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March 15, 2026
HomeCommunity Voices

Community Voices

“Community Voices” is a platform dedicated to highlighting the forums, gatherings, and opportunities in our communities that encourage meaningful dialogue, diverse perspectives, and active participation. These spaces—whether town hall meetings, local discussion groups, school board sessions, or neighborhood forums—offer residents a chance to share their views, learn from each other, and collaborate on issues that matter most to them. By drawing attention to these opportunities, “Community Voices” aims to empower residents to engage, advocate, and shape the future of their communities through informed and open conversation.

VFW Post 6192 student and teacher honorees are joined by school representatives, local officials, and post leaders following the Jan. 13 education awards ceremony at the Washington Township Senior Center, recognizing winners of the Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy contests and the post’s 2025–26 Teachers of the Year. Courtesy photo.
Community Voices

Speaking up on democracy: Local high schools, middle schools shine with winners of VFW’s audio-essay contests

February 7, 2026 John Snyder

TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—VFW Post 6192 honored local winners of its annual Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy contests — along with three Teachers of the Year — during an education […]

Two of Joseph Oettinger Jr.'s books of Westwood history.
Community Voices

More Forgotten Westwood: Early ice men

February 7, 2026 Pascack Press

By JOSEPH OETTINGER JR.Special to Pascack Press  WESTWOOD—One summer Saturday in 1958, I accompanied my father in one of my grandfather’s trucks to a location on the north side of […]

Community Voices

So sweet! Pascack Pi-oneers robotics team hosts 6th Annual Valentine’s Day Food Drive

February 5, 2026 John Snyder

PASCACK VALLEY—The Pascack Pi-oneers, FIRST Robotics Team 1676, is hosting its 6th annual Valentine’s Day Food Drive from Thursday, Feb. 5, through Thursday, Feb. 19, inviting residents to “be a […]

Tenakill Brook runs high near Durie Avenue in Closter during heavy rainfall. The brook flows through Closter and neighboring towns including Cresskill and Tenafly, and can flood nearby homes and infrastructure. (Karin Lee photo)
Closter

Borough steps up flood prep in 2026

February 3, 2026 Northern Valley Press

By KARIN LEESpecial to Northern Valley Press Closter, building on lessons learned from Hurricane Ida in 2021, is kicking off 2026 determined to plan more deliberately for flooding. Initiatives include […]

Community Voices

Residents call for alternatives to cell tower at Stonybrook

January 24, 2026 Michael Olohan

HILLSDALE—Residents packed Borough Hall Jan. 20 to oppose a proposed 150-foot cell tower at Stonybrook Swim Club, urging Mayor Michael Sheinfield and council to explore alternatives before approving a lease. […]

Woodcliff Lake’s Scott McDowell and Wappingers Falls, N.Y.’s Paulie Becker in Hanoi this month. Becker, a U.S. Army special forces veteran, returned from the war with PTSD. McDowell saw to it that his friend would get to return—both to Vietnam, which welcomed him warmly, and to a grateful Pascack Valley homecoming. Portrait courtesy McDowell; background image of Hanoi: Getty Images.
Community Voices

On the Road From Vietnam: Veteran gets his due, and start on closure, after 57 years — with help from his friends

January 23, 2026 John Snyder

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J.—For 57 years, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Paulie Becker carried Vietnam with him on his back — what he did there, and what came after. It ground him […]

Left to right: Ken and Monique Hickey and Mark Durkin share a table at the Greater Pascack Valley Chamber of Commerce Breakfast with the Mayors, held at Tavern at the Iron Horse on Wednesday, Jan 21, 2026.. John Snyder photo.
Community Voices

Chamber’s annual mayors’ breakfast: Laughs leaven civic session at Tavern at The Iron Horse; business leaders tuck into wide-ranging reports

January 23, 2026 Michael Olohan

WESTWOOD—The Greater Pascack Valley Chamber of Commerce’s annual  “Breakfast with the Mayors” drew a capacity crowd at The Tavern at The Iron Horse on Wednesday, with the front room limited […]

Bill supporters say they want to increase public safety. Critics say the bill targets low-income e-bike users. (Photo by Dana DiFilippo/New Jersey Monitor)
Community Voices

Gov. Phil Murphy signs e-bike bill criticized by bike advocates

January 19, 2026 Pascack Press

BY SOPHIE NIETO-MUNOZ | JANUARY 19, 2026 2:12 PM New Jersey will have some of the strictest regulations on electric bikes in the nation under a bill Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law Monday. […]

1 Westwood Ave. Via Westwood Historic Preservation Commission.
Community Voices

Westwood Council to consider historic landmark status for 1 Westwood Ave., home to Rosangelly’s

January 16, 2026 John Snyder

WESTWOOD — The Westwood mayor and council will meet Tuesday, Jan. 20, with a proposed historic designation for the Westwood Trust Building at 1 Westwood Ave. — now home to Rosangelly’s Restaurant Café & […]

Hillsdale’s George Kritzler, a world authority on energy efficiency, is hitting the road this year to get his book, “Gas Infra-red, the Green Heat,” into the hands of students in his field. Left: at our newsroom, with the portrait accompanying his book — taken when he was president of the Association of Energy Engineers — and a copy of his new hardcover title. John Snyder photo.
Community Voices

George Kritzler, 93, pours on ‘The Green Heat’

January 16, 2026 John Snyder

PASCACK VALLEY—We were glad to hear from George Kritzler of Hillsdale, a Korean War veteran and longtime utility professional who has written a technical resource on gas-fired infrared heating and […]

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