Garwood 365- The Original Community News and Neighborhood Blog for Garwood, NJ

History vs. Reality

Garwood officials may be tackling a hot button issue in town without even knowing it.

The issue: respect history and keep the town's motto as the Industrial Center of Union County, or acknowledge reality and change it to a motto that reflects the borough's current dynamics as a suburban enclave.

The response, so far (as of this writing), on 365 is mixed.

While three reader comments expressed strong resolve to keep the current motto, the poll numbers, at this point, show more than 50% of readers would like to dump it.

However, one reader posted, "If anybody knew the history of the town of Garwood and understood how Garwood came to be, it would be a no-brainer but to keep it."

Another reader expressed he could not support a change, citing a deep family history interwoven with the town's industrial past, he posted "My great grandfather was a cabinetmaker for Aeolian and my grandfather drove a truck for Casale Industries."

And yet another longtime resident echoed, "We cannot forget our past."

Meanwhile, in a recent report in the Cranford Chronicle, Councilman Anthony Sytko summed up the other side of the argument, saying "Industry was our past." He went on to say, "When I think of Garwood I think of community, volunteerism, small town, big heart."

Garwood has been referred to as the Industrial Center of Union County since the turn of the 20th century, much like how Cranford has been known as the Venice of New Jersey.