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Oakland Loses a Hero--Assistant Fire Chief Gary Walker, Gone Too Soon at 53
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Gary Walker, a devoted husband and father, and an Oakland resident who dedicated most of his life to protecting and serving the public, died April 24 because of complications linked to the coronavirus.
Walker was just 53. He was in a coma for about a month before passing away.
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Walker was a member of the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department for a commendable 33 years, and a police officer in Bloomingdale for 20 years.
Many of us followed Facebook posts
that provided news and updates about Walker since he fell ill with the virus, and joined online religious services held for him, praying for this hero to pull through.
Through photos of him on Facebook, many of us got to see his full life—there were the many smiling images of him with his young daughter, Demi, and wife, Danielle, and pictures of him proudly wearing his firefighter and police uniforms.
Walker was Oakland’s assistant chief of Fire Company 2.
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Our Very Own Angel: Oakland Nurse Helps Borough Residents Connect with Hospitalized Loved Ones Battling Coronavirus
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The coronavirus patient at Valley Hospital was sedated and on a ventilator.
Like others stricken in one of the worst ways by the elusive coronavirus, the Bergen County man was battling the disease COVID-19 alone, away from his loved ones.
Then a hand held a phone near him, and through FaceTime, his wife --with their newborn and toddler near her--and spoke to him. She told him she loved him. Then, remarkably, after hearing his loved one’s voice, the man’s eyes opened.
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Then a hand held a phone near him, and through FaceTime, his wife held their newborn and toddler, and spoke to him. She told him she loved him. Then, remarkably, after hearing his loved one’s voice, the man’s eyes opened.
“There are no words for how moving it was,” said the registered nurse the next day who held that phone and made possible that connection. “This whole experience is so emotional. Last night was amazing and heavy on the heart too.”
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Some of the newest words and phrases in our vocabulary are "stay home;" "isolation;" "quarantine;" social distancing;" and "stay safe." We are all trying to stay calm and looking forward to an end of this pandemic. In the meantime, please adhere to all the public health guidelines.
Every weekday during our public health crisis, I have been sending a message via telephone (reverse 911) for Oakland residents informing you of the daily updates and crucial information affecting all of us. Complete information and details are listed on our website and in daily emails.
If you are not receiving my evening telephone calls it means you have not signed up on our website.
Go to the Borough website:
www.oakland-nj.org.
Click on SWIFTREACH and follow the instructions.
Stay safe and stay home.
Mayor Linda H. Schwager
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Your Monthly Garbage & Recycling Cheat Sheet
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Yard Waste:
This service begins Monday, April 6, 2020 or Tuesday, April 7, 2020 and ends Monday, December 7, 2020 or Tuesday, December 8, 2020. There is no yard waste collection during the winter months. Yard waste is never permitted in the household garbage collection. Do not put any yard waste in plastic bags. Should your yard waste not be collected, it is most likely due to COVID-19 staffing issues with the hauler, and we advise that you please leave out the yard waste on the curb and the hauler will return during the week to collect. Check the Borough Website for updates.
Electronics:
Cancelled
Paper:
May 6 & 20
Commingled:
May 13 & 27
Household Appliances/Metal:
Cancelled
Trash:
Mon & Thurs garbage collection on the South side of town. Tues & Fri garbage collection on the North side of town.
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Recycling Information
Garbage and Recycling barrels must be placed at the curb prior to 5:00am on the day of your scheduled collection. Please note that it is unlawful to place garbage, recyclables, or yard waste at curbside earlier than 4:00pm prior to the day of collection. All empty barrels need to be removed from the curb before 9:00pm on collection day. Please retrieve your empty cans from curbside as soon as possible.
Oakland residents have year round garbage collection twice per week based on your side of town. In the case of a holiday, pickup is skipped until the next regularly scheduled garbage collection day. Monday and Thursday garbage collection on the South side (see Streets) Tuesday and Friday garbage collection on the North side
Both sides of town have a Recyclables collection every Wednesday. Paper/ Cardboard or Commingled (bottles, cans, containers) are collected on alternate weeks. Please check the enclosed dates for which material goes out on a particular day. Residents must properly separate recyclables into two separate containers for collection or they cannot be picked up and will be left at the curb.
Food and drink cartons can be recycled with commingled. Our hauler accepts clean food and beverage cartons. For best recycling results, do not flatten the cartons.
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The Borough of Oakland is hosting a FREE Shredding Event on Saturday May 2, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Borough Hall, One Municipal Plaza, Oakland, NJ 07436. This event is still on schedule to take place. Should the event be cancelled due to Coronavirus, the public will be notified.
To ensure social distance rules we ask that all residents remain in their vehicles and the DPW attendants will remove the items from the trunk. Everyone will be wearing masks and gloves.
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First Responders Flash
Briefing
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Message from the Oakland Police Department:
We, the Oakland Police Department, understand there may be a lot of anxiety these days due to the COVID-19 situation. The pandemic has added to everyone’s level of stress and uncertainty. Please know that the Oakland Police Department has adjusted our operations to handle the COVID-19 pandemic. Officers are continuing to respond to all calls for service; however, they may be doing it a bit differently.
·
Officers will be handling certain report requests and other matters via telephone; therefore, anyone who needs to file a report or has a pending issue that needs to be addressed, can call the department and the communication will be completed by phone.
- The Oakland PD lobby is open for all emergencies; however, for non-emergencies, please call or use the intercom system outside of the front door.
- Our community outreach programs have been suspended until further notice.
- Officers are still responding to residences but may keep their distance from you and ask you to speak with them outside.
Have the confidence in us to know that we will always be here in your time of need.
We urge you to continue social distancing practices and stay home. If you have to leave your home for essentials, please refer to the NJ Governor’s Executive Order for restrictions:
Oakland residents have been great since this pandemic began by enduring this unprecedented time with great fortitude, resilience & compassion. Let’s continue to work together and help each other (while still maintaining social distancing) to get through this difficult situation. If anyone needs anything, give us a call.
Emergencies- 9-1-1
Non-emergencies- (201) 337-6171
Chief Keith Sanzari
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Project Medicine Drop is still active at this time.
Project Medicine Drop is an initiative involving the installation of "prescription drug drop boxes" at participating New Jersey police departments.
The Oakland Police Department keeps the locked metal box inside our lobby with the “Project Medicine Drop” logo clearly visible and recognizable.
Project Medicine Drop allows the public to dispose of unused and expired prescription medications safely, securely, and anonymously. The opportunity is available seven days a week, 365 days a year.
If you are disposing of medication we ask that you follow this procedure:
- We do not accept loose medication and request it be placed in a Ziploc bag.
- Deposit the sealed Ziploc bag into our drop box
We CANNOT and DO NOT accept:
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Oakland Fire Department
Become a Member!
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The Oakland Fire Department is always looking for additional volunteer firefighters to protect the lives and property of our neighbors in Oakland. Our department has been serving the residents of Oakland for over 100 years (1909). The Oakland Fire Department is all volunteer. We operate from two firehouses, Company 1 at the Yawpo Ave firehouse and Company.
To become a member of the Oakland Fire Department you must be at least 16 years old, be a US Citizen, be in good physical condition, be a legal resident of Oakland for a minimum of six months and have not been convicted of a felony. Once accepted, you will need to complete an 18 week Basic Firefighters course, Firefighter I, at the Bergen County Fire Academy in Mahwah.
For more information and a membership application, come to the Yawpo Ave firehouse any Monday night at 7:00 PM and ask to speak to one of the our Chiefs.
at the Hiawatha Blvd firehouse.
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Message from Oakland First Aid Squad
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The Oakland First Aid Squad does not perform flu or COVID-19 testing.
Being brought to the hospital via ambulance does not guarantee that you will arrive at the hospital quicker, and it does not guarantee that you will be seen
more quickly at the Hospital. Treatment order is determined by need; the most critically ill will receive care first.
If you have fever, cough, chills, mildness shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, sore throat, fatigue, runny nose, or around someone exhibiting these symptoms, contact your doctor for medical advice. If your doctor recommends that you be evaluated in the hospital, first attempt to have a family member drive you. Care for these complaints cannot be provided by EMS.
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ONLY call 9-1-1 for life threatening emergencies. Examples include chest pain, allergic reactions, suspected stroke, significant difficulty breathing, unconsciousness, seizures, serious burns, uncontrollable bleeding, serious accidents, and overdose/poisonings.
If you call 9-1-1, you will be asked screening questions. Please answer ALL screening questions truthfully. This will ensure EMS take necessary precautions.
Introduction of EMS crews and members of the Police Department into your home will inherently disrupt your effort to self-quarantine/self-isolate/socially distance yourself. Please take this risk seriously.
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Message from the Oakland Public Library:
As the Oakland Public Library remains closed during this difficult time, we would just like to remind all of our residents that your digital library is open 24/7. Library card holders can access and download e-books, digital audiobooks, TV shows, movies, graphic novels, and more all from wherever they have an internet connection through Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy & RB Digital. In addition, anyone looking to learn new skills or brush up on anything can log into LyndaPro for free and get professional instruction. We can't wait to reopen, and as soon as we know when we'll be letting all of our patrons know. Don't have a library card but would like to borrow econtent? Not a problem. Email
havel@oakland.bccls.org
and we will get you a card.
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Lynda
is a leading online learning platform that helps anyone learn business, software, technology and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals. Oakland Public Library cardholders
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now have access to the lynda.com video library of engaging, top-quality courses taught by recognized industry experts. With tutorials in five languages, lynda.com is a global platform for success.
Sign in with
your
OAKLAND library card and 4-digit pin at:
https://www.lynda.com/portal/sip?org=oakland.bccls.org
The link is also available on the Library's
website.
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Assistance for Seniors:
The Senior Assistance Food Shopping Programming is still available to seniors and members of the community with special needs. Please reach out to the Senior Center for more information at (201) 405-7731 or
seniors@oakland-nj.org
.
We have begun hosting assorted fitness classes via Zoom that are open to the entire Oakland community. Join us for a fun and energetic time! More information and scheduled classes can be found on the Borough’s Facebook page along with how to register. Contact the senior center for any questions.
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The Borough of Oakland has set-up a registration portal for upcoming Fitness/Wellness Classes via video conferencing. To register for future classes,
click here.
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The Borough of Oakland is hosting a Zumba Class for all ages on Friday May 1, 2020 from 3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. To register,
click here
to receive the ZOOM Meeting Passwords. This class is FREE.
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The Recreation Commission still holds out hope for baseball, softball, tennis, and lacrosse seasons for Oakland's youth. They have put together contingency plans to run these programs, if into the summer if necessary once the emergency is lifted. There is no need to rush and cancel anything at this time.
Football, cheer, and soccer sign-ups are still available online at
www.oaklandrec.org
. Summer camp registration and counselor interviews will be announced as soon as the emergency is lifted. If you have any questions you would like answered, please contact Recreation Chairman Mike Guadagnino at
recreation@oakland-NJ.org
.
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Communications Commission
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This Week in Oakland Episode 2 is now available on Oakland TV Channel 77 and FiOS 45. The Episode will also be posted to the Borough’s YouTube Page.
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The Oakland Communications Commission and Oakland TV Committee have been putting their extra time to good use and are excited to continue to air This Week in Oakland – a helpful, informative, and interesting program made in Oakland, by and for Oaklanders. Segments over the next few episodes will span from art, to cooking, to nature, to pet care, and many other things in between!
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Backyard Composter Bins are available for purchase at the Oakland Department of Public Works, 63 Oak Street, Oakland, NJ 07436 during normal business hours Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
The composter is available at a discounted price to Oakland Residents at $60.00.
Questions, email recycle@oakland-nj.or (201) 337-8104.
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Sustainable Oakland Green Team
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The Sustainable Oakland Green Team Crayon and Marker Program is currently suspended due to the COVID-19 crisis. Notification will be made once the program is active again.
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Sustainable Oakland Green Team
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The Oakland Sustainable Jersey Green Team is always seeking new volunteers. To those that may be interested, or would like to learn more, please email "greenteam@oakland-nj.org" for more information.
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Sustainable Oakland Green Team
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Backyard composting is hotter than ever right now! In this online workshop, the hosts will cover the basics and all attendees will walk away with the ability to start composting tomorrow.
Topics Covered:
- Compost Systems and What's Best for You
- What Goes In, What Can't Go In
- What Comes Out and What to Do With It
Sponsored by the Borough of Glen Rock, the Glen Rock Environmental Commission, and the Glen Rock Green Team
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Sustainable Oakland Green Team
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The Sustainable Oakland Green Team would like to remind residents to please not idle their car! It saves gas, it saves the planet, and it makes us healthier.
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Sustainable Oakland Green Team
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The Oakland Environmental Commission presents "Battery Recycling" at the Borough Hall, 1 Municipal Plaza, Oakland, NJ 07436.
Place in Plastic Box:
- Single Use Batteries
- AA, AAA, C, D, Watch, and Hearing Aid Batteries.
Place in Cardboard Box:
- Rechargeable Batteries
- AA, AAA, C, D, 9 Volt, Tool Batteries, Cell Phones.
Collection is for Oakland NJ Residents ONLY. No commercial businesses.
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The Oakland Communications Commission and Oakland TV Committee have been putting their extra time to good use and are excited to continue to air This Week in Oakland – a helpful, informative, and interesting program made in Oakland, by and for Oaklanders. Segments over the next few episodes will span from art, to cooking, to nature, to pet care, and many other things in between!
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2020 Census Facts & Information
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TODAY April 1, 2020 is C
ensus Day
in NJ! We hope everyone is practicing social distancing, and we thank you for that! But now we need your help more than ever to get the word out about the importance of filling out the
#2020Census
. Visit
CENSUS.NJ.GOV
to find helpful information to share with your network. Don’t forget to
#FillitOut
!
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- 2020 Census advertising campaign begins in early 2020
- March 16-23 – USCB Mailing #1 sent to homes
- March 20-27 – USCB Mailing #2 sent to non-respondents
- March 30-April 6 – USCB Mailing #3 – a postcard – sent to non-respondents
- March – USCB Service-based enumeration begins (for transitory locations like RV parks and campgrounds, tent cities, marinas, hotels)
- March – USCB Group quarters enumeration begins (for those living in group quarters like dorms, nursing homes, etc. and for the homeless)
- April 1, 2020 – NATIONAL CENSUS DAY!
- Early April-Late July – USCB Non-response follow-up (NRFU)
- April 12-19 – USCB Mailing #4 – letter & paper questionnaire sent to those who have not yet responded
- April 23-30 – USCB Mailing #5 – It’s not too late! postcard
- CCCs urge households who do not respond to cooperate with census takers
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Wrapping up our
#healthcare
week, remember responses to
#2020Census
can help areas prepare & recover from crises ranging from COVID-19 to hurricanes. To learn more about why you need to be counted, visit:
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Gracias a todos los médicos, enfermeras, paramedicos y profesionales de la salud que luchan en primera instancia contra el
#COVID19
. Una manera sencilla de agradecerles es completando y dedicando el
#2020Census
a un heroe de la salud.
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Follow the Borough of Oakland on Twitter and Facebook!
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Are you interested in submitting content to the newsletter?
Want to join the Newsletter Committee?
Learn more about the Oakland Communications Commission? Provide feedback?
Click below and learn more about what we do and how you can be involved.
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Mayor Linda H. Schwager
Council Members
Lew Levy - Council President
John Biale, Robert Knapp, Pat Pignatelli, Russell Talamini, Grant Van Eck
Chairman Ryan Schwertfeger
Vice Chairwoman Elizabeth Llorente
Jim Barry, Alex McVeigh, Andrea Levy
Junior Member: Benjamin Good
Patricia Carrera (Alt.), Salma Shamy (Alt. 2)
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(c) 2020 Oakland Communications Commission
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Borough of Oakland, New Jersey
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