Talk about Oxford

familyof6 · Joined: 31 Jul 2004 Posts: 6

I dont know about any other kids but my kids in high school get tortured because they are from oxford. It has such a bad reputation.Is there anything we could do to improve the reputation.My husband actually worked with people from oxford but had no idea. Why? because they were tired of people saying stuff about oxford so they stopped telling people where they were from !!

avidlistener · Almost Newbie Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 15

apparently has had bad feelings for "Oxford People" for many years. I believe it all stems from when the KKK was a majority in town. I have researched this and, believe it or not it, it started in Washington, but the people became embarressed or whatever and booted them to Oxford.
If you have been here long enough to meet some of the KKK people you would have known just how ignorant some of them are. I had the pleasure of speaking to one and the language that flowed naturally from their mouth was appalling. There is no reasoning with them on their beliefs and some do outwardly, very verbally, state their opinions. This would be the "bad Rep" that anyone from Oxford has. Today that shows that the surrounding areas are now showing their ignorance by continueing to pick on our children. This town has grown significantly since I have moved here and we have many people from other areas now. For Washington or any other town to continue to ridicule us or our children shows that they are no better than the KKK people who believe only what they want. Be forwarned that some of the teachers at the hs also discriminate--watch the grades.

familyof6 · Joined: 31 Jul 2004 Posts: 6

Thanks for replying.I feel better knowing someone else feels the same way as I do.I just wish there was something we could do to improve oxfords reputation.Oxford needs a public relations person .
The teachers at hills have already let us know their feelings unfortunately. I just try to tell the kids to let it roll off their backs.
Oxford does a lot for the kids -I wish that stuff was in the paper more

avidlistener · Almost Newbie Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 15

Unfortunately the reporters only come when there is something bad going on. We have tried to get them to come for positive events and they are not interested then. The "old" people of Washington are the same as anywhere else--they tend to remember the bad not the good--and until these people leave we will continue to be known as a bad, illiterate, small hick town. The unfairness is there and there is nothing we can do to change it.. The only suggestion I can make is meet with every one of your childs teachers before the school year starts and "snub" them--it sounds horrible but until they realize we are not all "origional" town people and we have come from different backgrounds we are not going to get an ounce of respect. Our children will continue to get discriminated for a town's previous history. The KKK unfortuneately is still for front in their memories--the last rally they had in town was about 12-13 years ago--as far as I am aware that was the last rally they had--there are very few if any remaining in oxford--I do know several now live in Washington and find it quite humorus that the very thing we are persecuted for is living in their town now.

forum_admin

Send me details of the good things that go on, and I will see what I can do about getting them posted on the town website. Also if you have an event planned, let me know in advance, and I can put it on the website too. We have an E-Mailing list in place, and very few things to send out on it.

I would love nothing more than to improve the reputation that Oxford has, I remeber when I went to Warren Tech, the students from Oxford were treated like dirt. It is sad to see that 16 years later not much has changed.

rivermountain · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 8:12 am Post subject:

The Warren Reporter had a write-up about Community Day is last week's paper, and they write up the monthly town meetings. I haven't seen anything negative in a while.

What do you all think of the following ideas (and if you think they're too "fluffy" I'll understand): a talent show? A contest for the best decorated house for Halloween and/or Christmas?

Do you think the people of Oxford would have any interest in these types of things?

I'm just brainstorming here . . .

familyof6 · Joined: 31 Jul 2004 Posts: 6

I think it would be great to see pictures of the lake-people fishing and swimming.I grew up in hackettstown and never even knew there was a lake until we moved here.I think that part of oxfords problem is nobody knows anything about it,people make stuff up like for example I heard the kkk meets every wed at the lake.Show the lake and how normal activities go on there. We just had the slip and slide at the fire house-which wasnt promoted at all.We have the ice skating rink in the winter and the bonfire which is awesome.It feels like a secret society or something.We are the least known town.We do a lot with the kids how do we get these things out more rather than the made up stuff?

forum_admin · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 6:46 am Post subject: House decorating

Maybe a contest where people would vote on their favorites via the website would help to increase site traffic, and maybe (crosses fingers) do something to chip away at the bad rep that Oxford has.

familyof6 · Joined: 31 Jul 2004 Posts: 6

thats a fantastic idea-guess thats why you are the forum administrator

avidlistener · Almost Newbie Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 15

I was thinking about how to install a town wide picnic--if we could pull off a full town picnic like small towns used to we could become a closer community--my idea is to bring back the type of picnic where you have 3 legged races, tons of food, tug of wars, small contests, and other events of that nature--you could make it a bring a dish picnic--offer all beverages free of charge--have parent/child tournaments--offer a trophy to overall winners--just a large town get together to boost the moral of the town--make it a yearly event

forum_admin · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 2:04 pm Post subject: Sounds like a good idea.

Sounds like a good idea. Have you spoken to any of the committee people about it?

rivermountain · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 2:48 pm Post subject: picnic

That's a great idea! The town does the annual Police/community night out, but I think that's a little different than what you're suggesting (I don't think they do tug of wars, etc.) I can just imagine a tug of war between the committee and DPW vs., say Spring Meadow residents, or the east vs. west sides of town . . . oh, the possibilities . . .

rivermountain · Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2004 9:29 am Post subject: more on picnic and some new ideas

Ok, so I'm driving home last night and started brainstorming (watch out! )

I think it would be nice to do it on the town's Anniversary, maybe at the lake or the new fields. Here are some thoughts on other activities: face painting (if it's in the fall, pumpkin paining), water balloon toss, horseshoes or ring toss, badmitton (does anyone play that anymore?), volleyball, wheelbarrow (don't know if anyone knows what this is, but basically one person is walks on their hands while another person holds their legs, and they "walk" to a pylon and come back), karaoke (don't know how many people would be interested in that), and we could end the evening with a movie! I can bring my kites (does anyone do that anymore??). With some of the races and stuff, we could have our own "Oxford Olympics!"

I heard something about prizes (I think this was for the decoration contests) and I understand there was a food theme going, but how about a free day or season pass to the lake? Or are you going for something people can use any time of year? I'll keep thinking.

Some other ideas separate from a picnic: I don't know if the churches already do this, but I was thinking about an Easter Egg Hunt. The only problem I foresee is I hear parents tend to take it a little too seriously and get very competitive.

For the website (if you have the server space/memory): how about a contest for favorite picture of Oxford? Or a different contest for favorite pet picture (the library in Belvidere did something similar a few months ago, but not online)?

forum_admin · Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2004 10:18 am Post subject: Picture contests

We have more that enough space to run either or both of the contests you suggest. I'm sure we can set it up, if the idea catches on.

avidlistener · Almost Newbie Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 15

the fire department already sponsors one. You always have to check with the other groups before running an event. That is like the PTO will be doing a tricky tray now, and we have to coordinate with the fire and squad so we don't hold on same night as one of there events.

avidlistener · Almost Newbie Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 15

keep them coming. I did talk to Alex last night at meeting, he thought it would be great. I will be bringing the ideas to the DAO committee at the next meeting. So please keep posting ideas so I can go with all of them.

arnold · Almost Newbie Joined: 26 Jul 2004 Posts: 12

So what is the rumer about the KKK in Oxford? Do they still have an active chapter? I am curios because I am looking at possobly move to Oxford and dont want to raise my kids in a town that has a large majority of racist views. Is there still an open environment of racism and does it effect life in town?

What is the racial balance in the town? (white, spanish, black, asian, jewish) any repoted problems? Is the police deparment all white?

Alot of questions but if I plan to move to the town I want to be aware as I want to raise my kids in a safe town where they are not spoiled by views from other people.

Art

forum_admin · Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 8:55 pm Post subject: I have lived here for 9 years

I have lived here for 9 years, and have only encountered one person with outwardly racist views. The town has a good balance of races, (I don't have exact numbers). The last rally I heard about was over 12 years ago. The police department is all white (all four of the officers). I will say that this town is safe. I believe the police department could direct you to where you can find the crime stats for Oxford, their number is (908) 453-4133.

familyof6 · Joined: 31 Jul 2004 Posts: 6

I heard about the kkk from my kids going to the high school. From what I hear they had a kkk clan here years ago.I havent seen any sign of it since moving here five years ago.

arnold · Almost Newbie Joined: 26 Jul 2004 Posts: 12

Why did your kids hear about it...was it something bad or just talk? Are there issues at ths school because of this?

bob scala · Joined: 24 Sep 2004 Posts: 1

I like the idea of the house decorating contest. If it catches on it could
bring in people from other towns to drive around the town and see how
nice the town really is. How nice would it be for Oxford to be known for
how nicely the town is decorated for the holidays. Rather then some of the
other things you here about the town.

just_ducky · Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Spring Meadow

I had lived in Sussex and Warren County for about 13 years, and the first time I heard of Oxford was as a student at Centenary College in Hackettstown. The adjunct professor we had one semester taught/teaches 7th grade at the school in Oxford. She seemed to be an excellent, experienced teacher, so I had positive feelings about Oxford if she was willing to teach there.

Once I found a house in Oxford, I spread the word to family and friends that I was moving here. Older friends had heard rumors of the KKK but no one could give me anything definite. I tried to do some Internet research and came across an undated, black-and-white photo of the Klan posing by the Welcome to Oxford sign! That freaked me out! But we went ahead and moved to the Spring Meadow development last year and have been happy ever since. We have two small children and feel this is a nice, quiet and friendly neighborhood in which to raise them.

While we were waiting to close on our house last summer, we would take rides through the development to chat with anyone we would see outside. While we never asked about the Klan per se, we got the impression that people were just nice folks. It also made me feel better to see families of other ethnic backgrounds in the development - I think diversity is the key to fighting racist views.

Anyway, I think the reason Oxford may still have a bad reputation is that people remember the KKK because nothing that drastic, good or bad, has happened since then. I think the best thing we can do is just continue to be good people, proudly tell others we're from Oxford, and try to get to know one another and strengthen our community ties. Many people I know had never heard of Oxford, so they only heard the good things I was able to tell them!

rivermountain · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 12:31 pm Post subject: Welcome

Welcome to Oxford, Ducky! I hope you're settling in well, and I'm glad you're getting out and meeting your neighbors. Please be sure to tell them about the town website and forum. We'd love to have them join us!

I didn't hear about the KKK until after I'd moved here. I have never seen anything and I've been here for almost 10 years. I think you're right--it sticks in people's minds because not much happens in the area that really stands out. I'm hoping that will change soon with the revitalization plans that are in the works, as well as things like the outdoor movies.

It's a beautiful area, and I hope you and your family feel welcome and at home here. If you haven't had a chance to explore much, there's a lovely bike path near Spring Meadow, and the lake is gorgeous, too. Shippen Manor is very nice, and they offer tours (I think the 4th Sunday of the month, but I'm not sure).

RiverMountain

arnold · Almost Newbie Joined: 26 Jul 2004 Posts: 12

Ducky...I think my wife saw that same photo of the Klan in front of the city sign. Thats what peaked my curiosity....I was not worried but my wife was...more for our newborn child and what may happen to her if something came up. My wife never had been around any type of racism or anything, I however grew up in Los Angeles and lived in GA., TN, and KY for awhile while in the military so I saw alot of it....although there was alot of racism I never had a problem with it because I knew where they were coming from...they respected me for me. I cant change people and try not to...as long as they respect me thats all I ask.

Well after seeing that photo my wife wanted to get out of our contract...I had to drive her out here to show here that sign was a little different now. I also had heard about a rally about 10 years ago and my realtor (who lives in Mansfield) told me he heard the same thing but heard it was about 6 your teenage, or 20 something year old kids walking down 31 picking up trash....not wearing hoods, but had on white sheets or what appeared to be sheets. I laughed and wondered if it was just kids from the department of corrections and someone thought they were Klan. Anyway I am in Spring Meadows and love the house....still getting use to the lack of noise (traffic, police, fire, planes) and hope I dont have two many problems with neighbors if I have a party.

just_ducky · Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Spring Meadow

Rivermountain & Arnold, thanks for the welcome. We enjoy living here and feel at home. It does take some getting used to that it is so quiet, but it's nice. Over the summer, my neighbors in the back (whom I don't know) had a couple of loud parties outside, but I don't mind something like that once in a while. I think people would be understanding if you wanted to have a gathering.
Well, it is nice to "meet" everyone on the forums. I'll check back often to see what is going on.

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