Westfield:
 BOE Receives 40% of Requested Debt Aid
 Hatfield Beats Marks for UC GOP Nomination
 Council Defers Prospect Demos Until PB Mtg.
Scotch Plains/Fanwood:
 BOE Adopts Tentative $77.8-Mil. Budget
 FW Borough Braces For $187,000 State Aid Cut
 Environmental Resources Inventory Presented
 Expanded Security Planned For SP Mun. Bldg
 New Parking Rules OK'd For Redwood Road
Mountainside:
 Council Presents Annual Good Neighbor Award
Garwood:
 State Budget Cuts to Hit Borough Hard
Area:
 Residents Implore County To Follow Gov's Lead
 
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HATS OFF FOR READING...Westfield Tamaques Elementary School children celebrate Reading Across America on Monday as Mayor Andrew Skibitsky is the guest reader of Dr. Seuss.

Editorial: These Programs Are Not Free And More Than We Can Afford...Assemblyman Joseph Cryan's letter on page 5 regarding the closing of Muhlenberg Hospital gives rise to a question, "Are we giving away more than we can afford, thus causing our institutions to collapse?"

SETTING AN ALL-TIME SPF RECORD...Bryan Dougher, right, broke the all-time SPF boys scoring record of 1,482 points set by Willy McCoy in 1986 in the 49-37, victory over Emerson. He added 31 more points to up his total to 1,516 in the Raiders' 54-38 semifinal victory over Mendham on March 1. In the win over Colonia, he sank 26 points to total 1,542.

Sports: Raiders Cage Bulldogs In Boys Section Quarterfinals; Raiders Win North, Group 3, Section 2 Title Defeat Colonia Patriots on March 4; Devils Barnes, Kania; Raider Cannon Advance to NJSIAA Mat States in AC; Lady Warrior B'ballers Reject Blue Devils in Sections: Photos

KEEPING HOPE ALIVE...Last month, the dream of the late Peggy Coloney, co-founder of the Center for Hope Hospice, became reality as the center opened Peggy Coloney's House at Hope Village in Scotch Plains. According to Diane Coloney, left, director of the new facility, as well as the late Peggy Coloney's daughter-in-law, the 30-bed residence aims to provide more than just housing for the terminally ill. Volunteer Sue Checchio, right, using the marketing skills she has acquired as a realtor in Westfield for more than 20 years, has helped to publicize the facility.

Devil's Den: Beauty, as Always, Is In the Eye of Beholder

Government Reform Thought: Governor Corzine announced in his fiscal year 2009 budget plans to cut 3000 state employees. We believe that the first to be considered should be the ones with the highest salaries (over $100,000) and those with multiple jobs such as county and state.  See Year-to-date Reform Thoughts.