Mayors - Page 2

Stephen H. B. Jacobs took office in 1918 and held it through 1921. During this time a contract was made between the Logan Construction Co. and the Board of Chosen Freeholders. County roads began to be built and Lenox School was built and opened right next door to where the original school house was built. Dr. Briel's Training Camp opened on Perrin Ave., where the Elks Club stands today, bringing the ever famous boxer Joe Louis to Pompton Lakes, to train. It has been said that he would run around the lake everyday with lots of the town's children running with him. In 1922 it came time for a new mayor;

the citizens of Pompton Lakes elected F. B. Whittle. During his time garbage collection was discontinued for a while and the First National Bank of Pompton Lakes came to town. Then on July 19, 1923 Whittle resigned. Elected to fulfill the term was the Council President G. Kelt Cornelius. When election time finally came again, Jacobs was reelected as Mayor and continued to serve through 1932. It was during this time that the present day railroad station was installed, and a semiprofessional baseball team came to town called the "Klumps." Also the houses and businesses of town were beginning to get numbered.

In 1933 a new Mayor was elected Harry Babcock. Just like Roosevelt was President for almost four terms, Babcock was mayor for 10 years. It might be said that the people of the time were afraid of making any drastic changes because they were afraid of things getting worse. During this man's ten-year term the first First Aid Squad was built and the first ambulance was bought on June 27, 1935 for $2,985 thanks to Joe Louis who helped raise money for the vehicle. In 1931 the High School was built on Lakeside Avenue and Wecht's opened on Wanaque Avenue. In 1937 the Post Office was built across from the High School where it still stands today. On September 4, 1939 Hershfield Park was dedicated. By 1944 it was time for a change and Harry B. Davenport was elected. During this man's term an ordinance to prevent drunkenness and disorderly behavior was made and a rodeo came to town. In the 1940's a tag day was held and the money was given to the troops and the Selective Service rented several rooms out for the draft. During the time of Davenport's mayorhood tickets could be purchased for the Railroad before 7:05 a.m.

In 1950 Charles Stiles took office as a Democrat because the Republican Party would not support him in his campaign; his term then lasted for four years shortened by his death on November 20th. It was during his term that St. Mary's Church was built. After the death of Stiles, James J. McGrath took office and stayed as Mayor until 1955. During this time Lincoln School was built to provide schooling for the children on the southern side of town. On October 21, 1954 the Dupont Village project was completed, which provided numerous housing for the workers of the company. A regulated Police Department was created on October 5, 1955. Taking office in 1956 John W. Alien became Mayor for a year ending his term in 1957. During this year it was proposed to the Mayor and Council that the High School be moved to Hershfield Park, obviously the proposal was voted down. An addition was made to that area though, which was the installation of a town beach in Hershfield on June 6, 1956 and the installation of Veterans Park on November 11, 1956 commemorating the men of Pompton Lakes who fought in World War I.

Eugene W. Dockery was the town's next Mayor taking office in 1958 and continuing through till 1961. Throughout his years of office the installation of curbing and concrete driveway aprons was done and in 1959 a footbridge was built connecting Hershfield and Veterans Park. In 1962 Isadore Gelman took office. To the people of Pompton Lakes he was no stranger since he was the popular owner of Gelman's Department Store located in the center of Wanaque Avenue. The store was known for the fact that you could buy on credit and have no hassle to pay it back by a particular time. During Gelman's term Pompton Lakes was no longer supplied by Riverdale with water but rather supplied herself.