Giblin takes selection to be mayor in stride

Giblin takes selection to be mayor in stride

CRANFORD, NJ — Patrick Giblin, who has been chosen to become mayor in 2019 by the members of the Township Committee, is taking the appointment in stride. “From the outside looking in, it seems to be a big deal,” he said during a phone interview with LocalSource Dec. 20. “I view it more I’m chairing […]

New Roselle schools chief settles in, has ways to go

New Roselle schools chief settles in, has ways to go

ROSELLE, NJ — James Baker was trained as a paratrooper in the Army in the 1970s. He knew something about jumping into hostile situations long before he accepted the job as the superintendent of the Roselle School District six months ago. “I’ve worked in the field in urban areas for 25 years,” Baker said during […]

Summit mulls $17 million for firehouse, police equipment

Summit mulls $17 million for firehouse, police equipment

SUMMIT, NJ — The city is considering more than $17 million in spending requests for capital projects in its 2019 budget, a 200-percent increase from 2018. The original capital budget was projected at $5.5 million, but a new firehouse would raise that figure to more than $17.3 million, according to numbers presented at at a […]

Five-story Morris Avenue apartment building tabled to January

Five-story Morris Avenue apartment building tabled to January

UNION, NJ — Discussions regarding the construction of a five-story apartment building on the site of the Garden Buffet restaurant on Morris Avenue were postponed by the Zoning Board after the developer presented new plans that add a possible ground floor restaurant. American Landmark Development, which was involved in the development of Union Center and […]

Kenilworth appoints successor to ‘super pooper’

Kenilworth appoints successor to ‘super pooper’

KENILWORTH, NJ — The Kenilworth school board has appointed an administrator from Millburn to succeed Thomas Tramaglini, the “super pooper” who resigned as superintendent after he was charged with defecating near the track and football field at Holmdel High School. Kyle Arlington, who was unanimously approved at a special meeting on Dec. 17, will start […]

Students, parents rally to save Hillside principal’s job

Students, parents rally to save Hillside principal’s job

HILLSIDE, NJ — Students and parents cheered and applauded immediately after Superintendent Antoine Gayles announced that Christine Sidwa would be keeping her position as the Hillside High School principal. The announcement and reaction at the Dec. 20 Hillside Board of Education meeting came in response to the decision to withdraw an agenda item that would […]

Linden council OKs mayor’s raise despite protests

Linden council OKs mayor’s raise despite protests

LINDEN, NJ — Mayor Derek Armstead will receive about a 36 percent pay raise retroactive to Jan. 1 despite protests by some council members and residents who characterized it as “greedy” and “excessive.” Armstead’s raise, which will push his salary to $100,000 a year, rankled many at the Dec. 18 Council meeting who said he […]

Kobitz disqualified from Hillside Board of Education seat

Kobitz disqualified from Hillside Board of Education seat

HILLSIDE, NJ — Board of Education member-elect Dennis Kobitz has been disqualified from his three-year term after a background check revealed an unspecified criminal offense. Department of Education spokesman Michael Yaple, who confirmed Kobitz’s disqualification, said that when a town’s board of education is notified of the ineligibility, they aren’t given many details. “The department […]

Union shooting range owner recognizes challenges

Union shooting range owner recognizes challenges

UNION, NJ — It’s the only one of its kind in a 15-mile radius, and RTSP co-owner and chief executive officer Rick Friedman recognizes the challenges that come with operating his shooting range in a state with some of the strictest gun laws in the nation. “I would love to have the freedoms that everyone […]