Village Council – Request to Place Plaque on Ridge Wall From Campanello Family
September 2,2012
Boyd A. Loving
8:41 PM
Ridgewood NJ, Family members of the late Nicholas M. (Nick) Campanello, a 16 year old incoming Ridgewood High School senior who died from an asthma attack on August 8th, have formally requested the Ridgewood Village Council permit installation of a memorial plaque at the “overlook” stone wall on Crest Road near Valley View Avenue.
A spray painted memorial to Nick recently appeared on the “overlook” wall facing Crest Road. Long time residents of the Ridgewood Heights area claim this is the first time they recall the stone wall being defaced with spray paint. It is unclear at this time what significance the wall played, if any, in Nick’s life, nor is it known what action Village officials plan to take with regard to the spray painted memorial.
Home owners in the area of Crest Road and Valley View Avenue have reportedly been calling police almost regularly over the past week or more regarding illegally parked vehicles associated with large groups of individuals who are now congregating nightly at “overlook.”
Village Council members are scheduled to discuss the Campanello family’s request during their Public Work Session on Wednesday, September 5th. The meeting will begin at 7:30 PM in the Sydney V. Stoldt, Jr. Court Room at Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue.
Looks like his friends have already put up their plaque.
Defacing property is not a fitting memorial. maybe a plaque or an award in his name at Ridge. He seemed to love dancing, maybe a dance at the school or a salute to the arts in his name. There are appropriate ways to memorialize someone lost so young, and these memorials should include students at his former schools.