BOE Tables Superintendent Decision, Introduces $30M Referendum in Top Fort Lee News

The Fort Lee Board of Education voted 5 to 4 Monday in favor of tabling an agenda item that would have appointed Assistant Superintendent of Schools Steven Engravalle “Acting” Superintendent when Raymond Bandlow leaves the post at the end of October after concerns raised by a member of the public called Engravalle’s suitability to take on the role into question and highlighted the desire on the part of other members of the public to have a say in the decision-making process. (Full Story)

****

The Fort Lee Board of Education Monday also passed a resolution introducing a third school bond referendum. This one—at about $30.2 million—is significantly scaled back from the previous two, and includes renovations and expansion of the middle school that should result in a net gain of eight new classrooms. (Full Story)

If the early returns on Patch's unscientific poll are any indication, the vote may be a close one. (See poll question, results so far and vote)

****

A local pediatric dentist recently returned from a humanitarian mission to Guatemala, where she provided free dental care to impoverished children.

, who has offices in Fort Lee and Westwood, traveled with Kids International Dental Services, or “KIDS,” a team of healthcare professionals committed to bringing healthy smiles to every child in the world by providing dental care to children in developing countries. (Full Story)

****

AAA North Jersey joined AAA New York in filing a Federal lawsuit in Manhattan Tuesday seeking to stop the Port Authority from collecting higher tolls on the George Washington Bridge and other Hudson River crossings, AAA North Jersey announced.

AAA contends in the complaint that the Port Authority’s increased rates “contravene Federal law which requires interstate tolls to be set at ‘just and reasonable’ levels,” according to officials with the club. (Full Story)

****

NorthJersey.com reported an unconfirmed tornado in the Fort Lee and Leonia areas Thursday that may have touched down just before 3 p.m. (Full Story)

****

The New York Times reported Christopher O. Ward intends to resign as executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. (Full Story)

****

Fort Lee's Bancorp was one of five banks in the state to be named to Sandler O’Neill & Partners’ annual list of 25 "Sm-All Star Banks," North Jersey.com reported. The "Sm-All Stars" are "the highest-performing publicly traded banks and thrifts with less than $2 billion in market capitalization." (Full Story)

Bancorp CEO Albert F. Buzzetti was named Greater Fort Lee Chamber of Commerce "Person of the Year" at the chamber's Spring 2011 General Membership Luncheon.

****

NorthJersey.com reported that a Paterson construction company was accused of unsafe work conditions at a Fort Lee site.

The alleged safety violations took place while workers performed masonry work on a new home in June, the U.S. Department of Labor says. (Full Story)

****

The fire departments of Fort Lee and Leonia suffered tremendous losses with the passing last weekend of two veteran firefighters--Donald O’Prandy from Co. No. 4 and John O’Toole from Leonia--two men who dedicated their lives to service; two firefighters who were defined, in large part, by the brotherhood they were a part of. (Full Story)

And on Thursday, the Fort Lee Fire Department bid farewell to one of its own, Donald O'Prandy from Co. #4, just as a driving rain ceased. Through a standing-room-only crowd of family and friends, an endless procession of blue uniforms with shrouded badges filed into Hunt Stellato Funeral Home to pay their final respects. (Full Story)

The week in review appears every Sunday on Fort Lee Patch.