Racial Charges, Motorcyclist Injured, Renovating Firehouse Top Local News

Ex-Councilman Denies Monkey Racial Charges

The owner of a local storage business who dressed a monkey statue in an anti-Obama T-shirt said Wednesday the statement was not racially motivated.

“It was not meant to be racial," business owner Rick Bond told Patch.

Bond, a former councilman and police officer, placed the statue in front of his Cedar Grove business, Don-Ric Self Storage at 405 Little Falls Road but removed it Tuesday afternoon after people started complaining.

“I absolutely never thought of it as racial,” Bond said. “It’s ridiculous.”

The monkey statue sported a T-shirt saying “OMG Obama Must Go.”

Motorcyclist Injured in High-Speed Crash

A 27-year-old West Orange man, who police say was traveling 116 miles per hour on a motorcycle, was injured after crashing into a median. 

Cedar Grove police said Vincent M. Stanziale was speeding on the motorcycle south on Pompton Avenue in the township near the Pilgrim Shopping Plaza at 3:22 a.m. Sunday.

Cedar Grove Renovating South End Firehouse

The South End Firehouse in Cedar Grove will get a major makeover this fall thanks to the efforts of Deputy Mayor Robert O’Toole and the township council.

At the July 16 township council meeting, South End Firehouse Company President Michael Flohn told council members the firehouse had “serious structural deficiencies” and was in need of repair.

Rosen: Cedar Grove Chamber Still Growing

Cedar Grove Chamber of Commerce president Allen Rosen believes the organization is slowly growing and making a name for itself in the township.

“We are an infant right now but we are putting things together, we are growing, organizing businesses and beginning a lot of projects,” said Rosen.

Verona Church Hosts Animal Blessing Ceremony

Sunday was one of the hottest days of the summer, but that didn’t stop pet owners from attending the annual Blessing of the Animals at the First Presbyterian Church of Verona on Fairview Avenue. 

About 20 pets with tails and tongues wagging, sat patiently on the church front lawn waiting for the service to begin. Some pets eyed the complimentary bowl of water to beat the heat, while others were more social, greeting each other with a friendly bark or sniff. 

Pastor Erik Spencer began by welcoming everyone saying, “This service is active and sometimes a little out of control,” he said, smiling. “Feel free to socialize and move around with your pet.”

Revamped Verona Website Meets 21st Century

The new Verona Township website has been live for almost a month and the verdict is in — positive feedback all around.

The new site, vernonanj.org, was designed with ease, up-to-the-minute notifications and mobile device compatibility in mind, according to Program Coordinator Steve Neale of the township Recreation Department. 

Junior Woman's Club Plans Membership Social

The Junior Woman’s Club of Verona is hosting a new member social next week for anyone interested in joining the organization.

The club, which was recently recognized at the state level for its outstanding community service and volunteerism, will host the event next Wednesday, Aug. 15, at 8 p.m. 

There is no charge to attend the social.