The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood

FIFTY CENTS (908) 2324407

Scotch Plains – Fanwood THE TIMES

OUR 42ND YEAR – ISSUE NO. 1442 Published Every Thursday USPS 485200

Periodical – Postage Paid at Scotch Plains, N. J. Thursday, April 6, 2000

of

— Serving Scotch Plains and Fanwood Since 1959 —

CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK

INDEX

A& E............... Page 20 Business ........ Page 18 Classifieds ..... Page 19

County .......... Page 2 Editorial ........ Page 4 Obituary ........ Page 10

Religious ....... Page 11 Social ............ Page 6 Sports ............ Page 13

Club Malibu Neighbors Speak Out About Problems at SP Nightspot By FRED ROSSI

Specially Written for The Times

A halfdozen residents living near Club Malibu in Scotch Plains spoke last week about having to deal with excessive noise, trash, vandalism, traffic and crowds that were directly related, they said, to the lax management and operation of the nowclosed Terrill Road nightspot.

At the second of what will likely be several hearings before the Township Council, acting in its capacity as local alcohol control board, the six homeowners from Scotch Plains and Plainfield were nearly united in their opposition to renewing the liquor license for the club, which is now owned by Rayric Corporation.

In seeking a license restoration, which expired last July 1, the new owners are promising to revamp the management, crowd control and security, and parking situation at Malibu, which closed early last year after a fatal shooting in November 1998.

Prior to the residents’ testimony at the March 29 meeting, Scotch Plains Police Sergeant James A. Cassidy, the local liquor control officer, completed his testimony that had begun at the first session on February 29.

Questioned by Kenneth Lipstein, who served as Municipal Prosecutor last year and is handling this case for the Township, Sergeant Cassidy said that, in his five years in the liquor control post, no other establishment in Scotch Plains has had the number of police calls and difficulties that

Club Malibu has had. Councilman Tarquin Jay Bromley led Sergeant Cassidy though a listing of several liquorserving establishments in the township, including Pantagis Renaissance, the American Legion hall and Charlie Brown’s, and asked Sergeant Cassidy to compare the level of problems at those businesses with Malibu. Except for a few isolated incidents, specifically at Pantagis and Charlie Brown’s, Sergeant Cassidy said the Township Police Department has never had Malibulike problems with these other establishments.

Despite the objections of Rayric’s attorney, Neil Cohen, that several of the resident witnesses were not Scotch Plains residents, Prosecutor Lipstein first questioned Edward Washington of Edwin Place in Plainfield, who said life for him has “been hell” because of his proximity to Club Malibu. He listed several complaints, including “the volume of music,” which he said causes him to feel vibrations inside his home; the cars illegally parking on his street, despite signs marking the street as a noparking zone during overnight hours; urination on his property; fights on or near his property; and empty beer bottles left on his property.

Mr. Washington said it was “unbearable at times,” and added that there have been no problems since the nightclub closed 14 months ago.

Clara Perrucci, another Edwin Place resident, also complained about

the noise levels and told of empty bottles and cans strewn on her property when the club was open. When Mr. Lipstein asked her if there had been similar problems since its closing last year, Mrs. Perrucci said no. She also said that when Malibu was open for business, but closed for a particular evening, no problematic incidents, such as those she described, ever occurred. She expressed her objection to a renewal of the liquor license.

Grace Trocodeo of Edwin Place echoed her neighbors’ sentiments, saying her experience with Club Malibu had been “pretty rough,” adding that matters had worsened over the years leading to the Thanksgiving 1998 shooting. Like her neighbors, Mrs. Trocodeo said matters had improved since the club’s closing and stated her objection to renewing Malibu’s liquor license.

Edward Kollin, who lives behind Club Malibu on Malanga Place, said he, too, has been annoyed by the noise levels from the nightspot, a problem he felt had gotten worse in the few years prior to its closing.

Curious about the decibel levels that caused the windows in his home to vibrate, Mr. Kollin, who said he had experience as an audio engineer, said he set up equipment to measure the noise levels in his home.

But when Mr. Lipstein attempted to allow Mr. Kollin to discuss his findings, Mr. Cohen strongly objected, saying that Mr. Kollin would then be testifying as an expert wit ness, not a resident providing his

personal observations. After Mr. Cohen complained he had received no advance word that Mr. Kollin would be talking about his noisemeasuring efforts and stating that, in fairness, independent tests would need to be conducted to compare to Mr. Kollin’s findings, any discussion about Mr. Kollin’s tests was disallowed by Douglas Hansen, the Township Attorney serving as legal advisor to the Council.

When Mr. Kollin stated his objection to a renewal of Malibu’s liquor license, Mr. Cohen, as he did with most of the resident witnesses, asked him whether, if steps were taken to reduce the noise levels emanating from the club, he would feel more comfortable.

Mr. Kollin, who estimated his house to be about 600 feet from Malibu, said he didn’t believe it would be possible to reduce the sound of the music to a level that would satisfy both those living near the club and those who patronized the establishment.

Another Malanga Place resident, Allison Kaufman, also called attention to the noise levels at Malibu. She

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Fanwood Planning Board to Begin Review of Draft Zoning Ordinance

By SUZETTE F. STALKER

Specially Written for The Times

The Fanwood Planning Board is about to begin its formal review of a draft zoning ordinance which the Borough Council hopes to unveil by summer, officials confirmed this week.

A chapterbychapter discussion of the longawaited document by the board is expected to begin at the body’s next agenda meeting on Monday, April 17, according to Zoning Officer and Planning Board member Nancy Koederitz.

A comprehensive document more than 200 pages in length, the new ordinance will replace an existing

ing body Liaison to the Planning Board, the ordinance will not be introduced until the Planning Board and the council have thoroughly reviewed the document and the council has reached a consensus on the final version of the ordinance.

He said the board has been given until June to review the draft ordinance and to supply the council with

prescribed under state statute because of the document’s significance to the future of Fanwood.

He added that board members have also been asked to provide elected officials with comments as they review each section of the ordinance, rather than after all of their amendments have been compiled.

Mr. Whitaker revealed that, as intext which has been in use in Fanwood since the early 1960s. It reflects some eight years of work by members of the Borough Council, the Planning Board and others.

According to Council President Joel Whitaker, who serves as govern

FAMILY TRADITION… Cynthia Swindlehurst is sworn in as the newest Democratic member of the Fanwood Borough Council on March 28 by Mayor Louis C. Jung, left, during a private ceremony in his office at Borough Hall. Ms. Swindlehurst was named to fill the unexpired term of former Councilman William E. Populus, Jr., who retired from the governing body on March 1. Looking on are her parents, Barbara and John Swindlehurst, both of whom were council members themselves. Mr. Swindlehurst, the first Democrat ever to serve on the Fanwood council, was elected in 1969 and again in 1972. Mrs. Swindlehurst served from 1983 to 1986.

comments related to their approval or disapproval of the document, or any recommended changes to the text in its present form.

Councilman Whitaker told The Times the board was given an extension on the 35day review period

formation is received from the Planning Board, the council will hold hearings of its own, at which time officials will evaluate input from both the board and the public. However, the council is not bound by the board’s

Budget Hearing Set For May 3 in Fanwood

FANWOOD — The Fanwood Borough Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on its municipal budget for 2000 on Wednesday, May 3, at 8 p. m. Public comments on the budget may be presented at this time.

Introduced on March 21, the $5,704,071 spending plan represents a 5.7 percent increase over last year’s total, primarily due to mandatory health insurance costs and payments on bonds.

Of the total budget, $3,242,408 will be raised through real estate taxes, with the remainder supported through revenues and state aid.

Geri M. Samuel

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Scotch Plains Council Expected to Give Green Light to 2000 Municipal Budget By FRED ROSSI

Specially Written for The Times

The Scotch Plains Township Council will take up the 2000 municipal budget at next Tuesday’s meeting, and, barring any surprises, is expected to approve the $17,006,472 spending plan that includes no property tax increase to finance local government activities.

This year’s budget represents an increase of 2.04 percent, or $340,137, over last year’s expenditure level, which itself was slightly more than 6 percent higher than the 1998 budget.

The Republicancontrolled council decided to use more of the township’s $2.7 million surplus to offset the need for a tax hike. In addition, the local government will

pay for the budget increase by factoring in about $200,000 in expected income from an arbitration settlement regarding construction of the senior citizens housing development on the south side of town as well as some $86,000 in Tropical Storm Floyd reimbursements from the federal government.

At the council’s conference meeting on Tuesday night, Township Manager Thomas E. Atkins, who had earlier called the process of putting together a lean budget a difficult process, reminded council members that most departments did not receive the level of funding they had originally requested.

His remarks were in response to several letters the council has re ceived that have been critical of the

funding levels being proposed for the Township Library.

While the letters have decried a supposed cut in library funding for 2000, Mr. Atkins said this was untrue.

“We cut the library’s funding request, but it’s still higher than the 1999 level,” he pointed out. The library’s funding this year will increase by about 3.3 percent if the budget is approved next week.

Councilman William F. McClintock noted that “the library has been cut less over the years” than other departments.

There was also criticism that the budget doesn’t fund a newlycreated position at the library for the re quested eightmonth period.

Instead, the new post will be funded for four months, with the new position becoming active in September, meaning it will be funded through the end of the calendar year. Mr. Atkins said that the position would then be fully funded in 2001 for the full year.

In other matters, Mayor Martin L. Marks said he is interested in participating in Union County’s S. L. A. P. (Sheriff’s Labor Assistance Program) initiative, which makes nonviolent offenders available to localities to perform certain jobs.

Township Attorney Douglas Hansen explained that the participants were those required to serve

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Geri M. Samuel Makes Her Bid For Mayor in First Direct Election

By FRED ROSSI

Specially Written for The Times

Scotch Plains Democratic Councilwoman Geri M. Samuel has formally filed papers that make official her candidacy for Mayor. Barring a primary battle, Mrs. Samuel will square off against the Republican candidate in the township’s firstever directelection of a Mayor on November 7.

Mrs. Samuel was first elected to the council in the November 1998 election that saw the Democrats take control of the fivemember governing body for the first time in two decades. Her two Democratic colleagues at the time, Tarquin Jay Bromley and the late Franklin P. Donatelli, selected her to serve as Mayor for 1999. Mrs. Samuel’s council term runs through the end of 2002.

Two council seats, those currently held by Republicans Mayor Martin L. Marks and William F. McClintock, are up for election this fall. Under the direct election referendum that was approved by township voters last

November, one of those two seats will be designated as the elected Mayor’s seat, with the other remaining as a council seat.

Mrs. Samuel said she is running for Mayor “because, after having

served as Mayor in 1999, I see the difference a fulltime, dedicated Mayor can make to the citizens of

Scotch Plains.” She told The Times she would “continue to work with the council and Manager to forward the goals of the Recreation Commission while working with the Environmental Commission to maintain a balance between recreation and true open space.”

She also wants to work to further develop and improve the downtown business district, and, noting the importance of grants, pointed out that Scotch Plains in 1999 had obtained $1.1 million in various grants.

Additionally, Mrs. Samuel, referring to the recent initiative to explore shared services between Scotch Plains and Fanwood, “noted, for the record, that in October of 1999, I reached out to the Superintendent of Schools to set up a committee composed of representatives of Scotch Plains government, Fanwood government and the school board. It was not an idea new to the Republicans,” she said. “I’m glad to see that my idea caught fire and has moved forCONTINUED

ON PAGE 12

Fanwood Police File Charges In String of Westfield Burglaries

By KIM KINTER

Specially Written for The Times

Fanwood Borough Police have filed additional charges against two men recently arrested in connection with several Westfield burglaries.

Jeremiah Shoemaker, 25, and Michael Galasso, 37, who both told police they were homeless and who both recently stayed in the Plainfield YMCA, have been charged with burglary and theft in connection with the breakin of a South Avenue home in Fanwood, said Detective Eugene Chin of the Fanwood Police Department.

The men, who were arrested March 21 and 22, are also charged in connection with some burglaries in Westfield. They are being held in the Union County Jail in Elizabeth.

Detective Chin said that when the men were apprehended they gave statements in which they admitted to burglarizing the Fanwood home.

During the burglary, jewelry and cash totaling less than $50,000 were

taken, he said. The detective said the department is continuing to investigate several other recent Fanwood burglaries to determine if the men had any involvement.

Scotch Plains Police who also were looking into the possibility that one or both of the men were involved in several township burglaries were unable to make any connection.

Westfield Police had been investigating a string of burglaries when they first apprehended Shoemaker.

Shoemaker was apprehended and charged by Westfield Police following the report of a burglary in a Westfield Avenue home. A woman was returning home and spotted a man moving away from her front door. She asked him questions and then reported the incident to police, along with a detailed description.

The suspect, who fit the description the woman gave police, was picked up a short time later walking on North Avenue towards Scotch

Plains. Property taken from the Westfield Avenue address was found on the man’s possession.

Ingrid McKinley for The Times WILL SHE MAKE THE SHOT?… Mary McCleenan of Westfield takes a private lesson to improve her putting skills at Scotch Hills Golf Course in Scotch Plains. John Turnbull of Scotch Plains is the general manager and golf professional for the course. He is also the Westfield High School Golf Coach.

Page 12 Thursday, April 6, 2000 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION

CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 said she could hear the music from the club even if she shut her doors and windows.

“I shouldn’t have to do that,” she stated, adding that the problems ceased when the nightclub closed last year. She, too, objected to a renewal of the liquor license.

Jerome Barnes of Alden Place in Plainfield ended the evening’s testimony by recounting problems similar to the other witnesses. He told the council that since Malibu closed, there have been no problems with noise, litter, parking or crowds.

“In fact, the quality of life has improved,” he said. When questioned about his feelings about renewing

the club’s liquor license, Mr. Barnes said he had no problem with its operations, but did “object to the impact it has on my block.”

Although no date for the next hearing has been formally set, it appears likely to take place in early May. Mr. Lipstein is expected to wrap up his case at that hearing by questioning Scotch Plains Police Chief Thomas O’Brien and Fire Chief Jonathan Ellis.

Mr. Cohen will then present the case for renewal of the operation’s liquor license by questioning the principals of Rayric Corporation as well as others who will be involved in the management of the club.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 recommendations in introducing or adopting the ordinance.

The councilman said officials hope that, “by June or July at the latest, we will have completed our review, any amendments will have been agreed to, and we will be able to introduce the ordinance in final form, with all of the council fully in agreement.”

A copy of the draft ordinance is available for public review at the Fanwood Memorial Library. In addition, Mr. Whitaker said he would be willing to give any interested group a briefing on the ordinance. Organization representatives may reach the councilman through Fanwood Borough Hall at (908) 3228236.

Anyone interested in purchasing a copy of the document may contact Borough Administrator Eleanor McGovern at Borough Hall, the Council President noted.

A sampling of topics that will be covered in the updated text are the roles and responsibilities of the Planning Board and the Zoning Officer; the application process for site plans and subdivisions; building permits and exemptions; zone changes; accessory structures; parking; architectural motifs and prospective locations for cellular towers.

Planning Board members are expected to focus special attention on the borough’s existing Light Industrial zone, which spans either side of South Avenue, from Sheelan’s Crossing to Terrill Road on the north side and from Staggard Place to Terrill on the south side.

The draft ordinance calls for that zone to be redesignated as generalcommercial, although existing light industrial businesses would be covered by a grandfather clause, Councilman Whitaker acknowledged.

During their last regular meeting on March 22, board members discussed the prospect of retaining a light industrial zone in some form. Board ViceChairman Jack Molenaar noted at the time that by eliminating the existing zone altogether, “we may be missing economic opportunities in that area.”

Board Attorney Robert Mega described an option known as a “zonewithinazone,” whereby a light industrial zone could be incorporated into the new generalcommercial area.

Borough officials have promised the new zoning ordinance will be more “userfriendly” than the present version. It will address a broad scope of issues related to zoning, including numerous changes which have occurred over the past three decades.

In addition to eliminating outdated information, the new ordinance will enable users to find all information related to a particular topic in the

Club Malibu Neighbors Speak Out About Nightspot

Fanwood Planning Bd. to Begin Review of Zoning Ordinance

ward.” Mrs. Samuel’s tenure as Mayor last year saw the thenDemocraticcontrolled council approve, on a 32 party line vote, a 5 percent increase in local property taxes to support municipal government activities. An earlier proposal to raise taxes by 6 percent, which failed, caused a good deal of partisan bickering between Democratic and Republican members during the early months of 1999, disagreements that, at times, also caused certain campaign tactics during the 1998 campaign to be revisited.

The Democrats lost their council majority when the GOP won a special election last November to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Donatelli, who died 10 months ago.

During Mrs. Samuel’s term as Mayor, the council made strides toward increasing the amount of open space in Scotch Plains. Township voters last year approved a referendum establishing an open space trust fund.

Late last summer, Mrs. Samuel announced a deal with Union County in which the township would lease 22 acres of property in the Ashbrook Reservation that would be turned into ballfields and park area.

The Republicans are expected to choose their candidate for Mayor this week.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Scotch Plains Council

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Geri Samuel

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Westfield Police knew from descriptions from other burglaries that occurred on the south side of town that another man might be involved.

Westfield Police sent details about the town’s burglaries and Shoemaker to area communities, and the next day Plainfield police contacted Westfield authorities about Galasso, who they were questioning and who they thought might be connected to the house breakins.

Plainfield Police Chief Edward Santiago said there had been some house burglaries in Plainfield and that police had put together a team of officers who were patrolling the area March 22 when a house alarm was activated.

After interviewing people who were near the scene of the alarm activation, police were able to piece together a description and apprehend Galasso.

The new year has brought a number of house burglaries in the Westfield, Scotch Plains and Fanwood communities.

In Scotch Plains and Fanwood, police are unconcerned about the number of burglaries, saying that there were no more than usual.

In Westfield, however, there has been an increase in burglaries com pared to the same period a year

ago. Lieutenant John M. Parizeau said that from January 1 through March 31 this year there were 23 burglaries, compared to five during the same time in 1999.

This year during that period there were six business burglaries and 17 residential burglaries, including three attempted burglaries.

In 1999 during the period, there were two business burglaries and two residential burglaries, including one attempt.

Lieutenant Parizeau pointed out that when statistics are in for the entire year of 2000, there may actually be no more burglaries than the previous year, but that the incidents have been up so far this year.

Of the 23 burglaries so far this year, 14 occurred in March and six near the end of February.

With the arrest of Shoemaker and Galasso, Lieutenant Parizeau said that several of the burglaries, particularly those on the south side, were solved. But, he added, that several have occurred since the two men’s arrest.

Lieutenant Parizeau said that the police department will continue to watch the situation for any trends or signs to connect them together.

Fanwood Police File Charges In Westfield Burglaries

SCOTCH PLAINS POLICE BLOTTER TUESDAY, MARCH 28

Reported theft of a purse containing a cellular telephone from a childcare classroom at the Terrill Road Methodist Church. Police reported a man visited the church earlier in the morning. He claimed that he needed money for medicine.

· A White Oak Road resident reported finding damage to the passenger door lock of his vehicle. The car was reportedly parked in the drive way and was not entered.

· Police reported the theft of a cellular telephone taken from a vehicle parked on Carol Place.

THURSDAY, MARCH 30

· Reported theft of $500 from the Jewish Community Center on Martine Avenue.

· A Mountain Avenue restaurant reported receiving a counterfeit $20 bill.

FRIDAY, MARCH 31

· Jamal Eason, 23, of Orange was arrested after being stopped for a motor vehicle violation on Route 22 West for an outstanding traffic warrant.

· Patrick Yam, 24, of Connecticut was arrested at the Union County Vocational Technical Institution. The school reported a suspicious person on the property and after an initial investigation, police said Yam was arrested on a traffic warrant.

· Edward L. Humphrey of Hackettstown was arrested after a motor vehicle stop on Route 22 East for an outstanding traffic warrant.

· Two juveniles were turned over to their parents after being in possession of alcohol. The juveniles were parked in a motor vehicle at the Spruce Mill Village apartments.

SATURDAY, APRIL 1

· A resident of Hill Road reported a theft of two diamond rings and a PierrierJouct wineglass from the home. Police reported that no forced entry was used to enter the house.

FANWOOD POLICE BLOTTER

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29

· Police reported that an unlocked motor vehicle in the 10 block of Brohm Place was searched and a cellular telephone and some change were taken.

SUNDAY, APRIL 2

· A police radar trailer, which clocks the speed of passing vehicles, was damaged in the 50 block of Shady Lane as a result of criminal mischief, authorities said.

MONDAY, APRIL 3

· An unlocked vehicle was searched in the 10 block of Tower Place and a driver’s license, insurance card and some change were taken.

In light of recent burglaries to unlocked motor vehicles in the borough, the Fanwood Police Department has advised residents to make sure their vehicles are secure. same section of the document, board members have said. A current zoning map will be included with the written data.

Recent Home Sales SCOTCH PLAINS

Joe T. Hartman Et Al to Ann Luvera, 2420 Longfellow Avenue, $201,000.

Federal National Mortgage Association to Mahasen Rifai and Sherine Shalaby, 2443 Morse Avenue, $162,500.

Alfredo Sanchez to Michael W. Fox, 530 Park Avenue, $112,500.

William R. Ick to Joseph T. Hartman and George McCarty and others, 2420 Longfellow Avenue, $201,000.

George T. McCall Ill to Selim and Shelly Ozdamer, 3 Travller

Way, $409,900. Paul Van Anda to John and Jean Fei, 2081 Wood Road, $392,000.

John F. Crawford to Brett Proud and Jacqueline Kimberly Morin, 4 Onami, $530,000.

Michael I. Braverman to Julia M. Bonechi, 12 Scotchwood Glen, $450,000.

FANWOOD

Thomas Battaglia to Marcus Kirkman, 8 Estelle Lane, $202,000.

Estate of Ann Riebe to Amerissa Devaul and Donald Eckloff Jr., 35 Montrose Avenue, $205,500.

Cheri Rogowsky for The Times MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS… The First Annual Seder at the Wilf Jewish Community Campus at the Jewish Community Center in Scotch Plains brought mothers and daughters together on March 29. Pictured, left to right, are: Beth Zansberg with Taylor Zansberg, Merrill Tenenbaum with Ashley Tenenbaum, Deborah Rosenberg with Rachel Rosenberg and Laurie Garfinkel with Amanda Garfinkel.

Union County Honors Women of Excellence

By MARYLOU MORANO

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

An entrepreneur, a sheriff’s officer, an advocate for the disabled and nine other outstanding Union County Women have been honored as Women of Excellence by the Union County Commission on the Status of Women.

The eighth annual dinner recognizing the women was held on March 31 at the Westwood in Garwood.

Among the recipients all chosen because of their contributions and achievements — were several women from Westfield, Scotch Plains and Fanwood.

Willetta BaCote of Fanwood was honored for her advocacy for the rights and needs of all people. Ms. BaCote is the program coordinator for three projects run by the Plainfield Board of Education Every Person Influences Children (EPIC), Teens Effective As Mothers (TEAM) and Individuals Making Positive Appropriate Choices Training (IMPACT). She is also involved with the Plainfield Health Center and the United Way of Union County.

Coowner and manager of Freshwater’s Restaurant in Plainfield, Sharon Freshwater was honored for entrepreneurship. Ms. Freshwater has expanded the restaurant from a small takeout shop to a highly acclaimed restaurant.

Noted for its soul food cuisine, Freshwater’s Restaurant has received recognition from The New York Daily News and a four star rating from The StarLedger.

Ms. Freshwater mentors others in the soul food restaurant business and she is a volunteer with AGAPE Foundation — an agency that helps children living with AIDS.

Fanwood resident Patricia A. Plante was recognized for her volunteer spirit.

A highly successful Westfield realtor, Ms. Plante is an active volunteer with numerous community groups from the Brownies to the Union County Committee on Shared Services. She has also organized drives for local food banks, refugees from Kosovo and lowincome women entering the workforce.

Lenore Scurry of Westfield was also honored for volunteerism. Ms. Scully is an OnAir Chairwoman for the Lou Rawls Parade of Stars Telethon for the United Negro College Fund, and as chair, she has raised millions of dollars for education. She was the first African

American president of “Soroptimist,” an agency that raises money to help battered women. Ms. Scully also serves as the financial secretary for The Crossroads Theatre in New Brunswick.

Holly E. Wetscher of Westfield received a Woman of Excellence Award for her work in Healthcare. Through her writing, advocacy, and public education effort, Ms. Wetscher has been a role model for the severely disabled.

She has been a Rehabilitation Counselor for United Palsy and she currently serves on the Union County Advisory Board on the Disabled and was recently appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Alliance for the Disabled in Action.

Other Women receiving awards were: Joanne M. Caruso of Cranford for Community Service, Marcia Cohen of Summit for Arts and Humanities, Anne Evans Estabrook of Cranford for Business, Dr. Denise C. Lagos of Chatham for Education, Freeholder Deborah Scanlon of Union for Government and Sergeant Nancy Zimmerman of Kenilworth for Law Enforcement.

“These women we are honoring come from all walks of life and all parts of Union County, but they all share one thing in common a concern about their communities,” commented Freeholder Chairman Daniel P. Sullivan. “All have demonstrated a commitment to building better, stronger communities.”

“The recipients of these awards become important role models for women across Union County,” said Freeholder Linda d. Stender, the Board of Chosen Freeholders liaison to the Commission and herself a former Woman of Excellence Award recipient.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders created the Union County Commission on the Status of Women in 1976. It is currently chaired by Carolyn Vollero of Cranford.

The Commission studies and addresses the needs and issues critical to the quality of life of Union County women. In addition to the annual Women of Excellence Award Dinner, the commission develops and presents special programs of interest to women, advises the Board of Chosen Freeholders on issues concerning women, and acts as a liaison between the freeholders and the community.

Cheri Rogowsky for The Times SINGING FOR SPRING… Chorus Director Mary Lu Farrell works with 13yearold student and choreographer Dori D’Aluisio on material for upcoming spring concerts to be performed at Terrill and Park Middle Schools in Scotch Plains.

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Wildlife Sunday Scheduled For April 9 at Trailside

MOUNTAINSIDE — Trailside Nature and Science Center, located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside, will present the 11th Annual Wildlife Sunday on April 9 from noon to 5 p. m.

“Wildlife Sunday is a day dedicated to all types of wildlife, with a variety of demonstrations, displays, vendors, naturalistled walks, live animals, children’s crafts, games, face painting and planetarium shows,” said Union County Freeholder Deborah Scanlon, Liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

In the Trailside Visitor Center, representatives of the Turtle Back Zoo and the Avian Wildlife Center will introduce visitors to their live animals.

Visitors will also be able to get an “up close and personal” look at in sects provided by Myers Butterfly

Farm, Dr. Sylvio Codella of Kean University in Union and Stiles Apiaries.

Educational table displays will be presented by New Jersey Fish, Game and Wildlife, The Nature Conservancy and wildlife rehabilitator Renee Thomair. In addition, a variety of vendors will sell wildliferelated gifts and photographs.

Admission to Wildlife Sunday is $2 per person, and children age 6 and younger will be admitted for free. Trailside Nature and Science Center is a facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.

For further information on this special event and other upcoming spring and summer programs available through the Department of Parks and Recreation, please call (908) 7893670. sentences for violations such as driving

while intoxicated or failure to pay child support.

Walter DiNizo, the Township’s Director of Public Property, said he feels that S. L. A. P. program participants could perform a number of tasks, including cutting grass along several roads, litter pickup, light stream cleanup, and cleaning up the former zoo property.

Mayor Marks said he would like to explore the possibility of an intermunicipal agreement with Clark and Westfield that would allow the three towns to share the fiveman work crews. He pointed out that Roselle Park had recently signed a contract with the county to ensure it would have access to a full work crew five days a week.