Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • August 31, 2011 Midland Park For the better part of a year, the Midland Park Council has been considering the possibility of placing a Midland Park Chamber of Commerce survey on the borough’s website. Officials decided to put the project on hold while the Chamber’s business use survey still under review economic situation improved, and placed the issue back on the agenda last week. After last week’s council session, however, officials were not ready to submit the online questionnaire to Midland Park Webmaster Tom Carlock, and two council members requested changes. As proposed, the survey asks residents to respond to multiple questions, including what percentage of their purchases are made at Midland Park businesses, the reasons they shop in town or out of town, the types of businesses they patronize and those they would like to have located in the borough, and how they learn about the businesses located in the borough. There is also a series of questions for local business owners, including the types of services being offered and consumer trends. Councilman Bud O’Hagan said he wants the posting to specify that the survey is from the Midland Park Chamber of Commerce, not the borough. Councilman Nicholas Papapietro submitted several suggested changes to the survey. Papapietro’s suggestions include non-substantive changes, including corrections of typographical errors and revised wording. Midland Park Mayor Joseph Monahan told Villadom TIMES that the goal of the online questionnaire is to gain insight into what is needed in the borough’s business district and to ascertain why people do or do not shop in town. He said the survey would shine a light on consumers’ behavior and residents’ wants and needs. He pointed to the need to facilitate economic growth and stability, noting that many of the borough’s successful tax appeals are commercial appeals. Monahan said that when commercial appeals are successful, the tax burden shifts to the owners of residential properties. Midland Park will celebrate its annual Community Day on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. Festivities will be held at the DePhillips Community Center located at 50 Dairy Street. (Rain date: Sunday, Sept. 11.) Residents are invited to help decorate Saturday between 9 and 10 a.m. Prospective volunteers are asked to call or e-mail mprec@optonline.net. Event organizers thank the many local organizations, business, and volunteers who will be providing the activities and services during this event. DJ John will provide the music. There will also be inflatable rides and water slides. (Water slide users are welcome to wear bathing suits.) The Midland Park Fire Department will be cooking hot dogs, hamburgers, and cheeseburgers, for which donations Community Day set; decorators sought are greatly appreciated. Refreshments including ice cream, desserts, and other baked goods may be purchased. Attendees are welcome to bring chairs and blankets to enjoy a spot in the sun; shaded tables and chairs will also be available. Residents are encouraged to walk to this event. Parking will be available in front of the high school. The Dairy Street Tennis Court and playground area parking will be reserved strictly for seniors or those needing assistance and will be accessible from Sunset only. Golf cart rides to and from the senior and handicapped parking lots will be available throughout the entire day for those in need of assistance. In case of inclement weather, call the recreation hotline at (201) 652-2747. A Midland Park resident witnessed this group of deer at a stop sign approaching the corner of Irving and Orchards streets. Moving violation? The Seventh Annual Blood Drive in honor of Shayne James Jr., will be held Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Graydon Pool north lot (corner of Linwood Avenue and Northern Parkway) in Ridgewood. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. When he was 18-months old, Shayne James of Midland Park was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. Along with his chemotherapy regimen, he received over a dozen life-saving blood and platelets transfusions. In appreciation of these gifts, Shayne’s father began to coordinate an annual blood drive in his son’s honor. The James family urges others to support this cause, noting that it takes less than 30 minutes to make a life-saving blood donation. Donors must bring an ID displaying signature. Donors must weigh more than 110 pounds, and be in general good James family hosts annual Blood Drive health. Free cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, and hemoglobin screenings are provided with every donation. This drive is being run in conjunction with Community Blood Services. On Oct. 15, the Shayne family will be participating in the Annual Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in Morristown. This event raises money for LLS to fund research and bring hope to people who are battling blood-related cancers. The James family invites the public to walk with them and/or make a donation toward LLS. To make a donation, visit http://pages.lightthenight.org/ nj/Morris11/smcintoshjames. To join Team Shayne, visit http://pages.lightthenight.org/nj/Morris11/TeamShayne.