June 5, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 17
When the Wyckoff Township Committee decided to discontinue the curbside collection of grass clippings, some residents unhappy with the decision saw red, but two Ramapo High School students saw green. John Douma and Alex Abolt decided to offer the service to Wyckoff residents, got themselves a pickup truck, and started acquiring customers. “There are still some residents who want to have their grass clippings collected, and it seemed like a great business opportunity,” Douma said. The township stopped the service this year because only 10 to 15 percent of the homeowners were putting out grass clip-
Ramapo students seize business opportunity
pings. The Wyckoff Environmental Commission and Green Team supported the township committee’s position to cut back on this cost because so few people were using the service. “So far, we’ve been acquiring customers by word of mouth,” Douma added, “and we’re getting new ones every week.” “It was frustrating not being able to find a summer job,” said Abolt, who plans to go to college and then become a general contractor. “I love doing stuff like this. I can’t imagine sitting behind a desk. This can be a great business for us for the next years as we’ll need money for college.” Douma, who will be playing football for Ramapo in the fall and is the captain
On May 16, a 17-year-old from Ringwood who was pulled over for passing while on the shoulder of Route 208 was hit with some others charges following an investigation by the Wyckoff Police Department. Patrolman Mark Tagliareni observed the teen’s vehicle traveling on the shoulder of Route 208 passing vehicles that were traveling in the regular lanes of the state highway. When the police officer stopped the vehicle, he reportedly observed a marijuana grinder in the back seat of the car. Subsequent investigation showed that the driver was also in possession of an electronic scale, baggies and glassine envelopes for packaging marijuana, a small quantity of marijuana, and two fictitious New Jersey driver’s licenses
Police file multiple charges against Ringwood motorist
that included his own photograph and incorrect birth dates. The teen was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of fraudulent government documents, and possession of narcotics paraphernalia. He was released to his father, and complaints were filed in Bergen County Juvenile Court. On May 22 at 1:02 a.m., Patrolman Kevin Pinches stopped a vehicle for speeding on Route 208. The subsequent investigation led to the arrest of a 42-year-old Fair Lawn man for driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, speeding, and failure to maintain his lane of travel. He was released to his wife and is scheduled for an appearance in Wyckoff Municipal Court.
John Douma and Alex Abolt
of the wrestling team, doesn’t plan on spending much time behind a desk, either. Douma wants to go to a maritime college
and eventually obtain a captain’s license. For details, contact Douma at (201) 7887880 or doumajohn.a@gmail.com.