Page 16 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • January 12, 2011 Area Riverkeeper (continued from page 8) applications on behalf of deserving students. Each school may nominate one student. A panel of Hackensack Riverkeeper Trustees and staffers led by Captain Bill Sheehan will review each application. Among other criteria, the panel will consider each applicant’s academic achievements, environmental extracurricular activities, and future plans. The $1,000 scholarship is unrestricted and can be used for any required purchases during the student’s first year at college. Elaine Gomez received the 2010 Ron Vellekamp Scholarship. During her years at Union City High School, Gomez excelled at her studies – graduating fourth out of a class of 606 – and developed a strong personal commitment to sustainability and a “green” lifestyle. Among her extensive list of environmental accomplishments was her founding of UCHS’s Environmental Action Project, an initiative that boosts awareness and better understanding of sustainability practices within the city’s board of education and department of public works. She also ensured that all EAP events and presentations were translated into Spanish and broadcast on Union City’s local access cable channel. “From my point of view, those two local agencies are on the frontline of environmental protection every single day,” said Captain Sheehan. “It took me 40-plus years to recognize what Elaine already understood at the tender age of 17. She’s an amazing young woman.” This year’s scholarship application criteria are available at www.hackensackriverkeeper.org or by calling (201) 968-0808. Applications must be postmarked no later than Earth Day, April 22, 2011. The winner will be chosen no later than June 1, 2011. The late Ronald Vellekamp taught high school science in Ridgefield. During his life he also served as a Palisades Interstate Park ranger, a veteran Boy Scout leader, and was a dedicated Trustee of Hackensack Riverkeeper. The scholarship that bears his name is a tribute to a life lived in the service of others. “One of the many things I learned from Ron during the all-too-short time he was with us was the value of education, of never letting a teachable moment pass,” said Capt. Sheehan. “And that’s something all of us can do – and should do – because your time is the best investment you can make in the life of a young person.” Founded in 1997 by Captain Sheehan, Hackensack Riverkeeper is the leading environmental advocacy organization working on the Hackensack River. As such, it is uniquely positioned to address problems and find solutions within the entire Hackensack River Watershed. Three wrestlers from the Midland Park/Waldwick Wrestling Team placed in the prestigious 51st BCCA George Jockish Holiday Wrestling Tournament held at Rockland Community College. Forty-two teams were in attendance at the two-day event. Danny Tyson placed third in the 119 weight class, Brian Bandstra placed fifth in the 145 weight class, and Paul Lowry placed sixth in the 189 weight class. The team placed 17th. Pictured: Coach Brian DeCarlo, Paul Lowry, Danny Tyson, Brian Bandstra, and Coach Jim Drechsel. Successful effort ��������������������� ������������ ������������������������� ������������� ������������������� �������������������������� ���������������������� ����������������������������� ������������ DPW cell tower (continued from page 3) its lease; Sprint, $41,440 and ATT, $42,746. The tower was built by Sprint in 2000 for up to three locators, with Verizon and ITT co-locating in relatively quick succession. Technology advancements since then have made it possible to accommodate up to five locators. The locators will share the cost of reinforcing the original structure. T-Mobile has been awarded a bid to become the fourth locator at a lease price of $30,000, but the company has yet to sign the contract. The borough had to take T-Mobile to court last year to enforce the terms of the bid award. Once their contracts are signed, both T-Mobile and Metro PCS will need Midland Park Planning Board approval for their equipment cabinets and will need variances if they exceed the dimensions specified in the borough ordinance, according to Borough Attorney Robert Regan. Sprint is presently in front of the planning board seeking permission to add 4th Generation dish antennas to its existing antenna. The company’s engineer said at a recent meeting that the proposed 4G service is 10 times faster in handling data, with wider channels connecting the user units to the antennas. He also said the proposed service is expected to provide coverage where gaps now exist. ETHER... R FECT TOG PE New fire chief Your Picture & Our Expertise (continued from page 5) department has 100 volunteer members and is the only department in Northwest Bergen County to conduct annual competitions with outside judges to select the best company for that year. Wyckoff Township Committee members lauded Rose, Murphy, and the fire department in general at the Jan. 1 reorganization meeting. Wyckoff Township Administrator Robert Shannon said he had to win an arm-wrestling contest with Municipal Judge Harold Cook for the right to administer the oath of office to Rose. Judge Cook concurred that giving Rose the oath was an honor, but disputed Shannon’s victory. Rose, who is the 25th chief of the Wyckoff Volunteer Fire Department, attended Saint Elizabeth’s School, Don Bosco Prep High School, and William Paterson College. He is the vice president and general manager of his family’s business, Flyte Tyme Limousine, based in Mahwah. In 2004, the Wyckoff Volunteer Fire Department received a $180,000 grant for the reconstruction of the Northwest Bergen Mutual Aid communications desk, Rose served as project chairman. He also serves as the Wyckoff department’s training officer and is a mutual aid coordinator for the Northwest Bergen County Mutual Aid Association, and is a member of the advisory board for the Bergen County Chief’s Association. J.KOSTER Hours: Tues-Fri 10-5:30 Sat 9-4:30 Come See Our Gift Line of 27 E. Prospect St. • Waldwick, NJ 201-670-7666