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Franklin Lakes, New Jersey

Franklin Lakes is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. The Franklin Lakes zip code is 07417. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 10,422. Becton Dickinson and Medco Health Solutions both have their corporate headquarters in Franklin Lakes. Franklin Lakes has the 18th-highest per-capita income of all 566 municipalities in the state. Nationwide, Franklin Lakes ranks 16th among the Highest-income places in the United States with a population of at least 10,000.

Franklin Lakes was formed by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 11, 1922, from portions of Franklin Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 11, 1922.

Geography

Franklin Lakes is located at 41°0′38″N, 74°12′30″W (41.010433, -74.208471).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 9.8 square miles (25.5 kmē), of which, 9.4 square miles (24.5 kmē) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 kmē) of it (3.87%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,422 people, 3,322 households, and 2,959 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,102.5 people per square mile (425.8/kmē). There were 3,395 housing units at an average density of 359.2/sq mi (138.7/kmē). The racial makeup of the borough was 91.35% White, 0.92% African American, 0.11% Native American, 6.33% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.74% of the population.

There were 3,322 households out of which 43.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 82.0% were married couples living together, 4.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 10.9% were non-families. 8.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.13 and the average family size was 3.34.

In the borough the population was spread out with 28.7% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 31.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 97.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.7 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $132,373, and the median income for a family was $142,930. Males had a median income of $97,233 versus $45,588 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $59,763. About 2.6% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Franklin Lakes is governed by a Mayor and a six-member Borough Council elected at large in the Borough, all of whom are elected and take office in the manner provided by law. The terms of office of the Mayor and Councilmen commence on January 1 following their election. All council meetings are held at the Borough Hall located on DeKorte Drive, formerly Municipal Drive.

The Mayor of Franklin Lakes is Maura R. De Nicola (R, term of office ends December 31, 2010). Members of the Franklin Lakes Borough Council are Dennis J. Bonagura (R, 2007), Michael Friscia (R, 2008), Leslie Greer (R, 2009), Paulette Ramsey (R, 2008), Brian Trava (R, 2009) and Joseph Valesio (R, 2007).

The borough administrator is currently Gregory Hart, succeeding Robert Hoffmann who was responsible for purchasing the Haledon Reservoir.

In elections held on November 6, 2007, voters filled two seats on the borough council and voted on the creation of a Municipal Open Space Trust Fund. Republican newcomers Steven E. Marcus (1,177 votes) and Nathalie A. Lota (1,158) were elected to the council, defeating Democrats Christine M. Ordway (682) and Ned J. Steinfeld (632). Voters again rejected a ballot initiative to establish a municipal open space tax which would have been collected at a rate of ―-cent per $100 in assessed value, this time by a margin of 1,182-527, a far stronger disapproval than 2006 when the measure failed by some 200 votes in a bid to collect one cent per $100, twice the rate proposed in 2007. Republicans will again occupy all seats on the 2008 governing body.

On Election Day, November 7, 2006, voters filled the mayoral seat and two seats on the Borough Council, as well as voting on approval of an open space trust fund. On a council that was all Republican in a community where registered Republicans outnumber Democrats by a nearly 5-1 margin. Newcomer Maura R. De Nicola (2,578 votes), a councilmember, won in her bid as mayor, defeating Democrat Andrew Samson (1,179). Republican newcomers Brian Trava (2,313) and Leslie Greer (2,304) won seats on the council, defeating Democrats Lisa Sciancalepore (1,459) and Christine Ordway (1,435). Voters rejected an open space tax of 1 cent per $100 of property valuation that would have been used to acquire land for recreation and conservation by a 1,448-1,243 margin.

The Franklin Lakes Fire Department is an all-volunteer department, founded in 1924. The FLFD has two locations, one known as "Headquarters" which is located off of Franklin Avenue, and the other is the "Southside" Firehouse, located on Franklin Lakes Road. The current chief of the FLFD is Jeremy Donch. The Assistant Chief is Chuck Bohny.

Federal, state and county representation

Franklin Lakes is in the Fifth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 40th Legislative District.

New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District, covering the northern portions of Bergen County, Passaic County and Sussex County and all of Warren County, is represented by Scott Garrett (R, Wantage Township). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).

For the 2008-2009 Legislative Session, the 40th district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Kevin J. O'Toole (R, Cedar Grove) and in the Assembly by Scott Rumana (R, Wayne) and David C. Russo (R, Ridgewood). The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).

Bergen County's County Executive is Dennis McNerney (D). The executive, along with the Board of Chosen Freeholders administer all county business. Bergen County's Freeholders are Chairman Tomas J. Padilla (D, Park Ridge), Vice-Chairman Elizabeth Calabrese (D, Wallington), David L. Ganz (D, Fair Lawn), James M. Carroll (D, Demarest), Bernadette P. McPherson (D, Rutherford), Julie O'Brien (D) and Connie Wagner (D).

Other countywide elected officials are Sheriff Leo McGuire (D), Surrogate Court Judge Mike Dressler (D, Cresskill) County Clerk Kathleen Donovan (R, Rutherford).

Politics

As of April 1, 2006, out of a 2004 Census estimated population of 11,260 in Franklin Lakes, there were 7,010 registered voters (62.3% of the population, vs. 55.4% in all of Bergen County). Of registered voters, 633 (9.0% vs. 20.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 2,524 (36.0% vs. 19.2% countywide) were registered as Republicans and 3,850 (54.9% vs. 60.1% countywide) were registered as Undeclared. There were three voters registered to other parties.

On the national level, Franklin Lakes leans strongly toward the Republican Party. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 66% of the vote here, defeating Democrat John Kerry, who received around 33%.

Education

Students in kindergarten through eighth grade attend the Franklin Lakes Public Schools. There are three K-5 elementary schools in the district — Colonial Road School, High Mountain Road School, Woodside Avenue School — and Franklin Avenue Middle School which covers grades 6 - 8.

Public school students in grades 9 - 12 attend the schools of the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District, a regional district consisting of two four-year public high schools serving students from Franklin Lakes, Oakland and Wyckoff. Students attend either Indian Hills High School in Oakland or Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes.

Transportation

New Jersey Transit bus route 752 serves Franklin Lakes.

Interstate 287, New Jersey Route 208, and County Route 502 travel through Franklin Lakes.

Commerce

Urban Farms Shopping Center is a major shopping center in the community. Franklin Lakes has The Market Basket, a supermarket/bakery/catering store.

Notable residents former and present

• Kevin Brown, an All-Star pitcher lived in Franklin Lakes while with the New York Yankees.
• Harry Carson, Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker for the New York Giants and co-host of FOX's Giants Game Plan.
• Derrick Coleman, former NBA player previously lived in Franklin Lakes.
• Blake Costanzo (1984-), football player.
• John Culligan (1916-2004), former CEO of American Home Products (now owned by Wyeth).
• Richard W. DeKorte, Former NJ Energy Administrator, Franklin Lakes Mayor, and Republican member of the New Jersey General Assembly.
• Sam Huff, former linebacker for the New York Giants, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
• Tommy John, an All-Star pitcher lived in Franklin Lakes while with the New York Yankees.
• Bernard Kerik, Former New York City Police Commissioner.
• Bernard King, Former star of the New Jersey Nets.
• Matt LoVecchio (1982-), starting quarterback for the University of Notre Dame football team in 2000-01, and for Indiana University in 2003-04.
• Gheorghe Mureşan, former professional basketball player. At 7'7" (2.31 m), he is arguably the tallest man to ever play in the NBA.
• Willie Randolph, Manager, New York Mets.
• Kelly Ripa, actress and talk show host.
• Chris Simms, NFL Quarterback, grew up in Franklin Lakes.
• Phil Simms, Former New York Giants Quarterback, and football commentator.
• James "J.T." Taylor, one-time lead singer of Kool & the Gang.
• Robert Torricelli, former US Representative and Senator, was raised in Franklin Lakes.
• Keith Van Horn, current NBA Dallas Mavericks Forward, lived in Franklin Lakes during his time with the New Jersey Nets.
• Kaavya Viswanathan, novelist noted for highly publicized plagiarism scandal.
• Kurt Warner, NFL quarterback lived in Franklin Lakes while with the New York Giants
  
  

Wyckoff, New Jersey

Wyckoff, New Jersey
Map highlighting Wyckoff's location within Bergen County. Inset: Bergen County's location within New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Wyckoff, New Jersey
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Bergen
Incorporated	November 2, 1926
Government
- Type	Township (New Jersey)
- Mayor	Richard C. Alnor (R, 2009)
- Administrator	Robert J. Shannon, Jr.
Area
- Total	6.6 sq mi (17.0 kmē)
- Land	6.5 sq mi (17.0 kmē)
- Water	0.0 sq mi (0.1 kmē)
Elevation	394 ft (120 m)
Population (2006)
- Total	17,167
- Density	2,521.6/sq mi (973.6/kmē)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	07481
Area code(s)	201
FIPS code	34-83050
GNIS feature ID	0882309
Website: http://www.wyckoff-nj.com/

Wyckoff is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 16,508. It is a primarily white, upper-middle class community outside New York City. Nationwide, Wyckoff ranks 52nd in highest-income places in the United States with a population of at least 10,000. Statewide, Wyckoff ranks 44th in New Jersey locations by per capita income.

From the mid-18th century, what is now Wyckoff was a community within Franklin Township, which consisted of most of northern Bergen County west of the Saddle River. Starting in the 1840s, several new municipalities were created from portions of Franklin Township, so that today what is now Wyckoff borders eight different communities. Wyckoff was formed as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on November 2, 1926, replacing Franklin Township, based on the results of a referendum held that day. Portions of Wyckoff were ceded to Midland Park based on the results of a referendum held on June 9, 1931.

The most commonly given origin for the name Wyckoff, which was the origin accepted by the town committee when the town was established, is that Wyckoff is from the Lenape word "wickoff", meaning high ground, or that it is from "wickok" meaning water. A less widely held theory is that the town was named for Brooklyn judge Pieter Claesen Wyckoff (1625-1694). The surname comes from the Dutch words "Wyk," meaning parish and "Hof," meaning court. None of these origins is supported with solid historical evidence. The town has 13 churches, one synagogue, five public schools, three volunteer fire stations, and one volunteer ambulance corps.

History

The first human inhabitants of the area were Lenni Lenape Native Americans who lived north of the Raritan River and spoke a Munsee dialect of Algonquian. Sicomac, said to mean "resting place for the departed" or "happy hunting ground", is an area of Wyckoff that, according to tradition, was the burial place of many Native Americans, including Chief Oratam of the Ackingshacys, and many stores and buildings there are named after the area's name, including Sicomac Elementary School. Most Native Americans had left by the 19th century, although a small group lived near Clinton Avenue until 1939.

What is today Wyckoff was part of Saddle River Township, which included all of Bergen County west of the Saddle River. Saddle River Township was split up in 1771 with the area containing Wyckoff becoming Franklin Township. By 1755, about 100 families lived in the Franklin Township area, of which, no more than 20 were in what is now Wyckoff. Franklin Township (1771) consisted of what is today Ho-Ho-Kus (seceded 1849), Ridgewood (seceded 1876), Midland Park (seceded 1894), Oakland (seceded 1902), Franklin Lakes (seceded 1922), and Wyckoff. The size of Franklin Township decreased as areas seceded and were incorporated into their own towns. After Franklin Lakes was established in 1922, Franklin Township consisted of only the area known locally as Wyckoff. On November 2, 1926, residents voted (243 positive votes out of 337) to change the name from Franklin Township to the Township of Wyckoff.

The first recorded permanent settlers were John and William Van Voor Haze (Voorhees), who purchased 550 acres (2.2 kmē) of land in the area in 1720. Other early settlers (mostly Dutch) included the Van Horns, Terhunes, Ackermans, Quackenbushes, Pulises, and Vanderhoffs. In 1940 the population was just under 4,000 consisting of roughly 100 families with 30% of the land was devoted to farming. By 1969 the number of farms had dropped to 13 covering 3 acres (12,000 mē), 6% of the town. Today only three farms remain: Abma's Farm, Russel Orchards, and Goffle Road Poultry Farm, which is Bergen County's only remaining live market. As of September 2006, there will only be two farms left. Russell Orchards is closing. Rail service by the New Jersey Midland Railway began in 1870. That service was purchased by the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway, which abruptly ended passenger service in 1966.

The Terhune House is an historic home listed on the National Register of Historic Places, located at 161 Godwin Avenue, that was initially constructed in 1737.

In 1994, the Vander Platt funeral home prepared the body of Richard Nixon for burial.

Timeline

Geography

Wyckoff is located at 40°59′55″N, 74°10′2″W (40.998583, -74.167104).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 6.6 square miles (17.0 kmē), of which, 6.6 square miles (17.0 kmē) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 kmē) of it (0.30%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 16,508 people, 5,541 households, and 4,632 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,521.6 people per square mile (973.1/kmē). There were 5,638 housing units at an average density of 861.2/sq mi (332.3/kmē). The racial makeup of the township was 94.54% White, 0.47% African American, 0.15% Native American, 3.70% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.28% of the population.

There were 5,541 households out of which 42.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.7% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.4% were non-families. 14.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the township the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $103,614, and the median income for a family was $117,864. Males had a median income of $87,850 versus $51,929 for females. The per capita income for the township was $49,375. About 1.1% of families and 1.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.3% of those under age 18 and 1.9% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Wyckoff is governed by a Township Committee, which consists of five members elected at large for staggered three-year terms, so that no more than two committee members are elected each year. On January 1, the Township Committee conducts an annual reorganization meeting to organize the government for the new year. The Committee selects a chairperson from among its members who serves as Mayor, and another member to serve as Deputy Mayor. The Mayor chairs meetings of the Township Committee, signs documents on behalf of the Township and performs wedding ceremonies. The Township Committee, as a whole, exercises legislative and executive powers.

The members of the Wyckoff Township Committee are Mayor Richard C. Alnor (R, term ends December 31, 2009), Deputy Mayor Harold Galenkamp (R, 2008), Rudolf E. Boonstra (R, 2010), David N. Connolly (R, 2008) and Joseph B. Fiorenzo (R, 2009).

In elections held on November 6, 2007, voters filled a single seat on the Township Committee, which became open when Henry J. McNamara, winner of the June 2007 Republican primary, announced in September that he would not run for re-election. Rudolf E. Boonstra (1,861 votes), the candidate chosen by the Republican Party to fill McNamara's ballot slot, won election. Diane Sobin (1,057), who ran against McNamara in the June primary and lost, came in second, followed by Democrat Christopher Hillman (754).

On Election Day, November 7, 2006, voters filled two seats for three-year terms on the Township Committee. As of Election Day, the township committee was composed entirely of Republicans, in a community in which registered Republicans outnumber Democrats by an almost 3-1 margin. Republican incumbents Joseph B. Fiorenzo (3,907 votes) and Richard Alnor (3,656) won re-election, defeating Democratic challenger Brian J. Hubert (3,125). A ballot initiative establishing a Municipal Open Space Fund that would add a ―-cent tax for each $100 in assessed value passed by a 3,027-2,726 margin. While Hubert fell short of winning a seat by over 500 votes, his performance was significant in a community in which Republicans significantly outnumber Democrats.

Federal, state and county representation

Wyckoff is part of New Jersey's 40th Legislative District and is in the Fifth Congressional District.

New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District, covering the northern portions of Bergen County, Passaic County and Sussex County and all of Warren County, is represented by Scott Garrett (R, Wantage Township). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).

For the 2008-2009 Legislative Session, the 40th district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Kevin J. O'Toole (R, Cedar Grove) and in the Assembly by Scott Rumana (R, Wayne) and David C. Russo (R, Ridgewood). The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).

Bergen County's County Executive is Dennis McNerney (D). The executive, along with the Board of Chosen Freeholders administer all county business. Bergen County's Freeholders are Chairman Tomas J. Padilla (D, Park Ridge), Vice-Chairman Elizabeth Calabrese (D, Wallington), David L. Ganz (D, Fair Lawn), James M. Carroll (D, Demarest), Bernadette P. McPherson (D, Rutherford), Julie O'Brien (D) and Connie Wagner (D).

Other countywide elected officials are Sheriff Leo McGuire (D), Surrogate Court Judge Mike Dressler (D, Cresskill) County Clerk Kathleen Donovan (R, Rutherford).

Politics

As of April 1, 2006, out of a 2004 Census estimated population of 17,206, there were 11,098 registered voters (64.5% of the population, vs. 55.4% in all of Bergen County). Of registered voters, 1,192 (10.7% vs. 20.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 3,515 (31.7% vs. 19.2% countywide) were registered as Republicans and 6,389 (57.6% vs. 60.1% countywide) were registered as Undeclared. There were two voters registered to other parties.

On the national level, Wyckoff leans strongly toward the Republican Party. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 63% of the vote here, defeating Democrat John Kerry, who received around 36%.

Transportation

New Jersey Transit bus route 752 serves Wyckoff. This bus route also serves points between Oakland and Hackensack.

Route 208 and County Route 502 travels through Wyckoff.

Education

The Wyckoff School District serves public students in Kindergarten through eighth grade.

For the 1998-99 school year, Eisenhower Middle School, the only middle school in the township, was named a "Star School" by the New Jersey Department of Education, the highest honor that a New Jersey school can achieve. In the 2003-04 school year, Eisenhower Middle School was recognized with the Blue Ribbon Award from the United States Department of Education, the highest honor that an American school can achieve.

There are five public schools in Wyckoff: Coolidge, Eisenhower, Lincoln, Sicomac, and Washington. Calvin Coolidge School, located at 420 Grandview Avenue, is an elementary school which opened in 1932 as a 6-room K-6 school and has been expanded several times over the years. Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School, located at 344 Calvin Ct., was approved in 1960 and dedicated 1963. Since 1993 Eisenhower has served grades 6, 7, and 8. Abraham Lincoln School, located at 325 Mason Ave., was dedicated in 1953 on land purchased in 1950. Sicomac School, located at 356 Sicomac Avenue, was completed in 1967. George Washington School, located at 270 Woodland Avenue, was constructed as an 11-room brick building on the site where the previous school had burned down.

In 2005, a major multi-school expansion project was on the ballots on Election Day, and was passed. Each taxpayer would need to pay an extra $14 each month for almost two years to cover the cost of the project that would add 2-12 rooms into each school, to help with over-crowding in Wyckoff. The construction began in Eisenhower Middle School, the most crowded, in Spring of 2006. Extra precautions had and have to be taken, because the construction is going on while students are in school. During the summer of 2006, in-the-building renovations started, while it was safer to bring larger object in through the halls. One science classroom and a social studies classroom next to it had the wall between the two moved, and the social studies classroom became 1/3 its previous size, and is now the copy center, and will become a hallway to connect the original building and the new expansion. The science classroom became the new guidance office. The older, and smaller guidance office became a special-education classroom. Eisenhower's construction should be completed by early September of 2007. The elementary schools' construction will definitely be completed by September of 2008, but will probably be finished by early 2008.

Public high school students from Wyckoff may attend Ramapo High School, a regional high school in Franklin Lakes or Indian Hills High School located in Oakland. Any high school student from Franklin Lakes may also attend either Ramapo High School or Indian Hills High School. In a recently held election residents of Oakland were given the same choice. Both high schools are part of the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District

The first school in the town was a one-room school built on Wyckoff Avenue in 1869 and used until 1906; demolished in 1906. Prior to 1929, high school students attended Central High School in Paterson, before the Board of Education voted to send students to Ramsey High School in Ramsey instead.

Noted residents

• Katrina Bowden, actress on 30 Rock.
• Kristen Caldwell, actress.
• Bucky Dent, New York Yankees player, best known for home run that beat the Boston Red Sox on October 2, 1978, in a one-game tiebreaker to get to the playoffs.
• Steve Doocy, FOX News anchor on Fox & Friends.
• Gertrude Ederle, first woman to swim the English Channel.
• Jonas Brothers, trio-pop/rock group - Kevin, Joseph, and Nicholas Jonas.
• Martha MacCallum, news anchor on Fox News Channel.
• Constantine Maroulis, singer/actor. Finalist on American Idol 4, 2005. grew up in Wyckoff.
• Sunny Mehta, professional poker player, author, and musician.
• Martin Munsch, owner of Punkrockrecords, record producer, studio engineer and photographer.
• John R. Ramsey (1862-1933), represented New Jersey's 6th congressional district from 1917 to 1921.
• Tara Reid, actress.
• Greg Schiano, head football coach at Rutgers University.
• Danny Tamberelli, actor.
• Bill Whitney, broadcast journalist for CBS News
• Don Zimmer, New York Yankees bench coach and former Boston Red Sox Manager
  
  

Oakland, New Jersey

Oakland, New Jersey
Map highlighting Oakland's location within Bergen County. Inset: Bergen County's location within New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Oakland, New Jersey
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Bergen
Incorporated	April 8, 1902
Government
- Type	Borough
- Mayor	John P. Szabo, Jr. (R, 2011)
- Administrator	Charles Smiley
Area
- Total	8.8 sq mi (22.7 kmē)
- Land	8.6 sq mi (22.3 kmē)
- Water	0.1 sq mi (0.4 kmē)
Elevation	236 ft (72 m)
Population (2006)
- Total	13,558
- Density	1,448.9/sq mi (559.4/kmē)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	07436
Area code(s)	201
FIPS code	34-53850
GNIS feature ID	0885330
Website: http://oakland-nj.org

Oakland is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 12,466.

Oakland was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 8, 1902, from portions of Franklin Township.

Geography

Oakland is located at 41°1′44″N, 74°14′14″W (41.028884, -74.237274).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 8.8 square miles (22.7 kmē), of which, 8.6 square miles (22.3 kmē) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.4 kmē) of it (1.71%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 12,466 people, 4,255 households, and 3,565 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,448.9 people per square mile (559.7/kmē). There were 4,345 housing units at an average density of 505.0/sq mi (195.1/kmē). The racial makeup of the borough was 94.76% White, 0.78% African American, 0.06% Native American, 2.70% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.70% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.87% of the population.

There were 4,255 households out of which 39.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.4% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.2% were non-families. 12.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the borough the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.0 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $86,629, and the median income for a family was $93,695. Males had a median income of $62,336 versus $41,092 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $35,252. About 0.9% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

The Mayor of the Borough of Oakland is John P. Szabo, Jr. (R, term ends December 31, 2011). The members of the Oakland Borough Council are Council President Frank DiPentima (R, 2008), Donald Burns (R, 2010), Karen Marcalus (R, 2010), Pat Pignatelli (R, 2009), Elizabeth Stagg (R, 2008) and Chris Visconti (R, 2009).

In elections held on November 6, 2007, 39% of registered voters turned out to fill a four-year term for mayor and two three-year seats on the Borough Council, and voted on a local ballot proposal. Republican incumbent mayor John P. Szabo (1,672 votes) won a second term in office, defeating Democratic challenger Linda Schwager (1,567). Republican incumbents Karen F. Marcalus (1,780) and Donald T. Burns (1,636) were re-elected to the council, ahead of Democrats David Skoblar (1,439) and Pasquale Tirri (1,420). By a margin of 1,652 to 1,060, voters rejected a ballot initiative that would have doubled the Open Space Trust Fund contribution to 2 cents per $100 of assessed property value.

On Election Day, November 7, 2006, voters filled two three-year seats on the Borough Council and a one-year unexpired term in office. As of Election Day, the Mayor and Council were all Republicans, in a community in which registered Republicans outnumbered Democrats by a 2-1 margin. Republican candidates swept the table, with Pasquale Pignatelli (2,446 votes) and Christopher Visconti (2,347) elected to three-year terms, defeating Democrats John P. Biale (2,056) and Cynthia Celentano Maguire (1,986). Incumbent Republican Karen Marcalus (2,527) was elected to serve the remaining year of the unexpired term, defeating Janet R. McPhee (1,863).

There are three firehouses located in Oakland. The central station is located on Yawpo Ave. just off of Ramapo Valley Road in downtown Oakland. There is one police station and it is located on Ramapo Valley Road across from the intersection with Walnut St.

Federal, state and county representation

Oakland is in the Fifth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 40th Legislative District.

New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District, covering the northern portions of Bergen County, Passaic County and Sussex County and all of Warren County, is represented by Scott Garrett (R, Wantage Township). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).

For the 2008-2009 Legislative Session, the 40th district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Kevin J. O'Toole (R, Cedar Grove) and in the Assembly by Scott Rumana (R, Wayne) and David C. Russo (R, Ridgewood). The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).

Bergen County's County Executive is Dennis McNerney (D). The executive, along with the Board of Chosen Freeholders administer all county business. Bergen County's Freeholders are Chairman Tomas J. Padilla (D, Park Ridge), Vice-Chairman Elizabeth Calabrese (D, Wallington), David L. Ganz (D, Fair Lawn), James M. Carroll (D, Demarest), Bernadette P. McPherson (D, Rutherford), Julie O'Brien (D) and Connie Wagner (D).

Other countywide elected officials are Sheriff Leo McGuire (D), Surrogate Court Judge Mike Dressler (D, Cresskill) County Clerk Kathleen Donovan (R, Rutherford).

Politics

As of April 1, 2006, out of a 2004 Census estimated population of 13,707, there were 8,251 registered voters (60.2% of the population, vs. 55.4% in all of Bergen County). Of registered voters, 1,096 (13.3% vs. 20.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 2,249 (27.3% vs. 19.2% countywide) were registered as Republicans and 4,904 (59.4% vs. 60.1% countywide) were registered as Undeclared. There were two voters registered to other parties.

On the national level, Oakland leans towards the Republican Party. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 57% of the vote here, defeating Democrat John Kerry, who received around 42%.

Highlands protection

In 2004, the New Jersey Legislature passed the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act, which regulates the New Jersey Highlands region. Oakland was included in the highlands planning area and is subject to the rules of the act and the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council, a division of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Some of the territory in the protected region is classified as being in the highlands preservation area, and thus subject to additional rules.^[23]

Education

Students in grades K through 8 attend the Oakland Public Schools. There are three K-5 elementary schools in the district — Dogwood Hill School (311 students), Heights Elementary School (372 students) and Manito Elementary School (415 students) — and Valley Middle School which serves 558 students in grades 6 - 8.

Public school students in grades 9 - 12 attend the schools of the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District, a regional district consisting of two four-year public high schools serving students from Franklin Lakes, Oakland and Wyckoff. Students attend either Indian Hills High School in Oakland or Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes. The Indian Hills High School mascot is the Braves.

Private schools include Barnstable Academy, located in an industrial park off Long Hill Road; The New Jersey Japanese School, located next to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church; and The Gerrard Berman Day School (Solomon Schechter of North Jersey) located on Spruce Street.

Awards

Oakland was also rated recently by Business Week that it is the 43rd best place in the country to raise children. This was made known locally in the Oakland/Franklin Lakes Suburban News on December 19, 2007. In the state, only 2 are deemed better than Oakland: Matawan (12th) and Echelon near Philadelphia (4th). The criteria were test scores in math and reading, number of schools, cost of living, recreational and cultural activities, and risk of crime.

Transportation

Major roads through Oakland include Interstate 287, Route 208 and U.S. Route 202. There is no commuter rail service in Oakland, though commuter bus service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City is available from Coach USA. New Jersey Transit bus service is also available on a limited basis via the 752 line (Oakland to Hackensack via Ridgewood). A freight rail line does run through Oakland.

Corporate residents

Russ Berrie and Company, Inc., headquartered in Oakland, is a major manufacturer of teddy bears and other gift products, including stuffed animals, baby gifts, soft baby toys and development toys as well as picture, candles, figurines and home fragrance products. There are a few industrial parks in Oakland, the biggest of which is off of Long Hill Road near the Franklin Lakes border.

Commerce

There isn't much shopping in Oakland for a town of its size located right off a major interstate highway. The malls of Paramus and Wayne are a short drive away. The downtown core is centered around Ramapo Valley Road (U.S. 202) in between Oak Street and Franklin Avenue. The Copper Tree Mall (a strip mall with a small indoor section) is the dominant retail presence.

Recreation

There are a number of municipal recreational facilities in Oakland. The largest is a recreational area located off of Oak Avenue, which is home to nine baseball and softball fields, six tennis courts, a roller hockey rink, basketball courts, and other facilities. New Jersey's Ramapo Mountain State Forest is located in Oakland and can be accessed from Skyline Drive just north of its interchange with I-287.

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