September 19, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 19 The Midland Park Borough Council and the board of education have agreed to allow clothing recycling bins on their property to benefit the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program. The containers, two at the recycling center on Greenwood Avenue, and two behind Midland Park High School, should be in place within the next week or two, according to police Sgt. Greg Kasbarian, who spearheaded the effort. Kasbarian, one of the two D.A.R.E. officers in town, said participation in the D.A.R.E. NJ recycling effort has the added advantage of allowing the town to include Clothing bins will help enhance DARE program the recycled textiles in its tonnage report to the state. The town receives recycling grants based on these annul reports. Each bin brings in $350 a year, which Kasbarian said will be used to enhance the D.A.R.E.-sponsored activities for the children. He explained that the $1,000 allocation D.A.R.E. previously received from the Midland Park Community Alliance had been cut in half due to the Alliance’s own reduced funding from the state. Moneys are used to provide students with reduced-price tickets to sporting events, prizes for an essay contest and game nights and for other activities organized to keep young people busy. D.A.R.E. , which Kasbarian has been doing for the past 17 years, is a 10-week substance abuse education program for fifth grade students which culminates in a graduation ceremony and party with entertainment and prizes. All the graduating students receive a licensed t-shirt as well. The location of the recycling bins had been a point of discussion at a couple of borough council meetings, as council members worried that placing them outside the recycling center would be unsightly and difficult to monitor and maintain. The library, the DePhillips Center and the borough hall parking lot were initially considered as possible locations and vetoed. Kasbarian said the company that services the bins picks up once a week, and sooner if it is notified that a container is The Midland Park High School Performing Arts Parents announce that “Music in the Park XV” will be held Sunday, Oct. 7 at the Ramapo Regional High School football field in Franklin Lakes. In case of rain, the event will be held indoors at Midland Park High School. Visit the MPHS Performing Arts Parents website for show location and parking/shuttle bus service information at www.mphsarts.org. The MPHS Marching Band will be presenting its 2012 show, “Pictures: Portraits Music in the Park XV scheduled for October full. He said he himself will also monitor the sites to make sure they are kept clean. “It would reflect on D.A.R.E. if they are not,” he said. The officer asked residents to contribute to the effort by using the designated bins regularly. Clothing of any kind, size and weight and shoes are welcome. Use the following if you need it, otherwise drop D.A.R.E.’s primary mission is to provide children with the information and skills they need to live drug-and-violence-free lives. The purpose is to equip children with the tools that will enable them to avoid negative influences and instead, allow them to focus on their strengths and potential. Additionally, it establishes positive relationships between students and law enforcement, teachers, parents, and other community leaders. of Life.” In addition, high school marching bands from Elmwood Park, Hackensack, Hawthorne, Indian Hills, Lakeland, Paramus, Ramapo, Waldwick, Wayne Hills, and Westwood will be performing in the competition. The gates will open at 12:30 p.m. with the Midland Park Highland School Band performing the national anthem at 1 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, and $5 for Midland Park residents, senior citizens, and students.