'Blighted' Area Fate of Cranford's Favorite Tree Hangs in the Balance
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---U n io n C o u n t y ^ L ocalSc E THURSDAY. AUGUST 7, 2014 UNIONNEWSDAILY.COM VOL. 97 NO. 31 50 C EN TS Linden unveils plan to transform 'blighted’ area By Cheryl Hehl square-foot complex and have established a partnership tend with this white elephant, he spent many days and Staff Writer that in the end, they said, will bring mutually beneficial nights trying to come up with ways to utilize this acreage LINDEN — Last week the city unveiled a vision they have shared services and other needed facilities for both munic that would vastly improve the neighborhood whOe bolster for a two-block area bordering St. George Avenue that ipal court systems and offices of emergency management. ing the business district bordering heavily traveled St. could transform a blighted and economically depressed Linden Mayor Richard Gerbounka and Roselle Mayor George Avenue. section of the city into a $16.4 million Social Justice Com Jamel Holley, along with a New Jersey Department of However, while the road to successfid revitalization was plex shared with Roselle. Community Affairs project team, presented the plan at a often paved with false promises and dead ends, when Ger The project’s cost is expected to top $24.7 million, but public hearing held at Linden Multipurpose Center, located bounka came up with the concept of a social justice com because of potential partnerships with entities such as in the heart of this 3.25-acre area declared an area of rede plex it seemed like a perfect fit for Linden, Roselle and res Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Union County Division velopment in 2003. idents living in the neighborhood. of Emergency Management, New Jersey Department of Helping to bring this vision to life were students from Both mayors strongly believe partnering and bringing in Community Affairs, and the New Jersey Department of the New Jersey Institute of Technology, School of Architec other entities to also participate will enable Linden and Labor and Workforce Development, the cost was able to be ture, who spent an entire semester working on several Roselle to have an active stake in trying to tie together the pared down to $16.5 million. innovative designs for this proposed complex. deteriorating fabric of the area. Linden and Roselle have been working cooperatively for Gerbounka said he came up with the idea after inherit Another positive with these two towns partnering is that many months on the planning of this 50,000- to 60,000- ing the blighted area when he became mayor. Left to con See SOCIAL JUSTICE COMPLEX, Page 5 Fate of Cranford’s favorite tree hangs In the balance Officials debate what to do with ‘Old Peppy’ By Cheryl Hehl Although township officials considered taking Staff Writer down the massive tree in 2010, they stopped CRANFORD - The fate of the township’s old short of that action, deciding instead to have a est tree and favorite symbol, “Old Peppy,” con tree service trim some of the branches near the tinues to be debated, but officieds could be close split section to lessen the weight on the trunk. to removing it. Four support cables were also used to anchor an The township has been debating what to do unsteady bough to the main trunk. with the pepperidge tree located in Lincoln Park, In 2012 the governing body discussed the which is on Lincoln Avenue near the comer of issue at length because several members felt Old Benjamin Street. The massive tree is believed to Peppy was a public hazard, but others did not be at least 250-years-old and was named the offi agree. This contingent felt pursuing preservation cial tree of Cranford in 1964, when it was 76-feet was the best option, the only option. high. The question of public safety was also No one is sure when the tree earned the nick addressed with the main focus on how much pro name of Old Peppy, but the specimen has been tection the fence surrounding the fractured tree noted as one of the largest of its kind, now tow provided. ering 88-feet high. At the time, Frank D’Antonio, Chairman of However, time has not been a friend to Old the Tree Advisory Board, told the township com Peppy. It is more than showing years of wear and mittee the fence was merely decorative and never tear. meant to be anything more. He told the govern In fact, some are concerned this tree that was ing body the township would have to install a already loo-years-old when Cranford was incor chain-link fence around the tree at a cost of porated in 1876 should come down. $6,000 in order to protect visitors and keep chil The future of the pepperidge tree, which actu dren from getting too close. ally is a black gum or sour gum, has been in ques That idea died because elected officials CAMPING OUT — Aug. 15 will mark the conclusion of the 2014 tion for several years. thought it would be an eyesore. Roselle Park Summer Camp. This year, there were more than 7 00 In 2009 when fierce winter winds split the Resident Tom Hannen, who had yet to run for campers registered for the eight-week program. For over 25 trunk, the governing body debated exactly what the governing body, offered to donate materials years, the Roselle Park Board of Education has been providing could be done to shore up this historical tree that for a vinyl picket fence from his nearby plastic was growing when New Jersey was a new colony factory, but this too was rejected. this service for campers both in and outside of the Roselle Park and settlers were getting to know the Delaware Governing body members at the time felt the School District, and featuring special events like a petting zoo. Indians. See ‘OLD PEPFY’, Page 12 2 — August 7,2014 — Union County LocalSource LINDEN NEWS Friends of the Linden Pubiic Library Diabetes presentation at Linden program flyer at the library, 31 E. Heniy St., off Wood hoid fundraiser, Aug. 19 Pubiic Library, Sept. 3 Avenue, at the comer of 7-Eleven, or email the children’s librarian, Karen Gray at [email protected]. Sales of “Tickets Fore Charity” for The Barclays, a PGA Dr. Bob White will be presenting “The Diabetic Solu Tour event at Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus from tion” at the Linden Public Libraiy on Wednesday, Sept. 3, Aug. 19 to 24, will support the Friends of Linden Libraiy. at 7 p.m. The Ubrary is located at 3 1E. Heniy St. Sign up at Renew your library card All Linden Libraiy cards automatically expire eveiy two Seventy-five percent of the net proceeds of the ticket pur the circulation desk, or call 908-298-3830. chase will be donated to the Friends of Linden Library. years. Residents planning to check out summer reading books for school must be sure that cards are still valid. The deadline to purchase tickets is Sunday, Aug. 17. The Linden Pubiic Library for Chiidren promo code is “GREEN14.” Up to three children 18 years of Each family member must use a card that shows his or There is still time to sign up for the Linden Public age and younger will be admitted free with each adult tick her own name. A child cannot use a parent’s card to borrow Library’s Summer Reading Club. ChDdren who win all 10 et. Patrons who attend the tournament on Friday or Satur books. To obtain or renew a Linden Libraiy card, residents prizes will be invited to the Celebration Party in August. A day will get automatic free admission to that evening’s con must prove they hve in Linden. A valid driver’s Ucense with parent or guardian must come in person to register each cert. a Linden address is acceptable for proof of residency. Par child. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit ents may show proof for their children. For residents who A new session of “The Terrific Toddlers,” takes place www.BuyTFC.com and click on “The Barclays,” call 908- do not have a driver’s license with a Linden address, two Thursday mornings at 10:30 a.m. This is a group for babies 355-4643 or email [email protected]. official forms of identification must be shown, for example, through age 4. For more information, pick up a summer a bank account statement, a utility bill or more. ALBERT “AL” SAGER $329,900 Expanded Ranch Colonial Spin Level 187 Partcview Dr. • Welcome Home To TTiis Terrffic Expanded Rartch Style Beautiftjliy marntained and recently renovated Colonial In a quiet 974 Carteret Ave. - Nice TrR.evel Split with 4 B/Rs, featuring hlome. Featurirtg Large Rooms, 3 Bed, 2.1 Baths, Eat>ln Kitchen. Living neighborhood w/ 5 BR. 2.1 FB with whirlpool tub, FDR, HW floor, newer Fumance, H/W Heater, H/W floors, finished bsmt w/wet W/Charming Wood Burning Fireplace, Famly Room. 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