Sandwiches of Baristaville: Part One

BY  |  Wednesday, Jun 29, 2011 10:37am  |  COMMENTS (32)

It is difficult to imagine what life was like before sandwiches.  What more efficient way is there to convey tasty ingredients into your mouth than by layering them between two slices of bread?

Baristaville has an abundance of great sandwich places, from humble delis to sophisticated gourmet shoppes.  Recently, I embarked on a sandwich tour of our area.  Reader, it was delicious.  Here is part one, which covers sandwich standouts in SOMA.  Next up will be Montclair and environs (let me know if there is a place I absolutely cannot miss.) Continue Reading

Reactions to Gaymon Case Full of Doubt

BY  |  Wednesday, Jun 29, 2011 9:25am  |  COMMENTS (9)

Yesterday’s news about the decision in the Dean Gaymon case has prompted reactions from many doubters, questioning the truth behind the story presented by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Upon hearing the announcement that the grand jury declined to bring any charges against Officer Edward Esposito, the Chairman of the Garden State Equality (GSE), Steven Goldstein, immediately called for a federal civil rights investigation, in accordance with the law. He vowed that his organization would work with Essex County authorities to preserve the quality of life in the parks without relying on undercover patrols, since he feels that system is ineffective and puts civil rights at risk. Continue Reading

Car Stolen in Nutley with Dog Inside

BY  |  Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 4:30pm  |  COMMENTS (127)

A reader writes that her cousin’s car was stolen around noon on Monday, June 27, from the 7-Eleven parking lot on Passaic Avenue in Nutley, with a 10-year-old Maltese inside. The dog’s owner, who lives in Belleville, is pleading for help finding her pet.

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata’s motor was left running to keep the air conditioning on for the dog. The owner said she believes the thief turned onto Park Avenue and headed toward Route 21. Continue Reading

One Year Later, a Sentence in the Russian Spy Case

BY  |  Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 3:06pm  |  COMMENTS (4)

A Russian official who leaked information that led to last year’s exposure of a Russian spy ring — which included Montclair’s own suburban spies Vladimir and Lydia Guryev – has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for treason, according to the New York Times. But Aleksandr Poteyev, who was sentenced in absencia, is believed to have escaped Russia with the help of the U.S. embassy right before the spy ring story broke.

The arrest of 10 Russian undercover agents — including Montclair residents working under the names Cynthia and Richard Murphy — occurred exactly one year ago. Where does time fly?

 

Grand Jury Declines to Indict Officer in Dean Gaymon Shooting

BY  |  Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 1:46pm  |  COMMENTS (1)

The Essex County Prosecutor’s office reported today that a grand jury declined to bring any charges against an undercover officer in the last summer’s shooting death of former Montclair resident DeFarra (Dean) Gaymon. Here is the official press release:

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury declined to bring any charges against Sheriff’s Officer Edward Esposito, 30, in connection with the shooting death of Atlanta businessman DeFarra Ivan Gaymon, 48.

On July 16, 2010 at approximately 6 p.m. Gaymon was fatally shot in Branch Brook Park in Newark by Esposito, an undercover Essex County Sheriff’s detective investigating complaints of public sexual activity. Continue Reading

Cat Abandoned in Montclair Needs Home

BY  |  Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 1:25pm  |  COMMENTS (0)

Abandoned with an embedded collar, unneutered, and with a hole in his paw which required amputating a toe, Jeremy is now doing well and looking for a home.

Jeremy has the eyes and body coloring of a Siamese and the head, tail, and paws of a striped tabby. He is about 3 years old, tested negative for AIDS/leukemia and is a friendly boy who needs lots of love and patience.

If you would like to adopt this guy, please email cpollak1@verizon.net or call 973-744-9476.

Financial Constraints Aside, There Will Be Fireworks, Montclair

BY  |  Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 1:00pm  |  COMMENTS (3)

As of yesterday, it wasn’t clear if fireworks would be part of Montclair’s 61st annual Independence Day celebration, but today the on-again, off-again event is “all systems go” for next Monday. At the moment, the page of the town’s web site still indicates that the fireworks are dependent upon the success of fundraising efforts, but officially, unless it rains, there will be festive explosions to light up the July 4th night over the Yogi Berra Stadium and MSU’s campus.

“Some more money came in, and we’ve signed the contract,” said Pat Brechka, director of Recreation and Cultural Affairs for the township. “We’ve been checking the mail box every day, and still have the rest of the week for more to come in, and while we’re still a bit short, we’ve decided that we have enough to make it happen.”

Brechka told Baristanet that her department has raised approximately $32,000 for this year’s celebration. Up until last year, they received $15,000 from the town for the celebration, which also covered the costs of police overtime. Last year, that funding was pulled at the last minute, and the event has been completely funded by donations since. “It hasn’t been easy to come up with the money.” she said. “In the past we got donations from companies but now it’s mostly residents. People in the community have really stepped up. They love the parade and fireworks.”

Donations have ranged from $25 to $1,000. At a recent fundraiser held at Egan & Sons, Brechka found several $100 bills in the donation jar at the end of the event. Even residents from other towns, have sent money, including one man from Pennsylvania who has fond memories of attending the parade and fireworks in the past.

“This has been one big feat to pull off, but the people have come through,” she added.

There’s still time to contribute, and they could use a bit more.
Send donations to:
Montclair Celebrates
551 Valley Road — P.O. Box 143
Montclair, NJ 07043

For more information, click here, and don’t forget to wave to the Baristas in the parade.

Budget for Bloomfield!

BY  |  Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 12:00pm  |  COMMENTS (13)

The Bloomfield Council passed the $70 million municipal budget at last night’s conference meeting by a vote of 4-2. Councilman Michael Venezia, who had previously voted against the budget, voted in favor of it this time, providing the required fourth vote for passage.

Council representatives Janice Litterio and Nick Joanow both voted against the budget. Councilman Robert Ruane, one of the most adamant opponents of the budget, was not in attendance.

Venezia, when asked after the meeting why he had changed his vote, said that “it’s almost July” and he didn’t want to hold the budget up any further, saying he would put his efforts into working on next year’s budget.

The approved budget includes funding for hiring six new firefighters, who will replace firefighters who are expected to retire throughout the rest of 2011, thus keeping the staffing level at 78. Brian McDade, president of the Bloomfield Local FMBA #219, said he was pleased with this.

The budget also includes funding for purchasing six new Ford Crown Victoria patrol cars and an SUV for the police department, an item that was on the agenda following the budget vote. Councilman Nick Joanow, who has been pushing for the police department to purchase hybrid Ford Escape vehicles instead of Crown Victorias, came to the meeting with detailed information about the hybrid vehicles. He stated Carteret has been using them as patrol cars with no problems, and that they save $5,000 a year in fuel costs. Chief Goul reiterated that the Crown Victorias are safer, although Joanow maintained the newest Escapes are just as safe. “We’re stuck in reverse,” he said. “We need to move forward.” The council voted to purchase the Crown Victorias and the SUV, with Joanow the sole “no” vote.

Township Clerk, Louise Palagano, announced that the 2010 census showed an imbalance in the population in Bloomfield’s three wards, with the 3rd Ward’s population now 1% over the 10% limit of differential between districts, forcing the township to redistrict. This is a difference of 348 people. She said there would be two public meetings on the subject to be held in late July. Councilman Hamilton pointed out that the 3rd Ward may lose Community Development Block Grant funds as a result of the change. The changes in the ward boundaries will not affect this November’s election.

The next Bloomfield Council Meeting will be held in the Council Chambers on July 11 at 7:30 p.m.

RIP NJN

BY  |  Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 10:52am  |  COMMENTS (22)

Last week, it looked like it was going to go the other way. But last night, in the end, NJ’s Senate voted to hand over the state’s public broadcasting network, NJN, to Channel 13 WNET in New York. The plan, negotiated by Governor Chris Christie, is a coup for Montclair’s Steve Adubato Jr., whose local company, Caucus Educational Corp., will produce content for the new entity, NJTV, which begins operations Friday.

Continue Reading

And Still, More Bad Driving…

BY  |  Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 10:33am  |  COMMENTS (0)

NJ.com reported this morning that a Maplewood man riding a stolen motorcycle died after slamming into a guard rail while being pursued by police on Interstate 78 west this morning.

Read the rest of the story here.

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