Ridgewood September 12, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 7 Council considers request for memorial plaque by John Koster The Ridgewood Village Council has asked for some time to consider permitting a memorial plaque for Nick Campanello on the Ridge Wall after respectfully listening to requests from the Ridgewood High School boy’s friends. Campanello died during an asthma attack at a party earlier this year, leaving behind a large community of admirers who praised his school spirit, wit, good manners, and contributions to the school community during his brief life. Stacie Greenhouse, Caitlin Rabinowitz, and Javeria Hassan addressed the council while a dozen other friends watched from the audience on Sept. 5. Hassan, in particular, was so moved that she had to pause several times as she explained how Campanello had made significant contributions to the Ridgewood High School Asian Festival last year in the dance routine and helped hold the whole event together for the participants and the spectators. The trio said they felt a small plaque on the Ridge Wall on Crest Road overlooking a large part of Ridgewood would be a great place for them to meditate and deal with their grief at losing a worthy and beloved friend at such an early age. “Because grief is intimate, I wouldn’t think to measure one person’s loss against another,” said Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli. “I’m not sure about this plaque because I think we may have a proliferation of plaques around the village.” Pucciarelli said he had felt immense grief when his own wife died prematurely, and he had made arrangements to have a tree planted in Israel and hoped to go there and see it some day. He also said that planting trees around Ridgewood, with (continued on page 10) Wu earns Ashby Award Greg Wu, the assistant principal at Ridgewood’s Benjamin Franklin Middle School, has received the 2012 Ashby Award – the highest award that can be bestowed upon a Ridgewood school staff member. The announcement was made at the All-Staff Convocation on Tuesday, Sept. 4, marking the opening of the 2012-13 school year. The Ashby Award was established in 1966 to honor former Superintendent Lloyd Ashby and his wife, Lois, for their distinguished service to the community. The recipient is selected from nominations submitted by staff members. The winner is someone who, in the opinion of his or her peers, has upheld the Ashby tradition of service and contribution. Mr. Wu is pictured with Superintendent Dan Fishbein.