Volume 16, Issue 1 Winter 2013 OAKLAND BOROUGH COUNCIL Mayor Linda H. Schwager Council Members Council President— Chris Viscont Sandra Coira, Timothy Jensen, Karen Marcalus NEWS FROM THE VALLEY OF “THE PONDS” Oakland Communications Commission Pat Pignatelli, Elizabeth Stagg SPONSORED BY THE BOROUGH OF OAKLAND & One Municipal Plaza THE OAKLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS OAKLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION Oakland, NJ 07436 Interim Superintendent—D. Jefrey Feifer, Ed.D. Winter Mayor's Message Business Administrator—Joan Dunn Happy New Year to everyone. The year 2013 promises to Board of Educaton Members ************ECRWSS************* be extremely excitng here in our beautful town of Oak- President—John A. Scerbo land. I hope we can move forward by working together POSTAL PATRON for an even more productve year than we had in 2012. So Vice President—Russell Talamini OAKLAND, NEW JERSEY 07436 much was accomplished during the past year but so much Robert Akovity, James Gafney, Jennifer L. Mats more is hoped for in 2013. OAKLAND COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION SPECIAL POINTS OF “In the teachings of the past, we fnd knowledge to live a Chairman—Peter Foley INTEREST: beter future.” Vice Chair—Fred Birks ñ Mayor’s Message Now that the library litgaton is setled, we can now act- Don Burns, ñ PD Safety Tips vate plans to complete constructon of the Library. Peter J. Kikot ñ Oakland Arts Our lease with the Ramapough Conservancy is already a THE CROSSROADS NEWSLETTER EDITOR ñ Oakland Recreation Oakland Mayor positve move. Work has begun on the roof repair with Peter J. Kikot—[email protected] ñ Building Department money obtained from grants and donatons; not at tax- Linda H. Schwager ñ Spotlight— Oakland payer’s expense. Contnued on Page 5 Community of Com- merce Afer a successful freshman year, the Oakland Farmer’s Market is expanding. BOROUGH OF OAKLAND This year we should move forward to make afordable housing for seniors a reality George Washington and his ofcers stayed at the Van Allen on the land we purchased last year. ONE MUNICIPAL PLAZA House on July 14, 1777, on their way north to join more of INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Weekly single stream recycling will contnue this year. OAKLAND, NJ 07436 their forces near West Point, when the troops and supply wagons got bogged down on the muddy trail that was the Oakland Public Library 3 In 2012, we broke ground for the much needed DPW building. This year we hope Ramapo Valley Road of those days. The troops camped (201) 337- 8111 to open its doors. River stabilizaton and food buy-outs are moving forward. down along the Valley Road. Washington wrote two leters addressed from the Van Allen House, of which we have Ramapo Conservancy 4 WWW.OAKLAND- NJ.ORG Proposal for a new recreaton copies at the House. History has recorded that General Oakland Public Schools park in the former Pleasureland 7 Washington led his troops up and down the 'Valley Road' on Updates area is no longer a dream. other occasions also, and stayed at other Old Dutch Houses in Mahwah, Wayne and Ho-Ho-Kus as well as Morristown. In Dogwood 8 During my frst year in ofce, honor of General Washington's visit in Oakland (The Ponds), open communicaton in govern- we make a point of celebratng his birthday here each year. Manito 9 ment was a priority. I pledge to contnue open communicaton in EXCERPT COURTESY OF THE OAKLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY government in Oakland. Heights 10 www.oaklandhistoricalsociety.org Town wide telephone communi- OAKLAND COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Valley Middle School 11 caton announced emergencies and important informaton. Page 2 Cross Roads Page 11 Volume 16, Issue 1 SAO and Oakland Arts Classes Kathleen’s Garden The Sports Associaton of Oakland and Oakland Arts will again sponsor classes at Valley Middle School Student Council The Oakland Public Library and Danny D’Elia Building this semester. The classes 2012- 2013 Holiday Food and Toy Drive ofered this semester are Photography, Mini Picassos, Creatve Writng, Drawing, This spring, Manito School will be to see how beautful and wonderful Drama and Zumba. Students age 4-18 are welcome. holding a special ceremony to for- our world could really be. In loving Every year, the Valley Middle School Student Council gives back and donates to charitable organizatons during the holiday mally dedicate Kathleen’s Garden. remembrance of Kathleen Pinck- season. This year was partcularly and uniquely challenging, given the ramifcatons of Hurricane Sandy and the widespread The Classes will run for 8 weeks beginning the week of February 4th running physical and emotonal toll this super-stormThe hadproject, on many which of has our been homes loving- and communites.ney, our friend Many forever…” of us had been lef with- through the frst week of April. Spaces are limited so sign up early. out supplies, food, or even shelter, and evenly supported more know by someonethe Pinckney who family experienced such hardships. The impact was wide- The garden, which incorporates spread, and the Student Council focusedand on theirgetng friends, our young is a ftng leaders tribute involved in helping one another during this most To fnd out more about or register for the classes please visit ThinkOakland.org. existng shrubs by the fagpole, will difcult situaton. This platorm providedto an Kathleen invaluable Pinckney opportunity who atended for our adolescents to engage and give back to their local and greater community. also include a variety of bulbs, new Manito untl losing a very brave shrubs, a lovely tree, and natural batle with cancer last year. The The Food and Toy steppingDrive, sponsored-stones. It isby designed the Valley as aMiddle The Oakland Police Department centerpieceSchool of the Student garden Council,is a stone was a great success! During the months of No- Caption describing picture or graphic. beautful place that the community bench thatvember is inscribed and December, with the our students brought in non-perishable food The Oakland Police Depart- Clear Snow and Ice from Idling Law: can visit to celebrate all of the following words:items as “She well touchedas toys forour children of all ages in their homeroom classes. ment would like to remind the sidewalk and around Each of the Student Council Homeroomthings Kathleen Representatves loved about kept life a— running No person shall cause, lives in ways that always helped us residents regarding im- fre hydrants: her family, friends, school, animals, sufer, allow, or permit the record of the number of food and toys items brought in on a daily basis. portant laws and ordinanc- “Mom, I love school, The owner, tenant or occu- engine of a gasoline-fueled Not only was this a wonderful way for our students to give back and get es and some safe driving sports and art. When considering a site for Kathleen’s Garden, everyone agreed that Manito and I love Oakland!” pant of lands abutng on motor involved, but also to learn the value and importance of helping their tps for the upcoming win- any street, highway or road School would be the perfect place. Afer all, Kathleen’sneighbors mother, during Therese, the holiday recalls season. Kathleen To skip- culminate the efort, the home- ter months. within the limits of the vehicle to idle for more ping happily out of school one day in the second graderoom exclaiming,that had donated “Mom, Ithe love greatest school, andnumber I of food and toy items than three consecutve Borough shall remove all love Oakland!” Details about the ceremony and photoswere given of the a completeevent will breakfastbe published for their in the hard work and caring eforts minutes if the vehicle is not on December 18th, 2012. It was certainly a very tght race among the homerooms, and we were so very proud of our chil- snow and ice from the next issue of the Cross Roads. sidewalk or walkway areas in moton. dren for all of the generous donatons that were made during this drive. in front of or bordering on The provisions of above said lands within twelve shall not apply to autobus- ton, especially on hills. (12) hours of daylight afer Our student populaton donated over 750 food items that were collected and provided to The Oakland Women’s es while discharging or Don't use cruise control or the same shall be formed picking up passengers, mo- Club. The goods gathered were used to provide holiday feasts for local families. To add to this tremendous accomplish- overdrive on icy roads. Crosswalks: or fall thereon. The owner tor vehicles stopped in a ment, the students and faculty of Valley Middle School donated over 1,056 toy items for the Christopher Croker Toy Drive. or owners of any real prop- line of trafc or emergency Be especially careful on Since 1996, this charitable organizaton has been providing many smiles to the faces of children at The Children’s Hospital The driver of a vehicle erty in the Borough upon motor vehicles in an emer- bridges, overpasses and in New Jersey. With all of these kind gestures, these gifs made the must stop and stay which any fre hydrant is gency situaton. infrequently traveled roads, holiday season a litle brighter for everyone. stopped for a pedestrian located shall maintain the which will freeze frst. Even crossing the roadway with- Driving safely on icy roads: area within a fve (5') foot at temperatures above in any marked crosswalk, radius of the perimeter of Decrease your speed and freezing, if the conditons The Valley Middle School community came together in the except at crosswalks when any such fre hydrant free leave yourself plenty of are wet, you might encoun- spirit of the holidays to help their community through kindness and the movement of trafc is of snow.