ORANGE - Those who tried to attend the municipal council conference and regular meeting at City Hall Feb. 16 were met with a cancellation notice at the ground floor entrance.

The meetings were scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. but were canceled due to inclement weather. What the National Weather Service forecasted as a three to four inch snowfall Feb. 15 to 16 amounted to just a light coating.

The City of Orange Township elected a new Mayor in 2008, and new blood and a new direction gave hope to the citizens. However, the council has split, and since then conflicts have started. Last week, it got really big. The council called a closed door executive meeting and invited City Attorney Marvin Braker. Then, Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr. walked in, and claimed that he was invited by Council President Marable.

As per the information we received, Marable invited Braker and the Mayor walked in without permission. The Council took a vote, and Edward Marable Jr., Hassan Abdul-Rasheed and Donna K. Williams voted in favor of the Mayor staying.

EAST ORANGE - State Senator Richard J. Codey and former Newark Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Ron Salahuddin reflected on their respective status while at the City of East Orange Reorganization Meeting Jan. 1.

Codey, both on stage and on his way home to West Orange, reflected on his tenure as acting governor. Salahuddin, of Montclair, informed fellow Tyson School of the Performing Arts auditorium audience members about his leave status.

ORANGE - City of Orange Township employees are learning which 12 days between Jan. 1 and June 30 will they be taking unpaid furloughs.

"The city is in the process of informing its municipal employees of the furlough schedule," said Business Administrator John Mason to Local Talk Dec. 29. "The first day is set for Feb. 19 and the last June 25."