April - May 2002 Edition

The Great Litter Debate   By Chris Neidenberg   Fair Lawn High School Principal Elizabeth Panella, at the center of a storm pitting her students against some of the building's neighbors, told Borough Council members that she is responsive in communicating with upset residents.    But Panella asserted that she cannot be responsible for any problems occurring outside school property. She also faulted a state law, banning smoking on school grounds, for increasing the dumping of butts onto homeowners' lawns.    At the same time, Panella vigorously defended the vast majority of students. She also questioned whether butt-littering problems are any worse than they are outside major local businesses, including McDonald's. "I will continue to work. I do not intend to get in a battle with my neighbors," said the principal, who opposes the proposed four-hour parking ban on part of Orchard Street. "I will repeat again, I probably need the neighbors more than they need or want me."    Panella noted that she has placed announcements on poster boards throughout the building urging students to respect their neighbors. She also cited her longstanding support of a proposal to penalize anyone caught smoking within 1,000 feet outside the building during school hours.    At the same time, Panella, who insisted that she does not condone smoking, said she let students do it "in a restricted area" before the new law took effect. The principal explained that she did so only to try and lower any spillover of problems onto neighbors' properties. Panella criticized Orchard resident Steve Rickett for painting her as being unsympathetic and cold. Yet Rickett held to his view. "The woman never comes out with a clean answer on anything," he told the council.  At the same time, he told Panella: "I have nothing against you."    To try and deter problems, the council has already added a community service component to the littering ordinance and wants to have someone patrol the area through June. Members have also proposed creating a "community assistance program" to recruit student volunteers wishing to help end the problems. Additionally, Borough Manager Barbara Sacks said that municipal and school officials were discussing creating a formal area near school grounds where students can gather during lunch.   Litter Patrol The Borough Council will provide $3,500 to the police department for arranging a daily anti-litter patrol near Fair Lawn High School.  Members unanimously endorsed the measure at a recent work session.   While the borough still needs to work out the logistics, Mayor David L. Ganz said it could entail having the municipality recruit a retired police officer to fill the role. The department will be required to oversee a daily presence near the Berdan Avenue building during hours students are most likely to congregate, at least until the end of the current school year.   The effort is a response to neighborhood complaints that many students carelessly dump cigarette butts on private properties. Deputy Mayor Steve Weinstein, who met recently with students, called for placing trash cans at points in the area. "When I walked down, I noticed a lot of cigarette butts that Friday morning, but they don't have a place to throw them away," he said.   Deputy Mayor Martin Etler replied that Weinstein's idea is not the answer.  “As far as I see it, they shouldn't be littering period," he said. Weinstein noted that the students are receptive to creating a "community assistance program" to monitor the problem themselves.     (Note:  Mr. Neidenberg is a talented local writer looking for a job.  If you have a job tip, send an e- mail to chrisneidenberg@hotmail.com     What Do You Think?: Send an e- mail to editor@fairlawnnews.com or post a message on the Fair Lawn News Discussion Forum.