Oakland Considers Historic Downtown Revitalization

Overview: In a marathon meeting of the Oakland Borough Council on July 19, 2023, a fierce debate on downtown redevelopment plans, a multi-million dollar bridge project, and road infrastructure issues took center stage.

Glass Ceiling Shatters in Park Ridge: First Female Police Officer Sworn In

Overview: On July 11th, Julia Manning was unanimously approved and ceremoniously sworn in as the borough’s first female police officer, marking a significant stride for diversity and inclusion in the local law enforcement.

School Board Meeting Ignites Dispute Over Before and After School Care Program

Overview: In a recent Ridgewood School Board meeting, tempers flared as the process and handling of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for a before and after school care contract sparked a passionate debate. Multiple stakeholders, including the President and CEO of the Ridgewood Y, expressed dissatisfaction with the procedure, with claims suggesting a rushed timeline, unfair advantage to the existing vendor, AlphaBest Education, and a lack of public participation. The core of the opposition to AlphaBest is that it has had long waitlists that does not allow parents to enroll their students in the program.

Montvale Shines Spotlight on Local Heroes, Public Safety, and Infrastructure Revamps

Overview: In an engaging session of the Montvale Borough Council meeting, discussions ranged from the recognition of local sports achievers and dedicated public servants to a deep-dive into public safety issues and infrastructure projects, embodying a unique blend of community spirit and administrative diligence.

Norwood School Board Approves School Safety Teams, STEM Program, and Special Education Measures for 2023-2024

Overview: The Norwood School Board held a meeting on June 20, 2023, where a number of key decisions were made for the 2023-2024 academic year. The meeting commenced at 6:30 pm with an Executive Session, and the Regular Meeting began at 7:00 pm with Board members Heather Garcia, Kelly Wilson, Jennifer Eisberg, Juliana Lee, Jennifer Mendoza, Sam Park, and Michael Sprague in attendance, along with Superintendent Kevin Ulmer.