Council Amends Redev 5 Plan, BOE Honors FLHS Standouts in Week's Top Local News

Borough officials unanimously approved an amended plan that would add a local clothing store and several pieces of borough-owned property to Redevelopment Area 5 during a special meeting of the mayor and council Thursday night. 

Cosmos Boutique, at 179 Main St., is being claimed for redevelopment as part of a plan that would expand Area 5 by about two-thirds of an acre to the roughly 16-acre area.

Cosmos' owner, D. J. Lee, is hoping for fair compensation from Tucker Development Corporation, the borough's designated redeveloper for the western half of Area 5.

But for now, the future of Lee's business remains in limbo. (Full Story)

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The ’s regular business meeting Monday was highlighted by two special honors presented to students. Assemblywoman and Freeholder-elect Joan Voss (D-38) of Fort Lee presented a proclamation from the General Assembly to one very active FLHS senior, and the board entered a resolution of recognition into the meeting minutes honoring the Fort Lee High School cheerleading team for winning another state title. (Full Story)

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The launched a special website Monday as part of its goal of communicating information to the public about its $30.2 million school bond referendum on Jan. 24.

The site, which is linked to the school district’s website, includes a letter from the board detailing the plan and the rationale behind it, downloadable voting forms, downloadable plans, images of each of the schools, a questions and comments section, a tax calculator so voters can see exactly how much of a tax impact they would see if the referendum passes, and more. (Full Story)

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The Monday approved a resolution accepting a revised New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum (NJQSAC) checklist for the 2011-2012 school year and approving submission of a “statement of assurance” to the County Executive Superintendent.

The NJQSAC is the system by which the state Department of Education monitors and evaluates public school districts. According to the DOE, the system relies on five “key components” to evaluate a school district’s effectiveness: Operations, Instruction and Program, Governance, Fiscal Management and Personnel.

The BOE also passed a resolution accepting a $14,123 proposal from CJ Communications Group of Thornwood, NY for Internet wiring services in preparation for relocating the school district’s central offices to the space it’s leasing at 2175 Lemoine Ave. for the next five years in order to convert the current offices on Whiteman Street into classrooms. (Full Story)

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Fort Lee’s community Menorah lighting took place Tuesday at the “triangle” in Fort Lee—the small area formed by Lemoine Avenue, Main Street and Schlosser Street.

Sponsored by , the event was in celebration of the first night of Hanukkah. (Full Story)

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Performers know they must be ready at a moment’s notice to present anywhere and at any time. For Evelyn La Quaif, General Manager of Fort Lee’s New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera, that meant learning quickly some basic Chinese and flying to China to teach and perform at the Beijing Contemporary Music Academy for a week.

La Quaif, a soprano, who has taught master classes in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Australia, explained that her hosts wanted a well-rounded performer, not just an opera singer. (Full Story)

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And the winter sports season has arrived, and the Bridgemen and Lady Bridgmen varsity sports teams are ready for what awaits them. Fort Lee Patch sports reporter Chris Murray had this preview of what's ahead.

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