The Dumont Dispatch recently met with Dumont resident Matthew Kruger, who is running for Dumont Borough Council in this November's election.

By Carmine DeMarco, Publisher, Dumont Dispatch
When I was growing up - and I'm guessing it's the same now - you had your favorite teams. And you couldn't mix them, and root for two local teams in the same sport. Nope - either you were a Yankees fan, or you were a Mets fan. You were a Giants fan, or you were a Jets fan.

We're tribal that way, us human beings. While we strive for autonomy, individuality, and self-determination, at the same time we have a competing primal need for belonging, for being part of something greater than just ourselves. And part of that is identifying ourselves with groups that share common interests, goals, or beliefs - whether it's being active in the Elks, or being a member of a particular church congregation, or belonging to a political party.

The Dumont Dispatch sat down recently with Dumont's newest Council member, Rafael Riquelme, to introduce him to the community at large. To view the full video version (approximately 10 minutes) of the interview which ran in the print version of the Dispatch, please click the PLAY button below.
(Pictured, left to right: Councilman Rafael Riquelme meets with Dumont Dispatch editor Carmine DeMarco)

The answers to the Dumont Trivia Quiz that was published in the September 2007 edition of the Dumont Dispatch are available here at Dumont Online. However, you must first register as a member of our little virtual community in order to be able to see that content!
Registration is easy, and takes only a few moments. If you are already a member of DOL, please log in. Once you are logged in to our site, you can then go visit the Dumont Dispatch online version here and you will see the article that contains the quiz answers.
Here is the quiz as it was published in the Dispatch:

Tuesday, September 25, 2007 from 2pm to 9pm
District 1- Honiss School
District 2 - Lincoln School
District 3 - Honiss School
District 4 - Lincoln School
District 5 - High School
District 6 - Grant School
District 7 - Selzer School
District 8 - Honiss School
District 9 - Grant School
District 10 - Honiss School
District 11 - Selzer School

Your polling place will be noted on your sample ballot which you should receive at your home. You can also find what district your street is in here.

Planning Board seeks public comment
The Dumont Planning Board will be holding a special meeting on Monday, August 20th, 2007 at 8 PM for the purpose of public comment on proposed changes to the Borough of Dumont’s Master Plan..

From Borough Council President Ellen Zamechansky:
The festivities will begin with the 2nd annual 5K run beginning and ending at Honiss School. This course is certified by USA Track and Field. In addition to the 5K run, there will be a 1 ½ mile walk and a ½ mile sprint to the finish race for children ages 5 – 10.  After the race, there will be an awards ceremony with lots of ribbons given in various categories. All proceeds from this race will go for the Ryan Caspare Fund to fight childhood cancer.

August 19th Concert - Billy Hicks Fundraiser
BUMBLEBEATS TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES & FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR BILLY HICKS HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO SUNDAY, AUGUST 19TH @7:30 PM  AT MEMORIAL PARK

Program intended to offer more services at lower cost
At the regularly scheduled meeting of the governing body on Tuesday, April 17, the Mayor and Council unanimously approved a resolution awarding Dumont’s garbage pickup to Scuffy Carting of Closter, New Jersey. The new contract will save borough taxpayers roughly $200,000 and will provide twice a week pickup year round.

Mayor McHale announces waiver of building permits for those affected by recent storm
Mayor McHale has advised the Building Department that any taxpayers, residential or business, who have been impacted by the recent storm, must continue to apply for building permits. The Borough of Dumont will waive any local permit fee relative to work necessary to correct damage caused by the storm.
The Building Department advises however that New Jersey State fees cannot be waived by the Borough.

No snow or ice should be put on any roadway. Keep cars off of the streets, clear sidewalks and fire hydrants in the vicinity of your home. Keep crosswalks open at all times, especially in areas that children walk to and from school.
SPRING CLEANUP - Spring Cleanup and grass pickup begins the week of April 2, 2007. The leaves and grass clippings from your lawn must be put into a 32 gallon pail only (NO PLASTIC BAGS), and must be put out on your recycling day. There cannot be dirt, rocks or anything other than grass or leaves in your pail. Branches must be cut no bigger than 4 feet long and tied up in small bundles and put out for Wednesday pickup or can be put out on your regular garbage day. PLEASE NOTE: There will be no grass pickup on Friday, April 6, 2007. Grass pickup for that Friday will be on Monday, April 9, 2007. All other grass pickup days for that week will be as scheduled.
METAL PICKUP - Reminder that you must call the DPW at (201) 387-5045 to schedule a metal pickup, please refer to the Recycling Calendar for those important days.

The Easter Bunny will be making his appearance at Memorial Park at the Farm Division Field on Saturday, March 31st. There is a raindate of Sunday, April 1st.
Children between the ages of 1 through 12 are to meet at the Farm Field at 10:00 am. There will be an Easter Egg Hunt, so bring your baskets to collect the goodies.
Please remember to bring your camera if you want to have a picture taken with the bunny.

It is a policy of the Dumont Board of Recreation Commission that every coach and helper will participate in a certification class and background check. You must be 18 years of age to coach or be an assistant coach in any sport activity with the Borough of Dumont. Anyone under the age of 18 may help a coach, but is not to be considered a head coach or an assistant coach and should not be given responsibilities of a coach. Anyone under the age of 18 who works helping a coach in any capacity for a coach must be certified regardless of their age.
Certification course and background check is Tuesday, March 27th at the Borough Hall, start time is 7:00 pm.

New in 2007: Dumont Library’s Story Times will be drop-in sessions only. No sign ups will be required.

First Session: February 5- March 26
Second Session: April 16- June 4

Story Time Classes:
Tots- 12-24 months old: Wednesdays @ 9:30 a.m.
Terrific Twos: Thursdays @ 9:30 a.m.
Awesome Threes:  Monday @ 9:30 a.m.
Fabulous Fours and Five: Wednesdays @ 2 p.m. or Thursdays@ 11am

There will be no story time the week of April 23-27

March 14
YA Game Day
Old Auditorium
3:30 p.m.- 5 p.m.

March 21
YA Teen Talk Back
“A Great and Terrible Beauty”
6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

March 28
YA Movie Night
Eragon
6 p.m

April 11
YA Game Day
Old Auditorium
3:30 p.m.- 5 p.m.

April 18
YA Teen Talk Back
“Speak”
6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

April 25
A Night at the Museum
Movie and Pizza @ 8:30 p.m.
(registration is required)

April 9
Between the Pages 3:30 pm
The Homework Machine

April 11
Kids’ Matinee
Charlotte’s Web (2006)

April 12
Sign up for Stuffed Animal Sleepover - Ages 4-7

April 16
3’s Story Time 9:30 am

April 18
Tots Story Time 9:30 am
4’s Story Time 2pm
Mystery Club 3:30 pm

April 24
Stuffed Animal Sleepover Pt.1
7-7:45 pm

April 25
Stuffed Animal Sleepover Pt.2
10:30 am with a Lite Breakfast

April 27
Book Bingo
3-4 pm
Grades 1-6

April 30
3’s Story Time
9:30 am

Dumont Shade Tree Commission Announces Second Annual
Art, Poetry & Photography Contest

Dumont’s Second Annual Arbor Day Art, Poetry & Photography contest, sponsored by the new Dumont Shade Tree Commission, is officially underway.

Dumont Arbor Day Art, Poetry and Photography Contest
April 21, 2007
Open to all Dumont residents … young and young at heart
All Dumont citizens are invited to enter their creative tributes to trees.

> CLICK TO DOWNLOAD CONTEST APPLICATION <

Artwork & Poetry Requirements:

The Borough of Dumont has been requesting the assistance of the Bergen County Road Department in trying to identify the source of the flooding issues along Washington Avenue, a county road. The Borough has been notified the County will, at no cost to the Borough, inspect the storm sewer line along Washington Avenue from Gordan Avenue to New York Avenue. The inspection will consist of video taping the line using a new video truck recently put in service. The line is approximately 2,000 linear feet and will be done after 11:00pm in order to lessen the traffic impact.

In order to better service the needs of Dumont’s tenant population, the Borough of Dumont, under the direction of Mayor Matt McHale and Borough Council President Ellen Zamechansky, have created a 24 hour tenant hotline.

2007 Household Hazardous Waste Management and Disposal Program

The Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA) is pleased to announce the Household Hazardous Waste Management and Disposal Program schedule for 2007. The BCUA will conduct seven (7) household hazardous waste collection events in 2007. These one-day events will be held at different locations throughout Bergen County on weekend dates throughout the year. The 2007 household hazardous waste collection events are scheduled for the following dates and locations:

The Borough of Dumont is pleased to present the annual 2007 free municipal recycling calendar at no expense to Dumont residents. In years past, the calendar has cost up to $10,000 to produce and distribute. This year’s calendar was underwritten by various businesses from both inside and outside of Dumont and is designed to promote our children’s artwork, provide easy access to vital information, and promote our local economy.

Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to Dumont Borough Hall. In 2006, the voters of Dumont chose to return Bob McQuade and Eric Abrahamsen to the Dumont Borough Council. They also chose to retain Harry Stylianou and Marty Caspare. Partisanship aside, they could not have made a wiser choice.

While these four men may be of the same party, as is the rest of this dais, they each bring with them qualities unique to their personalities. We do not always agree. Our focus and concerns may appear at times similar but is often different. The policies of this administration are formulated through discussion, compromising, and polishing. As this Borough’s Mayor, these men serve as a guide to me both personally and professionally. It is a great pleasure and honor to serve with men and women of such character, valor, and dedication.