Bogota, New Jersey

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Borough of Bogota, New Jersey
nickname =
settlement_type = Borough
motto =


imagesize =
image_caption =


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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Map highlighting Bogota's location within Bergen County. Inset: Bergen County's location within New Jersey


mapsize1 = 250x200px
map_caption1 = Census Bureau map of Bogota, New Jersey
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = New Jersey
subdivision_name2 = Bergen
government_footnotes =
government_type = Borough (New Jersey)
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Pat McHale D, 2011)
leader_title1 = Borough Administrator
leader_name1 = Pat O'Brien [ [http://www.bogota.nj.us/government/town_directory.asp bogota town directory] , accessed April 23, 2007.]
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = November 14, 1894
area_magnitude =
area_total_sq_mi = 0.8
area_total_km2 = 2.1
area_land_sq_mi = 0.8
area_land_km2 = 2.0
area_water_sq_mi = 0.1
area_water_km2 = 0.2
area_urban_sq_mi =
area_urban_km2 =
area_metro_sq_mi =
area_metro_km2 =
area_water_percent = 7.32
population_as_of = 2007
population_footnotes =
population_total = 7991
population_metro =
population_urban =
population_density_km2 = 4,190.7
population_density_sq_mi = 10,841.3
timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd = 40 |latm = 52 |lats = 26 |latNS = N
longd = 74 |longm = 1 |longs = 40 |longEW = W
elevation_m = 17
elevation_ft = 56
elevation_footnotes = [Gnis|885163|Bogota, Geographic Names Information System, accessed April 23, 2007.]
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 07603
area_code = 201
website = http://www.bogota.nj.us
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 34-06490GR|2 [ [http://mcdc2.missouri.edu/webrepts/commoncodes/ccc_nj.html A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey] , Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.]
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0874841GR|3
footnotes =

Bogota is a Borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 8,249.

Bogota was formed on November 14, 1894, from portions of Ridgefield Township at the height of the "Boroughitis" phenomenon, based on the results of a referendum held that day."The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 76.] Portions of Bogota were taken in 1895 to form part of the newly-created Township of Teaneck. Bogota was named in honor of the Bogert family, which had been the first to occupy the area, and may also be a portmanteau of Bogert and Banta, another early family, with an "O" added to ease pronunciation. ["History of Bergen County" p. 339] [ [http://www.bogota.nj.us/history/default.asp#12 The Story of Bogota: The "Borough Act" of 1894 allowed Bogota to become a Borough] , accessed July 17, 2006.]

The borough's name is pronounced "buh-GO-ta", unlike Bogotá, capital city of Colombia, whose name is accented on the final syllable.Page, Jeffrey. [http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2MzYmZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTY3MDkxMjkmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk5 "Our towns challenge our tongues"] , "The Record (Bergen County)", June 17, 2005. Accessed June 19, 2007. "The reason Bogota is called buh-GO-ta - and not the South American sounding bo-go-TA - is that the word has nothing to do with Colombia or its capital, Bogota. The "Bog" recalls the Bogarts and the "ta" is for the Bantas, two families that used to own all of what is now Bogota. "Or so the story goes," Henry Komorowski, the borough historian, said dryly. In any case, the story explains the first syllable and the last. But what about that "O" in the middle? It might have come about as a means of making pronunciation easier, Komorowski said."] Coincidentally, 1.54% of Bogota's residents are from Colombia. [ [http://www.epodunk.com/ancestry/Colombian.html Colombian Ancestry] , Epodunk. Accessed March 3, 2007.]

Geography

Bogota is located at coor dms|40|52|26|N|74|1|40|W|city (40.873876, -74.027699)GR|1, on the east shore of the Hackensack River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²), of which, 0.8 square miles (2.0 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (7.32%) is water.

Demographics

USCensusPop
1900= 337
1910= 1125
1920= 3906
1930= 7341
1940= 7346
1950= 7662
1960= 7965
1970= 8960
1980= 8344
1990= 7824
2000= 8249
estimate=7991
estyear=2007
estref= [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=Search&geo_id=16000US3405170&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US34%7C16000US3405170&_street=&_county=bogota&_cityTown=bogota&_state=04000US34&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=population_0&ds_name=null&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= Census data for Bogota] , United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 8, 2008.]
footnote=Population 1930 - 1990 [ [http://www.wnjpin.net/OneStopCareerCenter/LaborMarketInformation/lmi01/poptrd6.htm New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990] , Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.] [ [http://www.co.bergen.nj.us/planning/data/HistoricalPop.pdf Historical Population Trends in Bergen County (1900 - 2000)] , Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed December 23, 2007.] As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 8,249 people, 2,874 households, and 2,126 families residing in the borough. The population density was 10,841.3 people per square mile (4,190.7/km²). There were 2,915 housing units at an average density of 3,831.1/sq mi (1,480.9/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 75.72% White, 5.73% African American, 0.15% Native American, 7.75% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 6.76% from other races, and 3.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 21.32% of the population.

There were 2,874 households out of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were non-families. 21.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.38.

In the borough the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 90.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $59,813, and the median income for a family was $69,841. Males had a median income of $49,347 versus $36,406 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $25,505. About 2.6% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.3% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Bogota is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year."2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book", Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 157.]

The Mayor is elected to serve a four-year term and may succeed that term by re-election. The Mayor is empowered as head of the municipal government to: Provide for the proper execution of local and State laws; Recommend to the Borough Council measures deemed in the best interest of the Borough; Nominate and, with the advice and consent of the Council, appoint most subordinate officers of the Borough; and Maintain peace and order. Although the Mayor presides over meeting of the Borough Council, the Mayor votes only in the case of a tie. State law also requires the Mayor to be a member of the Planning Board and Board of Trustees of the municipal Public Library.

The six Council members are elected at-large for terms of three years on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year. The Council exercises general legislative powers conferred upon it by State law to protect and promote the general welfare of the Borough. Among these are: The right to enact ordinances; Approve resolutions; Approve mayoral appointments; and Adopt the annual budget and determine tax levy. [ [http://www.bogota.nj.us/government/default.asp Bogota Municipal Government: How Does It Work?] , Borough of Bogota. Accessed July 17, 2006.]

The Mayor of the Borough of Bogota is Pat McHale (D, term ends December 31, 2011). Members of the Bogota Borough Council are Yesenia Frias (D, 2009), John Lyons (D, 2008), Ann Marie Mitchell (R, 2010), Judith Pesce (D, 2010) Tara Sharp (D, 2009) and Tito Jackson (filling the seat vacated by Mayor McHale). [ [http://www.bogota.nj.us/government/town_directory.asp Bogota Town Directory] . Borough of Bogota. Accessed March 16, 2008.] [ [http://co.bergen.nj.us/ParksPDF/CountyDirectory.pdf "County of Bergen: 2008 County and Municipal Directory"] , Bergen County, New Jersey, p. 36. Accessed July 3, 2008.] [Ax, Joseph. [http://www.northjersey.com/news/elections/13940182.html "First responder fills vacancy on Bogota Council"] , "The Record (Bergen County)", January 21, 2008. Accessed March 16, 2008. "The Borough Council has selected Antero "Tito" Jackson to fill the vacancy created when Mayor Patrick McHale took office this month."]

In July 2006, Mayor Lonegan created a controversy when he engineered a Borough Council resolution requesting the removal of a Spanish-language billboard in town advertising McDonald's iced coffee. Lonegan said the billboard was "divisive." The story received national publicity, occurring concurrently with a national debate on illegal immigration. [ [http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk0NSZmZ2JlbDdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5Njk2MDkzNCZ5cmlyeTdmNzE3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTM= Bogota formally requests billboard removal] , "The Record (Bergen County)", July 14, 2006.]

In elections held on November 6, 2007, voters filled a four-year term for mayor, two three-year seats and a single one-year unexpired term on the Borough Council. Democrat Patrick H. McHale (885 votes) defeated Republican Andrew T. Fede (837) in the race for mayor. In the race for the two three-year council seats Democrat Judith Pesce (865) won a seat, and Republican incumbent Anne M. Mitchell (852) held a two-vote lead over Democratic challenger Joseph T. Shuler (850), with Republican Daniele Fede (783) in fourth place. Provisional ballots cut Mitchell's lead to one vote, with Shuler pursuing a recount. Democratic candidate John W. Lyons, Jr. (850) won election to the one-year expired term over Republican Richard Gil de Leon (809). [ [http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkyJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3MjE4MzY3 “Bogota municipal elections"] , "The Record (Bergen County)", November 3, 2007. Accessed November 10, 2007.] [Ax, Joseph. [http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkyJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3MjIxNjg0 "Council hopeful seeks Bogota recount"] , "The Record (Bergen County)", November 15, 2007. Accessed November 16, 2007.] [ [http://www.northjersey.com/dngmedia/media_server/tr/2007/11/06election/bergencounty2007.html Bergen County election results] , "The Record (Bergen County)", November 7, 2007. Accessed November 10, 2007.]

On Election Day, November 7, 2006, Democrats Tara M. Sharp (1,403 votes) and Yesenia Frias (1,351) ousted Republican incumbents Melissa A. Schnipp (964) and George T. Shalhoub (930), winning three-year terms of office on the Borough Council. When Frias and Sharp took office on January 1, 2007, the Council consisted entirely of Democrats, leaving Mayor Lonegan as the lone Republican elected official in the borough. A ballot initiative regarding purchase of two new firetrucks passed by a 1,208-554 margin. [ [http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkzJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3MDE2Njgx Bogota election results] , "The Record (Bergen County)", November 8, 2006.] [ [http://151.198.187.55/countyclerk/2006%20General/2006_General.pdf Bergen County 2006 General Election Results] , accessed February 1, 2007.]

Federal, state and county representation

Bogota is in the Ninth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 37th Legislative District. [ [http://www.lwvnj.org/pubs/CG06.pdf 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government] , New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 55. Accessed August 30, 2006.]

Politics

As of April 1, 2006, out of a 2004 Census estimated population of 8,208, there were 4,405 registered voters (53.7% of the population, vs. 55.4% in all of Bergen County). Of registered voters, 790 (17.9% vs. 20.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 798 (18.1% vs. 19.2% countywide) were registered as Republicans and 2,817 (64.0% vs. 60.1% countywide) are registered as Undeclared. There were no voters registered to other parties. ["County of Bergen: Voter Statistics by Municipality, Ward & District," dated April 1, 2006.]

On the national level, Bogota leans strongly toward the Democratic Party. In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 56% of the vote here, defeating Republican George W. Bush, who received around 43%. [ [http://www.nj.gov/lps/elections/2004results/04_Municipality_pdf%27s/presidential_bergen_co_2004.pdf 2004 Presidential Election results: Bergen County] New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety: Division of Elections, dated December 13, 2004.]

Education

Students in grades Kindergarten through 12 are educated in the Bogota Public Schools. Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics. [ [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3401920 Data for the Bogota Public Schools] , National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed March 16, 2008.] ) are [http://www.bogotaschools.com/bixby E. Roy Bixby School] with 334students in grades K - 6, [http://www.bogotaschools.com/steen Lillian M. Steen School] which serves 274 students in grades K - 6, and Bogota High School with an enrollment of 536 students on grades 7 through 12.

[http://www.stjosephbogota.org/school/ Saint Joseph's School] is a Roman Catholic parochial school serving students in grades K - 8.

Transportation

While no major highways travel through the borough, Interstate 80 is accessible at Exit 67 in Ridgefield Park, just south of Bogota, and Route 4 is accessible in Teaneck to the north in Teaneck. These highways provide access to the George Washington Bridge, the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway and other portions of the area's transportation network. Several bridges span the Hackensack River to Hackensack.

Several New Jersey Transit bus lines travel through Bogota between Hackensack, Jersey City, Paramus and New York City. New Jersey Transit bus service is available to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on the 155 and 168 routes; to the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal on the 182 route; and to other New Jersey communities served on the 83 (to Jersey City), 751 and 755 routes. [ [http://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=BusRoutesBergenCountyTo Routes by County: Bergen County] , New Jersey Transit. Accessed September 9, 2008.]

There is no passenger rail service, but the CSX West Shore Railroad freight line is on the edge of the borough.

Popular culture

The 2005 documentary film "Anytown, USA" focused on the 2003 mayoral race between Republican Steve Lonegan, Democrat Fred Pesce and independent Dave Musikant. The film was screened at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival on April 9, 2005, where it won the award for Best Documentary. [ [http://sirkproductions.com/ Sirk Productions] , accessed February 24, 2007.]

Notable residents

Notable current and former residents of Bogota include:
* Stanley Foster Reed (1917-2007), entrepreneur. [Bernstein, Adam. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/29/AR2007102902082.html?nav=hcmodule "Stanley Reed, 90; Helped Create Niche Magazines"] , "The Washington Post", October 30, 2007. Accessed October 31, 2007. "Mr. Reed, whose father was a Pricewaterhouse accountant, was born Sept. 28, 1917, in Bogota, N.J."]
* Pat Schuber, served for four years as Mayor of Bogota, represented the district in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1982 to 1990 and served 12 years as the County Executive of Bergen County. [ [http://view.fdu.edu/default.aspx?id=1199 William "Pat" Schuber, Esq., BA, JD] , Fairleigh Dickinson University. Accessed August 28, 2007.]
* Vin Scully (born 1927), sportscaster for the Los Angeles Dodgers. [Sandomir, Richard. [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/05/sports/baseball/05scully.html?ex=1317700800&en=67c57f4c6a8d7423&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss "Daffy Days of Brooklyn Return for Vin Scully"] , "The New York Times", October 5, 2006. Accessed May 21, 2007. "He called three Subway Series in his Brooklyn years, in 1953, 1955 and 1956. By then, he was living in Bogota, N.J., and his red-haired mother, Bridget, was listening to her son call Game 7 of the 1955 Series, the one in which the Dodgers, behind Johnny Podres, finally beat the Yankees."]

Sources

*"History of Bergen County, New Jersey, 1630-1923;" by "Westervelt, Frances A. (Frances Augusta), 1858-1942."
*"Municipal Incorporations of the State of New Jersey (according to Counties)" prepared by the Division of Local Government, Department of the Treasury (New Jersey); December 1, 1958.

References

External links

* [http://www.bogota.nj.us/ Bogota official website]
* [http://bogotaboe.com/ Bogota Public Schools]
*NJReportCard|03|0440|0|Bogota Public Schools
* [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3401920 Data for the Bogota Public Schools] , National Center for Education Statistics