More Observations of Wyckoff and Recent Events

Well another Township Committee meeting has passed. The 21 AUGUST 2012 meeting was, shall we say, normal, with a noteworthy moment.

A very nice lady addressed the Committee on the intersection of Ravine Avenue and Lafayette Avenue. It was great to see another resident express their concerns over an intersection that has seen some recent “activity”. The entire Committee was engaged and listened carefully with complete attention. Frankly you all should see these moments. You would witness our township in action and observe the concern and frank kindness expressed to each and every person who addresses the Committee. As is their custom the concerns were addressed then and there with what information could be provided without further research into the matter. The discussion was also sent to the appropriate Committeeman, Mr. Kevin Rooney who is our current police commissioner, to speak with the Chief Fox and Lt. Van Dyke about what could be done to make the intersection safer for traffic and pedestrians. There was a heartfelt thanks from each for the ladies concerns and for her attendance at the meeting.

I apologize for not writing down the ladies name, hopefully Joe did and will add it here.

We also has another episode of the Mr. Goetting’s show. This time I was very surprised. Instead of the normal rancor Mr. Goetting did give some positive comments about the last Library Board meeting and even praised our new Library Administrator. He did, however, go on to lambaste the library audit report and suggested that Township re-evaluate the accountants the Town uses for some perceived misplacement of line items in the audit. I would suggest that one incident does not warrant this. But all in all Mr. Goetting was in a rare and consolatory tone.

Another item which this blogger has comment on was the use of the Larking House by the Coast Guard Auxiliary. There was a meeting between two of our Committeemen and the Coast Guard which has led to a possible solution on the fee for use. It awaits approval by the Coast Guard Auxiliary however it looks like there will be a solution that resolves the matter in a reasonable way for both.

Once again we see our Committee in action to assist an organization in the best possible way and to look at all possible solutions.

You really have to be at a meeting to see this in action. I really mean that. I cannot express it in a way that does justice to this Township Committee. Every one of them listens with a deep concentration and each expresses his own comments. Those expression are almost always in a positive way to suggest a resolution that will be beneficial to the Town and the “other party”. I, myself, have addressed the Committee a number of times and each time the comments are received with “thanks” and always with a response that is helpful and informative. I must add here that if you observe the Committee you will note that Mr. Boonstra and Mr. Christie will almost always be in a quiet, yet fully attentive position. They both take in everything and will comment in a very thoughtful response. You can see they are fully engaged in everything and they use a very measured and positive response. Both of these men bring a very dedicated approach to the Committee. It is good to see and great to listen to. Both of them are dedicated to a better Township of Wyckoff. Of that there is no doubt.

Now for the main topic of today’s blog.

We have all been commenting on the recent, somewhat ill perceived  “increase in crime: in Wyckoff. I am very sure that this is not “true” in the sense that Wyckoff has some new problems. The three incidents over that last four months is a total and complete anomaly for Wyckoff. They have nothing to do with Wyckoff, itself, but only with the people involved and the locations just happen to be Wyckoff.

I would ask everyone to re-read the articles and please to note that only one person was actually from Wyckoff. The rest were Oakland, Waldwick and Ridgewood residents who acted in Wyckoff. This does NOT a crime wave make. And also remember it was not long ago that our own Chief Fox was involved in a incident where the “culprit” was attempting to take Chief Foxes firearm. Personally I think that one trumps all the others. It was also handled in a very fine and professional manner which is the norm for Chief Fox.

Wyckoff has an exemplary Police Department. The Wyckoff are highly trained and extremely dedicated. Each and very policeman, ( sorry I am just not going PC here ), is a person who knows their jobs well and do them very professionally

There is no “crime wave” in Wyckoff, period. Have we had break ins ? Yup, sure have. Are they anything new, Nope. Have the Wyckoff Police done everything they can to prevent and solve these ? They surely do.

Can we assist the police in these break ins ? YES we can ! Mr., Rooney, Chief Fox, and members of the Department held two meetings in Town Hall just to address this issue. And I say BRAVO to them all for meeting the problem head on with an openness and directness. We are all responsible for our own properties. If we leave doors unlocked, windows open, and other easy access we invite our own problems. We must take the responsibility for ourselves to protect our assets. It is impossible for the Police to be everywhere at every moment. In the current climate of economic problems many people are led to a desperation of theft. This is a sad fact of life. We must all take our own initiative to preserve our own homes and cars. I do not know how many times it can be said, “LOCK THE DOORS, LOCK THE CAR, DO NOT L:EAVE VALUABLE ITEMS IN UNLOCKED CARS” and so on before we all listen. I am guilty of this sometimes also. I have a T-top car and sometimes park it outside with the tops off or even park at the grocery store that way. I am inviting someone to enter the car and grab what they can. It is my OWN stupid fault when it does happen.

Back in 1995 I was working in Bellville, NJ. A very nice town I might add. I parked my 1987 Camaro IROC T-top outside our facility and went about my normal day. The tops on, BUT a gap of about ½ inch on the windows. One of my co-works, Steve, walked into our switch room and asked me if I had parked in the garage and nope, outside the building with all the windows over looking my car. Suffice to say the car had been stolen. And it was my own fault for leaving the windows down just enough for someone to open it up and take off. Newark bound the car chassis was found 9 months later.

The point is that we are all responsible for keeping our own property safe and sound.

The other three incidents are totally unique and not indicative of Wyckoff. And I would also suggest that each reader note that each was dealt with in a professional and efficient manner By The Wyckoff Police Department. I believe that in each case, within a few days, each one was “wrapped up” and sent off for prosecution. That is a credit to the Police Department.

Wyckoff is a great place to live. I am often asked if I would live someplace else since my work is outside the USA. My answer always is NO. I have thought of it many times and each time I come back to Wyckoff being “home”. Yes I grew up here, 64 years worth. Would I move Wyckoff back into the 50’s and 60’s. In some ways yes because I miss some of the things of my youth. I admit I miss the farms, I miss the times when we could play football in the street ( and it was a dirt street at the time ), I miss the milk box and getting your soda from a delivery service. Sure I would return some of the things past. However I do enjoy many of the things present also. Most of my boyhood friends are gone, not all, but most. I have new friends now though and good ones.

We are all blessed with a Town that is peaceful on many days. It is 0810 EDT right now and the only thing I hear is the fan in the room. Windows are open, the occasional car on the street, a bird chirps now and then. This morning at about 0630 EDT my neighbors two dogs were out and I appreciate the barks of Harley and Jasmine. I would not give those sounds up for the world. That is my neighborhood. I am pretty sure that we all have the same sights and sounds in each neighborhood. And I pray we appreciate them also.

Wyckoff is a great place in 2012. We have many spaces in Town where we can go to just enjoy over selves. We have a great “Rec” department, Wyckoff has a very dedicated DPW that keeps our streets clean and safe, that maintains our public places and is constantly working to improve each one. These 13 people deserve our thanks for all the hard work they put in but are never recognized for what they do.

Yesterday I was at one of our public places. ( I will not say where as it will become the subject of another blog I hope you will read ). Anyway I met a young man from the DPW cutting the grass. We spoke for a bit. It was a very nice moment. He was very proud of his work and what he had accomplished so far in his day. He was very knowledgeable about this park. AND he was just a downright good person who anyone would love to work with.

I have yet to meet anyone from the DPW who did not have the Town in their mind. We are very lucky to have such a great group of people.

Of course I am somewhat a “cheerleader” for our Police Department. And I have said that all above. But on further note is that our Department does a fantastic job and does it so very well. Ben works hard with all the members and it shows.

Wyckoff has one of the finest Ambulance Corps and Fire Departments in the State. All volunteers and all dedicated to their missions. Where can you find such a great group of volunteers but in Wyckoff ?

We have a wonderful staff at our Town Hall also ! Led my Mr. Shannon each department is always cheerful, kind, and attentive to the needs of the Wyckoff residents. Our Township Clerk, Joyce, is someone you should all get to know. She knows EVERYTHING about Wyckoff and runs a great Office that will help you out in anyway possible. I have been honored to get to know her better and appreciate her warm hello. Frankly, we each have great friends in that building on Franklin Ave. You might just want to stop in sometime and say Hi and Thanks also.

Wyckoff is a great place. A place for families, a place where we have a lot of fun together as a Community. It is a home for all. Wyckoff is a safe place for our children. A place where you can raise a family in a tradition that is just not found in many places anymore. We are a town of values which are passed on to each other.

Each day I see many people walking around my neighborhood. And each and everyone will say Hello !

Wyckoff has a great business district. We have quality restaurants. We have every facet of merchant we could wish for. We have stores for every need. AND we have people, in those places of business, who are welcoming and friendly. We should all shop in these establishments and show our support of each business we need for our daily lives. Each of them serve Wyckoff in the best of “small town” traditions.

And to close Wyckoff is blessed with a dedicated group of men who do their utmost to maintain this lifestyle for use. I hear complaints all the time, yet, I never see a proper foundation for them. Having gotten to know them I find what a complaint may be it is somewhat misguided or misinformed. If one were to attend a Committee meeting you would see exactly what I am saying. These men are fully involved in keeping Wyckoff,  Wyckoff. Each of them takes on a very heavy responsibility and does it so very well. We each should be proud that we elect such a group of men and we know that Wyckoff is safe and sound in their hands.

I might, further suggest, that you take a moment and thank them for their hard work, lost night and weekends, the times they are out in violent storms for our interests and not their own. And thank them for giving so much time to keep this Town safe and secure for our children. I know it is task beyond myself and I am truly thankful for them.

Finally we each might say a prayer for everyone who works and volunteers for Wyckoff. It would be a great thing to do for each deserve our prayerful thoughts each day. They earn it each day they keep Wyckoff one of the greatest places in the USA to live.

To close this one out. I am sure some would say, “you could do the job also”. Nope can’t. I just don’t own a tie and have no intention of getting one anytime soon – LOL. My business partner will attest to that one. BUT in the coming days I am going to start a series on all the places Wyckoff has for our enjoyment and our recreation. I am going to try and add some history of each location also. It is good we know our past also.