Glen Rock, New Jersey

History

Glen Rock was formed on September 14, 1894, from portions of Ridgewood Township and Saddle River Township, "that being the year the county went crazy on boroughs". The borough was formed during the "Boroughitis" phenomenon then sweeping through Bergen County, in which 26 boroughs were formed in the county in 1894 alone. The main impetus for the break from Ridgewood Township was the decision to have Glen Rock students attend a new school closer to the center of Ridgewood instead of their one-room schoolhouse located at the intersection of Ackerman Avenue and Rock Road.

Glen Rock was settled around a large boulder in a small valley (glen), from which it gets its name. The boulder, weighing in at 570 short tons (520 t) and located where Doremus Avenue meets Rock Road, is believed to have been carried to the site by a glacier that picked up the rock 15,000 years ago near Peekskill, New York and carried it for 20 miles (32 km) to its present location. The Lenape Native Americans called the boulder "Pamachapuka" (meaning "stone from heaven" or "stone from the sky") and used it for signal fires and as a trail marker.

The borough was the site of one of Bergen County's most serious public transportation accidents. In 1911, a trolley operator for the North Jersey Rapid Transit Company, one day away from retirement, died in a crash with an opposing trolley around the intersection of Prospect and Grove Streets that was caused by signal problems. In addition to the death of the opposing trolley operator, 12 people were injured. This crash in part hastened the demise of this transportation mode which ran from Elmwood Park, New Jersey to Suffern, New York and competed with the Erie Railroad. The right of way for this trolley line was purchased by the Public Service Enterprise Group and is still visible today.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.738 square miles (7.091 km²), including 2.714 square miles (7.028 km²) of land and 0.024 square miles (0.063 km²) of water (0.89%).

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Ferndale.

The borough borders Fair Lawn, Paramus and Ridgewood in Bergen County, and Hawthorne in Passaic County.

2010 Census

The 2010 United States Census counted 11,601 people, 3,917 households, and 3,290 families residing in the borough. The population density was 4,275.2 per square mile (1,650.7/km²). The borough contained 4,016 housing units at an average density of 1,480.0 per square mile (571.4/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 87.16% (10,111) White, 1.37% (159) Black or African American, 0.09% (10) Native American, 9.09% (1,054) Asian, 0.03% (3) Pacific Islander, 0.62% (72) from other races, and 1.66% (192) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 4.54% (527) of the population.

Out of a total of 3,917 households, 46.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.4% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.0% were non-families. 14.2% 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 2.96 and the average family size was 3.28.

In the borough, 30.0% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 19.7% from 25 to 44, 32.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.2 years. For every 100 females the census counted 94.5 males, but for 100 females at least 18 years old, it was 90.1 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $140,882 (with a margin of error of +/- $13,445) and the median family income was $160,360 (+/- $10,024). Males had a median income of $110,506 (+/- $13,238) versus $64,250 (+/- $11,788) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $61,013 (+/- $6,466). About 1.1% of families and 1.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.6% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.

Same-sex couples headed 20 households in 2010, an increase from the 15 counted in 2000.

2000 Census

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 11,546 people, 3,977 households, and 3,320 families residing in the borough. The population density was 4,246.1 people per square mile (1,638.9/km²). There were 4,024 housing units at an average density of 1,479.9 per square mile (571.2/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 90.07% White, 1.81% African American, 0.16% Native American, 6.48% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.61% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.72% of the population.

There were 3,977 households out of which 43.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.1% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.5% were non-families. 14.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% 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 borough the age distribution of the population shows 29.4% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $104,192, and the median income for a family was $111,280. Males had a median income of $84,614 versus $52,430 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $45,091. About 2.1% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Corporate residents of Glen Rock include Genovese & Maddalene, an architectural firm that specialized in designing churches.

Local government

Glen Rock is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government. The governing body consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle. The Borough form of government used by Glen Rock, the most common system used in the state, is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council. The council appoints a professional borough administrator who is the Chief Administrative Officer of the Borough, responsible to the Mayor and Council.

As of 2016, the Mayor of Glen Rock is Democrat Bruce Jay Packer, whose term of office ends December 31, 2019. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Mary Jane Surrago (R, 2016), William "Skip" Huisking (D, 2018), Amy Martin (D, 2017), Kristine Morieko (D, 2018), Michael O'Hagan (R, 2016) and Art Pazan (R, 2017).

Bruce Packer won the mayoral seat in the 2015 general election over incumbent John van Keuren, who had been seeking a fourth term. Packer's Democratic running-mates William "Skip" Huisking and Kristine Morieko were also elected to three-year Borough Council terms, giving the borough a Democratic mayor for the first time in 12 years, and a 3-3 split on the council.

Glen Rock's borough government recognizes an annual Poverty Awareness Week. The community comes together for an annual project to combat extreme global poverty. In 2007 the community built a Habitat House in Paterson, New Jersey (the second home built by Glen Rock residents), and the community was honored as Paterson Habitat's Volunteers of the Year (a first for a community). In 2008 the Borough came together for the Water for Africa Music Festival. The event raised the funds to pay for two Roundabout PlayPump water systems in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2009, the community continued its battle against poverty, raising funds to battle malaria in hurricane-ravaged Haiti.

The Borough government has declared Glen Rock a sustainable community, pursuing a "Green Up" policy that reflects a commitment to protecting the borough's trees, water and general environment. Shade trees are provided at no cost annually to citizens with cooperation from the DPW.

Federal, state and county representation

Glen Rock is located in the 5th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 38th state legislative district. Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 Census, Glen Rock had been in the 35th state legislative district.

New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District is represented by Josh Gottheimer (D, Wyckoff). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Cory Booker (D, Newark, term ends 2021) and Bob Menendez (D, Paramus, 2019).

For the 2016–2017 session (Senate, General Assembly), the 38th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Robert M. Gordon (D, Fair Lawn) and in the General Assembly by Tim Eustace (D, Maywood) and Joseph Lagana (D, Paramus). The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham Township). The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).

Bergen County is governed by a directly elected County Executive, with legislative functions performed by a seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. As of 2015, the County Executive is James J. Tedesco III (D, Paramus; term ends December 31, 2018). The seven freeholders are elected at-large in partisan elections on a staggered basis, with two or three seats coming up for election each year, with a Chairman, Vice Chairman and Chairman Pro Tempore selected from among its members at a reorganization meeting held each January. Bergen County's Freeholders are Freeholder Chairwoman Joan Voss (D, 2017; Fort Lee), Vice Chairman Steve Tanelli (D, 2015; North Arlington) Chairman Pro Tempore John A. Felice (R, 2016; River Edge), David L. Ganz (D, 2017; Fair Lawn), Maura R. DeNicola (R, 2016; Franklin Lakes) Thomas J. Sullivan Jr., (D, Montvale, 2015; serving the unexpired term of office that had been occupied by James Tedesco before he was sworn in as County Executive) and Tracy Silna Zur (D, 2015; Franklin Lakes). Countywide constitutional officials are County Clerk John S. Hogan (D, Northvale), Sheriff Michael Saudino (R) and Surrogate Michael R. Dressler (D, Cresskill).

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 8,112 registered voters in Glen Rock, of which 2,490 (30.7% vs. 31.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,971 (24.3% vs. 21.1%) were registered as Republicans and 3,645 (44.9% vs. 47.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 6 voters registered to other parties. Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 69.9% (vs. 57.1% in Bergen County) were registered to vote, including 99.9% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 73.7% countywide).

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 3,326 votes (52.6% vs. 54.8% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 2,881 votes (45.5% vs. 43.5%) and other candidates with 50 votes (0.8% vs. 0.9%), among the 6,326 ballots cast by the borough's 8,486 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.5% (vs. 70.4% in Bergen County). In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 3,762 votes (55.3% vs. 53.9% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 2,955 votes (43.4% vs. 44.5%) and other candidates with 45 votes (0.7% vs. 0.8%), among the 6,807 ballots cast by the borough's 8,316 registered voters, for a turnout of 81.9% (vs. 76.8% in Bergen County). In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 3,333 votes (51.5% vs. 51.7% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 3,092 votes (47.8% vs. 47.2%) and other candidates with 38 votes (0.6% vs. 0.7%), among the 6,475 ballots cast by the borough's 7,931 registered voters, for a turnout of 81.6% (vs. 76.9% in the whole county).

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 61.6% of the vote (2,606 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 37.2% (1,574 votes), and other candidates with 1.1% (48 votes), among the 4,329 ballots cast by the borough's 8,196 registered voters (101 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 52.8%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 2,204 ballots cast (47.2% vs. 48.0% countywide), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 2,116 votes (45.3% vs. 45.8%), Independent Chris Daggett with 299 votes (6.4% vs. 4.7%) and other candidates with 11 votes (0.2% vs. 0.5%), among the 4,666 ballots cast by the borough's 8,203 registered voters, yielding a 56.9% turnout (vs. 50.0% in the county).

Gurbir Grewal, a member of Glen Rock's Indian American Sikh community, was nominated by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to the position of Bergen County prosecutor in September 2013. Grewal was sworn as an assistant attorney general and acting Bergen County prosecutor on January 4, 2016.

Education

The Glen Rock Public Schools serve students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. As of the 2014-15 school year, the district and its six schools had an enrollment of 2,469 students and 208.8 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.8:1. Schools in the district (with 2014-15 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Richard E. Byrd School (245 students; in grades K-5), Central Elementary School (291; K-5), Clara E. Coleman School (271; K-5), Alexander Hamilton Elementary School (257; K-5), Glen Rock Middle School for grades 6-8 (578) and Glen Rock High School for grades 9-12 (747). The high school underwent a $45.3 million renovation project that started in 2009 and was completed for the 2011-12 school year, which included a new science wing, a creative arts department and system updates.

Public school students from the borough, and all of Bergen County, are eligible to attend the secondary education programs offered by the Bergen County Technical Schools, which include the Bergen County Academies in Hackensack, and the Bergen Tech campus in Teterboro or Paramus. The district offers programs on a shared-time or full-time basis, with admission based on a selective application process and tuition covered by the student's home school district.

Academy of Our Lady is a Catholic school for students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade that is affiliated with St. Catharine's Roman Catholic Church located in Glen Rock and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in neighboring Ridgewood, and is operated under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark. In September 2013, the school was one of 15 schools in New Jersey to be recognized by the United States Department of Education as part of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, which Education Secretary Arne Duncan described as schools that "represent examples of educational excellence".

Roads and highways

As of May 2010, the borough had a total of 44.67 miles (71.89 km) of roadways, of which 35.23 miles (56.70 km) were maintained by the municipality, 8.87 miles (14.27 km) by Bergen County, and 0.57 miles (0.92 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Glen Rock is served by Route 208, which runs southeast to northwest from Fair Lawn to Oakland.

Public transportation

Glen Rock has two separate NJ Transit train stations: Glen Rock–Main Line station on the Main Line located at Rock Road and Main Street, and Glen Rock–Boro Hall station on the Bergen County Line at Harding Plaza between Maple Avenue and Rock Road. Both lines provide service to Hoboken Terminal, with transfers available at Secaucus Junction to Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan and to most of NJ Transit's other train lines.

NJ Transit provides bus service to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on the 148 (on Route 208), 164, and 196 (also on Route 208) bus lines, service to the George Washington Bridge Bus Station on the 175, and local service on the 722 (on Lincoln Avenue) and 746 bus lines.

Culture

In October 2005, many scenes of prominent locations in town were shot for the film World Trade Center, starring Nicolas Cage and directed by Oliver Stone, with Glen Rock having had 11 residents who were killed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The Hendrick Hopper House is a historic building located on the corner of Ackerman and Hillman Avenues. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 as site #83001526.

Glen Rock is home to an architecturally prominent Sikh gurudwara; while up to 90% of the borough's Indian American constituency was estimated by one member in 2014 to have moved to Glen Rock within the preceding two-year period alone. In February 2015, the Glen Rock Board of Education voted to designate the Hindu holy day Diwali as an annual school holiday.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Glen Rock include: