The Mahwah Republican Club has announced the winners of its 2013 High School Essay Contest. The topic was, “How can an average American citizen preserve the American Dream?” The winners were: First place, Charles Rabolli, 16, Don Bosco Prep High School, $500; second place, Emily Galow, 17, from Mahwah High School, $250; and third place, Brandon Schwartz, 18, from Mahwah High School, $100. The students and their families were rec- Club names trio of essay contest winners ognized at an awards ceremony on May 22, hosted by the Mahwah Republican Club. “We are very encouraged and thankful for the participation of Mahwah’s youth in this contest,” said Club Secretary Bob Lockwood. “We hope to make the scholarship drive and essay contest an annual event. We would like to thank all of the participants and congratulate the three winners.” Copies of the winning essays will be posted to the Mahwah Republican website at mahwahgop.com/news. June 5, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 17 Pictured are Bob Lockwood, secretary, Brandon Schwartz, Charles Rabolli, Emily Galow, Carol Polack, vice president. (Photo courtesy of A. Freund.) Expert finds Crossroads in conformance (continued from page 3) spending time reviewing compliance with the ordinance. Jaworski responded that he feels it is important to put that compliance on the record. Jandris asked Kauker if he considered it good planning to locate passive and open space behind the mall. Kauker said it would be good planning if it is designed to be safe and secure, such as the ball field at the edge of the Garden State Plaza in Paramus. “To have a soft edge (to the site) is certainly a good thing,” Kauker said. Jandris then asked what would happen if the board decided it did not want a ball field at this site. Jaworski answered that the ordinance states that decision is at the discretion of the planning board, so it would not create a variance situation. Asked by acting chairman Jeramiah Crean if the ball field could be built in another part of the township, Planning Board Attorney Peter Scandariato advised that would not be permitted by the ordinance. Board member Jonathan Marcus asked what would happen to the land provided for the field if it were not approved. Jaworski said it could provide a location for other uses. Township Planner David Roberts asked if the two additional police officers the township’s police chief estimated would be needed when this project is built were included in Kauker’s cost calculation. Kauker said that cost was included. Roberts also pointed out that Ordinance 1684 has been repealed, and the updated master plan for the township does not include a retail use on this site as one of its goals and he thinks that should be reflected in Kauker’s planning report. Kauker agreed. Allan Braggin, a resident of Ramsey, pointed out that the zoning for this site was changed by the township council and, therefore, the developer was not required to go through the zoning board of adjustment for a variance, which would have required the developer to show that the benefits of the project outweigh the detriments. He said the mayor and council took over the authority from the zoning board of adjustment to create the rezoning ordinance. “The negative aspect of the mayor and council overtaking the existing process of granting a use variance is why we are in the situation we are in now,” Braggin said. Lynne McLewin of Miller Road asked Kauker who would pay for the additional police officers. He responded that the township would pay that cost. McLewin also noted the speed with which motor vehicles can travel in the area of the proposed mall. She claimed there currently is one accident a week in that area. She asked Kauker who would be responsible for the potential injuries and deaths that could occur from accidents on the highway because of this mall. Scandariao advised that her question was not appropriate for this expert. The public hearing was carried to the June 24 board meeting.