Winter festivities usher in

By Cheryl Conway

December is an exciting month for many, not only because of the many holidays that bring people cheer, but because the last month of the year ensues an opportune time to reflect on the ups and downs from the 365 days just passed and the new year about to begin.

Mt. Olive Twp. has had its share of accomplishments and challenges in 2019, and looking ahead at the forecast, positive goals and plans are in sight.

“Things are looking positive for 2020,” says Mt. Olive Twp. Mayor Rob Greenbaum. “I foresee numerous businesses opening in vacant spaces in town, infrastructure and beautification projects, paving etc.”

With 22 years behind him as a township official in Mt. Olive, Greenbaum has seen a lot of growth and changes in Budd Lake and Flanders. In the November election, he was reelected in an uncontested race to his third four-year term as mayor.

Looking at 2019, Greenbaum highlights some of the positives.

This is the “seventh year in a row with no municipal tax increase while doing major infrastructure improvements,” Greenbaum says. “The town continues to grow which is very positive. People want to live and work here. I truly believe that others believe that MO is an extremely attractive place to live, work and have their business.”

Adds Greenbaum, “We constantly have new businesses moving in and those here expanding. White Birch, Lakeside Tavern, Fratelli Barretta expansion,” to name a few.

“Recreation adds new programs every year,” continues Greenbaum. “This year the big new program was Oktoberfest which was very successful.” The family two-day event was held Oct. 12 and 13 at Turkey Brook Park in Budd Lake and featured beer, food, music and traditional German dancers.

As far as any awards won within the township, the Mt. Olive Twp. Recreation Department was recognized by the Morris Park Alliance with an Outstanding Program Award for Bubble Palooza which was held in April in 2018 and 2019, according to Mt. Olive Twp. Business Administrator Andrew Tatarenko.

The Bubble Palooza event was held Saturday, April 27, this past year and included a Bubble Run and Color Run Family 5K event.

While shining moments stand out for 2019 in Mt. Olive, there were a few losses that stunned many this past year.

“We lost our fire marshal and town engineer,” says Greenbaum. “Huge losses to the town and personally. Both losses were devastating.”

A life-long member of the Flanders Fire Department, Frederick John Detoro died on June 15 at the age of 52. He was serving as Mt. Olive Twp. fire marshal at the time.

Another devastating loss was the passing of Eugene F. Buczynski on April 18 at the age of 69. He served as a Mt. Olive Twp. engineer and Planning Board engineer for more than two decades.

Looking ahead to 2020, Greenbaum admits to some challenges such as “Maintaining services without raising taxes, fixing the roads, dealing with traffic issues, cleaning up and redeveloping the Route 46 corridor.”

A few things are on the horizon but nothing too extraordinaire to inflate spending.  

“Next year we will improve the dog park, lights, water, and obstacles,” says Greenbaum. “No other major park improvements planned. Instead, we are focusing on improving existing infrastructure.”

When asked why 2020 is going to be a happy new year in Mt. Olive, Greenbaum concludes “Because we have developed a sense of community.”

Mt. Olive Online wishes everyone happy holidays all around. May the lights, whether on the menora or on the tree, in the windows of residents and businesses, and those that line the streets, shine brightly and the new year be less bitter and much more sweet. 

Born in Dubai, Sydney the Saluki was chosen as a young pup to be a racing dog.   She ran at top speed to please her owner but when she became injured and unable to continue racing she was no longer wanted.  The sleek,

athletic dog was alone and in urgent need of help. Rescue groups in both the Middle East and the United States worked together to find Sydney a forever home.

First-time author, Danielle Caro of Long Valley, formerly of Budd Lake, shares Sydney’s story in her new children’s picture book, “A Home for Sydney.”  The book is fictionalized but based on true events experienced by Caro and her family while adopting Sydney.

This unique story shows children how powerful volunteer work between countries can be in finding homes for animals in need.

A life-long animal lover, Caro grew up surrounded by pets of all sizes from fish to horses.  She’s an animal advocate and a member of several animal welfare organizations.

Despite an unusual start in life, Sydney has become a wonderful family pet.   Her book is available for purchase through the author’s website www.daniellecaro.com or on Amazon.

Readers may follow Sydney’s adventures on Instagram@sydneysaluki.

Hispanic-American Chamber Awards CCM President 

Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, president of County College of Morris (CCM), has received the Enterprise Organization of the Year Award from the Morris County Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce (MCHACC) in recognition of his and the college’s support of the Hispanic-American community.

In presenting the award to Iacono, Esperanza Porras-Field said, “The Morris County Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce recognizes you as a leader with a profound local impact on our business. Your strength of character, passion and commitment to service are admirable. You have been an outstanding representative of the mission of the MCHACC.” Porras-Field served as event chair for the 30th Anniversary MCHACC gala and award ceremony held December 5 at the Birchwood Manor in Whippany.

“It is such an honor to be recognized by the MCHAAC,” said Iacono. “As I like to note, County College of Morris does great things every day, but we do even greater things through the strength of our partnerships with organizations such as the MCHAAC, which is such a strong resource for the success of the Hispanic-American community.”

The mission of MCHAAC is to advance the interests of businesses and organizations that serve the U.S. Hispanic-American market.

Iacono became CCM’s third president in 2016. Since then, he has worked diligently to strengthen the college’s relationships in the community and with business and industry. One of his guiding principles is that “great community colleges are those which strengthen the local economy by helping to attract, retain and support businesses, along with providing a high-quality education that changes lives.”

In addition to building strong ties with the MCHAAC to support the Hispanic-American community, the college also recently was awarded an $110,000 grant from Impact 100 Garden State to launch the Dover College Promise. That project will prepare low-income students in Dover for college and provide them with scholarships to cover tuition at CCM. The population of Dover is 70 percent Hispanic or Latino. By increasing the number of students who earn college degrees, CCM and its project partners, The Educational Center of Dover, the Dover School District and business and community leaders, hope to further elevate the town as graduates become leaders in their community.

Photo: Abstract Reflection by Anna Taggart, of Rockaway, one of the students whose work is on display at the Morris Museum CCM Portfolio Class Exhibit.

Morris Museum Hosts CCM Visual Arts Students Exhibition

The Morris Museum in Morristown is once again hosting the Portfolio Class Exhibit featuring design and fine art pieces created by students at County College of Morris (CCM). This is the seventh year in a row that the museum is hosting the work of CCM students.

The exhibition, consisting of works created by students taking Portfolio classes through CCM’s Department of Art and Design, runs through December 12. A reception is set to be held Thursday, December 12, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Morris Museum in Morristown.

“Portfolio courses at CCM help students to critique, improve and select their best work; create effective presentations; write documents for marketing their creative work to galleries, museums and prospective clients; and develop portfolios to gain entrance to four-year colleges and universities,” notes Todd L. W. Doney, CCM professor of visual arts. “Having their work on exhibit at the Morris Museum also is a wonderful opportunity for our students to showcase their work.”

The exhibition represents the summation of all of a student’s work from his or her creative studies at CCM. For information on the Department of Art and Design at CCM, visit http://tinyurl.com/yc4pfzef/.