The Westfield Leader Newspaper
The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood

CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK

Concepts &Thought

PLAY PRESENTERS… Currie Awardwinning teacher Joan Costello from Scotch Plains has organized an afterschool “Players Club” for McGinn Elementary School’s third, fourth and fifth graders. Approximately 30 Players meet once a week to learn the aspects of working in theatre. The Players recently held a reader’s theater for their parents and friends and are presently working on a play for June. Pictured, left to right, are: Molly Meehan, Jennifer Speth, Annie Smith, Elise Whitehouse, Joan Costello and Meghan Dhaliwal.

Jefferson Elementary Pupils Learn About Picasso People

WESTFIELD – Students at Jefferson Elementary School in Westfield experienced the artwork of Pablo Picasso in the form of live theater on April 7 when Mime

Internationale performed Picasso People at the school.

A brief history of the artist and his different styles of painting and sculpture were explained to the students by Carlton Van Pyrz. The mime’s costumes, choreography and music represented Picasso’s artwork, which helped the children to understand his paintings.

The students learned that Picasso used different materials in his sculptures. They discovered that the artist’s work, “Bull’s Skull,” was crafted from a bicycle seat and handlebar. They also understood the meaning behind his “blue period” which began when Picasso’s friend died.

Eugene Ferrara to Attend Fairleigh Dickinson in Fall

SCOTCH PLAINS – Scotch Plains resident Eugene Ferrara, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Virgilio Ferrara, will attend Fairleigh Dickinson University’s TeaneckHackensack Campus this fall.

Eugene plans to major in business. He will be a 2000 graduate of Scotch PlainsFanwood High School.

PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE TOWN OF WESTFIELD

Public notice is hereby given that an ordinance of which the following is a copy was introduced, read and passed on first reading by the Council of the Town of Westfield at a meeting held April 25, 2000, and that the said Council will further consider the same for final passage on the 9th day of May, 2000, at 8: 00 p. m. in the Council Chamber, Municipal Building, 425 East Broad Street, Westfield, New Jersey, at which time and place any person who may be interested therein will be given an opportunity to be heard concerning such ordinance.

Bernard A. Heeney Town Clerk

GENERAL ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE TO VACATE SHERMAN AVENUE

BE IT ORDAINED by the Town Council of the Town of Westfield in the County of Union as follows:

SECTION I. The Town Council of the Town of Westfield does hereby find that the lands known as Sherman Avenue, extending eastwardly from Prospect Street, have been dedicated to public use as a public street and that the public interest of the Town of Westfield will be better served by releasing the lands herein described from the dedication thereof.

SECTION II. It is the intention of the Town, and the tax maps of the Town shall be so amended, that the vacated portions of Sherman Avenue attach to the contiguous lots as hereinafter described with the said tracts being described as follows:

TRACT 1 SHERMAN AVENUE VACATION, PORTION TO BE ADDED TO

LOT NO. 4.011, BLOCK NO. 103

Beginning at a point on the southerly sideline of Sherman Avenue (Variable ROW), said point being 127.00 feet easterly along the southerly sideline of Sherman Avenue from its intersection with the easterly sideline of Prospect Street (54' ROW), and running;

Thence (1) North 47° -25' West, into the Sherman Avenue Right of Way, a distance of 13.33 feet to a point on the centerline of Sherman Avenue,

Thence (2) North 42° -35' East, along the centerline of Sherman Avenue, a distance of 50.00 feet to a point in same,

Thence (3) South 47° -25' East, a distance of 13.59 feet to a point on the northerly line of Lot No. 4.011, Block No. 103,

Thence (4) South 42° -53' West, along the northerly line of Lot No. 4.011, Block No. 103, a distance of 50.00 feet to the point and place of beginning.

The described property contains 672.8 +/s. f. and is to be combined with Lot No. 4.011, Block No. 103, as designated on the Westfield Tax Records.

TRACT 2 SHERMAN AVENUE VOCATION, PORTION TO BE ADDED TO

LOT NO. 9, BLOCK NO. 103

Beginning at a point on the southerly sideline of Sherman Avenue (Variable ROW), said point being 177.00 feet easterly along the southerly sideline of Sherman Avenue from its intersection with the easterly sideline of Prospect Street (54' ROW), and running;

Thence (1) North 47° -25' West, into the Sherman Avenue Right of Way, a distance of 13.59 feet to a point on the centerline of Sherman Avenue,

Thence (2) North 42° -35' East, along the centerline of Sherman Avenue, a distance of 25.91 feet to a point in same,

Thence (3) South 47° -52' East, a distance of 13.73 feet to a point on the northerly line of Lot No. 9, Block No. 103,

Thence (4) South 42° -53' West, along the northerly line of Lot No. 9, Block No. 103, a distance of 26.02 feet to the point and place of beginning.

The described property contains 353.2 +/s. f. and is to be combined with Lot No. 9, Block No. 103, as designated on the Westfield Tax Records.

TRACT 3 SHERMAN AVENUE VOCATION, PORTION TO BE ADDED TO

LOT NO. 1.02, BLOCK NO. 103

Beginning at a point on the southerly sideline of Sherman Avenue (Variable ROW), said point being 203.02 feet easterly along the southerly sideline of Sherman Avenue from its intersection with the easterly sideline of Prospect Street (54' ROW), and running;

Thence (1) North 47° -52' West, into the Sherman Avenue Right of Way, a distance of 13.73 feet to a point on the centerline of Sherman Avenue,

Thence (2) North 45° 42' East, along the centerline of Sherman Avenue, a distance of 102.18 feet to an angle point in same,

Thence (3) North 45° -15' East, continuing along said centerline of Sherman Avenue, a distance of 39.79 feet to a point,

Thence (4) South 41° -19' East, a distance of 5.95 feet to a point on the northerly line of Lot No. 1.02, Block No. 103,

Thence (5) South 41° 51’ West, along the northerly line of Lot No. 1.02, Block No. 103, a distance of 40.00 feet to an angle point in same,

Thence (6) South 42° -39' West, continuing along the northerly line of Lot No. 1.02, Block No. 103, a distance of 101.03 feet to the point and place of beginning.

The described property contains 1,401.8 +/s. f. and is to be combined with Lot No. 1.02, Block No. 103, as designated on the Westfield Tax Records.

TRACT 4 SHERMAN AVENUE VOCATION, PORTION TO BE ADDED TO

LOT NO. 21, BLOCK NO. 103

Beginning at the point on the southerly sideline of Sherman Avenue (Variable ROW), said point being 344.05 feet easterly along the southerly sideline of Sherman Avenue from its intersection with the easterly sideline of Prospect Street (54' ROW), and running;

Thence (1) North 41° -19' West, into Sherman Avenue Right of Way, a distance of 5.95 feet to a point on the centerline of Sherman Avenue,

Thence (2) North 45° -46' East, continuing along said centerline of Sherman Avenue, a distance of 87.46 feet to the endline of Sherman Avenue,

Thence (3) South 47° -07' East, along the endline of Sherman Avenue, a distance of 1.52 feet to a point,

Thence (4) South 42° -53' West, along the northerly line of Lot No. 21, Block No. 103, a distance of 87.95 feet to the point and place of beginning.

The described property contains 326.7 +/s. f. and is to be combined with Lot No. 21, Block No. 103, as designated on the Westfield Tax Records.

TRACT 5 SHERMAN AVENUE VOCATION, PORTION TO BE ADDED TO

LOT NO. 42, BLOCK NO. 101

Beginning at the point of intersection of the easterly sideline of Prospect Street (66' ROW), with the northerly sideline of Sherman Avenue (Variable ROW), and running;

Thence (1) North 42° -17' East, along the northerly sideline of Sherman Avenue and the southerly sideline of Lot No. 42, Block No. 101, a distance of 190.85 feet to an angle point in same,

Thence (2) North 48° -41' East, continuing along said sideline and lot line, a distance of 230.34 feet to the end of Sherman Avenue,

Thence (3) South 47° -07' East, along the endline of Sherman Avenue, a distance of 1.52 feet to a point,

Thence (4) South 45° -46' West, along the centerline of Sherman Avenue, a distance of 87.46 feet to an angle point in same,

Thence (5) South 45° -15' West, continuing along the said centerline, a distance of 39.79 feet to an angle point in same,

Thence (6) South 45° -42' West, continuing along the said centerline, a distance of 102.18 feet to an angle point in same,

Thence (7) South 42° -35' West, continuing along the said centerline, a distance of 190.88 feet to a point on a newly created easterly sideline of Prospect Street,

Thence (8) North 47° -25' West, along the newly created easterly sideline of Prospect Street, a distance of 12.72 feet to the point and place of beginning.

The described property contains 4,279.6 +/s. f. and is to be combined with Lot No. 42, Block No. 101, as designated on the Westfield Tax Records.

TRACT 6 SHERMAN AVENUE VOCATION, PORTION TO BE ADDED TO

LOT NO. 8.01, BLOCK NO. 103

Beginning at the point of intersection of the easterly sideline of Prospect Street (54' ROW), with the southerly sideline of Sherman Avenue (Variable ROW), and running;

Thence (1) North 47° 07' West, along a newly created easterly sideline of Prospect Street, a distance of 12.66 feet to a point on the centerline of Sherman Avenue,

Thence (2) North 42° 35' East, along the centerline of Sherman Avenue, a distance of 126.93 feet to a point in same,

Thence (3) South 47° 52' East, a distance of 13.33 feet to a point on the northerly line of Lot No. 8.01, Block No. 103,

Thence (4) South 42° -53' West, along the northerly line of Lot No. 8.01, Block No. 103, a distance of 127.00 feet to the point and place of beginning.

The described property contains 1,649.8 +/s. f. and is to be combined with Lot No. 8.01, Block No. 103, as designated on the Westfield Tax Records.

SECTION III. The Town reserves to itself any easements for municipal utilities. In addition, easements in favor of any utility companies shall also encumber the title to the property and shall not be disruptive by the property owners of the land being acquired by this vacation.

SECTION IV. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict or inconsistent with any part of this ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent that they are in such conflict or inconsistent.

SECTION V. In the event that any section, part or provision of this ordinance shall be held to be unconstitutional or invalid by any court, such holding shall not affect the validity of this ordinance as a whole, or any part thereof, other than the part so held unconstitutional or invalid.

SECTION VI. This ordinance shall take effect after passage and publication as soon as and in the manner provided by law. 1 T – 4/ 27/ 00, The Leader Fee: $243.78

Westfield, Scotch Plains Pupils Selected As Merit Scholars

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) has named the Merit Scholarship winners from Westfield and Scotch Plains.

Marina K. Powell of Westfield earned the J. P. Morgan & Company Merit Scholarship. Although her career field is undecided, Marina has been a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Student Council, Recording Secretary, Spanish Club Treasurer, Varsity Lacrosse, Model United Nations, Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished

Scholar and the Westfield Chorale. Amanda J. Rice of Scotch Plains has received the Englehard Corporation Merit Scholarship. Amanda has named chemistry as her career field.

She has held membership on the New Jersey Science League Team, First Place Chemistry II, Third Place Chemstry I, Literary Magazine, Mathematics League, French National Honor Society, Flute, Concert Band. Amanda has published poems and has held a parttime position at a local day care center.

SPF Chess Clubs Engage In Tournament Finales

MAKING THEIR MOVES… Engrossed in their own strategies, Matthew J. Ritsko of Scotch PlainsFanwood, left, and Stephen Aswad of Westfield squared off in one of the rounds of the Beginners Chess Tournament on March 31 at Park Middle School in Scotch Plains.

SCOTCH PLAINS – The Beginners and Competitive Chess Clubs of Scotch PlainsFanwood (SPF) Public Schools held three levels of tournaments for their finale sessions on March 31, with approximately 30 district elementary and middle school students participating.

The clubs began last October under the sponsorship of The Community School of Scotch PlainsFanwood. Christopher Moffitt, a fifth grade teacher at Coles Elementary School, served as instructor/ advisor of both clubs.

The Beginners Tournament included five students from a chess club of Westfield Public Schools under the leadership of Linda Steele and Trudy Silverman. Winners at this level were Stephen Aswad of Westfield, first place; Melissa M. McClintock of Scotch PlainsFanwood, second place; and Evan Eisenberg of Westfield, third place.

The winners received gold, silver and bronze medals respectively. All

participants received Certificates of Improvement for their yearlong study and playing of chess.

Intermediate and Advanced Tournaments were also conducted for other SPF students. Receiving Intermediate gold, silver and bronze medals were Neil D. Dalal, Devang V. Patel and Mangesh S. Tamhankar, respectively.

At the advanced level in which participants played with chess clocks and did algebraic notation of their moves, Brian J. Schweikert captured the first place trophy while Michael P. Sodomora and Shrenik N. Shah earned the second and third place trophies. All players earned Certificates of Improvement for their yearlong study and playing of chess.

Parents of the chess players were on hand for the two Recognition Ceremonies held at Park Middle School. The SPF clubs will resume next fall.

Technical Training Center Schedules Tour on May 4

SCOTCH PLAINS – The Union County Educational Technology Training Center will be open to visitors from 2 to 6 p. m. on Thursday, May 4.

Located in Room No. 207 of Mancuso Hall on the Raritan Road Campus of Union County VocationalTechnical Schools, the Center provides staff development for kindergarten through grade 12 educators, public and nonpublic, using the newest hightech advances in computer hardware, software and peripherals.

Classes are also open to members of the public.

During the Open House, there will be exhibits and demonstrations of

satellite communications, interactive television, video conferencing, Office 2000, networking as well as highspeed Internet.

Technology and resource vendors will be on hand to dispense information and answer questions. Getacquainted workshops are also included on the evening’s schedule.

There will be drawings to win a Microtech Scanner, software and/ or an External Zip Drive. Refreshments will be served and there will be door prizes.

For more information, please call Coordinator Lisa Greenberg at (908) 8893810.

SCOTCH PLAINS – Dr. Walter E. Boright, a Scotch Plains resident for nearly 30 years, is retiring from public education after a career of 34 years. He will be honored at a retirement testimonial dinner set for Friday, May 12, at the Clarion Hotel and Towers in Edison.

“Among the greatest rewards is the affection of children and their families,” Dr. Boright stated when recalling his career. “Invariably while shopping in a store, you will be approached by a former student or a parent of a student and be given a big ‘hello’ or greeted with a broad smile, a handshake or an embrace. ‘Do you remember me? ’ they ask, and of course you do. What a thrill.”

Dr. Boright’s education career covers 23 years as a teacher in the Clark school district, including 13 years as assistance to the building principal; four years as principal and later as superintendent in the Garwood district, and seven years as superintended in the Milltown district.

He obtained his bachelor degree at Newark State College, now Kean University, and his master and doctoral de grees from Seton Hall University.

Dr. Boright served as a member of the Scotch PlainsFanwood Board of Education in the 1970s and in his former town of residence, Kenilworth. He was elected

to the Borough Council at the age of 22 years. At that time, he was the youngest person elected to the council and one of the youngest in the state.

Subsequent to moving to Scotch Plains in 1971, he was elected to five terms as a member of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Dr. Boright has served on numerous state, county and local boards and has done charitable works.

He and his wife, Pamela, have three children, Amy, Christian and Peter. Dr. Boright has accepted a position at Kean University as Director of External Operations at the Gateway Institute for Regional Planning. His wife is a third grade teacher in the Linden school district and is a former member of the Scotch Plains Township Council.

To make reservations for the retirement dinner, please call the Milltown School Business Administrator’s Office at (732) 2499625.

Dr. Walter E. Boright

Jon M. Bramnick

1827 East Second Street Scotch Plains, NJ

908-322-7000 20 Years of Civil Trial & Personal Injury

Law Experience . Law Offices of

Personal Injury & Negligence Law

John C Rodriguez of Counsel Clarence A. Abramson

Jon M. Bramnick Certified Trial Attorney Stephanie Ann Mitterhoff

Dr. Walter E. Boright Plans Retirement from Education No Regrets Linger

For School Board Candidate Peter Billson

By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times Editor’s Note: Peter W. Billson, a candidate for the Westfield Board of Education in the April 18 election, has participated in a series of articles outlining the stepbystep process one must follow to run for the school board. This is the final article in that series.

WESTFIELD – “Obviously, it’s no fun to lose,” Westfield school board candidate Peter W. Billson reflected, “Even though I lost, it was worth running. If I had it to do all over again, I’d still do it. I’d encourage anybody to run.”

Mr. Billson, who obtained 768 votes from Westfielders on Election Day, was defeated by newcomer Kimberly Rhodes and incumbents Anne L. Riegel and Dr. B. Carol Molnar for a threeyear term.

“Hopefully, through our series, you see that you don’t have to be an insider to run,” he reported.

Some of the positive feedback Mr. Billson garnered while distributing flyers to the public was received from individuals that he knew would probably not vote for him. However, he appreciated their expressions of confidence.

After the election results were calculated, the candidate was approached by members of the Westfield Town Council who, he noted, tried to encourage him to run for a council seat.

Mr. Billson explained that it is unfortunate that “there is a dearth” when it comes to potential candidates for council and school board seats. “We all gripe about the quality of our (public) officials,” he said, adding that few are willing to step up to the plate and volunteer to serve.

Pleased that the voter turnout was up in this year’s board election,

Mr. Billson likes to think that his candidacy helped the community “put more interest in the race.”

“Unfortunately,” he noted, “it was still such a dismal showing. The majority of the people still did not show up at the polls despite the importance of our school system.” Mr. Billson evaluated his campaign as “more public.” He added, “Unfortunately, that is not the majority of the people who vote.”

Looking back, Mr. Billson has no regrets about running for the Westfield Board of Education. If he chooses to run in a future election, however, he would spend more time attending PTA meetings, distributing campaign literature and obtaining a voter list from the previous year’s campaign.

“It’s a lot of effort and a lot of work,” he said of considering another run, “but I would definitely consider running again. I encourage anybody who is kind of thinking of possibly running for anything to call me and I would discuss it with them.”

“I’m glad that five people ran,” he reported. “I would like to see 10 people run next time.”

Regarding how the media, especially

The StarLedger,

handled coverage of the school board races, Mr. Billson stated, “They did an abysmal job of covering any school board race. They did zip coverage.”

“You could pick up The StarLedger

on Election Day and you wouldn’t even know there was a school board race,” he opined, adding that at least The Courier News and The Record Press

“made an effort.” “They (StarLedger) had more coverage on ‘The Sopranos, ’” he concluded. “They need to get their priorities straightened out.”

FLOWERS OF HOPE… Westfield’s McKinley Elementary School’s Early Act Program sold daffodils for the American Cancer Society. The daffodil has been adopted as the flower of hope by the organization. Early Act raised $672 to support important research, education and local patient services. Pictured, left to right, are: front row, Gina Polizzano, Caroline Steller and Marissa Perch and back row, Tim Horan, George Xing, Adelle Mantle, Annie O’Neil and Ryan Scanlon.