07oct04.pdf - The Westfield Leader

Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus

OUR 117th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 40-2007 SIXTY CENTS (908) [email protected], October 4, 2007USPS 680020

Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J.Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890

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PAGE INDEXRegional ........ 2-3Editorial ........ 4-5, 20Community ... 6-7, 9

Obituary ........ 8Education ...... 10-11Sports ............ 13-19

Real Estate .... 13-23Classifieds .... 22A&E .............. 24-26

Quattrocchi, Russitano FocusOn Spending, No-Bid Work

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

By PAUL J. PEYTONSpecially Written for The Westfield Leader

COUNTY – Although Republicanshave not held a seat on the UnionCounty Board of Chosen Freeholdersin 10 years, GOP freeholder candi-dates Patricia Quattrocchi of GarwoodJohn Russitano of Westfield are fo-

cusing on a jump in county spending,taxes and the awarding of no-bid con-tracts the past few years by the all-Democratic 9-0 board.

During an interview last Thursdayat the offices of The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times, Mrs. Quattrocchi,making her fourth consecutive run ata board seat, said county spendingcontinues to be a big issue for her.

“[The freeholders] surpassed themark of over a million dollars a day[in spending],” she said.

“Union County right now is in thenumber nine position of having thehighest county taxes in the country –that’s out of 795,000 counties thathave over 65,000 residents,” Mrs.Quattrocchi said. “I don’t want to benumber 10 or number nine for high-est taxes. I want to be number nine forhaving great reading scores in UnionCounty; I want to be number nine forproviding employment in UnionCounty. I want to be number nine forhaving the lowest crime rate.”

She said the lower increase in thetax levy, 3 percent this year, “doesn’tmake up for what they have been do-ing for the past eight, nine or 10 years.”

The candidate said the biggest areaof spending are the salaries of “middleand upper management.”

Mrs. Quattrocchi said a Dunn andBradstreet retired purchasing agentlooked at three months of county ex-penses on his own and submitted hisfindings to the board.

“What he found was that, for in-stance, [the board had] five differentcompanies that they were buyingbottled water from and four different

Greg Ryan for The Westfield Leader1947…Members of Westfield High School’s Class of 1947 return to town lastSaturday for their 60th reunion and pose in front of the 302 Elm Street administra-tion building, which had been the high school in 1947. Pictured, left to right, are:front row – Robert Turnbaugh, Horseshoe Bay, Tex.; Lois Donaldson McMullen,San Diego, Calif.; Carol Sanford Baldwin, Baldwin, Mo.; Peggy Allen Kelly, York,Pa.; William Robinson, San Mateo, Calif.; middle row – Peggy Rapp McElroy,Springfield, Va.; Jean Heatly Turnbaugh, Horseshoe Bay, Tex.; Mary Ann CrowellFreeman, Easton, Conn.; Richard Coykendall, San Mateo, Calif.; back row – PaulLittmann, Forest Hill, Md.; Donald Miller, Arlington, Va.; Arthur Bingham, WestTisbury, Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., and Louis Budell, Marcellus, N.Y.

David Samsky for The Westfield LeaderVIEW FROM THE TOP...Westfield Leader photographer Davide Samsky flies 1,000 feet above the Festifall street fair onSunday, capturing Westfield and its visitors at the intersection of Broad and Elm Streets. See additional photos atgoleader.com/photos.

David Samsky for The Westfield LeaderSTROLLING...Visitors relax and enjoy beautiful weatheron Saturday at the Westfield street fair.

Rec. Comm. to Decide onHoulihan Lights Next Month

New Canterbury Home Would Be7.5 Ft. Higher Than Gatehouse


By CHRISTINA M. HINKESpecially Written for The Westfield Leader

WESTFIELD — The WestfieldPlanning Board on Monday night heardthe continuation of Julie Marsella’sapplication for a subdivision of 200Canterbury Lane with the existing“Little Gatehouse.” Four-dozen resi-dents attended the meeting,and about a quarter of themaddressed the board withquestions to the testifiers.

Ms. Marsella’s traffic en-gineer, Elizabeth Dolan,shared the results of a secondtraffic study she conductedSeptember 17 and 18 from 7to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m., asproposed by the board in July.Her study showed that therewere 117 more vehicles onEast Broad Street heading inthe eastbound direction dur-ing the morning hours. Shesaid the other time periodson Wychwood and EastBroad did not have a signifi-cant change.

Ms. Dolan also exhibitedline-of-sight and car-turningschematics. She said driversexiting the proposed drive-way on Wychwood Avenuewould have enough room tobypass the island.

“Even if it swings wide, itwill not hit the island,” shesaid. She said her plan wasdesigned using an oversizedtruck at 18 feet in length, whereas atypical SUV or car is 16-and-half feet.

Ms. Dolan’s line-of-sight recom-mendations include cutting four trees

west of the proposed driveway alongWychwood Avenue and other treeson the right side of East Broad wherethe road enters Wychwood. She saidfoliage planted on a triangle shouldnot exceed 30 inches in order to haveclear sight lines. She said an alterna-tive to cutting trees would be to re-

move branches that are seven feet orbelow on the trunk, though for opti-mum safety she recommended re-moving the trees because the trunks

are a viewing interference.Board member Danielle Walsh inter-

jected by asking if this sight line was anexisting issue. Ms. Dolan said it was.

The applicant’s architect, RogerWinkle, said that to build the new prop-erty, about four to five trees would haveto be removed, according to Environ-

mental Protection Agency (EPA)conclusions. He also presenteddesigns on the proposed new struc-ture, which he described as a two-story English country manor.

According to Mr. Winkle, hisdesign would complement theexisting one-and-half-storygatehouse by keeping the frontwalls as low as possible, addingthree dormers with finials on thepeak and using “all natural” ma-terials. He said the house wouldbe made of full stucco – not latex– wood, natural stone veneer androof shingles made of either rub-ber of another composite to simu-late a slate look. The rear wouldinclude stucco with a wainscotof stone with some exposed brickto look authentic.

He said the plans are for a 33.5-foot-high property – seven-and-a-half feet higher than the littlegatehouse and six-and-a-half feetlower than the larger gatehouse.

Mr. Winkle said the new homewould cover 2,808 square feet ofthe lot, more than 3 percent underwhat is allowed in the zone by thetown; and a FAR (Floor to Area

Ratio) of 4,092 square feet, or 24.4percent, which is under the maximumof 25 percent under town requirements.

He did not mention the four vari-ances the applicant requests. The lotfrontage is over by almost 13 feet, the

David Samsky for The Westfield LeaderPROSPECT STREET AND GOAL...Local girls kick a soccer ball around as otherFestifall-goers enjoy food, games and vendor booths at Westfield’s annual streetfair on Sunday afternoon. See additional photos at goleader.com/photos.

Westfield Officials, ResidentsAddress Town’s Traffic Hot Spots

By MICHAEL J. POLLACKSpecially Written for The Westfield Leader

WESTFIELD – Addressing inter-sections in need of improvement froma safety perspective – known as traf-fic hot spots – traffic consultant Gor-don Meth answered questions fromresidents attending a special meetinglast Wednesday night in the munici-pal building’s community room.

To address the first hot spot, com-prising the area near Memorial Pool,

Mr. Meth’s main proposal stressedchanging the “blinking light” atScotch Plains Avenue and West BroadStreet to a “full traffic light” equippedwith cameras that gauge the level oftraffic and change according to it.

Mr. Meth said because such a lightcould interpret the volume at the in-tersection, traffic would flow better.

“It’s a great idea – installing a traf-fic light. We have to think about thechildren who walk to school everyday. I’m also concerned about thespeeding near Memorial Pool,” resi-dent Joan Penczak said.

Fourth Ward Councilman JimFoerst, who represents that area, toldThe Westfield Leader that, knowingthe lengthy amount of time involvedin getting county approval for thetraffic signal, “we decided that, in theinterim, we would go forward withthe installation of the sidewalk onScotch Plains Avenue, do line-of-sight

studies on all four corners of theintersection and clear out vegetationthat the county has been recalcitrantin maintaining, so [drivers] could seewhat’s there (signs that warn driversto ‘slow ahead’).”

Mr. Meth also wants to reduce thespeed limit on West Broad Street andimprove visibility in the area.

To deal with the South and ScotchPlains Avenues intersection, Mr. Methproposes eliminating the 45-degree,right-turn island and rewiring the traf-fic signal; in the meantime, the exist-ing yield sign at the point where east-bound traffic on South Avenue mergesonto Scotch Plains Avenue could bechanged to a stop sign.

Mr. Ciarrocca said the existing 45-degree merge encourages speedingonto Scotch Plains Avenue. With theproposed changes, drivers would haveto completely go up to the traffic sig-


Westfield Council DiscussesCounty Building Concerns

By MICHAEL J. POLLACKSpecially Written for The Westfield Leader

WESTFIELD – During the publicportion of Tuesday’s town-councilconference session, John Devitt, aHighland Avenue resident, spoke ofhis concerns surrounding the con-struction of a 49,000-square-foot ve-hicle-storage facility at 300 NorthAvenue, adjacent to the RalphFroehlich public safety building.Those council members who spokesided with Mr. Devitt but reiteratedthat the body is “powerless” to stopUnion County from completing theproject.

Mr. Devitt said the entire structure,slated to include a three-story build-ing that will provide 130 surface park-ing spots and 11 rooftop spaces, wouldbe “a little smaller than Shop Rite.”

He said, “I believe we have a redflag here in Westfield. That red flag isright next to the public-safety build-ing, which we ride by everyday. Wefind it’s an oversized building andvery bulky. It impairs Westfield’s resi-

dential, small-town character…Sincethe county did such a poor job build-ing that structure, as far as Westfieldis concerned, I think this really has tobe monitored very closely from hereon in.”

Despite a “courtesy” presentationto the planning board in early Sep-tember, First Ward councilman SalCaruana said, “They’re exempt fromour zoning requirements.”

Town Attorney Robert Cockrenconcurred with Mr. Caruana’s assess-ment, comparing it to the board ofeducation’s exemption from localzoning requirements. He said the“courtesy” review by the planningboard might lead to recommenda-tions, but “that’s all they are – recom-mendations. If there is going to beany input, it’ll have to be throughother avenues.”

In terms of the county’s attitudetoward Westfield and the council,Fourth Ward Councilman Jim Foerstsaid, “The interesting thing to note

Board Chairman William Palatuccisaid, “Our policy only indicates that weare to turn off the lights at the specifictime. We have an agreement and wewill reconsider it at next month’s meet-ing, but we need to see what a differ-ence the half an hour will make.”

Town councilman and liaison to therecreation commission Peter Echaussesaid, “As many children on the fieldcan get out there…should. The par-ents and children are excited to havethat, and I applaud your efforts.”

The commission will decide at nextmonth’s meeting whether to allowWSA games to continue until 10:10p.m. The association will present thecommission with its current scheduleand revised schedule to indicate thedifference the half an hour wouldmake to game times, officials said.

In other news, Memorial Pool con-struction is underway. The adult andkiddie pool are being renovated.

“[Contractors] are ripping up thekiddie pool right on schedule,” Rec-reation Director Bruce Kauffman said.

Officials said renovations on theTamaques Park tennis courts havebeen completed. The courts received$2,000 worth of repair work.

With an increase in demand forWestfield’s athletic fields, field sched-ules continue to be a pressing issue,officials said. The commission will meetwith user groups for each league todiscuss scheduling with them. Also, therecreation commission will display rec-reation leagues time slots online.

Officials announced that the com-mission would also start making a listof capital projects so that the commis-sion might address them as soon aspossible and start touring the facilities.

By MARIA WOEHRSpecially Written for The Westfield Leader

WESTFIIELD – The WestfieldRecreation Commission Mondaynight requested that the WestfieldSoccer Association (WSA) providethem with field schedules as the com-mission considers whether the lightsat Houlihan Field should be kept onfor an additional half hour.

“We are asking for a trial period onFriday and Saturday nights until themiddle of November to extend thelights to 10:10 from 9:30 so we canplay two games on these nights,” saidBob Clancy, vice president of opera-tions for WSA.

Area resident and teacher DonnaPanagos said she was “absolutelyagainst” the 10:10-10:15 request.

“The players hang out and make a lotof noise. They have the field from noonuntil dusk and I sit there in my kitchenand hear the whistles, coaches and play-ers while I am grading papers. This iseverything against having good neigh-bors. We had a petition with 200 signa-tures on it against those lights. We don’twant those lights at all,” she said.

Mr. Clancy said the field wouldonly be used on Friday and Saturdayfor inter-county games, which meansall players would be from Westfield.The games would be played from 6 to8 p.m. and 8 to 10 p.m.

The WSA has 2,600 children in theprogram, and all of the field slots arefull, according to Mr. Clancy.

“I would rather my children behanging out at a soccer field than atStarbucks. We had an agreement whenwe first began this that we wouldwork from 9:30 to 10, and we havebeen on our best behavior,” he said.

Karen Clarkson for The Westfield LeaderCOLONIAL GREETINGS...A colonial figure meets a young fan at Union County’sannual Harvest Festival, held last Sunday at the Trailside Nature and ScienceCenter in Mountainside. See additional photos on page 9.

Westfield CandidatesForum Update

WESTFIELD – The Westfield Can-didates Forum, sponsored by TheWestfield Leader and the League ofWomen Voters, is scheduled for Sun-day, October 14, at 7:30 p.m. at themunicipal building at 425 East BroadStreet.

Those seeking election to the fourseats up for grabs on the town council forfour-year terms will participate. Demo-crats Ross Katz (Ward 1), BruceRegenstreich (Ward 2), Matt Sontz(Ward 3) and Lenore Scurry (Ward 4)oppose Republicans Frank Arena (Ward1) and incumbents JoAnn Neylan (Ward2), Mark Ciarrocca (Ward 3) and JamesFoerst (Ward 4).

There are eight seats on the WestfieldTown Council, two from each ward.Every other year, four seats are up forelection. Mayoral races occur every fouryears; the next will be in November2009.

The public can attend and submit ques-tions for the forum in advance by e-mailto [email protected].

Westfield TV-36 will air the forumand replay the telecast several timesprior to Election Day, November 6.

Leader reporter Fred Rossi and MerryWisler of the League of Women Voterswill moderate the forum.

View candidate biographies, video andother features at goleader.com/07elec-tion.


Thursday, October 4, 2007 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A Watchung Communications, Inc. Publication

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

GOP Freeholder Candidates

POLICE BLOTTER

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A RESCUE RECOGNIZED…Sherwin Williams honors workers involved in theJuly rescue of workers overcome with carbon monoxide in an adjacent SouthAvenue building. Pictured, left to right, are Gene Ronkiewicz of Sherwin Will-iams, Jay Tyree of Star Painting, Jim Rinaldi, Star Painting owner, and JimCooley, district sales manager for Sherwin Williams. Adrian Perez of SherwinWilliams was absent from the August ceremony but also received a plaque.

SPEAKING OUT…More than 100 students and staff from Redeemer LutheranSchool in Westfield participated in a Mission Walk on September 26, raising $800for autism research. Autism Speaks, an organization dedicated to fundingresearch on this neurological disorder, is currently sponsoring local educationaland fundraising efforts. Redeemer students regularly adopt hands-on communityand global projects. The generosity of students and families enabled the school tomore than double its initial goal.

front-yard setback is over by just overfour feet, the street-side yard is pro-posed at 2.51 feet, where the townordinance requires a minimum of 20feet, and the side-yard setback is un-der the minimum allowed by morethan two feet.

Ms. Marsella’s attorney, RobertKraus said, “The existing house willnot be modified in its exterior.”

He also brought in historic preser-vation consultant Stacy Spies to tes-tify on the gatehouse’s historic nature.She concluded that in her professionalopinion, the gatehouse is not historic.

“It’s lost its context,” Ms. Spiessaid, since it does not exist in itsoriginal context as a gatehouse, as itis now a home. She said it was addedon to in 1972.

“It was substantially smaller in1933,” she said. “The integrity of thegatehouse is intact.”

Even though the integrity is there,Ms. Spies said, the gatehouse is notsignificant in and of itself since it wasintended to be a part of a residencewhen it was designed in the 1920s.

“I don’t believe it was executed ina way [original developer Arthur Rule]would have liked,” she said. “Theintegrity of the community is lost.”

Resident Amy Jester, along withabout four other residents, asked Ms.Spies questions about her viewpoints.Ms. Jester showed a book depictingWychwood that Mr. Rule published toshow his intentions of the community.

As Ms. Spies said earlier, there arehomes in Wychwood that were toredown and built in 1960s style design,not the “idyllic” look Mr. Rule hadmeant for the area.

The hearing on the application willcontinue on December 3.


Planning Bd.

nal and make a 90-degree right turn.Mr. Ciarrocca also noted that the

sidewalk on Scotch Plains Avenueshould have a “narrowing effect,thereby slowing traffic down.”

The second hot spot, near RahwayAvenue and Lamberts Mill Road, facesissues from the difficulty of Westfield-bound cars making left turns fromLamberts Mill onto Rahway Avenue,the lack of a crosswalk for those at-tending St. Helen’s Roman CatholicChurch and speed on Summit Court,which runs perpendicular to Rahway.

Mr. Meth proposed placing a trafficsignal at the county-controlled Lam-berts Mill/Rahway intersection, whichwould get tied into the railroad signal.

Mr. Ciarrocca said, “Requestinginstallation of that light won’t delaythe quiet-zone work at all.”

Mr. Ciarrocca and Mr. Meth alsoproposed a “small neighborhoodroundabout” – a “traffic-control mea-sure that should slow traffic by put-ting an obstacle in a driver’s line ofsight and causing traffic to deflectand slow,” according to Mr. Ciarrocca– at Summit Court and Arthur Place.

“[Summit Court is] a 35-foot wideroad that’s two blocks long, and there’snothing between you and St. Helen’swhen you’re driving down that road,so people just drive faster than theyshould. You get a lot of cut-throughtraffic when the train comes, and a lotof people who go to the conservationcenter,” Mr. Foerst said.

“I think there’s a problem on Sum-mit Court because the traffic is veryheavy. What I’m hearing tonightwould help solve some of the prob-lems on Summit Court,” Bell Driveresident Gene Koederitz said.

Mr. Ciarrocca said it was “hearten-ing” to hear the neighborhood’s con-sensus for the roundabout. “I thinkit’s the perfect place to do it,” he said.

“We would install a temporary neigh-borhood roundabout and, after a year,discuss how it’s been working. It’s anincremental approach; for example,roundabouts deflect traffic and are inex-pensive,” the Third-Ward councilmanand Public Safety, Transportation andParking Committee chairman added.

Mr. Meth concurred with Mr.Ciarrocca’s assessment, saying thatroundabouts result in slower speedsand that all traffic yields on entry. Inaddition, the traffic-control measurescan be decorated with “low plantings”to blend in aesthetically.

“This is the only area we’ve cometo a complete consensus on,” Mr.Ciarrocca said.

At the Lenox and Stanley Avenuesintersection, issues surround speedingat night, the existing all-way stop andthe use of those streets as “cut-throughs.”

Second Ward Councilwoman VickiKimmins told The Leader, “There aretwo cut-throughs. One is the cut-through all the way up Stanley, andthey jump up Hillcrest to go to NorthAvenue, so we’re trying to slow downthe traffic on Stanley.”

In addition, the town “has alwayshad the cut-through near the post of-fice,” as traffic traveling north on Cen-tral Avenue chooses to avoid the Cen-tral Avenue/East Broad Street lightand turns right on Lenox, she said.

Mr. Meth said there is a low acci-dent history in these areas. The solu-tions he proposed would put islandson Lenox – keeping the stop signswhere they are at present – to slowtraffic and “flipping” the stop signson St. Marks and Stanley Avenues.

“Instead of stopping on St. Marksto cross Stanley, traffic would stop onStanley at the intersection of St.Marks,” Ms. Kimmins noted.

“Originally, it was Stanley andLenox, but because of the input fromthe people in the neighborhood, weexpanded to the next intersection

also,” Mr. Ciarrocca said.“On Stanley…it’s not until St. Marks

where people have built up speed, sowe want to stop them at St. Marks,”Ms. Kimmins said. “Also, there’s aschool crossing there. Most kids walkdown St. Marks to go to Washington(School) because of the crossing guard.We felt that was just double safety tohave cars stop at the school crossing.”

The group discussed the intersec-tions of Boulevard and South Avenueand Boulevard and Park Avenue.

During a previous feedback sessionin June, residents in the area noted thatspeeding and visibility were issues fordrivers on South Avenue, in additionto people disregarding stop signs.

At Boulevard/South, Mr. Meth pro-posed eliminating one South Avenueon-street parking space to create a moreclear sight triangle for those making aleft from Boulevard onto South andtraveling towards Scotch Plains. Mr.Meth also proposed “creating gaps” intraffic by coordinating the traffic sig-nals at South and Summit Avenues andSouth and Central Avenues in order tomake that left turn easier.

However, Mr. Ciarrocca said, “Theneighborhood didn’t want it to be easierto make a left onto South,” feeling thiswould encourage more drivers to useBoulevard when heading westboundbecause no traffic signal exists. “Theywould rather not have that type ofvolume, so we will focus on improve-ments to pedestrian safety in the area.”

One suggestion for Boulevard/Parkincluded installing a modern round-about, but “you couldn’t do that on aninterim basis because of the amountof traffic, as well as the size of thatintersection. You’d have to do a per-manent one right off the bat. Thatgoes against our tenets because you’dspend a couple hundred thousanddollars to do it,” Mr. Ciarrocca said.

The group decided on a proposalthat would seek to designate that in-tersection as needing a multi-way(four-way) stop, with the possibilityof temporary islands.

Mr. Ciarrocca said the state has toapprove any multi-way. The town willresubmit its traffic counts for the area,noting that a study completed in Au-gust would not take into account the“considerable” volume of traffic dur-ing periods when school is in sessionand drivers more frequently use theSouth Avenue parking lot.

“Residents can still e-mail the townwith their comments and concernsbecause nothing is set in stone, andfeedback is key,” Mr. Ciarrocca said.

Sonia Owchariw contributed to thisreport.


Westfield Traffic Hot Spots

Linda B. Condrillo for The Westfield LeaderMUM’S THE WORD...The DeaconAndrew Hetfield House inMountainside displays mums andpumpkins for sale. Proceeds supportthe historical site, which dates back to1760. The public will have the opportu-nity to tour the Hetfield House andother Union County historic sites dur-ing the annual “Four Centuries in aWeekend” open-house event on Octo-ber 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. andOctober 22 from noon until 5 p.m.

about the Froehlich building is that Idon’t recall anyone on this council orin town government ever being in-vited. It tells you what the countythinks of Westfield. They come hereand build and do what they want. Weask for improvements with regards totraffic lights and roads. We ask forcurbs for West Broad Street, and theysnub their nose at us.”

Mr. Caruana, following up on Mr.Foerst’s comment, said, “When thebuilding was opened, the mayor ofWestfield didn’t rate an invitation.That pretty much speaks to what thenature of their concern for our in-volvement in the issue.”

Mr. Caruana implored the citizens-advisory group WeCare to get involved.

“This is a development issue in town.It is an issue that is lacking public debateand public participation…A representa-tive of the group who was quoted in thepaper said, ‘We’re going to add somelandscaping.’ That was the extent ofwhat he took away from the meeting.Yeah, landscaping. You’re building amonstrosity, but they think landscapingis the key to any development issue…Weare powerless to control this.”

When asked by Third Ward Coun-cilman Mark Ciarrocca about previ-ous efforts to bring Bette JaneKowalski, freeholder chairman, and2006 chairman Al Mirabella beforethat, to a conference meeting, themayor said, “There’s been no progress.I’ve made numerous offers. I want totalk about issues that are important tous and talk about shared services…I’vereached out numerous times but havenot been successful.”

First Ward Councilman PeterEchausse said, “It’s sad, Mr. Mayor,because some freeholders know howto get directions to The WestfieldLeader office to toot their horn. Iguarantee you they’ll be here in acouple of weeks to hand out literatureat the train station. Maybe we shouldbe writing a letter to The Leader withdirections to town hall…It’s frustrat-ing. It’s really sad. All we’re askingfor is some dialogue.”

In other business, Florence Avenue

resident Edward Orr, after being“awoken at 6 a.m. by concrete beingdropped on a dump truck,” spoke tothe council about early constructionat Memorial Pool.

With work routinely starting be-tween 7 and 7:30 p.m., Mr. Orr spoketo residents who live contiguous tothe pool and received 29 signaturesasking that work begin at 8 a.m.

Mr. Foerst, who represents the poolarea, asked, “Didn’t we make it clearto the contractor that we wanted tolead by example? While we legallydon’t have to comply with our owncode, didn’t we tell them what wewere expecting of them?”

Town Administrator Jim Gildea,while noting that workers are on a“tight timeline” to complete theproject, expects that the noise shoulddissipate because the “heavy lifting –so to speak – is over. The next phaseis putting the pipes in. The recreationdepartment is overseeing this. I’llmake sure they’re aware of it, andwe’ll take care of it right away.”

During his Public Safety, Trans-portation and Parking Committee re-port, Mr. Ciarrocca spoke about theimportance of an emergency text-message system, whereby residentswould sign up to receive messages ontheir cell phones in situations whereother forms of communication werecompromised and/or an urgent mes-sage needed to be disseminated.

During an incident last week at StJohn’s University, the school used atext-message system to notify stu-dents and faculty.

“It helped what could have been avery serious situation,” Mr. Ciarroccasaid.

He noted that Police Chief JohnParizeau has looked into the com-pany St. John’s used. Mr. Ciarroccasaid the town would speak to theWestfield school system about shar-ing the cost of the endeavor.

Giving an update on parking, hesaid work on lots one and eight “shouldbe done before Thanksgiving.”

The committee also discussed twotraffic- and pedestrian-safety improve-ments on town streets. The crossingguard at Central Avenue and GroveStreet – noting that there is no turn onred from Grove onto Central – “re-quested that there be prohibitions of[making a] right turn on red from Cen-tral onto Grove at least during schooldrop-off and pick-up hours.” He saidthe town would contact the county aboutmoving forward on enacting that.

He also discussed streets that runperpendicular to Summit Avenue be-tween Summit Court and GroveStreet. Saying that the existing ordi-nance provides for those streets, saveClifton Avenue, to employ yield signsinstead of stop signs, it “almost en-courages people not to stop.” The areain question surrounds Jefferson School,which Mr. Ciarrocca said experiencesa high volume of traffic during schooland weekend sporting events. “There’sno reason for them to be yields,” hesaid. “They should be stop signs. Wewill recommend an ordinance to make[all perpendicular T-intersections withSummit, including Clover Street andFaulkner Drive,] stop signs.”

companies that they were buying sup-plies from for their computers. So,they need to consolidate their spend-ing,” she said.

When asked to assess the county’sgovernment’s role, Mr. Russitano saidthe county “pretty much umbrellasthe towns” in the services it offers. Hesaid he does not understand why hepays 18 cents on the dollar in taxes formunicipal services but 20 cents forcounty services. He said the county’srole is to provide services in emer-gencies, such as snowstorms.

“The county should not be so in-volved and should not be taking somuch of your taxmoney,” he said.

M r s .Quattrocchi saidthe county is re-sponsible for “thehealth, safety andwelfare of the resi-dents of thecounty,” such asmaintaining roadsand homeland se-curity, includingthe Port of New-ark/Elizabeth.

“What we reallyneed to take a lookat [are] the thingsthat the county isdoing that have cre-ated unprecedented growth in the sizeof county government,” she said.

On shared services, Mr. Russitano,employed by the Westfield Departmentof Public Works, said he would like tosee the county help towns in pavingroadways in order to save money.

“The county absolutely could comein and help towns pave their roads forthe cost of what it would cost thecounty,” he said. “The county makesa little bit of money. We [would] paythe bare minimum for the workers,materials and for the use of the equip-ment,” thus eliminating the need forprivate contractors. “I think it wouldsave individual towns a lot of money.”

He said that currently, contractorspave the roads, “and three or fouryears later, the roads are split. They’renot working out.”

Mrs. Quattrocchi said she wants thecounty to produce “an actual plan” withthe recently garnered $300,000 stategrant for shared-services initiatives.

She said small-town residents “areafraid that they are going to be lost inthe shuffle if these bigger towns get tooinvolved [in taking over some services].”

Mr. Russitano said the county couldhelp with smaller police departmentsby patrolling additional streets, whilemunicipal police could do the sameon some of the county roads.

Mrs. Quattrocchi said Cranford nowoperates the Garwood building depart-ment, while Westfield runs theborough’s health department. She said

COUNTY LINE...John Russitano ofWestfield, center, and PatriciaQuattrocchi, Republican candidates forUnion County freeholder seats, discusscounty spending and major campaignissues with Westfield Leader assignmenteditor Paul Peyton.

towns like Westfield, Summit and NewProvidence could do the same by shar-ing services like the tax assessor and taxcollector.

Both candidates said they opposelaying people off when developingshared-service plans.

They also discussed professional-services contracts.

“They are no-bid contracts. What isdisappointing is that the no-bid con-tracts for professional services are theone area that state law lets slide throughon the county level,” Mrs. Quattrocchisaid. She said architectural fees for thenew bridge recently installed in

Nomahegan Parkfor bikers andwalkers “were al-most the cost of thebridge.”

She said the pro-posed building forNorth Avenueacross from theWestfield Diner forthe new home of thecounty-clerk annex,county superinten-dent of schools, etc.,and rooftop parkingfor emergency-ser-vices personnel “re-ally doesn’t fit inwith what thepeople who are

planning downtown Westfield had inmind for their wonderful downtown.”

Mr. Russitano said he feels no-bidcontracts have gotten “so out of con-trol,” whereby the costs have jumpeddue to overpricing and additional costs.

Mrs. Quattrocchi said campaign-finance reports as published on thestate’s ELEC webpage show “signifi-cant” amounts of donations “by theguys who are actually getting thecontracts.” She called this practice“mind-boggling” and “blatant” by thefirmrs getting county contracts.

“I think sometimes some of thesepeople who have been awarded someof these contracts get too comfortable.Their work gets sloppy…because theyknow they are going to get the contractregardless of whether they turn it in ontime,” she said.

She said she would like countycontracts evaluated with “some newfaces being awarded.”

On the education front, Mrs.Quattrocchi said the county needs todevelop more secondary-educationoptions for students not attendingfour-year colleges. She said the countyis concentrating more on the MagnetHigh School and a new medical-train-ing program than on vocational-tech-nical programs such as carpentry, dry-wall and auto mechanics.

“I mean when your car breaks down,who are you going to call? Are yougoing to call your accountant?” sheasked. “Somebody has to prepare thekids for the future in these areas.”

Mr. Russitano said lowering theschool-tax burden would be a bighelp to towns in reducing school taxes.

Mrs. Quattrocchi said she would“like just once” for the county not toincrease its budget. “Here in New Jer-sey, we are taxed to death,” she said.

She said the Democratic freehold-ers should have gone after additionalgrants, such as ones for homelandsecurity, and gone on record as dis-agreeing with Governor Jon Corzineon his plans to lease or sell state assetsand his 2006 sales-tax increase.

Freeholder hopeful Robert Reillyof Winfield Park and county sheriffcandidate Peter Lijoi of Summit joinMrs. Quattrocchi and Mr. Russitanoon the GOP’s county ticket.

For full interviews and candidatebios, visit goleader.com/07election.

WestfieldWednesday, September 26, a Bennett

Place resident reported the theft of a Pass-port brand radar detector from a motorvehicle parked in the owner’s driveway.

Thursday, September 27, PatrickHughes, 18, of Rahway was arrested foralleged possession of less than 50 gramsof marijuana following an investigationon the 200 block of North Avenue, East.He was released on his own recognizancewith a summons.

Thursday, September 27, Thomas W.Mealer, 60, of the Bronx, N.Y. was ar-rested on multiple charges after a motorvehicle stop on North Avenue in Fanwood.He was charged with driving while in-toxicated; possession of cocaine; posses-sion of more than 50 grams of marijuana;possession with intent to distribute co-caine; possession with intent to distributehydrocodeine; possession with intent todistribute Xanax; possession of a weapon,identified by police as a switchblade knife;possession of a weapon for unlawful pur-pose and possession of a weapon withintent to distribute narcotics.

Mealer also was arrested on an out-standing no-bail warrant from the HudsonCounty Sheriff’s Office. He was held atthe Union County jail in lieu of $500,000bail on the Westfield charges.

Friday, September 28, Norman Dillon,3rd, 48, of Edison was arrested at theMiddlesex County jail on an outstandingWestfield motor vehicle warrant with bailof $200. He was transported to the UnionCounty jail where he was held on defaultof bail pending a future court date.

Saturday, September 29, Shaun Mason,19, of Plainfield was arrested on the 900block of North Avenue, West, following apolice investigation into a disturbance.Mason was charged with obstructing theadministration of law for allegedly dis-obeying verbal commands by police andfleeing the scene. He was released on hisown recognizance with a summons.

Saturday, September 29, a Westfieldresident reported that her motor vehiclewas burglarized on the 900 block of Sy-camore Street. The passenger side win-dow was smashed and the victim’s purse,containing cash and credit cards, wasremoved. The total value of the theft wasapproximately $267.

Sunday, September 30, an Elizabethresident reported the theft of two bankchecks in the total amount of $130 froman establishment on the 1000 block ofNorth Avenue, West.

Tuesday, October 2, police questionedan 18-year-old Westfield resident on thegrounds of Roosevelt Intermediate Schoolon Clark Street. Police said the man hadcut through some backyards and thenattempted to use a bathroom at Roosevelt.

A resident had reported to police thatthe man resembled someone who hadbroken into cars on the other side of townseveral days earlier. After stopping theman near the entrance to the school, po-lice performed a background check andreleased him within 10 minutes.

ClarkMonday, October 1, a man allegedly

attempted to run down two police officers inClark, prompting the officers to fire theirweapons at the vehicle before the suspectwas apprehended a near the entrance rampto Garden State Parkway Exit 135.

The suspect, Donald Andrews, 41, al-ready had been sought for allegedly at-tempting to run over two Newark policeofficers in September.

According to a report published in TheStar-Ledger, Andrews stopped at the Clarkhome of an off-duty Plainfield police of-ficer about 2:30 p.m. The officer appar-ently informed Andrews he was wanted inthe Newark case, and when he attemptedto arrest him, the suspect fled in his truck.

A 911 call brought two Clark policesergeants to the scene, who Andrews al-legedly attempted to run down with histruck, the Star-Ledger report stated. Policefired several shots at Andrews’ vehicle ashe drove away en route to the northboundGarden State Parkway. He was appre-hended as he reached the ramp when threepolice cruisers surrounded his truck.

Andrews was transported to Univer-sity Hospital in Newark, where he wastreated for minor injuries to his right armand released, according to police. TheStar-Ledger report said authorities do notbelieve any of the police officers’ bulletsstruck the suspect, but that his arm injurymay have been caused by shattered glassfrom the truck. The suspect was in thecustody of Clark authorities.

CHALLENGER...Republican State As-sembly candidate Bryan DesRochers(LD-22), right, discusses state issues withWestfield Leader assignment editor PaulPeyton last Friday. To view the inter-view and read up on local election can-didates, visit goleader.com/07election.


Westfield Town Council

SIXTY CENTS(908) [email protected] 48TH YEAR – ISSUE NO. 40-2007 Published Every Thursday Since 1959

www.timesnj.comUSPS 485200

Periodical – Postage Paid at Scotch Plains, N.J.Thursday, October 4, 2007

PAGE INDEXRegional ........ 2-3Editorial ........ 4-5, 20Community ... 6-7, 9

Obituary ........ 8Education ...... 10-11Sports ............ 13-19

Real Estate .... 13-23Classifieds .... 22A&E .............. 24-26

Ingrid McKinley for The Scotch Plains-Fanwood TimesAND THE WINNER IS…Sagar Pate, 9, of Fanwood won the first round of the firstannual ice-cream eating contest sponsored by the Double Dipper Cafe in Fanwood.Sagar celebrates his victory with the Fanny Wood Day crowd. DANCING WITHTHE CROWDS...Members of My Little Dance Studio attend Fanny Wood Day.

DesRochers: Cutting WasteWould Save State Money

By PAUL J. PEYTONSpecially Written for The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times

AREA – Bryan DesRochers, aRahway resident and graduate ofUnion County College and KeanUniversity, said Scotch Plains MayorMartin Marks’s 2003 run for StateSenate was one of the reasons hedecided to run for the Assembly thisyear in the state’s 22nd legislativedistrict. Mr.Marks, a Repub-lican, received45 percent of thevote against Lin-den DemocratNicholas Scutariin that 2003 race.

“Even thoughit is put down asa ‘safe Demo-cratic district,’there are stillgains that we canmake here. If youare talking aboutneeding a 5-per-cent-plus-1 typeof swing, maybe[it’s] not unheard of, especially giventhe situations that have arisen in thestate as far as the taxes andaffordability and some of the corrup-tion scandals,” said Mr. DesRochers,a Republican running with NorthPlainfield resident Robert Gatto forthe Assembly seats.

In an exclusive interview with TheScotch Plains-Fanwood Times lastFriday, the candidate said he woulduse some “aspects” in the Republi-can Party’s “The Choice for Change”

statewide platform. The GOP has beenin the minority in the State Assemblysince 2002 and the State Senate since2004, after the Senate hade beenequally divided in 2002 and 2003.

“I didn’t think personally that [theGOP platform] went far enough. Ithink we need to get more specific asfar as exactly what ethics reforms needto be made [and] exactly what should

be sent to a refer-endum on the bal-lot [in terms of]the sale of theTurnpike or theleasing/moneti-zation plan…Ithink that shouldbe something thatgoes to a referen-dum,” he said.“I’m not in sup-port of it person-ally because itsounds like a bor-rowing-money-from-Paul-to-pay-Peter type ofthing.”

He said there is no guarantee thatthe money raised through such a dealwould reduce the state debt of $33.7billion. The candidate said the issue,along with developing a new school-funding formula, should be done now,not in the lame-duck session after theNovember 6 General Election.

Mr. DesRochers called the Turn-pike deal another tax, noting that arecent study showed that leasing thehighway would result in a 150-per-

Republican State Assembly candidateBryan DesRochers (LD-22), right, dis-cusses state issues with Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times assignment editor PaulPeyton in the Times offices last Friday.


Summer Workshop Grows; BOEQuestions Future of Field LightsBy JESSICA E. JASKULA

Specially Written for The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times

SCOTCH PLAINS — Ray Torellapresented a report on the creativesummer workshop program to theScotch Plains-Fanwood Board ofEducation Thursday, stating that af-ter completing its 25th year, the five-week-long program had 213 studentsenrolled in its 354 classes.

The driver-education program, heldat Scotch Plains-Fanwood HighSchool, enrolled 12 students. Accord-ing to Mr. Torella’s report, multipleworkshops targeted younger students,such as “Kindergarten Express,”which works to develop skills beforethe students enter the classroom, and“Creative Tales,” in which children inkindergarten through grade 2 heardstories from different genres.

The summer program also offered anew class this year, “Globe Trotters,”in which students grades K to 2 “vis-ited” five countries around the world

through the study of music, languageand art activities. Programs for grades4 to 8 included “Magic Mysteries,” aclass investigating the history of magic,and “Microwave Cooking.”

Parents and friends came to a “Showand Share” program at School One inJuly to see the students’ accomplish-ments. That evening, Music Schoolstudents put on a performance for fam-ily and friends at Park Middle School.

According to Mr. Torella’s report,the summer program generated a profitof $24,322, and students are signingup for more classes than previous years.

Mr. Torella also presented the boardwith suggestions for future years, suchas the addition of new programs, in-cluding an SAT-prep course, chorus,jewelry-making, drama/performingarts, fashion design, chess, the addi-tion of strings instruments to the musicschool, mini sports camps for base-ball, basketball, football, soccer, ten-nis and gymnastics and a dance pro-

gram for ballet, tap, jazz and modern,enrichment programs in math andlanguage for grades 5 through high-school, world languages for elemen-tary and middle school levels, a studyon classic movies, writing/perform-ing mini plays and a book club.

He also suggested offering programsthat varied in length (such as two two-week programs or three two-week pro-grams) and exploring the possibility ofworking with the YMCA and JCC for

Omni-Point/T-Mobile to RequestDelay For Cell-Tower HearingBy FRED T. ROSSI

Specially Written for The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times

SCOTCH PLAINS — Thetownship’s zoning board of adjust-ment will consider a request tonightby Omni-Point Communications,Inc./T. Mobile to again postpone ahearing on its application to place awireless communication tower atWillow Grove Swim Club.

Last month, the board granted Omni-Point’s request to adjourn theapplication’s hearing, which had beganat the board’s July 12 meeting withtestimony from one witness. In a letterto the zoning board last Friday,Constantine Stamos, Omni-Point’s at-torney, said that, given the existence ofwetlands in the Willow Grove property’svicinity, Omni-Point’s consultants need“additional time to determine a newlocation” at the site for the cell towerand to draw up revised site plans. Mr.Stamos asked the board to continue thehearing at its December 6 meeting.

Omni-Point Communicationsseeks to construct a 120-foot hightower at the Roosevelt Avenue swimclub, located next to McGinn School.Original plans situate the tower onthe southeastern edge of the WillowGrove property, adjacent to a town-ship-owned wooded area abuttingKramer Manor Park.

Omni-Point’s represenatativesmust appear at tonight’s meeting torequest the adjournment, accordingto board attorney Vincent Loughlin.He told The Scotch Plains-FanwoodTimes that the board is asking Omni-Point “to come in and tell us what’sgoing on.” The board can grant thecontinuance or dismiss the applica-tion and ask Omni-Point to reapply.

Barbara Lockley, an Evelyn Streetresident who is among a group ofresidents who have banded togetherto oppose the cell tower, told TheTimes that, while she is not certainwhat Omni-Point’s request for an-other postponement means, the wet-lands on the site “are a big issue.” Shesaid the proposed location of the tower

is close to those wetlands, as well asto creeks that eventually feed into theRaritan River.

A tower at that site, she said, “wouldonly exacerbate” flooding and otherstormwater management issues. “De-velopment of that land would detri-mental to all the residents in the area.”

Richard Samuel, an attorney repre-senting Ms. Lockley in objecting tothe application, told The Times lastweek that Omni-Point’s request for acontinuance of the hearing “is a grace-ful way for them to withdraw theirapplication. I don’t think we will seethem again.”

Last month, Ms. Lockley and agroup of neighborhood residents tooka reporter on a tour of the woodedarea where the cell tower would besituated to show where, they claim, anumber of trees have been either cutback or cut down in preparation forthe tower’s installation.

The group walked easily, she said,through the wooded area, which waslittered with downed branches andlarger sections of tree trunks, some ofwhich appeared to have been cut; itwas unclear as to how recently anycutting had been done.

Ms. Lockley told The Times twoweeks ago that traversing the woodedarea would have been much moredifficult several months ago beforethe trees were thinned.

It is unclear who has been involved incutting the trees. Ms. Lockley and oth-ers in the group that toured the woodslast month said they had observed whatappeared to be day laborers there, aswell as what appeared to be a municipalgovernment truck and workers.

Ms. Lockley said she has spokenabout the matter to Township Man-ager Thomas Atkins, who told her he“did not believe there was any activ-ity there sponsored by the township.”


COUNTY LINE...John Russitano of Westfield, center, and Patricia Quattrocchi,Republican candidates for Union County freeholder seats, discuss county spend-ing and major issues they plan to address in their campaigns with Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times assignment editor Paul Peyton, left, in the Times’ Westfield officeson Friday. See story on page 12.

Karen Clarkson for The Scotch Plains-Fanwood TimesCOLONIAL GREETINGS...A colonial figure meets a young fan at Union County’s annual Harvest Festival, held lastSunday at the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. See additional photos on page 9.

SP to Hire RBA for DesignOn New Scotch Hills Facility

By FRED T. ROSSISpecially Written for The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times

SCOTCH PLAINS — The town-ship council expects to award a$21,000 contract to an architecturefirm next week. The contract will beused to develop conceptual designsfor a new senior citizens and commu-nity center at Scotch Hills CountryClub which would cost about $3.6million to construct.

RBA, an architectural firm based inMorristown, will develop designs for anew building to replace the existingfacility at the township-owned countryclub and submit them to township offi-cials before the end of the year. If thecouncil approves and funds the project,the razing of the old building and con-struction of a new three-story facilitywould be completed by early 2009.

At its conference meeting on Tues-day, the council discussed RBA’s quali-fications for 90 minutes with recreationcommission members and Ray Poerio,township recreation director. Lastmonth, six architecture firms had sub-mitted proposals to the commission,which then narrowed the candidates totwo firms — RBA and The MusialGroup of Mountainside — with whomthe commission met two weeks ago.

Councilman Jeffrey Strauss, thecouncil’s recreation liaison, said onTuesday that the commission hadvoted unanimously to recommend thatthe council secure RBA’s services.

“They have experience doing exactlywhat we want,” he said.

Mr. Strauss said RBA would firstmeet with various groups that woulduse the new facility, including thesenior-citizens advisory committeeand recreation officials, to get theirinput before designing the building.

Commission members RobertGiordanella, Douglas Layne and LynnBarattucci agreed that RBA offered,in Ms. Barattucci’s words, “experi-ence we couldn’t find anywhere else.”

Initial estimates are that a new three-story building — a basement leveland two above-ground floors — wouldbe about 15,000-square feet in sizeand would cost, according to recre-ation commission vice chairmanJames Walsh, about $240 per squarefoot, including furnishings, for a totalconstruction cost of about $3.6 mil-lion. Officials do not expect the projectto have any impact on the nine-holegolf course’s operations.

Mr Strauss said it would not befeasible or cost-effective to attempt torefurbish the existing building, givenits age, poor foundation, unusable base-

Fanwood CandidatesForum Update

FANWOOD — The Fanwood Candi-dates Forum, sponsored by The ScotchPlains-Fanwood Times and the League ofWomen Voters, will be held on Monday,October 22, at 8 p.m. at Fanwood BoroughHall at 75 North Martine Avenue.

Participating in the forum are thoseseeking election to the two seats up forgrabs on the borough council for termsof three years each. Republicans An-thony Parenti and Joel Stroz oppose in-cumbent Democrats William Populusand Katherine Mitchell.

Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr, aDemocrat, runs unopposed for reelectionas mayor for another four-year term. Ac-cording to the rules of the League of WomenVoters, Mayor Mahr will not participate inthe forum, as she is uncontested.

There are no municipal elections inScotch Plains this year.

The public can attend and can submitquestions for the forum in advance by e-mail to [email protected].

Fanwood TV35 will air the forum liveand replay the telecast several timesprior to Election Day, November 6.

Times reporter Fred Rossi and MerryWisler of the League of Women Voterswill moderate the forum.

View candidate biographies and videoat goleader.com/07election.


FW Council Delays ActionOn Ordinance for Signals

By TED RITTERSpecially Written for The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times

FANWOOD — The governing bodyTuesday night postponed the first read-ing of an ordinance pursuant to theinstallation of new traffic signals alongthe Martine Avenue corridor.

Officials said the ordinance wouldfacilitate the completion of signal up-grades at Martine intersections.

“We’re going to pull this [from theagenda],” said Mayor Colleen Mahr.“I’m concerned about some [alreadyreplaced signals] not working that well.”

She said the borough would likenew traffic signals that feature nu-meric pedestrian-signal countdowns,instead of the older versions that em-ploy a chirping sound to indicate whenit’s safe to cross the street.

Councilman Bruce Walsh askedwhether timing of Martine traffic sig-nals could be better synchronized.

Mayor Mahr said she believed trafficcounts used by Union County to deter-mine signal installation and operationswere taken as long as 10 years ago.

The governing body discussed theissue of parking in the Watson Roadneighborhood adjacent to BoroughHall and the nearby “pocket park.”

Mr. Walsh said the pocket-parkparking lot and the spaces providedfor the Kuran Cultural Center acrossthe street are not included in theborough’s parking ordinance.

“In [the police department’s] opin-ion, it should be,” he said, to preventcommuters from filling the spaces.

In addition to pocket-park and arts-center users, senior citizens, who thenboard buses for trips or other events,use the parking spaces in question.

“I’m going to suggest that we havethe [council’s] public safety commit-tee look into amending the ordinanceto prevent commuter parking, whilestill allowing seniors and others topark there for special events,” Mr.Walsh said.

Borough Engineer Joseph Pryor re-ported that sidewalk replacement alongMartine Avenue from Trenton Avenuenorth to the borough line has beencompleted and satisfactorily inspectedby the state, which funded it as part ofthe Safe Routes to Schools program.

“That [project] was just a home-run, and commuters really benefitedfrom it, too,” said Mayor Mahr, add-ing the borough wants to improvesidewalks in other neighborhoods.

“We’ll keep our eyes open for thenext round of funding,” Mr. Pryor said.

Councilwoman Donna Dolce saidthe borough has received a total offour proposals for updating theborough’s website, which MayorMahr called “stale.”

Ms. Dolce said all four proposalsare “significantly different in theirapproach to the design of our website,”which dates back about eight years.

“I think it would be interesting toCONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Thursday, October 4, 2007 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION


SP-F Board of Education


FW Council

POLICE BLOTTER

courtesy of Tom KrantzFANWOOD FIRST COUPLE…Mr. and Mrs. Fanny Wood – rescue-squad volun-teer Bob Kruthers and his wife Grace – lead the bicycle parade down MartineAvenue during the Fanny Wood Day celebrations on Sunday. Mr. and Mrs.Kruthers, who both volunteer in the borough, have been married for 59 years.

Quattrocchi, Russitano FocusOn Spending, No-Bid Work

By PAUL J. PEYTONSpecially Written for The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times

COUNTY – Although Republicanshave not held a seat on the UnionCounty Board of Chosen Freeholdersin 10 years, GOP freeholder candi-dates Patricia Quattrocchi of GarwoodJohn Russitano of Westfield are fo-cusing on a jump in county spending,taxes and the awarding of no-bid con-tracts the past few years by the all-Democrat 9-0 board.

During an interview last Thursdayat the offices of The Westfield Leader,Mrs. Quattrocchi, making her fourthconsecutive run at a board seat, saidcounty spending continues to be a bigissue for her.

“[The freeholders] surpassed themark of over a million dollars a day[in spending],” she said.

“Union County right now is in thenumber nine position of having thehighest county taxes in the country –that’s out of 795,000 counties thathave over 65,000 residents,” Mrs.Quattrocchi said. “I don’t want to benumber 10 or number nine for high-est taxes. I want to be number nine forhaving great reading scores in UnionCounty; I want to be number nine forproviding employment in UnionCounty. I want to be number nine forhaving the lowest crime rate.”

She said the lower increase in thetax levy, 3 percent this year, “doesn’tmake up for what they have been do-ing for the past eight, nine or 10 years.”

The candidate said the biggest areaof spending are the salaries of “middleand upper management.”

Mrs. Quattrocchi said a Dunn andBradstreet retired purchasing agentlooked at three months of county ex-penses on his own and submitted hisfindings to the board.

“What he found was that, for in-stance, five different companies thatthey were buying bottled water from,and four different companies that theywere buying supplies from for theircomputers. So they need to consoli-date their spending,” she said.

When asked what the role of countygovernment should be, Mr. Russitanosaid the county “pretty much umbrel-las the towns” in the services it offers.He said he does not understand whyhe pays 18 cents on the dollar in taxesfor municipal services but 20 centsfor county services. He said thecounty’s role is to provide services inemergencies, such as snowstorms.

“The county should not be so in-volved and should not be taking somuch of your tax money,” he said.

Mrs. Quattrocchi said the county isresponsible for “the health, safetyand welfare of the residents of thecounty,” such as maintaining roadsand homeland security, including thePort of Newark/Elizabeth.

“What we really need to take a lookat [are] the things that the county isdoing that have created unprecedentedgrowth in the size of county govern-ment,” she said.

On the issue of shared services, Mr.Russitano, employed by the WestfieldDepartment of Public Works, said hewould like to see the county help townsin paving roadways to help save money.

“The county absolutely could comein and help towns pave their roads forthe cost of what it would cost thecounty,” he said. “The county makesa little bit of money. We [would] paythe bare minimum for the workers,materials and for the use of the equip-ment,” thus eliminating the need forprivate contractors. “I think it wouldsave individual towns a lot of money.”

He said that currently, contractorspave the roads, “and three or fouryears later, the roads are split. They’renot working out.”

Mrs. Quattrocchi said she wants thecounty to produce “an actual plan” withthe recently garnered $300,000 stategrant for shared-services initiatives.

She said that residents in smalltowns “are afraid that they are goingto be lost in shuffle if these biggertowns get too involved [in taking oversome services].”

Mr. Russitano said the county couldhelp with smaller police departmentsby patrolling additional streets, whilemunicipal police could do the sameon some of the county roads.

Mrs. Quattrocchi said Cranfordnow operates the Garwood buildingdepartment, while Westfield runs theborough’s health department. She saidtowns like Westfield, Summit andNew Providence could do the sameby sharing services like the tax asses-sor and tax collector.

Both candidates said they opposelaying people off when developingshared-service plans.

They also discussed professional-services contracts.

“They are no-bid contracts. What isdisappointing is that the no-bid con-tracts for professional services are theone area that state law let slide throughon the county level,” Mrs. Quattrocchisaid. She said architectural fees for thenew bridge recently installed inNomahegan Park for bikers and walk-ers “were almost the cost of the bridge.”

She said the building to be con-structed on North Avenue across fromthe Westfield Diner for the new homeof the county-clerk annex, countysuperintendent of schools, etc., androoftop parking for emergency-ser-vices personnel “really doesn’t fit inwith what the people who are plan-ning downtown Westfield had in mindfor their wonderful downtown.”

Mr. Russitano said he feels no-bidcontracts has gotten “so out of con-trol” whereby the cost have jumpeddue to overpricing and additional costs.

Mrs. Quattrocchi said campaign-

Scotch PlainsWednesday, September 26, a resident of

Westfield Road reported that she receivedseveral threatening phone calls over the lastfew weeks at all hours of the day and night.

Thursday, September 27, a resident ofPlainfield Avenue reported that someoneaccessed her bank account and made sev-eral withdrawals totaling $900.

Friday, September 28, Linsey Lofton,27, of Hillside was arrested for posses-sion of a weapon and making terroristicthreats. According to police, officers re-sponded to a report of a fight in an EastSecond Street apartment and arrestedLofton, who police said was attemptingto hit the victim with a baseball bat. Hewas transported to the Union County jailafter he failed to post bail.

Saturday, September 29, CarlosPachucho, 19, of Ridgewood was arrestedfor driving while intoxicated after a motorvehicle stop, at which time officers de-tected a strong odor of alcohol. Pachuchowas transported to headquarters where hewas processed and released, police said.

Saturday, September 29, Shawn Smith,35, of Plainfield was arrested on an out-standing warrant after a motor vehiclestop. He was transported to headquarterswhere he was processed and released ona summons, police said.

Saturday, September 29, Drew Miller,22, of Scotch Plains was arrested forpossession of a weapon after officers re-sponded to a report of suspicious activity.He was transported to headquarters, wherehe posted bail and was released.

FanwoodTuesday, September 25, a resident of

Westfield Road reported that someone usedher credit card to purchase $284 worth ofmerchandise without her authorization.According to police, someone also attemptedto open a store credit card using her name.Police are investigating the matter.

Wednesday, September 26, Trevald S.Parrish-Lyles, 18, of Plainfield was arrestedand charged with providing police withfalse information after a motor vehicle stop.

Friday, September 28, Sharell O.Gaddy, 18, of Plainfield was arrested onoutstanding warrants out of Bridgewaterand South Plainfield after a motor vehiclestop on Terrill Road.

Saturday, September 29, a business onthe 100 block of South Avenue reportedthat a black male, in his 30s, with a slimbuild, light complexion and dreadlocksshoplifted approximately $219 worth ofmerchandise. According to police, wit-nesses obtained the license plate of theget-away car and charges are pending.

Monday, October 1, Michael J. Hooks,52, of Englewood was arrested andcharged with DWI after a motor vehiclestop on Terrill Road. Hooks was trans-ported to headquarters where he was pro-cessed and released to a responsible adult.

Monday, October 1, Gildardo E. Jimenez,54, of Colonia was arrested on an outstand-ing Newark warrant after a motor vehiclestop on the 100 block of North Avenue.

ClarkMonday, October 1, a man allegedly

attempted to run down two police officersin Clark, prompting the officers to firetheir weapons at the vehicle before appre-hending the suspect a short time later nearthe Garden State Parkway entrance ramp.

The suspect, Donald Andrews, 41, al-ready had been sought for allegedly at-tempting to run over two Newark policeofficers in September.

According to a report published in TheStar-Ledger, Andrews stopped at the Clarkhome of an off-duty Plainfield police of-ficer about 2:30 p.m. The officer appar-ently informed Andrews he was wanted inthe Newark case, and when he attemptedto arrest him, the suspect fled in his truck.

A 911 call brought two Clark policesergeants to the scene, who Andrews al-legedly attempted to run down with histruck, the Star-Ledger report stated. Policefired several shots at Andrews’ vehicle ashe drove away en route to the northboundGarden State Parkway. He was appre-hended, as he reached the ramp when threepolice cruisers surrounded his truck.

Andrews was transported to Univer-sity Hospital in Newark, where he wastreated for minor injuries to his right armand released, according to police. TheStar-Ledger report said authorities do notbelieve any of the police officers’ bulletsstruck the suspect, but that his arm injurymay have been caused by shattered glassfrom the truck. The suspect was in thecustody of Clark authorities.

Rec. Commission ReportsLow Signups for Classes

By CHRISTINA M. HINKESpecially Written for The Scotcc Plains-Fanwood Times

FANWOOD — Borough Recre-ation Director Bob Budiansky re-ported at Tuesday’s recreation com-mission meeting that fall classes incomic-book illustration for childrenand teens, belly dancing for adultsand chair yoga for seniors have beencancelled due to low registration.

In addition, he said, line dancing hasfive seniors registered. Water exerciseis abundant with senior interest withabout nine people, up from last spring,which had been cancelled for onlyhaving three people enrolled.

Tai Chi, taught by instructor SueChow, has a high registration of se-niors; however, only three areFanwood residents. Due to Ms.Chow’s following, students comefrom neighboring towns.

“Tai Chi is a disappointment,” saidMr. Budiansky. “We’re not pulling inthe residents.”

Still, non-residents are allowed tojoin, he said.

“Fanwood does it because Fanwoodcares,” said Commissioner Bruce

Zakarie.Mr. Budiansky said he hopes to

increase awareness and interest, spe-cifically for adult classes. “It’s reallyhard to get adults to sign up,” he said.“You have got to offer things that area little different.”

Children and teen programs offer avariety of classes, and it works, hesaid. The robotics and control-sys-tems workshop club, which teacheskids in grades 5 through 8 to buildand program autonomous robots anduser-controlled systems using LEGOeducation materials, is sold out. Artclub for kids is a success, with 13children, and video-game-creationworkshop club has about 12 kidslearning the fundamentals of soft-ware design and video-game creation,Mr. Budiansky said.

Junior jazzercise and fashion illus-tration have only about two to threeyoung people signed up for each class.

The two parent-and-child classeshave a fair attendance. Mommy-and-me art, with two adults and threechildren, allows mothers and theirchildren to bond while creating artusing markers, paint, collage andsculpture. The mommy-and- mebelly-dancing class has four adultsand five children signed up.

Fall classes have already begun, butresidents can log ontovisitfanwood.com/recreation for moreinformation on the next session.

To understand residents’ interests inclasses and activities, the commission isworking with the Scotch Plains-FanwoodHigh School DECA chapter, a market-ing association, to formulate a survey todetermine the awareness of the sportsleagues available to residents, under-stand the leagues they want and thesports they want for children, adults,teens and special-needs people, alongwith the desired types of recreationalclubs. Through the project, for schoolcredit, students will research how toconduct a survey, formulate questionsand tabulate results, officials said.

Plans are underway for the annualHalloween parade and costume andjack o’ lantern contest. Parade par-ticipants will meet October 31 at 5:30p.m. at the library parking lot, withthe parade beginning at 6:15 p.m.,ending up at the circle in LaGrandePark on 2nd Street, where contestswill ensue at about 6:30. The com-mission will have 250 $2 bills onhand to give to those with the bestcostumes and decorated pumpkins.

The Service League Thrift Shop on2nd Street in Scotch Plains has a freshstock of children’s and adult cos-tumes for sale, officials said.

The commission also began discuss-ing the winter holiday celebration. Thisyear’s event will not take place insidethe Fanwood Museum. The HistoricPreservation Commission drafted a let-ter to the recreation commission statingsince the building is officially a mu-seum, itcannot grant its use for theholiday celebration.

Thelack of a location for Santa togreet kids for photos is holding up thescheduling of an official date, whichusually falls on the first Sunday ofDecember. This year, the first Sundayis December 2. The alternate date isDecember 9. The date will depend onthe availability of renting tents fromthe National Guard and the JCC.

Residents will gather at the trainstation from 3 to 5 p.m., for live musicfrom the high-school band, craft sales,refreshments and the usual finale ofthe lighting of the tree will occur.

DRUMROLL PLEASE…The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Music Boosters Associationand Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School music department invite communitymembers to the ninth-annual marching-band festival and competition next Sunday,October 14, at 1 p.m. at the SPFHS football field. The day features area marchingbands that will compete in the United States Scholastic Band Association circuit.The SPFHS Raider Marching Band, whose drum line is pictured above, willperform its 2007-2008 show, “Quest,” highlighting music from The Man of LaManchaand Zorro. For more information, visit spfk12.org/musicboosters.

finance reports as published on thestate’s ELEC webpage show signifi-cant amounts of donations “by theguys who are actually getting thecontracts.” She called this practice“mind-boggling” and “blatant” by thefirmrs getting county contracts.

“I think sometimes some of thesepeople who have been awarded someof these contracts get too comfortable.Their work gets sloppy…because theyknow they are going to get the contractregardless of whether they turn it in ontime,” she said.

She said she would like countycontracts evaluated with “some newfaces being awarded.”

On the education front, Mrs.Quattrocchi said the county needs todevelop more secondary-educationoptions for students not attendingfour-year colleges. She said the countyis concentrating more on the MagnetHigh School and a new medical-train-ing program than on vocational-tech-nical programs such as carpentry, dry-wall and auto mechanics.

“I mean when your car breaks down,who are you going to call? Are yougoing to call your accountant?” sheasked. “Somebody has to prepare thekids for the future in these areas.”

Mr. Russitano said lowering theschool tax burden would be a big helpto towns in reducing school taxes.

Mrs. Quattrocchi said she would“like just once” for the county not toincrease its budget. “Here in New Jer-sey, we are taxed to death,” she said.

She said the Democratic freeholdersshould have gone after additional grants,such as ones for homeland security, andgone on record as disagreeing withGovernor Jon Corzine on his plans tolease or sell state assets, as well on theGovernor’s 2006 sales-tax increase.

“The squeaky wheel gets oil first,”she said.

Freeholder hopeful Robert Reillyof Winfield Park and county sheriffcandidate Peter Lijoi of Summit joinMrs. Quattrocchi and Mr. Russitanoon the GOP’s county ticket.

To see full interviews and candidatebios, visit goleader.com/07election.

potential before-and-after programs.“[The creative summer workshop is]

an enriching program and is helping thedistrict with its mission of creatinglifelong learners,” Mr. Torella said.

He said a goal for the upcomingyear would be to get fliers and infor-mation out to parents by January, sothat families who want to plan inadvance for the summer could do so.

“It’s amazing to see the energy andenthusiasm throughout the summer. Mythanks to you and your staff,” Superin-tendent of Schools Margaret Hayes said.The board authorized holding the sum-mer workshop program again in 2008.

Thomas Beese, director of specialservices, gave a report on Resolve,the counseling services for elemen-tary-level students. The program hasrun for five years, and Mr. Beese saidthat the organization uses feedbackfrom students, parents and staff to“tweak the program each year.” Cur-rent additions to the program includee-mail access for faculty members,enabling them to respond to parentquestions or concerns, and more indi-vidual-session time for students.

In other news, the board received a$3,000 grant from the state-based,anti-tobacco organization REBEL(“Reaching Everyone By ExposingLies”) to be used toward differenteducational programming demon-strating the dangers of smoking tostudents beginning at the elementaryschools. More information on REBELcan be found at njnotforsale.com, theorganization’s official website.

During the public comments sec-tion of the meeting, Robert Papenquestioned the status of lights for theSPFHS field.

Board President Trip Whitehouseresponded that, at the time, the boardhad not approved any lighting or bud-geted money for it. He said residentswould have time to address the boardif the possibility of lighting came upin the future.

“There has not been any discussion,and a future decision will not be madein one night,” Mr. Whitehouse said.

In addition, resident Myrna Gor-don expressed concern over the turfingproject taking place on the high-school field, saying there could behealth hazards and that the materialsused could be carcinogenic.

“We’re trying to protect our chil-dren,” she said. Saying “a lot” of majoruniversities have switched back fromturf to grass, she provided the boardwith information on the topic andasked that it“delay [the project] untilyou really understand what it is about.”

The board also approved varioustextbooks for the 2007-2008 schoolyear, including “Neighborhoods: Near

and Far” for the first grade, which willcome in the form of a cart to be sharedbetween the entire class and consist ofitems such as maps, atlases and globesfor hands-on teamwork exercises.

The board approved revisions to theStudent Wellness and Nutrition Policy.

Changes included restricting theavailability of ice-cream/frozen yo-gurt at the elementary-school level,mandating that no more than 30 per-cent of the items offered exceed statestandards on sugar and fat and ex-tending the nutrition policy to beginfrom the time students enter the build-ing to 20 minutes after the school day.

Also, school-wide celebrationsshall be exempt from United StatesDepartment of Agriculture regula-tions, though certain treats, such ashard candies, may be banned.

David Samsky for The Scotch Plains-Fanwood TimesVIEW FROM THE TOP...Scotch-Plains Fanwood Times photographer DavidSamsky flies 1,000 feet overhead of the Festifall Fair, last Sunday, capturingWestfield at the intersection of Broad and Elm streets.

cent hike in toll costs.On the state debt, he said the state

borrowed $2 billion this year for theHomestead Rebate program, which hereferred to as an “election-year bribe”to win votes. He blamed a lack ofoversight on the School ConstructionCorporation and its debt-ridden opera-tion as another reason for the debt.

Mr. DesRochers said the state pen-sion system “needs to be funded” butthat abuses on the system must bestopped. He cited Rahway businessadministrator Peter Pelissier, also thehead of the city’s redevelopmentagency, who state officials ordered topay back more than $300,000 in pen-sion funds. Officials discovered thatMr. Pelissier had retired but was stillreceiving significant fees as a con-sultant for the redevelopment agency.

The candidate said some 700 stateofficials collect a pension from an-other job. He said he supports a “onejob, one [state] pension” rule.

He said a new school-aid formulathat is “fairer” to districts would helpease the property-tax burden. Mr.DesRochers said funding for AbbottDistricts was not intended for the con-struction of a $1.5-million football fieldin Newark. “You need to cut the abusesout of that system and make sure it is

more equally distributed to places likeWestfield and Clark, Scotch Plains andFanwood and Cranford,” he said. Thecandidate said cutting funding to AbbottDistricts that are failing “is the onlyway to get these towns to wake up” – itwould increase their taxes, thus forcinga community response, he said.

Mr. DesRochers also said weedingout “patronage and nepotism” in lo-cal and county government is neededto reduce taxes.

“I wouldn’t be 100-percent opposedto saying [let’s] limit countygovernment’s role, because what theyare essentially doing [are] the sameservices the towns are supposed toprovide,” Mr. DesRochers said.

On the issue of corruption amongthose state legislators arrested andeither convicted or facing trial, Mr.DesRochers said he is disappointedwith Governor Jon Corzine and Sen-ate President Richard Codey for fail-ing to stand up to their party and forcethe resignations of Democratic Sena-tors Sharpe James and Wayne Bryant.Both senators have been indicted andface trial on corruption charges; partyofficials, including the Governor,forced two assemblymen caught inan FBI bribery sting to quit.

“At this point [James and Bryant]are still receiving a salary, they are stillearning pension credits and they’vebeen indicted by a prosecutor who is108-and-0 [in gaining successful con-victions],” Mr. DesRochers said.

He said the Democrats’ dual-office-holding ban, signed by GovernorCorzine, has “no teeth” because itgrandfathers incumbent legislators. Hesaid the dual office holdings go alongwith the Christmas-tree grants thathelp local officials gain re-election.

On legislators holding positions orcontracts within their district, the can-didate said, “No senators should beable to enrich themselves based on[their] position as senators above andbeyond what [their] salary is.”

He said “clamping down on cor-ruption” and eliminating campaigncontributions for lucrative state con-tracts, a system known as pay-to-play, would cut annual state spendingby up to 10 percent. Mr. DesRochersalso said professional services shouldbe sent to bid like any other contract,with a requirement that a minimumof two to three bids be received.

For complete interviews and candi-date bios, see goleader.com/07election.


DesRoches Runs for Assembly

Linda B. Condrillo for The TimesMUM’S THE WORD...The DeaconAndrew Hetfield House inMountainside displays mums andpumpkins for sale. Proceeds supportthe historical site, which dates back to1760. The public can tour the HetfieldHouse and other Union County his-toric sites during the annual “FourCenturies in a Weekend” open-houseevent on October 21 from 10 a.m. to 5p.m. and October 22 from noon until 5.

ment and second floor and limited useavailable elsewhere inside.

“It’s not a historic site,” he added,saying that it would be expensive torenovate the existing building, but “wewould still have a limited facility.”

Senior and recreation programs, hesaid, have “outgrown the [existing]facility’s ability” to provide adequatespace.

Councilwoman Nancy Malool saidit was important not to “dismiss thesentimental factor held by some [resi-dents] about the existing building.We hope to capture the spirit andmeaning of the existing facility in anew building.”

Councilwoman Paulette Coronatoagreed, saying, “There is great his-tory there that can be celebrated in anew building.”

Mr. Strauss said it was very pos-sible that the new building’s exteriorcould be designed to look similar tothe white clapboard appearance ofthe existing facility.

Councilman Kevin Glover, liaisonto the senior advisory committee, saidtownship seniors presently “lack aplace where they can go and get to-gether,” and said it was important toremember “that we’re building a se-nior citizen center” at Scotch Hills.

He said from his conversations withsenior citizens, it seemed they fa-vored locating a senior center adja-cent to the township’s library neardowntown, but Mr. Poerio said thatidea had never come up at senior-advisory committee meetings.

Mayor Martin Marks said that RBAmust know that “there needs to be apart of the [new] building dedicatedexclusively to senior citizens.”


SP Council

have the council look at the…designs,”the mayor said, directing Ms. Dolce toprovide the rest of the governing bodywith links to prototypes or samplescreated by those submitting proposals.

During the meeting’s public com-ment portion, Helen Street residentTim Stipan told the council that abrick-block retaining-wall compo-nent related to curb replacements inthe surrounding neighborhood“doesn’t look consistent” because notevery property was included.

“We love it and we would like tosee it implemented throughout theentire street,” Mr. Stipan said.

Mr. Pryor responded that only prop-erties with steeper grades warrantedthe block walls.

“You typically don’t put it in whereyou don’t need it,” Mr. Pryor said.However, he told Mr. Stipan that theborough would contact him to dis-cuss how the design could be ex-tended “for aesthetic purposes” tomake it more consistent.


Courtesy of Thomas MannPOSING...A feathered favorite that en-joys bathing in birdbaths, this hawk sitsin the Brightwood section of Westfield.Mountainside and Scotch Plains resi-dents photographed similar poses.

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Bd. OKs Pre-School FundingDespite Mapp’s Objection

By PAUL J. PEYTONSpecially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

ELIZABETH – The Union Countyfreeholders last Thursday passed anordinance on second reading to giveits “consent” to the the Union CountyImprovement Authority (UCIA) toissue $7 million in revenue bonds fora pre-school project in Plainfield.

The ordinance drew some debatewhen Freeholder Adrian Mapp, aPlainfield resident, said he “knowslittle or nothing about” the project andcalled for a motion to table the vote.

“This is a significant investment inthe City of Plainfield,” Mr. Mappsaid. “However, this kind of invest-ment in the community deserves in-put from the community.”

He questioned what would happenif the African-American Fund was todefault on the bonds. “I presume [thefinancial risk] would be [on] theCounty of Union,” he said.

UCIA Executive Director CharlotteDeFilippo, when reached Monday forcomment, said neither the county northe city would be liable for the bondsshould there be a default on the loan.

“In my opinion, this is much to doabout nothing,” she said, calling it anelection ploy by Mr. Mapp, who ismaking an independent, off-the-linerun for re-election this November af-ter he did not receive the DemocraticParty’s backing. She said Mr. Mapp,a certified public accountant, shouldknow the county is not responsiblefor the debt on the project.

Ms. DeFilippo is the head of thecounty’s Democratic Party.

She said the facility would be opento all pre-school children in Plainfield,one of two Abbott Districts in UnionCounty. She said the improvementauthority’s role is to finance the project.

The ordinance passed 7-1; Mr.Mapp was the lone dissenter after hewas unable to get a second vote on hismotion from any of the other sevenboard members in attendance.

Prior to the vote, Mr. Barry said theordinance represented “consent, nota county guarantee ordinance.”

Freeholder Chester Holmes had re-quested the board move forward withthe ordinance provided that informa-tion be supplied to board members forthe second reading, at which time offi-cials noted that was the second reading.

Freeholder Dan Sullivan, in sup-porting the ordinance, said he wassure the improvement authority had

done its “due diligence” on the project.“Based on their track record, they

understand what the [financial] risksare,” he said. “I can’t support a mo-tion to table this ordinance.”

During the public portion, an of-ficer led Tina Renna of Cranford,president of the Union County Watch-dog Association, out of the freehold-ers’ room after Bette Jane Kowalski,freeholder chairman, said Ms. Rennahad “crossed the line” in her com-ments regarding Mr. Sullivan’s sup-port for the ordinance’s passage.

Ms. Renna called for the freeholderto “step down” from his board seatfor going along with the improve-ment authority, while neither he norany other board member knew thenature of the project.

Prior to being removed, Ms. Rennasaid it was “very refreshing” for her tohear Mr. Mapp’s comments. She calledit “absurd” that the board “had noknowledge” of the Black United Fund,the former name of African-AmericanFund of New Jersey.

She alleged that Ms. DeFilippo, ashead of the county’s Democratic Party,could have Mr. Sullivan’s state job withthe Motor Vehicle Services Commis-sion taken away if he went against her.

In other business, the freeholdersapproved resolutions for the county’snew Route 22 pedestrian shuttle. Theservice, which began Monday, will ser-vice mostly employees and shoppers ofmajor retailers along the highway inUnion, Springfield and Kenilworth.

The service comes in response topedestrian fatalities along the high-way in recent years. The county hasreceived $280,000 in funding for theproject through the New Jersey De-partment of Transportation and theCommunity Block Grant program.

The county purchased two 20-seatvans at a cost of $125,000 for the six-month pilot program.

Ms. Kowalski said the program wouldoperate weekdays from 6:30 to 11 a.m.and 3:30 to 11 p.m. On October 28, theprogram will extend to weekends.

The board approved a resolution toutilize $55,975 in unspent funds froma previous grant to pay the service’soperator, Chicago-based ConnexTransit, thus increasing its contract to$2.6 million. The company also runsthe county’s Welfare-to-Work andParatransit systems under a contractthat runs through next year.

According to information obtainedby The Westfield Leader and The ScotchPlains-Fanwood Times, the first routewill include Travelodge, Fortunoff,Lens Crafters/Carpet City and Target.The second bus will stop near HomeDepot, Wal-Mart, Pet Smart andBurger King. Both vans will stop at theUnion Plaza Shopping Center.

The board also introduced an ordi-nance to lower fees for copies ofdocuments. County Counsel RobertBarry told The Leader/Times that thenew fee would be 50 to 80 percentlower than the existing fee structure.He said the cost for the first 10 pages,currently 75 cents per page, would befree. Pages 11 to 20, now 50 cents perpage, would be 10 cents each.

Ms. Kowalski said the board wantedto make documents more accessibleto the public.

COLUMBUS DAY CLEARANCE

The Internal Revenue Service wants toremind taxpayers that the fall is a goodtime to conduct a review of their taxsituation. Take into account the latest taxchanges, check your withholding statusand start organizing your records. Re-member to avoid any unsolicited e-mailsclaiming to come from the IRS. Don’tbecome a victim of “phishing” scams.

Some tax breaks and a review of yourcurrent tax situation may result in a biggerrefund or less taxes to be paid come tax time.

Cash’ Charitable Contributions – Ifyou plan to donate and deduct your con-tribution for 2007 as an itemized deduc-tion, you should be aware of the new lawfor contributions. Charitable contributionscan be tax deductible, but you must havethe proper records to support your deduc-tion. Due to the Pension Protection Act of2006, the rules on recordkeeping for chari-table contributions were revised begin-ning in January 2007. To deduct a chari-table cash donationyou must have a bankrecord or a written communication fromthe charity showing the name of the char-ity and the date and amount of the contri-bution. A good resource is IRS Publica-tion 526, Charitable Contributions.

Amend Last Year’s Tax Return: Severaltax breaks extended for tax years 2006 and2007 include the state sales-tax deduction(versus state income-tax deduction), thededuction for teachers’ out-of-pocket ex-penses and the college tuition and feesdeduction. If you qualified for any of thesetax breaks but did not request these deduc-tions on your filed 2006 tax return, you areencouraged to file an amended tax return(Form 1040X). For more information, goto the IRS.gov website and type “Extend-ers” in the key word search feature.

Don’t overlook the Telephone ExciseTax Refund. In New Jersey, more than 1.2-million taxpayers, representing 28.5percent of filers, did not request this refund.If you were entitled to request this one-time-only refund but did not do so, you canstill submit an amended tax return (Form1040X) by completing line 15. Taxpayerscan request the standard amounts rangingfrom $30 to $60 without having to digthrough old phone bills. Although you dohave this option to request the actual long-distance excise tax paid. Those who paidthe long-distance tax on service billed viaa landline, cell phone, Voice over InternetProtocol (VoIP), or bundled service afterFebruary 28, 2003 and before August 1,2006 are eligible for a refund. Use form

Your IRS News

Gregg Semanick, Local IRS Office, Springfield

Fall Is Good Time to OrganizeFor Tax Records

1040EZ-T) if you didn’t need to file aregular 2006 return.

Check Your Withholding Status atIRS.gov – The Internal Revenue Serviceencourages taxpayers to take a few min-utes to check their withholding to makesure what is being taken out of theirpaychecks matches their projected taxes.If not enough is withheld, individuals willowe tax at the end of the year and may, insome cases, have to pay a penalty. Indi-viduals should check their withholding ifthere are significant personal or financialchanges in their life, including the addi-tion or reduction of exemptions or a changein filing status such as marriage, divorce,birth or adoption of a child, purchase orsale of a new home, or retirement. On-lineassistance is available at the IRS.govwebsite. Click on “IRS Withholding Cal-culator” on the “Individuals” page.

Recordkeeping – The IRS is encourag-ing taxpayers to take the time now togather and organize their tax records toreduce stress at tax time.

In most cases, the IRS does not requireyou to keep records in any special manner.Generally speaking, however, you shouldkeep any and all documents that may havean impact on your federal tax return. Suchitems would include bills, receipts, in-voices, mileage logs, canceled checks, anyother proof of payment and any otherrecords to support deductions or creditsyou claim on your tax return.

Tax records should be kept for threeyears, but some documents – for example,records relating to a home purchase orsale, stock transactions, IRAs and busi-ness or rental property – should be keptlonger.See IRS Publication 552,Recordkeeping for Individuals.

Avoid Phishing Scams – The IRS re-minds taxpayers not to become a victimof e-mail scams, referred to as phishingscams. The Internal Revenue Servicewarns taxpayers of scams seeking infor-mation via e-mail. The IRS does notinitiate contact with taxpayers through e-mail. Recipients of questionable e-mailsclaiming to come from the IRS should notopen any attachments or click on anylinks contained in the e-mails. Forwardthe e-mails to [email protected].

For more information or to access IRSforms and publications, visit IRS.gov orcall 1-800-TAX-1040 (1-800-829-1040).IRS forms and publications can be or-dered by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676).

Debbie Hoffman for The Westfield Leader and The TimesEXPANDING UCC…From left to right, Assemblyman Joe Cryan, ElizabethMayor Chris Bollwage and Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders Chair-man Bette Jane Kowalski take part in Monday’s groundbreaking ceremony forthe expansion of Union County College’s campus in Elizabeth.

UCC Breaks Ground forNew Elizabeth BuildingBy DEBBIE HOFFMAN

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

ELIZABETH – “Hear that sound?That is the sound of progress,” beganCharlotte DeFilippo, executive direc-tor of the Union County Improve-ment Authority, at the county’sgroundbreaking ceremony for the newUnion County College (UCC) build-ing in Elizabeth. With the din of con-struction in the background, Ms.DeFilippo addressed the crowd ofpoliticians, faculty, students and on-lookers. The $48-million building willhouse degree programs, continuing-education offerings, a lecture hall, astate-of-the-art information commonsand library, as well as the new homefor the Trinitas School of Nursing.

“I am pleased and proud being partof making these dreams come true,”UCIA Chairman Anthony Scutari said.The UCIA spearheaded the develop-ment of this building.

“Union County College is the sev-enth-largest college in New Jersey,with the third-largest nursing collegein the United States,” said UCC Presi-dent Thomas Brown.

Mr. Brown said the building wouldadd another dimension to the college’sexpanding system, which has cam-puses in Cranford, Scotch Plains,Elizabeth and Plainfield. It is the old-est community college in the state.

The building is expected to serveupwards of 8,300 students, including2,300 nursing students. Approxi-mately 3,000 students of the college’sCenter for Economic and WorkforceDevelopment will be brought back to

downtown Elizabeth from their cur-rent temporary location at St.Hedwig’s School in the Bayway sec-tion of the city.

“With this new facility, we willexpand educational opportunities forour residents,” Bette Jane Kowalski,chairman of the county freeholderboard, said. “We look forward to itsopening.”

The college’s current building willhouse the Institute for Intensive En-glish (ESL) and a number of existingand new credit programs.

The Elizabeth I. Kellogg Build-ing, expected to be completed byOctober 2009, is named for a long-time resident of Elizabeth who waswell known for her personal andphilanthropic commitment to thecity, officials said. She was a chartermember of the Board of Governorsof the college. “It’s a well-deservedhonor to have her name on the build-ing,” Mr. Brown said.

Watts FoundationLooks for Requests

MOUNTAINSIDE — Applications forthe fall round of grants are being acceptedby the Blanche and George WattsMountainside Community Foundation.Mr. and Mrs. Watts, long-timeMountainside residents, directed in theirwills that the foundation be established toassist charities in Mountainside or chari-ties benefitting Mountainside residents.

Grant Chairman Sue Winans an-nounced that applications are available atthe library, borough hall and at counsel tothe foundation, Nichols, Thomson, Peekand Phelan, in Westfield.

A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES Thursday, October 4, 2007 Page 3

Peek at the Week

By Paul Peyton of The Leader/Times

In Politics

Peyton's

State GOP Aims to ProvideNJ With a ‘Choice for Change’New Jersey State Republicans, the

minority party since 2002, will run ona platform of providing New Jerseyvoters with “The Choice for Change.”

Included in the platform are initia-tives that would cut the state budget by$1 billion, oppose any new tax in-creases, cap spending increases at therate of inflation and enact reforms thatwould ban pay-to-play and suspendindicted public officials without pay.

The platform also proposes requir-ing two-thirds of the legislature toapprove new taxes or increases in ex-isting taxes, voter approval for all fu-ture state debt, creating a new school-aid formula that is “fair and equitable”for all districts and making it easier forvoters to recall elected officials.Corzine Names Hudson’s Doria

Commissioner Of Comm. AffairsGovernor Jon Corzine has appointed

State Senator Joseph Doria of HudsonCounty as director of community af-fairs. Mr. Doria, who is not seeking re-election, served 24 years in the assem-bly, according to nj.com. He will re-sign as mayor of Bayonne when hetakes his new office on October 9.

Sandra Cunningham, the Democraticsenate candidate and wife of the lateJersey City Mayor and Senator GlennCunningham, will likely replace him.

Seton Hall Pulls Plug on TalkBy Tom DeLay Before GOP Club

Seton Hall University has denied arequest by the College Republicans tohave former House Majority LeaderTom DeLay speak on the South Orangecampus. The university spokeswomansaid, “The university felt the legal andethical questions surrounding him didnot make him an ideal choice to speakon campus at this time.”

College Republicans PresidentChristopher Stark called Seton Hall’sactions “unconscionable,” noting thatfour years ago, the university invitedthe former president of Iran as a guest,“a man who began the nuclear weap-ons program and had documentedhuman-rights violations – yet TomDelay is clearly more controversialand less intellectually in tune with

academia for him to appear on cam-pus.”

Merkt Wants Singh to QuitRace Over Pension Abuse

Assemblyman Richard Merkt, aRepublican from Morris County, saidhe wants State Senate candidate SeemaSingh to drop her bid for the 14thdistrict seat (Mercer County) after herinvolvement in what Mr. Merkt called“possible public pension abuse,” ac-cording to Politicsnj.com.

This follows a Trenton Times re-port that Ms. Singh, the former statepublic advocate, had hired her formerchief of staff, Leora Mosstown, as a$125-per-hour consultant after herex-staffer had retired. State officialsordered Mosstown to pay back$86,000 in pension funds.

Guttenberg Mayor, WifeArrested for Fraud, ExtortionGuttenberg Mayor David Delle Donna

and his wife, Anna, were indicted lastweek on charges of mail fraud and extor-tion, according to politicsnj.com.

Authorities said Delle Donna alleg-edly took bribes from an unnamed localbar owner in the form of thousands ofdollars in tickets to campaign events inexchange for helping the bar get ap-proved for a variance and to rid itself ofproperty violations the town cited.

He is the fourth north Jersey mayorarrested this month by U.S. AttorneyChris Christie.

New Jersey Sues BushOver Children’s Health FundGovernor Jon Corzine announced

Monday that the state has filed a law-suit against the Bush Administrationfor limiting eligibility for the StateChildren’s Health Insurance Program(SCHIP). The suit says 10,000 NewJersey children would be affected bythe new eligibility rules, according toa press release on the New Jersey StateDemocratic Committee website.

The President said in a White Housestatement that the Congressional bill hevetoed would raise spending from $35to $50 billion and turn a program aimedat poor children into one with familyincomes of $83,000 and pull kids cur-rently covered by private health insur-ance into a government-run system.

Horace Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The TimesKICK-OFF...Supporters gather at The Crossroads in Garwood last Wednesdayevening to attend a re-election campaign kickoff event for incumbent Assembly-man Jon Bramnick of Westfield (LD-21), inset.

Trailside AnnouncesHayrides, Campfires

MOUNTAINSIDE – Tickets areavailable for Friday night hayridesand campfires at Trailside Nature andScience Center on October 5, 12 and19, as well as November 9.

The events also will feature hotchocolate, marshmallows for roast-ing and musical entertainment.

Seating is limited. Rides begin at6:30 p.m. Tickets must be purchasedin advance; no tickets will be sold atthe hayrides. Tickets cost $5 for UnionCounty residents and $10 for out-of-county participants. They can be pur-

chased any day from 1 to 5 p.m. atTrailside, located at 452 New Provi-dence Road in Mountainside, or week-days between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. atthe Union County AdministrationBuilding’s Parks Department, sec-ond floor, Elizabethtown Plaza atRahway Avenue in downtown Eliza-beth.

Further information is available bycalling Trailside at (908) 789-3670 orthe Union County Department ofParks, Recreation and Facilities at(908) 527-4900, or by visitingucnj.org.

Susan Cook for The Westfield Leader and The TimesWALK ON…On Saturday, September 15, participants in the Rock-On Walkathonprepare to complete the two-mile walk, which benefited cancer-research founda-tions. Assemblywoman Linda Stender, center, was a co-sponsor of the walkathon,which kicked off the daylong Union County MusicFest ’07 at Nomahegan Park inCranford.

MEET THE CANDIDATESJames M. Foerst for Reelection,Westfield Town Council, Ward 4

As a father, husband, homeowner andbusinessman, I fully understand the im-portance of careful budgeting and spend-ing. While only $1 in every $6 of your taxbill is allocated to the town (21 percent isallocated to Union County and 62 percentto the board of education), I work hard tostretch these limited funds while continu-ing to provide top quality services thatexemplify Westfield.

One of the town’s largest expenses issalaries and wages. Through prudent, yetfair, collective bargaining with our unionemployees, we have been able to savemoney. By working with the unions, wenegotiated health-insurance-plan changes,which yield premium increases below 5percent (state average increases for pub-lic entities were approximately 12 per-cent). This is a savings of more than$280,000 in 2007 alone, and these sav-ings were similar in 2006. Our employeescontinue to earn fair salaries and benefits,and we save hundreds of thousands ofdollars each year.

Also, over the last four years, I haveworked to save you money by reducingthe number of town employees. As anexample, when I was first elected to coun-cil, we had one full-time employee in ourTV-36 television department. Throughattrition, we eliminated this full-time po-sition and brought in a more experienced,part-time employee, saving more than$25,000 annually. However, we did notcompromise quality of services to achievethis savings. On the contrary, every time

you turn on TV-36, you see the improvedvariety of programming, enhanced visualclarity and greater capacity to dissemi-nate important information.

Finally, we have been very aggressiveand effective in seeking grants of varyingsize, use and nature that are available tothe town. For example, we obtained morethan $200,000 of grant money to fundoperations and equipment upgrades inour police and fire departments and morethan $160,000 for improvements of ourparks and fields. Also, this year, we se-cured $36,000 from the Safe Routes toSchools program to fund plans and im-provements that otherwise would haverequired funding through your taxes.

These measures have the net effect ofsaving money for each and every prop-erty taxpaying household in Westfield.These are only a few of the examples ofways, which I have worked and will con-tinue to work to save money and keepyour taxes in check. I will continue toview every dollar in the budget as my ownand work hard to find new ways to savemoney and obtain additional local, state,federal and private aid to fund many ofthe improvements that we have and willcontinue to make to our infrastructure.

It has been my honor to serve the peopleof the Fourth Ward for the last four years.I hope that you have seen and felt theimprovements we have made and willallow me to continue to serve as yourcouncilman by supporting me on Elec-tion Day.

HATS OFF TO COMMUTERS...Westfield United Way (WUW) trustees andagency representatives recently greeted morning commuters at the Westfieldtrain station, where they distributed information on ways to give to the non-profitorganization. Pictured, left to right, are: Steve Cordes, Maureen Kaufman, ChetFeinberg, Judy Sturm, Christine Alger, Donna Dolce, WUW Executive DirectorLinda Maggio, Rick Malacrea, Rich Brautigam, Scott Cassie and Jet Taylor.Donations can be made online at westfieldunitedway.org, by phone at (908) 233-2113 or by e-mail to [email protected].

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Letters to the EditorABCDICTIONOPQRSTDECEPTIONUVWXYZ

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DDDDDiction Deception

Letters tothe Editor

Fred K. LecomteMARKETING DIRECTOR

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Robert P. ConnellyOPERATIONS & LEGALS

Ben CorbinSERVICES

The Westfield Leader

Legal Newspaper for the Borough of FanwoodAnd the Township of Scotch Plains

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the offices of the newspapers at P. O. Box 250, Westfield, New Jersey 07091

P.O. Box 250 • 251 North Avenue, WestWestfield, N.J. 07091

P. O. Box 368Scotch Plains, N.J. 07076

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Published every Thursday by Watchung Communications, Inc.

Tele: (908) 232-4407 • E-mail: [email protected] • Web: www.goleader.com • Fax: (908) 232-0473

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Legal Newspaper for the Town of Westfield,Boroughs of Mountainside and Garwood

Periodicals – Postage Paid at Scotch Plains, New JerseyPeriodicals – Postage Paid at Westfield, New Jersey

And the County of Union, NJ.

Corzine Plan for Re-ActivatingRailways Will Betray Surburbs

Relationship Between FCC andTemple Dates Back a Half Century

Why Does Westfield Only HaveTwo Cell Towers While SP Has Six

In response to Michelle Ehrich’s verykind letter that appeared in last week’sissue of The Westfield Leader, whichthanks The First Congregational Churchof Westfield for allowing Temple Emanu-El to make use of its sanctuary for wor-ship during its recent High Holidays, thisgesture is but one of many in a long lineof mutual relations that the church and thetemple have enjoyed.

As noted in the late Robert Hylan’schurch history book, “A Centennial His-tory of the First Congregational Churchof Westfield” (1979):

“During the summer of 1950, the (then)Reverend Dr. Lyle McCorison learnedthat the Jewish community in Westfieldhad formed Temple Emanu-El and thattheir services were being held in varioushomes. With the permission of the boardof trustees, Dr. McCorison offered theuse of the parish house to this new con-

gregation.This offer was accepted, and the Jew-

ish congregation continued to use theparish house for their services until thecompletion of their temple in 1953. Thiswas indeed a period of cooperation andharmony, for our own services were be-ing held in the parish house because of thereconstruction of the Meetinghouse (mainsanctuary building). In recognition of thisdemonstration of brotherhood and de-mocracy, the Congregation of TempleEmanu-El presented our church with thered carpeting in the Meetinghouse…”

Although the carpeting has had to bereplaced since that original gift in 1951,the church was only too happy to ‘roll outthe red carpet’ again and welcome TempleEmanu-El.

Heidi Hylan,Westfield

Taking a page from the Jim Florioplaybook on taxing the suburbs to death,Governor Jon Corzine has gone one bet-ter by actually threatening the suburbanway of life.

In order to accommodate New Yorkgarbage and marine cargo growth fromthe Port Authority, millions of additionaltrucks and railcars will move in and out ofport areas each year. Unfortunately, thissort of growth will place an overwhelm-ing amount of traffic on roadways alongthe Turnpike and on the Chemical Coastrailway, which runs along the Turnpike.

As the ultimate solution to the logisti-cal challenge, Corzine’s transportationpeople have funded a plan to shift port andBayway Refinery traffic in a westwarddirection into the surrounding suburbs.The Corzine plan involves reactivatingthe old Staten Island Railway from Lin-den to Cranford, where the line will con-nect to the Raritan Valley commuter railline. This will allow refinery traffic to bediverted from the Chemical Coast Line tothe Raritan Valley commuter line, andalso allow the placement of train-to-truckdepots in the suburbs. So far, the railroadhas been pushing for truck depots inRoselle and along Commerce Avenue inUnion. Proposed expansion of the com-muter line to Phillipsburg would facilitatepotential movements.

Unfortunately, the Corzine plan will

use freight trains to block seven road-ways, including St. Georges Avenue inRoselle and South Avenue in Cranford.

Although the rail proponents like totalk about railcars full of plastic pellets,the railroad also carries hazardous chemi-cal waste for the refinery and explosivepropane tank cars. With gasohol com-monplace, consider the likelihood thattrainloads of flammable ethanol will berunning through the middle of Roselle,Cranford, Garwood, Westfield, ScotchPlains, Fanwood, Plainfield and Dunellenon the Raritan Valley commuter line.

Consider the future of the suburbs,living with the threat of a downtownchemical derailment, disruption of com-muter rail service and repeated blockageof major east-to-west roadways in thearea.

Unlike the cities of Elizabeth and Lin-den, which receive direct monetary com-pensation from the Port Authority and theBayway Refinery, the suburbs receivethe traffic and no compensation. To addinsult to injury, the Corzine plan willfurther subsidize Elizabeth, Linden, StatenIsland and the Port Authority by dumpingpotentially dangerous cargo and as muchtraffic as possible into the suburbs.

Will “Florio Free in ’93" become “Can-cel Corzine in ’09"?

William FidurskiClark

This is in response to a letter fromengineer Anthony Scaglione of Westfield.He mentions that he travels all over thecountry designing and installing networksand testifying for cellular companies. Hesays he regularly explains to the publicwhy cellular towers are necessary. Maybehe can explain why his hometown ofWestfield has only two cellular towersbased on antenasearch.com. Three, if youconsider the cell tower on South Avenue,which is physically in Scotch Plains. Thisis based on looking at 200 Grove Street inWestfield. Strange, there are no cellulartowers north of North Avenue, until youget into Garwood.

The “public” he is talking about lives inWestfield. In Scotch Plains, we have sixcellular towers if you include Fanwood,which is a little more than one square milein the center of Scotch Plains. I believe

there nine cell towers total.While Mr. Scaglione is bothered by

opponents considering their children’ssafety, he is not bothered that his owntown has relatively few cellular towers.He is not bothered that as he travels thecountry in defense of this technology,his town has successfully fought againstit. He is not bothered that Clark,Garwood, Scotch Plains, Cranford,Winfield Park, Rahway, Linden,Kenilworth and surrounding communi-ties have multiple sites for these towers.I was surprised to see there were 86cellular towers within a six-mile radiusof Grove Street in Westfield.

My family and I don’t use our cellphones except for emergencies, so ourcurrent exposure is minimal.

He talks about things of concern forpeople who reside close to cellular tow-ers, that duration of exposure will be atleast 12 hours daily. Well, I live close tothe proposed site and because I am re-tired, my exposure would be 24 hours aday. I have neighbors who are confined totheir homes because of illness, accidentsor because they are elderly. They paytaxes and want to enjoy their homes.There are stay-at-home moms and chil-dren in the school close to the proposedsite. Their exposure will 24 hours.

He is right. There isn’t enough infor-mation about the effects. That is why Idon’t want my home, the school and thepark to be used as a test case until some-one can figure it out. I do not believe it isan emotional response to expect that oncemy township does its part in contributingto the network, that other neighboringtowns would be expected to do the same.I ask why a 120-foot cellular tower isneeded in a residential neighborhood, nextto a park and school. I ask why they areputting this in an area that shows up withcoverage on Omnipoint, Cingular andVerizon online maps. Almost all of ScotchPlains on the Omnipoint online coveragemap is in green.

When I looked at Grove Street inWestfield on the Omnipoint coveragemap, then I can agree with Mr. Scaglione,“everyone wants the cake and eat it too,”since there is a big white spot there withno coverage. I believe that the residents ofScotch Plains have met our commitmentto the 1996 Telecommunications Act. Iquestion why communities such asWestfield are waiting for every other townaround them to provide this necessarynetwork. In Scotch Plains, we have doneour part. Now let Westfield do the same.

Melvin SmallwoodScotch Plains

The Children Created for Me aUtopian Experience In Life’s Journey

Westfielder Appeals to the Rest of the WorldTo Help Clean Up the Mess We Created

Minature Golf was FunFor SP Senior CitizensMembers of the Scotch Plains Golden

Agers and seniors of Scotch Plains wantto thank the Recreation Department Di-rector Ray Poerio and the Senior Advi-sory Committee for the outing on Sep-tember 27 at the Scotch Hills CountryClub to play miniature golf and BBQluncheon. It was such a great day. Wehope to do it again in the future.

The club has a trip planned for October17 and 18 to Lancaster, Pa. to see Sightand Sound. On November 15, a trip, showand luncheon will take place at the Excel-sior in Saddle Brook. Call Jean (908) 889-4121 or Mary (908) 654-4512 for infor-mation.

To join the club, restricted to residents55 and over, call Marge (908) 889-4631.

Jean De Tore, PresidentSP Golden Agers

Dems Disagree with GOP CandidateStroz on FW Historic Preservation

In his recent letter, Republican candi-date Joel Stroz [Fanwood] shows his lackof understanding when he calls for theborough council to stop the FanwoodHistoric Preservation Commission fromits work on reviewing our current historicpreservation ordinance.

In doing this, Mr. Stroz is asking thepeople of Fanwood to turn their backs onour history and heritage, to ignore thebeauty and splendor of Fanwood’s his-torical past. He is asking that we donothing to try to protect and preserve thevery buildings and property that giveFanwood its charming appeal. Withoutthese protections, any developer can buyup these historic houses and build mod-ern 21st century houses and thereby di-minish the appeal and charm of Fanwood.

Law and custom dictate that a propertyowner can develop his or her land anyway they want as long as they are inaccordance with current zoning and land-

use regulations. Without historic preser-vation guidelines, there is nothing to pre-vent an historic house from being torndown and a new modern monstrosity bebuilt in its place. The Historic Preserva-tion Commission is reviewing our localordinance to make it stronger.

As a member of the planning board, Iwas recently given an update on thecommission’s early findings and feel thatthey are on the right track. Mayor ColleenMahr, Council President Kathy Mitchelland Councilman Bill Populus understandthe importance of Fanwood’s historic dis-trict and the work being done on thisreport from the historic commission. Thisreport is due at the end of the year. To callfor dismissal of the historic commissionand the work it is doing is just outrightirresponsible.

Daniel ZuckerFanwood

In last week’s Westfield Leader [letterto the editor], Thomas Lienhard seemedto suggest that American forces shouldcontinue to wage war in Iraq indefinitelybecause “there are forces in the MiddleEast who are dedicated to the destructionof the United States.” That would prob-ably be al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden.The same Osama bin Laden who Presi-dent Bush vowed to get “dead or alive.”

So forgive me for asking why, six yearsafter 9/11, Osama is still appearing invideos and taunting Americans? Why isal Qaeda regrouping and getting strongerafter six years of the Bush “war on ter-ror?” Mr. Lienhard doesn’t seem to beupset that President Bush, instead of fo-

cusing America’s military on a laser-likemission to destroy al Qaeda and theTaliban, decided instead to invade Iraq,which had nothing to do with 9/11 andwas not a threat to us.

The American invasion of Iraq has notmade America safer or destroyed ourenemies, but has resulted in the needlessdeaths of thousands of our military, hascost billions of dollars which our childrenwill have to pay, has reduced America’sprestige and credibility in the world, andhas helped to recruit many new terrorists.Neither the president nor the Congressdid their homework on this one.

Mr. Lienhard says “as a Vietnam vet-eran, I saw what happened when the anti-

war movement did nothing but encourageour enemy to continue the fight until wegave up.” He might ask why Americansconsidered North Vietnam to be our en-emy. Was tiny North Vietnam really athreat to America, or was it just becausethey were godless Communists whoneeded a strong dose of democracy?

Nowadays the labels inside many ofthe clothes hanging on American clothesracks say “Made in Vietnam.” The enemythat defeated us in Vietnam is today notonly a valued trading partner, but a vaca-tion destination as well. Kinda makes youwonder why 58,000 Americans had to diethere.

An answer to that question, and a rea-son why our leaders continue to sacrificeAmerican lives and treasure in foolish andunnecessary wars, might be found in aquote from Robert S. McNamara, theformer Defense Secretary and one of thearchitects of the Vietnam war. In a 1995book, he wrote, “We of the Kennedy andJohnson administrations who participatedin the decisions on Vietnam acted accord-ing to what we thought were the principlesand traditions of this nation. We made ourdecisions in light of those values. Yet wewere wrong, terribly wrong. We owe it tofuture generations to explain why.”

Tens of thousands of Americans diedin Vietnam, and thousands are dying inIraq, because there seems to be some-thing in our national “principles and tra-ditions” that says America has some sortof God-given right to use military forceagainst countries we don’t like, in order tospread democracy. It didn’t work in Viet-nam, and it’s not working in Iraq.America’s military can’t win Iraq’s civilwar. It’s time for the Bush administration,Congressman Mike Ferguson, and every-one else who supports this war to starteating humble pie, admit their mistakes,and appeal to the rest of the world to helpclean up the mess we created.

Bob PinheiroWestfield

The party is over, the celebration ended,but the glow lingers on and always will, Isuspect. On June 14, wonderful peoplecame together to celebrate my 40-yearprivileged life at Holy TrinityInterparochial School.

For me, it was a little bit of heaven, thiseveryday connection with the hearts, theminds and the souls of a very beautifulcommunity of God’s people. I can’t thinkof one child, one parent or one staff mem-ber with whom I didn’t fall in love. Canyou imagine anyone being so incrediblylucky? And when it was over, hundreds ofpeople set aside their personal, precioustime to acknowledge me.

It is I who should have been celebratingthem for the gift of themselves and thechildren who created for me a utopianexperience in my life’s journey.

So, to the extraordinary committeemembers who spent so many hours plan-ning and carrying out this beautiful andmemorable night, I say thank you. To thepeople, three generations of them whogave up a comfortable night at home justto be there, I say thank you. To the many

school leaders who have spent all theirenergy by Thursday night of a windingdown school year, I say thank you. To theschool office and its supportive staff, Isay thank you. To the many wonderfulnuns and priests and especially to ourSuperintendent of Schools, Fr. Kevin, Isay thank you. For all those magnificentprayers, letters and magnanimous gifts, Isay thank you. And finally, for the privi-lege and honor of knowing and servingHis children, I say thank you.

And so, we return to normal, and June14 becomes a memory. Well, you may allreturn to normal, I never shall. You haveforever, lifted me to a plane that willnever return to normal. It’s on that planeI shall rejoice in the memory of what hasbeen and the vision of what will be. Nowwho could possibly ask for anything more?

As I said before, the party’s over, thecelebration ended and the glow lingersand I imagine always will. Thank you forall that, my good, holy and wonderfulfriends. Thank you for that.

Dorothy SzotWestfield

Seniors Should Kick theTires on SP Projects

As a senior citizen who has a member-ship at the Scotch Hills golf course, I wasinvited by the Director of Parks and Rec-reation of Scotch Plains, with a few hun-dred other seniors, to play a free round ofmini-golf and to eat at a free barbeque onThursday September 27. I couldn’t attendbecause, despite this administration’sview of seniors, like many others, I havenot retired and work the same way Ialways have.

I would have liked to have attended thebarbeque to see if more seniors wereinterested in mini-golf than are the youngerset. I have noticed, as many people have,that the mini-golf course is not as busy asit was projected to be. Perhaps the factthat the usage, and therefore income, isfar below the amount projected by theDirector of Parks and Recreation is be-cause the projection he used for recom-mending that the town spend half-a-mil-lion dollars to build the mini-golf coursewas provided by the contractor who waspaid to build the course.

The same Director of Parks and Recre-ation and the same committee who be-lieved the contractor has now been as-signed by our township manager to inter-view and recommend an architect for anow proposed, so called, senior citizen’scenter.

The last time our Director of Parks andRecreation proposed and implemented aso-called senior citizen’s project, the towntook $150,000 in grant money from thecounty and built the starters building atthe golf course. Two rooms were set asidefor seniors but sit idle to this day. Thejustification for using the senior citizen’sgrant money to build a starters building atthe golf course was that a large percent-age of the members of the golf coursewere seniors.

What wasn’t mentioned is that lessthan 10 percent of the seniors in town aremembers of the golf course. In reality,there aren’t many members of the golfcourse at all and even less who live inScotch Plains.

With this background, one would thinkthat senior citizens get a good break onplaying golf or even play for free. Not so.On weekdays, when seniors are supposedto be idle, they are given a 15 percentdiscount on the normal price to play golf.On weekends, however, seniors who wantto play with the big boys and girls mustpay full price. Despite what the mayorsaid at the budget hearing this year, mostrecreation activities in town carry a pricetag on them and are not included in ourtaxes.

Based on this administration’s trackrecord with spending money for seniorcitizen’s projects, the senior citizens ofthis town should kick all the tires beforethinking the next senior project now be-ing cooked up for us is anything otherthan another use of senior citizens tojustify some project out of which few ifany seniors get a benefit other than theright to pay higher taxes.

Dick Samuel, ChairmanScotch Plains Democrat Committee

Below are four arcane words, eachwith four definitions – only one is correct.The others are made up. Are you sharpenough to discern this deception of dic-tion?

If you can guess one correctly – goodguess. If you get two – well-read indi-vidual. If you get three – word expert. Ifyou get all four – You must have a lot offree time!

All words and correct definitionscome from the board game DictionDeception.

Answers to last week’s arcane words.1. Daddock – The rotten heart or body

of a tree2. Vagissate – To romp or frisk3. Abacinate – To blind by placing a

red-hot copper basin close to the eyes4. Meretricious – Having the charac-

teristics of a prostitute

DAEDALIAN1. A rough or coarse cover for a bed2. Ingenious or intricate3. A guardian spirit4. Pertaining to the Babylonian god of

the earthUSTULATE

1. Discolored or blackened as if byburning

2. Having a beard, as with the beardedseal

3. Of little or no value; worthless4. Versatile; competent

CUCKQUEAN1. Having the shape or resembling a

hood2. A woman whose husband has com-

mitted adultery3. A lunatic; a depraved individual4. A meal table philosopher

SKILDER1. To burn with hot water; scald2. To live by begging or stealing3. To skin or scale, as with fish4. To wade in water

More Letters andCampaigns on page 20

Denying DeLay is Serious BlowTo SHU’s Higher-Learning Goals

Last week, Seton Hall University denied the CollegeRepublicans club the chance to allow former Republi-can House Majority Leader Tom DeLay to speak oncampus. The university spokeswoman said, “The uni-versity felt the legal and ethical questions surroundinghim did not make him an ideal choice to speak oncampus at this time.”

A federal grand jury had indicted Mr. DeLay onmoney laundering and illegal campaign-financecharges. The former congressman, who resigned be-cause of the scandal, has been cleared of all but two ofthe money-laundering charges; he has not been con-victed of any.

Four years ago, Seton Hall invited former IranianPresident Mohammad Khatami to speak on campus.One week ago, Columbia University allowed Iran’scurrent president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a contro-versial figure who has said that Israel should be “wipedoff the map” and has refused to confirm the Holocostas historical fact, to give a talk on its grounds. Cer-tainly, legal and ethical questions surround those inter-national figures.

But the question here is not one of ethics. Thequestion is not even one of politics – members of theSeton Hall’s College Democrats sided with the Col-lege Republicans in objecting to the decision.

Is the question one of encouraging freedom ofspeech and the oft-cited college mantra of offeringstudents unique chances to dialogue with and learnfrom a variety of sources? Students will miss anopportunity to question Mr. DeLay’s voting and ethics

records. They will miss an opportunity to apply thecritical-thinking skills the college seeks to empowerthem with to a national government figure.

Students at Seton Hall, a Roman Catholic institution,will miss an opportunity to hear a former congressmandiscuss his new book about how God changed his life.Is the question one of incompatible religious views?

Last year, Seton Hall cancelled a planned appear-ance by Democratic Senators John Kerry and RobertMenendez. Students missed an opportunity to hear aformer Presidential candidate and a U.S. senator. Wewonder why.

Why can students hear from Middle Eastern leaderswho may or may not have deepened the level ofterrorism in this world but not hear from legislatorswhose actions have directly affected this nation?

Perhaps if Seton Hall exposed its students to na-tional figures with questionable ethics records, itwould graduate fewer future corruption-bound indi-viduals like Dennis Kozlowski, the former Tyco In-ternational CEO currently serving a prison sentencefor fraud after misappropriating more than $400million of the company’s money. The university hadto rename Kozlowski Hall after accusations that the$1 million Kozlowski donated to the school wasstolen company money.

If Seton Hall is waiting for a politician with noblemishes, it will have to hold its breath for a long time.Until then, the school’s unlucky students will lose out onchances to interact with players on national government’sbig stage and take corrupt figures to task.

Unpopular StandNecessary for FutureThe open letter to Representative

Ferguson was a take off of the MoveOn.orgpage in the New York Times. I respect theopinion of everyone who signed the letterbut strongly disagree with each of theirpoints.

“Support a safe, phased withdrawal ofU.S. Troops from Iraq beginning now.”This is similar to what the President andGeneral Petraeus has called for, exceptthey do not want to begin withdrawingtroops until it will be safer for thoseremaining.

“Oppose further funding of the war.”This will deny our troops of the suppliesand equipment they need to survive.

“Support diplomatic measures that willbring other nations into the peace keepingprocess.” Great idea, but how do youpropose to do this? The United Nationspasses resolutions that have no hope ofenforcing; the only country that offered toreplace the U.S. in Iraq is Iran.

“Insist on a new plan to create a stable,self governing Iraq...” Many refer what ishappening in Iraq as a civil war. Remem-ber, it took from 1861 to 1865 before thebloody U.S. Civil war ended. The peopleof Iraq are beginning to come together butit will take time.

It is true the war in Iraq is unpopular,but sometimes we need leaders like Con-gressman Ferguson and President Bushwho will take an unpopular stand and dowhat is right for the future of our countryand the rest of the free world.

Thomas LienhardWestfield


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MEET THE CANDIDATESJohn Russitano, Candidate

For Union County Freeholder

MEET THE CANDIDATESColleen Mahr, for Reelection as

Mayor of Fanwood

John Russitano of Westfield has joinedthe Republican ticket as a candidate forUnion County Freeholder in the upcom-ing general election in November. Anemployee of the Town of Westfield’sDepartment of Public Works, Mr.Russitano is also the owner of a smallentertainment company, married and thefather of three.

He said, “Union County residents areeconomically handcuffed due to outra-geously high property taxes. Many areworking two and, in some cases, threejobs to survive, leaving them nothing toenjoy with the families or save for a rainyday. I believe that there is another way, abetter way to live, and I want to contributemy ideas to help find that way.”

“We are confident that we have a strongand diverse slate this year. Each one ofour candidates brings their unique andindividual strengths, with very variedbackgrounds and life experiences to thetable,” Mr. Morin said. “They will betaking their message of good county gov-ernment directly to the voters by person-ally knocking on as many doors as pos-sible in the coming month.”

Mr. Russitano replaces Wally Shackel ofCranford, who dropped out of the raceciting personal reasons. He joins the Repub-lican ticket with former Garwood Council-woman Patricia Quattrocchi and formerMayor Robert Reilly of Winfield Park.

GOP Candidates Take to TVUnion County Republican Freeholder

Candidates Patricia Quattrocchi and JohnRussitano recently taped a half-hour in-formational program to be aired on local-access cable television. The candidatesdiscuss the ever-increasing tax burdenfacing county residents due to uncon-trolled spending, security risks facingUnion County and many other issues fac-ing the residents of the county on a day-to-day basis. All towns with local-accesscable channels can watch: “PatQuattrocchi and John Russitano for UnionCounty Freeholder,” which begins airingOctober 1 and plays everyday throughNovember 6 (Election Day). The showschedule is: Monday at 9 p.m., Tuesday at

This November 6, 2007 is a very im-portant election for the Borough ofFanwood. There are three seats that thevoters will be asked to decide upon — themayor and two council positions.

I am very proud to be running for re-election as mayor, along with councilpresident Kathy Mitchell and council-man Bill Populus. We are all seeking toreturn to our positions to continue thegood hard work we are doing on behalf ofthe residents of Fanwood.

The local Republican Party was unableto field a candidate for mayor, so I amnow running unopposed. This is the firsttime in recent memory that this has hap-pened. I have worked very hard for all ofFanwood and having no opposition speaksvolumes to the many successes this Demo-cratic mayor and council have had.

In just four years, this administrationhas brought in over $3-million dollars inoutside grant money to Fanwood. Restassured that any park improvement, roadand sidewalk construction project yousee are tied to grants to offset the cost ofkeeping Fanwood moving in the rightdirection.

During my time as mayor, we haveseen historic movement with the redevel-opment of our downtown. We take greatpride in being able to accomplish whathas eluded so many previous administra-tions. Many said it could not be done

Few would argue that one ofWestfield’s top concerns is vehicular traf-fic and pedestrian safety. A vibrant busi-ness district, higher student enrollmentand busy county roads contribute to moretraffic and speeding through neighbor-hood streets. Over the past four years, Ihave worked with my colleagues on thetown council, residents and our policedepartment to address this important is-sue with a multi-faceted approach. Theresults have been extremely encouraging.

Four years ago, I proposed that weestablish the Citizens Traffic Safety Ad-visory Committee to bring a concentrated-effort to particular neighborhoods withspecific traffic concerns. This processensured that this issue was not addressedin a vacuum.

Residents who live near traffic hot spotswere sought for ideas on how best to dealwith particular traffic issues affecting theirneighborhood. In the end, we arrived atconsensus solutions that were effective,inexpensive and consistent with the char-acter of the given neighborhood.

Another suggestion that I proposed fouryears ago was to increase safety aware-ness by obtaining speed-detecting radarboxes. Three years ago, the town pur-chased two of the boxes. We now havefour and just received a state grant toobtain eight more. Our traffic safety pro-fessionals have found these radar boxesto be extremely effective in reducing ve-hicle speeds throughout town.

Police presence has also been steppedup along with more efficient enforcement

MEET THE CANDIDATESMark Ciarrocca for Reelection,Westfield Town Council, Ward 3

measures to counter those who disregardthe speed limit. Our municipal court hasgone from four to six sessions per monthlargely due to the increase in the numberof moving violations issued.

For two years, I have chaired the towncouncil’s public safety committee andmanaged an agenda, which routinely has10 to 15 items to address. Our committeehas addressed traffic issues in many ofour neighborhoods, from Doris Parkwayto Jefferson School to Summit Avenue, toname a just a few.

There is no panacea to solve trafficproblems, but the multi-pronged approachthat we have taken is showing positiveresults. What is particularly encouragingis that motor vehicle accidents with inju-ries are down over 40 percent comparedto last year.

That said, we have more work to do. Ilook forward to moving forth with trafficsafety improvements on Central Avenue,working with volunteer groups and theboard of education to implement a walk-ing school bus program, designing safebike routes throughout town and continu-ing our multi-faceted approach to makeWestfield a safer and more pedestrian-friendly place to live and visit.

As councilman representingWestfield’s third ward, traffic and pedes-trian safety remain an important priority.I will work to ensure this positive trendcontinues and welcome your commentsor suggestions. Please feel free to contactme at (908) 233-1611 or visit me online atmark2007.com.

without eminent domain; we have provedthem wrong. However, we are not fin-ished with the community-backed visionfor our lovely town and are committed toseeing the project through.

We have worked very hard to bring inclose to $1,000,000 in direct property taxrelief through the NJ State ExtraordinaryAide program, and if reelected, Kathy,Bill and myself will continue to fight tobring home every penny that is available.

I am also proud of the many successesour recreation programs are now experi-encing — from the extremely popular andnewly revamped summer camp programto being able, for the first time, to offerour seniors affordable fitness classes. Wetake protecting the quality of life withinour neighborhoods seriously and this pastyear, we passed into law a “McMansion”ordinance so that new homes will bewithin proper scale of their neighbors.Kathy, Bill and myself love Fanwood,and making it a place we are all proud ofis our chief priority. We have workedhard for you over the years and will con-tinue to do so.

As mayor, I am only as good as the menand women who join me on council. So,please vote to return Kathy and BIll tocouncil. I need them. Fanwood needsthem.

Colleen MahrMayor of Fanwood

Our Westfield town council exists toprovide, among other things, basic ser-vices to our residents. The town councilshould be continually communicatingwith our residents to discover those ser-vices that the town should be providing,should be providing better or should dis-continue.

It is only through regular, personalcommunication with our residents thatthe town council can truly understand andappreciate the issues facing our residents.

As I have visited my neighbors through-out the third ward of Westfield over thebetter part of this year, I have discoveredmany of those issues that our residents donot feel are being addressed.

As I previously wrote, speedersthroughout our residential neighborhoodsare dangerous to us, our families and ourguests. Increased policing of our streetsthroughout the third ward is necessary toalleviate this problem.

As elections occur in the fall and cam-paign season is the few months before,many issues that face our residents duringthe winter are forgotten during campaignseason.

As I have been discussing issues withmy neighbors throughout the third wardsince March, many residents expressedissues to me regarding last winter that willsurely be issues again.

Chief among those issues is the lack ofquality road plowing that occurs on thesmaller streets in the third ward. Manyresidents have raised their concerns thatthe main roads through town are plowedall the way to the road surface while their

MEET THE CANDIDATESMatt Sontz, Candidate for

Westfield Town Council, Ward 3

roads remain covered in compressed snowthat very quickly turns to ice.

Simply put, we should have our roadsproperly plowed regardless of where welive in the third ward.

Our residents expect our town councilto maintain our roads. That means notonly maintaining the main roads throughtown, but also the many smaller roadsthroughout our neighborhoods in whichwe live.

Many of our streets have not beenpaved for as long as we have lived in ourhomes, which is troubling, as some resi-dents have lived in their homes for over40 years.

Our residents are tired of the simpleroad patches that are done only after manymonths (perhaps even years) of com-plaining to the public works department.Our town needs to work a plan to alleviatethis concern.

This is just a small sampling of themany issues that go unaddressed for vari-ous reasons. If elected, I will addressthose issues and the many other issuesthat my neighbors in the third ward haveraised with me.

I will also continue to communicatewith my neighbors each and every year ofmy council term so that I do not begin tolose the appreciation and sense of ur-gency regarding those issues that a coun-cil person needs to effectively work tosolve them.

My name is Matt Sontz, and I am acandidate for town council in the thirdward. Please consider me when you voteon November 6.

Horace Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The TimesSECRETS UNVEILED...United States Secret Service agents (active and retired)met last Friday in Annapolis, Md. to review private photographs contributed byagents from around the country to be used for a book, with proceeds to go tocharity. Several hundred photographs were collected that illustrate momentswith Presidents from Eisenhower to Clinton, along with world leaders, beingguarded in public and private circumstances. Pictured, left to right, are: consult-ant Louis Geiger, agent Tom Sloan of Westfield (ret.), agent Kimberly Bruce andagent Gerald Cavis (ret.). Others present declined to be photographed. HoraceCorbin, Publisher of The Westfield Leader, served as an advisor.

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Bramnick and KeanReceive Awards

AREA — Assemblyman JonBramnick, Senate President RichardCodey, Speaker Joseph Roberts and Sen-ate Minority Leader Leonard Lance ad-dressed the New Jersey Food Councilduring their 34th Annual Good Govern-ment breakfast last Friday on a variety ofbusiness issues being discussed in thelegislature.

Senator Tom Kean, Jr. (LD-21), Sen-ate Minority Whip, was honored with the2007 Distinguished Legislator Award bythe organization. This award is presentedannually to a member of the legislaturewho strives to improve New Jersey’s busi-ness climate and further the goals of thefood industry.

Later that day, Mr. Bramnick, a resi-dent of Westfield, received the “Profes-sional Attorney of the Year Award” at theCommission on Professionalism in theLaw Annual Awards Luncheon at theLaw Center in New Brunswick. The UnionCounty Bar Association chose to honorMr. Bramnick.

The criteria for the award are, “thelawyer should be someone who is wellrecognized in the legal community forcharacter and competence, someone whois respected by all and looked upon as amodel of professional behavior.”

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MR. AND MRS. MATTHEW ROSS LEVITT(She is the former Ms. Allison Nicole Zatorski)

Ms. Allison N. ZatorskiMarries Matthew R. Levitt

Ms. Allison Nicole Zatorski, thedaughter of Mr. and Mrs. RobertZatorski of Fanwood, was married onSunday, October 8, 2006, to MatthewRoss Levitt. He is the son of Ms. SusanLevine of Stamford, Conn. and Dr.Howard Levitt of Brookfield, Conn.

The evening ceremony took placeat the Central Park Boathouse in NewYork City with the Reverend RichardNelson and Rabbi Ari Fridkis offici-ating. Dinner and dancing immedi-ately followed the ceremony.

Given in marriage by her father, thebride wore a Melissa Sweet gown ofFrench lace with woven ribbon detailthroughout the bodice and hem. Hercathedral-length veil was trimmed inlace that matched her dress. She car-ried a bouquet of dahlias, mums, or-chids and roses.

Ms. Jaimie Langevin of Cambridge,Mass. was the maid of honor. Ms. CarrieLevitt of Stamford, Conn., the sister ofthe bridegroom, was a bridal attendant.

David Bauer of New York City wasthe best man. Michael Zatorski, thebrother of the bride, along with JamieLevitt and Jared Levitt, both brothersof the bridegroom, served as ushers.

A 1998 graduate of Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, the bride earnedBachelor of Arts degrees in Communi-cation Studies and Political Sciencefrom the University of Michigan at AnnArbor. She is employed with the NewYork law firm of Milbank Tweed asSupervisor of Lateral Recruiting.

The bridegroom is a 1993 graduateof Westhill High School in Stamford,Conn. He was awarded his Bachelorof Arts degree in Computer Sciencefrom New York University in Man-hattan, where he also received hisMaster of Business Administrationdegree. Mr. Levitt is employed withLehman Brothers in New York Cityas an assistant vice president.

Following a wedding trip to Hawaii,the couple resides in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Ms. Jennifer L. Gates and Dr. Daniel P. Gray

Ms. Jennifer L. GatesTo Wed Dr. Daniel P. GrayRonald and Patricia Gates of

Scotch Plains have announced theengagement of their daughter, Ms.Jennifer Lara Gates, to Dr. DanielPaul Gray. He is the son of Dr. F.G.and Caryl Gray of Blacksburg, Va.

A 1998 graduate of Mount SaintMary Academy in Watchung, the bride-to-be received her Bachelor of Artsdegree in Linguistics and Psychologyfrom the College of William and Maryin Williamsburg, Va. in 2002.

Ms. Gates earned her Master ofEducation degree in Speech-LanguagePathology in 2005 from the Universityof Virginia in Charlottesville, Va. Sheis a pediatric speech-language patholo-gist at a children’s rehabilitation hos-

pital in Marlton.The future bridegroom graduated

in 1998 from Blacksburg HighSchool in Blacksburg, Va. He re-ceived his Bachelor of Science de-gree in Chemistry from the Collegeof William and Mary in 2002 and hisDoctor of Medicine degree from theUniversity of Virginia in 2007. Dr.Gray is in his first year of FamilyMedicine residency at Chestnut HillHospital in Philadelphia, Pa.

A July wedding is planned inWilliamsburg, Va. at the historicchapel of the Sir Christopher WrenBuilding.

Howells WelcomeSon, Sean Michael

Susan and Brad Howell of LongValley have announced the birth oftheir son, Sean Michael Howell, onMonday, July 16, at Morristown Me-morial Hospital in Morristown.

Sean weighed 9 pounds and 7ounces and measured 21½ inches inlength at birth.

He joins his brother, Jack, age 4.The baby’s maternal grandparents

are Wayne and Judith Letwink ofWestfield.

His paternal grandparents are JeanneHowell of Long Valley and H. WilliamHowell of Stone Mountain, Ga.

‘Four Centuries’ to GuideVisitors Back Through TimeCOUNTY – “Four Centuries in a

Weekend 2007,” the annual two-dayheritage festival sponsored by theUnion County Board of Chosen Free-holders, will take place on Saturdayand Sunday, October 20 and 21. Thisyear’s festivities – encompassing25 historic sites – will coincide withthe celebration of Union County’s150th anniversary and will featuremusical performances and re-enac-tors in historical costumes. Admis-sion to all venues will be free ofcharge.

Festival hours will be 10 a.m. to 5p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5 p.m.on Sunday. Attendees will learn thelittle-known story of the African-Americans who fought in the CivilWar; see actors portray SojournerTruth at the Drake House inPlainfield, Eleanor Roosevelt at TwinMaples in Summit and a soldier fromthe Mexican-American War at Box-wood Hall in Elizabeth; sample Co-lonial recipes at the Miller-CoryHouse Museum in Westfield andwatch the “Jersey Blues” – soldiersfrom the Revolutionary War – drillat Springfield’s Cannon Ball House.

There also will be singers, story-tellers and/or musicians at sites in

Clark, Cranford, Kenilworth,Mountainside, New Providence,Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park,Scotch Plains, Summit and Union.The gardens of the Reeves-Reed Ar-boretum in Summit and Liberty Hallin Union, where the state’s first gov-ernor lived, also will be part of thefestival.

Volunteers in period costumes willguide visitors on what to see at everysite. Individuals can check the freebooklet available for details abouteach site. It features photographsand information about the 25 par-ticipating locations, their historic sig-nificance and a list of all the specialactivities occurring that weekend.

For teachers, the booklet groupsthe sites into five thematic clustersthat reflect the four centuries ofUnion County history. Materials forstudents are available. To obtain afree copy of the guide booklet andmap, or for more information, pleasecontact the Union County Office ofCultural and Heritage Affairs, lo-cated at 633 Pearl Street in Eliza-beth, (908) 558-2550, between 8:30a.m. and 4:30 p.m. NJ Relay Usersmay dial 711 or [email protected].

Hadassah ChapterTo Meet at Temple

WESTFIELD – The WestfieldChapter of Hadassah will meet onMonday, October 15, at noon atTemple Emanu-El, located at 756East Broad Street in Westfield.

Guest speaker Sid Frank, an au-thor, playwright and storyteller, willspeak about his latest book, “Presi-dents: Tidbits and Trivia.” Last year,he spoke to the chapter about hisbook “The Jews of New Jersey.”

This time around, Mr. Frank willshare anecdotes about GeorgeWashington’s disagreeable motherand Abraham Lincoln suing the rail-road, among other facts.

Bagels and coffee will be served.For more information about this pro-gram, please call Jeanne Goldsteinat (908) 232-3308.

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AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMMON STOCK OF THE BANKINVOLVES SIGNIFICANT RISKS, AS DESCRIBED UNDER THEHEADING “RISK FACTORS” IN THE OFFERINGCIRCULAR.THESE SECURITIES ARE NOT DEPOSITS ANDARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCECORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

La Leche League SetsOctober 18 Meeting

WESTFIELD – The La LecheLeague of Westfield, a non-profitbreastfeeding information and sup-port group, will meet on Thursday,October 18, at 10 a.m.

New, experienced and expectantmothers and their children are invitedto attend the group’s monthly meet-ings to learn more about breastfeeding,have their questions answered and meetother breastfeeding mothers. For moredetails and the meeting location, pleasecall Mari at (908) 233-6513.

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WELCOME FALL…Fall arrived on schedule in Westfield courtesy of membersof the Garden Club of Westfield, who planted chrysanthemums in the urns at theintersection of Broad and Elm Streets. The club changes the plantings seasonallyand maintains them year-round. Pictured, from left to right, are: Ruth Paul, SallyBrown, Sally Smeretsky, Irene Ilaria, Jane Curtis, Jane Manniello, Nancy Brandt,Nancy Roff, Jo Sheehan, Rosemary Shire, Lorraine Kolibas and Betty List.

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Union CountyWe’re Connected to You!

A SService oof

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Chosen FFreeholders

CELEBRATINGUnion County’s 150th Anniversary

2007

Four Centuriesin aWeekend

SaturdayOctober 20th(10am-5pm)

SundayOctober 21st

(12-5pm)

For more info anda free flyer contact

Union CountyOffice of Cultural& Heritage Affairs

[email protected]

Funded in part by the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division in the Department of State


Lectures to SpotlightJewish Art and ArtistsSCOTCH PLAINS – The Jewish

Community Center (JCC) of CentralNew Jersey, located at 1391 MartineAvenue in Scotch Plains, will offer alecture series this fall featuring an in-depth look at Jewish art and artists.

Art educator Barbara Bortniker willpresent the lectures on Wednesdaysat 10:30 a.m. The dates and specifictopics to be covered are as follows:

October 10 – Famous (and not-so-famous, but still fabulous) JewishArtists of the 20th Century.

October 24 – Rembrandt: His Fas-cination and Affections for Jews andthe Bible.

October 31 – Art and Artists ofModern Israel.

All are welcome to attend this lec-ture series. The cost is $5 per indi-vidual program and $10 for the three-part series. Advance registration isrequested. Lunch will be availableafter each lecture for an additional$1.75. Advance reservations for lunchare mandatory.

This lecture series is made possiblewith funding from the Union CountyDivision of Cultural and HeritageAffairs. For more information or toregister for one or more lectures,please contact Nan Statton [email protected] or (908) 889-8800, extension no. 207.

Willow Grove Church SeriesTo Focus on Christianity

SCOTCH PLAINS – The WillowGrove Presbyterian Church will offera six-week discussion series on Chris-tianity that will explore the identityof Jesus, the relevance of his deathand other matters of faith.

Participants may attend sessions ei-ther on Wednesdays from 7:30 to 9:15p.m., with dessert, from October 10 toNovember 14, or on Sundays from11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., over lunch,from October 14 to November 18.

Opening the series will be the ques-tion “Is Christianity boring, untrue,and irrelevant?” The case for Chris-tianity will be presented and an ex-change of views will be encouraged.

The second session will explore“Who Is Jesus?” Historical evidencewill be presented supporting Jesus’existence and the contention thatChrist is the unique Son of God.

During the third session, partici-pants will discuss “Why Did JesusDie?” They will explore why the cru-cifixion of Jesus was different; whatit achieved and what it meant thatChrist died for people’s sins.

The first three sessions are designedto help individuals understand Jesus.

The following three sessions will fo-cus on faith, the Bible and prayer.Each session will include time forparticipants to further discuss anyquestions or issues they have.

All sessions will meet on the sec-ond floor of the Willow Grove Pres-byterian Church, located at 1961Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.Childcare can be provided for a nomi-nal cost, if requested in advance.

To register for this discussion se-ries, please contact the course admin-istrator, August Ruggiero, in care ofWillow Grove Presbyterian Church,1961 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains,N.J. 07076.

Participants are asked to includetheir name, address, telephone num-ber and e-mail address. They alsomay e-mail Mr. Ruggiero [email protected]. For more in-formation, please e-mail Mr. Ruggieroor call (908) 889-5948.

For more information about Wil-low Grove, please call the churchoffice Monday through Friday at(908) 232-5678, [email protected] orvisit willowgrovechurch.org.

PTA Fall Festival SetSaturday In BoroughMOUNTAINSIDE – The

Mountainside Parent-Teacher Asso-ciation will hold its Fall Festival onSaturday, October 6, from noon to 4p.m. at Deerfield School, located at302 Central Avenue in Mountainside.It will take place rain or shine.

Rides, games, activities, food andcrafts for all ages will be available.Vendors will display and sell varioushome goods and accessories. For moreinformation, please call Gina at (908)654-3815, Lisa at (908) 232-2994 orJeanie at (908) 233-5838.

SOARING HIGH…Scotch Plains-Fanwood Troop 104 adult leaders flank newEagle Scout Chad Ringel, who received the highest honor in Boy ScoutingSeptember 15. Pictured, from left to right, are: Bill Sherman, assistant scoutmas-ter; Larry Rosello, assistant scoutmaster; Chad and Ed Bumiller, scoutmaster.

Venture Crew DetailsVisit to Grand CanyonWESTFIELD – Eagle Scout Sean

Sullivan and Girl Scout Gold Awardwinner Jaclyn Kirna from WestfieldVenture Crew number 27 made a pre-sentation September 25 to the RotaryClub of Westfield about their trip tothe Grand Canyon over the summer.

Six adult leaders and 12 coed scoutsparticipated. Besides the Grand Can-yon, the group hiked Bryce and ZionNational Parks. Their experiences in-cluded climbing sheer rock cliffs, bat-tling the rapids of the Colorado Riverand camping under the stars.

Scout participants included JaclynKirna, Adric Quackenbush, ChrisRhodes, Matt Scharpf, Sean Sullivanand Greg Whitman. Adult leaders wereSchuyler Quackenbush, Mark Rhodes,Mike Scharpf, Maggie Subhas, Den-nis Sullivan and Mark Whitman.

A Venture Crew is a branch of theBoy Scouts of America, but is coedand allows an older age group to join.Comprised mostly of high school-age youth, Venture Crews participatein High Adventure activities.

Crew 27 from Westfield goes onski trips during the winter, backpack-ing in the White Mountains of NewHampshire, ocean kayaking atBarnegat Bay and plans to attend SeaBase, where the scouts sail betweenthe Florida Keys for a week, nextsummer. The Rotary Club of Westfieldsponsors the group, with RotarianMargaret Subhas serving as liaison.

Chad Ringel of Troop 104Earns Top Boy Scout Rank

SCOTCH PLAINS – Charles Rob-ert Ringel, the son of Betsy and JeffRingel, was presented with the BoyScout organization’s highest honor– the Eagle award – at a Court ofHonor ceremony on September 15 atthe All Saints’ Episcopal Church inScotch Plains.

A Scotch Plains-Fanwood HighSchool junior known as “Chad,” thenew Eagle is a member of Troop104. He received his award fromScoutmaster Ed Bumiller as his fam-ily and friends looked on.

Larry Rosello, assistant scoutmas-ter, served as master of ceremonies,while the Reverend John Paladino,pastor of St. Bartholomew theApostle Roman Catholic Church inScotch Plains, was guest speaker.Reverend Paladino also gave the in-vocation and benediction.

In addition to the 21 merit badgesrequired for attaining the Eagle rank,Chad has earned special awards in-cluding the Arrow of Light, WorldConservation, Firem’n Chit, Totin’Chip, Order of the Arrow and IronMan.

The Iron Man award holds spe-cial memories for Chad since hewon that recognition for his entiretroop at Sabattis Adventure Campin the Adirondacks. He competedagainst representatives from othertroops in swimming, running andbiking to win the top honor in thesummer of 2005.

Among his merit badges are FirstAid, Swimming, Archery, Wilder-ness Survival, Camping, Canoeing,Personal Fitness, Life Saving, Envi-ronmental Science, Small Boat Sail-

ing, Family Life, Fish and WildlifeManagement and Home Repairs, aswell as badges for Citizenship in theCommunity, the Nation and theWorld.

Each Eagle candidate is requiredto perform a service project, orga-nizing it from start to finish, andincluding a report on the project.Chad’s Eagle project encompassedwork in the playground area of St.Bartholomew Interparochial Schoolin Scotch Plains, where improve-ments were made for the benefit ofthe children who use it. Troop 104members were active in the projectunder Chad’s leadership.

“Through scouting, I have learnedthat being prepared and organizedare the keys to life,” Chad said. “Ihave learned to always be ready, togive whatever you are doing yourall, and in doing so you create abetter environment for yourself andthe people around you.”

In the future, Chad hopes to workin the medical field or to have acareer in biomedical sciences.

Red Cross Chapter RevealsBabysitter Training CourseWESTFIELD – The Westfield/

Mountainside Chapter of the Ameri-can Red Cross will host a course inBabysitters Training for youngstersage 11 to 15 at three separate timesthis fall. Classes will be held onMonday, October 8, Saturday, Octo-ber 20, and Saturday, November 17,from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day.

The course teaches youth the bestways to keep children in their care safeand emphasizes the importance ofhandling babysitting jobs in a profes-sional manner. Among the topics cov-ered are making good decisions; su-pervising children of different ages;safety issues; age appropriate play andactivities; performing basic infant andchild care (feeding, diapering, burp-ing) and some basic first aid. Partici-pants also are given instruction in howto handle breathing emergencies in-volving a choking child or infant.

All classes are held at the Westfield/Mountainside Chapter House at 321Elm Street in Westfield. Pre-registra-tion is required and space is limited.For more information or to be put onthe mailing list for the winterbabysitting class schedule, please callthe chapter at (908) 232-7090.

The chapter offers babysitter train-ing courses as well as CPR and FirstAid courses monthly throughout theyear. Those interested may call thechapter, access westfieldmtside-redcross.org or visit the chapter houseMonday through Friday between 9a.m. and 5 p.m.‘Y’ Healthy Family Day

On Tap This SundayWESTFIELD – The Westfield Area

“Y” will host a Healthy Family Dayon Sunday, October 7, from 2 to 5p.m. at the Main “Y” facility, locatedat 220 Clark Street in Westfield. Ad-mission is free and open to both mem-ber and non-member families.

Participants are advised to weartheir workout clothes and to bring abathing suit. Attendees will have anopportunity to use the “Y”’s FitnessExpress Center and gymnasium withclimbing wall and Sportwall. Therealso will be a family swim from 4 to5 p.m., a Moon Bounce and a varietyof demonstration fitness classes.

Childcare, preschool and school agechildcare representatives also will beavailable, along with youth and teenprogram representatives and personaltrainers. Healthy snacks will be served.

Non-members will receive a compli-mentary one-week Fit Family TrialGuest Pass to the Westfield Area “Y” aspart of the YMCA’s nationwide Acti-vate America and Keep America Mov-ing campaigns in support of healthylifestyles and healthy communities. Formore information, please call the Wel-come Center at (908) 233-2700 or visitwestfieldynj.org online.

ROARING RAPIDS…Members of Westfield Venture Crew 27 navigate theColorado River during their visit this summer to the Grand Canyon. Spon-sored by the Rotary Club of Westfield, the coed group is comprised of BoyScouts and Girl Scouts who participate in a variety of adventure excursions.Two members of Venture Crew 27 made a presentation last week to the RotaryClub about their trip.

Thinking about locking-inyour heating oil price?Talk to Petro first.

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Synagogue to DebutNew Ark at Service

WESTFIELD – All are invited toattend Shabbat services on Friday,October 12, at 8:15 p.m. at TempleEmanu-El for the dedication of thetemple’s new portable ark.

Crafted by congregation memberChas Bernstein, the six-foot ark wasdesigned to meet the specific needsof the temple. It is made from Ameri-can cherry wood with contrastingsolid surfacing handles that createan interwoven Star of David.

Ken Rosenblum, a temple mem-ber, donated the wood. Temple mem-bers Lillie Bryen, Nina Ovryn, ElizaZiegler and Andrea Gelber designedand sewed a parochet (curtain). Theark will be used for Simchat Shabbat,Tiny Tot Shabbat and other services.

Temple Emanu-El is located at756 East Broad Street in Westfield.For more information, please callCarolyn Shane, executive director,at (908) 232-6770.

OPTIMIST Club of Westfield

Thanks supporters of

Project Graduation – BASH ’07

The school year is once again upon us and plans are already underway for the all-night, drug and

alcohol free graduation party for the Westfield High School senior class on June 19, 2008.

Over the past 18 years, approximately 85% of the graduating class students have attended Project

Graduation - BASH, the substance-free celebration sponsored by the OPTIMIST Club of Westfield.

The OPTIMIST Club would like to thank the many individuals and businesses for their support and

contributions to help provide a safe environment for the 2007 senior class to celebrate graduation.

2007 Senior Parent Contributions

$20,000

Co-Sponsor - $3,000

Westfield Recreation Department

Platinum Sponsor - $1,500

Westfield High School PTSO

Gold Sponsor - $1,000

Fairview Cemetery

Rotary Club of Westfield

Westfield Area YMCA

Silver Sponsor - $500

Acorn Financial

Buontempo Realty & Insurance

Copies Now

PNC Bank

Wachovia Securities

Ward & O Donnell Development

Westfield Running Company

Westfield Service League

Bronze Sponsor - $250

Anthony James Construction

Arthur Attenasio, Esq.

Christine Cosenza State Farm Insurance Agency

Coldwell Banker Realtors - Arlene Post

David Leiz Custom Woodworking

Ferraro’s Restaurant

Finestein & Malloy, Esq.

Galaxy Coach Inc.

Gersch Orthodontics

Great Smiles Dentistry

Joe DeMaio/Torin Rutner Oral Surgery

Girls Scouts of America

Mojave Grille/Isabella’s Cafe

Robert Newell Lighting Design

Century 21 Taylor & Love

Town Bank

Weichert Realtors

Weldon Materials Inc.

Boosters - $100

Amalgamated General Agencies

American Advertising Direct

Boyle Event Planning Group, LLCBrick Oven

Brunner Opticians

Ciarrocca & Ciarrocca

Dooley Colonial Home

Friends of Westfield Track & Field

Hershey’s Subs & Delicatessen

HSBC Bank USA National Association

Hudson City Savings Bank

Juxtapose Gallery

Master Memorials Inc.

On Your Mark Productions

Portasoft Company Inc.

Racquets Etc.

Satsang Yoga Studio

Scott Seib Plumbing

ShopRite

True & Associates

Westfield Gallery

Westfield Pediatric Dental Group

Friends - $50 or Less

Figaro’s Hair Styling

Trader Joe’s

Baron’s Drug Store

Kings Supermarkets

Stop & Shop Supermarket Co.

For more information about the OPTIMIST

Club and Project Graduation contact us at:

OPTIMIST Club Project Graduation –

BASH ’08

P.O. Box 2213

Westfield, N.J. 07091

http://westfieldnj.com/optimist

Optimist Club Of Westfield


– Obituaries –

ow Offering the New

Willow View Mausoleum,

A Unique Concept in

Memorial Properties.

eauty, Dignity & Peace

Overlooking Bunnell Pond.

Fairview Cemetery1100 East Broad Street • Westfield, NJ 908-232-0781

Nonprofit • Nonsectarian

Family Lots, Single Graves, Niches & Community Mausoleums

Faithfully Serving the Public Since 1868, on 105 Picturesque Acres.

N

B

Dooley Funeral Service, Inc.Caring & Courteous Service to the

Cranford / Westfield Area Since 1913

Westfield556 Westfield Avenue233-0255John L. DooleyManagerNJ License # 4100

Cranford218 North Avenue

276-0255Charles V. Dooley

ManagerNJ License # 3703

Begun in 1876 by William Gray and later Incorporated in1897 as the Gray Burial & Cremation Company.

Today, known by many simply as Gray’s, we continue toprovide the personal service that began with Mr. Gray,

whether it be for burial or cremation.

Gray Funeral Home318 East Broad St.

Westfield, NJ 07090William A. Doyle Mgr.NJ Lic. Number 2325

908-233-0143

Gray Memorial Funeral Home12 Springfield Ave.Cranford, NJ 07016

Dale R. Schoustra Mgr.NJ Lic. Number 3707

908-276-0092

Charles J. TombsNJ Lic. Number 4006

Director

www.grayfuneralhomes.com

Hillside Cemetery Regarded as one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the East

Scotch Plains 908.756.1729

www.hillsidecemetery.com It is far easier for your family if you plan ahead

Old Guard Learns TipsOn Fraud Awareness WESTFIELD – The Westfield

Area Old Guard began a new seasonof meetings September 12 with guestspeaker Florence Peterson, directorof the Union County Office of Con-sumer Affairs.

Mrs. Peterson advised her audienceto be aware of some telemarketers, aswell as home repair scams, agenciesswitching their mortgages around andother ways in which elderly peoplecan be cheated. She said that anyonewho believes he or she may have beenvictimized could call her office at theUnion County Courthouse.

The Westfield Area Old Guard in-vites retired men from local munici-palities to attend any of its meetings,which take place on Thursdays from9 a.m. to noon at the Westfield Area“Y,” located at 220 Clark Street inWestfield. Gatherings begin with anhour of refreshments and fellowship.For more information, please call JackMcHugh at (908) 233-1539 or WalterHalpin at (908) 889-2074.

Felix DiFrancisco, 87, Honored Veteran;Worked In Architectural Engineering

Felix J. “Phil” DiFrancisco, age87, died on Friday, September 21,2007, at his residence in Asbury-Solomons, Solomons, Md.

In 1996, he came to livein southern Maryland withhis wife, Elaine RhodesDiFrancisco. He is survivedby his wife of 59 years,Elaine RhodesDiFrancisco; his daughter,Beth Rhodes Duncan,M.D.; his son-in-law, Will-iam H. Duncan, M.D., andhis granddaughter, KristinaE. Rhodes. He was the sonof the late Louis DeFrancesco and ConcettaPerucci DeFrancesco. Hewas the brother of JosephDeFrancesco, the late Laura Massaand the late Alex DeFrancesco. Hewas the paternal uncle of Theresa,Anita and Joseph DeFrancesco ofWestfield, N.J. and Thomas and SusanMassa of Mountainside, N.J.

Mr. DiFrancisco had an illustriousand challenging career in architec-tural engineering, participating asconsultant, architect’s representativeor project manager for a wide rangeof cultural center and constructionprojects in Maryland, New Jersey,New York, Pennsylvania and Florida.

Mr. DiFrancisco was a veteran ofWorld War II. He served with distinc-tion in the Burma Campaign, the In-dia Campaign and the China Cam-paign. He was a supervisor and trainerfor radio communications programsand was widely traveled. His militarydecorations included two ribbons, theAmerican Theater Ribbon and theAsiatic-Pacific Ribbon. He was alsothe recipient of two Bronze Stars.

Mr. DiFrancisco grew up inWestfield, N.J. He excelled in sportsthrough college. He attended PurdueUniversity and the University of Mi-

ami and graduated in1942 with a degree inengineering and eco-nomics.

Mr. DiFranciscolived most of his adultyears at the New Jer-sey shore. He was anavid fisherman (thosebig fish stories wereall true). He enjoyedreading, music, homerenovation projectsand travel.

January 2008would have marked

sixty years of marriage. Dad was adevoted help and soul mate to Elaine.He leaves a legacy of hard work,dedication, a love of education, andprofessional and personal honesty andintegrity.

A memorial service will be held onThursday, October 11, 2007, at 3:30p.m. at Asbury-Solomons Audito-rium, 11100 Asbury Circle,Solomons, Md. with ReverendRandall Casto officiating. Shouldfriends desire, memorial contributionsmay be made in his memory toSolomons Volunteer Rescue Squadand Fire Department, 13150 H.G.Trueman Road, P.O. Box 189,Solomons, Md. 20688 or to Asbury-Solomons, Benevolent Care Fund,Foundation Gift Processing, 11100Asbury Circle, Solomons, Md. 20688.Arrangements are by the Rausch Fu-neral Home in Lusby, Md.

October 4, 2007

Felix J. DiFrancisco

Robert E. Elliott, 91, Family Man;Was Former Resident of Westfield

Robert E. Elliott, 91, of ChagrinFalls, Ohio died on July 1, 2007 inOhio.

Born May 6, 1916 in Newark andraised in Millburn, he graduated fromPennsylvania State College (Univ.)in 1939. He and his brother ownedand operated the John H. ElliottLeather Co. in Newark for many years.

Mr. Elliott was married for 54 yearsto the late Marion Mercer Elliott. Formore than 40 years they lived inWestfield, where they raised their fourdaughters and were involved with theWestfield Community Players.

Mr. Elliott was a former memberand deacon of The Presbyterian Churchin Westfield. In 1986 he and his wifemoved to Cape Carteret, N.C., wherethey enjoyed many years of retire-ment. Following the death of his wife,Mr. Elliott moved to Chagrin Falls,Ohio, where he lived with his daughterLinda and her family for five years.

Mr. Elliott was a family oriented manknown for his good nature, patience,kindness, wisdom and wit. He was anavid Penn State football fan, a devotedNew York Yankees fan and proud to bean Eagle Scout. He was happiest whensurrounded by family and friends, es-pecially at the Jersey shore.

He is survived by four daughters,Joan Kodak of Harwich, Mass., Judy(George) Antonak of BloomfieldHills, Mich., Linda (Jeffrey) Allen ofChagrin Falls, Ohio and Susan Snyderof Manchester, Mass. Also survivingare 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. In addition, he is sur-vived by sisters Ruth Williams ofLancaster, Pa. and Ellen Jane Bow-

man of Middlesex, N.J.A memorial service was held July

3 at the Federated Church in ChagrinFalls, Ohio. Arrangements were bythe Stroud-Lawrence Funeral Home.Interment and a graveside service willbe held on Saturday, October 13, at11:30 a.m. at Fairview Cemetery inWestfield.

October 4, 2007

Francis A. Kelly, 91, Sales Manager;VFW and Knights of Columbus LeaderFrancis Aloysius “Frank” Kelly,

91, of Mountainside died on Tues-day, September 27, at Seabrook Vil-lage in Tinton Falls.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y.,he lived in Mountainside for 45 years.

Mr. Kelly had been employed as apurchasing agent and later as a salesmanager for the HVAC industry inheavy construction, retiring fromCarpenter & Paterson in Little Falls.

He was a United States Army vet-eran of World War II and the KoreanConflict.

A past commander of Veterans ofForeign Wars Post 10136 ofMountainside and a member ofKnights of Columbus Council No.5560, he also was the first presidentand charter member of the Knightsof Columbus council in Springfield.He additionally served on the boardof adjustment in Mountainside.

Surviving are his wife of 45 years,Marian Kelly; three daughters,Kathleen Mancuso, MaureenGambocurta and Patricia Kelly; ason, Francis A. Kelly, Jr., and 10grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass was offered onTuesday, October 2, at the Our Ladyof Lourdes Roman Catholic Churchin Mountainside. Interment followedat Fairview Cemetery in Westfield.

Arrangements were by the Dooley

Colonial Home, 556 Westfield Av-enue in Westfield.

October 4, 2007

Tina R. SharkeyTina R. Sharkey of Mountainside

died on Friday, September 28, at herhome.

Born in New York City, she hadlived there until moving toMountainside 36 years ago.

A graduate of Adelphi Academy,Mrs. Sharkey played bridge with vari-ous groups in Mountainside and wasa member of the International Guildof Miniature Artisans.

Her husband, Edward Sharkey, pre-deceased her.

Surviving are a son, JosephSharkey; a daughter, FrancescaMoum; two brothers, Joseph Runzaand Vincent Runza; a sister, MaryContini, and two grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass was celebratedyesterday, Wednesday, October 3, atthe Our Lady of Lourdes RomanCatholic Church in Mountainside.

Arrangements were by the Higginsand Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Homein Westfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contri-butions may be made to Atlantic Hos-pice, 33 Bleeker Street, Millburn, N.J.07042.

October 4, 2007

Leonard J. Watt, 62Leonard J. Watt, 62, died on

Wednesday, September 26, at RobertWood Johnson University Hospitalin New Brunswick.

Born in Newark, he lived in ScotchPlains and Stirling.

Mr. Watt served in the NationalGuard from 1963 to 1965 and was amember of American Legion PostNo. 209 in Scotch Plains. He also wasa member of the Elks Lodge inStirling.

Prior to retiring in 2005, Mr. Watthad been employed as a bus driverwith the Villani Bus Company in Lin-den for 30 years.

Surviving are his parents, John andMary Watt of Scotch Plains; two sis-ters, Claudia Barich and Heather Watt,both of Scotch Plains; his brother,Ronald Watt of Scotch Plains; twosons, Lenny Watt of South Plainfieldand Richard Watt of Fanwood; hissignificant other, Barbara Bardeau ofStirling; four grandchildren; threenephews and one niece.

Cremation was private. Arrange-ments were by the Memorial FuneralHome, 155 South Avenue in Fanwood.

October 4, 2007

Screenings to Be PerformedFor Stroke and OsteoporosisSCOTCH PLAINS – Stroke and

osteoporosis screenings will be heldthis Saturday, October 6, at the ScotchHills Country Club, located atPlainfield Avenue and Jerusalem Roadin Scotch Plains. Appointments willbegin at 9 a.m.

Life Line Screening RadiologyLLC, a mobile vascular screeningservice, will perform the procedures.Screenings involve the use of ultra-sound technology and scan for poten-tial health problems related to blockedarteries, which can lead to a stroke;aortic aneurysms, which can lead to aruptured aorta, and hardening of thearteries in the legs, which are a strongpredictor of heart disease. Addition-

ally, a bone density screening will beavailable for men and women to as-sess their risk for osteoporosis.

The purpose of the screenings is tohelp people identify their risk forthese medical conditions early enoughfor their physician to begin preven-tive measures.

All four screenings take less thanan hour to complete. The cost of awellness package of all four screen-ings, including the free osteoporosisscreening, is $129.

For more information regarding thescreenings or to schedule an appoint-ment, please call (877) 237-1344 orvisit lifelinescreening.com online.Pre-registration is required.

A GREAT HONOR…Fred J. Chemidlin, Jr., president of Family Investors ofFanwood, was made an honorary member of the Fanwood-Scotch Plains RotaryClub September 19. A member of the Fanwood-Scotch Plains Rotary Club for 40years, he followed in the footsteps of his father, who joined the club in 1938. Mr.Chemidlin served as president of the club in 1973 and has been awarded a PaulHarris Fellowship several times. Pictured, Dr. Julie Ann Juliano, district gover-nor, looks on as Club President Pat Plante presents a plaque to Mr. Chemidlin.

Hiking Club InvitesPublic to Activities

COUNTY – The Union CountyHiking Club offers a regular and var-ied program of hiking and bicyclingactivities, most of which take place incentral and northern New Jersey. Mem-bership dues are $10 per year. Guestsare invited to try out the club beforejoining. To request a complimentaryschedule, please call (908) 527-4900.

OLD GUARD’S MEN…Members of the Westfield Area Old Guard welcome guestspeaker Florence Peterson, director of the Union County Office of ConsumerAffairs, to their September 12 meeting at the Westfield Area “Y.” Pictured, fromleft to right, are: Bob Monahan, Mrs. Peterson, Dick Weiss and Roy Bowman.

Francis J. Petrik, 66, Was Civil Engineer;Employed By County For 30 Years

Community/Area News

Francis J. Petrik, 66, of Westfieldpassed away on Monday, October 1,at Community Medical Center inToms River.

Born in Elizabeth in1940, he had lived inCranford before mov-ing to Westfield in1970. He graduatedfrom Seton Hall Prepand Stevens Institute ofTechnology.

Frank had been em-ployed as a civil engi-neer by the County ofUnion for 30 years, ris-ing to the position ofassistant county engineer, before re-tiring 13 years ago. He previouslyhad worked at Union Carbide.

He volunteered on the board ofdirectors for the Westfield SeniorCitizens Housing Corporation. Frankalso spent time traveling the world,including attending the 2002 WorldCup in Korea with his sons and old-est grandchild.

He was the son of the late Josephand Catherine Petrik and was prede-ceased by his amazing wife, GraceBernadette, who passed in Februaryof 1984.

Surviving him are his son Mat-thew and his wife, Laura, of Albany,Calif., along with their four sons,

Aaron, Noah, Craig andFelix, and his son Jamieand his wife, Katy, of Ban-ner Elk, N.C. He was theadoring brother of histhree surviving sisters,Regina Birchler, MiriamGilles and Teresa Petrik.He also is survived by ahost of other relatives,cousins and friends.

Relatives and friendsare kindly invited to at-tend the viewing at the

Dooley Colonial Home, 556Westfield Avenue in Westfield to-day, Thursday, October 4, from 7 to9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be of-fered at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Friday,October 5, at St. Helen’s RomanCatholic Church in Westfield. Burialwill follow at Hazelwood Cemeteryin Rahway.

In lieu of flowers, the family re-quests that donations be made inhonor of Frank to the National MSSociety at National MS Society, P.O.Box 4527, New York, N.Y. 10163.

October 4, 2007

Registration to CommenceSoon For ‘Y’ Fall 2 Session

WESTFIELD – The Westfield Area“Y”’s Fall 2 Session will run fromSunday, October 28, through Satur-day, December 22. New and expandedprograms for all ages will be available.

Registration for Gold and Silverindividual and family members willbegin on Saturday, October 13, at7:15 a.m. Members can register

online. Open registration for programand new members will begin on Mon-day, October 15, at 7:30 a.m.

New programs include SeventhGrade Jump Start Fitness Initiative,Holiday Sports Camp, Senior Splash,Snorkeling Class and Club 422, AllSports League and Pre-Season Bas-ketball Clinics.

Additionally, screenings and lec-tures from health educators of Over-look Hospital will be held at theWestfield Area “Y” three times aweek this fall. They will includeblood pressure screenings, body fatscreenings, diabetes screenings,“Hypnosis for Smokers,” “Hypnosisfor Weight” and “Ask the HealthProfessional.”

A detailed schedule of dates andtimes for all programs is available atthe main “Y” facility, located at 220Clark Street in Westfield, and onlineat westfieldynj.org. For more infor-mation, please call (908) 233-2700 orvisit westfieldynj.org.

Francis J. Petrik


2007 LEAF COLLECTION PROGRAM

TOWN OF WESTFIELD

The changing color of leaves and the chill in the air remind us that leaf season is approaching, and theDepartment of Public Works is busy making preparations for the Town’s annual leaf collection program.With cooperation from all residents, and Mother Nature, the Town can continue to provide efficient andtimely service.

LEAF COLLECTION SCHEDULEAs indicated on the map on the reverse side, the Town is divided into ten leaf collection areas: Areas 1-6 onthe North side and 7-10 on the South side.

Collection will begin simultaneously on the North and South sides onOctober 22 and continue through December 7, or longer based upon the need as determined by the DPW.During this timeframe two full passes of the Town will be made, with additional passes as necessary.

No leaves will be permitted in the streets until Saturday October 13.

Collection will begin in Area 1 on the North side, and Area 7 on the South side and proceed in numericalorder.

HOW RESIDENTS CAN HELPWe emphasize that the success of any leaf collection program is due, in large part, to the cooperation ofresidents. Following are the ways in which you can help:

Before raking leaves to the street, check the map to find out which area you are in and call the “LeafHotline” (789-4120) to determine when the crews will be in your area. This will minimize the amount oftime leaf piles are on the street.

Residents employing landscapers are required to inform them of the collection schedule and must fill outthe coupon on the back of this flyer so their landscapers can enter the Conservation Center. This permit canbe used up until December 21. As mentioned above, No leaves will be permitted in the streets untilSaturdayOctober 13.

Tree branches, grass or other debris are not accepted at the County compost facilities and piles containinganything other than leaves will not be picked up.

Leaves should be placed in narrow rows along the street, leaving a space along the gutter for drainage.This will help minimize local flooding during rains. Do not pile leaves on or near drainage inlets,which can lead to local flooding.

Note: Leaves cannot be placed closer then ten (10) feet from any inlet.

Keep vehicles off the streets during collection days to avoid interference with leaf collection crews.

CAUTION! Do Not Park Cars Over Leaf Piles. Hot exhaust systems can ignite the leaves and cause a carfire. Also, leaves cannot be picked up if a car is in the way.

RESIDENTS MUST HAVE ALL LEAVES OUT FOR FINAL PICK UP BEFORE DECEMBER 1.

OTHER LEAF DISPOSAL OPTIONSIn order to further maximize service, the Town offers residents two other leaf disposal options:

Pickup Service. Residents will be allowed to place their leaves in PAPER BAGS ONLY at the curb forpickup service. Residents may obtain the bags (maximum of ten bags per day) at no charge, starting onThursday, October 11, at the Town Conservation Center, (see below for hours of operation). Filled bagswill be picked up at curbside by the Town DPW within 24 hours of request by the resident, either in personor through the Leaf Hotline (789-4120). Please leave your message after the recording.

Conservation Center. From October 11 to December 21 (weather permitting) the Conservation Centerwill be open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., for anyresidents who want to dispose of their leaves directly. Landscapers serving Westfield residents may also haulleaves to the Center during this period, provided they have the required coupon signed by the resident. TheTown Conservation Center will be closed on the following municipal holidays (Veterans Day-November12, Thanksgiving-November 22 & 23).

Please note: During the month of January of 2008, the Center will be open Every Saturday from 9 a.m.until 3:00 p.m., and in February and March of 2008 the Conservation Center will be open on AlternateSaturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. weather permitting.

January schedule Sat. 5,12,19 & 26February schedule Sat. 9 & 23March schedule Sat. 8 & 22

CHRISTMAS TREES: Christmas trees must be deposited at the Conservation Center only. They willnot be picked up by the Town at the curb. Christmas trees ARE NOT to be deposited in Tamaques Park.

Parkinson’s Support Group

Tuesday, Oct. 16th6:00pm-9:00pm

Families and friends are invited to our anniversary party celebrating

our mission, championing quality of life for all seniors.

Tuesday, Oct. 9th,7:00pm

Join us for an informative support group leg by Dana Bigilante

from Care Alternatives Hospice. Dana will also discuss how to manage your stress through

aromatherapy.

Thursday, Oct. 25th7:00pm

Here is your chance to speak in public, your topic, your stage. A great event for those seeking to

improve their public speaking skills or to learn how confidently.

Toastmasters Public SpeakingAnniversary Celebration

Enjoy a at Sunrise of Westfield

Sunrise of Westfield • 908-317-3030 • 240 Springfield Ave, Westfield, NJ 07090

For more information and a FREE online newsletter, visit www.sunriseseniorliving.com

Join us to learn something new and meet our staff. Find out about Assisted Living and all the wonderful amenities, services and individualized care options

available every day at Sunrise of Westfield.

Please RSVP for each event or call for more details.

Karen Clarkson for The Westfield Leader and The TimesSCENES FROM A HARVEST...The TrailsideNature and Science Center in Mountainsideplayed host to Union County’s 26th annual har-vest festival last Sunday. The all-day event fea-tured displays and demonstrations that includeda Revolutionary War encampment, teepee recre-ation, quilting, canoe building, gun-smithing, soapmaking, bobbin lace making, loom work, Colo-nial games, basket making, fur trapping andtrading and butter churning. Attendees heardstorytellings and watched performances, visiteda petting zoo, took pony rides and participated ina “Build a Scarecrow” contest.Clockwise from top left: A two-person band en-tertains the crowd; children enjoy up-close-and-personal interaction at the petting zoo; a festivalparticipant shows off his hatchet and other good-ies; entries in the “Build a Scarecrow” contestline up for public viewing; a singer/guitarist en-courages young festival attendees to get on stageand take the microphone; a woman explains tricksof the basket-making trade to an interested on-looker.

D.A.R. Chapter PlansWashington ProgramCRANFORD – The Crane’s Ford

Chapter of the National Society ofthe Daughters of the American Revo-lution will hold its next meeting onSaturday, October 13. It will takeplace at noon at the Cranford Com-munity Center, located at 220 WalnutAvenue in Cranford.

The subject of the meeting will bea DVD on George Washington’sMount Vernon home in Virginia. Thefilm will be shown in the media roomand the public is invited. For moreinformation, please call CarolynYoungs at (908) 276-7104.

FW-SP YMCA Offers‘Girls Gotta Run’ Program

SCOTCH PLAINS – Girls in grades3 through 8 can take advantage of anew program being offered this fallby the Fanwood-Scotch PlainsYMCA. “Girls Gotta Run” is de-signed to not only increase youngwomen’s activity levels, but also topromote character development emo-tionally, mentally and socially.

Participants will progress at theirown level, increasing their walk-ing and running capabilit iesthroughout the session. Games andactivities will increase cardio-res-piratory endurance, while groupdiscussions will help to build stron-ger self-esteem, improve body im-age and develop positive peer rela-tionships.

After meeting from 4 to 5:15 p.m.each Wednesday at the Y, the girlswill be encouraged to do activities ontheir own. An optional Saturday walk/run will be offered with the help ofparent volunteers. Participants willreceive awards and incentives uponcompletion of weekly goals. The 10-week session will culminate in a 5Kwalk/run.

Registration is currently under-way at the Fanwood-Scotch PlainsYMCA for “Girls Gotta Run” and a

variety of other classes and programsfor the fall. More information is avail-able at the YMCA at 1340 MartineAvenue in Scotch Plains, or by call-ing (908) 889-8880.

goleader.com/classifieds

Genealogical ProgramTo Feature ArchivistWESTFIELD – The Genealogical

Society of the West Fields will presenta program on Thursday, October 11,entitled “Tracing Your Immigrant An-cestor from the Civil War to WorldWar I.” It will be held at 1 p.m. in theCommunity Room of the WestfieldMunicipal Building, located at 425East Broad Street in Westfield.

Catherine S. Medich, a referencearchivist, will present an overview ofthe resources held by the New JerseyState Archives that are useful in re-searching an ancestor, focusing onrecords from the late 19th to early 20thcentury. The public is invited andrefreshments will be served. For moreinformation, please call ElizabethYoungs at (908) 276-7104.


PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICETOWNSHIP OF SCOTCH PLAINS

NOTICE OF SALE OF PROPERTY FOR NON-PAYMENT OF TAXES,ASSESSMENTS AND/OR OTHER MUNICIPAL LIENS

Public notice is hereby given that I, Lori Majeski, Collector of Taxes of the Townshipof Scotch Plains, County of Union will sell at public auction on THURSDAY, OCTOBER18th, 2007 in the Municipal Court, 430 Park Avenue, Scotch Plains, New Jersey at 9:30o’clock in the morning or at such later time and place to which said sale may then beadjourned, all of the several lots and parcels of land assessed to the respective personswhose names are set opposite each respective parcel as the owner thereof for the totalamount of municipal liens chargeable against said lands respectively, in accordance withN.J.S.A. 54:5-1, et seq. as computed to the 18th day of October 2007.

Take further notice that the hereinafter described lands will be sold for the amount ofmunicipal liens chargeable against each parcel of said land assessed as one parcel,together with interest and costs to the date of the sale. Said lands will be sold at the lowestrate of interest bid, but in no case in excess of 18%. Payments for said parcels shall bemade prior to the conclusion of the sale in the form of cash, certified check or money orderor other method previously approved by the Tax Collector or the property will be resold.Properties for which there are no other purchasers shall be struck off and sold to theTownship of Scotch Plains at an interest rate of 18%.

At any time before the sale I will accept payment of the amount due on any propertywith interest and costs. Payment must be in the form of cash, certified check or moneyorder.

Industrial properties may be subject to the Spill Compensation and Control Act(N.J.S.A. 58-10-23.11 et seq.), the Water Pollution Control Act (N.J.S.A. 58-:10A-1 etseq.) and the Industrial Site Recovery Act (N.J.S.A. 13:1K-6 et seq.), In addition, themunicipality is precluded from issuing a tax sale certificate to any prospective purchaserwho is or may be in any way connected to the prior owner of the site.

In the event that the owner of the property is on Active Duty in the Military Service, theTax Collector should be notified immediately.

The lands to be sold are described in accordance with the last tax duplicate as follows:

BLK LOT QUAL OWNER LOCATION TOTAL DUE00201 10 Cole, Alisha 1 Malanga Court $ 9,637.0300503 16 Cioffi, John & Ann 1711 E. Second Street $10,537.8200503 17 Cioffi, John Sr. 1707 E. Second Street $ 1,605.4601101 07 PSRE Holdings, LLC Et Al 435 Willow Avenue $ 2,870.4602201 39 DiGuiseppe, Mauro 1957 Birch Street $ 7,890.8402303 28 Baratucci, Antonio 1965 Portland Avenue $13,574.8102601 01 DiNizo, Frank & Eileen 2053 Westfield Avenue $ 8,659.4103101 03 Ford, William & Josephine 2 Azalea Court $ 8,193.3803101 36 Cuesta, William 422 Pine Grove Ci $ 278.9103201 09 Margaritonodo, Steven & Stacy 515 Westfield Road $ 6,883.7703902 03 Safi, Judy/Simpson, Alicia 185 Watchung Terrace $ 1,883.9503905 21.01 223 Katherine St., LLC 211 Elm Court $ 2,593.7103905 21.02 223 Katherine Street LLC 207 Elm Court $ 2,283.4404302 08 Campanaro, Luis & Elia 528 Jerusalem Road $ 1,027.5904401 14 West, Mary E. 4 Johnson Street $ 624.8804401 17 Spady, Connell & Diane 10 Johnson Street $ 2,960.9504801 09 Northeast Developers, Inc. 182 Victor Street $ 9,276.9704802 01 GRIG, Corp 2435 Route 22 $ 91.2606503 08 DiNizo, Romano & Juanita 2508 Plainfield Avenue $ 4,402.7706601 03 Moseley, Hassan 6 Happel Court $ 6,522.8007001 09 Garcia, Juan 2288 Redwood Road $ 4,462.1507304 15 Riviere, Natasha 2409 Park Place $ 409.1608201 16 Schmiede, Martin & Liesleotte 2295 South Avenue $11,274.8008704 03.01 Brown, Otis & Norma 1125 Lincoln Avenue $ 7,651.1108902 06 Pappas, Scott C. & Kristie 2070 Jersey Avenue $ 3,641.2509004 05 Searby, Sarah 2309 Elizabeth Avenue $ 2,084.4309005 15 Espinoza, Manuel E. 2251 Newark Avenue $ 4,880.6710602 03 223 Katherine Street, LLC 2150 Gallegher Avenue $ 4,094.8211301 02.08 Gonzales, Richard & Janet 17 Pitching Way $ 7,256.9911603 11.01 Fidalgo, David 2 Shirewood $ 4,152.0712201 24.01 Ricciardelli, Michael & Allison 2 Dutch Lane $15,598.8312201 25.20 Sorkin, Charles & Saundra 21 Rambling Drive $ 4,069.1615302 02 Shanni, Stefan 1310 Cushing Road $ 6,902.6715601 12 Hernandez, Ligia 1011 Locust Avenue $ 22.4816001 34 Iarrapino, Gail 14 Winchester Drive $ 703.56

Lori MajeskiCollector of Taxes

4 T - 9/20, 9/27, 10/4 & 10/11/07, The Times Fee: $461.04

PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICESCOTCH PLAINS-FANWOOD BOARD OF EDUCATION

NOTICE OF MEETINGS(In Compliance with OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT - Chapter 231)

*ADDENDUM TO REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETINGS*

TYPE OF MEETING: Open Agenda Meeting

DATE OF MEETING: October 11, 2007

LOCATION: Evergreen School Multipurpose RoomEvergreen AvenueScotch Plains, New Jersey 07076

TIME: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

PURPOSE OF MEETING: The Board will recognize Newly TenuredTeachers.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN: Action will be taken.1 T - 10/4/07, The Times Fee: $30.60

PUBLIC NOTICETOWN OF WESTFIELD

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

Notice is hereby given that WestfieldBoard of Adjustment adopted the follow-ing Resolution at its September 10, 2007meeting.

RESOLUTION OF ADOPTION OF2006 ANNUAL REPORT

WHEREAS, the Zoning Board of Ad-justment of the Town of Westfield is re-quired pursuant to Section 40:55D-70.1 ofthe New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law(N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq) to prepare andissue an Annual Report reviewing its deci-sions on applications of the prior year andproviding its recommendations, if any, onthe zoning ordinance provisions whichwere the subject of the various appeals forvariance relief; and

WHEREAS, the Zoning Board of Ad-justment of the Town of Westfield hasreviewed the cases it decided during the2006 calendar year for purposes of provid-ing such Annual Report; and

WHEREAS, the Town Planner, JudithThornton, PP, AICP, has prepared a docu-ment entitled, “Westfield Zoning Board ofAdjustment 2006 Annual Report” whichsets forth the findings and recommenda-tions of the Zoning Board of Adjustmentpertinent to its review of such appeals anddecisions

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,that the “Westfield Zoning Board of Adjust-ment 2006 Annual Report” be and is here-with adopted by the Zoning Board of Ad-justment of the Town of Westfield in accor-dance with N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70.1.

Kathleen A. Nemeth1 T - 10/4/07, The Leader Fee: $34.68

PUBLIC NOTICESUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY

UNION COUNTYCHANCERY DIVISION

DOCKET NO. F-4510-07FILE NO. 51333-22

CIVIL ACTION ORDER SETTINGTIME, PLACE AND AMOUNT OF

REDEMPTION

WACHOVIA-AS CUSTODIANFOR PHOENIX FUNDINGPLAINTIFF(S) VS. D & G DE-VELOPMENT, INC.; STATEOF NEW JERSEY; DONALDPAGE A/K/A DONALD E.PAGE, HIS HEIRS, DEVISEESAND PERSONAL REPRE-SENTATIVES, AND THEIR ORANY OF THEIR SUCCES-SORS IN RIGHT, TITLE ANDINTEREST; PATRICK E.PAGE AND BRIDGETSANCHEZ, INDIVIDUALLYAND CO-ADMINISTRATORSOF THE ESTATE OF DONALDPAGE A/K/A DONALD E.PAGE; DONALD K. PAGE;MICHAEL PAGE; BEVERLYCALLAND; SHARON D. PAGEA/K/A SHARON BAUM;PEGGY L. PAGE A/K/APEGGY L. BROWN; ARTHURC. MADRESH; CLIFTON NJPOSTAL EMPLOYEES FED-ERAL CREDIT UNION; THO-MAS JEFFERSON UNIVER-SITY HOSPITAL OUT PA-TIENT DEFENDANT(S)

THIS MATTER being opened to thecourt by Goldenberg, Mackler, Sayegh,Mintz, Pfeffer, Bonchi & Gill, A Profes-sional Corporation, Attorneys for Plaintiff,and it appearing that default has beenentered against the defendants, D & GDEVELOPMENT, INC.; STATE OF NEWJERSEY; DONALD PAGE a/k/a DONALDE. PAGE, his heirs, devisees and personalrepresentatives, and their or any of theirsuccessors in right, title and interest;PATRICK E. PAGE and BRIDGETSANCHEZ, Individually and Co-Adminis-trators of the Estate of Donald Page a/k/aDonald E. Page; DONALD K. PAGE;MICHAEL PAGE; BEVERLY CALLAND;SHARON D. PAGE a/k/a SHARON BAUM;PEGGY L. PAGE a/k/a PEGGY L.BROWN; ARTHUR C. MADRESH;CLIFTON NJ POSTAL EMPLOYEESFEDERAL CREDIT UNION; THOMASJEFFERSON UNIVERSITY HOSPITALOUT PATIENT; that plaintiff has pro-duced before this court tax sale certificate#04-019, certified to be a true copy, whichcertificate is dated June 29, 2004, and is ofrecord in the Union County Clerk’s Officeon July 21, 2004, in Book 10769, page567, as instrument #321588, which cov-ers Block 109, Lot 60 in the City of Plainfield.Said certificate has been marked ExhibitP-1 on the part of the plaintiff. More thantwo years have elapsed since the sale ofsaid lands by the City of Plainfield, and thelands have not been redeemed from thetax sale; that plaintiff has produced beforethis court its Certification showing thatthere is due on said tax sale certificate,together with subsequent taxes and inter-

est, the sum of $26,318.21 as of July 31,2007; and

IT IS on this 20th day of September,2007, ORDERED AND ADJUDGED thatthe amount required to redeem the pre-mises referred to in the aforementionedtax sale certificate is the sum of $26,318.21,which includes the amount due on said taxsale certificate, subsequent taxes and in-terest as of July 31, 2007, together withcosts duly taxed in the sum of $1,026.35;and

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the 5thday of November, 2007, between the hoursof nine o’clock in the forenoon and fouro’clock in the afternoon, at the office of theTax Collector of the City of Plainfield, CityHall, 515 Watchung Avenue, Plainfield,New Jersey 07061, be and the same ishereby fixed as the time and place for theredemption of the said lands as describedin the complaint and making up the pre-mises concerning which the complaint isfiled, and that thereupon the defendantwho redeems shall be entitled to the certifi-cate of tax sale duly endorsed for cancel-lation; and

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that in de-fault of the said defendants paying to theTax Collector of the City of Plainfield, andthe plaintiff, the said sum, interest andcosts aforesaid, the said defendants standabsolutely debarred and foreclosed of andfrom all right and equity of redemption on,in and to said lands and premises andevery part thereof, and the plaintiff shallhave an absolute and indefeasible inter-est of inheritance in fee simple, to saidlands and premises. Anything to the con-trary notwithstanding, redemption shall bepermitted up until the entry of final judg-ment including the whole of the last dateupon which judgment is entered; and

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that if theaddresses of the defendants are notknown, a copy of this Order or Noticethereof directed to such defendants shallbe published in The Westfield Leader, anewspaper circulating in Union County, atleast one time, not less than ten days priorto the date fixed for redemption by thisOrder; and

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copyof this Order or a Notice thereof be servedupon the defendants, whose addressesare known, by mailing to each of them sucha copy or notice not later than ten days priorto the date fixed for redemption of the landsand premises by this Order; and

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copyof this Order be delivered to the Tax Col-lector of the City of Plainfield, and that saidTax Collector of the City of Plainfield cer-tify to this Court whether the premiseswere or were not redeemed from theplaintiff’s tax sale certificate in accordancewith the terms of this Order.

NEIL H. SHUSTER, P.J. CH.Respectfully recommendedR.1:34-6 Office of ForeclosureGOLDENBERG, MACKLER, SAYEGH,MINTZ, PFEFFER, BONCHI & GILLA Professional CorporationAttorneys At Law660 New Road, Suite 1-ANorthfield, New Jersey 082251 T - 10/4/07, The Leader Fee: $124.95

PUBLIC NOTICE

Women’s Golf Clinic Oct. 15To Help Girl Scout CouncilsWESTFIELD – The Girl Scouts of

Washington Rock Council and theGirl Scout Council of Greater Essexand Hudson Counties will hold aWomen’s Golf Clinic in conjunctionwith the Juliette Low Golf Classic.

The event is set for Monday, Octo-ber 15, at Shackamaxon Golf andCountry Club in Scotch Plains. Allproceeds will benefit Girl Scouting inthe 62 communities jointly served byboth councils.

The clinic will be geared to women,from those who have yet to pick up aclub to those who consider themselvesadvanced. It will be held in a non-competitive, fun environment stress-ing golf basics and fundamentals.

Under the tutelage of PGA andLPGA teaching professionals, theclinic will cover multiple areas in-cluding putting, iron play and driv-ing. The event will get underway at2:30 p.m. and last until 4 p.m., atwhich time participants will attend acocktail hour and dinner as part ofthe Classic.

The cost to be a part of the event is$175, which includes one-and-a-halfhours of golf instruction, as well ascocktails and dinner and the opportu-nity to win a door prize or silentauction item.

For more information or to registerfor this event, please contact RossBlacker at (908) 232-3236, extensionno. 1209, or [email protected].

GOOD CHEMISTRY…Union Catholic High School of Scotch Plains recentlyunveiled its new state-of-the-art science lab. The lab, funded by private donations,provides a modern space that allows for an improved learning environment forstudents and teachers. Designed collaboratively by the architecture firm TheGoldstein Partnership and laboratory experts at Longo Inc., who also oversaw itsconstruction, the lab will be used primarily by students enrolled in all levels ofchemistry. It is equipped with spacious lab tables to accommodate studentlaptops, new emergency shut-off valves and emergency lighting, as well as newstorage space and flooring. The room also features “Smart Board” technology,which enhances teacher and student interaction.

BURST YOUR BUBBLE…Sean Merkle and Hadley Rose of Wesley Hall Nurs-ery School’s Bunny Class blow bubbles with straws. This activity represented oneof multiple lessons associated with learning the letter B.


BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

The Board of Adjustment of the Town ofWestfield, New Jersey will meet on Octo-ber 15, 2007 in the Council Chambers inthe Municipal Building, 425 East BroadStreet, Westfield, New Jersey at 7:30 p.m.to hear and consider the following appealsfor variance(s) from the requirements ofthe Westfield Land Use Ordinance.

Ashok Roe and Nadini Sharma, 66Westbrook Road, Applicant seeks per-mission to construct two single story addi-tions contrary to section 12.03D of theLand Use Ordinance. Ordinance requiresa front yard setback of 31.9 feet (EFYD).Present is 33.64 feet. Proposed is 25 feetand 27 feet.

Angela Russell, 451 Edgewood Av-enue, Applicant seeks permission to con-struct two attic dormers and to convert anexisting garage into a family room contraryto Sections 11.09E6 and 12.04E1 of theLand Use Ordinance. Ordinance requiresa minimum side yard setback of 10 feet.Present is 4 feet and 8.7 feet. Proposed is4 feet and 8.7 feet (6.3 feet to the dormer).Ordinance allows a maximum floor arearatio of 35%. Present is 28.9%. Proposedis 41.2%.

Ralph Rapuano, 953 Wyandotte Trail,Applicant seeks permission to construct ahouse contrary to Section 11.05E7 of theLand Use Ordinance. Ordinance requiresa minimum rear yard setback of 40 feet.Proposed is 22 feet.

Eric & Gail Friedman, 9 Settlers Lane,Applicant seeks permission to construct asecond floor addition over the existinggarage and a first floor addition on the rearof the house contrary to Section11.07E5of the Lnad Use Ordinance. Ordinancerequires a street side yard setback of 20feet. Present and proposed is 19.3 feet.

Jaren Wright, 712 Oak Avenue, Appli-cant seeks permission to construct anaddition contrary to Section s 12.04F1 and

12.04F3 of the Land Use Ordinance. Ordi-nance allows a maximum building cover-age without porch of 20% / 1,000 squarefeet. Present is 15.7% / 786.5 square feet.Proposed is 20.84% / 1,042 square feet.Ordinance allows a maximum buildingcoverage including front porch of 24%.Proposed is 24.5%.

Martin C. Rothfelder, 585 WestfieldAvenue, Applicant seeks permission toconstruct attic dormers to convert atticspace into habitable space contrary toSections 11.21E6 and 11.21E7 of the LandUse Ordinance. Ordinance requires a sideyard setback of 12 feet. Present and pro-posed is 6.4 feet. Ordinance requires arear yard setback of 50 feet. Present andproposed is 44 feet.

Peter & Lisa Vietes, 723 Clark Street,Applicant seeks permission to construct aone story addition at the rear of the house,second floor addition above the existinggarage and a front foyer enclosure, con-trary to Section 11.09E6 and 12.03D of theLand Use Ordinance. Ordinance requiresa side yard setback of 10 feet. Present andproposed is 5 feet. Ordinance requires afront yard setback of 41.68 feet (EFYD).Proposed is 41.16 feet (EFYD).

Hector Quijano, 772 Boulevard, Ap-plicant seeks permission to retain a 6 footfence contrary to Section 12.07C of theLand Use Ordinance. Ordinance allows amaximum height of 4 feet for fences lo-cated in the street side yard of a corner lot.Present and proposed is 6 feet.

Variances, waivers or exceptions fromcertain site plan details or relief from re-quirements may be sought as appropri-ate.

Plans and application are on file in theoffice of the Town Engineer, 959 NorthAvenue West, Westfield, New Jersey andmay be seen Monday through Friday from8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Kathleen A. NemethSecretary, Board of Adjustment

1 T - 10/4/07, The Leader Fee: $81.60

PUBLIC NOTICE


INVITATION TO BID

Sealed proposals will be received by theTown of Westfield in the Council Cham-bers at the Municipal Building, 425 EastBroad Street, Westfield, New Jersey, at10:00 AM prevailing time on Tuesday,October 16, 2007 for the “2007 IMPROVE-MENT of DOWNER STREET and SEN-ECA PLACE in the TOWN of WESTFIELD,NEW JERSEY”.

The work under this Proposal includesthe furnishing of all labor, materials andequipment necessary to complete the workas shown on the Contract Drawings anddescribed in the Contract Specifications,and Proposals shall be in accordance withsuch Drawings and Specifications and theterms proposed in the Contract.

The major items of work under this con-tract include, but are not limited to, thefollowing in estimated quantities:

1,930 linear feet of Granite Block Curb-ing

100 cubic yards of Roadway Excavation4,655 square yards of Profile Milling205 tons of 4 inch thick Hot Mix Stabi-

lized Base Course5,480 square yards of 2 inch thick Hot

Mix Asphalt Surface Course865 square feet of 4 inch thick Concrete

Walk1,860 square feet of 6 inch thick Con-

crete ApronProposals shall be in writing on the forms

furnished and must be delivered at theplace and before the hour above men-tioned, and must be accompanied by acertified check or bid bond payable to theTown of Westfield in an amount equal to atleast ten percent (10%) of the base amountof the bid, but not less than $500.00 normore than $20,000.00. Each bid must alsobe accompanied by a Surety CompanyCertificate stating that said Surety Com-pany would provide the bidder with therequired Performance bond in the fullamount of the Contract, by a Non-Collu-sion Affidavit and a Contractor’s Qualifica-tion Statement, Statement of Ownership,on the forms included in and explained inthe contract documents.

All bidders must submit with their bida copy of their New Jersey BusinessRegistration Certificate. Failure to sub-mit proof of registration will disqualifythe bid.

Bidders are required to comply with therequirements of N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq.and N.J.A.C. 17:27 and must pay work-men the prevailing wage rates promul-gated by the New Jersey State Depart-ment of Labor and Industry for this project,copies of which are on file in the Office ofthe Town engineer.

Plans and specifications may be seen orprocured at the office of the Town Engi-neer, Public Works Center, 959 NorthAvenue West, Westfield, New Jersey. Thenon-refundable cost of contract documentsis $25.00 made payable to the Town ofWestfield, which must be paid in cash orcertified check. The Mayor and Councilreserve the right to reject any bid, and towaive any informality in any bid, if in theinterest of the Town; it is deemed advis-able to do so.

Kenneth B. MarshTown Engineer

1 T - 10/4/07, The Leader Fee: $66.30


INVITATION TO BIDRE-BID

SEALED PROPOSALS WILL BE RE-CEIVED BY THE TOWN CLERK OF THETOWN OF WESTFIELD, NEW JERSEY,ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2007 AT10:00 A.M. PREVAILING TIME AT THEMUNICIPAL BUILDING, 425 EASTBROAD STREET, WESTFIELD, NEWJERSEY FOR THE RENTAL OF EQUIP-MENT USED IN THE COLLECTION OFLEAVES FROM THE STREETS, WALK-WAYS, AND PARKING LOTS IN THETOWN OF WESTFIELD.

THE EQUIPMENT TO BE RENTED ONAN HOURLY BASIS WITHOUT OPERA-TOR IS A 3 CUBIC YARD CAPACITYSTREET SWEEPER.

PROPOSALS MUST BE IN WRITINGAT THE PLACE AND BEFORE THEHOUR MENTIONED ABOVE, AND MUSTBE ACCOMPANIED BY A CERTIFIEDCHECK, OR BID BOND, MADE PAY-ABLE TO THE TREASURER OF THETOWN OF WESTFIELD, IN THEAMOUNT OF TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS($200.00) TO INSURE EXECUTION OFTHE CONTRACT.

BIDDERS MUST BE IN COMPLIANCEWITH ALL PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER127 PL 1975, SUPPLEMENT TO THELAW AGAINST DISCRIMINATION (AF-FIRMATIVE ACTION).

SPECIFICATIONS MAY BE SEEN OROBTAINED AT THE OFFICE OF THETOWN ENGINEER, PUBLIC WORKSCENTER, 959 NORTH AVENUE, W.,WESTFIELD, NEW JERSEY.

THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL RE-SERVE THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANYAND ALL BIDS AND TO WAIVE ANYINFORMALITY, IF IN THE INTEREST OFTHE TOWN, IT IS DEEMED ADVISABLETO DO SO.

KENNETH B. MARSHTOWN ENGINEER

1 T - 10/4/07, The Leader Fee: $40.80


PLANNING BOARD

Notice is hereby given that the WestfieldPlanning Board at its meeting on Septem-ber 6, 2007 memorialized the followingBoard action taken on August 6, 2007:

06-14(V) Charles Pijanowski, 37Cowperthwaite Place, Block2505, Lot 2 seeking Preliminary& Final Major Site Plan. Appli-cant seeks to replace the exist-ing single-family residentialstructure with a conforming 3-story mixed use structure con-taining two offices on the firstfloor and two apartments, oneon the second floor and the otheron the third floor. Applicationdenied.

Kenneth B. MarshSecretary, Planning Board

1 T - 10/4/07, The Leader Fee: $20.40

PUBLIC NOTICETOWNSHIP OF SCOTCH PLAINSUNION COUNTY, NEW JERSEY

Invitations are extended to qualified bid-ders to bid for the following Project:

Collection of Vegetative Waste2007-2009

Bids will be accepted only by mail or inperson to the Office of the Township Clerk,Scotch Plains Municipal building, 430 ParkAvenue, Scotch Plains, New Jersey 07076(ATTN: Barbara Riepe, Township Clerk)until 10:00 a.m. on October 16, 2007. TheTownship of Scotch Plains (hereinafter“Township”) shall not be responsible forany bid mailed which is lost in transit ordelivered late by the Postal Service or otherdelivery service. At the above time, the bidswill be publicly opened and read aloud. Allbids must be presented in sealed enve-lopes, clearly marked “Bid for Collectionof Vegetative Waste 2007-2009, ScotchPlains, New Jersey”. No bid will be re-ceived after the time and date specified.

After receipt of bids, no bid may bewithdrawn within sixty (60) days after thedate of the bid opening except if providedfor herein. The bid of any Bidder whoconsents to an extension may be held forconsideration for a longer period of time asmay be agreed upon between Bidder andthe Township.

All bids must be on the bid forms pro-vided by the Township of Scotch Plains inthe Bid Package, which may be examinedat the Office of the Township clerk, 430Park Avenue, Scotch Plains, New Jersey,during business hours 9:00 a.m. to 4:00p.m., beginning October 4, 2007, andpurchased for $25.00 non-refundable fee.

Bid proposals and all required docu-ments must be completed and submittedby the date as set forth above. All docu-ments in the enclosed Bid Package mustaccompany the bid proposal. Additionally,a certified check, cashier’s check or bidbond issued by a responsible bank, trustcompany or insurance company, payableto the Township of Scotch Plains shall besubmitted with each bid as a guaranty thatif a contract is awarded the Bidder shallexecute said Contract. The Bid Securityshall be in the amount of ten percent (10%)of the total amount of the bid or Twenty-thousand Dollars ($20,000.00), whicheveris lower. All bid Security of the three (3)apparent lowest responsible Bidders shall,

if requested in writing, be returned afterten (10) days from the opening of the bids(Sundays and holidays excepted) and thebids of such Bidders shall be consideredwithdrawn.

The term of the contract shall be for aperiod commencing November 1, 2007 toDecember 31, 2007 with an option to re-new for two (2) additional periods at thesole discretion of the Township.

The Township reserves the right to re-ject any or all bids, and to waive immaterialinformalities, or to accept any bid which, inthe opinion of the Township of ScotchPlains, will be in the best interest of theTownship all in accordance with the NewJersey Local Public Contracts lawN.J.S.A.40A:11-1 et seq. In the event ofan equal or tie bid, the township shallaward the bid to the bidder which, in theTownship’s sole discretion, best servesthe interest of the township. The Townshipalso reserves the right to reject any and allbids if sufficient funds are not availableand /or appropriated. The selected bidder,will, within seven (7) days of award of thebid, enter into an appropriate contract withthe Township.

All bidders must comply with N.J.S.A.10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27, relat-ing to Equal Employment Opportunities.All bidders must also comply with theAmericans With Disability Act, where ap-plicable.

All bidders must be registered with theNew jersey Department of Labor to en-gage in public work as defined in therequirements listed under N.J.S.A. 34:11-56.51 through 56.55, as well as N.J.A.C.12:62-1.1. All bidders must comply withP.L. 2004, c. 57 and be registered with theNew Jersey division of Revenue.

Where applicable, prevailing wage rateshall be paid to all workers on the job asper N.J.A.C. 34:11-56, 25 et seq.

Each Bid must be accompanied by aState of New Jersey Business Registra-tion Certificate for the Contractor and anySub-Contractor and any Bid submittedwithout the aforesaid Business Registra-tion Certificate shall be rejected.

BY ORDER OF THE TOWNSHIP OFSCOTCH PLAINS OF THE COUNTY OFUNION, STATE OF NEW JERSEYThomas E. Atkins Barbara RiepeMunicipal Manager Township Clerk1 T - 10/4/07, The Times Fee: $93.33

PUBLIC NOTICE

Legal Advertising

PUBLIC NOTICEBOROUGH OF FANWOOD

PLANNING BOARD

Please take notice that on October 24that 7:30 PM at the Fanwood Borough Hall,located at 75 Martine Avenue, Fanwood,New Jersey, the Planning Board will holda hearing on the application of the under-signed. The property in question is locatedat 27 Laurel Place, Fanwood, New Jerseyalso known as block 91 lot 14, as shown onthe Fanwood Tax Map, owned by Amyand Demian Boroff.

The applicant requests a fence, which isin violation of Section 184-125 A of theFanwood Land Use Code. Variance Re-quested: Front Yard Set Back; Permitted:30 feet; Present: 1.9 - 3.0 feet; Proposed:same.

The applicant requests a fence, which isin violation of Section 184-125 C of theFanwood Land Use Code. Variance Re-quested: Fence Height; Permitted: 4 feet;Present: 4 feet, Proposed: 6 feet.

The applicant will also seek such otherrelief as may be determined necessary atthe public hearing based upon review ofthe application or amendment(s) to theapplication.

The file pertaining to this application isavailable for public inspection during nor-mal business hours (8am-4pm, Mon - Fri)from the Secretary of the Planning Boardat the Administration Office of the Boroughof Fanwood at 75 North Martine Avenue,Fanwood, New Jersey.

Any interested party may appear at saidhearing and participate therein in accor-dance with the rules of the Fanwood Plan-ning Board.

Amy and Demian Boroff27 Laurel Place

Fanwood, New Jersey 070231 T - 10/4/07, The Times Fee: $36.72

WHS Hosts Comm.Service/Internship Fair

WESTFIELD – The Westfield HighSchool Parent-Teacher-Student Or-ganization invites all students andparents to attend the annual commu-nity service/internship fair onWednesday, October 10, from 7:30 to9 p.m. in WHS’s cafeteria B.

The fair offers students the chanceto learn about volunteer opportuni-ties in the community through whichthey can lend assistance, gain experi-ence and learn more about areas ofinterest.

Some of the organizations sendingrepresentatives include Trailside Na-ture and Science Center, St. Hubert’sAnimal Shelter, the Westfield Demo-cratic Club, the Westfield Y LeadersClub and the Superior Court of NewJersey.

Luncheon to BenefitAnimal Adoption Group

GARWOOD – The Best FriendDog and Animal Adoption organiza-tion will hold its 10th annual lun-cheon/tricky tray/auction on Sunday,October 14, at The Westwood inGarwood. Doors open at 12:15 p.m.

The not-for-profit, all-volunteergroup seeks donations of new items,baskets and sports and theater ticketsfor auction.

Tickets to the luncheon are $40 andinclude a complete meal, with beer,wine or soda during the lunch hour,along with a door-prize ticket. Vari-ous prizes include the top raffle prizeof a seven-day cruise to Bermuda onNorwegian cruise line.

For more details, donations or tick-ets, please call (732) 388-8930.

CRANFORD – The Division ofEconomic Development and Con-tinuing Education is offering courseson purchasing foreclosed propertiesand how to “fix and flip” propertiesfor investment purposes. Thesecourses cost $39 each and will beoffered on the College’s Cranfordcampus.

“How to Buy Foreclosed Proper-ties” will be held on Wednesday,October 24, from 7 to 9 p.m. Stu-dents will learn the foreclosure pro-cess from the notice of default tosheriff sale, how to evaluate profit-ability, how to finance foreclosureswith little or no down payment, howto negotiate with property ownersduring the pre-foreclosure sale, andhow to successfully bid on govern-ment foreclosures. In addition, howto build a team of real estate profes-sionals to expedite the acquisitiontimeline will be discussed.

“Fix and Flip: Buying, Renovat-ing and Selling Real Estate Proper-ties” will be held on Wednesday,October 31, from 7 to 9 p.m. In thiscourse, students will learn how tobuy depressed properties and deter-mine a “best offer” and how to cre-atively finance them, how to reno-

UCC Offers Special CoursesOn Foreclosures, ‘Flipping’

vate the properties, including work-ing with the municipal restrictionsthat can exist on depressed or vacantproperties, the secrets to building asuccessful project team to expeditethe rehabilitation timetable, budget-ing for the unexpected, and when tosell and determining if one should“flip” or rent.

For more information on eithercourse, or to register, call the Divi-sion of Economic Development andContinuing Education at (908) 709-7600.


PROVING HE’S NOT A SQUARE…Franklin Elementary School students andtheir families recently got together for a night filled with food, friends and fun at thePTO’s annual picnic. Children could participate in sports and activities, have theirfaces painted and enjoy tunes provided by DJ (and Franklin dad) Brian Moynihan.This year’s picnic also provided an opportunity to get to know new principal EileenCambria and assistant principal David Heller in an informal setting. Picturedabove, Mr. Heller participates with students in a game of Four Squares.

CLUB FACE(S)…Two members of the Woman’s Club of Westfield co chair theclub’s scholarship luncheon, which will be held on Thursday, October 11, atBaltusrol Golf Club beginning at 11:30 a.m. From left to right, Maryfran Annese,Woman’s Club member, Judy Seher, director of catering at Baltusrol, andCharlotte Clevenger, Woman’s Club member, finalize plans.

Thomas Hansen BeginsTraining for Air Force

BERKELEY HEIGHTS — Tho-mas Hansen of Berkeley Heights hasentered Basic Cadet Training at theU.S. Air Force Academy, in ColoradoSprings, Colo., in preparation to en-ter the first academic year at the acad-emy.

The six-week, two-phased orienta-tion program must be successfullycompleted by the cadets prior to en-tering their freshman year. The train-ing prepares men and women to meetthe rigorous mental and physical chal-lenges experienced by new cadets.

Phase one involves personal in pro-cessing, orientation, and training inthe fundamentals of being a cadet.Cadet trainees are prepared to adjustfrom civilian to military life and dis-ciplines, and learn proper wear of theuniform, saluting policies and proce-dures, drill and ceremony, marching,and living quarters standards.

During phase two, cadets train out-doors living in tents while learning tofunction in field conditions. Cadetsapply and practice teamwork, cohe-sion and learn to deal with physicallyand mentally demanding situations.They complete the obstacle, confi-

dence, assault, and leadership reac-tion courses, and participate in a res-cue mission termed Operation War-rior.

He is the son of Paul and TheresaHansen of Ridge Drive.

His grandparents are Ronald and RuthFerrero of Killingworth, Conn., andCatherine Hansen of Rhinebeck, N.Y.

Thomas is a 2007 graduate of Gov-ernor Livingston High School in Ber-keley Heights.

WESTFIELD –Westfield HighSchool (WHS) Principal Dennis Fyffeannounced the fourth marking periodhonor roll for the 2006-2007 schoolyear.

WHS recognizes student achieve-ment every marking period at twolevels: Honor Roll and DistinguishedHonor Roll.

For the classes of 2006 and 2007, astudent must attain all A’s in aca-demic subjects and no grade below aB in any non-academic subject forinclusion on the Distinguished HonorRoll, or a grade of A or B on allsubjects, academic or non-academic,for inclusion on the Honor Roll.

Beginning with the Class of 2008,determination of inclusion on theHonor Roll will be based on the fol-lowing criteria: For the DistinguishedHonor Roll, the GPA must be be-tween 3.75 and 4.0 with no gradelower than a B. For the Honor Roll,the GPA must be between 3.5 and3.74 with no grade lower than a B.

12th Grade DistinguishedAmy Altszuler, Jillian Aronson, Stephanie

P Baeder, Brian Checchio, Anthony Cocuzza,Catherine Cordeiro, Kathryn Cronen, Seth IDavidson, Nicole Di Benedetto, Nicholas RDigiorgio, Aaron Eisenberg, Lauren Finestein,Andrew K Ford, Joshua Friedman, Jason Frost,Christopher Kalis, Julia Korn, Neha Limaye,Nathan Margolin, Courtney Phillips, Tara Picaro,Ellen Ramage, Melanie Schor, Julie AnneShelman, Kate M Statton, Laura Straus, NicoleVendetti, Samantha Vitale, Joshua Wasserman,Francesca Welham, Caroline Yost;

12th Grade Regular Honor RollRandi Ackerman, Alyssa Agresta, Erica

Ammermuller, Kimberly Angus, KaitlynAnness, Sara Anthony, Philip Anton, JohnAttanasio, Victoria Attanasio, Luke M Baran,Brian Bayne, Amy Behr, Daniel Bellovin,Joshua Bornstein, Gregory H Boyle, Emily SBregman, Lindsay Brown, Beth Budnick, MegButtrick, Jessica Cain, Tiffany Cayado, ChloeCherin, Theodore Chou, Jessica Cohen, PeterCornell, Tara E Daly, Jennifer Danielsson,Amanda Diaz, Kristen Dilzell, Ashley Dunnan,Casey Elkoury, Christopher Engel, Kate Fallon,Elizabeth Falzon, William Farrell Iv, RachaelFeeney, Jonathan Finkel, Nicole B Finkel,Kaitlin Fleck, Alena Fleming, ShaunaFontenelli, Remi G Formal, AlexanderForstenhausler, Marisa Fortino, Claire Fox,Sheri Friedman, Kelly Furlong, AngelinaGarneva, Emily Gee, Kelly Gelber, MelissaGerckens, Lindsay Goldberg, AndrewGoldman, Marissa Goldner, Ilene R Goodman,Alyson Guerriero, Emma Hand, WilliamHarbaugh, Zachary Harris, Stephen Heine,Jonathan Helfand, Leanne P Hewit, ChristineIsabella, Phillip John, Daniel Johnson,Madeline Joyce, Su Jun, Daniel Kahaner,Gillian Kape, Anya Kaplan, Emily Kaplowitz,Daniel Kehler, Valerie Keil, James Kelly,Meredith Kender, Erika Kettleson, EmilyKieczykowski, Elizabeth Kline, Bryan Knapp,Anna Koehler, Kate Kovalenko, EdwardLanger, Jennifer Laspata, Amanda Lavecchia,Brian Lee, Kimberly Legones, Mary KateLuker, Alyssa Lund, Claire Macdonald, Tho-mas Malaspina, Michael Marks, ChristopherMattes, Kevin Maus, Natalia Mavrogiannis,Patrick F Mccabe, Lauren Mccurdy, AmandaMcquade, Harrison Mercado, Philip Micele,Georgia Mierswa, Erin Moran, Jessica Moran,Keith Moran, Katherine Morgan, CaitlinMurphy, Stephanie Musat, Jeffrey Mysel, JesseNatale, Rachel Newberg, Jaclyn Nicoll,Julienne Niemiera, Kevin O’rourke, CaitlynOster, Sean Palme, Thomas Parkinson, OjusPatil, Cara Paulan, Sarah Pecker, OliviaPomann, Catherine Porta, Brittany Pryor, Col-leen E Psomas, Sarah E Queller, Evan Ralph,Daniella Regencia, Nicole Reich, MatthewRenart, Drew Ritter, Nathaniel Roquet, AdamL Rubin, Lindsey Ann Sauerwein, ElizabethScanlon, Laura Schwab, Ian Schwartz, Will-iam Schwartz, Marlena Sheridan, DanielShorrock, John-William Sidhom, AllisonSimon, Hope Skibitsky, Jenna Skoller, LeanneSkorge, Arielle Smelkinson, Darrell Ann Smith,Jacqueline Snyder, Caroline Steller, Jack Ster-nal, Satya Tagat, Cheryl Tarnofsky, KatherineTaylor, Julie Tiedrich, William Uhr, MichaelVenezia, Michael Verrier, Jason Waks, SarahWeber, Heather Welham, Ayn Carlee Wisler,Cassandra Wright, Alexander Wronski, Tif-fany Yang, Aron L Zavaro;

11th Grade DistinguishedJessica Anderson, Samantha Anderson,

Alexandra Annis, Lindsey Archambault,Marlee Austin, Samantha Avis, Erin M Bange,Claire Bennett, Danielle Bercovicz, AndresBetancourt, Matthew S Blutfield, LaurenBrachman, Nina Brownstone, Emma Byer,Andrew Calvaruso, Jessica Campo, AjCerami, Alex Chaves, Christina Cognetti,Jordana Confino, Caitlin Corkery, KyleCortley, Lauren N Couture, Leigh Couture,Emily Cozzi, Julie Daurio, Benjamin JDornfeld, Katherine Douglas, John Dugan,William Eisenberg, Elizabeth Engel, JosefineEriksson, John Falzon, Matthew Feniger,Renee Ferio, Vincent Fitzpatrick, BenjaminFlast, Lauren Frankfort, Christopher Franks,Evan Friedman, Alexander Fruchtman, ArielGale, Matthew Gelmetti, William Geltzeiler,Paige Geraghty, Katherine Goellner, Mat-thew Gralla, Rachel Gray, Britta Greene, Pe-ter Griesmer, Benjamin Hiller, Jonathan Holt,Alexandria Hurtt, Neil Huskey, Melanie Jack-son, Maria Kheyman, Ji Seul Kim, JaclynKirna, Kristen Koepfler, Kaitlin Kominsky,Toni L Ma, Benjamin Maimon, DanielMarkowski, Rebecca Mcnulty, Pratik Mehta,Mark Melino, Kimberly Morawski, MarissaH Mumford, Gabrielle Oleary, Mia Pafumi,Alexandra Pecora, Maya Pincus, StephaniePinheiro, Ioanna Protogiannis, CarolynRaphael, Michael Rediker, JosephineReinhardt, Crista Ricci, Kimberly Ripperger,Katherine Roberts, Stephanie Rowe, ErinScialabba, Daniel Selert, Roshni Shah, KevinShallcross, Anna Smith, Vincent Spinelli,Alannah Suchomel, Kelli Sullivan, LianeSullivan, Danielle Tepper, Lindsay Tishberg,Christine Tolias, Joseph Vall-Llobera, AlexaVella, Bethany Lee Verdone, Dylan E Wallace,Lindsay Walsh, Cindy Wang, Daniela Weiner,Hannah P Weisman, Kristian Wendel, HannahWharam, Cathryn Winchester, DomenickWissel, Matthew Wolski, Eric Zagorski;

11th Grade Regular Honor RollTimothy Adamcik, Stephen Aswad, Den-

nis Bartsch, Jeremy Bender, Caitlin Burke,Patrick Clancy, Catherine Cognetti, CraigCognetti, Caitlin Comforti, Stefanie Crosta,Eric Curialle, Barbara Dagosto, Joshua David,Ian Devaney, Michael Dibble, Alison Donohue,Kerriann Dooley, Rose Driscoll, Evan Einstein,Andrea Ellis, Apostolos Evangelidis, CorneliusFitzpatrick, Ashley Freudenheim, Emily EFusco, Rachel Ganz, Brian Gibbons, Joseph PGreen, Diane Hagmann, Jessica Harmer, ClaireHarris, Salonia Henry, Caitlin Hewett, Tho-mas Hogaboom, Danielle Infantino, ChristineKandigian, Angela Kerins, Alison Lambert,Dzmitry Lamianski, Max H Lazar, EunsolLee, John N Levidy, Allison Macdonald,Pamela Marks, Catherine Marvin, MichaelMathews, Gillian Mcgovern, Michael Melillo,Evan Merkelson, Holly Messina, KatherineMeylor, Ariel Mone, Gregory Nelson, Ellen

Obrien, Bena Reiter, Jorie Richlinzack, Lind-say Ryan, Kirk Sabnani, Megan R Sherman,Melissa Souto, Casey Steinberg, Daniel Strauss,Jacqueline Sull, Annmarie Valentine, NicoleVenezia, Caitlin Whitlock, Michael Wikander,John Wilt, Xinyi Zhang;

10th Grade DistinguishedMichael Abbattista, Kathryn R Abruzzo,

Stephanie Albright, Elizabeth Antonelli,Michelle Ball, Kimberly Berke, Hanna Berman,Sara Birkenthal, Tessa Bohman, JillianBrinberg, Jack T Camillo, Charles Cary, TaraA Castellone, Matthew Catenacci, KristinaChabrier, Amanda Chang, Vasilis Chantzis,James Chu, Abigael Clarkson, Colleen Cleary,Benjamin Colvin, Alexis Constantine, AnthonyDe Paolo, Sophie Dekoning-Teasdale, Chris-topher Delafuente, Anthony Di Iorio, Daniel RDickstein, Jennifer Dilzell, Joshua Einbinder,Elizabeth Fredas, Amanda Garfinkel, DarylGarfinkel, Sophia Geskin, Briana Goncalves,Kelsey Greenfield, Aileen Grogan, BridgetGrogan, Eric L Hagstrom, Tara Handza,Monica Hong, Michael Irving, Gabrielle Jakub,Sneha Seel Kakileti, Ethan Krell, Jacob Lang,Jenna Leopold, Alice Li, Justin Lo, AmandaLojo, Maria Lomaka, Amber Marie Lutey,Catherine Maguire, Ezra Margolin, AndrewMarra, Joseph Martoglio, NicholasMavrogiannis, Elizabeth Mccarthy, KathrynMillen, Natalie Morrison, Anna Morton,Amanda Mosner, Shannon Murray, TaylorMurtishaw, Dana Newman, Katherine Nguyen,Elaheh Nozari, Su Pak, Marisa Palestino, NicolePapadopoulos, Kiran Patankar, KatherinePayne, Thomas Purcell, David Pusar, Eric HRachman, Anne Re, Robert Realmuto, CaseyReimlinger, Samantha Ritter, NicoleRosenberg, Daniel Russo, Chiara Sabino,Joshua Schwartz, Kimberly Shoback, MelissaShulman, Eriene-Heidi Sidhom, AmandaSimmons, Moira Smith, Marisa Stotter, EllenStraus, Dean Thompson, Michael Tormey,Douglas Velasco, Nicholas Vicinio, JenniferWeidman, Amy Weiss, Andrew Weiss, PeterWilliams, Alan Workman, Julianne Yee, Jo-seph Yoo, Tara Zierler;

10th Grade Regular Honor RollNicole Aloupis, Neil Amato, David

Babetski, Trevor Barnes, Jonathan Berman,Max Blum, Vlad Bouchouev, Sally F Bregman,Amy E Brown, Chelsea Bryk, Ariel Burns,Martha Cain, Alexa Cassaro, Panos Chantzis,Christine Clark, Meredith L Clark, Philip Cohn,Julia Conroy, Natalie Di Francesco, Marie DiIorio, Nicholas Dougert, Rebecca Dudley,Lauren Farrell, Christine Feldbauer, MarkFischetti, Margaret Flannery, Michael Foley,Shannon Foley, Alyssa Frank, Justin Frasier-Wright, Zachary Friss, Dan Fussman,Alexandra Gockel, Nina Godbee, AlexandraGoldin, Adam Gottdiener, Christopher Graf,James Hughes, Allison Jakobovic, JenniferJean-Louis, Melinda Jimenez, Kathryn Kiefer,Rachel Kreutzer, Christopher Latimer, JosephLee, Elizabeth Lisooey, Daniel Ludlum, Gre-gory Luppescu, Diana Maliqi, KathleenMasterson, Cyndil Matthew, Joseph Mc Grath,Charlotte Morabito, Daniel Morse, AlysonMoskowitz, Mairead O’boyle, ElizabethOdermatt, Charlotte O’leary, Robert O’rourke,Jaclyn Pellicano, William Perry, Ross Pohling,Philip Queller, Caroline Raba, Justin Ramalho,Christiana Ricciuti, Hannah Rubin, RaisaRubin, Abigail Ryan, Matthew Scharpf, JacobShiffman, Dara Silverman, Peter Starzynski,Maxwell Sugarman, Lauren Sullivan, RaviTamboli, Patrick Tresnan, Alexandra Tunis,Sarah Vincett, Keegan L Wallace, JuliaWatkins, George Wharam, Danielle Zamarelli,Daniel Zavaro, Arielle Ziering, StevenZilberberg, Jordyn Zucker;

9th Grade DistinguishedBlaine Aberdeen, Meredith Ambinder,

Elise B Annis , Christin Aswad , DavidAthenson, Caraugh Ball, Leslie Bartsch, ScottBernstein, Zachary Bowman, Katie Brennan,Emily Budnick, Abigail Burton, MichaelByrne, Amanda Centrella, Gabrielle N Cerami,Victoria Cheung, Danny Choo, RobertCiarrocca, Kevin J Clancy, Sara Connery,Andrew Cordeiro, Sam Crossland, LacyCummings, Tyler Cusick, Monica I D’amico,Katherine Davidson, Elizabeth Dennerlein,Adam Di Battista, Brandon Dietz, Mary-JulietDonohue, Kathleen Dooley, Marykate Doyle,Michael Eilbacher, Jennifer Eisenberg, CarlyErman, Jonathan Erman, Kathleen M Esler,Sharon Faktor, Christopher Fantini, BenjaminFine, David Fishman, Alex Furlong, KevinFurlong, Shelley Fussman, Bridget Gallagher,Margaret Gaskill, Andrew Gates, SarahGlickstein, Sophie Greene, Edward Greener,Emily Anne Harris, Emily Jelica Harris, KateHeffernan, Zachary Helfand, Kyle E Higgins,Valerie I Hoffman, Leslie Holt, Miles Hsu,Lauren N Hughes, Meghan Ince, Ryan Ingram,Halli James, Brett Johnson, Elizabeth Kamel,Jill Kandigian, Michael Kaufhold, RichardKnapp, Anne Knisely, Joseph Kramkowski,Ryan Krasnoo, Elaina Kujawski, StephanieKuntz, Zachary La Porta, Suzanne Lemberg,Melissa Littman, Kamil Lupicki, Dalton Mack,Grace Mackenzie, Olivia Magnanini, EricMandelblatt, Jessica Margolies, Drew KMargolis, Amanda Markowski, Laura Marvin,Colin Mckevitt, Mary Mckevitt, MatthewMeserole, Gregory Mitchell, Sara N Mitchell,Jessica Mondon, Marisa Mormile, SamuelMumford, Lisa Nehring, Maria Niemiera,Michael Oster, Elizabeth Penczak, JoshuaPerlman, Gaffney Peterson, Kristin Peyton,Karina Polaskova, Lauren Posluszny, AnnaPowell, Beau Preston, Megan M Pulliam, KatieRamire, Kevin Ramos, Stephanie Rego, AdamReich, Megan Reilly, Alison Ricardo, CarolynRice, Jacquelyn Rice, Melissa Riegel, JennaRodrigues, Jaraad Rogers, Diana Rogut,Rebecca Romano, Evan Rosenburgh, AmyRosenfeld, Michael Rosin, Benjamin Rubin,Michal Sagal, Andrew Sauerwein, DrewSchapow, Maxwell Schuster, Ryan Scrudato,Jennifer Sgalardi, Vishal Shah, Dylan Simon,Robert Sinisi, Meredith Smith, Justin M Snyder,Joshua Solomon, Virginia Spinelli, JuliaSpiridigliozzi, Sarah Spitz, Maxwell St Lifer,Graeme Stahl, Lindsay Steinbach, JennaStrauss, Kelly Sullivan, Jake Sussman, SarahM Szollar, Kamal Tamboli, Scott Thien, Chris-tina Tsui, Rosalba Vasquez, Diana Venezia,Peter Waddell, Yixiao Wang, Emily Weeks,Austin Wenta, Rosina Wissel, Siyu Xiao, AlexaZepka, Bowei Zhang;

9th Grade Regular Honor RollJamie Ackerman, Allison Ammermuller,

Elaine Anderson, Robert Anderson, CalvinAntoniewicz, Nicole Aronson, ZacharyBakhtin, Richard Barber, Nicole Bilica, MeganK Boersig, Danielle Cofone, Tara Criscuolo,Alexander Cruz, Matthew B Daly, MadeleineDejohn, Seth Egert, Caroline Fahey, MelissaFord, Rachel Friedman, Maximilan Fusaro,Andrew Gialanella, Brittany Graham, ConnorHewett, Anneliese Himmel, Hong Soo Kim,Sara Koznecki, Kristin Kukis, Jaclyn Laspata,Rachael Lobo, Conor Loughlin, RebeccaMacquaide, Molly Maher, Andrew Marino,Kaitlin Mc Hone, Adam Metz, Daniel Nash,Sara Nelson, Drew S Pecker, Nicholas Polak,Megan Ramage, Jessica Rodriguez, AliciaRogers, Amy Roggenburg, MichaelRuschmann, Philip Russo, Matthew Sanders,Sean Scrudato, Samantha Seib, Julian Seltzer,Emma Smelkinson, Darla Stabler, John E Tay-lor, Matthew F Teese, Madeline Tiedrich,Gabriella Van Ness, Katherine Venezia, Mel-issa Wong, Marie Tara Wyant;

Merit Program Names WF’sRen a Commended Student

WESTFIELD – Susan Swenson,college counselor at The Wardlaw-Hartridge School in Edison, recentlyreported that Alice Ren of Westfieldis one of three seniors to be nameda commended student in the 2008National Merit Scholarship Pro-gram. Alice is the daughter of Hai-cang Ren and Jessica Cha ofWestfield.

The principal will present a letterof commendation from the schooland National Merit Scholarship Cor-poration (NMSC), which conductsthe program, to these scholasticallytalented seniors.

About 3,400 commended studentsthroughout the nation are being rec-ognized for their exceptional aca-demic promise. Although they willnot continue in the 2008 competitionfor National Merit Scholarships, com-mended students placed among thetop 5 percent of more than 1.4-mil-lion students who entered the 2008competition by taking the 2006 Pre-liminary SAT/National Merit Schol-arship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

“The young people named com-mended students in the 2008 National

Merit Scholarship Program are dis-tinguished by their strong academicperformance in this rigorous compe-

tition,” said an NMSC spokesperson.“Our nation’s pursuit of educational

excellence can be furthered by pub-licly honoring these outstanding stu-dents and by acknowledging the im-portant role schools play in fosteringtheir development. We hope that thisrecognition will contribute to theireducational opportunities and encour-age all students to strive to realizetheir potential.”

COMMENDATION…Susan Swenson,Wardlaw-Hartridge college counselor,is pictured with Alice Ren of Westfieldafter awarding the senior with a letter ofcommendation on September 25 in thefront of the school’s new main entrance.

Honor RollWestfield High School

Fourth Marking Period

WF’s Bluck BecomesCommended StudentWESTFIELD – Westfield resident

Emily Bluck, a senior at NewarkAcademy, has earned the status ofcommended student in the 2008 Na-tional Merit Scholarship Program.

Approximately 34,000 commendedstudents throughout the nation arebeing recognized for their exceptionalacademic promise. Commended stu-dents placed among the top five per-cent of more than 1.4 million studentswho entered the 2008 competition bytaking the 2006 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualify-ing Test.

“Newark Academy is fortunate tohave so many of our senior classmembers acknowledged by this veryselective program.” said Upper SchoolPrincipal Richard DiBianca, who alsonoted the ‘importance of recognizingintellectual talents.”

Holy Trinity to HostAnnual Info Night

WESTFIELD – Holy TrinityInterparochial School will host itsfourth-annual High School Informa-tion Night on Thursday, October 11,from 7 until 8:30 p.m. at its Westfieldcampus.

Admission directors and studentrepresentatives from area Catholichigh schools will be on hand to meetprospective students and their fami-lies.

Delbarton, Mother Seton Re-gional, Mount Saint Mary Acad-emy, Oak Knoll, Oratory Prep,Roselle Catholic Regional, SetonHall Prep, St. Joseph (Metuchen),St. Peter’s Prep and Union CatholicRegional are among the schools at-tending the High School Informa-tion Night.

Sister Maureen Fichner, principalof Holy Trinity, said, “We are de-lighted for the community to meetwith these fine schools. It gives somany a chance to get an overview ofCatholic secondary schools.”

No registration is required, and theprogram is open to public, private,home-schooled and parochial stu-dents in grades 6 to 8 and their fami-lies. For directions to the school, lo-cated at 336 First Street in Westfield,visit htisnj.com or call (908) 233-0484.

Saturday, October 13, 200711:00am to 2:00 pm

A Day Camp for Boys and Girls Ages 4-14

Please RSVP byOctober 10th

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October 17 Open House Program October 14/ November 11

Middle School/Upper School • Grades 6 – 8 / Grades 9 – 12Sunday, October 14, 2007, 1-3 p.m.

Primary School • Kindergarten – Grade 5Wednesday, October 17, 2007, 9-11 a.m.

All School • Nursery – Grade 12Sunday, November 11 , 2007, 1-3 p.m.

Kent Place School • 42 Norwood Avenue • Summit, NJ 07902–0308 • 908.273.0900 • www.kentplace.org

Kent Place School is an all-girls K through 12 independent college-preparatory day school with a coeducational nursery and pre-kindergarten program.

9:00 - 9:15 | Refreshments & Registration | 1:00 - 1:15

9:15 - 10:00 | Information Session | 1:15 - 2:00

10:00 - 11:00 | Tours | 2:00 - 3:00See it all on the Web!www.goleader.com

SU Chapter of TKEAchieves Distinction

AREA – The Susquehanna Uni-versity chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilonwas one of nine chapters worldwideto be honored as a Top Teke Chapterduring Tau Kappa Epsilon’s 54th Bi-ennial Conclave in Las Vegas, Nev.last month. The award is the highestchapter distinction at the undergradu-ate level.

Locally, both Bryan Levine ofWestfield, a sophomore educationmajor, and Christopher Doremus ofScotch Plains, a junior business ad-ministration major, are members.

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44 Blackburn Road • Summit, NJ 07901908-522-8109 • www.oakknoll.org

Oak KnollSchool of the Holy Child

Oak Knoll offers:•Outstanding academics• Innovative cultural arts•An active faith experience• Competitive athletics program• Laptop Program•Wireless Campus• Community service• Financial aid

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Saturday, November 39:30 am Tours

10:00 am Presentation10:30 am Faculty Visits&Tours

Sunday, October 211:30 pm Tours2:00 pm Presentation2:30 pm Faculty Visit&Tours

Upper School Open Houses 2007


THE WEEK IN SPORTSSee it all in color at!www.goleader.com

Sports Section Pages 13-19

MORAWSKI GETS 4TH UCT TITLE, CRISCUOLO WINS 2ND

Blue Devil Net Girls CaptureThird Straight UCT Crown

J. DIIORIO GETS SAFETY, SACK; JOE V, DUGAN SACK

Blue Devils’ ‘D’ Plows UnderUnion Football Farmers, 16-0

By DAVID B. CORBINSpecially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

Lane Maloney became the first girlin Westfield High School history towin four Union County Tournament(UCT) tennis titles when she grabbedthe second singles title last year. AtDonald Van Blake Courts in Plainfieldon September 28, senior KimMorawski, pairing with her sisterMelissa, captured her fourth UCTcrown and helped the Blue Devilswin their third straight team title,edging Kent Place (KP) 77-68. Gov-ernor Livingston (GL) placed thirdwith 38 points. The Scotch Plains-Fanwood (SPF) girls tied Linden (L)for seventh with 20 points.

The top-seeded Blue Devil sisteract of Kim and Melissa Morawskiwon their first round, 6-0, 6-0, thenadvanced to the semifinals after stop-ping Union’s (U) Luvyane Belizaireand Jaleesa Phillips with anotherblanking.

Kim, a senior Tri-Captain who wona UCT doubles title three times, hadmentioned in a pre-season interviewthat she would like to win a fourthUCT title and have Melissa, a fresh-man, as her partner.

“It’s very exciting and we wantedthis for so long. We work well to-

gether, no fighting, which is surpris-ing,” laughed Kim. “No pressure. It’sreally fun. It would be really excitingif my sister and I won counties thisyear, especially since it would be myfourth one and with her. We are hop-ing to do well!”

Well they did! The sister act rolledpast Roselle Park’s (RP) MichelleCasso and Brittany Stromko, 6-1, 6-0, in the semifinals then outlasted

KP’s Amanda Kusnierz and NellieLindecke, 6-3, 6-2, for the title.

“It’s especially exciting because Idid it with my sister. We played prettywell. I was the consistent one again.Melissa hits the tough one that putsthem away and she’s consistent too,”said Kim.

“I thought it was a lot of fun. Wetried to help each other, to motivate


Raging defense got the WestfieldHigh School football team on theright track to a 16-0 victory over theUnion Farmers in Union on Septem-ber 28. Not only did the Blue Devils’pressuring defense hold the Farmersto negative yardage in the first halfand only three rushing yards in thesecond half but it also recorded foursacks, two fumble recoveries and twointerceptions.

Defensive end John DiIorio shared

a nine-yard sack with defensive endJohn Dugan then recorded the firstscore of the game with a six-yard tossfor a loss in the end zone for a safety.

“Our defense played awesome. Wewere doing everything correctly. Wewere on our game,” stated DiIorio.

Linebacker/tight end Joe Vall-Llobera had a lucrative evening onboth ends of the ball, hauling in threepasses for 38 yards, including aneight-yard touchdown (TD) recep-tion, and delivering a key nine-yardsack that set up DiIorio’s safety. Vall-

Llobera also made a saving tackle ona punt return,

“We prepared so much physicallylast week. We wanted this one somuch because these are the big guys.We popped them up and down thefield,” said Vall-Llobera. As to hissack he said, “That was phenomenal!That was one of the best feelings Iever had. Then DiIorio came backand put him in the end zone, so toknow I contributed to that felt great.”

“They ran a certain play and the

PARKINSON SCORES 2 GOALS, HAS 3RD NULLIFIED

Westfield Blue Devils OutfoxLinden Soccer Tigresses, 6-1


Skilled forwards with speed killedan offside trap strategy used by Lin-den in the Westfield High Schoolgirls soccer team’s, 6-1, victory atGary Kehler Stadium in Westfield onSeptember 26. Although accumulat-ing a number of offside calls, the 3-2-2 Blue Devils found the proper tech-nique to outfox the 4-3 Tigers.

The Blue Devils, who out-shot theTigers 14-7, successfully penetratedthe Linden defense for the first timein the eighth minute when sopho-more Rebecca Kape launched a shotinto the upper right netting of thegoal. Minutes after senior forward

Corrine Parkinson, who netted twogoals and had one goal nullified,drilled a shot off the post, she broughtthe ball down the left side, faked ashot to draw a defender and tapped itover the goal in the 28th minute.

“My teammate played me the balldown the line. I brought my firsttouch to goal and beat one defenderand took it to the near post,” ex-plained Parkinson.

A minute later, junior Ariel Ziering,on an assist from junior MeredithClark, slid one onto sacred ground.With six minutes remaining in thehalf, sophomore Robyn Knapp, as-sisted by junior Brittany Cortinhal,gave the Blue Devils a 4-0 lead.

Starting keeper Claire Bennett, whomade three saves, was rested in thesecond half and in came sophomoregoalie Meghan Brody. In the mean-time, Parkinson nailed a beautifulheader for a goal, but it was nullifiedby another offside call.

“I think the ref called it after theball went because I was behind thegirl and made the run after the ballwas in front of me,” said Parkinson,who added, “They were playing anoffside trap where you really need tohave a fast defense. So, on thosedefenses, it’s easy to slip balls throughthem, but you do get a lot of offsidecalls. If you know how to beat it, then




David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The TimesSERIOUSLY DETERMINED TO WIN…Blue Devil freshman Melissa Morawski, front, has a very serious look and wantsto make sure that her sister Kim, background, will win her fourth Union County Tournament tennis title.

David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The TimesDEFINITELY GETTING A LEG UP…Blue Devil Christina Cognetti, No. 8, tries to get to the ball but her Linden opponentseems to get a leg up on her. The Blue Devils defeated the Tigers, 6-1.

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Mary McEnerney, CRS, GRI, SRES


Blue Devils’ ‘D’ Plow UnderUnion Football Farmers, 16-0


Devil’s Den

By BRUCE JOHNSONSpecially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

A True Renaissance ManShould Not Be Forgotten

It’s a pretty safe bet that 99.99 per-cent of the people who walk the hallsof WHS every day have never heard ofPaul Robeson. People who drive downDowner Street and look at the streetsign in front of the A.M.E. Church thatsays “Paul Robeson Corner” mustwonder who he was.

The recent voting for the WestfieldAthletic Hall of Fame saw Robesonplace 14th among 16 nominees in theOld-Timers Category. Three peoplegave him a 5, meaning he should be upfor immediate induction; four peoplegave him a 1, meaning he shouldn’teven be considered for induction. Forthose who are wondering what theheck I’m talking about, here’s a briefglimpse at a multi-talented man, whowas decades ahead of his time.

Paul Robeson lived in Westfieldfrom 1906 to 1910, and attended schoolin Westfield; there’s a famous pictureof him (he is called “Chicken” Robesonin the cutline) with the 1910 WHSbaseball team. Back in the early yearsof the 20th century, he helped hisfather build the A.M.E. Church onDowner Street. Later his father wastransferred and the family moved toSomerville, where young Paul becamearguably the greatest athlete in thatschool’s history.

Following high school, Robesonwent to Rutgers, where he became anAll-America football player and wasthe senior class valedictorian (and thefirst black to achieve both). He is thegreatest athlete in Rutgers history. Heplayed several years of professionalfootball when the NFL was in its in-fancy, but then he moved on to acting,singing and — here’s where it getsdicey — human rights.

He became famous as an actor,including a lead role as “The Em-peror Jones,” and also is probably

most known to many people for hisversion of “Ol’ Man River” in themusical “Showboat.” He also battled— quite loudly at times — the waysof the Jim Crow world, and the bla-tant racism that still existed in theUnited States. He eventually left theU.S. for Russia, where he felt thatblacks were treated more as equalsthan they were in America. Some felthe was a champion of communism, amuch-dreaded word in the late 1940sand early ’50s as the infamous Sena-tor Joe McCarthy led his witch-huntfor “commies and reds.”

Without walking in his shoes, it’stough to imagine what Robeson wentthrough, and why he did and said thethings he did and said. Imagine your-self growing up in the 1920s, ’30s,’40s, your white teammates don’twant you on their team, you can’tenter buildings in the same front doorsas your (white) friends, you can’t eatin the same restaurants, you can’tdrink from the same water fountainsand swim in the same pools (does thispart sound familiar?) as your (white)friends. And don’t you dare even bethinking ’bout dancing with a whitewoman. Folks would be looking forsome rope and a tree! Yes, even in theNorth!

Before there was Martin Luther Kingand Malcolm X, there was PaulRobeson. Before there was JackieRobinson and Jim Brown andMuhammad Ali, Paul Robeson wasbattling the unequal treatment ofblacks. He hung with the famous blackwriters and musicians at night, andfought for equal rights during the day.He questioned whether blacks shouldfight and die in World War II for acountry, which did not give them equalrights to the white soldier fighting anddying next to them. Was he wrong forthinking that? No. But apparently hewas wrong for saying it, because hewas forever branded by the govern-ment and media. He died in 1976, alonely man in Philadelphia.

You want to know how badly he wasblackballed? Well, if you could find acopy of the Walter Camp All-Americafootball team from 1917 or 1918 thatexisted before Robeson was black-balled, you would see his name on thelist. After the blackball, the govern-ment had Robeson’s name perma-nently erased (where’s Fox Mulderand the X-Files when you need him?)from the records, so any post-1950 listof the 1917 or 1918 All-America teamswill not show “End: Paul Robeson,Rutgers.” Those are the only yearsthere are just 10 All-Americans listed,instead of the normal 11.

On a national or international level,there is nobody who ever lived inWestfield, or attended WHS, who has

gone on to leave their mark as PaulRobeson has done. He was Jim Brown,before Jim Brown was born. He wasMichael Jordan and Tiger Woods, ifMichael Jordan and Tiger Woods hadthe culyones to step up and get in-volved with civil rights. He was JesseJackson back when being Jesse Jack-son still meant something.

Does Paul Robeson deserve to be inthe WHS Athletic Hall of Fame? Itprobably depends on which side of thefence the voter sits, left or right. But heis somebody who people in Westfieldshould at least be aware of. And hismemory and achievements should notbe erased as easily as his All-Americastatus once was.

FOOTBALL UPDATEWhen was the last time WHS shut

out Union? On Sept. 29, 1979, tacklePaul (No. 66) Harbaugh led the chargein a 20-0 WHS victory at steamy Rec-reation Field; it should be noted thatthis was followed by shutout winsover Elizabeth and Scotch Plains.

Last Friday night’s 16-0 whitewash-ing was actually the seventh time WHShas blanked the Farmers, the previoustimes being in 1930, 1950, 1951, 1952and 1977.

Speaking of shutouts, the most inthe post-Gary Kehler Era (i.e., since1982), was in 1991, when the Devilsposted four — Kearny (13-0), ScotchPlains (6-0), Rahway (13-0) andPlainfield (28-0) — under coach EdTranchina and defensive coordinatorRon (Gunga Din) Barner.

The school record for shutouts inone season is eight, set in 1977, al-though the 1931 team posted sevenshutouts and allowed one TD toCranford in the season-finale. Andmany people feel the unbeaten 1971team was the best defensive group ofthe Kehler Era, with five shutouts andfour games allowing just six points,including 7-6 at Montclair and 12-6over Plainfield in the ice, snow, sleet,freezing rain and mud of RecreationField.

Also against Union, junior RicardoJohnson stepped up for the injuredMalcolm Allen (calf) and showed hecan handle the load with 35 carries,second most in school history, for187. Glen Kehler lugged the leather37 times for 219 yards against Lindenin 1974.

Now there’s a bye week for JimDeSarno’s 3-1 club to get ready forthe biggest (non-Scotch Plains) homegame in years, Oct. 13 againstIrvington, which figures to come intothe game unbeaten … and ready to berocked.

HOT TIMES FOR GYMMIESThere are a lot of big meets for the

WHS gymnastics team this fall, butthree of the biggest — two dual meets

and one invitational — will take placewithin four days of this article. Thispast Tuesday (too late for deadline),coach Melissa Bryan’s club traveledto Scotch Plains-Fanwood. WHS willbe on the road again Monday, facingdefending state champion Bishop Ahrin Edison. And tomorrow night is theCougar Invitational at Cranford.

Bryan’s club will be the favorite torepeat as Union County champions(Oct. 19 at WHS) and state sectionalchamps (Nov. 3), especially consider-ing that the score they put up (108.575)in their opener was more than a half-point higher than last year’s season-best. In fact, this could just be thegroup that finally earns the school’sfirst state team title in gymnastics.

Key performers include: JennaRodrigues, Lacy Cummings, TinaChabrier, Claire Stevens-Haas, AllieBarba, Natalie Golikov and KelseyGreenfield.

THIS AND THATCongrats to the girls tennis team

and veteran coach Ed Tirone for pick-ing up the first of what hopefully willbe a couple hands-full of county cham-pionships this year. Sophomore TaraCriscuolo won her second straight UCtitle, moving up to second singles thistime. A sweep at doubles over second-place Kent Place was the difference,with Kim and Melissa Morawski win-ning at first and Amanda Simmonsand Debbie Wu capturing second. It’sthe 14th county title for the girls, andthird in a row.

That must’ve been some volleyballmatch between WHS and SP-F lastweek. WHS won 2-1, but the totalgames were even closer than that: 66for the Devils and 62 for the Raiders.

What an awesome job by the WHScross-country teams last week againstSP-F. Word is that SP-F’s girls went 1-3-4, but WHS went 2-5-6-7-8-9-10-etc. Coach Thom Hornish has one ofhis deepest teams ever and, given someof the great teams he’s had in his 27+years, that’s saying something. Theguy’s teams have quietly captured 14county and seven sectional champion-ship teams.

DEVIL OF THE WEEKThis week’s free sub from Al the

Owner at Westfield Subs (261 SouthAvenue East) goes to volleyballerPaige Roudebush. The senior outsidehitter had eight kills, five digs andtwo blocks in a 2-1 win over ScotchPlains-Fanwood, and also contrib-uted eight kills and five digs againstKearny, a 2-0 victory.

The Devil’s Den appears Thurs-day in The Westfield Leader duringthe school year. Contact us with com-ments, complaints or suggestions [email protected]. GO BLUE DEV-ILS!

Devil of the WeekPaige Roudebush

Volleyball

adjustment was for Joe to blitz. Heread it perfectly. Great instincts onJoe’s part,” said Blue Devil HeadCoach Jim DeSarno. “The defensiveeffort was awesome tonight. I don’tthink they (Union) did too much of-fensively. Our big push this week wasabout being tough, hit hard. We feellike these are the big boys, theUnions, the Irvingtons and theElizabeths. Union is still Union. Wehaven’t beaten them in a long time.We issued them a challenge and thekids stepped up.”

Linebacker Tom Mruz recovered aFarmer fumble in the third quarterand later jarred the ball loose fromrunning back Reggie Swinney, giv-ing Blue Devil linebacker ScottNewman the opportunity to pounceon the ball. Mruz also shared a five-yard sack with defensive tackle RyanScanlon. Safety Emanuel Mills andoutside linebacker Chris Sheehan re-corded interceptions. Da John Reedermade a saving tackle on a kickoff andon another kickoff Pat Gray delivereda body slam before the return mancould get his wheels churning.

The 3-1 Blue Devils totaled 209rushing yards and running backRicardo Johnson chewed up 187 ofthose yards on the ground – 124 in thefirst half – on 35 carries. QuarterbackTony DiIorio had a one-yard TD runand had six completed passes in 14attempts for 91 yards, including theeight-yard TD pass to Vall-Llobera.Johnson had a five-yard reception,Sheehan had one for 25 yards, widereceiver John Wilt hauled in a 13-

yarder and fullback Ryan Brandgrabbed a 10-yard reception.

Farmer quarterback Dion Nesmithcompleted four of 18 attempts for 31yards, including two interceptions,and was held to negative 20 yardsrushing. Swinney totaled 17 yards.

John DiIorio’s safety came with5:53 remaining in the first half. Afterthe 0-4 Farmers kicked off to theWestfield 34, Johnson dashed 47-yards to the Farmer 19 on the firstplay. An offensive interference callmoved the ball to the 29. After anincomplete pass, Johnson galloped22 yards to the seven. A personal foulagainst Union moved the ball to thefour. Johnson added a three-yard runthen DiIorio hooked in for the TDwith 3:44 left in the half. Scanlonnailed the point after.

The Blue Devils’ next TD came ona 14-play, 69-yard drive that includeda 25-yard strike to Sheehan and wasconcluded when DiIorio hooked upwith Vall-Llobera for the eight-yardTD with 4:07 remaining in the game.Scanlon added the point after.

Numerous offensive penaltiesthroughout the game did, however,hinder the Blue Devils’ progress.

“We got sloppy and careless. ThankGod we have a bye week! We reallygot to work on it. But the kids got ridof those mistakes pretty quick and wehad that great drive at the end. Wecaught them on one little screen playto Sheehan then Joe ‘V’ improvisedon a play,” said coach DeSarno.Westfield 0 9 0 7 16Union 0 0 0 0 0

See photos of Sports:on www.goleader.com

UCT Girls TennisSPF/Plainfield Football

Westfield/Kearny FootballWestfield/Linden Girl Soccer

SPF/Ro. Cath, VolleyballWestfield/ALJ Field Hockey

Reading is Good For You


David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The TimesEFFECTIVE IN THE AIR AND ON THE GROUND…Blue Devil quarterbackTony DiIorio passed for a TD and ran for a TD against Union. See other pictureson page 18.

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BAKER GRABS 2 TD PASSES, MARCUS GREEN 14-YD TD

Football Raiders Shut DownPlainfield Cardinals, 21-0By FRED LECOMTE

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

Two long scoring drives and smash-mouth defense by the entire ScotchPlains-Fanwood High School foot-ball team led to a 21-0 shutout tri-umph over Plainfield at Hub StineField in Plainfield on September 29.Seniors Keith Baker and Tim Green,and junior Marcus Green led the furi-ous defensive attack that held theCardinals’ offense to minus fouryards.

The 3-1 Raiders chewed up 134yards on the ground and 112 yards inthe air. Quarterback MikeChervenyak, who engineered a longtouchdown (TD) drive in the first halfand another in the third quarter, com-pleted 13-of-19, including two TDs,and rushed for 19 yards on five car-ries.

Fullback/linebacker Marcus Greenhad 30 rushing yards, including abattering 14-yard TD run in the fourthquarter, and had six receptions for 62yards due to his extra efforts aftergrabbing the passes. Baker had TD

grabs of nine yards and five yards togo with another six-yard reception.Junior tailback Anthony Taylor had21 carries for 85 yards. Wide receiv-ers J.J D’Agostaro had two recep-tions for 15 yards and Kyle Mihanskyadded a nine-yard pass and an inter-ception. Kameron Williams had a six-yard reception.

The 0-4 Cardinals had 26 rushingyards in the first half but were penal-ized 34 yards. They had minus 40-yards rushing in the second half to gowith 25 yards in penalties but didtotal 66 yards in the air, including a53-yard strike from quarterbackDaniel Woods to Dontae Booth.

Linebacker Tim Green made fourvicious tackles and added a fumblerecovery and senior defensive line-man Mike Alleman knocked downthree Cardinals and decked the quar-terback for a 22-yard loss. Jason Boffand Joe Blaes each hammered twoCardinals to the turf. Marcus Greeninflicted five tackles and made a sav-ing tackle on a punt. Baker, who hada few throws for losses, was also

involved in two sacks, one with AaronMiller, and Williams added a sack.

“Defensively, it was a team effortexecuting the package. We did a goodjob executing plays and good tack-ling,” said Tim Green.

“Going back to last week, we em-phasized a lot of the positive thingswe did. Today, one thing that pleasedus, we did not give up any kickingtouchdowns and that has been a nem-esis for the last two weeks,” saidRaider Head Coach Steve Ciccotelli.“On defense we emphasized the posi-tive stuff we did and we did a good jobplaying coverage today. It was greattoday. Offensively, we ran the ballwell. They’re pretty big up front; wemixed it up and we executed well. Wehad some shots that we wasted butoverall we made them when we hadto.”

The Raiders chewed nine minutesoff the clock on their first scoringdrive on a 16-play 80-yard march,which included five Chervenyak aeri-als, and was concluded with a nine-

RC Lion Volleyball Girls BiteSPF Raiders in Three Games

By FRED LECOMTESpecially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

The Scotch Plains-Fanwood HighSchool girls’ volleyball team got ajump on visiting Roselle Catholic bywinning the first game, 25-21, but theLions came charging back to win thesecond game, 25-23, and the thirdgame, 26-17, on September 26.

Raider senior middle hitter AlyssaKaris notched three kills, 10 service

points, four blocks and 14 digs. Se-nior Izzy Blach zapped seven killsand triggered 12 service points, twoaces, 12 digs and seven blocks. Jun-ior outside hitter Nicole Colinerinotched two kills, nine service points,two aces, 12 digs and two blocks.Brittany LaManna led the Lions with24 assists, seven aces and four digs,

Nicole Kennedy zapped 11 kills andAmanda Almeida triggered eightkills.

The Raiders had all of their posi-tions secured in Game 1 and providedplenty of sparks. Karis ran off threestraight services but the game turneda bit shaky as the Lions proved to beworthy. With the score, 21-19, theRaiders powered up and rolled offfour points to secure a 25-21 win.

“We played amazingly well andthey were intense from the begin-ning all the way through the firstgame and that is what you have to doas an athlete, not just a player. As anathlete you go out there, set the tonein the beginning, you set the tone inthe end and that’s what wins thegame,” said Raider Head CoachAdriene Stack.

Roselle Catholic took advantage ofservice errors and quickly jumped toa 11-5 advantage in Game 2, but theRaiders established more of a rhythmand got their attack back to tie thegame at 15-15. The game turned intoa back-and-forth battle until the bitterend when Kennedy ended it with avicious kill.

“We lost it on serves. We weredown by six. We battled back then didit again in the end but the problem isthat it is very difficult to win a game

when you hit seven serves into the netand that’s tough. I do commend themfor battling back and being tough andmaking them work for those points,”said coach Stack.

“We had lots of intensity in thebeginning because we came off a winbut we did not fight or push as hard,”added Blach. “As for myself, it tookoff some of the edge because we werelosing, while I wanted to make sure

that the ball did go in. Overall, Ithought we played a really good gamethough.”

In Game 3, the Raiders got theiroffense rolling and forced the Lionsto make several own errors. With thescore favoring the Raiders, 8-2, theLions’ intensity suddenly came alivethat set the Raiders on their heels byrolling off eight points to take thelead. The Lions extended that mar-gin on hitting errors and finished offthe Raiders on a hard smash byAlmeida.

“It’s just as I said before. You haveto set the tone, put the game out andset the tone at the end and show themthat you want it more that they do.We’re making mistakes where ballsdrop and that can’t happen in a varsitygame against caliber teams and thoseare mistakes that we are going to fix,”said coach Stack. CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Fred K. Lecomte for The Westfield Leader and The TimesIntensity with a purpose…Scotch Plains-Fanwood senior middle hitter Izzy Blach delivers a vicious shot for a kill. Blachnotched seven kills, 12 service points, two aces and seven blocks. The Raiders lost in three sets.



Fred Lecomte for The Westfield Leader and The TimesMAKING A SPECTACULAR DIVING GRAB…Raider fullback Marcus Green, No. 21, made six receptions for 62 yardsand had a 14-yard touchdown bash. From his linebacker position, he delivered devastating tackles, including quarterbacksacks and a saving tackle on a punt return.

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Blue Devil Net Girls Capture Third Straight Union County Tournament Tennis CrownCONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

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each other. We never let put eachother down. I was excited to play firstdoubles and to win counties,” com-mented Melissa who added, “I likehitting in the sharp corners and myvolleys are pretty good. I like servestoo, a little bit of everything.”

Throughout the title match Kimwould constantly walk over to Mel-issa and converse in private.

“I said ‘good job! Relax!” Thingsto relax each other pretty much,” shesaid.

“Kim is pretty unbelievable. I think,in her four years, she only lost onematch in doubles. We play a prettyheavy schedule. That’s tough tennis.To only lose once in four years speaksvolumes of her. She’s a mentally toughplayer and playing with her sisterstrengthens them both,” said BlueDevil Head Coach Ed Tirone.

Blue Devil sophomore TaraCriscuolo, last year’s UCT champ atthird singles and seeded first at second

singles, blanked Plainfield’s (P)Victoria Henry, then downed OakKnoll’s (OK) Lindsay Boyajian, 6-0,6-2, to advance to the semis where shestopped GL’s Paige Geiger, 6-2, 6-0.Criscuolo then grabbed her secondUCT title in as many years by defeat-ing Liz Lautenbach (RP), 6-1, 6-2.

“My opponent was really greatplayer. It wasn’t easy for sure. I had towork really hard to get it. She de-serves all the credit. It was fun to playbut intense at times,” said Criscuolo.“I’m best when I go for shots. I had topush sometimes to get it (the ball)back. I took advantage when it wasshort and tried to go for the winner.”

The wind picked up significantlyduring the championship and it didhave some effect.

“Wind is one of my least favoriteaspects outside and I have to changemy game,” said Criscuolo.

Receiving the top seed at seconddoubles, Blue Devils Debbie Wu and

Amanda Simmons blanked their first-round opponents then cruised pastALJ’s Giovanna Casazza and KaitlynPerez, 6-0, 6-1. In the semis, the pairslipped past SPF Raiders CourtneyBifani and Allyson Lisenberg, 6-4, 6-4. Playing in a very animated fashion,Wu and Simmons seized the title witha 7-5, 6-1 victory over KP’s Courtneyand Alex Alpaugh.

“I think we played really well. Wewere both a little nervous before butthat certainly was some of the besttennis that I’ve played. I think it wasthe best Debbie played,” saidSimmons, a junior. “We support eachother on the court. That’s why I likedoubles. It helps having someonecheering you on.”

“Amanda and I were really coop-erative. I felt we accomplished some-thing very big,” said Wu, a freshmanwho feels that her strength isbackcourt play.

Earlier, Raiders Bifani andLisenberg won 6-2, 6-0, over RebeccaJobe and Laura Ehnes (RP) thentopped Zabeeb Awalom and GeryKunnath (U), 6-2, 4-6, 6-2. FacingSummit’s (S) Julie Avery and RebeccaBar for third place, the pair took threesets but won, 4-6, 6-4, 7-3 (tiebreaker).

Blue Devil freshman Sam Borrblanked New Providence’s (NP)Pricilla Barletta then was nipped, 6-4, 7-6 (3) by second-seeded FeliceTrinh of Linden (L) in the first singlesquarterfinals. Borr defeated RebeccaVera (RP), 6-2, 6-3, then toppedRaider Alex Szczuka, 6-3, 6-1, forfifth place. Earlier Szczuka defeatedSummit’s (S) Lauren Leland, 6-1, 6-4, to face top-seeded Allie Tierney(GL) who handed her a 6-0, 6-2,defeat. Before facing Borr, Szczukatopped Cranford’s Chrissy Oltman,3-6, 6-0, 6-0.

At second singles, Raider Kathleen

Yan defeated Ellen Salmi of RoselleCatholic (RC), 6-1, 6-0, then had abattle with Kent Place’s (KP) AllisonOberlander, a Westfield resident, fall-ing, 6-2, 6-1. Oberlander, who previ-ously topped Union’s (U) Lanel

Gramatica, 6-0, 6-1, lost 6-2, 6-4, toLautenbach in the semi then she wasdefeated, 6-2, 6-4, by GL’s PaigeGeiger for third place.

Blue Devil Amy Weiss won 6-1, 6-0, over Union Catholic’s Colleen

Cassidy at third singles then defeatedGL’s Sophie Osborne, 6-0, 6-3, in thequarters. After being stopped by KP’sErin McDonnell in the semis, Weissdefeated Arshiya Fazal (NP), 6-1, 6-4,to capture third place. Raider SahrulaKubie breezed by Stephanie Ramirez(P), 6-0, 6-0, then dropped a 6-4, 6-2,decision to Fazal (NP) in the quarters.

Raiders Isabel Lopez and NehaPannuri won their opening round overGiola Topazio and Tian Mauer (OK)but they were stopped by KP’sKusnierez and Lindecke in the quar-ters.

Aware that Kent Place may havebeen the favored to win the UCT,coach Tirone said, “We played themin the finals two matches. Anytimewe beat them that made the differ-ence. The difference in the twodoubles was a total of eight points.That pretty much sealed it for us.”

TEAM TOTALS:1. Westfield 77, 2. Kent Place 68, 3.Governor Livingston 38, 4. Summit37. 5. Roselle Park 36, 6. Oak Knoll24, 7. Scotch Plains-Fanwood, Lin-den 20, 9. New Providence 19, 10.Union 5, 11. Johnson 4

CHAMPIONSHIPS:First singles: Felice Trinh (L) d. AllieTierney (GL), 3-6, 6-3, 6-1Second singles: Tara Criscuolo (W) d.Liz Lautenbach (RP), 6-1, 6-2Third singles: Erin McDonnell (KP) d.Mara Bergman (S), 6-2, 6-2First doubles: Kim Morawski and Mel-issa Morawski (W) d. Amanda Kusnierzand Nellie Lindecke (KP), 6-3, 6-2Second doubles: Debbie Wu andAmanda Simmons (W) d. CourtneyAlpaugh and Alex Alpaugh (KP), 7-5, 6-1

THIRD PLACE (LOCAL AREA):Second singles: Paige Geiger (GL) d.Allison Oberlander (KP), 6-2, 6-4Third singles: Amy Weiss (W) d. ArshiyaFazal (NP), 6-1, 6-4Second doubles: Courtney Bifani/AllysonLisenberg (SPF) d. Julie Avery/RebeccaBar (S), 4-6, 6-4, tiebreaker (7-3)

David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The TimesTHIRD AT SECOND DOUBLES…Raiders Courtney Bifani, top, and AllysonLisenberg, bottom, placed third at second doubles.

David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The TimesSECOND UCT CROWN…Blue Devil sophomore Tara Criscuolo, who won atthird singles last year, won the UCT second singles crown.

David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The TimesON HER WAY TO THE TITLE…Blue Devil junior Amanda Simmons, pictured,and Debbie Wu won the UCT second doubles title.

David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The TimesWAITING TO STRIKE THE BALL…Blue Devil freshman Debbie Wu teamedwith Amanda Simmons to win the UCT second doubles title.

David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The TimesFOURTH UCT CROWN…Blue Devil Kim Morawski, left, is all smiles afterwinning her fourth UCT crown. Melissa, a freshman, won her first UCT title.


Westfield Blue Devils OutfoxLinden Soccer Tigresses, 6-1


HUGHES MAKES 16 SAVES, URBAN SCORES A GOAL

Field Hockey Crusaders TopWestfield Blue Devils, 3-1

Fred K. Lecomte for The Westfield Leader and The TimesFORMIDABLE SAVES…Blue Devil goalkeeper Maresa Hughes, No. 90 demonstrates tremendous toughness and aggres-siveness in the game with AL Johnson. The senior tri-captain kept Westfield in the game by making 16 saves. Jemma Urbanscored the lone goal for Westfield.

By FRED LECOMTESpecially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

Jamie Mytrowitz flicked in threegoals to send the AL Johnson HighSchool field hockey team home witha 3-1 victory over Westfield atWestfield’s Gary Kehler Stadium onSeptember 27. Only one shot byJemma Urban found its mark for the1-4 Blue Devils.

Westfield Head Coach Molly Phelanturned the keeper duties over to Tri-Captain Maresa Hughes who with-stood a shelling but made 16 saves,including five acrobatic ones. KristenKoepfler, Kelsey Lee, Alex Percora,Ionnna Protogiannis and Julia Murphycontributed fine defensive perfor-mances. Forward Agustina Healy, JuliaConroy, Kim Pulliam and Jen Brotmandogged the Crusaders and made nu-merous steals. Crusader goalie Shan-

non Syciarz made seven saves.Westfield got on the board early

when a strong nucleus of attackerspenetrated the Crusader zone andUrban successfully, off a feed by Lee,rattled the Crusader goal just 3:08into the game.

“We had a corner on a penalty.Kelsey passed it off to me. I receivedit, flicked it and the ball went underthe goalie’s pads into the net,” saidUrban. “In our pre-season, we lost 6-0 to them, so we came into the gamelike unsure. We gave up a goal andthought, ‘What’s going to happen,’but our morale went up. We scoredand thought we could hold them.

The 5-1-1 Crusaders launched amassive assault into Blue Devil coun-try by taking the ball to their strongside. Mytrowitz, situated in front ofthe goal, flicked the ball into the leftside of the net and made it an evengame at 22:04.

“Commenting on the first half,coach Phelan said, “They got off to abetter start than we did, but once weregained our footing it was prettyeven throughout the first half. It wasGemma who scored; she’s one of ourbacks, so that’s pretty fantastic andexciting to have one of our defendersscore. I told the kids at halftime tokeep playing the way they were, work

together, little things that I wantedchanged in the second half.”

The Crusaders came out and con-nected seven minutes into the secondhalf when Mytrowitz, off a feed byJessica Rusin, hit pay dirt from 15-yards out to give Johnson a 2-1 lead.

“It was just luck on their part and amess up on my part,” said Hughes.

With time running out, Mytrowitztook an angle shot and knocked theball in the right side of the net for herthird goal.

“We came out knowing Johnson isa really good team but we came outmotivated and I thought the girlsplayed very well,” said Hughes. “Wespread out a lot more and we kind ofplayed up to their level.”

“Second half, they did a fantasticjob,” said Phelan. “They took a littlelonger to get started but the last min-utes especially were exciting. Leeand Protogiannis, Brotman andMurphy played a great game, alongwith two sophomores in their firstvarsity game. They got right in there.”

When asked about goalkeeperHughes, Phelan said, “She’s just fan-tastic. As a JV keeper for two years, Iknew she had it in her and she could doit. In each of the past games, we haveseen it. She does not back down, doesnot let it get to her and she’s tough.

you will beat them by a lot.”She wasted little time notching her

second goal.“I ran it down the line. The keeper

came out to get it, but I tapped itaround her and went the other way,”Parkinson recalled.

With approximately five minutesremaining, junior Tara Handza, on anassist from junior Taylor Manetti, gotinto the action with a blazing shotinto the netting to make the score 6-0.

“It was clear that we were the stron-ger team. Once they realized that theyweren’t going to be able to play withus any other way, a lot of teams will

try the offside trap to, at least, try toslow us down. It worked for a littlewhile, but we have very skilled for-wards who are able to dribble through.That’s really all you need to beat anoffside trap. If you are faster thanthey are and you dribble through, thechances of them catching you arepretty slim,” said Blue Devil HeadCoach Katie Wertheimer. “We havethe speed up there and that’s one ofour major strengths. We exploitedtheir weakness today.”

Towards the end of the game, Brodywas put to the test and made a greatsave by deflecting a corner kick offthe crossbar. As the ball hit the ground,in charged the Tigers. Brody madeanother save and backs Pat Cognettiand Brianna Gonclaves helped out.

The Tigers were awarded a penaltykick with three minutes remaining,and Brianna Taylor successfully con-verted.

“Meg is a quality keeper. I think, onany other team, she could be a start-ing keeper. We’ve got Claire, but thegreat news for us is that we’ve gotsomebody who could step right in. Iwas a little upset that she had to facea PK (penalty kick) but that’s thebreaks. She’s very vocal. She’s notafraid to talk to the defense, which iscrucial for a keeper,” said coachWertheimer. “It’s always nice whenyou have a variety of people scoringand assisting then you don’t feel likeyou are relying on one person to do allthe work. It also bodes well for thefuture. We have a lot of sophomoreswho contribute. We have one fresh-man who contributes. My seniors andjuniors are doing their job.”Linden 0 1 1Westfield 4 2 6

Soccer Raiders TieNo. 12 Kearny, 0-0

Despite enduring a consistent bom-bardment of shots at its goal, the 4-2-3 Scotch Plains-Fanwood HighSchool girls soccer team battled No.12 Kearny (9-1-1) to a 0-0 tie inKearny on October 1. Raider goal-keeper Jackie Law put on an excel-lent exhibition on how to guard thenet with a series of diving saves andsmart decisions.

Soccer Erratum:In the article “Soccer Raiders

Ground Newark Eastside Boys, 2-0,” which appeared in The Leaderand The Times on September 27,Taylor Molinaro, instead of An-thony Zukofsky, was the Raidergoalkeeper who cleared six shotsand made three saves. Sorry for theinconvenience!

Soccer Raiders StunNo. 3 Kearny, 3-0

After struggling with some toughlosses early in the season, theScotch Plains-Fanwood HighSchool boys soccer team broke outof its doldrums in a big way bystunning No. 3 Kearny, 3-0, inKearny on October 1. JohannHernandez netted a goal early inthe first half then Tyler Stanek andJoe D’Annunzio capped it off withsecond-half goals for the 5-4 Raid-ers. Kearny slipped to 7-2-1.

Soccer Blue Devils TipNo. 7 Union Boys, 1-0The Westfield High School boys

soccer team created undulations inthe Union County and state standingsby shutting out seventh-ranked Union,1-0, at Gary Kehler Stadium inWestfield on October 1. Danny Straussburied a goal into the net in the sec-ond half for the 6-1 Blue Devils. TheFarmers dropped to 8-2.

Lady Blue Devils StopUnion in Soccer, 3-1Corrine Parkinson notched a first-

half goal and Tara Handza ripped intwo second-half goals to give the 5-2-1 Westfield High School girlssoccer team a 3-1 victory over 5-4-1 Union in Union on October 1.Parkinson also added two assists.

Blue Devil Girls BeatLinden VolleyballersThe Westfield High School girls

volleyball team halted Linden in twogames, 25-14 and 25-10 in Linden onOctober 1. Caroline Fallon had ninedigs, six aces and three kills. PaigeRoudebush notched eight kills, fourassists and two aces and LaryssaBorkowsky made nine digs.

Phys. Therapist to SpeakAbout Athletic InjuriesAs youth sports have become more

competitive and physically demand-ing, the number of injuries to youngathletes have been on the rise. Kneeand shoulder injuries are among themost common, but also among theeasiest to prevent.

Physical therapist Triston Glynos,MSPT will address this growing prob-lem with a lecture entitled, “Preventionof Injuries in Young Athletes” at theFanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA onWednesday, October 10, from 7 to 8p.m. He will discuss the causes of theseinjuries and provide strengthening pro-grams to help prevent them from occur-ring. Special consideration will be givento the knee injuries most commonlysuffered by female athletes.

Register for this free presentationby stopping by the Member ServicesDesk at the Fanwood-Scotch PlainsYMCA located at 1340 Martine Av-enue, Scotch Plains, or by calling(908) 889-8880.

Soccer Blue Devils TieCranford Boys, 0-0

The Westfield High School boyssoccer team and Cranford battled to a0-0 draw at Gary Kehler Stadium inWestfield on September 28. AdamFine made eight saves for the BlueDevils and Scott Boyer made 10 forthe 6-1-1 Cougars.

David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The TimesMIXING IT UP WITH TIGERS…Blue Devil Tara Handza, right, battles her waybetween two Tigers to get to the ball. Handza also netted a goal.

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Football Raiders Shut DownPlainfield Cardinals, 21-0


yard TD hook around the left side toBaker. John Domanski connectedwith the point after with 33 ticksshowing in the first quarter.

Early in the third quarter, the Raid-ers on their first possession, led by thefine running by Taylor, plowed 77yards to pay dirt in 12 plays, culmi-nating with a five-yard Chervenyak-to-Baker TD toss over the middle,while consuming six minutes off theclock. Domanski nailed the extra pointwith 6:07 left in the quarter.

The Raiders final TD came with2:13 remaining in the game on a three-play, 31-yard drive when MarcusGreen sprinted 14 yards up the gut tothe end zone. Domanski’s PAT wasgood.

“After last week’s game, we did amuch better as a team. Everyone dida great job blocking. On defense ev-eryone came together, everyonerushed to the ball and we gang tack-

led real well,” said Baker.“Last week I did not have too much

of a game. This week I buckled down,concentrated and did what I had todo. Coaches like to use me a lot so I dowhatever they ask to do,” said MarcusGreen. “Offense did a good job block-ing. We wanted revenge from lastweek and we brought out our angeronto the Plainfield game. We justoutplayed them and we were tougher.The coaches put up a good package,you know, so it was pretty easy.”

“Timmy (Green) at linebacker didan outstanding job for us. Marcus(Green) has been playing well andtoday he played outstanding. Our threelinebackers in our stacked defensehelped us and when those guys play,you know, you have to have your goodplayers make plays and they’re mak-ing them,” said coach Ciccotelli.Sc. Pl.-Fanwood 7 0 7 7 21Plainfield 0 0 0 0 0

GETTING FINE PROTECTION…Westfield PAL A White team QB PatrickDyer drops back to pass against Richmond Boro behind the protection of linemanof Kevin Anderson, Nick Calello (hidden), Dan Bigelow and Ryan Elliott.

Westfield PAL A White TiesRichmond Boro Kids, 14-14In a hard fought battle the Westfield

PAL A White football team reached a14-14 tie with Richmond Boro thispast Sunday afternoon in Staten Is-land. The Westfield offense scoredboth touchdowns in the first half.

The first score came on a 10-yardromp by fullback James O’Rourke,who followed great blocking from line-men Robbie Capaldo, Nick Calello,Dan Bigelow and Kevin Anderson.The point after (PAT) failed.

After keeping the Richmond Borooffense in check, Westfield Whiteagain moved the ball downfield witha combination of slick passing andfine running plays. The series resulted

in a 15-yard touchdown pass formQB Pat Dyer to receiver JonnieGribbin. Gribbin then added the PATkick making the score at the half 14-0. Defensively, linebackers RyanElliott and Billy Hedley made greattackles thwarting several offensivethreats by Richmond Boro.

In the second half, Richmond Bororoared back with a score in both thethird and fourth quarters tying thegame 14-14. Late in the fourth quar-ter the Westfield defense blocked afield goal attempt preserving the tie.With a 1-0-2 record, the A white teamwill face Belleville in Belleville thisSunday, October 7.

Local ‘Y’ Women ParticipateIn Danskin Sprint Triathlon

TRIATHLON PARTICIPANTS…Among the 117 women from our area partici-pating in the Danskin Women’s Sprint Triathlon were Fanwood-Scotch Plainsresidents: front row; Donna Peart, Sharee Carow, Janice Baker and Amy Carow;back row, Allison Sorace, Christine Walker, Kathy Maloney, Laura McQuaid,Bonnie Gerrity, Kathi Ayers, Marcia Hodulik and Coleen Coffey.

More than 100 women from theFanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA, theWestfield Area YMCA, and the sur-rounding communities participatedin the Danskin Women’s SprintTriathlon at Sandy Hook on Septem-ber 16.

Dubbed Triwomen SPFW (ScotchPlains, Fanwood and Westfield), thegroup has been meeting and trainingfor the event since January. AmyCarow, of Scotch Plains, who partici-pated in last year’s Danskin Triathlonand set out to convince 100 localwomen to compete in 2007, orga-nized Triwomen SPFW.

With the support of the F-SP andWestfield Area Ys, as well as localbusinesses such as Jay’s Cycle Cen-ter and the Westfield Running Com-pany, free workshops on triathlon re-lated topics were offered to the groupafter a January kick-off meeting. Inaddition, the group offered swim clin-ics, bike rides and group runs. Sev-eral mini-practice triathlons were alsoorganized to prepare participants forthe half-mile swim, 11-mile bike rideand 5K run.

The Danskin Women’s SprintTriathlon series is the longest run-ning multi-sport event in the UnitedStates and raises money for the BreastCancer Research Foundation.

AREA PARTICIPANTSKimberly Adams, Suzanne Amo,

Kathy Ayers, Janice Baker, DawnBaliko, Kristina Bangs, Rachael Banks,

Susan Berowitz, Kerry Bridge, ShelleyBrown, Laura Brucia, Debbie Buchan,Debbie Buczyneski, Cristina Buendia,Kristen Busch, Gerri Callahan, DeniseCallaway, Lisa Campbell, Caryn Cangro,Denise Carlson, Amy Carow, ShareeCarow, Cindy Carrancino, ColeenCoffey, Elisa Cognetti, Sheri Cognetti,Diane Coloney, Carolyn Colonna, JamieDarcy, Susan Dazzo, Christine Dencker,Sally Depew, Shanon Deyerle, JenniferDonahue, Jill Donovan, Shannon Dries,Monica Driscoll, Lori Duffy, DawnEvans, Kathleen Farrell, SharonFitzpatraick, Suzanne Florenco, DonnaGartner, Bonnie Gerrity, Browyn Glor,Chris Gonch, Marion Gordon, Rita Gray,Mary Guba, Pauline Guerriero, MonicaHahn, Kathleen Hanlon, DorothyHodgson, Marcia Hodulik, KathleenHolmes Robb, Kelly Jaczko, SusanJudge, Mary Kaufman, Karen Kerby,Leigh Ann Koch, Martha Konczal,Bonnie Kortrey, Valerie Krebs, LindaLard, Lisa Lascala, Fiona Leahy, Char-lotte Lee, Marua Lepri, Mary Liebau,Victorai Londino, Sharon London,Hannah Lynch, Barbara, Maguire, KathyMaloney, Randye Masel, Jen McDonnell,Susan McDermott, Cheryl McKenna,Laura McQuaid, Laura McQuaid, MariMelao, Marisa Melao, Linda Michalak,Megan Middleton, Stephanie Mitterhoff,Kristin Mrozek, Jill Murphy, NadeneMurphy, Debbie Nardone, JoanO’Donnell, Gretchan Ohlig, Paula Pearl,Donna Peart, Nicole Petrin, BarbaraQuinn, Susan Rash, Anne Rizkala, EllenRosenberger-Blacker, Anne Rossi, ErinRossi, Kelsey Rossi, Laura Sabatell,JoAnn Sel, Amy Seid, Thea Skanes, GertSloan, Erin Smith, Victoria Smith, AllisonSorace, Deborah Spohn, Renette Stahl,Debbie Sussman, Patricia Tartivita,Darraugh Valli, Sharon Van Ostenbridge,Christine Walker and Derri Walsh.

The Westfield U9 Inter Milan boyssoccer club enjoyed a winning week-end picking up victories over Aber-deen-Matawan Bandits andPiscataway Pythons.

Westfield’s comeback victory overAberdeen-Matawan on September 29featured two goals from leftmidfielder Jack Caherly. The secondhalf rally was sparked by creativemidfield play from Charlie Baldwinand Danny Manganello, leading togoals from Max Kaplan and KevinReinhard. Goalkeeper Cullen Birkelsteadied the defense in the second

half to preserve the win.Encouraged by the sideline pres-

ence of injured teammates Noah Reichand Kevin Brennan, Inter blankedPiscataway, 2-0, on September 30.Aggressive play from sweeper JaredBansky and solid tackling from fel-low defenders Michael Echausse andOwen Prybylski set a physical earlytone. Kaplan and Reinhard deliveredagain for Inter, each producing firsthalf goals. Goalkeeper Beau Heffronfired up the team to finish the shutoutby stopping Piscataway’s striker coldon a breakaway attempt.

WF U9 Milan Boys Rap Bandits and Pythons

Fred Lecomte for The Westfield Leader and The TimesVERY HARD TO BRING DOWN…Raider Keith Baker had TD receptions ofnine yards and five yards against the Cardinals. Defensively, he made severaltackles and was involved in two sacks.

David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The TimesCHEERING FOR THE TEAM…The Blue Devil cheerleaders, top, cheer fortheir football team as they enter the field at Union. Scott Newman, No. 53, andRyan Scanlon, No. 54, lead the Blue Devils onto the field. Westfield won 16-0.

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SCOTCH PLAINS . . . Chic 10 room, 5 bedroom center entry colonial boasts the very bestof quality upgrades & amenities throughout. The sleek custom kitchen updated in ’05 featuresmaple cabinetry, granite countertops, top-of-the-line stainless appliances, center-island, butlerspantry & spacious dining area overlooking specimen plantings on .36 acre of fully fencedprofessionally landscaped property. A 5th bedroom on level one is perfect for office/nanny.The living room is enhanced with custom built-ins, fireplace & volume ceiling. A grandeformal dining room & sunny spacious family room complete the picture. A private mastersuite combines an 18x15 bedroom, walk-in closet & private bath. The finished basement hasboth recreation & game rooms. Set on a tranquil tree-lined street, moments from shops,schools, NY transp., major highways, Tamaques Park and a brand new world class fitnesscenter . . . 29 Jacobs Lane would be the perfect place to call home . . . Call Holly for yourpersonal tour today! $898,900 DIR: Lamberts Mill to Jacobs Lane #29 (052111618)

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This lovely home captivates you with a marvelous flow that maximizes space, comfort and design. The first floor offers a fabulous ensemble of rooms: a living room with marble surround fireplace, dining room and a spectacular updated kitchen with granite counters & stainless steel appliances. Other highlights include hardwood floors, a walk-in closet in the master bedroom, walk-up attic storage, and a base-ment. Adding to the allure of this home is a delightful yard with new patio and a park that is just across the street. Presented for $449,900. Dir: Martine to Marian

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Westfield PAL C DefeatedBy Richmond Boro, 14-0

The Westfield PAL C football teamsuffered a 14-0 loss on September 30to Richmond Boro in Staten Island,NY. The Westfield PAL C team, now1-3, will host Summit at Kehler Sta-dium this Sunday.

Michael Hughes intercepted a passmidway though the first quarter togive Westfield possession, butWestfield was unable to make a firstdown and was forced to punt. Rich-mond Boro scored a touchdown inthe next series but Brennan Sumnerblocked the extra points kick.

In the second quarter, Westfield’soffense had a fumble and a sack onback-to-back plays, resulting in a loss

of 25 yards. That set up field positionfor Richmond Boro to score its nexttouchdown and extra points kick tomake the score 14-0.

Westfield’s defense was able to stopRichmond Boro from any scoring inthe second half. Dillon Elliott, ChipMulrooney, Chris Sweeney, DavidKane and Noah Penders had multipletackles.

Thomas Anderson, Chris Hogge,Chris Lazzarotti and Jack Levine wereable to move the ball for Westfield’soffense on the ground and in the air.Lazzarotti caught a pass thrown byHogge for 30-yard gain in the fourthquarter.

WF PAL B Grid Kids TopRichmond Boro Kids, 19-18

STOPPING FOR NO GAIN…Westfield PAL B team linebacker Ryan Espositostops a Richmond Boro back for no gain in Westfield’s 19-18 win.

Westfield’s PAL B football teamimproved to 2-2 with a 19-18 winagainst Richmond Boro on Septem-ber 30.

Brian Githens maneuvereddownfield for a quick first down andShakiyl Glasco sped for 38 yards.Githens plowed in for a touchdownthen grabbed a pass from quarterbackChristian Burgdorf for the extra point.Next, Nick LaFace forced and recov-

ered a Richmond Boro fumble.Westfield marched downfield andGithens took it in for the touchdown.

Richmond Boro answered imme-diately with a long touchdown run.LaFace squashed the extra point at-tempt. Githens answered with a 28-yard run and Nick Rotundo had someshort gains. Richmond Boro forced afumble and Burgdorf recovered it.Richmond Boro took over in downs.Westfield defenders Jake Greenburgand Liam Devin applied pressure.Frank Pinho came up with a crushingtackle for a loss of eight yards. Rich-mond Boro was forced to punt. KevinMikovits made a 32-yard return. Later,Richmond Boro scored. Tim Walshand Kel Dolan blocked the extra point.

In the second half, Quinn Durseesmacked down a long pass attemptand Thomas Ross, Mike Fitzhenryand Jack Colwell made key tackles.Keegan Hess had a strong run for afirst down.

Just minutes into the fourth quarterRichmond Boro scored. Colwellknocked down the extra point. Rich-mond Boro regained possession butWestfield’s defense stepped it up.Ryan Esposito made a crushing tacklethen recovered a fumble. Burgdorfcompleted a short passes to BrettGlenn and Githens, then connectedwith Matt Webb for 27-yards. Githensran the ball in for the touchdown.

Westfield U10 Boca Jrs. BeatEast Brunswick United, 3-0The Boca Jr. U10 soccer club won

its third straight game defeating EastBrunswick United, 3-0.

East Brunswick came out strongbut a stout Boca defense held withSam Brown, Eddy Encinas and LukeBeaulieu playing an excellent defen-sive back line. Billy Cook made sev-eral tough saves to keep the gamescoreless early on.

Near the end of the first half, TylerRoth took a ball down the left side andmade a great cross to the right sidewhere Jack Cash broke in on goal andput in the shot. The game remainedtight with Kevin Bronander, playingstrong offense to keep the play on the

East Brunswick side of the field.Tyler Rocha made a great play on a

dangerous pass with an impressiveheader that cleared the ball upfield. Abit later Sam Karnofsky made a greatfeed to Michael Mobarakai, who tookthe ball at midfield and broke in ongoal. He hit a shot that found theinside left corner to put Boca up 2-0,midway through the second half.

The game remained tight until PatMcCormack took the ball down theright wing and crossed the ball toBen Shepard, who showed greathustle to fight through a defenderand goalkeeper before putting awaythe third goal.

ISLAND HOPPING…Westfield PAL D back Danny Mitchell, No. 17, hurdles theStaten Island defenders from Richmond Boro.

Westfield PAL D DeadlocksRichmond Boro Kids, 13-13The Westfield PAL D football team

traveled to Staten Island to face Rich-mond Boro for the second time thisseason and returned with a 13-13deadlock on September 30.

After Danny Mitchell intercepted aRichmond Boro pass, as quarterbackhe found James Brucia on a net 55-yard touchdown strike in the closingminutes of the half. In the second half,Mitchell directed the offense on a 65-yard scoring drive. Jack Simcox movedthe chains a number of times withsolid runs. A Mitchell to Dursee passfor 22 yards was followed by a Mitchellrun into the corner of the end zone foreight yards. Mitchell converted the

extra point to tie the game at 13.Westfield had a chance to win on the

final play of the game when Mitchellhit Brucia for a net 45-yard pass.Brucia was hauled down from behindon his way to the end zone by theRichmond Boro safety to end the game.

The Westfield defense was led bythe strong defensive play of Simcox,Joe Johnston, Brian Johnson and AJMonaco. Sean Elliott, AndrewGithens, Ryan Harrington and LukePrybylski made tackles for losses inthe Richmond Boro backfield.

Westfield PAL D will play at KehlerStadium on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. vs.Summit D Team.

Colin Weber HelpsTCNJ Top MontclairEWING, NJ – The College of New

Jersey football team received fourfield goals from senior kicker MattDalessio (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) anda 32-yard touchdown reception byColin Weber of Scotch Plains as theLions knocked off 17th-rankedMontclair State University 19-9 onSeptember 28 at Lions’ Stadium inthe New Jersey Athletic Conferenceopener for both teams.

The game was the 75th time thetwo institutions have met on the grid-iron with MSU holding a 46-27-2lead. It is also the longest activeintercollegiate rivalry in the GardenState. The Lions took charge whenquarterback Chris James (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial) found Weber forthe touchdown with 8:18 left in thethird quarter.

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MAKING THE RECEPTION…Westfield PAL C player Chris Lazzarotti, No.48, made a 30-yard reception from quarterback Chris Hogge.

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Thursday, October 4 , 2007 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION

On September 27, New Jersey’sDistrict 21 Democratic SenatorialCandidate Gina Genovese receivedthe endorsement of the Women’sPolitical Caucus of New Jersey.

The New Jersey Women’s PoliticalCaucus is an organization thatpromotes pro-choice candidates. “Awoman’s right to choose is anessential civil right. Our SupremeCourt correctly affirmed this rightunder our Constitution in 1973,” Ms.Genovese said. “The protection ofour civil rights is what makes thiscountry great, which is why I amexcited about the endorsement bythis bi-partisan organization.”

Ms. Genovese began hercommunity life as the owner ofGina’s Tennis World in Berkeley

State Senator Tom Kean, Assem-blyman Eric Munoz and Assembly-man Jon Bramnick were recently en-dorsed by the NJ Environmental Fed-eration (NJEF) for their re-election torepresent New Jersey’s 21st legisla-tive district.

“The New Jersey EnvironmentalFederation understands that the healthof our families and the strength of oureconomy are directly related to pro-tecting and preserving our environ-ment,” said Sen. Kean. “I am honoredto be endorsed by such a worthwhileorganization and I look forward tobuilding upon our strong workingrelationship.”

Senator Kean, Assemblyman Munozand Assemblyman Bramnick havebeen outspoken advocates of such en-vironmental issues as energy conser-vation, the development and use ofalternative fuels and open space pres-ervation. All three have introducedvarious legislative initiatives that wouldencourage the purchase of alternativefuel vehicles, promote the use of envi-ronmentally friendly cleaning prod-ucts and limit the release of green-house gas emissions into the air.

Fiscal Fact No. 103 Heights, a business she has run for25 years. From this communitybackground, she developed skills inhelping others to achieve their goals.Ms. Genovese became the firstDemocrat mayor of Long HillTownship.

“Nothing has ever been handed tome,” she said. “I’ve had to work forwhat I’ve achieved.”

It is this work ethic, along withthe ability to bring opposingviewpoints to a collective place ofunderstanding, that guides Ms.Genovese in her pursuit to bringreform and results to the New JerseySenate.

For more information, call WardSaxton at (908) 464-3057 or [email protected].

MEET THE CANDIDATESLD-21 Senator Tom Kean

Assemblymen Jon Bramnick and Eric Munoz

During the most recent legislativesession, Senator Kean sponsored andAssemblyman Munoz and Assem-blyman Bramnick co-sponsored the“Global Warming Response Act,”which aims to reduce greenhouse gasemissions. It was signed into law onJuly 6, 2007.

“As residents of the nation’s mostdensely populated state, NewJerseyans understand the importanceand challenges of protecting our en-vironment,” stated Mr. Munoz. “I amproud of being recognized as a leaderon this front.”

“The New Jersey EnvironmentalFederation is an organization that doesmuch good for the environmentthrough their aggressive advocacy,”said Mr. Bramnick. “I am pleasedthat they have recognized that thepolicies I advocate for reflect mycommitment to New Jersey’s naturalresources.”

The New Jersey Environmental Fed-eration (NJEF) is New Jersey’s largestnon-profit grass roots environmentalorganization. It has 150,000 individualmembers and an additional 100 mem-ber groups.

MEET THE CANDIDATESPatricia Quattrocchi

Candidate for Union County Freeholder

By PATRICIA QUATTROCCHICandidate for Union County Freeholder

The Tax Foundation, a nonpartisantax research group based in Washing-ton, D.C., released among it’s find-ings in September what it calls “Fis-cal Fact No. 103.” Fact No. 103 ad-dresses “Where Property Taxes HitHomeowners Hardest.” Disappoint-ingly, Union County once againlanded on this hit parade in slot num-ber nine.

The foundation was formed in 1937in the heart of the Great Depressionby a group of business executives.

They came together with the pur-pose of monitoring the fiscal activi-ties of all levels of government and,through research and analysis, wouldinform and educate Americans ongovernment finance.

With information and statisticsdrawn from government entities suchas the Bureau of Labor Statistics andthe Census Bureau, the foundationput together its annual national Top-Ten list of those counties with popu-lations of 65,000 or more where theresidents paid the highest propertytaxes.

One can argue that here in the north-east, mainly in New Jersey and NewYork City, we also have high per-capita income, so it stands to reasonthat high property-tax bills are usu-ally found in the areas with the high-est incomes; however, another reportrecently revealed that, here in New

Jersey, about 50 percent of our resi-dents spend over 50 percent of theirpre-income-tax salaries just to pro-vide housing for their families; thisleaves precious little for everythingelse.

Though it appears that some UnionCounty residents are doing just fine,many are actually feeling the finan-cial burden of excessive taxation andhave let it be known that as soon astheir children are finished with theireducations, they plan to vacate thearea and head for greener pastureswhere their dollars will go further.

The Union County Freeholders thisyear have increased the tax levy onthe residents by 3 percent; thoughthat appears to be cutting us all abreak, does it really?

Municipalities like Westfield andSummit still will send more tax dol-lars to the county than they keep tooperate their own towns. Somethingis seriously wrong with this picture,as those same towns receive verylittle back in the form of county ser-vices. In terms of the services thatthey do receive, the towns could cer-tainly handle most of those choresthemselves.

Residents should take a look aroundand ask the question, “what is countygovernment doing for me?”

Since real-estate taxes are based onproperty evaluations and the pricesthat homes fetch when sold, one isleft to ponder how the current de-pressed housing market will impact afamily’s shelter costs during the nextbudget cycle in 2008.

It is doubtful that taxes would fallwhen home prices do, as towns cer-tainly would not be reassessing homevalues frequently, but when a fewMcMansions are erected and sold insmaller towns, the tax rate in thatmunicipality can climb steeply, as itis assumed that all the houses in thattown are of comparable value.

Surely, residents are now thinkingthat, with all of the money they arepaying in taxes, with no reform insight, that Union County should be inthe top 10 of counties in the UnitedStates, but for things that would makethem proud.

For instance, our children shouldhave the best reading scores and thehighest SAT results; we should havethe lowest crime rates. After all, weare paying thousands annually.

The Republican team ofQuattrocchi, Russitano and Reillywant those things to be a reality forUnion County and will promote onlyresponsible spending, zero-basedbudgeting and will vote no for anymeasure that would increase the taxburden on the hard-working residentsof Union County.

A Frustrated Husband Writes:Any day now, I am expecting a bigblowup between my wife and mymother. My mother has many fixed(rigid) ideas about the roles of menand women. My wife works and isfive months pregnant. My motheranticipates that Beth (disguisedname) will retire from work whenshe has the baby and become a full-time, stay-at-home mother.

Nothing could be further fromthe truth. Beth and I agree that shewould be home during the first eightmonths, and then we are quite com-fortable in having a nanny or out-side childcare. My mom also hintsat my work schedule when the babyis born: “Beth’s job is the baby andyour job is to continue to focus andmove ahead at work.” Do you feelwe should wait awhile before tell-ing Mother of our plan? We’ve beenable to keep peace in the family bynot confronting Mother with anyissues that would upset her.

Answer: You and Beth have todecide when to share some of yourthoughts with your mother. Theproblem is that the two of you havewithheld plans, thoughts, etc. inorder to “keep peace.” You and Bethhave a right to make a decisionregarding work, childcare or any-thing you want to, and you shouldnot be dependent on your mother’santicipated reactions.

When both of you feel it is appro-priate, you can talk to her pleas-antly and directly. There’s nothingwrong with disagreements; it be-comes a problem when you with-hold because of your anxiety reanother person’s reactions. Yourmother can disagree, but you havethe right to be in control re futurebaby plans. And what do you meanthat Beth and your mother will havea blowup? Any discussion shouldbe among the three of you, and youinitiating it; don’t let Beth be thefall guy (or is it fall person?).

A Loyal Reader Writes: A fewcolumns ago you wrote about agrandmother who was angry at thechoice of Dakota as agranddaughter’s name. We have asimilar situation. My wife (who is

pregnant) and I have chosen namesif she has a girl: Cyd, Sydney orSam (Tiger Woods’ daughter’sname). If it’s a boy, we like Robin.My mother says the girl’s namesare, and sound like, boys’ namesand Robin is a girl’s name. Shewants us to select traditional names.Why can’t we do what we want todo?

Answer: You can and should doit. Let no one live your life for you.If you really want to lighten thesituation, buy her a copy of JohnnyCash’s hit song “A Boy Named Sue.”Maybe some humor will ease thetension.

A Frustrated Father Writes: My16-year-old daughter is heavy; Imean she is fat; that she is obese,grotesque. She has always beenheavy, and as a little child, she ateeverything in sight. My wife has puther on diets; she’s been in differentexercise programs. Nothing works.Because of this, she is a poor ath-lete, and she embarrasses herselfand me when she runs after a ball ortries competitive swimming. She isshameful in a restaurant when sheeats her food and then tries to eatmine. I can’t believe this is mydaughter. I have always taken pridein my weight and healthy body. Sheshould be grateful to be living in ahome where her parents are doingeverything to make her feel andlook good. It’s a pity she doesn’tsee it that way!

Answer: I don’t either. She shouldfeel grateful living in a home with afather who calls her names, criti-cizes her and makes her feel thatshe’s a loser? I don’t think so.

It is obvious that your daughterhas a weight/eating problem, and Iwould urge you to continue to getproper help for this. It is not easyfor any of you since she has had thisproblem since childhood. But pleaseexamine your behavior and attitude.It is not helpful to name call, de-mean her and talk about her inabil-ity to perform. She must be in tre-mendous pain. Please see a thera-pist who can help you face yourangry, rejecting, anxious feelingsabout your daughter.

HUNG UP!!

By Milt Faith, Executive DirectorYouth and Family Counseling Service

Expectant Parents Have the RightTo Determine Plans for Childcare

FW Candidate Mitchell CriticizesOpponent Stroz’s Letter to Editor

As the Fanwood Borough CouncilPresident [and candidate for reelection tothe council] and a long-time liaison to theFanwood Historic Preservation Commis-sion, I feel the need to respond to a recentletter to the editor by a Republican candi-date and clarify some information.

The candidate criticized a voluntary,community-based process that the bor-ough undertook in order to protect ourcherished historic district and revitalizethe long-ignored South Avenue corridor.I’d like to ask the writer, where did he gethis information? I can attest to the factthat he was not at any of the public meet-ings when Transfer of DevelopmentRights (TDR) was discussed. Let’s getthe facts straight.

TDR was only one approach that couldhelp us achieve these two goals. We arecurrently reviewing other approaches.Fanwood was given a grant from the Stateof New Jersey to explore if TDR can workin a community like ours. Let’s be clear:there are no plans ready to be imple-mented to increase density along the SouthAvenue corridor.

High-density development in Fanwoodhas always been a major concern to meand that’s why I felt it was important forthe community to decide how best toproceed with our last commercial area.As a 50-year resident of Fanwood, I knowwe all can agree that we need a bettersupermarket and senior affordable hous-ing in Fanwood. These are the opportuni-ties that redeveloping the South Avenuecorridor could hold for Fanwood.

The previous Republican administra-

tion did not talk to the community and wealmost had over-development in ourdowntown. The current administration ofMayor Colleen Mahr was able to stop aplan that relied on one big out-of-towndeveloper and the use of eminent domain.Our approach to the area around the trainstation was to work with the communityand our existing merchants to keep themin town and invest where they have put inlong hours serving the residents ofFanwood.

This approach has worked – just look atthe results. But the Republican candidateswant the borough council to stop the His-toric Preservation Commission’s reviewof our local historic ordinance. Stoppingtheir work is an invitation to developers tocome in and destroy our small town flavor.Other communities have sat idly by whilehomes have been ripped down.

I am very sad when I see an older housetorn down. I will not allow the further lossof historic Fanwood homes to greedydevelopers. The Fanwood Historic Pres-ervation Commission was asked by thecouncil to review our ordinance to findthe best way to guarantee that future gen-erations will know what makes Fanwoodspecial. I am working to make sure thatour historic district will be here to enjoypast the next election cycle.

I only wish that the Republican candi-dates would put the community first in-stead of their own desire to get elected.

Kathy Mitchell, Candidate forReelection to the Fanwood Borough

Council

More Letters to the EditorCONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

First Aid Squads Won’tSurvive as 2nd ClassThe results of the recently released

New Jersey EMS services study mirrorthose of three previous studies in pastdecades. Had some of the earlier recom-mendations been timely implemented,taxpayers might have saved this latest$250,000 analysis tab.

The 78-year-old New Jersey State FirstAid Council continues reviewing thelengthy document and will have moreextensive comments as discussionsprogress. Two points merit immediateattention, however:

New Jersey’s EMS system will notcollapse tomorrow, as some might insist.Admittedly, it needs first aid of its own,but we wouldn’t power up the defibrilla-tor just yet.

Contrary to comments in the docu-ment, the NJSFAC obliged fully withreasonable requests for data. We did, how-ever, decline to provide data that 1) wasasked of our organization alone, and notrequested of any other EMS providers inthe state, and 2) would not affect thereport. Singling out our EMS volunteersfor an unreasonable request, then charac-terizing us as uncooperative is harmfuland wrong.

The study is correct that the EMS pro-viders – volunteer and paid – are treatedas second-class citizens, always last inthe funding and consideration lines be-hind fire and police, even though theservices we provide are just as vital. Thisskewed mindset must change if NewJersey’s EMS system is to survive.

Sue Van Orden, PresidentNJ State First Aid Council

More Meet the CandidatesCONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

MEET THE CANDIDATESLD-21 Senatorial Candidate

Gina Genovese



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Invite Paulette in,and she’ll bring results!

Paulette Eves


WESTFIELD . . . Charming Split built in 1955. Three bedrooms, 1 ½ baths with a built-ingarage that lets out onto Belmar Terrace. The house has a family room on the ground leveland a finished basement with a recreation room, utility area, laundry area and an office. Thereis a large fenced-in yard with a deck off the dining room. $549,900. DIR: South Ave toCentral Ave #1402 (052111562)

OPEN HOUSE: SUN. 10/7 1-5PM1402 Central Avenue Joyce Taylor, Sales Associate

908-233-6417, Direct Dial NJAR Circle of Excellence 1977—2006

218 Canterbury Road, Westfield, New Jersey Open House Sunday, October 7th 1:00—4:00PM

Illuminating classic style beautifully, this exquisite Wychwood Colonial brims with a seam-less blending of timeless artistry and desirable amenities. Hardwood floors, archways, ex-quisite moldings and custom built-ins enchant you while a superbly updated kitchen with coveted features welcomes you. The charming foyer opens to a gracious living room with marble surround fireplace, the formal dining room with bay window, spacious family room, library and den with full bath to craft an irresistible first floor. The lovely master suite with ample closet space, three additional bedrooms, a rec room and a wonderful professionally landscaped yard with bi-level deck compose an unsurpassed venue that warms your soul. Presented for $1,837,000. Dir: E. Broad to Wychwood to Canterbury



It Feels Good to Have HelpedThe Families at St. Joseph’s

On Saturday, September 15, I organizeda charity baseball game to benefit the SaintJoseph’s Social Service Center of Eliza-beth. This event was the second annual;the first being last year’s Charity Game forChildren’s Specialized Hospital.

Once again it was very successful,thanks to the generosity of many people

and companies. Food and drinks weredonated by Bagel Chateau, ManhattanBagels, Shoprite and Stop N Shop,Pathmark, Costco, BJs and Starbucks. Inaddition, raffle items were generouslydonated by Rita’s, Galeria Art and Fram-ing, Salon 1100, Gennaro’s, Blue Tulip,Northside Trattoria, Garwood Lanes, Bar-

ons Drug Store, Cosi, Jolley Trolley, TheGreen Room, Westfield Running Com-pany, Ferraros and Starbucks.

Special thanks to Julia Cerefice (per-sonal trainer), Fred Scalera (ESPN) andJen Pottheiser (NBA and Nets) for thewonderful silent auction items.

Stitch City generously donated T-shirtsfor the game. I would like to make aspecial thanks to Guy, who is the storemanager at the Starbucks here inWestfield. Not only did he donate anawesome coffee package, but he alsodonated coffee that was sold at the game.I really appreciated what he did for me.

I want to thank our friends and fellowWestfield residents for their participation

and support. Thanks to the 19 8th-graderswho played in the game, to umpire JeffHarris and coaches Joe McHugh and HarryKalimtzis for making the game so fun.Thanks to the parents and friends whohelped set up, stayed to watch the game,purchased lots of raffle tickets and bid onsilent auction items.

I also want to thank those who weren’table to be there but still donated gener-ously. Special thanks to Deirdre Malacrea,who came up with the “Bat for Bucks”idea and raised over $300 by reaching outto her family and friends to pledge.

In total, we raised $2,350 for St. Joseph’s,and would never have been so successfulwithout everyone’s generosity.

I would also like to thank the followingfriends who helped the day of the event:Jeff, Theresa and Jessica Harris, Tom andTJ Lutz and Philip Edwards. Without them,I would have been so busy that I wouldn’thave been able to play in the game. I alsowant to thank my sister, Kim, my cousin,Brittany, and my mom and dad for all theirhelp. The game was fun, the weather wasgreat and the Gold team (my team) beat theBlack team in the last inning, 8-7.

It feels good to have helped the fami-lies at St. Joseph’s and I am lookingforward to running this game again nextyear.

Daniel Berke (age 13)Westfield

Another Letter to the Editor Reading is Good For You


Kimberley Aslanian Haley

Redefining Real Estate

NJAR CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE PLATINUM LEVEL 2002, 2004 & 2005

© 2005 Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Owned and Operated by NRT Incorporated.

706 EAST BROAD STREET, WESTFIELD This pristine and updated Colonial offers close proximity to downtown Westfield shopping, top rated schools and New York City transportation. This five bedroom home boasts a new gourmet eat-in Kitchen with granite counters and stainless steel appliances, 3.5 Baths, In-law Suite, first floor Family Room with fireplace, Recreation

Room, skylights, hardwood floors & central air. Offered for $899,000

12 NORTH WICKOM DRIVE, WESTFIELD New Colonial nestled on park like property on a quiet Westfield cul-de-sac. This fine home offers endless upgrades including a gourmet eat-in Kitchen with center island, Wet bar/Butler pantry, extensive moldings, hardwood floors, 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, first floor Family Room and laundry, 2-car garage and more!

Offered for $1,229,000

922 COOLIDGE STREET, WESTFIELD This extensively renovated Colonial offers ideal location close to schools in a quiet neighborhood. The formal rooms & gourmet eat-in Kitchen with adjoining Family Room create an unforgettable setting for entertaining & everyday living. Charm is ideally combined with the conveniences of today, accommodating anyone’s needs.

Visit the open house for your personal tour this weekend! Offered for $849,900

908.301.2004 - Direct Line [email protected] www.KimHaley.com

Business 908.233.5555 209 Central Avenue, Westfield, NJ 07090

RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE Coldwell Banker

New Colonial nestled on park like property on a quiet Westfield cul-de-sac. This fine home offers endless upgrades including a gourmet eat-in Kitchen with center island, Wet bar/Butler pantry, extensive moldings, hardwood floors, 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, first floor Family Room, laundry, 2-car garage and more! Offered for $1,295,000

Like new is this pristine 6 room townhouse offering ideal location close to downtown Westfield & NYC transportation. This unit boasts a new Kitchen with top of the line stainless steel appliances, sparkling hardwood floors, second floor laundry, new baths, 2 car attached garage, 2 bonus rooms, central air conditioning and more!

Offered for $479,900

New Victorian with stunning architecture by Forefront Designs & quality craftsmanship throughout its 6 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms. The charm of yesteryear is cleverly combined with all of today’s amenities & conveniences offering a grand Entrance Foyer, gourmet Mouser Kitchen, adjacent Family Room with fireplace & Master Bedroom Suite with

luxurious spa bathroom. Offered for $1,675,000

616 MAYE STREET, WESTFIELD

731 HARDING STREET, WESTFIELD

512 EDGAR ROAD, WESTFIELD Pristine starter home perfect for entertaining boasting a formal Living Room with wood burning fireplace and classic wooden mantle, formal Dining Room, sparkling hardwood floors, new windows, newer roof, new furnace, abundant closet space and sunny Den. Close proximity to downtown Westfield and NYC transportation.

Offered for $449,900

418B RAHWAY AVENUE, WESTFIELD This 4 bedroom Colonial on park like property is nestled in the heart of the Gardens. This charmer boasts an updated eat-in Kitchen with white cabinetry, living room with wood burning fireplace and classic wooden mantle, parquet floors, finished Recroom, first floor Den with new windows and close proximity to downtown shopping, top ranked schools

and NYC transportation. Offered for $750,000

561 BRADFORD AVENUE, WESTFIELD

OPEN HOUSE EVENT THIS SUNDAY 1~4 pm

RECENTLY REPOSITIONED


CLASSIFIEDS

Custom Fabricated Cabinetry & FurnitureFinished Basement with Media CenterBedroom Window Seats with StorageLibraries with Hidden Liquor CabinetImpeccable Refinishing and Painting

GERARD KELLY

908-209-0104

[email protected]

For Questions or Advice, Call

Fully Insured

AWARDED…Dr. Minerva Guttman receives a Presidential Citation and joinsFairleigh Dickinson President J. Michael Adams at Fairleigh DickinsonUniversity’s annual Academic Convocation on September 26.

Dr. Guttman of WF HonoredAt FDU Nursing School

TEANECK – The Henry P. BectonSchool of Nursing and Allied Healthwas honored at Fairleigh DickinsonUniversity’s annual Academic Con-vocation on September 26. The Di-rector of the School, Dr. MinervaGuttman of Westfield, accepted aPresidential Citation on behalf ofthe faculty.

In presenting the award, FDUPresident J. Michael Adams said,“The Henry P. Becton School ofNursing and Allied Health has be-come a state leader with its passingrate on the NCLEX examination —twice above 90 percent and twice at100 percent. Its classes are filled

with students, and enrollment is atan all-time high.

“To Minerva and her team, a strongcommendation for each and all ofyou as we bear witness to your re-markable achievement through a dedi-cated approach to the health and wel-fare of student learning at FairleighDickinson University.”

He noted that the faculty of theschool achieved these results by work-ing together, analyzing student per-formance, reworking the curriculum,providing additional support andimplementing a plan that enhancedstudent learning. During this process,Director Guttman provided resources,developed clear guidelines and goals,encouraged her faculty and built theconfidence necessary to enhance stu-dent performance.

Courtesy of Richard ShermanCENTURY OF SAFETY…Westfield buildings downtown are featured in article,“Fireproof Houses of NATCO Hollow Tile and How to Build Them.” Fireproofconstruction for houses and other buildings of moderate cost. Contractors,Builders and Architects, Fourth Edition, published September 1910.

TOWNHOUSE FOR SALE

SCOTCH PLAINSSouthwick Village

Large Upgraded, 2 BedroomUnit with New Kitchen

Asking $415,000(732) 381-1172

BELLINI BABY FURNITURE

Baby girl bedroom suite.Antique white, Incl: crib thatconverts to toddler bed, dresserw/mirror, combo dressingtable / dresser / bookcase,glider w/ottoman, standing lamp.Excellent condition. $1500

(908) 228-2935

APTS FOR RENT

208 Lenox Ave, WestfieldGreat downtown location!Fab NEW Bldg-1 BDRM’sWasher & Dryer, H/W flrs,wood cab & granite in each

Starting @ $1600/mosneedlepointhomes.com

(908) 301-1000

HELP WANTED

Assistant to Interior DesignerSuccessful, fast-paced interiordesign firm located in Westfield,NJ seeks energetic individualto assist in all aspects of ourbusiness. Some designexperience a plus. Wonderfullearning and growth potentialfor the right individual.

Please call (732) 340-1973

AUTO FOR SALE

HONDA ACCORD LX V6 ’97You will love this zippy car!Black exterior, grey interior, 2door,very well maintained, 95,000miles, automatic, AM/FM Radio,CD player, Sirius radio.Call 9am-6pm, Monday - Friday(212) 941-2098 Price:$5,900.

HOME FURNISH. FOR SALE

Estate Sale629 Drake Place

Westfield, NJFriday, 10/5 9AM-3PM

Saturday, 10/6 9AM-4 PMFurniture, HH & Decorative Items,Adams Garrett Paintings, andmore. Treasures for everyone.

DRIVERS

Drivers: Great Salary/Benefits!B2B sales w/cold call a plus, CleanDMV record. (908) [email protected]

TELEPHONE CONTACT

Randolph, NJ ad agency lookingfor a person to verify and set appts.for its sales reps Full-time.Weekdays only. Paid travel time.Call (973) 895-2000 for interview.

RIDE NEEDED

Westfield High School studentneeds ride from school to SouthSide of town daily. Good pay.High School/College studentpreferred. Call Cell (917) 750-6497

HELP WANTED

LIBRARY, Senior Page. Detail-oriented adult to process books,media. Library exp. helpful. 16daytime hrs per wk, $8 per hr. Forapplication send e-mail [email protected] Memorial Library, 550E. Broad, Westfield , NJ 07090EOE

FREELANCERS WANTEDStrong, detail-oriented writerswith professional demeanorneeded to cover localgovernment meetings. Mustbe able to meet deadlines,know how to write a lead, andtake an active interest in theirbeats in order to develop newsstories. Please emailresume and clips to:

[email protected]

HELP WANTED

Prudential NJ Properties’Westfield Office is hiring full-timeagents, both new and exp-erienced. Corporate trainingprogram/in-house training. CallMargie for confidential interviewat (908) 232-5664, ext. 103.

NEIDE HOUSE CLEANING

I will clean your house,apartment or condo.

Reliable, reasonable rates.I do laundry. Good references.

5 years exp.For each client you give me,

1 extra job free.Call me! (973) 583-5570 or

(973) 878-2181 Neide

HOUSE FOR RENT

WESTFIELD - No realtor fees!Quiet street near WashingtonSchool near park. 3 bdrm, 2 bth,appliances included. No smoking.No pets. $2400/mth + Utils.

(908) 654-5207MATH TUTOR

Former HS Math ChairAll Grades

Everyday Math SpecialistDr. Tom Purdy(908) 389-9929

MATH TUTOR

Make this school year ‘Count’!Affordable tutoring and effectiveorganizational skills offered at yourconvenience for students in middleschool to 10th grade. Proven trackrecord of Distinguished Honor Rolland member of National HonorSociety. References on request.

Call (908) 451-8988

BABYSITTER AVAILABLE

High school student available forbabysitting after school,experienced, refs avail. Can pickup child from elem. school.

Call (908) 654-8615

NANNY SHARE

My nanny is seeking a Tuesdayand/or Thursday position. She iswonderful with children, reliableand has own transportation.Contact Jacky for more info

(908) 337-3248

OFFICE BUILDING FOR RENT

Insurance Agents, LawyersAccountants.

2700 sqft Office BuildingFurnished, Utilities, Internet,

Kitchen, Conf. Room, ParkingMountainside (908) 337-7200

OFFICE SPACE

*** Cranford ***2nd Floor Office Space

1275+ sqft, Excellent, BusyNorth Ave Location$1500/mo + Utils(201) 213-6927

FABULOUS

Window TreatmentsInterior Designing

by a Professional DesignerFree Consultation(732) 726-0241

AFTERSCHOOL CARE

For 12 yr. oldin my Scotch Plains home,

Mon.-Fri. 2:30-5:30,non-smoker & driver’s license.

(908) 322-2278

BACK TO WORK…The executive board of the Woman’s Club of Westfield metrecently for its first fall meeting to officially get back to work after summervacation. President Delores Geisow, left, led the meeting, which featured anagenda filled with topics such as Gray Fall Scholarships, the Annual ScholarshipLuncheon and the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs’ (NJSFWC)state project this year – domestic violence. Mary Blanes, right, is the board’s newrecording secretary.

St. John’s to SaluteRev. Kelmo Porter

SCOTCH PLAINS – St. John’sBaptist Church will celebrate 41 yearsof spiritual guidance under the lead-ership of the Reverend Kelmo Porterthis Sunday, October 7.

The Reverend Nathaniel Porter,the pastor’s brother, from the Me-morial Church of God in Christ inHaverford, Pa. will be the guestspeaker for the 10 a.m. service.

At the 5 p.m. service, the Rever-end Donald Hilliard from the Ca-thedral in Perth Amboy will be thespecial guest and will attend withmembers of his congregation.

St. John’s Baptist Church is lo-cated at 2387 Morse Avenue inScotch Plains. The public is invitedto attend both services. For moreinformation, please call the churchat (908) 232-6972.

SP Residents VolunteerAround R.I. College

SCOTCH PLAINS – Scotch Plainsresidents Kevin Cassidy and AndrewColon participated at ProvidenceCollege’s 17th-annual Urban Actionprogram.

The freshmen and 25 upperclass-men leaders volunteered more than3,500 hours at sites throughout RhodeIsland. Students worked with the Cityof Providence to clean NeutaconkanutPark and the neighborhood streetssurrounding the college.

Beyond the city, volunteers cleaned,planted and restored two charitableRhode Island farms – Casey Farm inSaunderstown and the Urban EdgeFarm in Cranston.

NJAR Circle of Excellence AwardGold Level: 1997-2006, Platinum: 2005Direct Line: (908) 301-2052Email: [email protected]

209 CENTRAL AVENUE

WESTFIELD, NJ 07090(908) 233-5555 EXT. 189

Mary McEnerney, CRS, GRI, SRES



This one of a kind 4 Bedroom 3 Bath custom home, the former residence of buider Herb Zimelis, is nestledon 1.25 acres of professionally landscaped wooded property. A new circular driveway with Belgium blockcurbing and porte-cochere lead into the main entrance which opens to amazing open living space boastingcedar cathedral ceilings and skylights. The Kitchen, offering granite counters and a breakfast bar, overlooksthe Family Room featuring a slate and brick fireplace and sliding doors to one of three decks. A wonderfulMaster Bedroom suite with a dressing room, walk-in closet, a Full Bath with a whirlpool tub and sliding doorsto the yard is located on the first level along with a Guest Room and Full Bath. The second level hosts twoadditional with spectacular views of the property and a third Full Bath. Additional amenities ~ New roof,in-ground pool, barbecue, underground lawn sprinkler, wet bar, track lighting, security system, centralvacuum, full basement, 3-car attached garage and much more. DIR: Terrill Road to Cooper Road to WellingtonDowns, Right on Wilshire Run. $995,000. WSF0640

OPEN HOUSE: Sunday, October 7th • 1-4pm14 Wilshire Run, Scotch Plains

592 North Chestnut Street Westfield, New Jersey Open House Sunday, October 7, 1:00—4:00PM

Enveloped by a spectacular 357’ deep property, this classic Westfield Colonial effervesces with many recent (2007) improvements, hardwood floors, sun-catching windows & beau-tiful moldings. The living room with stone fireplace & formal dining room with corner cabinet radiate charm. The family room has two walls of windows and is complemented by the eat-in kitchen, powder room, & sunny den. The second floor offers you a spacious master bedroom, three more bedrooms, a walk-up to the attic, and an updated bath. The sprawling backyard with patio and a convenient location add to this handsome portrait. Presented for $ 699,000. Dir: E. Broad to N. Chestnut St


JOYCE TAYLOR SALES ASSOCIATE

908-233-6417, Direct Dial

NJAR Circle of Excellence 1977—2006


Thomas Sloan

courtesy of Keith SlukaGETTING THE POINTE…The Garwood Volunteer Fire Department recentlyconducted a review of fire procedures at the Garwood Pointe Mews developmenton North Avenue. They reviewed firefighting strategies, as well as deficiencies inthe department’s equipment to fight a fire at the complex.

HORSEPLAY…Eighteen-year-old Simone March of Scotch Plains, picturedriding “Jack,” earned the “Trooper of the Year” trophy and medal for accumu-lating the most points for attendance, horsemanship and dedication to theWatchung Mounted Troop program during the 2006-2007 riding season atWatchung Stable in Mountainside. Simone has rode for 10 years and has receivedthe honor the last two years.

NJ Transit Adds ServiceIn Hunterdon County

UCC Slates Annual Gala forNov. 3 at Cranford Campus

Michael Fay Nominated forConservationist Prize

Check-Out Hunger ProgramTo Help Stock Food Banks

AREA — NJ Transit will add ser-vice between Raritan and High Bridgestarting October 28 by extending eighttrains —four in each direction. Theadditional service is made possiblewith the completion of a new passingtrack near White House Station thatallows for bi-directional train trafficwest of Raritan Station.

Raritan Valley Line customers willbenefit from earlier morning peak-period service originating in HighBridge and later evening service westof Raritan, NJT officials said.

The first eastbound train will oper-ate nearly an hour earlier than currentservice, and the last westbound trainwill operate about two hours laterthan it does today. New mid-day ser-vice between Raritan and High Bridgewill give customers greater weekdaytravel flexibility.

“This extended service will pro-vide flexibility to existing and newcustomers who can rely on NJ Transitfor convenient early-morning, mid-day and after-work public transporta-tion options,” said NJ Transit Execu-tive Director Richard Sarles.

The extended eastbound serviceincludes two trains operating in themorning peak period and two trainsduring midday hours. The extendedwestbound service includes two mid-day trains and two trains operatingafter the evening peak period. Thereis no weekend service west of RaritanStation.

“We in Hunterdon County will ben-efit from the additional level of ser-

vice that NJ Transit will be provid-ing,” said Hunterdon County Free-holder George Muller. “This helpsHunterdon residents make environ-mentally friendly travel decisions forwork and recreation.”

All extended trains will be renum-bered into the 5700-series on newtimetables, and existing 5700-seriestrains will have new departure times.Also, customers who have signed upfor My Transit, NJ Transit’s systemfor sending up-to-the-minute travelinformation to cell phones and otherelectronic devices, are reminded toupdate their account preferences toreflect the new train numbers.

The 3,700-foot passing track, lo-cated in Readington Township justwest of White House Station, will beused to extend four eastbound andfour westbound trains, NJT officialssaid. The eastbound trains that hadoriginated at Raritan Station will origi-nate at High Bridge Station, while thewestbound trains that had terminatedat Raritan Station will continue toHigh Bridge.

New timetables will be available atstations, ticket offices, at customerservice offices and online atwww.njtransit.com in mid-October.

INDIANAPOLIS – Michael Fayis one of 29 animal conservationistsnominated to receive the Indianapo-lis Prize, the world’s leading awardfor animal conservation.

Mr. Fay, a native of Plainfield andexplorer in residence for the Na-tional Geographic Society and Wild-life Conservation Society, has beennominated for establishing morethan a dozen national parks in Cen-tral Africa and spearheading theCongo Basin Forest Partnership.

Nominees’ work spans the globe,representing a range of species fromamphibians to zebras, and includeselephants, tigers, wolves andwhales. The six finalists will beannounced in early 2008. The win-ner will be honored at the India-napolis Prize Gala, held September

28, 2008.In addition to receiving the

$100,000 prize, the winner isawarded the Lilly Medal, an origi-nal work of art that signifies contri-butions to conserving the world’smost threatened animals.

The Indianapolis Prize was firstawarded in 2006 to GeorgeArchibald, co-founder of the Inter-national Crane Foundation, who,through his decades of work, hascontributed significantly to the pres-ervation of the world’s 15 survivingspecies of cranes.

The Indianapolis Prize was initi-ated by the Indianapolis Zoo to in-spire communities to celebrate, pro-tect, and preserve the natural worldthrough conservation, education andresearch.

AREA – After five years of eco-nomic recovery, nearly 37 millionpeople are still living in poverty, ac-cording to the latest Census Bureaureport released at the end of August.Here in New Jersey, three-quarters ofa million residents live in householdsearning less than the federal povertylevel of $20,614 a year for a family offour, according to the New JerseyCommunity FoodBank in Hillside.

As a result, emergency pantriesserved by the Community FoodBankare struggling to keep up with therequests for help from elderly peopleon limited incomes and working poorfamilies whose paychecks don’tstretch to the end of the month. Anti-poverty advocates in the state say thatNew Jersey’s high cost of living meansthat 1.6 million people are poor eventhough many of them work full-time.

“Too often, low-income familieshave to make difficult choices be-tween paying the rent and buyingfood, or paying for medicine and buy-ing food,” said Kathleen DiChiara,executive director of the CommunityFoodBank of New Jersey. “Hunger isa devastating problem, and no one ina country as affluent as ours shouldbe faced with these choices.”

To help address this problem, theCommunity FoodBank of New Jerseyhas partnered with several leading su-permarket chains to create the Check-Out Hunger campaign. This fall, inevery A&P, Food Basics, Foodtown,Kings, Pathmark, ShopRite, Wawa,and Wegmans, shoppers will find $1,$2, $3 and $5 donation slips on Check-Out Hunger placards at the cashieraisle. One hundred percent of everydonation goes to the CommunityFoodBank or to one of the associated

food banks statewide.The Community FoodBank and the

four other food banks in the NewJersey Food Bank Federation providefood assistance to charities servingalmost one million low-incomepeople, many of whom are childrenand the frail elderly, a spokesman forthe Community FoodBank said.

New Jersey residents can assist lo-cal emergency pantries, senior mealprograms, shelters, low-income daycare centers and soup kitchens bysupporting Check-Out Hunger at theirlocal supermarket from Octoberthrough January.

The Community FoodBank, thestate’s largest distributor of food tonon-profit organizations servingpeople in need, distributed over 21million pounds of groceries last year,ultimately reaching more than530,000 low-income people in 18 ofNew Jersey’s 21 counties.

The FoodBank also operates a freejob-training program to prepare menand women for careers in the foodservice industry, a Kids Café Pro-gram, providing free evening mealsto almost 1000 low-income childrenin after school programs and a KidsDivision, which distributes new do-nated clothing and school supplies tokids in need.

The newest initiative is theBackPack Program providing pack-ets of food to children at risk of hun-ger over the weekend when schoolmeals aren’t available. To learn moreabout the work of the CommunityFoodBank visit www.njfoodbank.org.

CRANFORD – The 15th annualUnion County College FoundationGala, “Show Boat River Cruise,” willbe held on Saturday, November 3.The event will feature a cocktail re-ception in the Victor M. Richel Stu-dent Commons on the college’sCranford Campus, located at 1033Springfield Avenue, followed by agourmet buffet dinner and music.

The evening continues with a “Ca-sino Night” where professional deal-ers will challenge guests to wager atpoker, blackjack, craps, roulette andthe Big Wheel for a wide range ofprizes.

The Gala, the Foundation’s largestannual fund raising event, will honorPublic Service Electric and Gas Com-pany (PSE&G), a long-time supporter,and important sponsor of educationinitiatives at UCC, according to aUCC spokesman.

Opportunities to participate as adonor include reservations and spon-sorships to attend the black-tie pre-ferred event, advertising in the adjournal, or donations of raffle prizes.

In addition, 50/50 Gala Cash Raffletickets are currently being sold. Only300 tickets will be offered at $100each, awarding up to $15,000 in cashprizes if all tickets are sold. Atten-dance at the event is not required to bea cash raffle winner.

All funds raised from this eventwill benefit the Foundation’s endow-ment, which provides scholarshipsand innovative programs to deserv-ing UCC students.

These scholarships will allow thestudents to continue their dreams ofa higher education and job specifictraining. Each roll of the dice, turnof a card or purchase of a raffleticket is a sure win for UCC stu-dents.

To make reservations and sponsor-ships, place an advertisement or pur-chase raffle tickets, contact DianeMcCurdy, manager of special events,at (908) 709-7505, [email protected],www.uccfoundation.org or by mail toUnion County College Foundation,1033 Springfield Avenue, Cranford07016.

Luncheon to BenefitAnimal Adoption Group

GARWOOD – The 10th annualBest Friend Dog and Animal Adop-tion will hold its 10th annual lun-cheon/tricky tray/auction on Sunday,October 14, at the Westwood inGarwood. Doors open at 12:15 p.m.

The not-for-profit, all-volunteergroup seeks donations of new items,baskets and sports and theater ticketsfor auction.

Tickets to the luncheon are $40 andinclude a complete meal, with beer,wine or soda during the lunch hour,along with a door-prize ticket. Vari-ous prizes include the top raffle prizeof a seven-day cruise to Bermuda onNorwegian Cruise Line.

For more details, donations or tick-ets, call (732) 388-8930.

Overlook Opens NewMedical Building

SUMMIT – Overlook Hospitalopened its new 78,000 square foot,four-story medical services buildingadjacent to the hospital at 11 Over-look Road on September 25.

Referred to as the Medical ArtsCenter II, the new facility includes afull–service breast center, pain-man-agement center, wound healing cen-ter with hyperbaric oxygen therapyand a women’s center with class-rooms for pre- and post-natal classes,parent education and services in inte-grative medicine, maternal-fetalmedicine and plastic and reconstruc-tive surgery.

The building also has 35,000 squarefeet of physician office and confer-ence space.

Medical Arts Center II space re-mains available for lease throughColliers Houston and Co.

Security Expert JoinsNYSE Euronext

NEW YORK — Thomas Sloanof Westfield has joined NYSEEuronext as vice president, Inter-national Security Operations NYSEEuronext.

Mr. Sloan is responsible for de-veloping, implementing and direct-ing company-wide security pro-cesses, serving as a liaison with glo-bal government security agenciesand within the international opera-tions, identifying significant secu-rity risks, and designing programs toprevent or reduce the loss of theorganization’s assets.

Mr. Sloan resides in Westfieldwith his wife, Gale.

FTC Seeks PenaltiesAgainst TelemarketerWASHINGTON, D.C. – The Fed-

eral Trade Commission (FTC) hasfiled a complaint seeking civil pen-alties against a New Jersey-basedtelephone telemarketer for allegedlymaking misrepresentations nation-wide to consumers when fund-rais-ing for police, firefighter, and othernon-profit organizations. The FTCsaid the telemarketer’s action was inviolation of a 1998 stipulated orderand the Commission’s TelemarketingSales Rule (TSR).

According to the FTC, Civic De-velopment Group, LLC (CDG) andits officers, Scott Pasch and DavidKeezer, mislead consumers by tell-ing them that their telemarketerswork directly for the charities forwhich they were calling, that con-sumers’ donations would be paid tothe charities, and that 100 percentof the consumers’ would go to thecharity.

Carole R. Carlin VOLATILE TIMES REQUIRE A STABLE LENDER

MAKE SURE YOUR MORTGAGE GETS TO CLOSING WHEN

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Westfield Office • 209 Central Avenue • 908 233 5555

NEWLY LISTED! WESTFIELD! This meticulously maintained, bright,and updated three bedroom, one and one half bath home is located on amanicured 85’ x 100’ lot. The first floor family room addition opens to asparkling kitchen and a deck. The original grade level family room providesadditional living space. Newer: Timberline roof, appliances, windows,siding, furnace, HWH, CAC, front steps and walk, sliders to deck. Shortdistance to Tamaques Park and School. Offered for $569,900. WSF0809

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Thursday, October 4 , 2007 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION

Musical Club Of WestfieldBegins 92nd Season Oct. 10WESTFIELD – The Musical Club

of Westfield’s first performance of its92nd season will be held on Wednes-day, October 10, at 1 p.m. at the FirstBaptist Church, located at 170 ElmStreet.

The program will feature music fororgan, solo piano, vocal duet andinstrumental trio.

Organist Trent Johnson will perform“Praise the Lord with the Drums andCymbals” by Sigfrid Karg-Elert,“Rhosymedre” by Ralph Vaughan Wil-liams and “Toccata” by Eugène Gigout.

In addition to serving as director ofmusic at First United MethodistChurch in Westfield, Mr. Johnson isthe director of the Oratorio Singers.

In 2006, he was appointed as anorganist at Radio City Music Hall inNew York City and has appeared inrecital on the “Mighty Wurlitzer” organat the music hall. Mr. Johnson is also anoted composer and has received grantsand awards for his compositions.

Also, baritone Arthur Lloyd willjoin his daughter, soprano CynthiaLloyd Brogan, in the performance of“Steal me, sweet thief.” Pianist MaryBeth McFall will accompany the fa-ther/daughter duo.

Pianist Carolle-Ann Mochernukwill perform Le Tombeau de Couperinby Maurice Ravel. People may be

more familiar with the four-move-ment orchestral version, orchestratedby the composer himself in 1919, butthe original six-movement work waswritten for piano between 1914 and1917. Each movement is dedicated toa friend or friends of the composerwho died in World War I.

Flutist Jenny Cline, oboist PaulGordon and pianist Mary Beth McFallwill perform the Trio for Flute, Oboeand Piano by Madeleine Dring, aBritish composer who died in 1977.

Virginia Toenes will serve as chair-man, and the club’s hospitality com-mittee will provide refreshments af-ter the program to give those in atten-dance the opportunity to meet theperformers. The performance is freeand open to the public.

Anyone seeking information aboutjoining the club as a performer orassociate member can call the mem-bership chairman at (908) 232-2173.

Westfield Resident HoldsFirst Art Show in CranfordWESTFIELD –Westfield resident

and artist Linnea Rhodes will holdher first New Jersey solo art show atThe Artist Framer, located at 17North Avenue East in Cranford.

The gallery, owned by StephanieLalor, will host two opening recep-tions. One will take place on Octo-ber 11 from 5 to 8 p.m.; a second willoccur on October 13 from 2 to 5 p.m.

“The title of my show is ‘At Homeand Abroad,’ said Mrs. Rhodes. “Itfeatures works that I’ve especiallyenjoyed capturing as I’ve traveledto France, Italy, Greece, The Neth-erlands and England. While at home,

I’ve had the opportunity to sketchand paint scenes from familiarplaces like Westfield, Cranford, theBerkshires and Colorado. I’ve beenpainting for seven years. I’m reallyproud to be exhibiting at The ArtistFramer.”

In addition to the original artwork,The Artist Framer will offer limited-edition prints, open-edition prints,note cards and mugs based on LinneaRhodes’s art.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.Mondays to Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to8 p.m. on Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 5p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Weekend CelebrationFeatures Music and Dance

AREA – “Art in the Gardens,” anOctober celebration of National Artand Humanities Month, takes placeColumbus Day Weekend at JerseyGardens in Elizabeth’s largest outletmall.

“Art in the Gardens” features in-strumental, vocal and dance perfor-mances in the Center Court of theMall. This year, a Big Columbus DayWeekend Splash is planned with freeperformances starting tomorrow, Fri-day, October. 5, and continuingthrough Monday, Columbus Day,October 8.

The Union County Office of Cul-tural and Heritage Affairs in the De-partment of Economic Developmentcoordinate this annual event.

“Art in the Gardens is an excellentopportunity for a busy Union Countyvenue to host local talent and presentit to a wide and diverse audience,”said Freeholder Chairwoman BetteJane Kowalski, liaison to the Culturaland Heritage Programs AdvisoryBoard. “The Board of Chosen Free-holders is proud to have this annualevent in Union County.”

The weekend’s scheduled perfor-mances are:

Friday, October 5:11 a.m. – noon: Abraham Clark

High School Chorus of Roselle;12:15 – 1 p.m.: Hillside High School

Marching Band;1:15 – 2:15 p.m.: Homiler Elie

Phanor of Hillside, piano instrumen-tal;

4 – 5 p.m.: Emet of Elizabeth,Meditation in Motion;

5:15 – 6:15 p.m.: A’daila of Eliza-beth, vocal with piano.

Saturday, October 6:12:15 – 1:15 p.m.:

H.E.R.I.T.A.G.E., Inc. Show Choirof Plainfield;

1:30 – 2:30 p.m.: The David AaronJazz Trio of Union;

2:45 – 3:45 p.m.: Samahan ofCarteret, Philippine Folkdance;

4 – 5 p.m.: Consecution, perfor-mance of original music;

5:15 – 6:15 p.m.: University of thePhilippines Alumni and FriendRondalla

Traditional String Ensemble;6:30 – 7:30 p.m.: Jill Cagney of

Cranford, singer/songwriter.Sunday, October 7:11 – 11:30 a.m.: Kathleen

McMahon presents The Gypsies andGenies Dance

Ensemble of Scotch Plains;11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.: Kean

Dance Theatre;1 – 2 p.m.: Taste of Tango with

TEATRO Si of Cranford, Tango

Argentino Dance Demonstration andLessons;

2:15 – 3:15 p.m.: The Drum andDance Learning Center;

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.: Singer/songwriterErica Diaz of Union;

5 – 6 p.m.: Trio Cristal of Clifton,Spanish love songs.

Monday, October 8:11 a.m. – noon: Amy Marie Keller

of Roselle Park, singer/songwriter;12:15 – 1:15 p.m.: Robert Young,

Friends of Jazz of Plainfield;1:30 – 2:30 p.m.: Anne Marie

Noronha of Scotch Plains, classicalpiano;

2:45 – 3:45 p.m.: Kenny Woods ofWarren, singer/songwriter;

4 – 5 p.m.: Shubanjali School ofPerforming Arts, ethnic Indian clas-sical and folk dance;

5:15 – 6:15 p.m.: Yasko Koko, ajazz soloist of Garwood;

6:30 – 7:30 p.m.: Rahway Valley“JerseyAires” Barbershop Quartet ofCranford.

“Since opening its doors in October1999, Jersey Gardens has become thecenter of the community; therefore, itis a natural fit for us to host the celebra-tion of the arts in Union County,” saidCrystal Stell, Marketing Director forJersey Gardens. “We have been over-whelmed by the local talent right herein our own backyard.”

“Our goal is to raise awareness ofthe arts in Union County and the manyartists who deserve recognition fortheir achievements. Our shoppers comefrom all over the tri-state area andbeyond; this is an opportunity to show-case our local talent,” Ms. Stell added.

Jersey Gardens, New Jersey’s larg-est outlet shopping mall is located onKapkowski Road at Exit 13A of theNew Jersey Turnpike and features200 stores all under one roof.

For more information about “Art inthe Gardens,” contact the UnionCounty Office of Cultural and Heri-tage Affairs at 633 Pearl Street, Eliza-beth, NJ 07202. Call (908) 558-2550.New Jersey Relay Users dial 711 orsend e-mail to [email protected].

David Samsky for The Westfield Leader and The TimesSOMETHING FOR EVERYONE...Shops display some of their spectacularwares in downtown Westfield last Saturday at the street fair.

BURNING UP…From left to right, Michael Echausse, Matthew Phillips, AidanWindorf and Angus Applegarth of Den 11 in Westfield surround their manmadevolcanoes. The students used food coloring, dish soap, baking soda and vinegar tomake an eruption on September 18, at Franklin School.

HOLD STEADY…Dr. Schlosberg in-structs Sundance School student KayaPatel on the proper way to hold a violinduring an assembly.

Sundance SchoolWelcomes SchlosbergWESTFIELD – Dr. Ted Schlosberg

of The New Jersey Workshop for theArts in Westfield demonstrated theinstruments of the orchestra and theirsounds and evolution for students atSundance School in North Plainfield.

He entertained the 2- to 9-year-oldstudents with a variety of string, per-cussion and wind instruments, in-cluding his famous 12-foot alphorn.

Dr. Schlosberg’s expertise is teach-ing and performing on most band andorchestral instruments and conduct-ing band, orchestra and choral groups.He also leads weekly violin lessonsand multiple recitals with the Con-stellations Class at Sundance School.

Metro Rhythm AddsTwo Young MembersCRANFORD – Metro Rhythm Cho-

rus, which performs in Cranford, an-nounced the addition of two teenagesisters, Jessica and Jennifer Gaitan ofPlainfield, to their membership roles.

Adding both a tenor and a lead singerunder the ages of 18 required specialpermission from their mother and achange in the chorus’s standing rules.However, the chorus said their vocalquality is above average and will en-hance the overall tone of the chorus.

Jess and Jen have worked over thelast few months to receive a pass oneach song planned for Metro Rhythm’sannual show, “Autumn Harvest,” whichwill be held on Sunday, October 21, atthe Cranford Presbyterian Church be-ginning at 2:30 p.m.

Anyone interested in auditioningfor the chorus can attend the show tobecome acquainted with the chorus’sfour-part, Barbershop-style harmonyand then visit and audition for directorDaniel Chernosky on the followingWednesday, October 24, at 7:30 p.m.

Those interested can contact the mem-bership chair at (732) 381-2535 or theticket chair at (908) 735-6170 or at thedoor the afternoon of the performance.



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Berkeley Heights ArtistLeads Pastel Workshop

BERKELEY HEIGHTS – NancyOri of Berkeley Heights, a local in-structor and exhibiting artist, will joinfellow pastel artists and lead a work-shop group during a full day of pastelpainting at the Frelinghuysen Arbo-retum in Morristown.

The event – to run on Saturday,October 20, with a rain date ofSaturday, October 27 –begins at 9:30 a.m. andends at 4 p.m. with an artists’ receptionopen to the public. The group of threeinstructors will work as a team to pro-duce The Pastel Picnic for the secondtime at the arboretum.

The workshop will focus on devel-oping the skills necessary to capturethe varied landscape, architecture,gardens and sites of interest at thearboretum. The day is open to alllevels of pastel artists.

Tuition for the day of instructionand painting is $80 for members ofthe arboretum or $95 for non-mem-bers. Membership is $25.

For additional information, contactMs. Ori at (908) 790-8820. Registra-tions can be made with the FrelinghuysenArboretum, located at 53 East HanoverAvenue, at (973) 326-7603.

Lorenzo Lamas to Star inDracula at Premiere Stages

UNION – Premiere Stages at KeanUniversity continues its 2007 seasonwith a revival of Dracula, starringrenowned film and television starLorenzo Lamas. The production, anadaptation of Bram Stoker’s famousnovel, runs from Saturday, October27 through November 3 at KeanUniversity’s Wilkins Theatre, locatedat 1000 Morris Avenue in Union.

The production, as directed by Pre-miere Stages artistic director JohnWooten, will feature a naturalisticapproach to the classic tale.

“This is not another musical orcomic revival that pokes fun athistory’s darkest character,” Mr.Wooten said. “Our aim is to transportthe audience to 19th-Century Englandfor a heart-pounding ride that pro-vides no escape from the ‘undead.’”

Mr. Lamas garnered acclaim forhis work on “Falcon Crest” beforestarring in additional network pro-

grams that included “Bold and theBeautiful,” “The Immortal” and “Ren-egade.” His films include Lethal, Vi-per and Mask of Death.

Located on the main campus ofKean University, Premiere Stagesoffers affordable prices, air-condi-tioned facilities and free parking inclose proximity to the theaters.

Wilkins will stage the productionon Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m.,Sunday at 3 p.m. and Wednesdaysand Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m. Ticketsrange from $15 to $25. Patrons with avalid blood-donor card receive “two-for-one” tickets. To order tickets, callthe Wilkins Theatre Box Office at908-737-SHOW (7469) or visitkean.edu/premierestages.

Premiere Stages offers free or dis-counted tickets to handicapped patrons.For a list of sign-interpreted, audio-described or open-captioned perfor-mances, call (908) 737-SHOW (7469).

Casino Night ComesTo Scotch Plains

SCOTCH PLAINS – SaintBartholomew Academy’s second-an-nual Casino Night will be held on Sat-urday, October 20, from 7 to 11 p.m.

The night will feature a variety ofgames, including blackjack, craps,poker, Caribbean stud, roulette andmoney wheel.

There will be prizes and a silentauction. Atlantic City rules will apply.

Casino Night is a fundraiser for theacademy, located at 2032 WestfieldAvenue in Scotch Plains.

Tickets are $50 per person and in-clude $100 start-up chips, two freedrinks and hors d’oeuvres.

Those who make reservations byWednesday, October 10 will receive$200 in start-up chips.

For tickets or more information, callKaren Ryan at (908) 889-4684 or e-mail [email protected].

WCP to Hold AuditionsFor Crimes of the Heart

WESTFIELD – Director FredCuozzo of Westfield CommunityPlayers (WCP) will hold open audi-tions for the Beth Henley dramedyCrimes of the Heart on October 8,and 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the WCP theaterat 1000 North Avenue West inWestfield.

Callbacks, if needed, will take placeon October 10 at 7:30 p.m. Rehears-als start in late October; the showopens January 5, 2008, for three week-ends.

This Pulitzer Prize-winning play isset in Hazlehurst, Miss., where theMagrath sisters have come togetheras their grandfather is dying.

The oldest Magrath sister remains

unmarried and faces diminishingprospects, while the middle sistermoves back home after a failed sing-ing career and the youngest gets outon bail after shooting her husband.

Their troubles, alternately graveand ridiculous, comprise the story ofthree sisters escaping the past to seizethe future.

Cast requirements are as follows:four women and two men, all be-tween 20s and 40s; all must affect aSouthern accent.

Auditions will consist of readingsfrom the script, which will be pro-vided.

For more information, call (908)232-9568.

LOST AND FOUND…Westfield sixth-grader Sam Hays will perform in anational-touring production of PeterPan. In Sam’s first professional role, hewill play the leader of the Lost Boys ina musical production that will tour theUnited States and Canada from Octo-ber through March. Sam is also anunderstudy for the role of MichaelDarling. He is a member of the LittleOpera Company, a division of the NJWorkshop for the Arts and a memberof NJPAC’s Young Artist Institute. Theproduction will make a local appear-ance this Saturday, October 6, at KeanUniversity’s Wilkins Theater with amatinee and evening performance.Tickets are available at keanstage.comby clicking on family events.

By MICHAEL S. GOLDBERGER3 popcorns

Director David Cronenberg’s East-ern Promises begins its tensely ab-sorbing, sinister delve into the worldof the Russian Mafia with the grue-some death of a 14-year-old, pregnantprostitute. Anna, the midwife (NaomiWatts) who discovers the dope-ad-dicted mom’s diary, hopes it’s a key tothe tragedy. Oh…the baby survived.

That’s the initial motivation. If Annacan’t locate the little girl’s relatives, thewaif becomes a ward of the state. Thestage is set. As Moviedom is wont toprove time and again, the road to perdi-tion is paved with good intentions. It’salso more exciting if the Samaritanjourneyer is an unwitting innocent. Themidwife brings the journal home.

There, in the London householdinhabited by her often drunk, dyspep-tic Russian uncle, she asks him totranslate the chronicle. But, just to beornery, it’s nyet. Just as well. Call itintuition. Could be there’s somethingUncle Stepan (Jerzy Skolimowsky)shouldn’t see.

Her next move, prompted by a busi-ness card found in the diary, takes theintrepid lass to the Trans-SiberianRestaurant. In the baroque, damask-shrouded space run by Armin Mueller-Stahl’s Semyon, she’s offered a ladleof borscht, but no answers.

All the same, Anna suspects she’sin hot soup. You don’t need yourZagat to know that “while Russianémigrés from both the imperial pastand the post Soviet tumble frequentthis old favorite for sumptuous re-pasts and to celebrate new miseries,that Trans-Siberian is actually a frontfor the vori v zakone (thieves in law)is what gives it an intriguing cachet.”

Besides, there sure are a lot ofcomings and goings. And why woulda restaurateur need a chauffeur postedoutside, practically 24-7? At leastthat’s how Nikolai, the rather myste-rious fellow in black trench coat andsunglasses, repeatedly identifies him-self: “I am just driver.”

Managing a devilish array of confus-ing emotions, Viggo Mortensen’s enig-matic Nikolai does a smirk that re-minds of those optical-illusion charmsthat once came in candy packages. Lookat it one way, it’s a cat; another way, it’sa dog. Only in his case, it is at once aterrifying scowl and comforting smile.

Still, when her motorcycle won’tstart, Naomi Watts’s brave gal ac-cepts a ride home. Hey, her uncle justindiscreetly informed why her last

One Popcorn, Poor • Two Popcorns, Fair • Three Popcorns, Good • Four Popcorns, Excellent

POPCORN™

Eastern PromisesFrom Russia with Crime

beau dumped her. She’s vulnerable.But Nikolai warns, “Stay away frompeople like me.” Oh well, just as longas she isn’t hoping to reform him.

That’s unlikely. Though currentlyserving as bodyguard/playmate toSemyon’s loose-cannon son, Kirill(Vincent Cassel), Nikolai is on thetrajectory to earning the star tattoosabove his heart that denote investiture.A timeworn tale that nonetheless worksagain, the knight is outshining theprince. That could be trouble.

Meanwhile, back at the dysfunc-tional digs, curiosity gets the best ofthe curmudgeonly uncle. He surrep-titiously reads the diary, oh boy, ohboy. Never mind the plot-divulgingdetails. Semyon was the last one Annashould have shown the telltale tome.A suddenly sober Stepan sums up thedanger: “I know these people.” Annanames the baby Christine.

The borscht thickens. But said pos-sible case of incrimination is onlyone of several never-ending chal-lenges to Semyon’s fiefdom. For ex-ample, a Chechen group is upset thatcrazy Kirill, as a matter of vanity, hasexecuted one of its top operatives.

In fact, Nikolai’s role as “funeraldirector” in that matter is what helpedingratiate him with the gang. It alsointroduces the first of several verygraphic scenes. Doubtless, many filmshave boasted greater volumes of nas-tiness. But pound for pound of muti-lated flesh, this stuff’s about as grislyas it gets.

Steven Knight’s screenplaycomplements the physical horror withan equally disturbing look into thepsychology of these villains. Similarto what we’ve witnessed in The God-father (1972) et al, there’s plentyhypocritical talk of honor.

And many of the codes and ritualsapparently translate from Black Handto Triads to this Muscovite brand ofscourge. Yet the thesis here is thataccentuated stereotypes identify theseworst of every kind. Thus in this case,an air of fatality permeates. Chekhovdoes Goodfellas.

Momentary victories merely pro-pel these nogoodniks toward that un-explainable, unavoidable destiny onlythey understand. Effective art direc-tion and cinematography utilize thedreary London locales to impart thehopelessness. A musical score only atad less cheery than “The Song of theVolga Boatmen” seals the mood.

But aha, there is our heroine. She’smade a vow, both to herself andChristine’s martyred mom. If paperbeats rock, maybe hope beats gloom.And so in trying to figure out thisNikolai guy while also keeping thebaby alive, Anna puts us at seat’sedge, uncomfortable as heck but won-dering if she’ll be able to keep herEastern Promises.

* * * *Eastern Promises, rated R, is a Focus

Features release directed by DavidCronenberg and stars Viggo Mortensen,Naomi Watts and Armin Mueller-Stahl.Running time: 100 minutes.

D’OH…The Simpsons have taken up residence in the children’s room of theSpringfield Free Public Library. The library received the larger-than-life-sizecharacters as a gift to the township from 20th Century Fox Film Corporation forparticipating in their “The Simpsons Movie Springfield Challenge.” This Sunday,from 1:30 until 3:30 p.m., the public can attend the Simpsons party. People can taketheir pictures with the Simpsons or visit with live Simpson characters as they roamthe stacks. The event will feature a craft activity for children and Homer’s favoritedonuts, provided by the local Dunkin’ Donuts. The Springfield Free Public Libraryis located at 66 Mountain Avenue. For more information, call (973) 376-4930.

Seton Hall UniversityPresents The CrucibleSOUTH ORANGE – Seton Hall

University Arts Council presentsArthur Miller’s The Crucible, begin-ning October 19, in Seton HallUniversity’s Theatre-In-The-Round.The play, directed by James McGlone,professor of theatre in the departmentof communication, will launch SetonHall’s theater productions.

The Crucible, written by ArthurMiller, tells the story of the SalemWitch Trials in 1692. The play pro-vides an example of the recurringchallenge to the freedoms Americansroutinely enjoy.

Tickets may be purchased throughthe ticket office in the Seton HallUniversity Center or online ata r t s c i . s h u . e d u / a r t s c o u n c i l /tickets.htm. Prices are $15 for regularadmission, $12 for alumni, childrenand senior citizens and $8 for stu-dents (with a valid ID), faculty andstaff. Performances are at 7:30 p.m.on October 19, 20, 26 and 27, and 2p.m. on October 21 and 28.

For more information, visitartsci.shu.edu/theatre.

Trailside Offers NewAdult Art WorkshopMOUNTAINSIDE – Trailside Na-

ture and Science Center inMountainside will offer a new artworkshop for adults ages 18 and olderon the creative and engrossing arttechnique of touch drawing this Sat-urday from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Linda Howe, a certified art teacherand touch-drawing instructor for thepast five years, will teach the workshop.Participants will experience the flow,flexibility and creativity of mono-printing – a process in which fingerpressure impresses a design fromunderneath paper submerged in paint.

Participants can make countlessprints using a Plexiglas panel, a softrubber brayer, water mixable oil paintsand paper on which to “touch draw.”Participants should bring an apron orold shirt to wear while painting.

Space is limited; pre-registration isrequired. The fee is $15 for UnionCounty residents and $20 for out-of-county participants. The fee includesall materials.

For additional information visitucnj.org/trailside.

Trailside Nature and Science Centeris located at 452 New Providence Road.

GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER…Rick Delaney and Harriett Trangucciwelcome a somewhat unwilling dinner guest in Omnium Gatherum, presented byThe Theater Project, Union County College’s professional theater company.

Community Players OpenSeason with Born Yesterday

WESTFIELD – The WestfieldCommunity Players’ (WCP) produc-tion of Garson Kanin’s political com-edy Born Yesterday opens this Satur-day, October 6, at 8 p.m. in the theaterat 1000 North Avenue West.

The show continues Friday and Sat-urday evenings October 12, 13, 19, 20,26 and 27, with all reserved seat tick-ets at $15. There are benefit perfor-mances open to the general public onOctober 12 and 19, with tickets avail-able from sponsoring organizations.

Call the box office at (908) 232-1221 for further details. Note that allnon-member tickets must be pre-paidto secure a reservation and WCPmember tickets will not be honoredfor benefit performances.

Director Jon Heron has the cast infinal rehearsals for the October 6 open-ing, assisted by producer Kay Macraeand stage manager Barbara Ruban.

Set in wartime Washington, D.C.,Harry Brock is a corrupt tycoon whobrings his showgirl mistress BillieDawn with him to the Capitol as hetries to convince some members ofCongress to vote his way.

Realizing Billie Dawn needs somepolish, he hires a journalist to educateher and keep her busy while he winesand dines the congressmen. As thewriter falls in love with Billie, sherealizes how corrupt Harry really isand begins interfering with his plansto “buy” a few congressmen.

Harry Brock (John Correll) andBillie Dawn (Barbara Riecken) aretargeting Senator and Mrs. Hedgesplayed by Stan Kaplan of Westfieldand Jean Kuras.

Either starting or trying to thwart

the political shenanigans are EdDevery (Charlie Dietz), Paul Verrall(Einar Gunn), Eddie Brock (KeithSampino) and Helen (Sandy Polskyof Cranford).

Viewing from the sidelines whileoffering their own perspective onpolitics are Phillip Nolf (Westfield),Desiree Ewankov (Westfield) andMike Bieber (Westfield).

Art Assoc. TravelsTo Phila. Museum

SCOTCH PLAINS –The ScotchPlains and Fanwood Arts Associationwill take its fall trip to the Philadel-phia Museum of Art on Thursday,November 8.

The group will view the “RenoirLandscapes,” public and private col-lections devoted to Renoir’s view ofnature. This is the exhibit’s only show-ing in the United States.

The bus will depart from the ScotchPlains Municipal Building at 8:30 a.m.and return around 5 p.m. The $50 costincludes bus, exhibition ticket and audiotour. Those interested in reserving seatsshould contact Anne Gibbons at (908)232-2631 by Saturday, October 6.

After Last Year’s Success,Berke Goes to Bat for Charity

By MICHAEL J. POLLACKSpecially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

WESTFIELD – After a successfulinaugural effort, Westfield eighth graderDaniel Berke and his friends – 25 in all– took to the baseball diamond oncemore to benefit those less fortunate.

Created last year to satisfy hisMitzvah Project – an initiative thatstresses the importance of good deedsand philanthropy – “Daniel’s CharityBaseball Game” benefited the resi-dents of Children’s Specialized Hos-pital in Mountainside in 2006.

In 2007, the game’s second editionhad a different level of importance toDaniel.

“It was more meaningful [than lastyear] because I just did it because Iwanted to,” Daniel, 13, said. “I wantedto give to charity.”

Echoing her son’s comments, MegBerke said, “This year he just did itbecause it feels good to help others.You do it because you want to. Itabsolutely has more meaning. That’swhat so nice about it.”

Daniel’s father, Evan Berke, con-curred, saying, “I’m proud of the kid.He did it of his own volition. He justwanted to do it. It takes on moremeaning when it’s that way.”

Choosing a charitable beneficiarycan prove difficult, but the choicecame easily for Daniel, who thoughtof his experiences with Idella LaPierrewhen making his decision.

Mrs. Berke told The WestfieldLeader and The Times that Ms.LaPierre, who is in her 80s, makes

trips to the Berke residence to collectclothes and household items that thefamily donates. Ms. LaPierre then“pairs [what she receives] with peoplewho need them,” Mrs. Berke said.

As Mrs. Berke explained, Ms.LaPierre gives the Berkes a receiptfor tax purposes, which denotes theSt. Joseph’s Social Service Center inElizabeth – the recipient Daniel chose.

“Daniel wanted to do it as a surpriseto her,” she added. “So, he went aheadand made the decision. He didn’t tellher. [When she learned], she came tothe game and was thrilled.”

Ms. LaPierre speaks fondly of Daniel,describing a “loving, kind young man”who would offer anything he could tohelp and would run outside barefoot tocarry things to her car.

“Daniel is one of my favorite youngmen,” she said. “It’s a religious fam-ily. They trained him well – I can tell.”

Saying she “volunteers everydayfor someone in need,” Ms. LaPierrereferences a passage from the Bookof Matthew in which God outlineshow he will judge nations, specifyingthat he will view favorably those whofeed the hungry, welcome the stranger,clothe the naked and care for the sick.

Because of Daniel’s willingness tohelp others and act in a loving, consid-erate way, she feels “he has Christ in hislife…and it doesn’t make a differencewhat denomination or religion you are.”

Daniel holds Ms. LaPierre in highesteem as well, saying “she’s such asweet, caring person. She loves whenyou donate. [She’s] just a people per-son. She cares about everybody.”

Mr. Berke notes that when shewould come over, “she’d hug and kissus. The love she generated and showedDan…had to make him consider herand [St. Joseph’s].”

So the choice to involve Ms.LaPierre and St. Joseph’s in the gamecame quite naturally, and on Septem-ber 15, two teams, clad in black andgold uniforms, took the field at

Tamaques Park to do their part.As Mrs. Berke explained, “Each

player gave $20. We encouraged fami-lies to watch the game. Parents boughtraffle tickets and silent-auction itemsto bid on (including a Jason Kidd-signed basketball, which went for$225). Some pledged a fixed amountfor a number of runs (individuals inMrs. Berke’s office pledged varyingamounts, totaling $400), and peopledonated money for food and drinks.”

Although the weather didn’t ap-pear favorable to start, clear skiesemerged at noon, and the game beganwithout postponement.

“We had a great turnout and a lot offun,” Daniel’s mother recounted.“Daniel did a really good job. He wentdoor-to-door garnering donations. Hegot 17 raffle items and food donated.”

To Daniel’s father, his son gainedinvaluable experience by relating hisproject to prospective businesses andsuccessfully landing their contributions.

“I’m most impressed with how heconfronted business owners, shooktheir hands, looked them in the eye torequest that they donate to the cause.It’s a tremendous learningexperience…It’s remarkable howwell people respond to goodness.”

All together, the game garnered$2,350, which will aid the Elizabethcenter.

Sister Jacinta Fernandes, directorof St. Joseph’s Social Service Center,said, “It’s wonderful to see youngpeople with that type of compassionand commitment to the community

and for people less fortunate.”She said the money will go towards

“a number of things,” including foodthe center purchases through the com-munity food bank, a prescription pro-gram to help people pay for medica-tions, bus passes for those in thecenter’s job program and other basicnecessities.

She explained that in the job pro-gram, people come to classes for sixweeks, learning computer skills,résumé writing, interviewing tech-niques, math and English in order toprepare for finding a job.

“When they interview and…get ajob, we provide their bus tickets untilthey receive their first paycheck,”Sister Jacinta noted.

In terms of her overall reaction, shesaid, “we weren’t expecting it. It wasa nice surprise.”

While the day surrounded the causeaway from the ballpark, a game didgo on, which Daniel’s Gold team won8-7 in comeback fashion.

“It was 7-3 going into the second-to-last inning,” Daniel said. “I got asingle and a double (in addition to anice catch, which his dad notes), andwe came back to win.”

Teammate and friend TJ Lutz said,“The whole thing was great…He’sbeen organizing this 24/7, and heraised a lot of money. It was a ton offun.”

TJ also added that the day hadincreased meaning because “It wasfrom his heart…Why not do it again?”

Daniel reiterated, when speakingto The Leader/Times, that he “didn’tdo the project for a reward. I knowthat [the center] will do somethinguseful with the donations. It won’t goto build a building.”

To Ms. LaPierre, that level of think-ing and foresight is atypical for some-one with 13 years of life experience.

“It’s amazing at his young age,”she said. “It’s such a blessing. I thankGod for him.”

Daniel Berke’s Charity Baseball Game

and he seems to garner the adamantrespect of both performers and audi-ence alike.

That kind of pas-sion for a classicand sometimes-ar-chaic-seeming artform is what haspreserved theWSO and themore-than-150-year-old Rigoletto.WSO ExecutiveDirector ElizabethRyan said, “In atime when most or-chestras are con-tracting, theWestfield Sym-phony is continu-ally expanding, atribute to the con-ductor and his pas-sion.”

According to Ms. Ryan, the expan-sion of the WSO is both financial —the budget has increased 70 percentin the last five years —and geographi-cal. And yet in a time when popularmusic becomes more mainstream withthe further innovation of the Internet,we see the WSO expanding.

Yes, it would have been nice to seesome kind of scenery, costumes or aplastic sword now and again, but the

concert did notdepend on highproduction. Theexperience ofRigoletto waswholly secured inthe music, whichthe soloistsbrought to life.

And while theproduction maynot have been thethree most excit-ing hours of mylife, those whowere actually will-ing to read theloose translationsof the music in theprogram could tellthat this concert

had more murder, betrayal and twistsof fate than the average episode of“The OC.”

If younger people dared to experi-ence an opera in concert, they toomight be pleasantly surprised.

Julia Burns is a junior Journalismstudent at Westfield High School.

WESTFIELD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA– –

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SUMMIT SEASON OPENING FORWSO...WSO debuts in Summit to a fullhouse at Central Presbyterian Churchwith silver-anniversary, season-open-ing performance of Verdi’s Rigoletto inconcert. Maestro Wroe, center, appearswith renowned international guest so-loists, from left to right, EduardoCalcano, September Bigalow, JiyeunCholee and Daeson No.

Abby Ryan for The Westfield Leader and The Times


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Westfield’s Book StoreTo Host Author ‘Trifecta’

Malamut Board ShowsWork in Union Library

AREA – Members of the board ofthe Les Malamut Art Gallery are cur-rently participating in a joint exhibi-tion of artwork titled “Best of theBoard” at the gallery.

Exhibitors include Joseph Hulsen,acrylic paintings; George Tarr, bas-relief and paintings; Kathie Taylor,paintings; Laurie Sansone, directorof the Union Public Library; and Bar-bara Wirkus, photographs. The workof Frank Locano, a longtime boardmember who passed away last year,will be highlighted.

The show is ongoing and will closeThursday, November 15. The galleryis located in the Union Library at1980 Morris Avenue. It is free, handi-capped accessible and open to thepublic during regular library hours.

The Les Malamut board currentlyhas openings; anyone interested inserving can call (908) 851-5450 formore information.

WESTFIELD – The Town BookStore in Westfield will host a meet-and-greet session for a trio of romancewriters on Saturday, October 13.

Lois Winston, author of Love Liesand a Double of Deception, IrenePeterson, author of Glory Days, andShoban Bantwal, author of The DowryBride, will sign copies of their booksfrom 2 to 4 p.m.

Ms. Winston, a Westfield resident,writes humorous, cross-genre, con-temporary novels and romantic sus-pense. She often draws upon both herNew Jersey roots and her extensiveexperience as a crafts designer formuch of her source material.

Ms. Peterson has lived her entirelife in New Jersey. The attitude of herheroines is reflected in their demeanorand speech.

Ms. Bantwal came to the UnitedStates more than 30 years ago as ayoung bride in an arranged marriage.The Dowry Bride tells the story of oneyoung woman trapped in India’s ar-ranged marriage and dowry system andher escape and journey to freedom.

Those who come to the store, lo-cated at 270 East Broad Street, canmeet the trio. Anyone unable to at-

tend can call (908) 233-3535 andreserve autographed copies of theirbooks.

Theater Project to Present‘Dinner Party From Hell’ Comedy

CRANFORD – The TheaterProject, Union County College’s pro-fessional theater company, located at1033 Springfield Avenue in Cranford,will present the off-Broadway hitOmnium Gatherum, a dinner-party-from-hell comedy (and 2004 PulitzerPrize finalist) by Theresa Rebeck andAlexandra Gersten-Vassilarosthrough Sunday, October 21.

Omnium Gatherum surrounds apost-9/11 New York dinner partyhosted by a domestic diva à la MarthaStewart.

The seven guests – including amiddle-eastern academic, black femaleminister, New York City fireman, bel-ligerent conservative novelist, gay lib-eral British commentator and a veg-etarian feminist, as well as an eighthwho arrives late – are incompatible,making for incendiary table talk.

Staged by artistic director MarkSpina, the cast includes ChessLankford of Westfield, Shirine Babb,Rick Delaney, Gary Glor, RebeccaMoore, Kevin Sebastian, FaisalSheikh and Harriett Trangucci.

The play was developed shortlyafter the terrorist attacks of 2001. Inthe days following 9/11, Rebeck andGersten-Vassilaros, longtime friends,

watched hours of CNN and talkedabout the events and the way theywere being interpreted by television’stalking heads.

Soon, the heated discussions anddebates between the playwrightsflowed into drama, in which the West-ern World’s intellectual elite gather ata hellish dinner party to hash out theworld’s problems over several casesof red and white.

Performances are Thursdays, Fri-days and Saturdays at 8 p.m., as wellas Sundays at 3 p.m. Discussions willbe held each Sunday immediatelyfollowing the performance. Ticketsare $20, with student tickets priced at$10 and $12.

This Sunday, October 7, has beendesignated as “Senior Sunday,” withall senior-citizen tickets available for$12. An audio-described performancewill take place today.

The New Jersey Theatre Allianceand the New Jersey Department ofHuman Services Division of the Deafand Hard of Hearing, through theNew Jersey State Council on the Arts,will offer an open-captioning perfor-mance of Omnium Gatherum todayas well.

For ticket reservations, call (908)659-5189. For more information, visitTheTheaterProject.com.

The Theater Project is wheelchairaccessible.

Abby Ryan for The Westfield Leader and The TimesHALF-TIME HAPPINESS…Maestro David Wroe, far right, enjoys a moment of relaxation at intermission with renownedinternational guest soloists, from left to right, Eduardo Calcano (Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory, Milan), Jiyeun Cholee(Seoul National Opera) and Daeson No (New York City Opera) during the Westfield Symphony Orchestra’s (WSO) silver-anniversary, season-opening performance of Verdi’s Rigoletto in concert at Summit Presbyterian Church last Friday. Formore information about WSO’s silver-anniversary program and upcoming concerts, call (908) 232-9400.

Independent Thriller ConcludesFilming in Scotch Plains Township

By CHRISTIE STORMSSpecially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

SCOTCH PLAINS — Drivingalong the quiet, winding roads ofScotch Plains, you’d never suspectthat a local home tucked away on acul-de-sac was currently bustling with

the Hollywood-like activity that sur-rounds filming a major-motion pic-ture.

Throughout September, that privateresidence, along with the NorthPlainfield Police Station and othernearby locales, served as the setting forthe independent thriller, Rachel Marks.

The film, which is primarily abouta young woman who stalks her den-tist, is the creation of writer/directorand New Jersey native Jake Cashill.

His company, Fixation Films,teamed up with Red Line Studios ofBrooklyn, an independent film pro-duction studio, for the project, whichconcluded filming last Friday.

Between takes on the front lawn ofthe Scotch Plains residence, Mr. Cashillspoke with The Westfield Leader andThe Times about why the local areawas so well-suited for his production.

“I’m familiar with the area andwanted to make it community-basedand use as many local elements as Icould,” Mr. Cashill said, citing thathis parents live nearby in Plainfield.

“This has proven to be a great deci-sion from the efficiency of logisticsto the warm welcome andcooperation…Local was the way togo.”

Producer Matthew Pellowski dis-cussed the aspects that influencedselecting the Scotch Plains home.

“The interior has high ceilings andwide rooms, so that helps us withequipment,” Mr. Pellowski said. “It’shalf in the woods, half not. There’s apond behind it, and the front yard isbig enough for this scene where the

police pull up and charge into thehouse.”

“Visually,” Mr. Pellowski contin-ued, “It’s supposed to be your every-day ‘nothing-bad-ever-happens-here’kind of house, so when somethingbad does happen, that adds to it.”

The fact the house has so many roomsallowed for the production company touse it not only as the main couple’shome, but alternately as the interior ofanother character’s apartment.

According to Mr. Pellowski, pro-duction designer Nancy Alexandercurrently rents the home. She helpedtransform its rooms to befit the char-acters in the movie.

“When you film in the actual loca-tion where somebody lives, there’salready an environment there,” Mr.Pellowski said. “I think it builds thereality of the film and helps the actorsget into character more. When you’reon a set, I don’t think you ever get itout of your mind that you’re on a set.”

At dusk that day, the crew films ascene where a main character, dentistPaul McNeil, walks down his drive-way. Unbeknownst it to him, a stalkerwatches his every step from behind atree.

Director Cashill seems to have aspecific vision of how he wants thisscene to play, right down to how blurrythe hint of the stalker’s hair appears inthe corner of the screen and whichdirection she darts out of the frame.This requires several takes, but whenthe desired result is achieved, Mr.Cashill appears excited and pleased,praising the actors and crew.

Kerry Aissa, who plays McNeiland has also appeared on the televi-sion shows “The King of Queens”and “General Hospital,” said he wasdrawn to the idea of doing a thrillerand found the script to be “a greatread.”

“I think everyone will be able torelate to him (McNeil) as a victimbecause it’s very reality-based,” Mr.Aissa said. “There’s really nothingfar-fetched.”

The crew refocuses its attention to a40-foot camera crane, called a jib,which requires special operators. Mr.Pellowski explains that this device willbe used to provide “establishing” or“bumper” shots that can be inserted atvarious points throughout the film.

Using this particular piece of equip-ment allows for creative angles thatcannot be captured via regular cam-eras. The jib is also hooked up to a videomonitor, so all could watch as the shotszoomed in sweeping along the ground,rose way up through a tree top or alter-nately descended upon the house.

“It really adds dynamic and ups theproduction value,” Mr. Pellowski said.

Although they hoped to be throughtaking these particular shots once thesun went down, the crew had plannedto continue filming overnight rightthrough until dawn.

“This has been a very accommodat-ing area for filming,” Mr. Pellowskisaid. “We’ve come in sometimes atlike 4 p.m. and worked until like 6 a.m.with lights going all night and haven’thad any complaints….It’s one of thefew projects I’ve ever been on wherewe’ve almost been 100 percent onschedule day for day, hour for hour.”

Rachel Marks, which additionallystars Emily Parker, Aiden Sullivanand Tempany Deckett, will releasedin 2008.

Christie Storms for The Westfield Leader and The TimesI LIKE THE CUT OF HIS JIB...Red Line Studios producer Matt Pellowskipauses for a moment while a crew sets up a 40-foot jib camera crane behind himat the Scotch Plains residence featured in the film, Rachel Marks, an independentthriller set for release in 2008.

Symphony Teams With RenownedSoloists to Bring Rigoletto to Life

By JULIA BURNSSpecially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

WESTFIELD – With the start of itssilver-anniversary season, theWestfield Symphony Orchestra(WSO) began its 25th year withVerdi’s Rigoletto last Friday, show-casing this season’s theme of war andresolution. Under Maestro DavidWroe, the orchestra was accompa-nied by a multitude of internationallyrenowned soloists.

Korean baritone Daeson No, play-ing the title role after his appearancein the WSO finale last year, artfullysang the Italian masterpiece.

However, it was the dramatic tenorof Eduardo Calcano that really stolethe show, as he portrayed the Duke ofMantua. The young Julliard-trainedsoprano Jiyeun Cholee of the SeoulNational Opera rounded out the trio.All of their imposing voices hauntedthe audience of last Friday’s perfor-mance.

The piece commenced with a playfulmelody one might expect as a themesong for a court jester. Calcano openedthe show with both a rich and romanticvoice that sailed into the rafters of Cen-tral Presbyterian Church in Summitand an eyebrow raise Stephen Colberthimself would have been proud of.

However, any hints of humor or

jesting became indistinguishable onceNo joined Calcano on stage.

It was those voices that captured themelodrama of Rigoletto’s plot. Therewas little visual interest for the audi-ence until Cholee ascended the stagein a bold red chiffon dress. Her angelicvoice both seamlessly captured thefrustration of a daughter and truthfullyinterpreted the struggles of a woman.

The playful harmony betweenRigoletto and his daughter, Gilda,was anchored in the orchestra underMaestro Wroe, who ruefully whirledhis baton while artfully directing theinstrumentals and Pro Arte Chorale,who have performed with the WSOpreviously.

Wroe’s skill is apparent on stage,

CONTINUED: SYMPHONY25

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