UNLOCK THE GATE
AUGUST 8, 2022
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PUBLISHED BY TEANECK VOICES
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Unlock the Gate
The Week that Was
Notable Women of Teaneck
Voter Registration Information
Upcoming Municipal Meetings
Events at the Library
One Town One Vote Resident Survey
COVID Updates
- Rapid Home COVID tests from the Post Office
- Rodda Center
- New Library Covid Policy
Announcements
- Meet Your Teaneck Democratic Committee Representatives
- Free Breakfast and Lunch for NJ Students
- NJ Fire Fighter Jobs
- New Jersey State Updates
- Prayers and Support for Ukrainian People
- Support Teaneck Voices
Masthead
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UNLOCK THE GATE
BY DENNIS KLEIN
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I am committed to restoring and energizing public spaces in our fractured time.
I could address the matter of what brings us together abstractly, by hoisting the flag of democracy – our unspoken social contract to care about and for those who share our turf. Or, at the other end of the spectrum, I could talk about our individual self-interests in seeing our real estate values increase, noting that this happens when the community we live in flourishes as a whole.
But it is the middle ground I want to consider here: Teaneck’s public schools not only serves those who attend them, but also serves families who have chosen other schools for their children, such as their special education and Pre-K programs and The Forum, which is also open to any Teaneck resident.
Public spaces are our common ground. They may be unfashionable today, but I am constantly impressed with the response I receive at informal cafés I co-facilitate about the idea of crossing boundaries and restoring trust and partnerships with neighbors we thought were irrelevant if not hostile. In the present environment, forming tangible connections with the famous “other” is the kind of reassurance I am hearing we yearn for. Rather than reside in our reclusive fortresses, it’s time to explore possibilities and
sources of reassurance that we need.
There are two ways you can join this conversation. On Tuesday, August 9 at 2PM I will take part in a panel discussion called “Public Schools and the Community: Reexamining the Relationship.” I’ve been invited mainly because I serve as a partner of the Trust Network, the sponsor of this virtual meeting. The second path forward is to contact me directly in order to convene a café among friends.
I’ve co-facilitated 10 of these confidential conversations so far, and each one has served to renew faith in the vitality of cross-boundary partnerships, some proposing specific ideas for finding each other.
Do you have time for this?
All I can say is, It’s about time.
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*DISCLAIMER: This contribution is presented in my capacity as a private citizen only and not in my capacity as a trustee of the Teaneck Board of Education. The views expressed are my own and are not intended to represent the views of the Board.
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The Board of Adjustment met on Thursday, August 4th.
Election of Officers
The Board held its annual reorganization, electing its officers for the year. Jan Meyer, who has spent a quarter of a century on the board, was elected unanimously to return as the board’s chair. Edward Mulligan was chosen as secretary and Harvey Rosen as vice chair, both of whom have served continuously for more than a decade. Township employee Rosalind McLean was renewed as secretary to the board and Mark Madaio as board attorney.
The agenda for the meeting included about a dozen continuing and new applications to be heard, with an agenda packet that ran for 68 pages. Most of the applications at Thursday’s meeting were heard by the board and approved unanimously, often with changes made to address concerns of the board.
A number of applications were carried to the next meeting on September 1st, as is often done in the event that experts are unavailable or required documents had not been submitted.
Cedar Heights Development at 205 Cedar Lane
A proposal for Cedar Heights Development, an application to construct 30 apartments at 205 Cedar Lane was dismissed by the board without prejudice. The project at the site of a former Chase Bank had been heard on and off over several meetings and had raised concerns from residents who adjoined the property on Merrison Street. The chair noted that the project had dragged on too long and said that a new application would need to be submitted and the process started all over again.
Plaza Dentistry at 1388 Queen Anne Road
Among the projects that stood out from the others was Plaza Dentistry, a plan to expand an existing dentist’s office located 1388 Queen Anne Road. The zoning ordinance currently prohibits medical/dental uses in the B-1 business district; an ordinance currently being considered by the township council would allow these uses, but Chair Meyer objected as the ordinance has not yet been passed or taken effect.
Meyer made a motion, seconded by Mulligan, to reject the application, arguing that the use is prohibited and that the applicant should have expanded to a second floor rather than expanding the non-conforming use; the motion failed by a 5-2 margin. Harvey Rosen made a motion to approve the application, seconded by Jerry Barta, which passed by 5-2, with Meyer and Mulligan opposing.
Friends of Lubavitch of Bergen County at 513 Kenwood Place
Friends of Lubavitch of Bergen County at 513 Kenwood Place submitted an application requesting construction of a six-foot high metal fence around the perimeter of the property; the main issues were the height of the fence at the sight triangle at the corner of Kenwood and Westwood Terrace.
Rabbi Ephraim Simon of the congregation explained that the fence was the result of a grant received from the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness which had performed a security analysis of the site. The synagogue had also received recommendations from the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office and from the Teaneck Police Department, which suggested a fence seven feet in height.
Several neighbors spoke, raising concerns including about the validity of the survey that had been performed and questioning the need for the higher fence, given the lack of any known threats here in Teaneck. The Board listened patiently, but it was emphasized that these are precautions being taken to prevent possible attacks at houses of worship. The application passed unanimously.
Chuck Powers, the only resident to speak at Good and Welfare, thanked the board for giving members of the public the opportunity to ask questions, but questioned the limit of three minutes imposed by the board.
The approval of a final application by Abdelhak Yaakov (spouse of board alternate Jennifer Prince, who did not attend the meeting as a board member) at 615 Winthrop Road for a non-conforming fence and circular driveway marked the end of the meeting, which adjourned at 11:15 PM. The next meeting will be held September 1st.
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Patricia (Pat) White is a woman of keen intelligence, compassion, unrelenting focus on goals and unquenchable perseverance.
Pat chaired the Teaneck Advisory Board on Community Relations (TABCR) for 10 years. It was a perfect fit. During her tenure, the TABCR was composed of a full representation of our diverse community here in Teaneck, with members who enjoyed each other’s company, welcomed visitors to their meetings, honored and celebrated public servants of the Township (often reaching into their own pockets to do so), and embraced their role as guides and stewards of the community. She fondly recalls the dedication of the Teaneck residents who served so diligently, with special warmth for a legend from her Board – Naomi Cramer. “I miss her so much.”
You understand the way Pat shaped this Board when she talks about her grandmother who raised her. “She was a wonderful woman. She taught us that you always must give back. And when you give, you are stretching your arms from your heart -– you’re giving from your heart.”
What more perfect description could you find for a woman whose community activities involved bringing multi-cultural, and multi-ethnic people together in unity and helping them learn and grow from each other. Pat served as Vice-President of The North East Teaneck Block Presidents Association and a member of the FORUM Advisory Board as well as President of her block association. As she talks about these activities Pat’s face lights up as she remembers who encouraged her to become involved in the town - a community activist known by many throughout the Teaneck community, our beloved Mrs. Gwen Acree.
Pat White was born and spent her early years in North Carolina. There she experienced a hugely significant event that, as she matured, had a great influence on her life. When she was a teen-ager, Pat’s pastor was the Chairperson for the district NAACP. At that time the sit-in demonstrations at the Woolworth’s lunch counters in Greensboro were taking place and moving throughout various cities. Although she was too young to join the protest, Pat and the youth group from Church were shepherded by her pastor to witness what he knew would be a historic event. The power of what she saw has never left her.
The other strong influence on Pat’s life was her first-grade teacher – Miss Louise Smith. “She was a phenomenal woman – her elegance, her compassion and her love for her students was paramount. She just loved us and educated us.”
At the start of 9th grade, Pat, her mother and her 5 siblings moved to The Bronx, NY, where she attended first Roosevelt High School and then the all-girls Catholic school, Aquinas. From the day she graduated high school, she worked – first as a wrapper at B. Altman’s and then in the registrar’s office at Columbia University. But she never took her eye off the goal of higher education. While working full time, Pat attended Herbert H. Lehman College, City University of NY at night. She received her Bachelor of Science in Sociology. While working full-time and attending school at night for 9 years is how Pat completed her education.
Meanwhile Pat kept a keen focus on her career. One day she decided it was time for a new job. She was taking a taxi and the driver said, “You know they’re hiring at Flower Fifth Avenue Hospital.” She said, “Take me there!” He took her there and she worked for Flower Fifth Avenue Hospital and New York Medical College for close to 15 years!
She built a career in healthcare administration while working at various healthcare institutions throughout the Metropolitan area. She had the extraordinary experience of meeting Mother Theresa while at St. Claire’s Hospital. Her employment extended throughout the Metropolitan area, Practice Administrator at Columbia’s Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian Columbia from 2005-2008 - SUNY Downstate University Hospital of Brooklyn, NY from 1991-2005 where she served as Administrator of Operations, Assistant to the COO and Director of the Transplant Education Program.
While at St. Claire’s, since Fordham University was just up the street, Pat earned a Master of Science degree from the Fordham Graduate School of Education. She also holds a Business Management Certification from Baruch College as well as her Public Management Certification (CPM) from the State of New Jersey/Fairleigh Dickinson University.
So much of who Pat is has been shaped by the wealth of mentors whose guidance was the inspiration she drew on, like her 102-year-old aunt who was a reading specialist for 40 years, her 98-year-old-aunt who was the Head Librarian for the Library of Congress, and her best friend forever, her husband, Al.
Pat and Al have known each other for many, many years, first as best friends and then as husband and wife and parents of two adult children. She says it’s like the song, “I was looking around, and you were there all the time.”
Teaneck is so fortunate that we can look around, and Pat White is here for us all the time.
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If you are not registered to vote, please make it a priority to do so. To complete a registration form or for more information regarding voting in Bergen County, please click onto the this link.
If you are not sure if you are registered to vote in Teaneck, you may search here.
To check the details of your voter record, you may sign up here.
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UPCOMING MUNICIPAL EVENTS
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Council Meeting
Aug 9, 2022 at 8:00pm
Will be held both
- in-person at the Municipal Building, 818 Teaneck Road. and
- virtually via Webinar found here. Passcode: 441959
NOTE: no agenda available at the time of this publication
Planning Board Meeting
Thursday August 11, 2022 at 8:00pm
NOTE: Although listed on the Town website Calendar, there is no agenda and elsewhere there is an indication that the next Planning Board meeting will not be held until August 25th.
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ONE TOWN ONE VOTE RESIDENT SURVEY
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One Town One Vote (OTOV) is a grassroots, nonpartisan volunteer organization that worked with other community groups to make it easier and more convenient for Teaneck residents to vote for their local leadership by unifying Teaneck’s stand-alone town council elections, previously held in May, to take place on the same day as the General Elections in November. Tuesday, November 8, 2022 will be the first time Teaneck residents will have the opportunity to vote for town council members at the same time as we vote for other local, state, and national officials.
In anticipation of this historic event, OTOV is conducting a town-wide survey on resident issues and concerns. We need your input! Your responses will help us achieve our ongoing goal of helping to listen, educate, organize, and empower residents on local issues so your voice matters and your vote counts in the November elections. Your information will not be shared with any other organization.
Please click here to take the One Town One Vote resident survey! Your voices will be heard, your voices will count!"
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Rapid COVID-19 Test Kits Available for Free from USPS
Free at-home COVID-19 tests ordered on www.covidtests.gov and delivered by USPS. Limit of 2 orders per household. Each order contains 4 individual tests
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RODDA CENTER
In an effort to keep the senior center staff and participants safe, mask wearing
and social distancing are required.
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Masks are now optional inside the library. Those attending programs held in limited areas, such as the Auditorium, are still required to wear masks.
Contactless doorside pickup is still available.
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NJ FIRE FIGHTERS
JOB OPPORTUNITY
Closing date: August 31, 2022
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Fire Fighter test and information about the job of being a firefighter.
The projected starting salary next year is $55,687 and $55,781 if the candidate has an EMT (before or after hire) as well. Salary may differ with each jurisdiction.
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TEANECK VOICES OFFERS ITS PRAYERS AND SUPPORT
TO THE BRAVE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE FIGHTING FOR THEIR FREEDOM
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