Midland Park May 16, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 7 A new police officer was named last week to bring to full force the Midland Park Police Department following the retirement of Chief John Casson, who left in March. Brendan Burke will be sworn in later this month. The 27-year old lifelong Hawthorne resident was chosen from a field of three finalists, although one withdrew from the running after securing a post in another community. Burke will bring the police department to a total of 14 members. “We’re excited about having Brendan. He interviewed very well. He is well rounded and extremely qualified,” Hawthorne resident appointed as new police officer said Acting Chief Michael Marra. Burke graduated in December, 2010 from the Passaic County Police Academy, which he attended through the alternate route program. This program allows civilians to pay their own way through police academy training, rather than have the community underwrite the training after hiring the recruit. Mayor Patrick “Bud” O’Hagan said that of the 180 applications received for the position, five had the alternate route training, which the council favored. “We can get someone qualified on the road sooner if they’ve graduated from the academy,” said Councilman Midland Park residents can now proudly display their new town logo on their cars and trucks. The new logo depicts the side of borough hall that features the windmill and the flag, both of which were recently upgraded by philanthropist David Bolger, who had the windmill repainted and installed an eagle above the flag pole. The graphic, drawn up pro bono by Town logo magnets are now on sale Midland logo. Park’s new town local graphic designer John Sondey, was recently made into a rubber magnet that can be affixed to any metal surface. Sondey has also drawn up an updated rendering of the town map, which is available free of charge to residents. It includes all the borough streets, many of which were missing from previous versions. The 6-in diameter magnet is on sale for $5. Hanna suggested redesigning the logo earlier this year because she felt the previous 1990s version did not seem representative of the town. The new emblem will be used on stationery and other official items. The magnets may be purchased at the municipal building, 280 Godwin Ave.; at the Baseball Card Store, 45 Prospect Street; and at Bill’s Stylish Home, 23 Central Ave., in the Wortendyke section of town. Nick Papapietro, the police liaison. Under the borough’s current PBA contract, Burke will be paid $32,269. “I’m overwhelmed and very fortunate to be starting in Midland Park. I couldn’t ask for a better town to work in,” Burke said. “I like to help people and like to have a presence in the community, and this is the best way to do it,” he added. Since his police academy graduation, Burke has been working as a permanent substitute teacher/security officer at Hawthorne High School. He said working in a school has made him realize he prizes the daily interaction with young people and said he is looking forward to perhaps working in the DARE program. Burke earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in sports management from the University of New Haven in Connecticut. His appointment last week was not without controversy. The council split 3-2 on the decision, with Councilman Scott Pruiksma abstaining due to a conflict. Councilman Jack Considine said he voted no because he preferred the other candidate. “I’m looking forward to adding Brendan Burke to our police team. He’ll be good for the town and for the police department,” commented Papapietro, noting that the department’s management team had performed all the initial screenings.