Palisadian., 1915-01-30
GRANTWOOD WINS PRIZE
100000. HIGH SCHOOL.
Long Contest Over Important Addition to Cfsde Park
Public School System Ended by vote of 472 to 30.
FEELING OF GET-TOGETHER IDEA STRONG NOW.


ing for a new High School build
ing. the voters of Cliffside Park got
out in full force last Tuesday night
and adjusted their differences at the
ballot box. They decided to build
the school in Grantwood, near the
Episcopal Church, the plot being three
and half acres in size, one OF the
finest locations to be found IN this
part of Northern New Jersey. There
had been two previous elections be-
fore this one, several weeks apart
the two former ones resulting IN
defeat of the proposition Ihefe
has long been a touch of local sec
tional feeling in Grantwood and Gill;
side. and this school issue made 1t
all the harder to quell. The ques-
ton of politics was interpolated, and
it was no easy matter to adjust the
differences. One thing was claim
ed bv the school advocates, only TO
have it denied fatty by the oppon-
ents. Matters got really warm on
several occasions, and opinion ran
high that the school would never be
built. But the Citizens Committee
never wavered once from their de-
termination, and their one policy an
nounced at the start was never de-
waited from once. They yielded
many little points to the opposition,
always treating everything fairly,
and on it's merits, and generously at
all times. They yielded only where
it seemed best to do so, and then with
no thought of fighting the matter out
on any basis except the absolute mer-
its Of it.
The final issue was so planned, and
adroitly, too, at that, that the
question of sectionalism did not enter
into it at all. The Cliffside people
finally agreed to vote on two sltes'
one to be in the form of an addition
to the present elementary school IN
that part of the borough, the other to
be the site near the Episcopal Church,
Grantwood, either to be used on the
basis of getting the majority vote.
Cliffside Park sent up word to Grant
wood, it is said, to get ready Tor
vote of not less than 500 from the
lower end, and Grantwood said she
would be ready The result proved
that Grantwood more than met the
challenge, the final count being 472
to 80 in favor of Grantwood.
Autos Carry Voters.
The hours of voting were from
eight to ten in the evening, and there
were very lively times. Never be-
fore did so many voters get out.
Automobiles were in constant use, and
though the roadways were hard and
full of frozen ruts, they went rush
ing around like chariots till the vot-
ing was over, carrying voters to and
from their homes. The excitement
was intense, though there was little
or no wagering on the result. The
High School being determined upon,
both ends of the borough put out
the fullest strength and the interest
never Jagged till the count was over,
and then Grantwood did little shout
ing. But through it all there was no
signs of bitterness, once the result
was known. The Cliffsiders were
good sports, too, and took their de-
feat good naturedly, disappointed, of
course, that they did not win the
prize. But after all, they should each
be satisfied, as the GrantWood loca-
ton is far and away the better place.
To have added the new High School
to the present Cliffside school would
have been little short of folly, be-
cause it would have literally ruined
the beautiful lot the present school
has for it's location, one of the hand
soonest in this portion of New Jersey.
1t is thought that arrangements will
be made for the early completion of
the new High School, and if all goes
we'll, it will possibly be ready by
next fall term.
Superintendent Bray Happy.
Supt. Bray was one of the happi-
est men in the borough over the re-
suit. He had labored long and patien-
tly for the improvement of the High
school, and had never stopped NOM
ent in his efforts. He was prime
factor in the final result, and says he
has nothing but praise for those who
lent a helping hand. Among the
others who did valient work for the