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BLOOMINGDALE - Croop named boro's first citizen for 2007
(by Deborah Walsh - Staff Writer - January 23, 2008)
BLOOMINGDALE - For many years, former Fire Chief Pete Croop has worn many hats and now he holds dual honorary titles. Croop was not only named firefighter of the year for 2007; he was also named citizen of the year.
One of the last actions of the mayor and council in 2007 was to name Croop citizen of the year and present him with a plaque. At a recent volunteer firefighters' dinner, Croop was honored as firefighter of the year.
When presenting the Citizen of the Year Award, Mayor William Steenstra said, "Pete you've been citizen of the year for a lot of years as far as I'm concerned. We are naming you citizen of the year for 2007."
Steenstra said Croop provided invaluable fire suppression/emergency management testimony in a lawsuit filed by D.R. Horton, which wants to build 360 townhouse units on Federal Hill. Steenstra said Croop also dedicated a lot of time in association with the construction of the borough's new firehouse. The firehouse was dedicated on Dec. 1.
"Pete is so professional and just a really nice guy. I wish everyone was like him," said Mayor Steenstra.
Mayor Steenstra said Croop has been named the borough's first citizen of the year, an award he would like to see continued annually.
Borough Attorney Joseph MacMahon also complimented Croop. MacMahon said Passaic County Superior Court Judge Burrell Humphreys, who presided over the D.R. Horton case against the borough, said Croop was the best witness he had heard take the stand in his 35 years on the bench.
"He had a positive impact on safety issues pertaining to the D.R. Horton development. He received a high compliment from a judge who had sat on the bench for a long time," said MacMahon.
Fire Chief John D'Amato said the department's four chiefs got together to discuss the selection of the firefighter of the year and Croop was the unanimous choice. D'Amato said Croop has almost served 30 years.
"He did so much work with the new firehouse. He worked hard to get it done. He worked directly with the town and contractor. He worked from the day we got the property until the day the firehouse was finished," said D'Amato.
When asked about receiving the two awards, Croop modestly acknowledged that it must have been his year. Croop said firemen he knew got him interested in serving in the Fire Department and he has been a member since 1980.
"It's something I enjoy. It's very much like moving into a second family," said Croop. "It's fortunate that I have had the time and opportunity to do some extra things for them."
Croop served as fire chief from 2002 to 2004. He currently is president of the Fire Department and coordinator for the Office of Emergency Management. For 18 years, he was a member of Tri-Boro's special Rescue Squad, which has been disbanded. Currently, he serves as chairman of an Elizabeth Street assessment committee. Croop operated Ed's Auto Supply on Hamburg Turnpike in Bloomingdale.
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