June 12, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 19 Franklin Lakes Recreation Director John Ciurciu resigns suddenly by Frank J. McMahon John Ciurciu, who has served as Franklin Lakes’ recreation and parks director for the past six years, resigned from his position effective June 4. Ciurciu could not be reached to provide an explanation for his resignation, but Franklin Lakes Borough Administrator Gregory Hart confirmed that the resignation was voluntary. Mayor Frank Bivona said Ciurciu had resigned to pursue other interests. He explained that Ciurciu coaches at Bergen Catholic High School and has other business interests. “We thank him for his many contributions over the years and wish him the best,” Bivona said. “He is providing us ample transition as we seek his replacement.” Appointed in May 2007 by former Mayor Maura DeNicola, Ciurciu was responsible for overseeing the recreation department’s programs and facilities. Ciurciu has been the borough’s primary liaison to the Recreation Committee and his duties included the development and administration of the department’s budget and other financial activities for submission to the borough council and the borough administrator. He has also supervised and trained the recreation staff and recommended the hiring of that staff, including year-round recreation employees and temporary and part-time employees as required. In addition, he has administered the operation of the borough’s playgrounds and facilities for indoor and outdoor sports, and athletic and recreational programs for children and adults. His responsibilities included maintenance of recreation equipment for each sport and activity, coordination and maintenance of all of the borough’s fields, and carrying out the discipline policy of the Recreation Committee. He organized coaches’ certification and training sessions and recreation philosophy meetings prior to each sports season. A resident of Clifton, Ciurciu was previously a physical education teacher and head strength and conditioning coach at Don Zuidema cousins (continued from page 3) He broke lots of school records – including many of his own.” Ferro added that the Arie’s new record is a throw of 160’ 2”. “That will be tough to beat for quite awhile!” the coach added. Earlier this spring, Arie and Seth both earned first place for groups C and D for javelin and discuss throwing in the Bergen County Relay Meet. In 2011, the javelinthrowing team of Zuidema, Zuidema and Zuidema (which included Arie, Seth, and Seth’s brother Kaleb – now a college student) won the Bergen County relays in April and attained a best relay score of 484 feet. Bosco Preparatory High School in Ramsey, where he taught physical education to secondary school students and implemented a strength and conditioning program for all of that school’s athletic programs. He also coordinated the school’s athletic facilities to ensure that proper programs were followed by all student athletes, and he was an assistant varsity football coach for special teams and the team’s defensive line. Prior to his work at Don Bosco, Ciurciu was the physical education teacher and head strength and conditioning coach at Paramus Catholic High School. Previous to that, he was employed by RexPlex in Elizabeth, where he created seminars, clinics, and camps, and built youth programs to enhance the athletic skills of high school athletes. Ciurciu replaced Wolfgang Albrecht Jr., the former director of the Bergen County Department of Parks, who joined the borough as the recreation director in July 2004 and resigned in September 2006 to become the borough administrator in Oradell. Albrecht had replaced Terry Walsh, the borough’s first recreation director, who held that position for 17 years until his retirement at the end of April 2004. WEA scholarship (continued from page 7) theater productions. In September, she will enter The College of New Jersey to pursue a career in nursing. Scott Zeller, an alumnus of Ramapo High School, is a product of the Wyckoff public schools. He completed his elementary and middle school education at Coolidge and Eisenhower before heading off to Ramapo. He has served as captain of the fencing and cross country teams. He has participated in the Robotics Team competitions and served as the team’s treasurer. Zeller has also been recognized as a National Merit Scholar Commended Student. In addition, he is an active participant in his church youth group and service activities. He will attend Brown University this fall. Pictured at right: Seth and Arie Zuidema