December 25, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 7 Wyckoff New mayor seen as Committeeman Douglas Christie by John Koster Wyckoff’s 2014 mayor has been informally predicted to be Deputy Mayor Douglas Christie. Christie, a construction contractor who served for many years on the Wyckoff Board of Adjustment, is also a long- term member of the Wyckoff Volunteer Fire Department, a significant power base in the township, and serves as the chaplain of the volunteer fire department. He declined to confirm the speculation that he was to be appointed as the next mayor at the Jan. 1 reorganiza- tion meeting, but would not officially deny the speculation, either. Christie served as deputy mayor this year and has the Multiple drug-related arrests logged The Wyckoff Police Department has logged several new drug-related arrests this month. On Dec. 5 at 12:05 a.m., Patrolman Kyle Ferreira stopped a vehicle on Hil-Ray Avenue for a motor vehicle violation. When the glove box was opened to obtain the vehicle reg- istration, a canister containing narcotics paraphernalia rolled out. An investigation disclosed a small amount of marijuana in the vehicle. The 20-year-old Wyckoff driver was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana, possession of narcotics paraphernalia, and having a loud exhaust and marijuana in a motor vehicle. He was released on his own recognizance pending a court appearance. At 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 7, a Midland Park motorist and his Midland Park passenger, both 19, were pulled over for speeding on Goffle Road. Patrolman Michael Ragu- cci noticed a strong odor of marijuana in the car. The two young men were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana. The driver was also charged with speeding and possession of marijuana in a vehicle. They were released on their own recognizance. On Dec. 8, at 7:18 p.m., Patrolman Mark Tagliareni observed a suspicious vehicle on Spring Meadow Road. A computer check indicated that the vehicle’s registra- tion had been suspended. After a traffic stop, the driver, an 18-year-old Westhampton man, was questioned and then arrested after marijuana was found in his car. He was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of nar- cotics in a motor vehicle, and operating a vehicle with a suspended registration. He was released on his own recog- nizance. On Dec. 12, a Ridgewood woman at the Wyckoff YMCA reported her purse had been stolen from her car while it was in the YMCA parking lot for about an hour. The car window had been smashed and the purse with cash and credit cards was stolen from the car. A similar incident had occurred just the week before. Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin Fox advises residents that valuable objects should be locked in the trunk of the car or put out of sight. Chief Fox also said that vehicles should always be kept locked. The Wyckoff Volunteer Fire Department asks residents who live near a fire hydrant to “Adopt a Hydrant” and remove the snow and ice from around the hydrant during the winter. There are about 600 fire hydrants in Wyckoff. Fire hydrants are located approximately every 600 feet on most of the 88 miles of township roads. Residents who hire private contractors to plow and shovel are asked to instruct the contractor to keep the hydrants clear of snow and ice. Citizens asked to help with hydrants most experience of any Republican who has not served as mayor. The Wyckoff Township Committee consists of five members who chose one of their number to serve as mayor each year. The decision is officially announced at the Jan. 1 reorganization meeting by an internal vote among the five committee members. The meeting also features annual appointments of salaried officials as necessary, committee assignments, and the honoring of volunteer firefighters for years of service in increments of five years.