Five Questions With

Longtime Councilman Reflects on Bloomfield's Evolution

Joseph Barry, who served seven terms on Bloomfield council, has best view in town

Former Township of Bloomfield administrator Joseph Barry was a "Depression-era baby," born in 1931. His has been a rich, rewarding life, and he has given back to his hometown of Bloomfield many times over, serving as a township councilman for seven terms over 19 and 1/2 years. He now stays active by doing a lot of gardening in the rear of his Elm Street home, which was built in 1824 and sits right down the road from the historic Bloomfield Church on the Green. Barry and his wife of 57 years, Patricia, have eight children: Patsy, Joseph, Theodore, Nancy, Eileen, Jane, Kathleen and Betsy. The couple also has 26 grandchildren and a recently added first great-great grandchild, Barrett James Burke.  What are you doing now?  I keep relatively …

•  5 Comments
• Photos (5)

Steve Sears

10:04 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Thanks folks for the comments here. One of the nice things about the "Five Questions..." column is reminiscing about the past with the source. With Mr. Barry there was much to recall, and not all (unfortunately) could fit into this piece. He's a wonderful man, and has a wonderful wife and family. The piece was a pleasure to write. Steve   more ›

Memphis Advocates Apply More Pressure to Town Council

With township officials and animal advocates at an impasse, what will happen to the animals?

  At Monday night’s Town Council meeting, the room was again filled to capacity as animal advocates pleaded with Bloomfield officials to allow Memphis the pitbull to be adopted.    If the advocates have their way, Mayor Raymond McCarthy will override the decision of Board of Health Director Karen Lore, who has refused to allow the pitbull to be adopted.  But there was no indication this would happen. "You have the power to go get those keys and let Memphis out of his cage," one ardent protestor told McCarthy. "You can be a hero!  That can be your legacy." Despite the forceful efforts of Memphis' supporters, the dog remains in a cage at the Bloomfield Animal Shelter.  The frustrated animal advocates demanded to know why their efforts to …

•  24 Comments
• Photos (5)
• Videos (1)

No Nonpartisan Elections in Bloomfield – For Now

Unable to reach a majority vote, the proposal for non-partisan election did not pass at the Jan 9 council meeting

  Bloomfield Town Council rejected a measure to change the township’s election system to nonpartisan process, which would exclude party-based primaries. However, Mayor Raymond McCarthy suggested that Councilman at Large Bernard Hamilton, who made the proposal, reintroduce the measure in a few weeks’ time. The vote Monday was 3-3, with Council member Peggy O’Boyle Dunigan abstaining. Prior to the vote, she said that she’d asked Hamilton for the vote to be delayed until she’s undergone knee surgery, and suggested she was displeased that he hadn’t extended the “council courtesy.” The tied vote means that the measure, which called for a referendum on the proposal in November, couldn’t be approved.  The partisan voting system has been in force …

• Photos (7)

Tea Party Rails Against Eminent Domain

Essex County Chapter Assails Property Seizure, Tax Expenditures.

Although it was previously rebuffed in Bloomfield, concerned residents from the township and neighboring Essex County municipalities voiced their displeasure about the prospect of future eminent domain cases at the monthly Essex County Tea Party Coalition meeting Tuesday night at the Town Pub. After years of failing in their attempts to revitalize the blighted Bloomfield Center, including a court ruling against eminent domain in July 2010, on May 19 the Bloomfield Planning Board approved the Glenwood Village redevelopment center that would bring in new apartments, restaurants and shops — or what Third Ward Town Council candidate Sue Ann Penna called “pack 'em and stack 'em housing.” For that reason, Penna, 46, and a lifelong resident of …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (3)

Council Fails to Pass Budget Once Again

One additional vote was needed on Monday night to pass this year's municipal budget.

The Bloomfield Township Council did not get enough votes to pass the 2011 municipal budget on Monday night, falling shy of approval by one vote. The council voted 3 to 2 for amending the proposed budget from $69.6 million to $70 million. Mayor Raymond McCarthy and Council members Bernard Hamilton and Peggy O'Boyle Dunigan supported the budget while Councilmen Nicholas Joanow and Robert Ruane voted against it. Council members Janice Litterio and Michael Venezia were not present. Tension ran high during the workshop. Councilman Ruane shouted that he wanted the police department to re-open their union contracts and have workers pay more for pension and healthcare costs. "This budget is bloated and I will not accept it," Ruane said. Mayor …

•  6 Comments
• Photos (1)

Letter To The Editor: Resident Endorses Halligan

Bloomfield resident shares her support for democratic council candidate Paul Halligan.

Paul Halligan -    After meeting him on the streets of the second ward and intently listening to him at last week’s candidates forum, observing his forthright demeanor and the civility he brought to the process, I am wholeheartedly supporting Paul Halligan in his run for councilman.   Admitted to the bar in 1993, Mr. Halligan is an experienced trial attorney known for his preparedness and zeal in advocating for his clients' best interests.  He is well-respected by all:  Members of the bench and bar, adversary counsel, colleagues at Newark’s Public Defender’s Office, let alone the smallest cogs in the wheel of justice. As Chief Public Defender, he’s shown keen insight and ability to make tough decisions tempered with reasonableness, fair to…

•  7 Comments
• Photos (1)