What’s in a name? Would a rose called otherwise really still smell as sweet? Will an Essex County municipality be the same place, without the word “township?”
Stay tuned for the answer, which should come in July. That’s when the Township of South Orange Village will decide if it will formally change its name to just simply “South Orange Village.” To some, it’s a big difference.
The issue was discussed at the May 26 Charter Review Committee public forum, along with other proposed name changes, including switching the titles of “Village President” to “Mayor” and the “Board of Trustees” to “Village Council.”
Douglas Newman (pictured, right), who is part of the Charter Review Committee and just completed his four year term as the township’s Village President, conducted the meeting. The committee’s second public forum had a specific agenda: to state the changes that might take place in the near future, as well as those that have been opposed or approved so far. The meeting opened with a brief history of the Township of South Orange and the role that the Board of Trustees have played. Newman stated that the Village Counsel and Village Clerk “are the staff and support team of this town.” The committee’s decisions for the changes made to the Charter came from input from elected officials, appointed officials, elected officials from other towns, and residents.
The first item for discussion was the possible changing of the town’s formal name. Many residents of South Orange feel that the history of the town will be lost with minor changes such as the elimination of “township”. The names of the governing elected officials were also discussed. Newman said that it’s “virtually impossible to talk about the President without explaining that it’s like a mayor’s job.” Both changes have been adopted by popular vote.
Another major change discussed was a proposal to move election date from May to November, where it would become part of the general election. Similar to Montclair’s debate on the subject, supporters think that this change could produce a larger voter turnout, as well as save money. A downside to this change is considered to be the end of local-based elections.
There was also discussion about whether or not the President and the Board of Trustees should receive an annual stipend. A controversial topic, some residents referred to the town’s history of elected officials being volunteers. Despite this sentiment, this recommendation was adopted, and if approved by the Board of Trustees, President and Trustees shall receive an annual stipend. Stipend amounts will also be included in the Village Charter.
All recommendations will be presented to the Board of Trustees by the Charter Review Committee in July. To watch a video of the May 26 meeting, click here. Questions can be sent to charter@southorange.org.
Seems like a minor name change, not like West Paterson aka Woodland Park aka West Paterson.
The people who have lived there for many, many years, raised a family and perhaps sold a first home and then upgraded to a bigger home, and have been in S.O. for many years, I suspect, will not want this “change” (Well… YES if comes with a big tax cut….) otherwise they would not want the name-change. The younger crowd, who have been there for ten years or less, could nor care less. I like the new mayor … Oops, Village President….. whatever…. He is a fresh breath of clean air.
The center of town is bursting with new stores, and I see none “4-RENT” and the Performing Arts / Movie / Conferece Center / ertc. etc. is pulling in people. Short of a summer stampeed from restless youth from the north, it should be a good summer for Villagers. Just build SOMETHING where the Mercedes-Benz dealership was !!!! I don’t care if it’s a Dairy Queen with parking – just make something there!!
If they change the name, then what will visiting comedians at SOPAC have to joke about?
As best I recall, the vogue for making Jersey’s towns and boroughs “townships” dates back way more than 20 years, and had something to do with the claimed tax benefits of township status. There was also a population cutoff point below which a town could not morph into a township, which is why smallish places like East Rutherford, Carlstadt and Wallington could never do so.
I also recall “East Paterson,” which for a while sent its kids to what was then East Rutherford High School before building its own; this was long before it became Elmwood Park.
It would thus behoove the Baristas’ crack reporters to investigate what, if indeed anything, is actually entailed by such a status change from township to village.
And Sandy, South Orange’s Performing Arts Center is generally tagged a failure. It certainly does not fill a cultural gap in the area. Its problem seems to be its size, which is far too small for even acts on their first tours. It’s doubtful that without the movie theaters (which really aren’t terribly necessary if we’re being honest given how many are in the surrounding towns, including your fave of Maplewood) the building would be at all viable. Even as it is, however, both the Star-Ledger and the Item have run stories about the Art’s Centers not-so-hot finances. It may have been built from a sense of civic pride, but unless you can put fannies in the seats for those ethnic dance events, pride merely goeth before an economic fall.
If they’re going to bother to change the name, at least they could exercise a little more creativity. At least as much as, say, we all muster on a regular basis for Holly’s latest concoction. So I hereby humbly offer a few suggestions:
Orange Zip
Citrus City
Windsor Knot (it worked for cro)
No doubt, cathar, you also remember the day New Amsterdam became New York.
You might’ve even hoisted a few with Peter Stuyvesant, and then, for a laugh, carved your initials into his wooden leg. Did he return the favor?
Your venerable and hoary legacy therefore adds credence to your otherwise listless admonishments of the highly dedicated ensemble of “Baristas’ crack reporters”, as you so fetchingly describe our hosts and hostesses.
I think it’s safe to say that not every local blog features the insights of a 400 year old kvetch. We should all therefore consider ourselves supremely lucky to be in this kind of sweet spot.
Nice move there, btw, trashing the Arts Center and Baristanet in one fell swoop. I like your economy of means, cathar, and, man, you’ve got it, in spades.
Do I detect a sourish note of jealousy, Spiro? Why yes, I believe I do. But thank you anyway.
What you really resent, of course, is that I call out your peculiarly lame-o attempts at wit from time to time. You don’t play well with others, I suppose. Has this been a lifelong issue for you?
As for “hosts and hostessses,” however, I really don’t see too many male-sounding first names listed as writers here. In fair tribute to the legacy of Nelly Bly, that’s not much of an issue, though it is curious that it was so obviously on your own mind today.
Honestly, envy was not on my mind until your somnambulistic post, cathar.
Yes, it’s true, it is not every day that I consider the historic implications of hoisting a pint with a Dutch colonial governor.
But if you’re 400, and your prostate is still it’s proper size, cathar, more power to you.
I suggest “Lower Montclair”.
Prof, would you concur?
Tangerine Dream Town
Naveline
Valenciaville
@Spiro, thanks for your posts….someone needs to call him out…lol
Iris Eyes. It worked for Spiro.
Dear God……
Sandy, Its me GOD, what do you want?? and Don’t tell me you want to drive around topless cause thats just not a good look for you!!
How about: NoBaggyPantsVille.
It would certainly have the support of the real estate agents.
God, I wanna go fast. The wife reels me in. I wanna go fast, AND topless.
the wife says it makes a mess of her hair. I wanna go fast and topless. The wife says yoy will get a ticket and/or may hurt your McLaren. I cut it to s-l-o-w and I go 25 MPH. After 26 years of marriage, she knows how to reel me in.
Sandy,,This is God. Listen to your wife, take it slow with the top up, by the way isn’t your son 27 or 28.