Emerson, New Jersey

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Borough of Emerson, New Jersey
nickname =
motto =


imagesize =
image_caption =


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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Map highlighting Emerson's location within Bergen County. Inset: Bergen County's location within New Jersey


mapsize1 = 250x200px
map_caption1 = Census Bureau map of Emerson, New Jersey
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = New Jersey
subdivision_name2 = Bergen
settlement_type = Borough (New Jersey)
government_type = Borough (New Jersey)
government_footnotes =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Louis J. Lamatina (R; 2010)
leader_title1 = Administrator
leader_name1 = Joseph Scarpa
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = April 8, 1903 (as Borough of Etna)
established_title2 = Name changed
established_date2 = March 9, 1909 (to Borough of Emerson)
area_magnitude =
area_total_sq_mi = 2.4
area_total_km2 = 6.3
area_land_sq_mi = 2.2
area_land_km2 = 5.8
area_water_sq_mi = 0.2
area_water_km2 = 0.5
area_urban_sq_mi =
area_urban_km2 =
area_metro_sq_mi =
area_metro_km2 =
population_as_of = 2007
population_footnotes =
population_total = 7343
population_metro =
population_urban =
population_density_km2 = 1,240.5
population_density_sq_mi = 3,216.3
timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd = 40 |latm = 58 |lats = 31 |latNS = N
longd = 74 |longm = 1 |longs = 38 |longEW = W
elevation_m = 18
elevation_ft = 59
elevation_footnotes = [Gnis|885208|Borough of Emerson, Geographic Names Information System, accessed July 9, 2007.]
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 07630
area_code = 201
website = http://www.emersonnj.org/
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 34-21450GR|2 [ [http://mcdc2.missouri.edu/webrepts/commoncodes/ccc_nj.html A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey] , Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.]
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0876186GR|3
footnotes =

Emerson is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 7,197.

What is now Emerson was originally formed on April 8, 1903 from portions of Washington Township as the Borough of Etna, the name of a railroad station in the community. The name was changed to Emerson as of March 9, 1909."The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 75.] ["History of Bergen County" Vol. 1, p. 354-355 shows March 16, 1909 for creation of Emerson.]

Geography

Emerson is located at coor dms|40|58|31|N|74|1|38|W|city (40.975140, -74.027258)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.3 km²), of which, 2.2 square miles (5.8 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km²) of it (7.44%) is water.

Demographics

USCensusPop
1900= 456
1910= 767
1920= 973
1930= 1394
1940= 1487
1950= 1744
1960= 6849
1970= 8428
1980= 7793
1990= 6930
2000= 7197
estimate=7343
estyear=2007
estref= [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=Search&geo_id=16000US3421300&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US34%7C16000US3421300&_street=&_county=emerson&_cityTown=emerson&_state=04000US34&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=population_0&ds_name=null&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= Census data for Emerson] , United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 9, 2008.]
footnote=Population 1900 - 1990. [ [http://www.co.bergen.nj.us/planning/data/HistoricalPop.pdf Historical Population Trends in Bergen County (1900 - 2000)] , Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed December 23, 2007.] [ [http://www.wnjpin.net/OneStopCareerCenter/LaborMarketInformation/lmi01/poptrd6.htm New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990] , Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.] As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 7,197 people, 2,373 households, and 1,964 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,216.3 people per square mile (1,240.5/km²). There were 2,398 housing units at an average density of 1,071.7/sq mi (413.3/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 89.62% White, 0.85% African American, 0.06% Native American, 7.89% Asian, 0.88% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.61% of the population.

As of the 2000 census, 2.2% of Emerson's residents identified themselves as being of Armenian-American ancestry. This was the 20th highest percentage of Armenian American people in any place in the United States with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry. [ [http://www.epodunk.com/ancestry/Armenian.html Armenian Communities] , Epodunk. Accessed June 28, 2006.]

There were 2,373 households out of which 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.5% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.2% were non-families. 14.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the borough the population was spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $74,556, and the median income for a family was $80,468. Males had a median income of $52,450 versus $36,818 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $31,506. About 1.3% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.3% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Emerson is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office and only votes to break a tie. 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. ["2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book", Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 165.] [http://www.emersonnj.org/Cit-e-Access/FAQ/?TID=16&TPID=2128#F287 Frequently Asked Questions - Borough Clerk: What form of government is Emerson organized under?] , Borough of Emerson. Accessed June 4, 2006.]

The Mayor of Emerson Borough is Louis J. Lamatina (D) term ends December 31, 2010). Members of the Emerson Borough Council are Council President Chris Heyer (R, term ends December 31, 2009), Dr. Stephen Bair (R, 2010), Anthony Loffredo Jr. (R, 2009), Marcia DeSalvo (R, 2008), Kenneth Hoffman (D, 2010), Dr. Frank Milone (R, 2008) and Brian Todd (R, 2007). [ [http://www.emersonnj.org Emerson Council] , Borough of Emerson. Accessed February 29, 2008.] [http://co.bergen.nj.us/ParksPDF/CountyDirectory.pdf "County of Bergen: 2008 County and Municipal Directory"] , Bergen County, New Jersey, p. 41. Accessed July 3, 2008.]

In elections held on November 6, 2007, voters turned out to fill two seats on the borough council. Republican Steven L. Bair (787 votes) and incumbent Democrat Kenneth C. Hoffman (661) ran unopposed and won three-year terms in office. [ [http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkyJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3MjEyOTQ5 "Emerson municipal elections"] , "The Record (Bergen County)", October 26, 2007. Accessed December 17, 2007.] [ [http://www.northjersey.com/dngmedia/media_server/tr/2007/11/06election/bergencounty2007.html Bergen County election results] , "The Record (Bergen County)", November 7, 2007. Accessed November 10, 2007.]

On Election Day, November 7, 2006, voters filled open seats for Mayor, two three-year terms and an unexpired two-year term on the borough council. As of Election Day, the council had a 5-1 Republican majority, in a community in which registered Republicans outnumber Democrats by a more than 3-1 margin. Democratic newcomer Louis J. Lamatina (1,474 votes) defeated incumbent Steven Setteducati (1,379) to win a seat as mayor. Newcomer Republican Marcia DeSalvo (1,378) narrowly edged Democrat Jeffrey Bischoff (1,347) in the race for the unexpired two-year seat. Republican incumbent Christopher Heyer (1,806) and newcomer Anthony Loffredo Jr. (1,828) ran unopposed and won full three-year terms in office. The results mean the Republicans maintained their 5-1 edge on the 2007 council. [ [http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkzJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3MDEzNzIw Emerson Election Guide] , "The Record (Bergen County)", November 1, 2006.] [ [http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkyJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3MDE2NzE4 Emerson election results] , "The Record (Bergen County)", November 8, 2006.] [ [http://151.198.187.55/countyclerk/2006%20General/2006_General.pdf Bergen County 2006 General Election Results] , Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed February 1, 2007.]

Day to day operation of the Borough is handled by Joseph Scarpa, who has served as Borough Administrator since 2000. The Borough Clerk is Carol Dray, the Treasurer is Ann (Nancy) Burns. [ [http://www.psegrpa.com/contactsr.asp?Action=List&Location=Bergen%2CEmerson+Borough Municipal Officials, Legislative District and PSE&G Service Area] , PSE&G. Accessed November 3, 2007.]

Federal, state and county representation

Emerson is in the Fifth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 39th Legislative District. [ [http://www.lwvnj.org/pubs/CG06.pdf 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government] , New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 57. Accessed August 30, 2006.]

Politics

As of April 1, 2006, out of a 2004 Census estimated population of 7,339 in Emerson, there were 4,627 registered voters (63.0% of the population, vs. 55.4% in all of Bergen County). Of registered voters, 612 (13.2% vs. 20.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,898 (41.0% vs. 19.2% countywide) were registered as Republicans and 2,116 (45.7% vs. 60.1% countywide) were registered as Undeclared. There was one voter registered to another party. ["County of Bergen: Voter Statistics by Municipality, Ward & District," Bergen County, New Jersey, dated April 1, 2006.]

On the national level, Emerson leans strongly toward the Republican Party. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 58% of the vote here, defeating Democrat John Kerry, who received around 41%. 78% of registered voters voted in the 2004 presidential race (vs. 77% countywide). [ [http://www.nj.gov/lps/elections/2004results/04_Municipality_pdf%27s/presidential_bergen_co_2004.pdf 2004 Presidential Election results: Bergen County] , New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety: Division of Elections, dated December 13, 2004.]

Education

The Emerson School District serves public school students in Pre-Kindergarten through twelfth grade. Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are [http://www.emerson.k12.nj.us/Memorial/Memorial.htm Emerson Memorial School] with 328 students in PreK-2, [http://www.emerson.k12.nj.us/Villano/Villano.htm Patrick M. Villano Elementary School] with 369 students in grades 3-6 and Emerson Jr./Sr. High School with 458 students in grades 7-12. [ [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3404710 Data for the Emerson School District] , National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed October 17, 2007.]

Transportation

Emerson is served by New Jersey Transit on the Pascack Valley Line at the Emerson train station. The station is located at the intersection of Linwood Avenue and Kinderkamack Road.

This line runs north-south to Hoboken Terminal with connections via the Secaucus Junction transfer station to New Jersey Transit one-stop service to New York Penn Station and to ten other NJ Transit rail lines. Connections are available at the Hoboken Terminal to other New Jersey Transit rail lines, the PATH train at the Hoboken PATH station, New York Waterways ferry service to the World Financial Center and other destinations and Hudson-Bergen Light Rail service.

New Jersey Transit provides bus service on the 165 route to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. [ [http://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=BusRoutesBergenCountyTo Routes by County: Bergen County] , New Jersey Transit. Accessed September 9, 2008.] Coach USA also provides service to both Port Authority bus terminals in New York city.

Emerson has a single traffic light located at the intersection of Linwood Avenue and Kinderkamack Road, adjacent to the train station.

Bomb Threat

On Wednesday, September 19, 2007, there was a threat made to the Emerson School System. A letter addressed to Emerson Mayor Lou Lamatina, was received around 10:30 a.m., in a small envelope with what appeared to be a computer-printed address pasted on the front, authorities said. The note inside also appeared to be computer-generated, and was pasted on a blank piece of paper, saying this: "All three schools will be blown out on Thursday, Sept. 20th at 11:30 a.m., with two other schools in near by towns." This note was later sent to the Bergen County Sheriff's Office for forensic examination. [Kelley, Tina. [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/20/nyregion/20bomb.html?ref=nyregion "A Bomb Threat Closes Schools in Bergen County"] , "The New York Times", September 20, 2007. Accessed September 22, 2007.]

All three Emerson Schools were immediately evacuated (by a fire drill around 11:00), and students nor teachers were not allowed to collect any of their belonging including backpacks, cell phones, or purses. Seniors were allowed to retrieve their cars later that day, but nobody else was allowed near the school.

Members of the Bergen County bomb squad were sent to Emerson on Wednesday morning, but after searching the district's schools, nothing was found. They also searched Oradell and Washington Township schools and searched Assumption Academy on Thursday morning, and will continue searching numerous other schools in the area.

13 districts closed their schools for Thursday, September 20, 2007, those towns including: Emerson, Westwood, Washington Township, Oradell, River Edge, Closter, River Vale, Demarest, Haworth, Harrington Park, Northvale, Norwood and Old Tappan. Some selected Catholic grammar and high schools were closed. The bomb threat affected 12-14,000 students, 1,200 of those from Emerson alone. These schools were closed for two days until they were deemed safe. [ [http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-09-20-nj-schools_N.htm Bomb threat closes schools in northern N.J.] , "USA Today", September 20, 2007. Accessed September 22, 2007.]

Points of interest

*Cedar Park Cemetery

Noted residents

Notable current and former residents of Emerson include:
*Kevin Higgins, head football coach at The Citadel. [ [http://www.detroitlions.com/bio.cfm?bio_id=102 Kevin Higgins] , Detroit Lions. Accessed February 20, 2008. "He was also the head basketball coach and assistant football coach at Emerson (N.J.) High School from 1977-78. A native of Emerson, N.J., Higgins attended Emerson High School where he was captain of the football, basketball and baseball teams during his senior year."]
*Andy Papathanassiou, pit crew coordinator of NASCAR's Hendrick Motorsports, is a graduate of Emerson Jr./Sr. High School. [Bernstein, Viv. [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/15/sports/othersports/15pit.html "On Pit Row, It’s First and Tire Change"] , "The New York Times", August 15, 2006. Accessed October 17, 2007. "Hendrick Motorsports was the first to hire a pit crew coordinator when Andy Papathanassiou of Emerson, N.J., a former Stanford football player, joined the team in 1993."]

Sources

*"History of Bergen County, New Jersey, 1630-1923;" by "Westervelt, Frances A. (Frances Augusta), 1858-1942."
*"Municipal Incorporations of the State of New Jersey (according to Counties)" prepared by the Division of Local Government, Department of the Treasury (New Jersey); December 1, 1958.

References

External links

* [http://www.emersonnj.org/ Emerson Borough website]
* [http://www.emerson.k12.nj.us/ Emerson Public Schools]
*NJReportCard|03|1360|0|Emerson School District
* [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3404710 Data for the Emerson School District] , National Center for Education Statistics