From a new Village President to a record breaking snowstorm, 2011 proved to be an eventful year for South Orange residents.

January started off much how December 2010 ended with snow draping the streets of South Orange.  Thankfully the response to this storm was much swifter than the previous month. 

2011 brought some new staples to the Village as the Maplewood-South Orange shared municipal court opened.  Meanwhile, Seton Hall welcomed a new face by appointing Dr. A. Gabriel Esteban as their new president.  A new fitness center came to Columbia High School thanks to $1.3 million in grants.  However, one thing that was new was a teachers’ contract as the lack of such led to protests outside of the Board of Education building.

February was welcomed by yet another snow storm, however, that didn’t stop Essex Ed from looking for his shadow.

Social media appeared to be a thorn in the South Orange residents’ side as local teens used it to gather downtown.  This led to uproar by both South Orange residents and the members of the Board of Trustees.  The result of the incident caused the South Orange Police Department to use social media as a way to watch for these gatherings.

March was the start of some stories that would end months later.  Alex Torpey became the first candidate to enter the 2011 election for South Orange Village President.  He would be running for an open position as then-Village President Doug Newman announced that he would not run for re-election.  Trustee Janine Bauer represented Pure Progress in the election.

Meanwhile, the Board of Trustees approved a new pool bridge for the village and East Orange Water Commission received a citation.

On the school front, Marshall School celebrated a Day of Diversity and the Columbia High School girls fencing team won bronze in the state championship.  Teachers also continued their protests against the lack of contract provided to them. 

Some of the local children got involved in charity work with a blanket drive and a lemonadestand to benefit Japanese relief efforts. 

April was the start of South Orange and Maplewood’s battle with the proposed Hua Mei Charter School.  Also, the Board of Education election heated up and would eventually result in Sandra Karriem and Andrea Wren-Hardin being re-elected and Bill Gaudelli joining the board. 

Alex Torpey won May’s election to become the new South Orange Village President.  He was sworn in on May 16. 

Superintendent Brian Osborne spoke out against charter schools, while parents spoke their minds about de-leveling.  The district and its teachers also ended their contract dispute.

Governor Chris Christie urged Seton Hall graduates to “be disruptors” as he spoke at the university’s graduation and South Orange honored their veterans.

June featured the return of Main Street South Orange’s annual festival, Celebrate South Orange.  The event was almost entirely volunteer run and featured a community supper.

Unfortunately, June was also the month of the tragic death of 11-year-old Nikhil Badlani of West Orange who perished in a car accident on Wyoming Avenue.  Maplewood and South Orange emergency personnel responded to the accident that took Nikhil's life.  Hundreds mourned the young life cut short and Nikhil's mother created a foundation in her son's name.

South Orange filed a lawsuit against East Orange Water Commission after the condition of the water remained poor.  The Charter Review committee also presented their final recommendations.

July was the month of the contentious Special Improvement District public hearing at SOPAC. 

August brought a (thought to be) hurricane.  Irene dumps tons of rain on the village and wreaked havoc on the power lines in town.

Village Administrator John Gross announced his resignation to become the CFO in West Orange.  The BOT held a meeting just to discuss his contract and decided that he will remain CFO in South Orange.

South Orange held events around town to remember the attacks on September 11, 2001.  First responding organizations held their own tributes and retold stories.

South Orange passed its 2011 municipal budget, with a 1.57% tax increase. 

October brought a record-breaking snowstorm, the earliest in South Orange history.  Despite the storm, which took down hundreds of power lines and left schools closed, kids were still able to enjoy Halloween.

November featured the re-election of most county and statewide officials for South Orange.  Also residents voted that they are fine with the proposed changes to the Village Charter.

This past month welcomed the holiday spirit to South Orange.  Seton Hall and South Orange both had Christmas Tree lightings and Main Street South Orange held Christmas events.

Did we miss a story?  What was your highlight of the year?  Tell us below.