Community Corner

Resident Takes Local Issues to the Airwaves

Local resident Anselm Lebourne created the South Orange Maplewood Online Radio Experience to "create a new voice in the community."

South Orange and Maplewood residents now have a new way to join in the discussion of local issues, with the South Orange Maplewood Online Radio Experience(SOMORE).

SOMORE was started in September by local resident Anselm Lebourne, a Maplewood resident of 10-years and Seton Hall University alumnus.

Lebourne has always been active in the community as a member of the Community Coalition on Race, PTA's for his kids and other organizations, he said.

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“There are many different forms of written communication and felt like there needs to be some oral communication,” he said. “I matched them together and created the South Orange Maplewood Online Radio Experience.”

So far SOMORE has garnered more than 500 listeners, he added.

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The station can be found online at somore.org and has radio shows running from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Soon Lebourne plans on it running 24/7 with all shows available anytime on podcasts.

Every day the show runs a segment called “In the Village with Anselm” where Lebourne discusses community issues like the South Orange Board of Trustees Village Charter and the Maplewood Post Office Redevelopment.

In November, Lebourne even hosted the first ever radio debate with Maplewood Township Committee candidates.

Lebourne will soon have a new segment “Know your Neighbor” which will highlight local residents who do outstanding things.

“Many people are involved in non-profits or play sports and man neighbors have written books,” he said. “People can email me with stories. If any local groups want to talk, they can email me and I'll have them on. This is all about the community.”

Lebourne can be reached at somore.org@gmail.com.

Click here to tune in to SOMORE.


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