Wyckoff November 14, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3 Voters agree to permit raffles for charitable causes by John Koster Wyckoff voters who went to the polls last week were successful in overturning the township’s ban on raffles that had been in effect for 58 years. The public question to permit raffles to raise money for charities and civic groups was adopted by a wide margin, with 3,812 Wyckoff residents voting in favor of permitting raffles and 922 opposed to the change. Wyckoff’s ban on raffles was established in 1954. Gambling, especially in church, was frowned upon by most Calvinist congregations as a bad influence on young people. Many conservative Protestants also pointed out that soldiers threw lots for the robe of Jesus at the foot of the cross, as predicted in Psalm 22, and found gambling associated with churches and charities inappropriate. The Wyckoff restriction led, among other things, to the relocation of the Lions Club Carnival from Wyckoff to Allendale, where games of chance and raffles are allowed. The question was put on the ballot after a petition established that a large number of voters supported an ordinance change. Wyckoff’s voters also elected GOP incumbent Kevin Rooney and Republican newcomer Haakon Jepsen to the Wyckoff Township Committee. Democrat Eileen Avia, who ran a solo bid for a township committee seat, fared better than the national and state Democratic candidates did in Wyckoff, but did not receive enough ballots to win a seat. “I’m glad the people of Wyckoff came out and showed me their support in this overwhelming victory,” Rooney said the day after the election. “I have maintained the pledges to the people that I made three years ago, and I thank them for recognizing that with their strong support in this election.” Rooney received 4,562 votes, and his running mate Jepsen received 4,245 votes. Avia received 3,131 according to the township clerk’s office. Brian Scanlan, now in his second term, Arthurine Harley, CNA, an employee of the Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Wyckoff, was recently honored as a Legend Quarterly All Star by Christian Health Care Center. CHCC staff members are invited to nominate co-workers as Legends as part of the CHCC’s service-excellence initiative. A Legend is someone who exemplifies the mission and values of CHCC in an outstanding and easily recognizable manner, who contributes exemplary service for the benefit of those served at CHCC and beyond, or who demonstrates behavior above and beyond expectations. Ms. Harley was nominated by Heritage Manor staff, a nursing-home resident, and a resident’s family member. Harley is a dedicated individual who provides compassionate care. She takes great pride in her work with residents and in turn, instills a true sense of worth in Arthurine Harley is ‘Legend’ is the township committee’s only Democrat. Rooney, who had previously served on the Wyckoff Board of Adjustment and on the Wyckoff Shade Tree Committee, is a certified arborist and a member of the Wyckoff Education Foundation. Jepsen, an expert in technology employed by an international banking corporation, and is a first alternate on the Wyckoff Board of Adjustment. Avia, a teacher in the Wyckoff K-8 school system, has been a member of the Wyckoff Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and a Cub Scout pack leader. She is a member of the Friends of Wyckoff and Partners in Pride, and has worked as a volunteer in a number of environmental and humane projects. In the national election, Wyckoff cast 5,254 votes for Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, and only 2,762 for Barack Obama and Joe Biden. them. One family said: “Since the day Mom moved to Heritage Manor, Arthurine has continued to make a difference in Mom’s life. Christian Health Care Center, and my mother in particular, are fortunate to have Arthurine on staff.” Co-workers praise Harley for always going above and beyond and for being pleasant, reliable, dependable, understanding, and tireless. Arthurine Harley