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Hackensack mayor and council unanimously designate intersection as Gordon "Scooter" Whiting Way
Summary
The Hackensack mayor and council unanimously approved a resolution commemoratively renaming the intersection of Beach Street and Second Street for Gordon "Scooter" Whiting, a longtime coach, athletic director and assistant principal whose service to local students and the community spanned decades.
The mayor and council of the City of Hackensack voted unanimously to commemoratively designate the intersection of Beach Street and Second Street as Gordon "Scooter" Whiting Way, honoring a longtime coach, athletic director and assistant principal whose work with student athletes and the school community spanned decades.
The resolution recounted Whiting's roles with the Hackensack School District — including service as a football and basketball coach, athletic director and assistant principal — and described him as a lifelong Hackensack resident whose leadership and mentorship left an enduring mark on generations of students. The resolution notes that Whiting died on May 15, 2026, two days after the Hackensack Board of Education accepted his retirement.
A council member moved to adopt the resolution and another member seconded. Deputy Mayor Toomey, Councilman Clark Collins, Councilman Carroll, Councilman Diaz and Mayor Gaines each voted "I" on the roll call; the resolution passed and was followed by applause.
After the vote, Dr. Joy Whiting — identified in the resolution text as Whiting's wife and the principal of Hackensack Middle School — addressed the meeting on behalf of the family. "I'm flooded with emotion ... gratitude and ... humility for this amazing honor in honor of uh my husband, Gordon 'Scooter' Whiting," she said, thanking the community and describing him as "a proud Comet" who "loved this city." She told attendees the family will present two scholarships in Whiting's honor at the Hackensack Sports Dinner the following day.
The resolution directs appropriate city officials to determine an appropriate manner to reflect the commemorative renaming and instructs the city clerk to transmit a certified copy of the resolution to Whiting's family and to the Hackensack Board of Education. No further action was recorded at the meeting on implementation details.
The council's action formally recognizes Whiting's decades of service to Hackensack students and the broader community; the designated intersection will serve as a public memorial while city staff determine the specific installation and signage process.
