Scotch Plains, New Jersey

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Scotch Plains is a township in Union County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The township is located on a ridge in northern-central New Jersey, within the Raritan Valley and Rahway Valley regions in the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 24,968,[9][10] an increase of 1,458 (+6.2%) from the 2010 census count of 23,510,[17][18] which in turn reflected an increase of 778 (+3.4%) from the 22,732 counted in the 2000 census.[19]

Scotch Plains, New Jersey
Malcom E. Nettingham Middle School, constructed in the 1920s as Scotch Plains High School, later becoming Park Middle School, was renamed to honor Nettingham, a Tuskegee Airman and an alumnus of the school.
Malcom E. Nettingham Middle School, constructed in the 1920s as Scotch Plains High School, later becoming Park Middle School, was renamed to honor Nettingham, a Tuskegee Airman and an alumnus of the school.
Flag of Scotch Plains, New Jersey
Official seal of Scotch Plains, New Jersey
Map of Scotch Plains Township in Union County. Inset: Location of Union County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Map of Scotch Plains Township in Union County. Inset: Location of Union County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Scotch Plains, New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Scotch Plains, New Jersey
Scotch Plains is located in Union County, New Jersey
Scotch Plains
Scotch Plains
Location in Union County
Scotch Plains is located in New Jersey
Scotch Plains
Scotch Plains
Location in New Jersey
Scotch Plains is located in the United States
Scotch Plains
Scotch Plains
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 40°37′59″N 74°22′22″W / 40.633029°N 74.372899°W / 40.633029; -74.372899[1][2]
Country United States
State New Jersey
CountyUnion
IncorporatedMarch 6, 1878 (as Fanwood Township)
RenamedMarch 29, 1917 (as Scotch Plains)
Government
 • TypeFaulkner Act (council–manager)
 • BodyTownship Council
 • MayorJoshua Losardo (D, term ends December 31, 2024)[3][4]
 • ManagerAlexander Mirabella[5]
 • Municipal clerkBozena Lacina[6]
Area
 • Total
9.06 sq mi (23.46 km2)
 • Land9.02 sq mi (23.36 km2)
 • Water0.04 sq mi (0.09 km2)  0.40%
 • Rank220th of 565 in state
4th of 21 in county[1]
Elevation141 ft (43 m)
Population
 • Total
24,968
 • Estimate 
(2023)[9][11]
24,430
 • Rank105th of 565 in state
7th of 21 in county[12]
 • Density2,767.8/sq mi (1,068.7/km2)
  • Rank232nd of 565 in state
19th of 21 in county[12]
Time zoneUTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Code
07076[13]
Area code908
FIPS code3403966060[1][14][15]
GNIS feature ID0882217[1][16]
Websitewww.scotchplainsnj.gov

History

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Native settlement

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The Lenape are the ancestral community indigenous to a large chunk of the Mid-Atlantic region, stretching from Eastern Pennsylvania to the Atlantic Ocean, and from Delaware to Southern New York.[20] Scotch Plains and the Mid-Atlantic region was used by the Lenape and their ancestors for roughly 10,000 years. It is suggested that the Lenape used Scotch Plains as a temporary camp in between the highly-utilized Delaware River and mountains to the West, and the Atlantic Ocean to the East.[21]

Chronology and Ways of life

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From the earliest periods of the Paleo-Indian (10,000-12,000 years ago) to the Archaic Period (4,000-10,000 years ago), there is evidence suggesting a high degree of mobile hunting in the rivers and woods around the Scotch Plains area, with spears, atlatls, and axe heads being found. During the Woodland period (450-4,000 years ago), it was common for communities to make items such as dugout canoes and nets for fishing, two artifacts the Lenape have come to be known for, along with their shelter of choice, the wigwam.[20][22] During this time they also extensively farmed, moving around to different areas in search of productive land as the seasons progressed.[20]

Colonial era

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The area known as Scotch Plains was first settled by Europeans, including many Scottish Quakers, as early as 1684.[23] The name is said to have come from George Scott, a leader of a group of Scottish settlers.[24] It later served as a stop on the stage coach line between New York City and Philadelphia.

The Lenni Lenape were significantly impacted by the establishment of colonies in the 17th century, with colonists taking up a large majority of land that had once been the living area of the community. In 1778, the US ratified the first treaty with an American Indian tribe, the Treaty of Fort Pitt; the treaty eventually fell apart, causing the inter-cultural relationship to rupture.[25] Today, the Lenni-Lenape, now known as the Delaware Nation, are found in small regions across the US and Canada.[26] A variety of treaties, conflicts, and migration have spread out the community, although a small group continue to live in their ancestral region, hoping to educate and bring to light their claims to the land, including Scotch Plains.[27]

The Ash Swamp in Scotch Plains was the scene of a key action in the Battle of Short Hills, on June 26, 1777, which included skirmishes as Washington's forces moved along Rahway Road in Scotch Plains toward the Watchung Mountains. An ancient house in Scotch Plains recalls those skirmishes and with the acreage adjoining the house, presents a vista of that decade, the 1770s. This was the home of Aunt Betty Frazee, whose retort to Lord Cornwallis led the British to find their bread from friendlier bakers in the same battle. The farmstead of Betty and Gershom Frazee is being restored by local organizations.[28]

What is now Scotch Plains was originally incorporated as Fanwood Township on March 6, 1878, by an act of the New Jersey Legislature from portions of Plainfield Township and Westfield Township. Portions of the township were taken to form Fanwood Borough on October 2, 1895. Fanwood Township was renamed as Scotch Plains on March 29, 1917, based on the results of a referendum held that same day.[29]

Scotch Plains was home to the Shady Rest Golf and Country Club, the nation's first African-American country club. Its pro, John Shippen, the first African-American golf professional, led the 1892 U.S. Open in the final round before finishing fifth.[30] The Shady Rest clubhouse hosted Cab Calloway and other greats as a local center for African-American culture in the 1920s and 1930s. It is preserved today as the Scotch Hills Municipal course.[31]

A much more complete history of the township can be found in the October 28, 1999, "Our Towns: Scotch Plains-Fanwood (2nd Annual)" issue of The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood, produced by the town's newspaper of record at the time[32] as well as on the township's website.[33]

The ancestors of many residents immigrated from the area of Montazzoli, Italy, as part of a wave of Italian immigrants who arrived in the area in the early 20th century.[34][35][36] In recognition of this longstanding connection, the township established "Montazzoli Plaza" in October 2015 in front of the Italian American Club.[37]

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 9.06 square miles (23.46 km2), including 9.02 square miles (23.36 km2) of land and 0.04 square miles (0.09 km2) of water (0.40%).[1][2]

The township borders the municipalities of Berkeley Heights, Clark, Fanwood, Mountainside, Plainfield and Westfield in Union County; Edison and South Plainfield in Middlesex County; and Watchung in Somerset County.[38][39][40]

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Alton, Goodmans, Graceland, Two Bridges and Willow Grove.[41]

The Robinson's Branch of the Rahway River additionally flows through Scotch Plains en route to the Robinson's Branch Reservoir.

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18801,167
18901,30511.8%
19001,200*−8.0%
19101,61634.7%
19202,34345.0%
19304,18678.7%
19404,99319.3%
19509,06981.6%
196018,491103.9%
197022,27920.5%
198020,774−6.8%
199021,1601.9%
200022,7327.4%
201023,5103.4%
202024,9686.2%
2023 (est.)24,430[9][11]−2.2%
Population sources:
1880–1920[42] 1880–1890[43]
1890–1910[44] 1910–1930[45]
1940–2000[46] 2000[47][48]
2010[17][18][49] 2020[9][10]
* = Lost territory in previous decade.[29]

Bloomberg Businessweek ranked Scotch Plains as the most affordable suburb in New Jersey in its 2009 report.[50]

2020 census

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Scotch Plains township, Union County, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[51] Pop 2010[52] Pop 2020[53] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 17,335 17,121 16,297 76.26% 72.82% 65.27%
Black or African American alone (NH) 2,532 2,519 2,365 11.14% 10.71% 9.47%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 16 23 14 0.07% 0.10% 0.06%
Asian alone (NH) 1,638 1,795 2,610 7.21% 7.64% 10.45%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 2 2 0 0.01% 0.01% 0.00%
Other race alone (NH) 30 60 145 0.13% 0.26% 0.58%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 284 408 958 1.25% 1.74% 3.84%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 895 1,852 2,579 3.94% 6.73% 10.33%
Total 22,732 23,510 24,968 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2010 census

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The 2010 United States census counted 23,510 people, 8,595 households, and 6,429 families in the township. The population density was 2,606.9 per square mile (1,006.5/km2). There were 8,896 housing units at an average density of 986.4 per square mile (380.9/km2). The racial makeup was 77.43% (18,203) White, 11.08% (2,605) Black or African American, 0.12% (29) Native American, 7.65% (1,799) Asian, 0.01% (2) Pacific Islander, 1.39% (327) from other races, and 2.32% (545) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.73% (1,582) of the population.[17]

Of the 8,595 households, 37.4% had children under the age of 18; 62.6% were married couples living together; 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 25.2% were non-families. Of all households, 21.7% were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.20.[17]

25.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 29.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 91.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 88.3 males.[17]

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $104,873 (with a margin of error of +/− $6,397) and the median family income was $126,138 (+/− $7,410). Males had a median income of $90,016 (+/− $11,033) versus $66,022 (+/− $5,055) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $52,488 (+/− $3,094). About 1.3% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.[54]

2000 census

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As of the 2000 United States census[14] there were 22,732 people, 8,349 households, and 6,295 families residing in the township . The population density was 2,503.3 inhabitants per square mile (966.5/km2). There were 8,479 housing units at an average density of 933.7 per square mile (360.5/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 78.88% White, 11.30% African American, 0.09% Native American, 7.25% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.95% from other races, and 1.52% from two or more races. 3.94% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[47][48]

There were 8,349 households, out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.4% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.16.[47][48]

In the township the population was distributed with 25.4% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.[47][48]

The median income for a household in the township was $81,599, and the median income for a family was $96,238. Males had a median income of $63,648 versus $43,714 for females. The per capita income for the township was $39,913. 3.0% of the population and 2.0% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 2.0% of those under the age of 18 and 7.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.[47][48]

Parks and recreation

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Shady Rest Clubhouse, listed on the NRHP

Parks in the township include:

  • Watchung Reservation is a 1,945-acre (787 ha) nature reserve on the north side of the township that includes open space, playgrounds, nature trails, a nature and science center, gardens, stables, and many other amenities.[55]
  • Ponderosa Farm Park is a park on Cooper Road. Modest park featuring playgrounds and a sprinkler area, plus open green spaces and restrooms.
  • Scotch Hills Municipal Golf Course, known as the Shady Rest Golf and Country Club before it was taken over by the township, was at one time the only African-American country club in the United States.[56]
  • Ashbrook Golf Course, is a public golf course with 18-holes of championship golf as well as a 9-hole pitch and putt course located on Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.
  • Shackamaxon Country Club is a private golf course, swimming and tennis facility also hosting celebrations, founded in 1916 and is located on Shackamaxon Drive in Scotch Plains. Some of its 130+ acres occupy land in Westfield.[57]
  • Willow Grove Swim Club: established in 1958.[58]
  • Highland Swimming Club, established in 1952.[59]
  • Bowcraft Amusement Park was an amusement park located on Route 22 West that was featured in scenes in the films Mortal Thoughts (1991) and North (1994).[60] It officially closed in 2018.

Government

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Local government

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Scotch Plains is governed within the Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, under the Council-Manager form of New Jersey municipal government. The township is one of 42 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government.[61] The governing body is comprised of the Mayor and the four-member Township Council. Council members are elected at-large in partisan elections to serve four-year terms of office on a staggered basis in even-numbered years, with the Mayor and one of the council members elected in years divisible by four and the three other council seats coming up for election two years later. The Mayor and the Councilmembers are the only elected officials in the township government. The Mayor and Council then appoint a Township Manager, who serves as the chief executive officer of the Township, with the authority to appoint most subordinate personnel.[7][62][63]

As of 2024, the mayor of Scotch Plains is Democrat Joshua G. Losardo, whose term of office expires on December 31, 2024. Members of the Township Council are Deputy Mayor Ellen Zimmerman (D, 2024), Matthew S. Adams (D, 2026), Elizabeth Stamler (D, 2026), and Roshan "Roc" White (D, 2026).[3][64][65][66]

In January 2021, the Township Council chose Suman Dahiya-Shah from a list of three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the council seat expiring in December 2022 that had been held by Joshua Losardo until he stepped down to take office as mayor.[67] In April 2021, Matthew Adams was selected to fill Dahiya-Shah's seat, after she stepped down from office in March, citing "personal reasons".[68] Adams served on an interim basis until the November 2021 general election, when he was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.[69]

The Chief of Police is Jeffrey Briel. The Deputy Police Chief is Al Sellinger.[70]

Federal, state and county representation

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Scotch Plains is split between the 7th and 12th Congressional Districts[71] and is part of New Jersey's 22nd state legislative district.[72]

Prior to the 2010 Census, all of Scotch Plains had been part of the 7th Congressional District, a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.[73] The redistricting plan that went into effect in 2013 put 1,091 residents from the extreme northernmost portion of the township into the 7th District, with the remaining 22,419 put into the 12th District.[74][75]

For the 118th United States Congress, New Jersey's 12th congressional district is represented by Bonnie Watson Coleman (D, Ewing Township).[76][77] For the 118th United States Congress, New Jersey's 7th congressional district is represented by Thomas Kean Jr. (R, Westfield).[78] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027)[79] and George Helmy (Mountain Lakes, term ends 2024).[80][81]

For the 2024-2025 session, the 22nd legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Nicholas Scutari (D, Linden) and in the General Assembly by Linda S. Carter (D, Plainfield) and James J. Kennedy (D, Rahway).[82]

Union County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners, whose nine members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis with three seats coming up for election each year, with an appointed County Manager overseeing the day-to-day operations of the county. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects a Chair and Vice Chair from among its members.[83] As of 2024, Union County's County Commissioners are:

Rebecca Williams (D, Plainfield, 2025),[84] Joesph Bodek (D, Linden, 2026),[85] James E. Baker Jr. (D, Rahway, 2024),[86] Michele Delisfort (D, Union Township, 2026),[87] Sergio Granados (D, Elizabeth, 2025),[88] Bette Jane Kowalski (D, Cranford, 2025),[89] Vice Chair Lourdes M. Leon (D, Elizabeth, 2026),[90] Alexander Mirabella (D, Fanwood, 2024)[91] and Chair Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded (D, Westfield, 2024).[92][93]

Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are: Clerk Joanne Rajoppi (D, Union Township, 2025),[94][95] Sheriff Peter Corvelli (D, Kenilworth, 2026)[96][97] and Surrogate Christopher E. Hudak (D, Clark, 2027).[98][99]

Politics

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As of March 2011, there were a total of 15,979 registered voters in Scotch Plains Township, of which 5,061 (31.7% vs. 41.8% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 3,562 (22.3% vs. 15.3%) were registered as Republicans and 7,346 (46.0% vs. 42.9%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 10 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[100] Among the township's 2010 Census population, 68.0% (vs. 53.3% in Union County) were registered to vote, including 91.7% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 70.6% countywide).[100][101]

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 6,801 votes (54.8% vs. 66.0% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 5,394 votes (43.5% vs. 32.3%) and other candidates with 135 votes (1.1% vs. 0.8%), among the 12,407 ballots cast by the township's 16,820 registered voters, for a turnout of 73.8% (vs. 68.8% in Union County).[102][103] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 7,094 votes (55.0% vs. 63.1% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 5,603 votes (43.5% vs. 35.2%) and other candidates with 109 votes (0.8% vs. 0.9%), among the 12,894 ballots cast by the township's 16,359 registered voters, for a turnout of 78.8% (vs. 74.7% in Union County).[104] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 6,134 votes (51.0% vs. 58.3% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 5,757 votes (47.9% vs. 40.3%) and other candidates with 83 votes (0.7% vs. 0.7%), among the 12,018 ballots cast by the township's 15,361 registered voters, for a turnout of 78.2% (vs. 72.3% in the whole county).[105]

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 60.8% of the vote (4,504 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 37.8% (2,804 votes), and other candidates with 1.4% (105 votes), among the 7,532 ballots cast by the township's 16,527 registered voters (119 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 45.6%.[106][107] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 4,381 votes (50.8% vs. 41.7% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 3,480 votes (40.4% vs. 50.6%), Independent Chris Daggett with 633 votes (7.3% vs. 5.9%) and other candidates with 68 votes (0.8% vs. 0.8%), among the 8,619 ballots cast by the township's 16,122 registered voters, yielding a 53.5% turnout (vs. 46.5% in the county).[108]

Education

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Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School

Public school students in Scotch Plains attend the schools of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School District, which serves students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade from the Borough of Fanwood and the Township of Scotch Plains.[109][110] The district has five elementary schools (grades PreK to 4), two middle schools (5–8) and a comprehensive high school (9–12).,[111] all of which are located in Scotch Plains. Students from School One, Evergreen and Brunner pool into Nettingham Middle School, while students from Coles and McGinn feed into Terrill. School One is the only elementary school that teaches English as a second language. As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of eight schools, had an enrollment of 5,649 students and 438.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.9:1.[112] Schools in the district (with 2018–19 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[113]) are Howard B. Brunner Elementary School[114] with 414 students in grades Pre-K–4, J. Ackerman Coles School[115] with 552 students in grades Pre-K–4, Evergreen School[116] with 402 students in grades Pre-K–4, William J. McGinn School[117] with 512 students in grades K–4, School One[118] with 395 students in grades Pre-K–4, Malcolm E. Nettingham Middle School[119] with 909 students in grades 5-8, Terrill Middle School[120] with 811 students in grades 5–8 and Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School[121] with 1,574 students in grades 9–12.[122][123] Seats on the district's nine-member board of education are allocated based on the population of the constituent districts, with seven seats assigned to Scotch Plains.[124][125]

Park Middle School was renamed in 2021 to honor Malcolm V. Nettingham, who had served with the Tuskegee Airmen.[126]

Shackamaxon School, was built in 1951 (the same year as Evergreen School) and operated until 1981, when it was leased to the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey as their Jewish Community Center and offices. The Federation bought the building outright five years later.[127]

The Union County Vocational Technical Schools includes the Union County Magnet High School, the Academy for Information Technology, the Union County Academy for Allied Health Sciences, the Union County Academy for Performing Arts and the Vocational-Technical School. The grouping of different schools is for vocational as well as gifted students, publicly funded by the combined taxes of Union County municipalities.[128]

Union Catholic Regional High School (often abbreviated UC), a private Roman Catholic school, brings in students from Union County and parts of Essex and Middlesex counties and operates under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark.[129] The Newark Archdiocese also supervises operation of the K–8 St. Bartholomew Academy.[130]

Union County College has a facility in Scotch Plains.[131]

Transportation

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Roads and highways

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U.S. Route 22 eastbound at Park Avenue in Scotch Plains

As of May 2010, the township had a total of 89.39 miles (143.86 km) of roadways, of which 75.06 miles (120.80 km) were maintained by the municipality, 11.95 miles (19.23 km) by Union County and 2.38 miles (3.83 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[132]

The two major roads that pass through are Route 28 for a brief stretch in the central part and U.S. Route 22 in the north.

The township is accessible from major limited access highways in neighboring communities, such as Interstate 78 in both Watchung and Berkeley Heights, the Garden State Parkway in Clark and Interstate 287 in Edison Township.

Public transportation

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Scotch Plains is bisected by NJ Transit's Raritan Valley Line, formerly the mainline of the Central Railroad of New Jersey. A passenger station is located in Fanwood. Another rail line, the Lehigh Line, carries freight trains through the southernmost tip of the township.

New Jersey Transit offers service on the 112, 113, 114 and 117 routes to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, and service to Newark on the 59, 65 and 66 (Limited) routes.[133]

Newark Liberty International Airport is approximately 14 miles (23 km) east of Scotch Plains, most conveniently reached via Route 22, and Linden Airport, a general aviation facility is in nearby Linden, New Jersey. Newark Liberty International Airport is also accessible via New Jersey Transit train by transferring from the Raritan Valley Line to the Northeast Corridor Line at Newark Penn Station.

Scotch Plains also has access to Amtrak service, by taking the Raritan Valley Line to Newark Penn Station. This gives Scotch Plains rail access to destinations along the entire east coast.

News coverage

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The township falls in the New York media market, with daily news being based in New York City. Its weekly newspaper of record is the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times, also publisher of the neighboring town's newspaper of record, The Westfield Leader.[134]

Points of interest

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  • The Aunt Betty Frazee House is a farmhouse of a colonial-era couple Gershom and Elizabeth Frazee, the latter of whom was approached by British generals in 1777 who sought to buy bread she'd been baking that day. Aunt Betty's famous retort ("I offer this bread not in love but in fear"—whereupon the generals courteously abandoned their effort to buy) puts her in company with Betsy Ross, Molly Pitcher and other women who distinguished themselves in the American Revolution. Her house is on state and national historic registers, and many in the community are seeking a way of restoring the house (at 1451 Raritan Road) to honor Betty's story and secure it in American history.[135]
  • Osborn-Cannonball House Museum is a historic home located at 1840 Front Street that is operated by The Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood New Jersey.[136]
  • Hillside Cemetery is the burial site of Dudley Moore and Senator James Edgar Martine.[137]
  • The Stage House Inn was constructed in 1737 and is still in use as a bar/restaurant. It was a primary meeting place for troop messengers and officers during the Revolutionary War; in fact, General Lafayette is known to have stopped at the inn while General George Washington was nearby.[138]
  • John's Meat Market is the site of Mr. T's reality TV show for TV Land.[139]
  • John H. Stamler Police Academy trains officers and volunteers throughout Union County and is located on Raritan Road.[140]
  • The Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey has its Jewish Community Center and offices on Martine Avenue.[141]

Notable people

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People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Scotch Plains include:

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f 2019 Census Gazetteer Files: New Jersey Places, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 1, 2020.
  2. ^ a b US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
  3. ^ a b Mayor and Council, Scotch Plains Township. Accessed April 27, 2024.
  4. ^ 2023 New Jersey Mayors Directory, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, updated February 8, 2023. Accessed February 10, 2023.
  5. ^ Township Manager, Township of Scotch Plains. Accessed March 22, 2023.
  6. ^ Clerk, Township of Scotch Plains. Accessed March 22, 2023.
  7. ^ a b 2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 98.
  8. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Township of Scotch Plains, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed March 14, 2013.
  9. ^ a b c d e QuickFacts Scotch Plains township, Union County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 22, 2023.
  10. ^ a b c Total Population: Census 2010 - Census 2020 New Jersey Municipalities, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed December 1, 2022.
  11. ^ a b Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Minor Civil Divisions in New Jersey: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023, United States Census Bureau, released May 2024. Accessed May 16, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Population Density by County and Municipality: New Jersey, 2020 and 2021, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed March 1, 2023.
  13. ^ Look Up a ZIP Code for Scotch Plains, NJ, United States Postal Service. Accessed December 17, 2011.
  14. ^ a b U.S. Census website, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
  15. ^ Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed April 1, 2022.
  16. ^ US Board on Geographic Names, United States Geological Survey. Accessed September 4, 2014.
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  109. ^ Scotch Plains-Fanwood Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School District. Accessed May 27, 2020. "Purpose The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through twelve in the Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District. Composition The Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Scotch Plains Township and the Borough of Fanwood."
  110. ^ Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District 2015 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed May 27, 2020. "We are indebted to the communities of Scotch Plains and Fanwood for their support, involvement, and constant commitment to educational excellence."
  111. ^ About Us, Scotch Plains-Fanwood Public Schools. Accessed May 27, 2020. "Scotch Plains-Fanwood is a regional school district comprised of students in Grades Preschool-Grade12 from the Township of Scotch Plains and the Borough of Fanwood. The district has five elementary schools (Preschool-Grade 4), 2 middle schools (Grades 5-8), and one comprehensive high school (Grades 9-12)."
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  125. ^ Wilkes-Edrington, Lindsay. "School Board Candidates to State Their Cases Tonight", Scotch Plains-Fanwood, NJ Patch, April 6, 2019. Accessed May 27, 2020. "Scotch Plains-Fanwood has nine total Board of Education members, split geographically based on population – seven from Scotch Plains and two from Fanwood."
  126. ^ Russell, Suzanne. "'He just served': Scotch Plains Tuskegee Airman's school now bears his name", Courier News, November 11, 2021. Accessed August 12, 2022. "So the renaming of his former high school, most recently known as Park Middle School, to Malcolm E. Nettingham Middle School, during a Veterans Day ceremony on Thursday, would have been beyond his imagination, according to his son, Malcolm V. Nettingham."
  127. ^ Dyckman, Susan M. "Single Classroom, Built in 1768, Marks Beginning of Public School District", Our Towns, October 28, 1999.
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  134. ^ About Us, The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times. Accessed June 17, 2015.
  135. ^ History of the Property, The Frazee House. Accessed September 4, 2014.
  136. ^ Osborn-Cannonball House Museum, The Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood New Jersey. Accessed August 9, 2013.
  137. ^ Historical People & Points of Interest, Hillside Cemetery. Accessed August 9, 2013.
  138. ^ Bousquet, Richard; Bousquet, Suzanne (1995). Images of America: Scotch Plains and Fanwood. Dover, NH: Arcadia Publishing. pp. 32–33. ISBN 0-7385-6318-8.
  139. ^ "SP's John's Meat Market is Prime Location for New Reality TV Show", Westfield Leader, September 14, 2006.
  140. ^ John H. Stamler Police Academy Archived May 21, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Union County, New Jersey. Accessed December 18, 2011.
  141. ^ Directions, Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey. Accessed December 18, 2011.
  142. ^ Flores, Raúl A. "For openers", San Antonio Express-News, September 11, 2009. Accessed July 21, 2011. "Audrey Assad Young new artist from Scotch Plains NJ weaves her melodic voice with keyboard acoustics and lyrics that explore faith through music."
  143. ^ Amos, Evan. Audrey Assad interview, Wikimedia Commons, June 30, 2011. Accessed July 19, 2011.
  144. ^ Peyton, Paul J.; and Rossi, Fred. "Alan M. Augustine Dies Following Long Illness", The Westfield Leader, June 14, 2001. Accessed October 1, 2015. "Mr. Augustine was also well-known for the 20 years he spent as a member of the Scotch Plains Township Council."
  145. ^ Barr, Thomas Jefferson, (1812–1881), Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed October 1, 2015. "moved to Scotch Plains, N.J., in 1835 and conducted a roadhouse"
  146. ^ "Former Philadelphia Warriors player Hank Beenders dies at 87", Burlington County Times, October 27, 2003. "Born in Haarlem, Holland, he lived in Brooklyn, and in Scotch Plains before moving to Bridgewater 36 years ago."
  147. ^ Staff. "Henry Beenders, 87, Pro Basketball Player; Was Member of NBA Championship Team", The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood Times, October 30, 2003. Accessed October 1, 2015. "Born in Haarlem, Holland, he emigrated to the United States 79 years ago. He had lived in Brooklyn, N.Y. and in Scotch Plains before relocating to Bridgewater 36 years ago."
  148. ^ Crossette, Barbara. "From City Hall to the World's Stage; Carol Bellamy Uses Her Unicef Perch to Fight for Children", The New York Times, April 22, 2002. Accessed September 4, 2014. "Her official United Nations biography doesn't even mention that she grew up in Scotch Plains, N.J."
  149. ^ Gulitti, Tom. "76ers owners Josh Harris, David Blitzer buy Devils", The Record, August 15, 2013. Accessed October 1, 2015. "'It's tough to parse words on that, honestly, because, A, we're brand new,' said Blitzer, a Scotch Plains native and senior managing director of Blackstone Group in New York."
  150. ^ Goldblatt, Jennifer. "Blume's Day", The New York Times, November 14, 2004. Accessed October 1, 2015. "It wasn't until after Ms. Blume had gotten her bachelor's degree in education from New York University in 1961, was married and raising her son, Larry, and her daughter, Randy, and living in Plainfield and later Scotch Plains, that she started to commit her stories and characters to paper, cramming writing sessions in while the children were at preschool and at play."
  151. ^ Goodman, Jeff. "Heralded recruit struggles with expectations", USA Today, November 16, 2005. Accessed October 1, 2015. "Caracter grew up in Scotch Plains (pop. 22,732, about 15 miles southwest of Newark) in a middle-class family."
  152. ^ Coles, Abraham; Hunt, Ezra Mundy. Abraham Coles: Biographical Sketch, Memorial Tributes, Selections from His Works, (some Hitherto Unpublished.), p. 54. D. Appleton, 1892. Accessed October 1, 2015. "There was no more scholarly man in New Jersey than Dr. Abraham Coles, who was best known for his translations of the 'Dies Irae.' Although he practiced medicine in Newark, he made his home at Scotch Plains, N. J."
  153. ^ Darby, Ezra, (1768–1808), Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed October 1, 2015. "darby, Ezra, a Representative from New Jersey; born in Scotch Plains, N.J., June 7, 1768"
  154. ^ New Jersey Governor Donald T. DiFrancesco, National Governors Association. Accessed November 13, 2018. "Donald T. DiFrancesco was born in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. He graduated from Penn State University in 1966 with a bachelor's degree in business."
  155. ^ Cahillane, Kevin. "Not Fade Away: The Smithereens' Monument to Persistence", The New York Times, October 10, 2004. Accessed November 13, 2018. "The band formed in 1980 when three Carteret High School graduates (class of 1975) and childhood friends (Mr. Babjak, Dennis Diken on drums and Mike Mesaros on bass) met Pat DiNizio, a Scotch Plains singer-songwriter-garbage man."
  156. ^ Edge, Wally. "The State Senator who went to jail for being a pirate", PolitickerNJ, April 23, 2009. Accessed October 1, 2015. "During the energy shortage in the 1970's, former State Sen. Jerome Epstein (R-Scotch Plains) was sentenced to nine years in prison after a jury convicted him of pirating about $4 million worth of oil from Exxon tanks on the Arthur Kill in Linden."
  157. ^ John Gano, Biographical memoirs of the late Rev. John Gano, of Frankfort (Kentucky): formerly of the city of New York (Printed by Southwick and Hardcastle for J. Tiebout, 1806)
  158. ^ Thomas R. McKibbens, The forgotten heritage: a lineage of great Baptist preaching (Mercer University Press, 1986), pg. 136
  159. ^ Stanmyre, Matthew. "Rashan Gary, nation's top recruit, was recruited to Paramus Catholic, old school indicates" Archived November 19, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, The Star-Ledger, August 25, 2014. Accessed November 6, 2017. "Gary’s mother, Jennifer Coney, said today her son 'absolutely was not recruited.' She said Gary had been living with his father and grandparents in Scotch Plains, but the house is now for sale, so she moved her son into her home in Plainfield."
  160. ^ Mazzeo, Mike. "N.J. native lifts No. 2 Pitt over Rutgers", ESPN New York, January 30, 2011. Accessed April 21, 2011. "Pittsburgh junior guard Ashton Gibbs grew up 25 minutes from the Louis Brown Athletic Center in nearby Scotch Plains. Leave it to the hometown kid to stick the dagger in the hearts of the home crowd."
  161. ^ Carino, Jerry. "In huge blow, Sterling Gibbs leaving Seton Hall basketball", Asbury Park Press, April 28, 2015. Accessed January 15, 2019. "The final thud from Seton Hall's freefall in men's basketball echoed Tuesday with news that Sterling Gibbs – a homegrown talent and the face of the program – is leaving to take a postgraduate year elsewhere.... Like Sina, the Scotch Plains native committed to the Hall at a time when Willard was scraping for recruits."
  162. ^ "Swimmer ready for the race of his life", The Star-Ledger, September 17, 2000. "Name: Scott Goldblatt Age: 21 Hometown: Summit Residence: Scotch Plains, until going away to college in Austin, Texas. Education: He attended Mcginn Elementary School, Coles Elementary School and Terrill Middle School in Scotch Plains and then the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, graduating in 1997."
  163. ^ Staff. "Baseball; Rookie Tips His Nervousness", The New York Times, June 26, 1993. Accessed May 4, 2007. "'I've never been that nervous before in my life,' said the 22-year-old center fielder, who played at Stanford and is from Scotch Plains, N.J. 'I would have swung at anything on that pitch. I'm just happy it dropped in. After that hit, it just carried on from there.'"
  164. ^ Fox, Margalit. "Isaac Heller, Co-Founder of Remco and Toymaker to a Generation, Dies at 88", The New York Times, March 10, 2015. Accessed December 27, 2017. "Mr. Heller’s death, at his home in Scotch Plains, N.J., was confirmed by his son-in-law Jack Romberg."
  165. ^ Portantiere, Michael. "Opera and Musical Theater Star Jerome Hines Dies at 81", Theatermania.com, February 5, 2003. Accessed October 1, 2015. "A resident of Scotch Plains, New Jersey, Hines appeared frequently at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn in recent years."
  166. ^ Campaniani, Jim. "UConn recruiting focus in-state, but not local", The Day, December 18, 1983. Accessed October 1, 2015. "A Scotch Plains, native and former all-east guard at Penn State, Jackson has a good feel for in-state talent."
  167. ^ Nathan Jones prospect profile, NFL.com. Accessed July 15, 2007. Academic All-American at Rutgers "Education major … Born June 15, 1982 … Resides in Scotch Plains, N.J."
  168. ^ O'Gorman, George. "Klimowicz, Hurley among New Jersey sportswriters' honorees", The Trentonian, January 4, 2010. Accessed October 1, 2015. "TCNJ's Division III national Player of the Year Hillary Klimowicz, who hails from Scotch Plains, will join legendary St. Anthony of Jersey City basketball coach Bob Hurley in the spotlight at the 74th annual N.J. Sports Writers Association dinner on Sunday Jan. 31 at Pines Manor on Route 27 in Edison starting at 11:30 a.m."
  169. ^ Downey, Sally A. "Christian J. Lambertsen, 93, developer of the first scuba gear", The Philadelphia Inquirer, February 21, 2011. Accessed August 12, 2019. "A native of Scotch Plains, N.J., Dr. Lambertsen worked as a youth at resorts along Barnegat Bay. An expert swimmer, he began experimenting with homemade diving equipment."
  170. ^ Staff. "Obituary: Mary Lesawyer, 91, opera singer and community activist", The Ukrainian Weekly, June 27, 2004. Accessed October 1, 2015. "The Lesawyers lived for many years in Scotch Plains, N.J., before moving to Venice, Fla., after their retirement."
  171. ^ Sheldon, Linzi. "Wall Street Journal selects Dartmouth junior Joseph Malchow as a 2007 Bartley Fellow", Dartmouth News, April 11, 2007. Accessed March 16, 2015. "Dartmouth junior Joseph Malchow has been chosen as a 2007 Bartley fellow, winning a paid summer internship at The Wall Street Journal.... Malchow, a native of Scotch Plains, N.J., is a government major and prospective English major at Dartmouth."
  172. ^ Giase, Frank. "Monmouth goalkeeper Bryan Meredith selected in second round of MLS SuperDraft by Seattle Sounders", The Star-Ledger, January 13, 2011. Accessed December 18, 2011. "The Seattle Sounders selected Meredith, a Scotch Plains native, in the second round of the Major League Soccer SuperDraft (No. 29 overall), a team that in a year will have a gaping hole at goalkeeper."
  173. ^ Bernstein, Jason. "James Murphy of Scotch Plains is named Gatorade New Jersey Boys Soccer Player of the Year", The Star-Ledger, February 13, 2014. Accessed August 10, 2016. "On the soccer field Scotch Plains' James Murphy has the ability to anticipate just about anything that comes his ways. Despite an already lengthy list awards, he did not expect to be named the 2013–14 Gatorade New Jersey Boys Soccer Player of the Year."
  174. ^ "Loudoun United Have Acquired Three New Players For The Remainder Of The Inaugural Season", Loudoun United FC, June 27, 2019. Accessed September 17, 2020. "The 19-year-old midfielder from Scotch Plains, NJ., scored 18 goals in 60 appearances in the academy."
  175. ^ Staff. "Sports people; Nehemiah Wins One", The New York Times, November 10, 1982. Accessed August 30, 2012. "Frank Greenberg, secretary of the Middle Atlantic Athletic Congress, said after a hearing in Philadelphia that the 23-year-old Nehemiah wanted to remain an amateur so he could compete at Los Angeles. The native of Scotch Plains, N.J., holds the 110-yard hurdles record of 12.93 seconds."
  176. ^ "F-D Literary Review Award To Louise Nicholl", The News, January 20, 1960. Accessed January 25, 2024, via Newspapers.com. "The Literary Review, an international quarterly published bv Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, announces the granting of a $300 Longview Literary Award to Louise Townsend Nicholl. The award is made to the New Jersey-born (Scotch Plains) poet for her poem, 'Plain Geometry,' published in the Autumn 1958 number of The Literary Review."
  177. ^ Vanderhoof, Tricia. "Mondays with authors: Gender identity focus of Amy Ellis Nutt's Becoming Nicole", Courier News, June 14, 2018. Accessed August 12, 2019. "Nutt was born in Staten Island and grew up in New Jersey, She has lived in Scotch Plains, Princeton, Cranbury, Bridgewater, Somerville and Watchung. She’s in Washington, D.C. now, but still keeps her 908-cell phone."
  178. ^ Thomas W. Osborn, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed January 3, 2008.
  179. ^ John Pak, Florida State Seminoles men's golf. Accessed January 17, 2020. "Hometown: Scotch Plains, N.J.; High School: Scotch Plains-Fanwood"
  180. ^ Freehling, Alison. "W&M Grad To Finance New Ballpark $1.8 Million Donation Earmarked For Baseball", Daily Press, October 25, 1996. Accessed April 21, 2011. "Joseph J Plumeri, II, a financial executive living in Scotch Plains, N.J., will make the donation for a facility behind the Dillard Complex off Ironbound Road."
  181. ^ Hoffman, M. M. "John F. Rague, Architect", Wisconsin Magazine of History, Vol. 12, No. 1 (Sep. 1928), pp. 109–111. Accessed August 30, 2012.
  182. ^ Brody, Millicent K. "Westfield art show a 'win-win' for artists and community"[dead link], Courier News, May 29, 2002. Accessed August 30, 2012. "Originally from Scotch Plains, and now a resident of Manhattan, banjo player and vocalist, Cynthia Sayer was accompanied by trio members Dan Levinson on clarinet and Mike Weatherly on bass, while a variety of musicians from the Westfield Community Band and the New Jersey Workshop for the Arts entertained throughout the day."
  183. ^ Kanzler, George. "Cynthia Sayer brings friends and banjo to Zinno.", The Star-Ledger, April 24, 1998, p. 32. "When she was growing up in Scotch Plains in the '60s and '70s, Cynthia Sayer wanted to be a big- band drummer."
  184. ^ "Honoring Former High School Greats" Archived June 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood, November 13, 1997. "Mayor Connelly presented a plaque to Mr. Scarpati, who lettered in football, basketball and track for the Raiders and served as the captain of the football team in 1959. Mr. Scarpati went on to play as a defensive back for the Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints professional football teams, and was the holder of the record-setting 63-yard (58 m) field goal kicked by Tom Dempsey in 1970 during the game between the Saints and the Detroit Lions."
  185. ^ "The College Club welcomes Alan Sepinwall on Oct. 23",Community Bulletin, September 17, 2017. Accessed December 25, 2022. "The College Club of Fanwood-Scotch Plains welcomes Scotch Plains resident Alan Sepinwall for the program at its Oct. 23 meeting. The title of his presentation is What's Alan Watching?."
  186. ^ Callahan, Michael; with Chmiel, David; Miller, Jen A.; and Weiss, Jennifer. "Best of Jersey", New Jersey Monthly, January 2007. Accessed May 18, 2007. "Composer Scotch Plains native Marc Shaiman, who has won an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Tony (the latter for the score to the Broadway smash Hairspray), crafts melodies you hum long after you leave the theater."
  187. ^ Newman, Margaret (July 2020). National Register of Historic Places Registration: Shady Rest Golf and Country Club (Draft) (PDF). National Park Service. home of John Shippen, an African American golf pioneer, from 1931-1964.
  188. ^ Staff. "John Stamler, 51, Dies; New Jersey Prosecutor", The New York Times, March 27, 1990. Accessed December 31, 2017. "John H. Stamler, the Prosecutor in Union County, N.J., for 13 years, died of cancer on Sunday at his home in Scotch Plains, N.J. He was 51 years old."
  189. ^ Krebs, Albin. "Notes on People", The New York Times, January 26, 1978. Accessed December 18, 2011. "Enzo Stuarti, the nightclub and television singing star, and his wife of 30 years, Esther, were divorced in Elizabeth, N.J.... Mrs. Stuarti is to retain the family home in Scotch Plains, N.J."
  190. ^ Swan, Samuel, (1771–1844), Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed October 1, 2015. "SWAN, Samuel, a Representative from New Jersey; born near Scotch Plains, Somerset County, N.J., in 1771"
  191. ^ Goodman, Jeff. "Lance Thomas situation muddy without answers; Former Duke forward Lance Thomas bought $30,000 worth of jewelry in the middle of his senior season with the Blue Devils and was also given a line of credit worth nearly $70,000 more. Thomas hardly grew up poor, but questions still need to be answered as to where the money came from.", CBS Sports, September 11, 2012. Accessed August 12, 2019. "Thomas was, at one time, a highly regarded player who was pursued by all the big boys. A former high school teammate of Derrick Caracter's, he resided in the upper-middle class town of Scotch Plains, N.J., and ultimately chose Duke over hometown Rutgers."
  192. ^ Staff. "Union County Historical Society to present a book discussion featuring Illustrator Frank Thorne", Suburban News, January 11, 2010. Accessed August 27, 2011. "Frank Thorne was born in Rahway in 1930 and currently resides in Scotch Plains."
  193. ^ Ogunnaike, Lola. "Radio Show Host Says He's No Shock Jock", The New York Times, May 13, 2006. Accessed July 29, 2013. "In an industry in which street credibility is prized, Mr. Torain, born and raised in Scotch Plains, N.J., has always been pleased to be a product of the suburbs."
  194. ^ Frank Thorne at the ComicBookDB. Accessed March 20, 2008.
  195. ^ Ware, David S. "David S. Ware" Archived October 15, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, JazzTimes, June 2003. Accessed August 9, 2011. "'Come on girls, we're going to put you in the magazine,' says David S. Ware, calling Bibi and Mikuro into the music room of his three-story house in Scotch Plains, N.J.... Ware drove taxis for 14 years in New York City, where he relocated in 1973 after growing up in Scotch Plains and later attending Boston's Berklee College of Music."
  196. ^ Melissa Murphy Weber, Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Accessed October 1, 2015. "Weber, Melissa Murphy, a Representative from Montgomery County; born in Scotch Plains, Union County, NJ, 1969"
  197. ^ "Drew W. Wesche". IMDb.
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