Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • September 19, 2012 Ridgewood The Northern New Jersey Council, Boy Scouts of America is recognizing New Jersey Senator Kevin J. O’Toole at the Community Service Award Dinner on Thursday, Sept. 27 at Indian Trail Club, Franklin Lakes. The event will honor Senator O’Toole (New Jersey District 40) highlighting his community service work throughout the Northern New Jersey area. “One of the most important skills that young people learn in Scouting is leadership. Senator O’Toole is a leader and true champion for our communities and a role model for our youth. Our committee is pleased to have the opportunity to honor Senator O’Toole at this year’s community service recognition dinner,” commented Charles H. Shotmeyer, the event’s chairman and the award’s first recipient in 2004. “Senator O’Toole keeps in the tradition of our past honorees, with the work he has done to promote the lives of the citizens not only in the 40th District but in the State of New Jersey as a whole,” said Joseph Schweighardt, Ramapo Valley District chairman. Senator Kevin J. O’Toole was first elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1995 and has been serving in the New Jersey State Senate since May 2001He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration in 1986 and his juris doctorate in 1989 from Seton Hall University. Active in his community, Senator O’Toole served on the Cedar Grove Town Council from 1989 to 1996 and as mayor in 1990, 1993 and 1995. The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development orga- Senator to receive BSA Community Service Award nizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating in citizenship and develops personal fitness. For over a century, the BSA has helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believes- and, through over a century of experience, knowsthat helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible and productive society. The Ramapo Valley District serves more than 5,000 youth, guided by 2,500 adult volunteers, through 61 Cub Scout Packs, 58 Boy Scout Troops and 17 Venture Crews. Proceeds from this event will help promote Scouting activities throughout Bergen and Passaic counties. To register for the event or for more information please contact Nelson Rodriguez at (201) 677-1000, extension 45 e-mail: Nelson.Rodriguez@scouting.org. Pictured at left: Senator Kevin O’Toole speaking during a Senate session. Ridgewood The Ridgewood Village Council honored David Larsen last week following his retirement from the Ridgewood Zoning Board of Adjustment. Larsen had served the board from June 1989 through June 2012. He was appointed to the board on June 13, 1989, and was elected vice chairman in 1991, a post he retained until 2008. He was then elected chairman of the board and served in that capacity until this June. The proclamation read at last week’s public meeting David Larsen honored for service of the Ridgewood Village Council noted that Larsen had served through two major Valley Hospital applications, and had heard hundreds of residential variances. His dedication in visiting the sites on his own time, his objective and professional conduct during presentations, and his exemplary behavior as vice chairman and chairman were all cited on the proclamation honoring him for 23 years of service to the community of Ridgewood. J. KOSTER The Ridgewood Police Department will host Operation Take Back for unnecessary prescription and over-the-counter drugs on Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents may bring their unwanted drugs to the front lobby of the Ridgewood Police Department on the second floor of Ridgewood Village Hall, at 131 North Maple Avenue. The drugs will be destroyed after they are collected. Operation Take Back is next week The collection actives are supported by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s New Jersey Division, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, the New Jersey State Association of Police Chiefs, and the New Jersey National Guard. Last year, the state collected more than 9,000 pounds of potentially dangerous prescription and over-the-counter drugs for safe disposal.