Did you know that as a state, New Jersey has the 3rd most personal injury cases per capita? In fact, personal injury cases occurred at a rate of 30.34 per 100,000 capita, which is 218% higher than the national average of 9.53%. Perhaps even more alarming, personal injury cases account for 31% of New Jersey's entire caseload - 166% higher than the U.S. average, which lies at 11.65%. One look at those stats, and it's clear that thousands of men and women in New Jersey suffer from the unfortunate negligence of others.
The truth is, when an accident happens out of nowhere, even the most prepared New Jersey native can become a victim. Imagine driving home after a tough day at work, looking forward to relaxing, but suddenly, your life takes an unexpected turn due to someone else's negligence. Coping with the aftermath of personal injury accidents is a daunting task involving long-lasting pain, concerns about work, and worries about your loved ones.
Unfortunately, victims often fall prey to lowball settlement offers and provide official statements to insurance companies without a personal injury attorney in Saddle Brook, NJ. Once you accept a settlement offer or make an official statement, it becomes challenging to correct the situation. That's where William Gonzalez Law Group comes in - to protect your rights and fight on your behalf for the compensation you deserve.
William N. Gonzalez was Born in 1961 in the Bronx. He moved to Puerto Rico in 1973, where he attended Middle School, High School, and freshman year at the Catholic University of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Ultimately, he transferred to John Jay College of Criminal Justice C.U.N.Y., earning a B.A. degree in 1984.
After completing that achievement, he attended Seton Hall School of Law from 1987 through 1990, earning a J.D. and admission into the New Jersey State Bar. Shortly after, he began working for various law firms until2002, when he became a solo practitioner in the Township of West New York.
Since that time, he has dedicated his practice to serving the community with honesty, integrity, and hard work. His practice was founded with the main purpose of helping those who face crisis and are in need of a personal injury lawyer in Saddle Brook, NJ, who sticks by their side.
Mr. Gonzalez focuses on a range of personal injury cases, including but not limited to.
If you're looking for a fearless attorney to fully represent you and to fight the good fight on your behalf, look no further than the William Gonzalez Law Group. Now that you're up-to-date on William Gonzalez's background and accomplishments, let's dig a little deeper into the nuances of personal injury law and the areas of law in which he focuses.
While there are many different types of personal injury cases in New Jersey, some are more common than others - especially those that involve motor vehicles and driving under the influence. Some of the most common types of personal injury cases that William Gonzalez helps clients overcome include.
Did you know that driver error is the leading cause of car accidents in New Jersey? The truth is that negligent drivers don't pay attention. They also don't adhere to traffic laws or use the right safety precautions. They often cause serious injuries by.
If you have been injured in a car accident that was caused by someone else's negligence, it is important to have a personal injury attorney in Saddle Brook, NJ, whom you can rely on. Your lawyer will help protect your rights and fight for the maximum compensation possible according to local laws. Your car accident attorney will also collaborate with specialists such as investigators and accident reconstruction experts to determine the cause of your injury and establish who is responsible for any damages.
There are more than eleven million trucks that operate daily across the United States, with drivers who work long hours and carry sensitive materials. In 2016, there were over 470,000 large truck and semi accidents, with human error accounting for 90% of those accidents. Truck accidents can cause injuries in several ways, such as if a truck carrying hazardous materials explodes or spills its contents, causing damage to surrounding drivers and property. Commercial trucks can also jackknife or lose control of their steering wheel, which can result in injuries to the driver or others involved in the accident.
Due to the massive size of semi-trucks and other large commercial vehicles, accidents involving these vehicles often result in catastrophic injuries. If you have been injured due to a negligent truck driver who was speeding, distracted, impaired, or whose vehicle was poorly maintained, it's time to hire a trucks accident lawyer. Doing so quickly after your accident will help protect your rights against insurers and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
If you ride a motorcycle in New Jersey, you are at a higher risk of dying in an accident compared to other drivers. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are on the rise. The good news? William Gonzalez is highly skilled when it comes to representing motorcycle accident clients and the injuries they sustain, including.
If you were recently involved in a motorcycle accident because of another party's negligence, you can count on William Gonzalez as your advocate. It all starts with an initial consultation with a motorcycle injury attorney who truly understands New Jersey injury law.
If you have been injured while working, it can be a painful, confusing, and emotional experience. It can also be financially devastating for you and your family. Therefore, it is important to take the necessary steps to protect yourself and seek the guidance of a qualified workers' compensation lawyer in New Jersey. The William Gonzalez Law Group has been successfully assisting injured workers for years. Mr. Gonzalez's goal is to get the full compensation you need to cover your medical bills and take care of your family while you recover. If you've suffered an injury while on the job that resulted in lost wages or ongoing pain and suffering, it's time to fight for financial compensation.
Injuries resulting from trips, slips, and falls can be severe and may include fractures, brain trauma, neck, and back injuries, among others. Recovering from a serious fall can take months, and the victim may experience lifelong health issues and incur substantial medical bills.
However, in New Jersey, property owners have a legal obligation to maintain their property in a safe manner. If someone gets injured on their premises or property due to their negligence, the owner can be held liable. The victim has the right to file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for the cost of medical treatment, lost income, and pain and suffering caused by the injuries.
Some of the most common contributors to slip-and-fall accidents in New Jersey include.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of a drunk driving accident, a personal injury lawyer in Saddle Brook, NJ, can provide assistance. Despite decades-long efforts by civic organizations to curb drunk driving, it remains a problem throughout the United States, including in New Jersey, which has strict DUI laws and enforcement.
William Gonzalez believes that prosecuting drunk driving accidents not only helps clients recover compensation for their injuries but also serves as a warning to others who may consider driving under the influence.
When an accident, incident, or illness causes you physical injury or emotional pain and suffering, it is referred to as personal injury. For example, suppose you are involved in a car accident and experience a traumatic brain injury. In that case, you have the right to seek compensation for the expenses related to treating and recovering from your physical injuries. You're also entitled to financial compensation for the emotional distress you may have suffered as a result of the injury.
There are three general terms you should be familiar with as it relates to personal injury law in New Jersey:
Experiencing pain and suffering is not always limited to physical injuries. It can also affect one's emotional well-being, which may require the help of a mental health professional to properly document. Consulting with a mental health professional can help determine the extent of any potential psychological issues that may have arisen from your incident.
To provide accurate documentation of your emotional pain and suffering, it is important to record how your daily activities have been impacted and how you may no longer be able to participate in activities that you once enjoyed. This might include difficulties in communication or the inability to enjoy outings that were once pleasurable.
When someone experiences physical injury as a result of an accident, such as a car accident, they may sue for compensation for the harm done to their body. This compensation can help cover the costs of medical bills, surgeries, physical therapy, home care equipment, or any other expenses needed to aid in their recovery from the injury.
Emotional distress can be difficult to prove, especially when it involves defamation of character or threats to one's physical safety. It's important to understand, however, that emotional distress is valid. You have the right to seek compensation for any fear or trauma you have experienced and should not hesitate to fight for what you deserve.
If you have suffered a serious injury due to an accident, it's time to protect yourself and your family with the help of a personal injury attorney in Saddle Brook, NJ. Unlike your lawyer, the insurance companies involved in your personal injury case are not on your side and are known for presenting offers that don't fairly compensate you for your losses.
In New Jersey, determining who is legally responsible for an accident usually involves assessing the negligence of the person at fault. Proving negligence or negligent acts as the cause of serious injuries and damages can be one of the most challenging aspects of a personal injury case. While some accidents are just that - accidents - in other cases, such as drunk driving car accidents, it is clear that the act of criminal negligence caused the accident, and the person responsible should be held liable for the damages.
According to New Jersey law, there are four elements that must be covered when trying to prove negligence in personal injury cases. Those elements include the following.
In New Jersey, determining who is legally responsible for an accident usually involves assessing the negligence of the person at fault. Proving negligence or negligent acts as the cause of serious injuries and damages can be one of the most challenging aspects of a personal injury case. While some accidents are just that - accidents - in other cases, such as drunk driving car accidents, it is clear that the act of criminal negligence caused the accident, and the person responsible should be held liable for the damages.
According to legal duty, the defendant has a responsibility to ensure the safety of the victim and prevent harm. In New Jersey, drivers have a legal obligation to operate their vehicles safely in regard to other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. Businesses are legally obliged to maintain their premises in a safe manner, ensuring there are no hazards such as ice, snow, or slippery floors.
To prove that the defendant is responsible for an accident, it must be shown that they behaved in a way that they knew could cause harm to others. Additionally, it must be demonstrated that a reasonable person in the same situation would have acted differently. For instance, it is common knowledge that driving a car, truck, or motorcycle under the influence can lead to an accident.
One of the biggest reasons to hire a personal injury lawyer in Saddle Brook, NJ, is so they can prove that your injuries are a direct result of the other party's breach of duty. This means that you need to demonstrate that your injuries occurred due to the defendant's actions. To do so, it is recommended that you seek medical attention from a physician who can document your injuries and confirm that they were caused or worsened by the defendant's negligence. It is crucial to document your injuries with a doctor, as it can be difficult to obtain compensation for injuries that were not properly documented.
When filing a claim, you must show proof of loss, which may include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering compensation.
If you've been injured due to someone else's negligence, you should act fast to file a claim and hire a lawyer. In New Jersey, you only have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit or claim. If you fail to file a claim within the time frame set by the statute of limitations, you will lose your opportunity to do so. In most cases, if you attempt to file a claim after the two-year deadline, the defendant will file a motion to dismiss. There are very few exceptions where a personal injury claim may be filed beyond the two-year mark.
The William Gonzalez Law Group specializes in helping you get back on track after a setback. With decades of experience in personal injury law, Mr. Gonzalez can assist you in cases such as car crashes, truck accidents, slip and fall incidents, motorcycle accidents, DUI accidents, workers' compensation cases, and more.
When you are unable to work, have mounting bills and medical expenses, and your quality of life is affected, you need a strong and reliable advocate on your side, and William Gonzalez is the man to call for help. Whether you need assistance with a complex personal injury case or need trustworthy, easy-to-understand legal advice, contact the William Gonzalez Law Group today.
Severe flooding once again threatens inland and coastal New Jersey, prompting school delays, road closures and water rescues following Tuesday's storm. This comes just weeks after a December storm inundated the communities with floodwaters.At least 4 inches of rain reportedly fell in parts of Bergen and Passaic counties, l...
Severe flooding once again threatens inland and coastal New Jersey, prompting school delays, road closures and water rescues following Tuesday's storm. This comes just weeks after a December storm inundated the communities with floodwaters.
At least 4 inches of rain reportedly fell in parts of Bergen and Passaic counties, landing on ground saturated by this weekend's storm. And yet another storm Friday evening will exacerbate flooding.
In Lodi, the around 9 a.m. EST Wednesday morning, more than 2 feet above major flood stage. The river level peaked at 10.27 feet, according to the National Weather Service. The Saddle River enters minor flood stage at 5.5 feet and major flood stage at 8 feet.
Flood warnings remain in effect Wednesday morning in parts of Bergen, Essex, Passaic and Union counties.
Ahead of the storm, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency for all 21 counties in the state. Murphy said 56,000 homes were without power and several hundred accidents and highway assists were reported, but no storm deaths.
Numerous rivers remain in flood stage, while water levels continue to rise on major area rivers, which will crest in the next 48 hours.
In Paterson, the Passaic River gauge is forecast to reach major flood stage, and a Flood Warning is in effect for the area until Thursday. In December, the river crested at 22 feet, which makes the area particularly vulnerable to the rain this time around.
Morris County residents expected the to rise to about 19 feet. The forecast now calls for a crest of over 20 feet on Wednesday evening.
The Raritan River in Somerset County also reached a major flood stage.
Commuters in Hoboken were greeted Wednesday morning with a flooded railway terminal, though train service remained "uninterrupted," NJ Transit officials said.
In coastal and bayside communities on the New Jersey shoreline, the high-tide cycle sent Atlantic waters onto the land. Coastal flood warnings remain in effect in Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties.
Basement and lower-level apartment homes in Lodi were flooded when the river crested, sending water into the streets near the river, including Main Street. On Wednesday, water continued to lap at buildings, and the river raged nearby.
Avenue E to Central Avenue on Main Street remains closed due to flooding.
Lodi Fire Department crews evacuated families with young children in those homes using high-water vehicles. Fire crews are going street by street to check on residents in homes in the flooding area who may need rescuing.
Despite the flooding, people were still trying to make it to work in the wet conditions. Many drivers were diverted due to flood-related road closures.
"You need a rowboat No. 1 to come in here. It's been bad. The water rises in the rivers, and there's nothing you can do," said Phil Pino, of Pinto Garbage Co. "Main Street is bad, very bad. Maybe half a mile of water."
's Robert Moses spoke with a resident who watched helplessly as the water encroached on his home. Phil Coniglio said he's done everything to prepare for the storm after severe flooding impacted his home a few weeks ago.
"Right now, it's kind of frightening because you, you sit there, and I know what number puts it…in my house. And that number is 9.41. Right now it's at nine. So I've only got four-tenths of a foot. I've got like four or five inches. And that water just start coming to my house," Coniglio said.Schools in Lodi are closed on Wednesday.
The basement flooded at the Boys and Girls Club, Washington Elementary School and multiple businesses in Lodi. Flooding was also reported in houses along the baseball field and a senior housing complex.
Dramatic video showed elevated water levels in the Raritan River at Manville, Somerset County, on Wednesday. Another video shows Raritan waters overflowing onto a bridge in Somerville.
"The river is still rising," @GerryGorbach wrote in an X post.
Authorities in Somerset County indicated that localized flooding was expected to persist through Wednesday afternoon.
Pine Brook is bracing for major flooding impacts as the at 21.4 feet on Thursday. As of Wednesday morning, the river was over 19 feet, just above minor flood stage. The river reaches major flood stage at 21 feet.
Christopher Hope Center is open to shelter fleeing residents in Paterson.
Pompton Plains has picked up 3-5 inches of rain over the past 24 hours. The Pompton River hit major flood stage at 19 feet and is forecast to peak at 20.6 feet by late Wednesday.
Pequannock Mayor Ryan Herd said that beginning Sunday, first responders went door to door to warn residents of the potential flooding. The mayor said he's concerned families will be displaced by flooding yet again.
"This is actually about the third time in about four weeks that we've gotten flooding in Pequannock," Herd said.
Hasbrouck Heights quarterback Frank Billings awaits the snap in the first quarter against Saddle Brook Friday night at Depken Field.Photo Credit: Faith Ballantine-ArmonaitisPhoto Credit: Faith Ballantine-ArmonaitisHasbrouck Heights kicker George Kouletas made five extra points against Saddle Brook Friday night.Photo Credit: Faith Ballantine-ArmonaitisHasbrouck Heights quarterback Frank Billings awaits the snap in the first quarter against Saddle Brook Friday night at Depken Field...
Hasbrouck Heights quarterback Frank Billings awaits the snap in the first quarter against Saddle Brook Friday night at Depken Field.Photo Credit: Faith Ballantine-Armonaitis
Photo Credit: Faith Ballantine-Armonaitis
Hasbrouck Heights kicker George Kouletas made five extra points against Saddle Brook Friday night.Photo Credit: Faith Ballantine-Armonaitis
Hasbrouck Heights quarterback Frank Billings awaits the snap in the first quarter against Saddle Brook Friday night at Depken Field.Photo Credit: Faith Ballantine-Armonaitis
PublishedSeptember 9, 2023 at 12:08 AM
HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NJ – By the time they had power restored to the scoreboard at Depken Field, it was already 14-0 Hasbrouck Heights. They would need the scoreboard to keep the tally, as the Aviators defeated Saddle Brook, 56-0, in a NJIC Meadowlands Division contest.
The thunderstorm that rolled through earlier in the day knocked out power to most of Hasbrouck Heights for a short time Friday afternoon. The one part that didn't come back was the Route 17 corridor between Williams Ave and Franklin Ave, including a bank of lights and the scoreboard at Depken Field.
The Aviators' offense was dominant against the Saddle Brook defense, scoring on every possession.
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The game got off to an inauspicious start, as the Aviators were penalized on the first play for 12 men on the field. But Jake Summers just ran through the Falcons defense, carrying eight times for 74 yards, keeping the chains moving despite two more false start penalties.
Quarterback Frank Billings hit Michael Napolitano on a fourth and ten at the Saddle Brook 15 on a 14 yard pass down the middle for a first and goal at the one. Billings powered in from one yard, and George Kouletas kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead.
The Aviators second drive was brief, after shutting down the Saddle Brook offense it took just two plays to score again. Following another false start, Billings ran for 10 yards and then Summers broke through the middle of the Saddle Brook line for a 44-yard touchdown run and a 13-0 lead. Kouletas kick made the score 14-0.
The second quarter saw the power restored to the scoreboard, and the Aviators continued to move the ball. After taking over the ball at the 39, Billings scampered 24 yards to the 15, with Saddle Brook picking up a roughing penalty moving it half the distance to the seven. An offside penalty moved the ball to the four, where Billings hit Evan Werner with a shovel pass which he took around the right end for a touchdown, and following the extra point, a 21-0 lead
By now the Hasbrouck Heights defense was shutting the Falcons' offense out cold, and following another three and out, it took the Aviators just one play to make the score 28-0, as Billings and Werner combined on another shovel pass, this one 39 yards, and a commanding lead.
Hasbrouck Heights added one more score before halftime, as Billing rushed in from 18 yards for a 34-0 lead. Kouletas’ fifth extra point made the score, 35-0.
The second half began with a running clock, and the Aviators reserves in the game.
But following a punt return, Daniel Amendola and Michael Napolitano connected on a 26-yard shovel pass, and Brady Shine made the extra point to push the lead to 42-0.
Amendola and Shine would find the end zone with an 11-yard shovel pass to make the score 49-0 on the final play of the third quarter, following two impressive runs from Domonic Aiosa.
The final play of the game was the Aviators’ final score, as Amendola shoveled the ball to Jayden Chicaiza, who broke through the Saddle Brook defense for a 41 yard touchdown.
STATS: Passing: Billiings 3-3, 57 yrds, 2 tds, Amendola 5-5, 100 yrds, 3 tds,
Rushing: Summers, 9-121, 1 TD, Billings 4-54, 2 TD, Aiosa 2-41
Receiving: Napolitano 2-40, 1 TD, Werner 2-43, 2 TD, Shine 2-25, 1 TD, Chicaiza 2-49, 1 TD
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |
Saddle Brook | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Hasbrouck Heights | 14 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 56 |
First Quarter | |||||
HH - Frank Billings 1 run (George Kouletas kick) | |||||
HH- Jake Summers 43 yard run (Kouletas kick) | |||||
Second Quarter | |||||
HH - Billings 4 yrd shovel pass to Evan Werner (Kouletas kick) | |||||
HH- Billings 39 yard shovel pass to Werner (Kouletas kick) | |||||
HH- Billings 18 yard run (Kouletas kick) | |||||
Third Quarter | |||||
HH - Daniel Amendola 26 yard shovel pass to Michael Napoitano (Shine Kick) | |||||
HH - Amendola 11 yard shovel pass to Shine (Shine Kick) | |||||
Fourth Quarter | |||||
HH - Amendola 41 yard shovel pass to Jayden Chicaiza (Shine Kick) |
MAJOR pharmacy chain CVS closed another location amid a shift in retail strategy.This time, a New Jersey town will be left with one less pharmacy option when fulfilling their prescriptions.The store closed on October 5, 2023, with most of its services being moved to another branch in Fair Lawn, New Jersey.The Fair Lawn location is less than a mile ...
MAJOR pharmacy chain CVS closed another location amid a shift in retail strategy.
This time, a New Jersey town will be left with one less pharmacy option when fulfilling their prescriptions.
The store closed on October 5, 2023, with most of its services being moved to another branch in Fair Lawn, New Jersey.
The Fair Lawn location is less than a mile away from the closed spot.
A sign posted on the store before it shut for good warned customers of the change.
“Our store is closing, but we’re still nearby,” the sign said, directing customers to the Fair Lawn branch.
The tightly populated suburban area has many CVS locations to choose from.
Saddle Brook, New Jersey is surrounded by CVS branches.
About two miles away in Elmwood Park, there’s a CVS branch still operating.
Two miles away in another direction, there is a CVS in Rochelle Park.
The pharmacy and convenience store’s phone numbers were forwarded automatically to the Fair Lawn location.
The closure by CVS comes after announcing a change to its retail strategy in 2021, focusing on maintaining its geographic footprint while closing about 300 stores per year through 2024.
The pharmacy chain said it considers maintaining access through other locations when deciding which stores to close.
That means that areas like New Jersey with many stores could be the first to have their locations considered for the chopping block.
A spokesperson previously told the U.S. Sun:
“We consider many factors when making store closure decisions including maintaining access to pharmacy services, local market dynamics, population shifts, a community’s store density, and ensuring there are other geographic access points to meet the needs of the community.”
It’s unclear why the Saddle Brook location is the one to be shut down.
Elsewhere, CVS has closed other stores including one in Albany, New York.
Another CVS location in Baton Rouge, Louisiana shut on September 28.
The raft of closings is expected to continue into 2024.
For more on store closures, Walgreens shared its plans to close 150 stores.
Rite Aid has closed many stores as a potential bankruptcy looms.
Listen to this articleDescribing the transaction as one of the largest and most complex completed in the state this year, Sitex Group is now just the second owner, ever, of the 640,000-square-foot Zuckerberg’s Industrial Park in Saddle Brook.On Sept. 14, the Englewood-based vertically integrated real estate private equity firm told NJBIZ exclusively that it acquired the 40-acre, 50-building campus located at 300 N. Midland Ave. in an off-market transact...
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Describing the transaction as one of the largest and most complex completed in the state this year, Sitex Group is now just the second owner, ever, of the 640,000-square-foot Zuckerberg’s Industrial Park in Saddle Brook.
On Sept. 14, the Englewood-based vertically integrated real estate private equity firm told NJBIZ exclusively that it acquired the 40-acre, 50-building campus located at 300 N. Midland Ave. in an off-market transaction.
According to Sitex, the sale marks the first time the industrial property, closely held by the Zuckerberg family for three generations, has changed hands.
“We are thrilled to acquire the park,” stated Sitex Principal Blake Chroman. “Buying an industrial park of this size in prime infill New Jersey – particularly in Bergen County – is incredibly rare. Over the past decade, we built a relationship with the sellers and always hoped that we would own it someday. We are grateful that the Zuckerberg family selected us to be the new owners.”
Added Sitex Vice President Jackson Kaplan, “We have the right team in place which enabled us to navigate the complexities of this transaction and swiftly close.”
Offering high visibility and convenient access to Interstate 80, the Garden State Parkway and the Ports of Newark/Elizabeth, Newark Liberty International Airport and New York City, Zuckerberg’s Industrial Park also includes a 4-acre trailer parking lot, Sitex said.
According to Colliers’ most-recent report on the sector, sales volume in the industrial space bounced back in the second quarter of the year – despite rising interest rates. That brought total volume to $793.4 million for the period, according to the firm, which surpassed four of the past five quarters, dating to Q1 2022.
Average sales prices were up, as well, by 14.3% year over year, producing the highest quarterly average on record, according to Colliers.
Financial terms of the Zuckerberg’s deal were not disclosed. According to its website, Sitex acquires properties on an all-cash basis.
In addition to consistent ownership over the complex’s history, Sitex its tenancy, saying that Zuckerberg’s Industrial Park has sustained more than 90% occupancy over its 30-year history.
Current tenants include: UPS, ServePro and Johnstone Supply as well as many local operators.
Specializing in the New York and New Jersey markets, Sitex has continued to expand its portfolio in 2023. In April, the firm announced it had acquired $250 million in transactions in the region since the start of the year, including properties in Edison and Rutherford.
“This was a very unique acquisition opportunity and is another example of our longtime strategy of buying and repositioning industrial properties in key infill locations throughout New York and New Jersey,” said Chroman.
Sitex has plans to modernize the property immediately, according to Chroman, with work starting Thursday for improvements including paving, lighting, new signage and updated building interiors.
Marsha A. StoltzSADDLE RIVER — A Board of Education incumbent defeated in November's election has been appointed to the unexpired term of a fellow trustee.Trustee Evelyn Nissirios, who lost to newcomer Kunal Bhatia by 26 votes in a rare challenge for a school board seat, was appointed to fill the one-year unexpired term of trustee John Peros at the Dec. 13 board meeting....
SADDLE RIVER — A Board of Education incumbent defeated in November's election has been appointed to the unexpired term of a fellow trustee.
Trustee Evelyn Nissirios, who lost to newcomer Kunal Bhatia by 26 votes in a rare challenge for a school board seat, was appointed to fill the one-year unexpired term of trustee John Peros at the Dec. 13 board meeting.
The final vote in November had Bhatia defeating Nissirios by 481-455 for a full three-year term.
"We hope that having two members who received such confidence from voters will help unite the community," Board of Education President Emily Kaufman said in an email statement.
Peros resigned in October, and the board had 65 days to fill the seat, Kaufman said. Nissirios' resignation was accepted at the Dec. 6 meeting, Kaufman said.
"After consulting with the New Jersey Department of Education, New Jersey Association of School Boards and the New Jersey County Executive, that open seat was offered to Kunal Bhatia to fill early," Kaufman said. "Mr. Bhatia decided to wait until the January reorganization meeting."
Kaufman said the board received applications, conducted public interviews, and chose a candidate "in accordance with guidelines set forth by the New Jersey Department of Education."
Kaufman gave no explanation as to what issue required two candidates to "unite the community."
Nissirios was last singled out in a September 2022 dispute over middle school bus routes carrying children in grades six to eight to Eric Smith Middle School in Ramsey, which they attend because there is no middle school in the Saddle River district.
One of two door-to-door pickup and drop-off routes was unexpectedly eliminated last fall for budgetary reasons, requiring middle school parents along that route to drop off and pick up their children at the elementary school — Wandell School on East Allendale Road.
The route used by Nissirios and fellow trustee Yasmin Elshami was not shortened or eliminated, allowing those children to be picked up and dropped off at or near their homes.
At least five parents filed complaints with the state Education Department accusing the Board of Education of discriminatory practices.
Another possible dispute is looming over the district's $78,000 feasibility study as a first step in determining whether it should continue the 25-year practice of sending what are now 64 middle school students to Ramsey or return them to be educated in the district. The current agreement with Ramsey ends June 30, 2024, and the district was required to send a "letter of intent" in October "to keep the credits that are currently in the agreement."
Some parents have protested that the district did not adequately pursue a third option to send middle school children to Allendale, Upper Saddle River or Ho-Ho-Kus. The students from those schools go on to attend Northern Highlands Regional High School.
Saddle River students have a unique choice of attending either Ramsey High School or Northern Highlands, with 16 currently at Ramsey and 99 at Northern Highlands. Parents argue that their students are better prepared to enter Northern Highlands if they have attended one of its feeder grade schools because the curriculums are coordinated to prepare students for high school courses.
Saddle River school board members have responded that an offer was made to participate in the study and declined by the three grade schools. It is unclear what offer was made to the grade schools, or whether any of the districts have room to accept Saddle River middle school students.
The district was projected to issue a report in January, and it has posted frequently asked questions about the proposal on its website.