Leonia, New Jersey

Borough of Leonia, New Jersey
Map highlighting Leonia's location within Bergen County. Inset: Bergen County's location within New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Leonia, New Jersey
Coordinates: 40°51′48″N 73°59′18″W / 40.86333, -73.98833
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Bergen
Incorporated	December 5, 1894
Government
- Type	Borough
- Mayor	Mary Heveran (D, 2011)
- Administrator	Jack Terhune[1]
Area
- Total	1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²)
- Land	1.5 sq mi (3.0 km²)
- Water	0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²)
Elevation [2]	75 ft (23 m)
Population (2006)[3]
- Total	8,799
- Density	5,921.3/sq mi (2,279.3/km²)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	07605
Area code(s)	201
FIPS code	34-40020[4][5]
GNIS feature ID	0877741[6]
Website: http://www.leonianj.gov

Leonia is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 8,914. It is located near the western approach to the George Washington Bridge.

Leonia was formed as the result of a referendum passed on December 5, 1894, from portions of Ridgefield Township. Portions of Leonia were taken on February 19, 1895, to form the Township of Teaneck.^[7][8]

New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Leonia as its 31st best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey.^[9]

Contents 1 Geography 2 Demographics 3 Government 3.1 Local government 3.2 Federal, state and county representation 3.3 Politics 4 Education 5 History 5.1 Notable Leonians 6 Recreation 6.1 Parks 7 Transportation 8 References 9 Sources 10 External links

Geography

Leonia is located at 40°51′48″N, 73°59′18″W (40.863413, -73.988273)^[10].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.2 km²), of which, 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it (7.41%) is water. Leonia is designated as a Tree City USA.

Please help improve this section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (June 2008)

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1900	804		—
1910	1,486		84.8%
1920	2,979		100.5%
1930	5,350		79.6%
1940	5,763		7.7%
1950	7,378		28%
1960	8,384		13.6%
1970	8,847		5.5%
1980	8,027		−9.3%
1990	8,365		4.2%
2000	8,914		6.6%
Est. 2006	8,799	[3]	−1.3%
Population 1930 - 1990[11][12]

As of the census^[4] of 2000, there were 8,914 people, 3,271 households, and 2,436 families residing in the borough. The population density was 5,921.3 people per square mile (2,279.3/km²). There were 3,343 housing units at an average density of 2,220.6/sq mi (854.8/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 65.74% White, 2.27% African American, 0.09% Native American, 26.06% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 3.20% from other races, and 2.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.73% of the population.

There were 3,271 households out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.5% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% were non-families. 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the borough the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 26.9% 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 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $72,440, and the median income for a family was $84,591. Males had a median income of $55,156 versus $38,125 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $35,352. About 5.0% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.0% of those under age 18 and 1.8% of those age 65 or over.

As of the 2000 census, 17.24% of Leonia's residents identified themselves as being of Korean ancestry, which was the fourth highest in the United States and second highest of any municipality in New Jersey — behind neighboring Palisades Park (36.38%) — for all places with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry.^[13] Additionally, 3.07% of Leonia's residents identified themselves as being of Japanese ancestry, which was the fourth highest of any municipality in New Jersey — behind Fort Lee (6.09%), Demarest (3.72%) and Edgewater (3.22%) — for all places with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry.^[14]

Government

Local government

Leonia 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.^[15]

By state statute, the Mayor is the head of the municipal government. He or she makes all appointments (most are subject to Council confirmation), and is an “ex officio” member of all Council Committees. In addition, the Mayor has the authority to veto all or part of a new ordinance if it is adopted by the Council. The Mayor presides at all meetings of the Council, but does not vote except in the event of a tie.

The Council is Leonia's legislative body, creating and passing the annual operating and capital budgets, and can enact local ordinances that create or change laws within Leonia. Council members attend two Council meetings each month and serve on Council committees and as liaison and / or Commissioner to various Borough organizations. The Mayor and Council members in Leonia receive no compensation for their efforts in governing the town.

The Mayor of Leonia is Mary Heveran (D, term ends December 31, 2011). The current members of the Leonia Borough Council are Philip Choi (D, 2009), Gil Hawkins (D, 2008), Karl Norgaard (D, 2010), Tony Puzzo (D, 2010), Joyce Raspa-Gore (D, 2009) and Frank Raucci (D, 2008).^[1][16]

In elections held on November 6, 2007, voters filled an open mayoral seat and two seats on the borough council. Democrats ran unopposed for all three seats, with Council President Mary Heveran (1,002 votes) elected mayor, and incumbent Anthony Puzzo (1,027) and newcomer Karl Norgaard (993) elected to the council.^[17][18]

On Election Day, November 7, 2006, voters filled two seats on the Borough Council, which at the time had five Democrats and an Independent. Neither of the two incumbents — independent Barbara Mitrani and Democrat Charles Ryan — ran for reelection. In a community in which registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by a nearly 4-1 margin, Democrats Philip Y. Choi (1,855 votes) and Joyce Raspa-Gore (1,804) were uncontested in their bids for office and took their seats on the council as of January 1, 2007.^[19][20][21]

Federal, state and county representation

Leonia is in the Ninth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 37th Legislative District.^[22]

New Jersey's Ninth Congressional District, covering the southern portion of Bergen County and sections of Hudson County and Passaic County, is represented by Steve Rothman (D, Fair Lawn). 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 37th District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Loretta Weinberg (D, Teaneck) and in the Assembly by Valerie Huttle (D, Englewood) and Gordon M. Johnson (D, Englewood).^[23] The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).^[24]

Bergen County's County Executive is Dennis McNerney (D).^[25] The executive, along with the seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders administer all county business. As of 2008, Bergen County's Freeholders are Chairman Tomas J. Padilla (D, Park Ridge), Vice-Chairman Elizabeth Calabrese (D, Wallington), James M. Carroll (D, Demarest), David L. Ganz (D, Fair Lawn), Bernadette P. McPherson (D, Rutherford), Julie O'Brien (D, Ramsey) and Vernon Walton (D, Englewood).^[26]

Other countywide elected officials are Sheriff Leo McGuire (D), Surrogate Court Judge Mike Dressler (D, Cresskill) County Clerk Kathleen Donovan (R, Rutherford).^[27]

Politics

As of April 1, 2006, out of a 2004 Census estimated population of 8,911, there were 4,677 registered voters (52.5% of the population, vs. 55.4% in all of Bergen County). Of registered voters, 1,999 (42.7% vs. 20.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 540 (11.5% vs. 19.2% countywide) were registered as Republicans and 2,138 (45.7% vs. 60.1% countywide) were registered as Undeclared. There were no voters registered to other parties.^[28]

On the national level, Leonia leans strongly toward the Democratic Party. In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 64% of the vote here, defeating Republican George W. Bush, who received around 35%.^[29]

Education

The Leonia Public Schools serve students from kindergarten through the twelfth grade. Enrollment in the district is 1,752, of which, 289 are Edgewater students in grades 7-12. An Early Childhood Learning Center is available for 4-year olds. This tuition-based program provides a half-day of academic activities to prepare children for kindergarten.^[30]

The district has 175 classroom teachers and 23 educational support personnel. The cost per pupil in 2003-2004 was $10,730 as compared to a state average of $10,621. Average class size in all 3 schools is 21 students. The budget for the 2005-2006 school year was $21,454,000.

Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment from the National Center for Education Statistics^[31] are Anna C. Scott Elementary School for grades K-5 (662 students), Leonia Middle School for grades 6-8 (443 students) and Leonia High School for grades 9-12 (630 students).

St. John the Evangelist School is a Catholic school for students in grades K-8 within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark.

History

During the Revolutionary War, Leonia was called the English Neighborhood. After the arrival of the train in 1859, it was known as West Fort Lee. The name was changed, in 1864, to Leonia (foot of Fort Lee). It was settled in 1668 mainly by Dutch and English farmers, making it one of the oldest towns in the state and county. A third of the population was African slaves. It was located on the western slope of the Palisades, started as a quiet farming community. Leonia’s location influenced much of its history. For example, the close proximity to New York City is notable, with major universities, theatres, performing venues contributing to Leonia’s growth of art and academics. Many twentieth-century artists emerged from Leonia.

The sleepy farming community persisted until there was a sudden burst of economic and cultural growth at around the late nineteenth century. During the early part of the twentieth century, many noted academics arrived, attracted to Leonia's small size, culture, and location, earning the town's nickname of the "Athens of New Jersey". In the 1930s, it had the highest number of residents, per capita, in Who's Who in America. Another example is the opening in 1915 of the Leonia School of Illustration by Harvey Dunn, and the artists' colony that subsequently emerged over the next decade.^[32] Transportation through the town was enhanced with the West Side subway, ferries, and trolley systems. Leonia became a refuge for many of America's creative thinkers which include five distinguished Nobel Prize winners.

For two hundred years, one of the two major avenues that run north-to-south through Leonia, Grand Avenue, (the other one is Broad Avenue,) was called the English Neighborhood Road. In colonial times, this road served as the main inland between Paulus Hook, Bergen, and the English Neighborhood. Leonia is famous for being a crossroads of the American Revolution and a training ground for American Civil War soldiers.

Historic places in this town include the Civil War Drill Hall and Armory, the Cole-Allaire House, and the Vreeland House.

Leonia celebrates "Leonia Day" annually on the third Sunday in May.^[33]

Notable Leonians

Some notable people who lived in Leonia during part or all of their career:

• Alan Alda (1936-), actor.^[34]
• Samuel Ball, educator
• Freddie Bartholomew (1924-1992), child actor.^[35]
• Pat Boone (1934-), singer.^[34][35]
• Carolee Carmello, actress.^[36]
• Arlene Croce (1934-), dance critic
• Sammy Davis, Jr. (1925-1990), entertainer^[34]
• Harvey Dunn (1884-1952), illustrator.^[32]
• Gregg Edelman (1958-), actor.^[37]
• Emme (1963-), plus-size supermodel.^[38]
• Enrico Fermi (1901-1954), physicist.^[34]
• Buddy Hackett (1924-2003), comedian.^[35]
• Marvin Harris (1927-2001), anthropologist.^[39]
• Phil Jackson (1945-), basketball coach.^[40]
• Willard Libby (1908-1980), scientist.^[34]
• Robert Ludlum (1927-2001), author.^[34][35]
• John C. McCloy (1876-1945), sailor awarded the Medal of Honor.^[41]
• Bob McFadden (1923-2000), voiceover actor.^[42]
• Robert F. Murphy (1924-1990), anthropologist^[43]
• James Noble (1922-), actor
• Carmel Quinn, singer.^[35]
• Gene Shalit (1932-), television film critic
• Wilfrid Sheed (1930-), novelist and critic
• Ed Sullivan (1901-1974), television show host
• Mae West (1893-1980), actress

Some notable people who grew up in Leonia:

• Anthony Bourdain, chef.^[44]
• Dan Colen, artist.^[45]
• Paul Collins, musician
• Toomas Hendrik Ilves, President of Estonia.^[46][47]
• Judy Irving (1946-), documentary filmmaker, director of The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill.^{[citation needed]}
• Bob Klapisch, sportswriter.^[48]
• Dick Kryhoski (1925-2007), was a first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for five different teams between 1949 and 1955.^[49]
• Philip Maneval (1956-), composer.^[50]
• David Mansfield (1956-), musician
• Christiane Noll, singer and actress known for her work in musicals and on the concert stage.^[51]
• Frank C. Osmers, Jr. (1907-1977), represented New Jersey's 9th congressional district from 1939-1943 and 1951-1965.^[52]
• Ivory Sully (1957-), football player.^[53]
• Paris Themmen (1959-), child actor

Recreation

Leonia is home to the Players Guild of Leonia, which operates as the oldest continuing theatre troupe in the state of New Jersey, and is one of the oldest theatre guilds in the United States with continuous performances since 1919. Performances have included comedies, tragedies, classics, and musicals. The Guild's production of One Mad Night in 1940 was the first three act play performed on television, when it was broadcast on WPTZ, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1963, the Children's Show was instituted and continues each spring. Between 1968 and 1998, the Guild produced Theatre in the Park. Since 2002, the Players' Guild of Leonia has produced a Playwright's Showcase featuring original scripts. The Guild presently operates out of the historic Civil War Drill Hall Theatre on Grand Avenue which is leased from the borough.

In addition to the Players Guild of Leonia, Leonia has five public recreational areas in its square-mile town. Of the five areas, only the Leonia Swim Club requires membership fee. The recreation areas include Wood Park, located on the corner of Broad Avenue and Fort Lee Road; Sylvan Park and the Leonia Swim Club, both are on Grand Avenue, near Sylvan Avenue; the Recreational Center on Broad Avenue that offers an indoor basketball court; and lastly, Overpeck Park, which is a Bergen County park that is located in Leonia, also home of the Bergen County 9/11 Memorial.

Parks

• Overpeck County Park, a Bergen County park
• Sylvan Park
• Wood Park
• Highwood Hills

Transportation

Leonia is served by New Jersey Route 93 (also known as Grand Avenue), U.S. Route 46 and Interstate 95. New Jersey Transit bus routes 166, 182, 751, 755 and 756 also serve Leonia,^[54] though there are plans to reopen a dormant railway that once ran through the town.

References

Sources

• Division of Local Government, Department of the Treasury (New Jersey) "Municipal Incorporations of the State of New Jersey (according to Counties)" prepared by the December 1, 1958.
• Mattingly, Paul H. Suburban Landscapes: Culture and Politics in a New York Metropolitan Community. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001. ISBN 0-8018-6680-4.
• Karel, Carol Leonia Images of America Series, Arcadia Pub., 2002. ISBN 0-7385-0973-6
• Westervelt, Frances A. (Frances Augusta) "History of Bergen County, New Jersey, 1630-1923;"

External links

• Leonia official website
• Leonia Public Schools
• Leonia Public Schools's 2006-07 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
• Data for the Leonia Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics
• Leonia website that has easy access to Leonia official website, fire department, ambulance corps, and public schools

• Leonia, New Jersey is at coordinates 40°51′48″N 73°59′18″W / 40.863413, -73.988273 (Leonia, New Jersey)Coordinates: 40°51′48″N 73°59′18″W / 40.863413, -73.988273 (Leonia, New Jersey)

v • d • e Municipalities and communities of Bergen County, New Jersey County seat: Hackensack Boroughs Allendale | Alpine | Bergenfield | Bogota | Carlstadt | Cliffside Park | Closter | Cresskill | Demarest | Dumont | East Rutherford | Edgewater | Elmwood Park | Emerson | Englewood Cliffs | Fair Lawn | Fairview | Fort Lee | Franklin Lakes | Glen Rock | Harrington Park | Hasbrouck Heights | Haworth | Hillsdale | Ho-Ho-Kus | Leonia | Little Ferry | Lodi | Maywood | Midland Park | Montvale | Moonachie | New Milford | North Arlington | Northvale | Norwood | Oakland | Old Tappan | Oradell | Palisades Park | Paramus | Park Ridge | Ramsey | Ridgefield | River Edge | Rockleigh | Rutherford | Saddle River | Tenafly | Teterboro | Upper Saddle River | Waldwick | Wallington | Westwood | Wood-Ridge | Woodcliff Lake Cities Englewood | Garfield | Hackensack Townships Lyndhurst | Mahwah | River Vale | Rochelle Park | Saddle Brook | South Hackensack | Teaneck | Washington Township | Wyckoff Villages Ridgefield Park | Ridgewood

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