Community Corner

New Basketball Coach, Graduation, Home Invasion Top June News

A round-up of the top news on Summit Patch in June 2013.

A sickening three-minute beating of a young mother during a home invasion — captured in vivid color on a nanny cam — sent shockwaves through the normally-quiet Millburn community in June as authorities stepped up the hunt for the violent intruder.

Board of Ed Appoints Davidson As Boys Basketball Head Coach

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Summit High School now has a new head coach for the boys varsity basketball team, and he’s no stranger to residents. Jim Davidson, a guidance counselor and boys varsity lacrosse coach at Summit High School, was recommended for the position to the Board of Education by Superintendent Nathan Parker at a special meeting on June 25. The board approved the appointment, 6-0, and Davidson will step into his new coaching role on July 1, 2013. 

Summit High School Graduates 277 Students

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More than 270 seniors graduated from Summit High School on Monday, June 24. Check out our photo gallery from the indoor ceremony.

Summit Lacrosse Player Named All-American

Stuart Humphrey, a senior standout on the Summit High School lacrosse team, was recently named an All-American for her performance this past season, according to U.S. Lacrosse. Humphrey, an All-American in the Group II and III category, helped lead the Hilltoppers to an 18-5 record and the school's first NJSIAA Group II girls lacrosse championship.

Summit Says Goodbye to Longtime School Employees

The end of the school year is always emotional, a time for sad goodbyes and anxious anticipation of the new faces that every September brings. Those mixed emotions were on display at a recent board of education meetings when tributes were paid to retiring employees and a new position to help high school seniors in their college quest was announced. 

County's Rising Taxes Concern Summit Officials

Frustrated by property taxes levied by the Union County freeholders that some council members believe unfairly burden Summit, officials are beginning to consider ways to lobby for a fundamental change in a fraying relationship between counties and municipalities. 

White: No Decision Made To Appeal Appointment of New Coach

Following the Summit Board of Education’s approval on Wednesday evening to hire Jim Davidson to lead the boys basketball program, former head coach David White says he doesn't know if he’ll appeal the board's decision yet. White’s contract was not renewed this spring after he served as head coach for one season, leading the team to its best record since the 2004-05 season. The board held numerous meetings aimed at appointing a new coach in recent months, and the lengthy process prompted criticism from parents and players alike. Some have taken issue with the delay, and its effect on summer practices and guidance players need for pursuing a sports program in college. Many residents have come to White’s aid, saying he has been mistreated and his reputation is now tarnished.  

Stakeholders Explore Ideas to Improve Downtown Summit

Imagine a city with “complete streets” trimmed with illuminated crosswalks, bicycle paths, and vehicle and bicycle sharing initiatives, cohesive signage that lets you know you are in the downtown area, charging stations for electric cars, “green roofs” and “green buildings” to reduce energy costs, and transformable work and residential spaces. This type of development could be in Summit’s future, as the city and its Planning Board just initiated a comprehensive planning study of the downtown area. But to start, the City of Summit and Edward J. Snieckus of Burgis Associates — the city’s planning contractors — hosted a recent town hall meeting in Council Chambers to gain feedback and ideas from business owners and residents. 

Summit Fine Arts & Crafts Festival to Feature 100 Artisans on Sunday

Artisans sprinkled the streets of downtown Summit from Sunday, June 23 to Saturday, June 29 for the third annual Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts. Sponsored by Summit Downtown, Inc., this juried festival featured live music, jewelry, paintings, sculptures, photography and crafts from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Union Place, Beechwood Road and Bank Street.


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