Randolph, New Jersey
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Randolph is a Township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 24,847.
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[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 54.6 km² (21.1 mi²). 54.3 km² (21.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.57%) is water.
New York City is approximately 56 km (35 mi) or a 45 minute commute from Randolph. Atlantic City is 209 km (130 mi) or 2 hours away (Source: Google Maps)
Randolph is located within the New Jersey Highlands, one of New Jersey's four major physiographic provinces. Part of the Appalachian Mountains, the Highlands are characterized by alternating flat-topped ridges and deep-striking valleys.
Land in Randolph runs from 551 to 1120 feet above sea level. (Route 10) bisects the town, and country roads wind through woods, along streams, and up and down hills. Open land is preserved by both municipal and county parkland within the town boundaries.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 24,847 people, 8,679 households, and 6,804 families residing in the township. The population density was 457.7/km² (1,185.2/mi²). There were 8,903 housing units at an average density of 164.0/km² (424.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the township was 85.70% White, 2.30% African American, 0.06% Native American, 9.14% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.31% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.86% of the population.
There were 8,679 households out of which 44.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.2% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.6% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.28.
In the township the population was spread out with 29.7% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.8 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $97,589, and the median income for a family was $115,722. Males had a median income of $80,120 versus $45,455 for females. The per capita income for the township was $43,072. About 1.0% of families and 1.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.0% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Background
Randolph's beginnings predate the creation of Morris County, New Jersey. Hartshorne Fitz-Randolph bought 1,000 acres (4 km²) of what would become the township in the Mine Hill area in 1753. In 1805, the township was formed from the larger Mendham Township. Dover separated from Randolph in 1896, and Mine Hill Township gained independent status in 1923.
There are several sections of Randolph, including Mount Freedom, Center Grove, Fernbrook, Ironia, and Shongum. (Source: Daily Record)
Randolph Township's 22 square miles in western Morris County have been designated half rural, half suburban by the New Jersey State Planning Commission.
The town was inhabited by the Lenni Lenape Native Americans, settled by Quakers, and served as a supply point for George Washington's army during their winter in nearby Jockey Hollow. Randolph Historical Society has preserved this heritage in the Museum of Old Randolph. One of Randolph's oldest streets, Gristmill Road, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Randolph became a vacation haven in the early part of the 20th century, known for its woods, ponds, lakes and invigorating air. Through the 1950s, farms, large hotels and bungalow colonies dotted the community. Performers like Phil Silvers, Frank Sinatra and Jan Pierce appeared at the hotels. Boxers Max Baer, Floyd Patterson, James J. Braddock and Rocky Marciano trained or fought at Sain's Hotel on Brookside Road. The Sain Hotel later turned into a vacant building used by drug addicts, and burned down in the late eighties.
Randolph's 24 township historical landmarks range from the 276 year old Liberty Tree through the 1869 Bryant Distillery (famed for its apple jack) to the 1924 Millbrook School, now rehabilitated and in use as offices.
Temperatures range, in an average year, from the low 20s in February to the mid-90s fahrenheit in August.
[edit] Government
[edit] Local government
The Township Council is the legislative body of Randolph. Randolph's Council-Manager form of government under the Faulkner Act calls for the partisan, at-large election of seven Township Council members, from whom the elected body selects one of its members to serve as mayor and another as deputy mayor, at a reorganization meeting conducted each year.
The council represents the public and develops and adopts policies, resolves public issues, formulates township policy through motions, resolutions and ordinances which reflect the needs of the public, and maintains a working knowledge of intergovernmental issues and how they will affect the Township of Randolph. Thirteen separate advisory boards and committees assist policy formulation of the council.
The Township Council is similar to a corporate board of directors and is assisted by the Township Attorney, who prepares ordinances and advises on legal issues, the Township Clerk, who prepares resolutions, and the Township Manager, who functions much like the CEO of a corporation.
Members of the Randolph Township Council for 2006 are Mayor Gary Algeier (term ends December 31, 2008), Deputy Mayor Michael Obremski (2008), Jon Huston (2006), Andrew J. Manning (2006), Trina Ruane Mitsch (2008), Al Napoliello (2006) and Arlene Price (2006)[1].
[edit] Federal, state and county representation
Randolph Township is in the Eleventh Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 25th Legislative District[2].
New Jersey's Eleventh Congressional District, covering western portions of Essex County, all of Morris County, and sections of Passaic County, Somerset County and Sussex County, is represented by Rodney Frelinghuysen (R, Harding Township). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Robert Menendez (D, Hoboken).
The 25th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Anthony Bucco (R, Denville) and in the Assembly by Michael Patrick Carroll (R, Morristown) and Richard A. Merkt (R, Randolph). The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).
Morris County is governed by a seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. Morris County's Freeholders are: Margaret Nordstrom (Freeholder Director), John Inglesino (Freeholder Deputy Director), Douglas R. Cabana, Frank J. Druetzler, Cecilia G. Laureys John J. Murphy and Jack Schrier.
[edit] Education
The Randolph Township Schools educate children in kindergarten through twelfth grade, as well as special-needs preschoolers. Schools in the district are the four K-5 elementary schools (Center Grove Elementary School, Fernbrook Elementary School, Ironia Elementary School and Shongum Elementary School), Randolph Middle School for grades 6-8, and Randolph High School for grades 9-12.
The main campus of the County College of Morris is located in Randolph Township.
The Hebrew Academy of Morris County is coeducational Jewish day school serving approximately 225 children in nursery school through grade eight.
[edit] Churches in Randolph
Bethlehem Church an Evangelical Free Church is located on State Route 10 near Quaker Bridge Road.
St. Matthew the Apostle Parish is a Roman Catholic church at 335 Dover Chester Road in Randolph.
Ressurection Parish is a Roman Catholic church on Millbrook Avenue near Freedom Park.
[edit] Life in Randolph
The community of Randolph Township is largely based around organized events, including high school sports, senior citizen gatherings, and various group activities. These events are necessary, as there is no real "town" area of Randolph for people to enjoy. There is a public library, with regularly scheduled reading groups and other programs. Many citizens are involved in Randolph's Senior Citizen Center, where games, get-togethers and other exciting activities are hosted. The Brundage Park Playhouse shows plays, musicals, and improv nights with youth and adult performers alike.
In the schools, there are pre-high school track, football and soccer teams, among others. Randolph is represented in regional athletic conferences, such as the Iron Hills Conference. The Randolph High School varsity ice hockey team won the public school state championships in 2003 and 2006. In terms of recreation, there are many programs available for children, teenagers and adults. However, life in Randolph for youths recently took a turn for the worse, as drugs have taken hold in this small town. The recent Morris County drug sweep targeted numerous Randolph residents, including students of the High School.[3]
Randolph is also well known for its scholastic forensics program, wrestling, cross country and track & field, and music programs, as well as its Little League baseball teams.
[edit] Transportation
With Route 10, County Route 513, and Sussex Turnpike County Route 617 passing through township lines, and Route 24 Interstate 287, Interstate 80, Interstate 78, Interstate 280 nearby the average commute to work is 27 minutes. (Source: Randolph Township Website)
Parts of the town are served by the Morris County Metro #2 which provides service from the college to the Dover, Morris Plains, and Morristown train stations as well as shopping and employment destinations.
[edit] Notable residents
- Warren Boroson, syndicated financial columnist
- Jon Hurwitz, screenwriter whose credits include Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, Scary Movie 3 (rewrite)
- George Parros, Hockey player
- Hayden Schlossberg, screenwriter whose credits include Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, Scary Movie 3 (rewrite)
- Rio Clemente, noted Jazz pianist and composer
[edit] References
- ^ 2006 Township Council Roster, accessed July 5, 2006
- ^ League of Women Voters: 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 63, accessed August 30, 2006
- ^ Hampton couple among 120 people in four counties arrested on cocaine charges, New Jersey Herald, November 22, 2005
[edit] External links
- Randolph Township Website
- Randolph Township Schools
- Randolph Township Schools's 2004-2005 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
- National Center for Education Statistics data for the Randolph Township Schools
- Randolp-area Chamber of Commerce
- County College of Morris web site
- Historic 1758 Quaker meetinghouse
- Google Map of Randolph Township
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