country. It may easily be imagined that this tract will eventually be divided into millionaire country estates.” — Park Ridge Local, 1925

The Chanel Classic Flap. Gabrielle “Coco”Chanel designed this handbag to be hands-free — an idea that was revolutionary when the Classic Flap debuted in February1955.

Via Global Brands

Friends collecting vintage handbags

WESTWOOD

Do you have a vintage handbag lying at the back of your closet? The Friends of the Westwood Library are seeking donations of used designer handbags in great condition for an upcoming fundraiser.

Donations of any brand such as Coach, Saint Laurent, Burberry, and Gucci are much appreciated,

Please bring your formerly loved designer handbag to the Westwood Public Library, 49 Park St. Include a note with your name and address and youʼll receive a donation letter in the mail for tax purposes.

The Friends of the Westwood Library support programs for early childhood literacy, English as a Second Language, museum passes, library concerts, and cultural programs for adults and children.

Patrons young and old will be forever grateful.

What a difference 100 years make

BY KRISTIN BEUSCHER SPECIAL TO PASCACK PRESS

THISWEEKIN 1925, the Park Ridge Local newspaper published a front page story with the the following headline: “Farm property is being bought for development.”

In 2022 those words would be ominous. With so little open space left in the area, every time we see a tract cleared for development it feels like a tragedy. Not so a century ago. In the 1920s there was still a lot of open space in the Pascack Valley, and there were farms that stretched for acres.

The Localʼs Oct. 17, 1925 article exudes excitement about prospects for the region, where big development was coming and the price of land was on the rise — over $100,000 paid for 200 acres: a new record!

“Speaking of real estate, its rising value, and this communityʼs prospects in this line … There is a wonderful future ahead for this section, and we are on the verge of a healthy permanent activity,” the newspaper informs its audience. “Read the following, and try to draw a mental picture of what is soon to be the growth of our community.”

At the time, a single company — the Park Ridge Construction Co. — had been busy buying up farmland all over the area.

“All of the former Dr. Kutcher farm north of Rock Avenue and extending west as far as Rivervale Road, with a frontage of about 900 feet on that highway, has been sold. It is probable that it will a little later be cut up into small building lots, a plan to which it is admirably adapted,” the reporter wrote.

Congressman Randolph Perkins, who lived in Woodcliff Lake, sold the Park Ridge Construction Co. a 40-acre tract on Summit Avenue in Montvale, part of the former Chestnut Ridge Farms.

“Another sale by Mr. Perkins was 70

acres adjoining his residence on Werimus Road, Woodcliff Lake. It is located to the south of his home and there is a road frontage of 900 feet to this property,” the Local explains.

It adds, “From the high point it is possible to see New York City, and to the north and east to look over wide stretches of wonderfully lovely country. It may easily be imagined that this tract will eventually be divided into millionaire country estates.”

A little way north, the firm also bought a 53-acre plot adjoining the New York state line. Several smaller farms also changed hands, with each destined to be subdivided.

All that land sold for more than

$100,000, which was a new record in the local area at the time. Even figuring for inflation, those nearly 200 acres went for an unimaginably low $1.7 million in todayʼs money.

Due to the regionʼs proximity to New York, the value of real estate in the Pascack Valley outpaced inflation decades ago. Park Ridge Construction Co. sold the land as new home sites, with prices ranging $550 to $1,500 per acre.

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

As it once was: An 1899 view in River Vale (top) and a 1907 view in Woodcliff Lake (above) show some of the open space that once prevailed here.

A local 1920s advertisement fuels enthusiasm for development.

Lamatina vs. DiPaola for mayor; Block 419 deal details emerge

BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

EMERSON

Jeanine Lamatina — the wife of immediate past mayor Louis Lamatina, under whose administration a downtown mixed-use redevelopment project featuring 147 apartment units was approved in late 2018 — is running for mayor on a platform to reduce what she considers the two largest local problems: laws uits against the borough and taxes on residents.

Meanwhile, the borough has r eleased an audio recording establishing why the borough sued its redeveloper partner, in a case still pending.

According to borough attorney John McCann, the previous administration and its redeveloper partner, Jack Klugmann/Accurate Builders, “didnʼt act in good faith, and set up the new council to fail at the expense of the taxpayers.”

It was Louis Lamatina, said McCann, who “structured the contract requiring the new governing body to transfer the ambulance building to the redeveloper” in a timetable all but certain to pose a problem to the new town government.

The audio, recorded by borough administrator Robert Hermansen in what he said was a followup conversation with Klugmann after the builder spoke at the previous mightʼs council meeting,

also attended by ambulance corps volunteers, is posted to the borough website and professionally transcribed.

Regarding critics of the deal, which continues to displace the corps, Klugmann says on the tape, “I disagree with the mentality of how they go about this stuff. I feel that keep on feeding the people in the borough who are asking questions, they feed it. They feed the negative naysayers. This is just my opinion. And from everything I read and hear and see, you know, every day gets stronger and stronger and stronger.”

Klugmann, who complains heʼs seen as a villain at public meetings, tells Hermansen, “We donʼt owe answers to everybody for every single detail. We donʼt owe answers in every public session about certain items. Itʼs not itʼs not — doesnʼt have to be where the public has to know every single detail about whatʼs going on here.”

Hoping to give voters a choice in who should steer Emerson for the next four years, Jeanine Lamatina told Pascack Press that she decided to challenge oneterm Republican Mayor Danielle DiPaola, who won in 2018 on a platform opposing downtown

overdevelopment.

L amatinaʼs running mates, Jose Organ and Richard Dinallo, oppose Republican council i ncumbents Jill McGuire and Nicole Argenzia. (See page 3 for that story.)

Asked why she was running,

Lamatina said, “Because I feel t he residents need to have a choice, to look at both parties and to see who is the most qualified.”

Asked about her campaign platform, she said, “Too many lawsuits and our taxes have been increased too much.” She said

borough officials needed “to follow through and see what needs to be done so weʼre not sued.”

Pascack Press asked Lamatina for her views about Emerson Station, the Block 419

BOE candidate forum set for Oct. 25

The League of Women Voters of Northern Valley (LWV) with the assistance of Westwood Regional High School PSO, will hold a public forum for this yearʼs school board candidates.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organizatio, says in its invitation to those runnung that it believes citizens should hear their candidates speak on the issues pertaining to the elected office they are seeking, “and a candidate forum is a great opportunity for you to get your message out to the voters.” The League does not support or oppose any candidates or any parties.

The forum will be held at Westwood Regional High School on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. Participants will be the candidates, a League trained moderator from outside our community, and Westwood

Regional High School PSO.

The public may attend in person or view the proceedings live, and afterward on YouTube. This is note a debate and there will be no public interaction during the interview.

In the Township of Washington incumbent Joseph J. McCallister faces a challenge by Douglas Cusato. In Westwood, three candidates are competing for two seats: incumbent Michelle Sembler and challengers Laura Cooper and Jason R. Garcia.

Each candidate will have the opportunity for a 90 second opening statement. The moderator will then ask the candidates to answer

previously provided questions. Each candidate will have 1 minute to answer each question. After the Q&A session, each candidate may deliver a 2 minute closing statement. Organizers are aiming to keep the proceedings to one hour.

LVW says, “To provide a truly impartial Q&A, the questions polled will be selected by the League of Women Voters. (Not all questions polled will be used during the interview, however, all questions that will be asked during the Q&A will be shared in advance with the candidates.) Our moderator may ask you to elaborate on any questions asked should there be a need for further clarification.”

A table outside the auditorium will be available for campaign literature.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Complaints

BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

MONTVALE

Complaints about deer were increasing in September and Mayor Michael Ghassali said Sept. 13 that he was not sure what the borough could do without regional assistance.

Ghassali said he had fielded many phone calls from residents.

“For some reason again, the deer issue is huge again,” he said.

Glen DePiero, manager at DePieroʼs Farm Stand and Greenhouse on Summit Avenue, Montvaleʼs last remaining farm, told Pascack Press in August that deer had destroyed $20,000 of mums in 2021 and recently destroyed mums left outside, forcing the farmer to install a $5,000, 8-foothigh plastic fence around his valuable plants.

Ghassali did not mention DePieroʼs deer woes. The 12-acre

farmstead is on the cusp of celebrating a century in farming, if it continues until 2024.

“Thereʼs a lot more deer than before,” Ghassali said. “And thereʼs nothing we can do as one town, unless multiple towns, the county, the state, the region comes together.

He said Saddle River was “getting some flak for hunting

them” but that Montvale could not do that as “we have smaller backyards; we canʼt do that here.”

Ghassali said he did not have a solution but noted that surrounding towns have been talking about the deer issue. He said thereʼs really no good solution. He said there was one solution where deer could be trapped in one place, put in a truck, and take them to a different

mayor says town’s stuck

state. “Iʼm stuck, if someone has any ideas, wide open,” the mayor said.

No council members commented.

On Oct. 10 we asked Ghassali whether the Pascack Valley Mayors Association had come to any answers regarding deer overpopulation and if he had any comments

on DePieroʼs impacts from deer. Also, we asked if Ghassali had any answers for the deer overpopulation problem.

“We have discussed it and it always turns to a discussion around having a regional solution rather than individual townspecific solution. Unfortunately we still donʼt have a unified solution,” Ghassali said.

on

BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON

A n $875,000 bond ordinance providing for local improvements at the police, fire, and public works departments, and improvements to an unidentified intersection and town hall grounds gets its public hearing and second required council vote Nov. 9.

Ordinance 22-22, introduced in a 5-0 vote on Oct. 3, includes

improvements bond on council’s

$42,000 for down payments on the bonds or bond anticipation notes.

The ordinance provides some specifics on what projects will be undertaken and products purchased, but lacks itemized breakdowns.

$ 298,200 ($284,000 in bonds) goes for the fire department for Scott packs with bottles and masks; a fingerprint system a nd other equipment for the police department; a backhoe and salt spreaders for the DPW; and recording equipment for use at

public buildings and parks.

Under the improvement of m unicipally owned properties and facilities, $293,000 is appropriated ($279,000 in bonds) for an intersection upgrade, though the ordinance does not specify the intersection or amount of funds allocated.

Also included in local property upgrades are the installation of fencing and flagpoles at Township Hall, installation of signs a nd scoreboards at Memorial, Clark, and Gardner fields, plus

an upgrade to the police departmentʼs dispatch center.

Although a possible need for field lighting at Gardner was mentioned by a resident recently, Mayor Peter Calamari noted that that may be included in a future budget request or ordinance, which the council will ultimately decide on.

The ordinance sets aside $195,000 ($186,200 in bonds) for new computer equipment for the police department and new portable radios for the fire department. It does not specify

WESTWOOD

agenda

what types of equipment will be purchased.

The ordinance allots $88,800 ($83,800 in bonds) for i mprovement of stormwater drainage systems, including installation of drainage facilities, which includes all structures, road resurfacing, equipment site work and materials. It does not specify where such structures will be installed or how many are planned.

The ordinance lists the average period of usefulness for the bonds at 15.72 years.

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/brooksidebazaarupdates

Improving a home's safety and functionality dramatically increases the ability of older people to live independently and remain in their homes in order to effectively age in place.

With that in mind, Westwood For All Ages is partnering with local social services providers to present “Your Home, Your Future,” a free conference featuring presentations by various organizations that provide home safety, maintenance, repair and modification services; experts in home adaptations for safety and providers of shopping and other services that enable people to remain living in their homes.

The event runs Thursday, Oct. 27 from 8:30 a.m. to noon p.m. at the Westwood Community Center, 55 Jefferson Ave.

Following a light breakfast, attendees will learn ways to remain living safely at home with

presentations and a panel discussion with:

•CHORE/CHEER programs (services offered) — Michele Ogden, Bergen Volunteers;

•No-cost home repair and modifications for low-income residents — Annie Roche, Rebuilding Together North Jersey

•Practical strategies to make your home safer as you age — Illiana Dallas, The Jewish Home Family;

• Home modification and smart technology ideas to make your home more age-friendly — Linda Pollack, Setting the Stage;

•Best ways to use your home equity to pay for improvements or modifications — Mark Richards, retirement mortgage specialist.

All attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions of presenters and to gather information on ways they can get assis-

That’s the stuff

tance when caring for their homes becomes difficult or financially burdensome.

According to Westwood for All Ages Program Manager, Lisa Bontemps one of the core objectives of the age-friendly initiative has been to promote Westwood as an ideal borough for aging in place. “But,” she said, “the reality for many is that the majority of our single-family homes were not built with the needs of the aging adult in mind. The information that will be presented at this con-

ference will help anyone who is concerned about remaining in their homes to make choices that will give them tools to safely age in place — something that most of us want regardless of our age.”

Westwood for All Ages is an initiative to make Westwood an age-friendly community — a place where all people can live well and thrive even as they age.

The program is funded through a grant provided by the Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation to Meals on Wheels of North

Jersey. Through their work, Westwood was recognized by AARP and the World Health Organization as an Age Friendly Community and as a result was inducted into the network of Age Friendly States and Communities in early 2019.

To register for the conference, use the conference link at w estwoodforallages.org or email ww4allages@gmail.com If you are unable to register digitally, you may register at (201) 834-4192.

HILLSDALE

THE NEIL MACNAMARA QUARTET transforms the Hillsdale Library porch into a cool jazz club for the evening of Monday, Oct. 3. Patrons enjoyed a mix of jazz standards, drum solos, familiar songs and skatting through the hour-long program. Adult programming coordinator Adam Keeble promises the band will return with a new set in 2023.

HFPL photo

MetLife: Youth football, cheer programs team up

PAGE 1

The Jets defeated the Miami Dolphins, 40-17. After the game, the Hawks and Raiders senior team, composed of 7th and 8th graders, played a 20-minute full contact scrimmage on MetLife Stadium turf. They were cheered on from the sidelines by junior and senior cheerleaders from both teams.

Kardell noted another highlight of the day: longtime Hillsdale resident and diehard Jet fan Al Giunchi crossed an item off his bucket list: he participated in the tunnel run, out with his grandson Travis Hirsch and the rest of the Hawks football players.

Kardell said, “It really was an amazing day all around. From the fantastic tailgate party up to the post-game celebration of both

teams. Seeing all the smiles and excitement on the kids faces was an incredible experience to watch and hopefully will last a lifetime for the kids. At the end of the day it is all about them and I believe both associations nailed it with this day.”

He gave special thanks to Kelly DiFabio, Tricia Escobar, Bob McMorrow, the Hillsdale Hawks and River Vale Raiders Football and Cheer families. “Without their help and support this event could never have happened.”

Hillsdale Hawks Football and Cheer is open to children in grades 1-8 from Hillsdale, Montvale, and Woodcliff Lake. “The HFCA board consists of dedicated parents and community members who volunteer their time to consistently manage this amazing program. But, without you — our families, athletes and coaches — we would be

unable to make the Hawks program the success that it is.”

Meanwhile, the Pascack Valley football program says online itʼs “developed from the solid foundation that is built through our youth programs. Both our Hillsdale Hawks and River Vale Raiders football programs are rich in football tradition. Our parents and coaches understand teaching our boys the importance of sacrifice, toughness, hard-work, and teamwork. We sincerely thank all parents and coaches for their commitment to the game and wish the best of luck to all current and future Hawks and Raiders!”

Hillsdale resident Al Giunchi crossed an item off his bucket list:he participated in the tunnel run,out with his grandson Travis Hirsch and the rest of the Hawks football players.

Bags to Benches reboot sitting pretty

E S

V A L

Thanks to the combined efforts of community members and the Westwood Environmental Advisory Committee (WEAC), the boroughʼs Bags to Benches program scored its first new recycled-plastic bench since the programʼs post-pandemic reboot last year.

Sponsored by WEAC, Bags to Benches collects plastic bags and package wrappings for use by Trex Company as raw materials in composite lumber and outdoor furniture. For every 500

EMERSON

pounds of bags amassed in a sixmonth window, Bags to Benches earns a park bench for use at borough facilities.

In the last collection period, the program recycled 694 pounds o f plastic materials to earn a green two-seat park bench, which will be installed at Hegeman Park on Sand Road.

The WEACʼs two student members, Morgan Fedorchak and George Kabezian, considered several locations and chose Hegeman because “the park has

TOWN-WIDE GARAGE SALE OCT. 15

The Environmental Commission of Emerson announces the annual town-wide garage sale:

RIVER VALE

Saturday, Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit emersonnj.org

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 membersʼannual 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.

undergone a rejuvenation over the past couple of years and more people are using it now,” said Kabezian. “We thought the bench would be another great addition there.”

Prior to the pandemic, Westwoodʼs Trex recycling efforts had garnered four benches. Two are in use at the Borough Hall, another was planted at the Community Garden in Westvale Park and the fourth provides seating for commuters at the bus stop on the corner of Mill Street and Third Avenue.

“We suspended collections during the pandemic but are excited that the program has come back stronger than ever,”

says Dave Brizzolara, WEAC chair. “Despite the stateʼs ban on the use of plastic carry-out bags, there are still plenty of plastic materials that can be diverted from landfills and the environment and put to good use in sustainable products like Trex lumber.”

If a plastic material stretches when you pull it, Bags to Benches can recycle it. Bread bags, pallet wraps, stretch films, newspaper sleeves, zippered food bags, plastic shipping envelopes (labels removed), bubble wrap, retail bags and case overwraps are all acceptable items. Plastics must be clean, dry and free of food residue and can be dropped

off at collection bins in the Westwood Library, Borough Hall and Community Center.

B ags to Benches cannot accept plastics that are compostable, tear like paper, are s hiny or metallic or make a crinkly sound, such as frozen food bags, candy wrappers, chip bags, mesh produce bags, pet food bags, salad bags and floral wrap.

“Our current collection cycle started Sept. 1, and weʼve already logged more than 100 pounds,” adds Brizzolara, “Look for the next green bench to sprout up somewhere in Westwood in about six months.”

Borough seeks Access for All volunteers

Mayor John Ruocco is looking to fill several seats on t he Hillsdale Access for All Committee by January 2023.

The committee, composed of volunteers and one council member, advises the governing body on strategies to improve access in our community for residents with disabilities.

It plans for needed supports and accommodations so that all residents may participate together in everyday activities.

The committee also advocates for individuals to gain better access to community services. It identifies existing programs and opportunities, and develops and coordinates educational and social activities within Hillsdale. It works in partnership with the county, other municipalities, and civic organizations.

The committee strives to have its membership represent a cross-section of the community,

including individuals with disabilities and the Hillsdale business community Members must reside or work in the Borough of Hillsdale and be at least of high school age.

If you are interested in volunteering, please send a letter or resume that summarizes your background to the mayor at jruocco@hillsdalenj.org with a copy to the borough clerk at dkohan@hillsdalenj.org

Council:

FROM PAGE 3

and information with the addition of borough social media accounts,” McGuire said.

“The most valuable skills I bring to the council are my ability to lead, my ability to work effectively with others, and my positive approach to addressing issues. I believe that my record as a councilwoman, in my work and as a community volunteer demonstrate these strengths. Iʼd like to utilize my skills, once more, to continue serving Emerson,” she said.

She said she was running because “I believe we must continue the present administrationʼs positive course. As Emerson faces a future round to meet affordable housing mandates, we cannot return to the policies of the past that addressed these mandates with threat of eminent domain and aggressive zoning changes.”

Incumbent Argenzia has lived in Emerson for 20 years, and is a nurse manager at Hackensack University Medical Center. She has a masterʼs degree in nursing and is New Jersey State Board-certified in pediatrics. She has also served as president of the local Board of Health.

She and her husband, Patrick, have three children.

“I married into a family who has resided in Emerson for over four

generations and I love living here and raising my three children here. I knew there was no other town Pat and I would settle in. After volunteering for many organizations, coaching, and becoming involved in the town, I decided to take the next leap and run for council three years ago,” wrote Argenzia.

She said she has served as liaison to the ambulance corps, police department, historic committee, health board, public works, recreation commission, and fire department.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed serving with all these volunteers as well as our staff. Together, with these shareholders, we have moved Emerson forward successfully over the last three years. We have always made thoughtful decisions in the best interest of the taxpayers,” she said.

“We have a diverse community where we have developed many new programs for all ages.

Emerson is a wonderful town where I enjoy participating in everything that the family town has to offer. I look forward to serving for another three years as your councilwoman,” Argenzia said.

Emersonʼs 5,704 registered voters include 1,497 Democrats, 2,167 Republicans, and 2,040 unaffiliated voters.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8.

STANDOUT STUDENTS

American Legion Post 162 Vice Commander Joe Sgroi presented certificates to recent attendees of American Legion Boys State and Girls State programs at the Postʼs Oct. 1 meeting, where they shared their experiences.

Boys State and Girls State are run by the American Legion Dept. of New Jersey and consist

of one week of intensive programs on government. They are for students who have just completed their junior year in high school.

Boys State is held at Rider University and Girls State is held at Georgian Court University in late June. Participants create governments from the local level up to the state level, run elections and

learn the basics of passing laws and operating government.

Each year, the post sponsors students who meet the qualifications for these highly recognized programs. Local high school juniors interested in attending these selective programs should contact their school guidance counselor or visit americanlegionpost162.org

Patricia J. Villano

Zoltán Horváth photo

With American Legion Post 162 Vice Commander Joe Sgroi are Annie Li and Emily Yoo of Bergen County Academies and Nicholas Penza of Bergen Catholic.Not pictured:Caitlyn Park,also of the Bergen County Academies.

Lots going on in the borough

Via Mayor Keith Misciagna in an email to residents on Sept. 30:

Kinderkamack Road paving

Kinderkamack Road will be paved by Bergen County contractors beginning this Monday. Please plan on travel delays for the entire week and avoid Kinderkamack Road through Park Ridge wherever possible. We know this will be inconvenient but the road is in desperate need. The quickest way to get updates on the schedule (in case there are any weather delays) is to follow the Park Ridge Police Facebook and Instagram pages.

The Park Ridge Police Reserves

The Park Ridge Police Reserves is a vital volunteer program that supports our Police Department in their goals of reducing crime, keeping our community safe and improving the overall quality of life for our residents and all who visit or work in Park Ridge. New officers are needed in supporting these goals. Training is provided and many volunteers have gone on to successful careers in law enforcement, including in our own department. Call Sgt. DiBlasi at (201) 391-5400 ext. 5232 or stop by police headquarters at 33 Park Ave.

Shred event

Saturday, Oct. 15

This yearʼs shred event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 15 at the DPW lot on Sulak Lane, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. This event is intended for confidential and personal documents. Not accepted:hard-

cover books, magazines, newspapers, photographs and X-rays.

Oktoberfest Oct. 15

The Recreation Department has partnered with the Park Ridge Elks to hold this yearʼs Oktoberfest on Oct. 15 from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Elks Lodge,13 Sulak Lane. Free

Pascack Historical Society Fall Curiosity Sale Oct. 15–16

The Pascack Historical Society's Fall Curiosity Sale is set for Saturday, and Sunday, Oct. 15 and 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. As volunteers begin preparing for the sale, they are looking for more donations.

This sale is known for its oneof-a-kind attic treasurers. The usual fare includes antiques, collectibles, jewelry, handbags, china, silver glassware, artwork, primitives, pottery, vintage bric-a-brac of all kinds and holiday decorations. Please, no clothing, modern toys, books, stuffed animals, or media such as DVDs, VHS and CDs.

If you have items you wish to contribute, drop them off at the museum any Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. or Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and PHS volunteers will provide you with a deed of gift for your tax-deductible donation if you wish.

Otherwise, you can leave items on the back porch any time- just call or email to say they are there. The museum is at 19 Ridge Ave. and can be reached at (201) - 5730307 and info@pascackhistoricalsoci

ety.org Fund -raising events like the Curiosity Sale allows us to continue preserving and safe-guarding the history of Park Ridge and the Pascack Valley.

You can become a member of the Society by visiting pascackhistoricalsociety.org

Townwide garage sale Oct. 22

The recreation committee is also planning a townwide garage sale on Oct. 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 pm. Registration and more information

is available at parkridgeboro.com

Ragamuffin parade Oct. 29

The annual Ragamuffin parade will be held on Oct. 29. All our Park Ridge ghosts and goblins should meet at Depot Square at 3 p.m. They will then march to Memorial Field and enjoy donuts, cider and other treats. There is a costume contest for kids 12 and under.

PKRG-TV

PKRG-TV is looking for volun-

teers! Park Ridge is extremely lucky to have excellent broadcast TV coverage of PRHS sports events. However, in order to continue this topnotch coverage, PKRG-TV needs new volunteers to help with filming football, basketball, volleyball and other local sports. If you have enjoyed seeing your kidsʼevents or you are Park Ridge athlete alumni and have any time to give, consider volunteering. All are welcome, no experience is required, and camera training is provided. Inquire at pkrg@parkridgeboro.com

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. 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 3 p.m. New time

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

Announcements?

Let us help announce your achievements. Send all news to pascackpress@thepressgroup.net

video

Students age 16–21, your video prowess could win you an award. Bergen County Clerk John S. Hogan invites young filmmakers to enter video submissions of 3–5 minutes in his officeʼs “Get Out to Vote” video contest.

Topics aim at:

• How to register to vote;

• Different ways to vote; and

• Why the youth vote is so important.

Hoganʼs office says videos should be informative and appeal to a young audience.

Submissions must be original work. Videos cannot feature people or music without gaining approval through a signed release. Participants agree not to use, reproduce, incorporate into their submission, or display without permission any material or work created by or belonging to a third party. By submitting your work to the Bergen County clerkʼs office you are giving the clerkʼs office the non-exclusive right to publish your work in any format.

For more info, visit bergencountyclerk.org/Contests.

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 images, kids are not permitted.

Comedy Mind Reader program

Due to the clash with Hillsdale Day, we are moving this to Satur-

day, 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.

Chamber of Commerce Annual Street Fair

With all the events around Bergen and Rockland County, the Montvale Street Fair is one of the most popular events of the season The fair expects to attract more than 20,000 people from all over the region.

Wegmans Food Market is the title sponsor, along with 25

other local businesses.

Paragon Drive has been a perfect setting for the past seven years. The tree-lined street is transformed into a large street fair with more than 100 vendors fea turing antiques and crafts from all over New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania; rides; amusements;

and 30 food vendors.

The fair has something for each member of the family. This year the street fair also features many communitiesʼ non-profit groups. The Montvale Street Fair runs Sunday, Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Paragon Drive.

PASCACK VALLEY

eats Dining & Cooking Guide

Annual Pasta Dinner returns Oct. 20

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. Meetings 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.

Club News?

We are the Pascack Valley’s hometown newspaper! Let us help promote your club or organization. Send your news to pascackpress@thepressgroup.net or mail to: Pascack Press, P.O. Box 335, Westwood, NJ 07675

Take your vehicle on a

tour through 32 acres

spooktacular Halloween light displays, enjoy

farm fresh goodies in our retail farm market. Warm-up by

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.

by

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!

fire pits & make your own S’mores!

fire pits & make

own S’mores!

Letters:

FROM PAGE 2

math and teaching the history that supports the greatest country in the world. Pushing this sex curriculum agenda does nothing to increase a childʼs academic knowledge and enhancing his/her chances in this competitive world.

As a taxpayer, I am truly offended that I should have to pay for this social engineering of our children. Doug Cusato, who is running for the board of education in the Township of Washington, will fight to make sure our children and grandchildren are not indoctrinated by the woke ideologies that have been championed by the NJEA and other progressive movement organizations.

It is imperative that “we the peo-

ple” in order to have our voices heard especially in our communities, vote like your childrenʼs and grandchildrenʼs lives depend on it because it does!

Doug will also fight to have traditional and patriotic values brough back into the educational approach of this district. The time for change is now, and every vote counts. On Nov. 8, Column 1, D oug Cusato for Westwood Regional Board of Education! Rae Rinaldi Township of Washington

Endorsing Whyard for WW council

To the editor:

I AM DELIGHTED to write this letter of endorsement on behalf of Lesley Whyard, a candidate for

Westwood Borough Council. Ms. Whyard has been an employee of Ridgewood Public Schools for the p ast nine years. As the high school principal and then superintendent of Ridgewood, I had the p leasure of working with her throughout her career in the district, as well as getting to know her personally.

When I think of Lesley, three words immediately come to mind: diligent,committed, and altruistic. Lesley is a hard worker who sets high standards for herself and others around her. Her organizational skills and ability to successfully manage projects from start to finish make her indispensable.

No matter what project Lesley tackles, you are guaranteed a positive outcome.

Lesley embodies those qualities that make a strong leader, one who genuinely cares and wants to help others for the good of the entire community. In her role in the district, she demonstrated her ability to be a team player while also confidently sharing her ideas to improve processes and procedures that benefitted the school. Lesley is a valuable asset to her colleagues, and she regularly volunteers to help with projects and events that are beyond the scope of her role. Her commitment to the missionand vision of the school is one of the many reasons that Lesley is held in high regard.

Lesley is always seeking opportunities to support organizations that she believes in. As an animal lover, Lesley volunteers for Peace4Paws, a local dog rescue organization, giving her time, affection, and care to foster dogs in need of permanent homes. Her

altruistic nature is undoubtedly what inspired her to want to serve the community in which she lives. Lesley is dedicated to public service, and she will be a fierce advocate for her friends and neighbors.

Most importantly, Lesley Whyard loves the town of Westwood. I am confident that she will always listen to the voices of the e ntire community and work toward creating a space where everyone feels heard and valued.

Thomas A. Gorman, Ed.D. Former principal of Westwood Regional High School and Ridgewood High School

Waneck for Dell,Bicocchi in Westwood

To the editor:

O

NCEA WESTWOOD resident, always a Westwood resident.

I spent over 50 years growing up in this great town. I moved out about four years ago after getting married, but I continue to stay connected through home ownership, ties to Grace Episcopal Church and friendships that have lasted a lifetime.

I served on the Borough Council for a few terms and worked with Councilman Rob Biccochi. Iʼve also had the pleasure to watch the tireless work of Council President Beth Dell.

Flooding continues to be one of Westwoodʼs most difficult problems to solve, I applaud the continued efforts of this mayor and council to address this issue with a fresh approach. And I

appreciate Robʼs work on improving early warning systems that will make everyoneʼs response times faster.

When on the council I, like Beth served as both the Finance Committee chair and council president. These are difficult dual positions. Coordinating the council members priorities with the mayorʼs agenda and balancing needs against wants requires excellent people skills. Keeping municipal taxes under control calls for experience and maturity.

As a continuing Westwood taxpayer, I am impressed by the work being done with Beth Dell as the council president and finance chair. Westwood continues to keep working, and I continue to support the team of Biccochi and Dell for re-election in November.

Cindy Waneck Former councilmember

Vote411.org for voter resources

To the editor:

T HANKYOUFOR publishing

“Woodcliff Lake BOE candidates sound off on their priorities” (Oct. 10, 2022). For new residents and for older residents that are no longer connected to the schools and seeking knowledge of the candidates your invitation was very welcome. I was able to learn something

eats Dining & Cooking Guide

Letters:

about Mr. Eisler but disturbed that incumbents Ms. Starr and Mr. Wolpov did not submit individual responses.

Bergen County residents can learn more about these candidates and all others on their ballot by going to the non-partisan platform sponsored by the League of Women Voters at V OTE411.org Both your paper and VOTE411.org are welcome tools to enable voters to make informed choices as we begin mail in voting, and early voting in New Jersey.

Teela Banker Woodcliff Lake

‘Fight hard, fair,and clean’

To the editor:

Politics surrounds us. It is in everything we do. When you go to the store and see that the price of groceries has risen, you are living politics. When you go to your childʼs school to advance a policy you support or get your child extra resources, you are being political. When you disc uss the upcoming elections, sometimes passionately with your neighbors in yet another Facebook group, you are being political.

Thank God we can be. Most of us can trace our roots to people who either came here on a boat or plane with little to no resources behind them, or to those who lived a hard life on this land as natives. Those people lived politics too. Certainly different politics, but politics nonetheless. Never give up that hard-earned right. Certainly not for fear of being criticized or the like. Your ancestors fought for you to have more than that.

able when we fail to do so.

Still, never fear fighting for what you believe in, but know that it may take time to get the messaging right. You may get some pushback while you calibrate. It certainly took me some time. Just ask some of the people on the Westwood Borough Council…

But the right to do so is not something we should take for granted nor allow to atrophy.

Fight hard, fair, and clean. A ttack ideas, but not people. Defend your principles, but be flexible in your opinions. Cherish your right to do so while so many

cannot.

A good citizen at least dabbles in politics. Be a good citizen. Read up on candidates (this paper has some great coverage in previous editions). Post your principled stances on social media, but be willing to have your mind changed. Put up your signs. Show up to candidate forums and meet and greets. Write your letters to the editor here. Letʼs do this while we change the colloquial definition of the word to be positive.

Joe Letizia Westwood

A Democrat for DiPaola in Emerson

To the editor: A

S WEALL know, election time is forthcoming. We all must give a thought to whom we will press those keys that will decide who will be mayor. Iʼve lived in Emerson for over 50 years and, of course, Iʼve seen mayors come and

NYC Christmas Spectacular tix on sale

Make your plans to kick-off your holiday celebrations with a trip to see the 2022 Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes on Sunday, Nov. 20.

P

OLITICSISA word that seems to have a multifaceted definition. Dictionaries likely define it as “activities associated with governance.” Thatʼs fair. More colloquially people seem to use it to connote behavior that is designed to achieve an underlying end. I suppose that is fair too, but it has a negative connotation. Should it?

We should strive to be compassionate while we honestly but passionately fight for our goals. I think most of the time we do that fairly well, but it can be exhausting as the electoral silly season enters its climax. Most times, Iʼm proud of what I see people doing to advance their goals in Westwood and neighboring communities. Other times we need to do better, and should hold each other account-

Tickets for Westwood residents are $115 per person and are on sale now; non-residents may purchase tickets after Oct. 17, if they are available, at $125 per person. All tickets include the show and coach bus. The trip is organized by the Westwood Recreation Department.

Since 1933, The Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes has been an annual musical holiday stage show presented at Radio City Music Hall.

The 90-minute digitally enhanced show features more than 140 performers and an original musical score, and combines

singing, dancing and humor. The show is known for the Rockettesʼ iconic kick-line choreography of tap and jazz routines including “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers,”

“Rag Dolls” and “12 Days of Christmas.” Additionally, real-life camels, sheep and donkey are featured in the productionʼs “Living Nativity.”

The coach bus will leave the Westwood Community Center at 10 a.m. for a 2 p.m. showtime, allowing 2 1⁄ 2 hours for lunch and shopping. Return time is scheduled for 4 p.m.

All tickets are in the orchestra section and can be purchased at the Westwood Community Center at 55 Jefferson Ave. Cash,

checks, Visa and Mastercard are accepted. Only 50 tickets are available so interested parties are encouraged to buy tickets early.

All those wishing to attend the show please note: Radio City Music Hall coronavirus protocols may be in effect.

For more information, contact Westwood Recreation Director Gary Buchheister at (201) 664-7882 or gbuchheister@westwoodnj.gov

BE

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 fam-

ily parties. Seating is available for up to 100. Catering is also offered and the restaurant has a full bar, including over 100 wines.

HrbekHalloweenPartyOct.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.

Salmon Giulio stuffed with

celery add salt and pepper to taste.

Add honey mustard mix together w/crabmeat. Stuff in cen-

at 154 Washington Street, Tappan NY. Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

crabmeat

What youʼll need:

• 10 oz. Salmon Filet

• 3 tbs Colossal Crabmeat

• 1 tsp. honey mustard

• Dash of honey & balsamic vinegar

• 1 pepper diced

• Stalk celery diced

• Salt & pepper to taste

What to do:

Slice Salmon down center (lengthwise). Dice up peppers &

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

ter of salmon. Cook 10 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Drizzle with a dash of honey & balsamic vinegar dressing

•Buon Appetito!

Giulioʼs Restaurant is located

Visit Giulioʼs website for its menu: www.giuliosrestaurant.com

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

Enjoy making our Signature Dish at Home!

Salmon Giulio stuffed with crabmeat

Thrive

Thrive Senior Livingʼs growing list of innovative, social communities continues with the official opening of Thrive at Montvale. Located in the DePieroʼs Farm neighborhood, the state-ofthe-art community has set the stage for changing the way New Jersey views aging.

“After a long but rewarding journey, Thrive at Montvale has opened its doors,” Thrive president and CFO Sebby Kannukkaden said in a press release Oct. 10.

“We havenʼt designed this community for senior living, but for living in every sense of the word – and that goes beyond the four walls of the building. We have partnered with an exceptional, highly engaged team focused on building meaningful relationships and deeply knowing their residents. Our focus is to go beyond care, allowing our residents to continue living purposeful lives,” Kannukkaden added.

Located just off the Garden State Parkway near serene Lake Tappan, the three-story community features 171 light-filled, open-con-

cept apartments for both independent and assisted living, with studio, one- or two-bedroom layout options. Independent living housing layouts are currently available, with assisted living housing set to open in the coming months.

Thrive at Montvale is also home to a special Memory Care neighborhood, Trio, which will open in the coming months. It is

named to represent the three pillars involved in caring for residents with changing cognitive abilities the resident, the family and the care team. There are 32 studios laid out within a small-house model concept for ease and comfort for incoming memory care residents. The community offers bright, open spaces with special common areas such as the Arboretum, a relaxing outdoor greenspace featuring sitting areas; a putting green; fountain, firepit and plenty of room for residents and families to gather.

The brand-new community boasts several first-to-industry features that further its mission of creating spaces that all can enjoy, regardless of age or ability.

The immaculate 33,150 square-foot Social Court is twothirds the size of a standard football field and is intentionally designed to flood the communityʼs interior with warm, calming natural sunlight.

Outside, the vibrant courtyard acts as an outdoor gaming space,

movie theatre, greenhouse and more. With this outdoor space, residents have the ability to seamlessly travel between indoors and out-

Thrive Senior Living and Thrive at Montvale, visit ThriveSL.com/Montvale.

Thrive Senior Living

doors, allowing full independence and autonomy.

Thrive at Montvale also keeps residents active in top-of-the-line exercise areas, including purposebuilt, professional courts for pickleball, one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. The gameʼs simple rules and slower pace make

designs, develops and operates innovative independent living, assisted living and memory care communities across the country with a fresh perspective on senior living. Thrivestrives to enrich lives and be faithful stewards of all that is entrusted to them by respecting and honoringolder adults as valuable members of

it easier to master than tennis, offering players a solid workout with lower injury risk and no age limit. In addition, the community offers bocce ball, walking trails around the community, and an Athlete center with a personal training studio.

Thrive at Montvale is now open for in-person tours and can be reached at (201) 201-8815.

For more information on

society. Privately held and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Thrive has been named a “Great Place to Work” by Activated Insights for five consecutive years.The company currently operates communities in Alabama, Georgia, and New Jersey with continued growth in primary and secondary markets throughout the United States. For more information visit thrivesl.com

Mayor Michael Ghassali, left, with scissors, helps welcome

Senior Living to

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

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. 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Guests of all ages are welcome. 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, jewelry making, vision board workshops, 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 performs from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Artists represented include:

• Suzi Gerace, founder of the

Angels shine at fall open house

The Fall Open House at the Academy of the Holy Angels Upper School Oct. 2 attracted more than 250 guests. Future Angels quickly made connections as they spoke with administrators, faculty, staff, parent volunteers, and current students about all aspects of Academy life.

Student musicians performed favorite pieces as families signed in and gathered in the LearningCommons. Every hour, families heard brief presentations from AHA President Melinda Hanlon, Principal Jean Miller, academic dean Carmen Quiñ ones, and director of mission and ministry Joan Connelly

AHA admissions director Michèle McGovern also provided an overview of the application process and scholarship opportunities.

Once again, the connections visitors made with their Angel Ambassadors were a key part of familiesʼoverall positive experience.

Angel Ambassadors greeted visitors at the door, assisted with registration, and provided personalized tours that allowed every family to gather information about the academic areas and activities that mean the most to them.

Each family was matched with an Angel Ambassador who

The Fall Open House at the Academy of the Holy Angels Upper School Oct.2 attracted more than 250 guests. AHA photo

answered questions and shared a unique, insiderʼs view of AHA.

Mrs. McGovern and assistant admissions director Jennifer Bullis began to receive top-notch reviews shortly after the event.

Robotics team members showcased some of their recent creations in the STREAM Lab. Their presence allowed families to learn more about AHAʼs STREAM curriculum, a nationally recognized blend of sci ence, technology, religion, engineering, art, and mathematics.

Visitors were clearly impressed

with the Academyʼs academic, extracurricular and co-curricular offerings, and the picturesque 25acre campus.

Information stations, the AHA School Store, and refreshments were set up in the gym.

Each visitor who entered received an enthusiastic welcome from the award-winning AHA Dance Team. The dancers later performed a brief number that highlighted their mastery of several genres.

For more information visit holyangels.org

Dream Makerʼs studio – original artwork, upcycled fashion designs featuring unique clothing, handmade pottery, jewelry, and handpainted floor cloths and paintings;

• 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, contact Gerace at (201) 248-5502 or suzigeracedesigner@gmail.com

‘Hamilton’ standouts

WESTWOOD

The Broadway musical mega-hit “Hamilton” is lucky to have Kyle Scatliffe and Abigail Martin — who both grew up in Westwood — in the cast and crew. Scatliffe plays both the Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson; Martin is a sound technician backstage.

Neither knew the other growing up in the borough but discov ered the coincidence one evening as they chatted while Martin out fitted Scatliffe with his microphone for the performance. They quickly ran through a long list of things they miss from home: Con-

radʼs, The Iron Horse, Pascack Theatre were just a few of many. Immaculate Heart Academy is where Abbie discovered her passion for the technical side of theatre. She went on to Montclair State University and received a degree in design and technology for theatre with a concentration in Sound.

Scatliffe discovered his love of theatre at Westwood Regional High School and went on to study theater at Bergen Community College and the American Musical Dramatic Academy in New York City. He was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award in 2014.

Jacqueline A. Martin

Kyle Scatliffe and Abigail Martin grew up in Westwood and discovered their local connection amid the production of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway smash “Hamilton”—he in two dramatic roles and she as a sound technician.

Abigail Martin photo

Letters:

go and have attended meetings when time allowed.

Each mayor had an agenda, some were favorable for our town but some were definitely not! Most mayors had development or personal issues in mind, mainly developments that would classify our town far from suburban. One mayor had proposed the erection of 147 houses in the woods adjacent to the reservoir, a project that would have endangered the water we drink. Imagine those house owners maintaining their lawns, using pesticides, RoundUp or other noxious chemicals that would slowly seep into our waters. Thankfully, the residents of our town and Captain Bill of Hackensack Riverkeeper came forth and help defeat those ugly plans and we have the Emerson Woods all for our own and in keeping with how nature intended.

Until our mayor, Danielle DiPaola, Iʼd given up hoping thereʼd be a mayor who would not put profit before people. She fights for us and is still fighting to keep Emerson green.

The tension that kept our town on alert has evaporated. All that is being done in our town are issues she — we — inherited. Yet, she doesnʼt draw back from the fight to keep Emerson from looking like Fort Lee.

Unfortunately, people vote by party instead of facts! I am a

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

Democrat but my vote is going to the woman who truly loves Emerson and is faithful to keeping a few trees and fresh air space still around. Best of luck, Danielle! Phyllis Sembos Emerson

Candidate transparency matters

To the editor:

THEREHASBEEN much discussion about transparency within WWRSD lately, specifically around communication. While we represent only two families, we believe most would agree that when it comes to our childrenʼs educations, we want c ommunication to be clear, unambiguous, honest, direct, and forthright. Unfortunately, these are not qualities we have seen from all board of education candidates this election season. As voters, we want to choose who we feel is best. But how can we do that if we are being shut down?

Let us back up a step. Not everyone reading this is on social media and we want to shine a light on what is happening on Facebook specifically. Election signs, mailers, door hangers, and endorsement letters are the shiny mask each candi date presents to the public. One of our fathers describes them as Bar Mitzvah pictures: glossy, fake portrayals of reality

If voters were to cast their ballots only based on that, it appears we have five extremely qualified B OE candidates. However, scratch the surface a bit and Facebook reveals peopleʼs true n atures. Each candidate has a campaign page where information is posted about the tenets of their campaign. The public is welcome to follow these pages and comment. Candidates like Joe McCallister and Jason Garcia have openly answered questions and accepted invitations to participate in a live, public forum to reach voters outside of social media. Unfortunately, other candidates have ignored questions, donʼt answer them directly, or even gone as far as deleting questions and blocking voters from participating on their page.While this behavior is incredibly unprofessional and disrespectful, it is root ed in a much deeper issue. Ignoring anotherʼs perspective demonstrates the inability to have an open mind. We donʼt know about you, but as parents, we want the entire board of education to consider all potential scenarios, solutions, and outcomes as they make decisions about our childrenʼs education. Every person on the dais has the right to their own personal values, religious beliefs, and political affiliations, but we donʼt want that to cloud their judgment as they represent all students in the district.

So, we leave you with a call to action, fellow voters: do your research. Ask questions, listen to board meetings, go to public

forums, and really understand what each candidate represents. And finally, letʼs really embrace what it means to be transparent and role model it for our communityʼs future generations.

Nicole Martin, Westwood Dave Brecher Township of Washington

Sembler, Cooper for WW BOE

To the editor:

I AM WRITING this letter in sup port of the re-election cam-

TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON

paign for Michelle Sembler and for the campaign to elect Laura Cooper to the Westwood Regional Board of Education

T his election season has been disturbing, troubling, and dividing. There are some in our community who are essentially trying to ensure that anyone who is interested in running against t heir candidate of choice in future elections will refrain from the race, because they will be u nwilling to endure being smeared, attacked, cyberbullied, and shouted down. I am confident that the loudest most aggressive voices do not represent our community.

M ichelle has proven her

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.

Letters:

value to this Board and to the students with a job well done in her first term in office. Michelle has demonstrated an incredible level of diligence in her efforts and has been tireless in ensuring our childrenʼs safety and protection. She remains a steady voice of reason among those on the board, someone who is fiscally responsible, someone who openly supports the

district teachers and staff, and someone who has been collaborative in her efforts despite how she has been treated and has been unwavering in her commitm ent to raising the bar at WWRSD. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed and she is well deserving of this communityʼs support for another term.

Laura is a different story. A surprising and last-minute candidate, she has bravely stood her ground in her campaign with striking poise. Despite all the a ttacks and insinuations, she

ADVERTISEYOURSERVICEINTHE SERVICE DIRECTORYINTHE PASCACK PRESS.

remains polite, thoughtful, thorough, and focused. Thatʼs the kind of collaboration and professional maturity we need on our board. She is a well-respected businesswoman who is more focused on being effective rather than popular. She has extensive experience navigating the complexities of large matrixed organizations and I know sheʼll bring a fresh new perspective to the board with balance and determination. With her s trong communications skills, lack of interest in politics or drama, open and friendly personality, and down-to-earth realism, she is best to be elected to the other open seat on the WWRSD BOE.

There are TWO seats available in Westwood so please join m e in casting your votes for Michelle Sembler and Laura Cooper for Westwood Regional

ST.

St. Andrewʼs 50+ Club hosts a presentation, Simplifying Medication Management for Adults, at its next meeting, Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. in the gym. New

PARK RIDGE

School District Board of Education.

Dan Severs Westwood

members are always welcome. Please bring an item/donation for the food pantry.

For more information call Elaine at (201) 664-7037.

Park Ridge Police Reserve seeks officers

The Reserve Unit of the Park Ridge Police seeks new officers.

The Reserve Unit is committed to upholding the Constitution, community, and agency it serves. The unit relies upon the profes sionalism, dedication, and commitment of its officers to accomplish this task.

The vision of the Reserve Unit is to work as a vital part of the police department in building and maintaining the strong bonds of a healthy community policing program. This will be accomplished by providing all officers with the tools they need. In turn, the unit will assist the police department in meeting the challenges of reducing crime, creating a safer community, and improving the quality of life.

The core values of this Unit are: integrity, professionalism, commitment, moral character, mutual respect, and teamwork.

Applications to become a reserve officer in Park Ridge are being accepted. Applicants should

understand they are volunteering to contribute to the overall mission of the unit. Individuals are expected to be professional on and off duty and will be held accountable for their actions at all times.

Before applying, make sure you and your family are ready for what will be required of you.

In order to qualify you must be a citizen of the Unites States, live within five miles of Park Ridge (provided no program exists in your municipality), be at least 18, be in good physical and mental health, be at least a high school graduate, not have a criminal record or unsatisfactory driving record (background check required), successfully complete the next class (held at night for three months), and expect to serve around 150 hours a year (includes training and duty time).

For more information and an application, call Sgt. DiBlasi at (201) 391-5400 ext. 5232 or stop by police headquarters.

&FitnessGuide

to reduce anxiety

stress hormone and will increase anxiety and disrupt your sleep.

In addition to reducing exposure to electronics and electromagnetic fields, forming good health habits will drastically decrease your levels of anxiety, as well as depression.

mindfulness, read, listen to positive podcasts, breathe deeply, clean, pray, and laugh. It is all about creating good habits. Even if you improve just 1% each week, at least you are going in a good direction.

DR. ERIC KAPLAN,

Most anxiety is caused by the nervous system being over-stimulated. The most common stimulants are in beverages like coffee, tea, soda, juice, energy drinks, sports drinks, carbonated drinks, shakes, sugarfree drinks, milk, lemonade, and smoothies. The only healthy drink is water, but not carbonated water, smart water, or coconut water. A better option is to add a touch of pink himalayan salt and squeeze some organic lemon, lime, cucumber, or oranges in the water, or even heat it up and flavor it with some ginger, cinnamon, apple slices, or mint leaves.

Lots of foods act as stimulants that will increase your chances of anxiety. Sugar and sugar replacements such as honey, syrup, stevia, high fructose corn syrup, sucralose, maltose, agave, corn syrup, corn fructose, xylitol, rice syrup, and many other sweeteners are all stimulants.

It is also important to stay away from all food after 5 or 6 p.m. Eating or drinking at night will stimulate cortisol which is the

A very important tip to reduce depression is taking vitamin D to avoid seasonal affect disorder, where people get depressed in the winter. Many people are already getting it now. We really want to help so the first seven people that call my office at (201) 261-2150 will get a free vitamin D bottle as well as a complete neuro logical evaluation at my office for only $21 (normally $400). This evaluation will help get to the root cause of your depression or anxiety and we will come up with natural solutions that do not have risks like certain medications.

Start a routine that includes exercising every day, eating healthy, taking vacations, going in the sun, being in nature, avoiding sugar and alcohol, walking barefoot in the grass, going to bed before 10 p.m., stop watching the news, getting off social media, and detaching from your cell phone.

Journal, compliment people, show love to your family and friends, give to charity, garden, tell jokes, volunteer, practice

Set up your daily schedule to include your health. Every night before bedtime, say three things you are grateful to have in your life right now. When you wake up, it is best to have a “health power hour.” Start with a simple stretching routine. Then, wash your face with cold water for 30 seconds. Next, swish coconut oil around in

your mouth for 30 seconds to help kill off bacteria and viruses and then spit it all out. After that, drink a 12 ounce glass of warm lemon water. Then read some positive quotes or inspirational passages. Next, meditate for 10 minutes. Then, partake in physical exercise for at least 30 minutes of either aerobic or weight resistance exercise.

Make sure you make your bed, clean your closet, do the dishes, take out the garbage and clean your car before you have to go to work or take care of the kids. If your house is clean and your body

is healthy, your brain thinks clearer, and you will have less stress and anxiety.

To learn more about reducing stress and anxiety without using pharmaceuticals for you, your parents or your children, call my office at (201) 261-2150 or email me at info@kaplanbrainandbody.com, mention this article and you can sign up for a FREE in person or telemedicine consult with me at anytime to discuss any health concerns.

Everyone deserves to feel better, function better, and live better.

CLAIM BENEFITS SOONER OR LATER?

Editorʼs note: The following article is for informational purposes only.

as long as you can, Rob Arthur,

vice president/manager of the

Benefits Consulting Group,

Fargo

ison of claiming now vs. later, and offers key considerations as you review your strategy each year.

When it comes to Social Security and retirement, you may have conflicting viewpoints: On one side, you hope to start collecting your benefits as soon as youʼre eligible— after all, itʼs your hard-earned money. On the other side, you know that, if you wait, your monthly benefit amount will increase.

ERIC KOHLMEIER

While it does make sense to

situation every year in retirement before deciding

reevaluate

to continue delaying getting

One item you need for that annual retirement review: a current copy of your Social Security benefit estimate from ssa.gov. This provides personalized estimates of future benefits based on your real earnings and lets you see your latest statement and your earnings history.

Here, Arthur outlines a compar-

Comparison: Claiming sooner vs. later. Letʼs start with a hypothetical example: John Doe was born in 1960 and was earning $200,000 a year when he retired. He decided to start receiving Social Security benefits as soon as he became eligible at 62, or five years before he would receive full retirement benefits. His monthly benefit in todayʼs dollars is $2,106.

If he had delayed receiving benefits until he was 70, heʼd receive $1,700 more a month, or $3,806.

And he would make up for the eightyear delay in not taking any benefits in about 10 years. (And because one out of every four 65-year-olds today will live past age 90, according to the Social Security Administration1, the long-term benefit could be substantial.)

Make wellness a deciding factor. Your health can play a big role in helping determine when you should start taking benefits. Do your loved ones live long lives, or has everyone succumbed to illness before age 65?

“Itʼs not the most accurate indicator of whatʼs going to transpire in the future, but it can have some bearing,” Arthur says. “If youʼre in reasonably good health, that counsels in favor of waiting,” he continues. “If youʼre in poor or guarded health, that counsels toward drawing benefits sooner rather than later.”

Do you have enough income? Another key factor is having other sources of income to live comfortably in retirement without needing Social Security benefits. He says you should consider the guaranteed rate of return Social Security offers: 6.25% (plus a cost-of-living increase). Thatʼs better than the guaranteed rate of return available in todayʼs market.

Considerations for married couples. Arthur advises married clients look at multiple factors when determining the timing for each spouse to claim Social Security benefits.

For example, if your spouse works full time and you work part time or seasonally, his or her Social Security benefits may be dramatical ly higher than yours. Itʼs still wise for both of you to wait, if possible.

“Not only does it increase the size of the benefit that the [higherearning] individual personally receives, but it also increases the size of whatʼs known as the survivorʼs benefit that the [lower-earning]

spouse could draw if the individual passes away,” Arthur says.

Keep in mind that the current average life expectancy of a 65year-old man is 84 years, while a woman that age can expect to live until age 86, according to the Social Security Administration.

What about taxes? When it comes to when to claim Social Security benefits, Arthur advises his clients not to focus primarily on the tax ramifications.

“The vast majority of people that I counsel, their marginal tax rate in retirement will be fairly constant,” Arthur says. “If retirees were to take their Social Security benefit at 62, what I typically see is their marginal tax rate is exactly the same or approximately the same as it would be if they claimed the benefit at age 70. I want [them] to focus instead on maximizing the net cash flow over the remainder of their lifetime.”

Global Investment Strategy is a division of Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Inc. (“WFII”). WFII is a registered investment adviser and whollyowned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company and provides investment advice to Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Advisors and other Wells Fargo affiliates. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. is a bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

This article was written by/for Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Eric Kohlmeier, senior financial advisor, managing director—investments in Park Ridge, (201) 505-0472.

Investments in securities and insurance products are not FDICinsured/not bank-guranteed/may lost value.

Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

Joey: 8th Annual Charity Car Show supercharged

to date.

Special trophies were given in memory of loved ones and significant supporters of Joey and Joeyʼs Fund who have now passed. There were trophies given in memory of Fred and Janet DeCarlo, Joeyʼs grandparents who were big supporters; Joey DeCarlo; officer McDonald, who made it possible for Joey and his family to go to Disney through Make-A-Wish; and Laura Farago, who donated a lot of her time and worked for the fund.

They also had a Mayorʼs Trophy, given out by Closter Mayor John Glidden Jr.

“We had a great turnout. Everyone was super excited and happy to come out. Iʼve been receiving emails from attendees one family said itʼs the best car

show theyʼve ever been to. People really enjoyed it,” Hussain said.

Beyond the stylish and classic cars and powerful trucks on display, visitors showed they responded to the mission. “Oh yes, generously,” said Hussain. “As soon as Tony got on the mic and spoke about his son, Joey, and what happened to him, you could tell right away people cared and wanted to help pay it forward.”

Joeyʼs Fund is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to easing the challenges that parents face when caring for a child suffering from a life threatening illness.

Since the charity was founded, it has raised approximately $100,000 in donations to help families pay uncovered medical

H ussain said this year the event hit a mile mark of $50,000 to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Care Center.

Tony DeCarlo, who founded the event in 2015 in honor of his son, Joey — who passed away in 1 986 at the age of 2 1⁄ 2 a fter batt ling leukemia — told Pascack Press, “We had very generous donors who committed their m oney to help those have been adversely affected by medical debts, living costs, and more.”

J oeyʼs fund 9thAnnual Car S how is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, at Closter Plaza in Closter.

D onʼt want to wait to do g ood for the cause? You can donate today. Any amount will h elp. Visit J oeysCharityFund.org or send your check to Joeyʼs Fund, 436 Hillcrest Place, Pali sades Park, NJ, 07650.

For more information call Tony DeCarlo at (201) 4815 406.

Car winners

•1900–1929: Richard Hanson, 1929 Ford Model A;

•1930–1939: Jay Horton, 1932 Ford Roadster;

•1940–1949: Joe Cannone, 1949 Ford Custom;

•1950–1959: John Fano, 1957 Chevy Bel Air;

•1960–1969: David Lax, 1966 Chevy Biscayne;

•1970–1979: James Brusco, 1973 Dodge Charger;

• 1980–1989: Dan Cassani, 1987 Pontiac Firebird Formula;

• 1990–1999: Anthon y Marchesani, 1996 Mustang Cobra;

• 2000–2009: Stephen Ren dine, 2003 Chevrolet Corvette;

•2010–2022: Mac McCrone, 2018 Ford Mustang GT

Truck winners

• 1930–1939: Dave Marcason, 1936 Chevrolet pickup;

• 1940–1949: Jeff Leath, 1948 Ford F1;

•1950–1959: Jack Waltz of Liberty Storage, 1956 Chevrolet 3100 Delivery Truck;

•1970–1979: Jodi Costa, 1979 Dodge Lilʼ Red Express;

• 1990–1999: Jose Luis Garcia, 1991 Suzuki Samurai;

• 2000–2009: Steron Dar mochual, 2002 Chevy Pickup.

Special trophy winners

•Fred DeCarlo Trophy: John Waugh, 1990 Ford 35th Anniversary Thunderbird;

•Janet DeCarlo Trophy: William Metzdorf, 1961 Chevrolet Ice Cream Truck;

•Laura Farago Trophy: Nicolo Ottomanelli. 1954 Buick Skylark;

• Joeyʼs Trophy: Todd Donovan, 1972 Chevrolet Corvette;

• Officer MacDonald: Mark Goodell, 1966 Ford F100;

• Mayorʼs Trophy: Mark Schavi, 1978 Chevrolet Corvette.

c osts, including insurance copays, prescription drug fees, lost wages, gas, tolls, parking, food and many other daily expenses.

A sampling of the classic rides taking star turns at the 8th Annual Joey’s Fund Inc. charity car show in Closter on Sept. 18. Via JoeysCharityFund.org

Closter Mayor John Glidden Jr. with Mayor’s Trophy Winner Mark Schavi and daughter

Founder Anthony DeCarlo welcomes spectators, car registrants, and donors.

BUSY BUILDERS

HILLSDALE

The former Friendly’s restaurant at 441 Hillsdale Ave., gutted to the masonry recently, takes on wooden framing on Saturday, Oct. 8. The site will reopen as a Chipotle Mexican Grill.

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 holi days.

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.

John Snyder photo

Emergency services open house Oct. 16

The Hillsdale emergency services invite you to their annual open house on Sunday, Oct. 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The fire

HILLSDALE

and police departments and the Hillsdale Ambulance Service will host several displays, demonstrations and hand out information on

fire and public safety.

The Fire Department visited local schools Oct. 11–14 to speak with students about fire safety.

Trochimiuk lauds redevelopment plan

The Hillsdale council recently approved the redevelopment plan for the former Waste Management site following more than two years of collaboration between the public officials and residents of the community.

The redevelopment plan for the almost 12 acres known as the Patterson Street Redevelopment Plan was written in consultation with DMR Architects and includes a requirement for the developer to provide approximately 5,000 square feet of community space within the project.

The plan allows for residential rentals to represent a significant portion of the overall area with 255 residential units of which 20 will be affordable housing.

It also requires a new public park located at the corner of Patterson Street and Piermont Avenue.

“These facilities will provide meaningful gathering spaces for meetings, sports, and recreation, improving everyoneʼs

quality of life as well as increasing their property values,” said Council President Janetta Trochimiuk in an Oct. 7 statement from DMR Architects of Hasbrouck Heights.

The redevelopment zone was established in 2019 and encom passes 12 acres of underutilized industrial land at Knickerbocker Avenue, Brookside Place, Piermont Avenue, and Prospect Place.

Francis Reiner, PP, LLA, director of planning and redevelopment for DMR Architects, said in the statement, “Resident engagement is a critical component to municipal planning that provides insights on what the community needs are and how redevelopment of underutilized properties can solve affordable housing requisites and provide alternative market rate housing for individuals who want to move into a new community as well as those looking to relocate within their community ”

He said, “We are working with municipal leaders through-

out New Jersey to create customized protoc ols for requesting and collecting feedb ack and refashioning plans that make everyone feel heard.”

TROCHIMIUK

A partnership between Claremont Development and March Development of Morristown has been chosen as the developer of the site.

The redevelopment agreement was not publicly released for weeks after being originally approved by the Borough Council. On the borough website as of Oct. 10, the 74-page agreement was linked but read, “Unexecuted at this time.”

For more, including what we know of the financials, see “Possible $40M to borough in redevelopment pact; vote Aug. 9,” Pascack Press, July 17, 2022. —Staff report

P R E S S

Seasons: Retail mall proposed in residential zone

Road.

V A L L

A C

A first hearing for the application, which will require a use variance — or change in land use zoning — plus other variances and waivers, is set for the Zoning Board of Adjustment on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom.

Application materials may be viewed on the ZBA website or viewed by appointment, Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the board secretaryʼs office in town hall.

The application identifies 23 property owners within 200 feet of the proposed development.

The consolidated lots cover Block 2110, Lots 6-11, 660-682 Pascack Road, and are zoned “AA” for residential development. The application requests a use variance for the site to convert the lots into an expanded retail development. The proposal provides 108 parking spaces.

The busy intersection is being upgraded by Bergen County Engineering under a shared services agreement with the township, with improvements likely to be completed by early 2023.

The county roadsʼnexus has long been a bottleneck, especially during rush hours as trucks, buses, and cars crisscross the intersection —

many coming off of Exit 168 on the Garden State Parkway.

Also near the intersection is the townshipʼs new Emergency Services Building, which will serve the volunteer fire department and ambulance corps. Fire department operations have moved in, and the ambulance corps has agreed to delay move-in while work continues. A grand opening is planned later this fall.

We reached out to the applicant attorney, McDonnell & Whitaker

LLC, Ramsey, for more information.

According to the public notice published Sept. 29, the applicant seeks the following waivers and variances:

• Front yard setback of 10 feet and 3.25 feet for off street parking where off street parking is not permitted;

•Waiver to permit parking stalls to be 162 square feet where 180 square feet is required and a stall depth of 18 feet where 20 feet is required;

this application, whether requested by the applicant, the board or otherwise. Furthermore, to the extent deemed necessary, the applicant requests variance and/or waiver relief for any and all other pre-existing nonconforming site conditions.”

According to the proposal application, impervious area will increase from the existing 15,333 square feet to 69,696 square feet, increasing from 16.3% to 74.5 percent. According to code, maximum permitted local coverage is 75%.

at the Pascack Road/Washington Avenue

Long-unoccupied

northwest corner

and Carl Carfello (16.7%). James Kourgelis, an owner of Seasons Catering, has signed the proposalʼs use variance application as a managing member.

In March 2022, the township purchased easements for $158,000 on seven lots adjacent to the Pascack Road–Washington Avenue intersection for county intersection overhaul.

The seven lots were owned by 660 Pascack Realty LLC, whose principal owner is James Kourgelis, owner of Seasons Catering.

Over the past decade, and most recently in 2013, Kourgelis had been involved with applications to site other ventures adjacent to the nearby Pascack Road–Washington Avenue intersection, where the three vacant, deteriorating homes stand.

PARK

PARK

PARK

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

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, mbnet zer@westwoodnj.gov. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Westwood is an EOE

•Variance to permit two monument signs to be a height of 4.67 feet with internal illumination with an area of 28 square feet where monument signs are not permitted in the zone.

In addition, the applicant requests that “the application be deemed amended to include, and the board grant any additional approvals, variances, exceptions, or waivers determined to be necessary or desirable in the review and processing of

Last December, we reported township officials were concerned that at least three properties opposite Seasons Catering — marked as unsafe by red placards with a large “X” across entryways — were not cited for property maintenance viola tions despite their longstanding vacancy and deterioration.

All three properties are owned by 660 Pascack Realty LLC, whose owners include James Kourgelis (67.3%); George Kourgelis (16.7%);

The previously proposed ventures for the corner lots — none of which came to pass — have included a parking lot, a CVS, a Dunkinʼ Donuts, a liquor store, and then townhomes.

Kourgelis also reportedly offered to sell the properties back to the township during former mayor Janet Sobkowiczʼs tenure and was reportedly told the township could not afford to buy them.

For more background, see “Vacant houses and the law: Absent owners said to keep paying, lapsing on bills,” Dec. 10, 2021, Pascack Press online.

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 inter view 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.

Oct. 22 and Sunday, Oct. 23. Old tools, collectibles, decoration, new items, gifts. 5 Waverly Place, Montvale.

PASCACK HILLS 1972 50TH 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.

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Mayor: Emerson Block 419 deal details emerge

FROM PAGE 5

redevelopment project mired in lawsuits and delays since her husband left office in 2018, after two terms, in a loss to DiPaola, a former councilmember who voted consistently against the scale of the project and the means by which the deal was reached.

Lamatina replied in depth, from an AOL account under her husbandʼs name, critical of the current administration. We sent a copy to DiPaola for a reaction for this story, and we received word back from McCann as the boroughʼs statement,refuting all assertions.

Project a point of contention

Lamatina told us, “I fully support the project, which has its origins in an effort started by the Borough Council in the late 1990s to redevelop the downtown. Approval of this project allowed the borough to satisfy its affordable housing Third Round obligations. Once completed, the borough should be able to stabi-

lize taxes with this new ratable and finally partially modernize our aging downtown.”

“The project should have been completed years ago but for the current mayorʼs interference in the permitting process. The redeveloper filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the mayor where her efforts to derail the project are well documented. Her behavior has cost the borough hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees. The borough is paying its own legal fees, as well as the fees of a retired appellate division judge who has been appointed special master. In addition, in the affordable housing litigation, the court has ordered Emerson to pay the redeveloperʼs legal fees in an amount to be determined by the court,” she said.

She added, “The mayor also ignored a one-year deadline to provide the redeveloper with a plan to construct an emergency services building. As a result, the borough lost a $500,000 payment which has been negotiated for the

value of the ambulance corps building land that the mayor transferred to the redeveloper in 2019.”

She said, “Most importantly, the mayor signed that deed in 2019 after Mr. Lamatina left office. Why would she transfer the property without first receiving the $500,000?”

She noted her background managing real estate and education in accounting would enable her to determine where to cut current costs that could lead to tax relief.

She said her campaign was o perating via “just word of mouth” and was not sure whether the campaign would be posting signs around town or doing social media outreach. She said her candidacy was backed by the Democratic Committee of Bergen County.

Lamatina has lived in Emerson since 1990. She graduated from Manhattan College in 1981 with a bachelorʼs degree in accounting, and is a certified financial planner.

She said she has served as office manager in her husbandʼs Paramus law office for almost 30 years. She said she manages several other residential and commercial properties owned by the Lamatinas.

Louis Lamatina had served two non-consecutive four-year terms as mayor. He who broke a 3-3 council vote in December 2016 to allow four-story development in the boroughʼs redevelopment area.

After a single public hearing on Dec. 10, 2018, the Land Use Board voted, 6-2, to approve the project.

DiPaola spoke at the hearing as the mayor-elect, questioning the massive redevelopment project. (See “Did Emerson Land Use Board do enough? 419 Project passes,” Dec. 14, 2018, Pascack Press).

The project, controversial b efore and after approval, remains unfinished and the borough is suing Emerson Redevelopers Urban Renewal for reneging on a promise to provide

OBITUARIES

Agnes L. NEWTON

Agnes L. (Partel) Newton, 94, of St. Augustine, Fla., formerly of Ho-Ho-Kus and Township of Washington, passed away on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022.

Agnes is survived by her children Paul, Mary Ellen and her husband Mike, Kevin and his wife Susan, Jane and her husband Glen and Kathryn and her husband Lou. She is predeceased by her late husbands George Partel and Thomas Newton as well as her son Peter. The family will receive guests at the Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood on Sunday, Oct. 16 from 2 to 6 p.m. A Mass celebrat-

ing Agnesʼlife and faith will be held at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church in the Township of Washington on Monday, Oct. 17 at 11 a.m. with interment at Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Agnesʼname to Oasis, A Haven for Women and Children @ OasisNJ.Org/Donate. BeckerFuneralhome.com.

Ronald L. ABRAHAMSEN

Ronald Leslie Abrahamsen, 70, of River Vale passed away peacefully on Oct. 11, 2022. Beloved husband of Gail. Devoted father of Ryan and his wife

Jayme; Kelly and her husband Patrick. Dear brother of Richard and his wife Joan; Eric and his wife Marie. Loving grandfather of Reese, Wynne, and Everett. Loyal brother-in-law to Lynn and the late Charles Devine, Kathy Hedenberg, Stacy and Michael Roberts, Kathy Green. Also survived by cousins, nieces and nephews, and countless friends who adored him.

Born in Dumont, Ronnie resided in River Vale for 45 years. Last year, he moved down the shore to be closer to family

For 42 years, Ronnie worked at the Harrington Park Post Office, delivering mail and becoming an honorary family member for each house on his

route. He always had a smile on his face, whether volunteer firefighting, coaching, or simply cheering from the stands. He was always the first to offer a helping hand, and the last to take credit for it. He enjoyed barbecues with family and friends, playing golf, fishing, and reminiscing about yesteryears. Pop Pop loved nothing more than

PASCACK VALEY

$500,000 in construction services after the borough deeded the former ambulance corps property to the developer.

Borough attorney responds McCann issued a statement d isputing all of Lamatinaʼs assertions.

“After many years, Mrs. L amatina, nor her husband a ttended a single mayor and council meeting to express these concerns. Nor has she come to a public meeting to express any of her views on any issue the governing body deals with. She seems focused only on her husbandʼs issue. These comments are nothing but a repeat of the same partisan attacks to defend the indefensible. Emerson deserves better,” he said.

He said, “This is a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Because of a deal between Mrs. Lamatinaʼs husband and the r edeveloper, Emerson had no choice but to bring a lawsuit to

spending time with his three grand children.

The family will receive friends and relatives on Friday, Oct. 14 from 2 to 7 p.m. at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, with a service at 5:30.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tomorrows Childrenʼs Fund (tcfkid.org/donate).

WOMAN’SCLUB MEETS OCT. 24

The Greater Pascack Valley Womanʼs Club will hold its next meeting on Monday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Park Ridge Municipal Building.

The agenda includes a presentation from a representative of the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation. Based in New Jersey and with offices in Midland Park, the ECF provides support and guidance for families with a child suffering from pediatric cancer The ECF is a special project of the clubs in the New Jersey Federation of Womenʼs Clubs, who are working to raise money and promote awareness of the ECF and its service to residents of our com munities.

Also to be discussed:

upcoming projects and events. The Afternoon High Tea, sponsored by the club, is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 23, at the Montvale Senior Center. The cost of $25 will be earmarked for donation to the ECF and other local charities. Reservations for the Tea can be made until Oct. 18 by sending a check to P.O. Box 3, Park Ridge NJ 07656 or by calling either (201) 391-4947 or (201) 5739132.

The Greater Pascack Valley Womanʼs Club welcomes all who would like to attend the upcoming meeting and to learn more about the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation and our club For more informa tion call Carolyn Delafrange at (201) 817-1000.

Mayor: Block 419

FROM PAGE 38

protect the taxpayers from a disgusting last-minute deal orchestrated by Mr. Lamatina in his last few days as mayor.”

He said, “In the litigation, the borough produced a tape of a c onversation between the borough administrator and the redeveloper where the redeveloper a dmits that the ex-mayor [allegedly] sold the ambulance corps building to him knowing that there was no way the incoming council in the next year could meet the unreasonable deadlines the ex-mayor established for transaction days prior to leaving office.”

He said, “At that time, the redeveloper was only willing to pay $250,000 for the ambulance corps building. On the tape, the redeveloper stated, ʻ…We took out—we tried to work it out, but then the mayor [Lamatina just days before he left office] came back and [allegedly] says, ʻThereʼs no way Iʼm going to get that through [the council] if I lower that fee anymore, he says, but we could put a timeline in. And frankly, I donʼt think that theyʼre going to be able to pull this off in time.ʼ”

“So, instead, the redeveloper and outgoing mayor concocted a number double the amount ($500,000) he was willing to pay and figured they could squeeze a settlement out of the borough down the road because they couldnʼt possibly meet the deadlines. The tape can be heard on the boroughʼs website.”

McCann said, “This is why the borough sued the redeveloper. The governing body didnʼt believe they acted in good faith and set up the new council to fail at the expense of the taxpayers. It was the ex-mayor who structured the contract requiring the new governing body to transfer the ambulance building to the redeveloper. If the ex-mayor did not bind the taxpayers, most likely, none of this litigation would have happened.”

He said “The rest of the attacks are specious. The federal litigation brought by the redeveloper is without merit and was dismissed at the outset. The borough doesnʼt control when someone sues, so the redeveloper brought another political suit to continue to try and get the taxpayers to kneel before him.”

And he said, “At no time did the governing body delay the construction of the project. The delays are due to the redeveloper. For instance, when filing for their original main permit they were slow to provide the information needed to obtain them. The borough signed off on the permit on July 29, 2020, but they did not pay for the permits until April 7, 2021 when they picked them up almost a full year later.”

McCann said, “As the wife of the previous mayor who brought

this monstrosity to Emerson, it is understandable she feels the need to defend the disaster her husband brought to the borough; even if it is for her own political benefit.”

Louis Lamatina responds

Asked to comment, Louis Lamatina, an attorney, told us Oct. 13, “This administrationʼs downfall will be documented facts, not the hyperbole of its highly paid spokesman. An architect chosen by the council in an open process was in place during 2018. Several concept plans have been prepared and discussed in … meetings. A final concert plan was agreed upon by the council. All that needed to be done was to finalize the plans which should have taken much less than one year.”

He asserted, “As the evidence presented to Judge Vinci yesterday with the redeveloperʼs motion illustrates, the mayor intentionally sat on the plans, claiming that she had other priorities for the borough.”

He said, “In addition to losing the $500,000 contribution to the public safety building, the developer will now also be off the hook to serve as general contractor to the project. That would have saved the borough hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars in construction costs.”

DiPaola on her reasons for seeking reelection

Asked for her platform, DiPaola wrote Pascack Press ,

“Four years ago, I promised to be a strong leader for Emerson. I pledged to be a voice of reason regarding development, to restore accountability and transparency to government operations, to be fiscally responsible and a good steward of tax dollars, and to be a strong advocate for our residentsʼ interests, not the special ones of the prior administration.”

“Through the hard work, commitment and collaboration of an outstanding team of council members, employees, volunteers, community leaders and residents, I am proud to say that we have accomplished these goals together. My administration has wisely utilized tax dollars in difficult eco nomic times, enhanced municipal services for the benefit of all residents, and preserved the values of our family town.”

She said, “Gone are the days of senseless political fighting, cooperation has replaced chaos, and Cavo pride is at an all time high. It has been my great honor and privilege to serve my beloved Emerson, the town that I was born and raised in and to which I have dedicated the last 12 years of my life protecting.”

She said, “When re-elected, I am determined to continue to be the strong leader that Emerson deserves — moving Emerson forward responsibly while preserving its small-town charm.”

With John Snyder

First Fitness With Friends 5K Oct. 16

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 commemora-

tive Fitness 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.