My name is Richie Mariano and I graduated St. Mary's High School 1972. My father took films while I was competing in track and football during the years of 1968-1972. I have recently compiled all of them on DVDs.  

Pope Paul VI was on our schedule and we competed many times. 

The score was Pope Paul VI  26 and St Mary's 14 in the 1971 season.  Also, November 1970 Paul VI 12 vs. St Mary's  6. Some of the names of the players from Pope Paul VI were names I got from the clippings and they are K. McKenna, Jakimac, C Janelli, K. Scarpa and G. Szilagi.

I may also have junior varsity and freshman films, but it is difficult to identify the uniforms.   

I am curious to find out if any other fathers took films of their sons while competing against St Mary's - Rutherford.

I recently got many responses from many other teams in Bergen County, including track athletes from Queen of Peace, Cresskill, Hasbrouck Heights, Waldwick and I personally took films of my friends in Rutherford High School in a 1971 Thanksgiving Game against Passaic High School at Passaic stadium.

If you would like to read an article which was published concerning my interest in these films, please refer to www.Leadernewspapers.net, hit "Top Stories" and then type in "Mariano" and find a story which is titled "A Serious Injury Leads Son to Find Treasure in Attic" by John Soltes, editor in chief (The story is currently in the archives). The story was printed July 8, 2008.  

If you have any information contact me at geopep@optonline.net  or 201-390-3464.

Richie Mariano

Rutherford

It’s not about race

So last night on my way home, I stopped for a cup of tea at 7-11 on Main Avenue. They have a selection of (John) McCain and (Barack) Obama cups, and of course I took the McCain one! On my way out of the door a group of five African-American guys and one Caucasian female stopped me. They approached me and began to yell at me over my choice of cup. They argued that I was only voting for McCain because I am white. I replied with the fact that this is not the cause of my choice, and that I felt Obama was an inexperienced terrorist and noted his relationship with Bill Ayers. The reply I was given was "Belair? That is where the Fresh Prince lives, who is that? I laughed and said watch the news.

They continually badgered me and argued for a few minutes, nothing violent, but an argument in a 7-11 parking lot that is uncalled for when I should be home studying. My point is, that they carried on about voting based on race. Why is it now that just because I choose to vote Republican and like McCain and Palin that I am a racist? I think it is ridiculous and frightening that people, young people, especially are voting for him without knowing the issues and only knowing race.

These same guys called me a "cracker" in the midst of their argument, but I am the racist for not voting for Obama and buying a cup of tea? That is insane! These new young voters are only showing their ignorance to the issues and are giving our generation a bad name when it comes to competent decision making! I am really sick of hearing about the race card with this election, when my choice has nothing to do with the color of his skin.

Noelle Pivirotto

Clifton

Don’t blame the deer

The changes that I have seen are overdevelopment of a mountain and of other areas too. Instead of blaming the deer for overpopulation, maybe we should look at over-developers and the towns that issue/approve the building and other representatives who allowed and caused this, and maybe while we’re at it, ourselves for not telling our representatives not to allow overdevelopment of land. 

Just look what they did to that mountain.  All that land was where these deer and many other creatures eat and live. They just blasted it away with no regard for anyone but their wallets, and where were they all going to go; the animals that weren’t killed in the process were forced to move over and of course this was the result. 

Where were the people to say, "No! Don’t overdevelop the mountain because where will all the wildlife go and where will they eat?"  They are in more concentrated areas now because they have less land to graze and live on. This happened all over New Jersey. Anyone who didn’t try to fight against, make complaints or do anything to fight the development of such areas, has no business complaining now. I feel sorry for the deer because they are gentle creatures, unlike many humans. (Believe it or not, animals do have feelings, they suffer when you kill them and they have fear when you take away their home). The organizations, environmental ones and "Friends of Garret Mountain", if you opposed or tried to fight the development, I truly thank you. If you didn’t, shame on you, you’re no friend.

E. Bruce

Clifton

Is school safe?

The latest episode with 290 Brighton Road is the white Sheetrock that has been stored there for over two years was found to have mold growing on it. Only after one of the workers who was installing the Sheetrock noticed the black spots on it. What about all the other materials that have been there for a long time? Who is watching the store?

The Board of Education just takes for granted what is happening. Whatever the project manager says is OK. The project manager happens to  be an employee of the architect. The mold also spread to the metal studs. They say that the studs will be washed. What about the other parts of the building? What stopped the mold from spreading to other material or other sections of the building? Some mold was also found on the blue Sheetrock, which they say is mold resistant.

Was every sheet of this Sheetrock inspected? Who inspected it, and how was it inspected? Was the D.E.P. and other health and safety agencies notified? Also at the last board meeting, a bill from the contractor was presented, for repairing nine holes in the roof. How long were these leaks there before they were found? Didn't the Sheetrock get wet almost two years ago from the roof leaking? Some of these leaks must have been there for quite a while. Has anyone inspected the building’s roof system for mold or other health problems?

These leaks could have spread throughout the entire building and the roof system. Over the years the changes of temperatures along with the rain, snow would have caused high humidity in the building. Isn't that a perfect  environment for mold to grow? The DEP and other health and safety agencies should take a very careful look at the building and what is going on there, before more work is done. Can we afford to just stand by and wait and see what happens when the school opens?

Bill O’Brien 

Clifton

What happened to Clifton?

What I don't understand is how a quarterly payment is being billed monthly?

Not only did (the City) add a sewer tax for the cleaning of sewage, which used to be calculated in our taxes, now there's a $20 service fee per quarter just for splitting it off. Or shall I say monthly?

How can the City justify this additional tax and claim it's based on consumption when they don't know what the consumption is since we're being billed monthly and in advance, unless they're billing us retroactive? Does the Council think they'll be in their seats forever? Wait until this effects them, and it will!  How do you expect our seniors to pay this additional monthly charge when they're already living on a minimal pension/Social Security during difficult economic times? Has the City done anything about all the sewer back-ups they claim is not related to the storm drains, but every time we get a heavy rainstorm we get sewer back-up. All I see is less being done for the City. The City of Clifton used to be a desirable place to live, now we're stuck here because of difficult economic times. How about we put up some more statues, and ridiculous unnecessary things and waste more money, and find a way to charge the citizens. Keep it up councilmen, you are doing a terrific job putting the city on the map as one of the top undesirable places to live.

Beatrice Rybak

Clifton

 Too many deer

The deer population is completely out of control, the woods in Garret Mountain are seriously sick as a result. A drive up to Rifle Camp Park you will notice that the lower feet of forest is bare, all the ground shrubs, the blueberries are gone. Many of the animals that once lived here are gone too, turtles, frogs, newts, nesting birds, toads. In a normal ecosystem there would be predators to kill off many of these deer and prevent their explosion in population. Instead we rely on motorists to hit them on Valley Road and Route 46 to do the job normally done by wolves.

This overpopulation is ripe for disease. This is helped along by a steady stream of Bambi-lovers that trek up to the mountain and unload mountains of food for them, especially the guy with the bread truck.

Out west they noticed the spread of disease around hunters’ bait traps, especially the mad cow equivalent in deer which spreads in saliva. These well-wishers have certainly helped these deer swap their spit and overpopulate beyond their means.

What is needed is a major hunt along the lines of what was recently done in South Mountain Reservation. These isolated woodlands support many diverse creatures and they deserve a place to live out their lives just like the deer do.

David Lisowski

Clifton

Learn from history

Phil Patti, Walt Jankowski, Paul Furlong, Beverly Wardell and friends would do well to heed the old adage "failure to learn from history will lead to its repetition."

Instead of merely looking at the least eight years, maybe he should look back through a more far-reaching lens.

Examples:

A) Weak European governments and appeasements led to World War II;

B) Weak United Nations and compromise led to a divided Korea;

C) Weak or uninformed government led to an ill-advised build up in Vietnam but no clear victory (the only caveat being prosperous trade with China until we drove our own businesses overseas due to their lower tax rates);

D) Weak democratic president led to hostages in Iran;

E) Weak democratic president led to first Trade Center bombing plus other attacks in Middle East and Africa with no consequences and emboldening a second attack on Sept. 11, 2001;

F) Iraq itself resulted in part from outdated intelligence (if services had not been cut financially during the ‘90s in spite of several attacks and if Iraq had not been given over a year to remove weapons of mass destruction (including gas, which was used against the Kurds our interventions in Iraq funded by a Congress which was in complete agreement and assisted by other major governments would have proved our government’s decision to invade preemptively correct.

The fact that there have been no repeats of 9/11 on American soil is an indication that strength not appeasement or inaction is the best deterrent to terrorism.

As for the financial problems our fuzzy minded liberal friends should re-read the "Root of the Problem" by Rich Garigliano in Sound Off and "No More Dem Changes" by John Nick in Your Views on Oct. 17.

Douglas Conaway

Clifton

Thanks first responders

On Oct. 6 as I was babysitting my grandchildren, my young grandson, 11 months of age, began choking. He found a piece of a houseplant leaf and put it in his mouth. He didn’t respond to any effort I made to dislodge the object from his mouth and throat.

I called 911 and in minutes the Clifton Fire Department and first responders were at my door ready to help. With their help we were able to dislodge and expel the leaf from Ben’s throat. He is happy and well today and I am very grateful for all the kindness, help and professionalism your responders showed. It’s a great feeling to know such find people are here to help the public and keep us safe.

God bless all the responders and keep up your good work. Thank you again.

Elsa Giaconia and family

Clifton

Lure MSU to Downtown

Imagine a college dorm brimming with students - hungry for restaurant dining, hungry for shopping and hungry for a quiet place to study in Clifton’s modern library – on our very own Main Avenue, long ago the center of commerce in what was at one time New Jersey’s fastest-growing city.

The opportunity arose 3 months ago with word that Montclair State University was looking to have a developer build a 1,000-student dorm, in one or more buildings, within five miles of its campus by 2012.

Although Gloria Kolodziej, a no-nonsense former mayor and longtime councilwoman, saw the appeal of this early on, this  rare opportunity for a transforming moment for our neglected downtown appears to be slipping away.

New Jersey communities, whether fairly or not, are often judged by the viability of their downtowns, their retail mix (besides nail and hair salons), and their foot traffic, all of which Clifton’s so-called "Rising Star" is largely lacking,

All someone need do is look to shopping magnets in Maplewood Village and  in Red Bank and elsewhere.

Now, imagine the distinctive red-roofed architecture of MSU, with the prospects of bookstores and other enterprises - maybe even a theater - to follow as students with disposable incomes become Clifton’s new arrivals, all largely supervised with their own highly trained campus police. The influx of dollars would be unprecedented.

For starters, just look at the long-vacant property across from the main public  library and park and stadium, themselves perfect amenities for students and ones Clifton could leverage for its cause.

I urge every stakeholder - property owner, business and shop owner - to unite as a single voice and come to Clifton’s next council meeting to strongly demand a concrete plan with well-thought-out offerings and incentives to lure MSU to downtown.

Philip Read

Clifton

Pray for man

I have been a resident in Clifton for just about three years. One of the best things about this City is the diversity of its population. On my street I have wonderful Polish/American, Indian/American, Italian/American, African/American, Irish American, etc. We are Christians, Muslim, Jewish and who knows what else. And, we all get along just fine.

Sometimes we talk about politics or religion and discuss our differences and similarities. We probably have a few non-believers such as Phil (no faith) Patti who live on our street as well.

Everyone has a right to worship, or not worship as they please. Thousands have died for that right, and we should respect our differences in religious or political beliefs. I think many people get offended when someone as ignorant as Patti ridicules those of us who are Christian, Jewish or Muslim. I have read week after week how Patti thinks about religion in general. Patti has the right to believe in whatever he believes in. So do I. I don't have the right to force Patti or anyone else to believe in whatever they believe in. Maybe we should start to ignore Patti and really not care about his opinion. When it's Patti's time to leave this earth he will find out the truth for himself. I say to all people of faith: Have pity on Phil Patti, pray for him but most of all ignore him!

I feel sorry for him. I am proud of my Greek Orthodox religion as all people of faith should be. Patti would want people of faith to believe that they are stupid or naive. Open your eyes and heart Phil, but please shut your mouth!

Gerry Dendrinos

Clifton

Unhappy with letters

I used to look forward to learning what was on the minds of residents of my community. Thank you, some of you, for attaching yourselves to my weekly paper and turning it into an anti-immigrant column. I'd bring some of you to court if I could, just to recoup damages I've received stubbing my toe stepping over your crap that gets slid under my building's front door.

Actually, I'd like to see the paper nix these op-ed pieces a week to free up space for a Children's Column. That way, instead of having to wipe my feet after getting in, I'd be able to pick up on what the future of Clifton considers important. To that end, I've already gotten several people including school administrators from Newark and writers ready to advise and edit for me. 

My grandfather came to this country from England, and his side of the family would put you to shame, (Frederick) Rembis et al. There is a memorial library to my family in Cleveland where my grandfather's brother was a pillar of the community. Another brother's son is now the president of the AFL-CIO in Wisconsin and is fighting hard for recognition of health care issues at the state level, testifying before that state legislature on behalf of teachers and other working people. I hate singling people out, but I'd appreciate some self-restraint from you especially. If you feel so strongly about the beauty of the English language, perhaps you should be teaching an ESL course instead of bashing Hispanic immigrants in a medium their children are exposed to. Maybe you would even do well to join our library's book club for people who speak English at varying levels. I always believed reading broadened my grasp of context, and was crucial in the development of how I speak the language. Perhaps reading some letters from school kids in town could broaden yours.

Douglas Newby

Clifton