| Author | Message | ||
     Nancy - LibraryLady Supporter Username: Librarylady Post Number: 3813 Registered: 5-2001  |
Meyer was a very special man and a wonderful citizen of the Village of South Orange. The Library, and I, will miss him so very much! Nancy Schreiber, Meyer SCHREIBER Meyer Schreiber Kean sociology professor, 87 WWII Army veteran Meyer Schreiber, 87, of South Orange died on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2006, at Care One at Livingston. Born in New York City, Mr. Schreiber lived in South Orange for many years. He was a professor of sociology and social work at Kean College, (now Kean University), for many years before retiring many years ago. A World War II Army Veteran, he received a bachelors degree in business administration from City College of New York, an M.S. from Columbia University, and a D.S.W. (Doctorate of Social Work) from Yeshiva University. Mr. Schreiber was the beloved husband of Sheila (nee Weisbuch); devoted father of Deborah Phillips and Miriam Fortunoff; dear brother of Mildred Schreiber, and loving grandfather of Lee, Scott, Molly and William. A graveside service will be held at Cedar Park Cemetery, Paramus, on Friday, Aug. 18, at 11:30 a.m. Arrangements are by the Menorah Chapels at Millburn, 2950 Vaux Hall Rd., Union. Published in the Star-Ledger on 8/18/2006 | ||
| joel dranove Citizen Username: Jdranove Post Number: 914 Registered: 1-2006 |
He kept the flames licking at the feet of the Board of Trustees a few years ago. He published his own annual review of the follies that passes as good government here, and had no fear of Bill C and the crew, speaking to power whenever he chose to. I didn't always agree with him, but respected his opinions, and always look forward to his appearances before the Board. Those who knew him, please envision his response to King Arthur telling him he couldn't ask questions of the Board! R.I.P., Meyer. jd | ||
| Elaine Harris Citizen Username: Elaineharris Post Number: 228 Registered: 12-2004 |
Meyer Schreiber was amazing. He will be sorely missed. He was very intelligent, educated, and motivated to try to enlighten the citizens about our declining standards, especially in the school system and the local government. He often wrote letters to the editor about a variety of topics that concerned him. It was very inspiring to observe a man of his age keeping his interest in community affairs so current, and being so concerned about so many issues, such as the rising taxes that affect everyone, but especially persons on a fixed income. Our community has lost a very valuable citizen. | ||
| Bailey Citizen Username: Baileymac Post Number: 431 Registered: 3-2005 |
I remember seeing Meyer Schreiber at a few BOT meetings, and often reading his letters to the editor. He was a contemporary of my Dad who was also a thorn in their side for many years. He will indeed be missed, but I'm also very glad there are others here in town who will continue the tradition of keeping the Board on their toes. | ||
| Eric DeVaris Citizen Username: Eric_devaris Post Number: 316 Registered: 2-2003  |
Meyer Schreiber was, for many years, the best watchdog that we the residents of South Orange could hope for, looking over every action of our municipal government with a critical eye. He didn’t leave a stone unturned, he was knowledgeable on most of the Village’s affairs, always asking pointed questions. He was attending the BoT meetings with some regularity, voicing his criticisms, which often were followed by applause from the audience. And he didn’t stop at that. He was a regular correspondent on the “News-Record”, bringing to the public eye every detail that was passing unnoticed in the BoT meetings. A few years ago the “News-Record” suggested his name as a potentially good candidate for Village Trustee. He was a true inspiration. His persistent desire to learn the truth accompanied by his rugged mannerisms ruffled the feathers of some few who had interest in keeping certain things under cover. They maligned him unjustly as “a grouchy old man”. He was a man who loved South Orange wholeheartedly, who wouldn’t tolerate injustice and incompetence, and who wasn’t afraid to say so. Meyer and I were not always on the same side of the fence. When I was president of Main Street, ten years ago, I tasted the pressure of Meyer’s inquisitive mind. He challenged me with a long list of questions that were published, with my answers, in three successive issues of the News-Record. He challenged the position of Main Street on the downtown redevelopment. He carried our exchange in a very civilized manner. Later we found each other again in opposing camps regarding the quarry preservation fight. But he always fought his fights with an ardent love for South Orange, and I respected him deeply for that. Meyer was the man who first informed me that the worldwide known sculptor Tony Smith was a product of South Orange. In a letter to the Editor, about ten years ago, he raised the question: “how come South Orange doesn’t honor one of its children when the rest of the world does?” I called him after the publication of his letter and he shared with me his knowledge about Tony Smith's relationship with South Orange. He must have been happy to learn recently that the seed he planted with his letter to the press ten years ago, is going to grow to a fourteen feet tall sculpture that will soon adorn our parks. He disappeared from the public scene about five or six years ago because of his frail health. I am truly saddened by his passing. South Orange lost one of its best citizens. Meyer Schreiber, you will be missed sorely. Rest in Peace. | ||
| MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 4592 Registered: 5-2001  |
He also must have been sickened, like most residents were, to learn that the Board of Trustees mis-led the public to think a quarter million dollars for this was coming from a grant and then a bond for street, sidewalk & roadway improvements and it took over 1700 residents united in opposition for the recently renovated Sloan Street to be saved from further tax expenditures. I am also saddended by his passing. His "Letters to the Editor" exposing the waste & mismanagement of our tax dollars were legendary and an inspiration to those of us who continue to see OUR money squandered. | ||
| SOrising Citizen Username: Sorising Post Number: 691 Registered: 2-2006 |
It seems unlikely someone like Mr. Schreiber would have approved of the BOT's shenanigans about Tau, given who he was, according to these descriptions, MHD. Welcome back to MOL, Trustee DeVaris. | ||
| Nancy - LibraryLady Supporter Username: Librarylady Post Number: 3814 Registered: 5-2001 |
I really do not what this to be yet another trustee bashing Tau thread (though Meyer would applaud those of us who actually took action against something that we thought was wrong, as opposed to those of us who kvetch and bitch but don't actually do anything.) Meryer was all for governmental oversight by the citizenry, but he also put his ideas into action. The News-Record wasn't satisfactory?? He started his own newsletter! Gaslights look bare? He started the tradition of individuals "adopting' their local gaslight and hanging planters from it during the summer. He was a talker, but also a doer. May we all learn from him. | ||
| bets Supporter Username: Bets Post Number: 23896 Registered: 6-2001  |
He was also quite the character. You could see BC squirm when Mr. Schreiber approached the podium. He never backed down and would've sand-blasted the "3-minute" rule into BOT history. Rest in peace, Mr. Schreiber. | ||
| Pizzaz Supporter Username: Pizzaz Post Number: 4240 Registered: 11-2001  |
I had the pleasure in a few engaging conversations with him over the years. The most recent was during the last campaign in which we conversed on his front porch for some time. As mentioned above, no one could ever deny his love for the village and its people. His overriding concern in recent years was the affect of year over year increases in property taxes as compared to his ability to pay as a fixed income pensioner. This troubled him most because of the financial difficulties encountered by wishing to maintain a dignified standard of living in the village. He was being pushed out and he didn't like that at all. Rest in peace, Meyer, we're going to miss you. | ||
| joel dranove Citizen Username: Jdranove Post Number: 925 Registered: 1-2006 |
Mr. Devaris: The level of arrogance implicit in your post about Mr. Schreiber with respect to the copy of the Hunter College original sited Tau is stunning. jd | ||
| SOrising Citizen Username: Sorising Post Number: 703 Registered: 2-2006 |
Elections next spring. Three trustees and one village president. Let's hope we get some decent people elected. |
