The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood

Scotch Plains – Fanwood Scotch Plains – Fanwood Scotch Plains – Fanwood Scotch Plains – Fanwood Scotch Plains – Fanwood THE TIMES

OUR 39th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 28-98 Published Every Thursday USPS 485200

Periodical – Postage Paid at Scotch Plains, N.J. Thursday, July 9, 1998

of of of of of

— Serving Scotch Plains and Fanwood Since 1959 —

Ground Broken for New Columbus Monument At Township Complex

By MICHAEL P. BABIK

Specially Written for The Times

Ground was broken on Tuesday for a monument to honor Christo- pher Columbus at the municipal complex in Scotch Plains.

The monument, which is slated for completion by Columbus Day, October 12, is jointly funded by UNICO, the Italian-American Club of Scotch Plains, and the local Knights of Columbus chapter at a cost of $25,000, according to UNICO President Rocco Cornacchia.

The four-ton monument will sit about 12 feet from Park Avenue and will serve as a landmark to Scotch Plains.

"Since Scotch Plains has a large Italian-American community, we saw this as a good way to honor them," stated Mr. Cornaccia, who considers Columbus' voyage the most important Italian influence on America.

Most of the UNICO Project Committee including, Mr. Cornacchia, John Appazatto, Frank DiNizio, Joseph Donetelli, John Donatelli, and Tommy Donatelli, were on hand for the ceremony, as well as Mayor Joan Papen, Councilwoman Irene T. Schmidt, and Aldo Pigna from the Pigna Construction Com- pany.

Mr. Pigna will supply the labor for free and Weldon Materials of Westfield will donate the con- crete and footings, according to former UNICO President Frank Russo.

The eight-foot marble monument of a hand clutching a stainless steel sphere and three ships was submitted by Union County College (UCC) architecture student Lennox Brown of Newark. The UNICO Project Committee chose from nearly 100 designs submitted by Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School students, UCC students and many other local artists, stated Mr. Cornacchia.

Mr. Brown's design was selected for its uniqueness, unlike many of the traditional bust designs of Columbus that were submitted.

"We thought that it (the monument) would be a good addition to the town," he said.

The marble base of the statue, which will measure three feet, was chosen by Joseph Donatelli, a resident of Scotch Plains since 1919, as well as a marble expert.

"We came up with the best exterior marble, which comes from an adjacent quarry to the one Michelangelo used for his Pietΰ," stated Mr. Donatelli, who made a trip to Italy specifically for the project.

The base, which is almost completed, will soon be ready for transport from Italy to Scotch Plains.

The stainless steel globe, attached to the base, will also be built in Italy by Hungarian sculptor Gheozghi Filin, who was so impressed by the sculpture that he asked for his name to be engraved on the side.

In addition, a time capsule will be buried in front of the monument. Although at this time, it is not certain what the capsule will contain, it will be unearthed in 2092, the 600th anniversary of Columbus' landing.

"The monument will honor everyone in the community," stated Mayor Papen in her speech at the ceremony, "because Columbus discovered America for everybody."

IN HIS HONOR...This four-ton monu- ment of Christopher Columbus will sit about 12 feet from Park Avenue and will serve as a landmark to Scotch Plains.

Gretchen Bowman for The Times

PLAY THAT MUSIC...The 63rd Army Band of the New Jersey National Guard, the only military band in the Garden State, performed last Thursday during the Scotch Plains Summer Concert Series at the Village Green on Park Avenue. The concerts are held every Thursday evening throughout the summer.

Gretchen Bowman for The Times

ENJOYING THE SHOW...Enjoying the Scotch Plains Summer Concert Series on the Village Green, left to right, are: Kristina Kalkstein, 7, Ryan Kalkstein, 2½, and their mother, Susan Kalkstein. The youngsters enjoyed a snack during the concert by the 63rd Army Band of the New Jersey National Guard, the only military band in the state.

Flood Control Commission Waiting Final Word From Washington on Green Brook Project Funding

By ANDREW FISHKOFF

Specially Written for The Times

In the wake of the 25-year anniver- sary of the deadly August 1973 flood which struck the region, the Green

Brook Flood Control Commission, which met last Thursday, is confi- dent it will break ground this fall on the first stage of a long-anticipated $362 million flood control project for

the Green Brook Sub-Basin and Raritan River area.

The focus of the commission's ef- forts have shifted to Washington, D.C., as members of the commission await the project's inclusion in Presi- dent Bill Clinton's budget for the next Federal fiscal year, which be- gins on Thursday, October 1.

Recently, the House Energy and Water Subcommittee appropriated $12 million for the project at the urging of Congressman Bob Franks, who represents the local Seventh District, and Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen, who represents the local Eleventh District.

However, the United States Senate Appropriations Committee approved only $7.2 million for the Green Brook flood control project.

Although the Congress is currently on holiday, the House and Senate must reach an agreement on the fig- ure for the bill in the House-Senate Conference Committee sometime before the October deadline. United States Democratic Senator Frank Lautenberg assured Vernon A. Noble, Chairman of the Green Brook Com- mission, that he will push the Con- ference Committee to reach an agree- ment for the $12 million appropri- ated by the House of Representatives.

Once the two houses reach an agreement, they will lobby President Clinton to include the funding in his upcoming budget. Currently, there is no mention of funding for water re- source projects for any of the 50

states in the President's budget, offi- cials said.

The Green Brook Flood Control Project was formed in August 1973 in response to severe flooding, which caused six deaths and close to $80 million in damages (1996 dollars). Over $2.4 billion in damages (1996 dollars) have resulted from flooding in the Green Brook Sub-Basin area this century.

During the meeting last Thursday, Bill Slezak, Chief of the Civil Works Branch of the United States Army Corps of Engineers for the New York district, revealed a contract between the State of New Jersey and the Fed- eral government — called the Project Cooperation Agreement – is await- ing final approval in Washington.

The contract, which details the funding breakdown between state and Federal governments for the flood control project, is an indication that groundbreaking for the Lower Por- tion of the project is just months away, according to Mr. Slezak.

The commission's Green Brook Flood Control Task Force is due to come up with alternatives for the Upper Portion of the project, and should provide a final report to the commission by September, accord- ing to Mr. Noble.

In related news, Flood Commis- sion members said Middlesex County has failed to provide any funding this year for the flood project.

"It's a form of financial cancer,"

Fanwood Council to Evaluate Project Proposals Submitted by Community Assessment Committee

By SUZETTE F. STALKER

Specially Written for The Times

The Fanwood Borough Council received an update July 1 from the head of the municipality's Commu-

nity Assessment Committee, which is developing strategies to guide the borough into the next millennium.

David Pickering, Committee Chairman and a former Fanwood

councilman, identified seven "poten- tial action projects" which have been proposed by the committee, as well as the criteria members will use to determine which of the ideas to ulti- mately act upon.

The nine-member organization, which has been advised since its in- ception by consultant Kathy Weiner, was appointed last year to evaluate the borough's strengths and weak- nesses and to come up with improve- ment proposals for the community.

A survey was conducted last year among 100 people to gauge their impressions about their hometown, Mr. Pickering reported to the gov- erning body in May. The concerns expressed by residents at that time were the basis for the potential action projects proposed by the committee.

These projects would address downtown revitalization, communi- cations, improving the borough's in- frastructure, shared services, trans- portation, long-range planning and

volunteerism. Mr. Pickering explained that the criteria by which the proposed projects would be evaluated include impact on the community; the need for change; the ability to recruit vol- unteers; funding prospects; likeli- hood of success, and whether or not a concept would qualify for entry into the All-America Cities competition.

The competition is sponsored an- nually by the National Civic League and the Allstate Foundation. Each year, 10 cities are selected as All- America Cities, and are awarded $10,000, Mr. Pickering revealed.

The committee sent each of the governing body representatives a package last week outlining the seven potential action projects and the cri- teria, as well as an evaluation form to be filled out and returned by tomor- row, Friday, July 10.

Committee members were also expected to contact people this week

Gretchen Bowman for The Times

REMEMBERING MRS. IRVING...Heather Irving, center, stands next to a painting of her mother, Natalie Irving, a former teacher at the Brunner Elemen- tary School in Scotch Plains. The late Mrs. Irving, who served 20 years on the school staff, was remembered in the painting which was recently presented to her daughter by Elizabeth Gasiorowski, a second-grade teacher at Brunner, left, and Susan Bethea, Brunner Parent-Teacher Association President.

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Sierra Officer Fears Floods

At Reserve By JEANNE WHITNEY

Specially Written for The Times

A local Sierra Club officer testi- fied Monday before the Scotch Plains Planning Board in opposition to a proposed townhouse development at Union and Meadow Avenues — known as The Reserve — citing flood- ing dangers.

Anne Troop, indicating she spoke on behalf of the 4,000-member local group, said, "The most common sense solution" to avoiding flood damage and costly flood control building projects is "not to build further in a flood plain."

Engineers previously testified in the case that developer K. Hovnanian's proposed 116 condo- miniums lie within a "floodway" or a corridor where quickly-rushing wa- ter and debris flows in the event of a severe storm.

Ms. Troop said she and about a dozen other Sierra Club members studied the development site plan and observed that the only entrance into the housing units from Route No. 22, East, was a section of the highway that currently sustains the

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Police Release Sketch Of Suspected Intruder

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Scotch Plains police have released a sketch of a robbery suspect who accosted an elderly township couple in their Hunter Avenue home on June 30.

The intruder, who threatened the victims with a knife, is described by police as being in his early thirties, black, six-feet tall and with a thin build.

He apparently cut through a rear screen porch door during the morn- ing while the victims watched televi-

sion in the family room, according to Scotch Plains Cap- tain Joseph Protasiewicz.

The intruder, who police believe intended to rob the victims, punched the husband in the face and then threatened him with a knife while the victim's wife

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

BOTH SIDES HOPE TO REACH AGREEMENT BEFORE SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS

School Board, Teachers Union to Renew Talks in Bid to Reach Contract Settlement

By SUSAN M. DYCKMAN

Specially Written for The Times

The thought of going back to school is a distant one for Scotch Plains- Fanwood students easing into their first full month of summer vacation.

However, as the Board of Educa- tion and the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Education Association (SPFEA) re- turn to the bargaining table to nego- tiate a new contract, the students' return to the classroom on Tuesday, September 8, looms large on the ho- rizon.

The previous contract between the board and teachers' union expired on June 30.

The parties have met 11 times since January, when talks began. During the latest negotiating session in June, explained Board President August A. Ruggiero, "The board was pre- pared to propose a one-year contract that would have carried us for an- other 12 months. We came up with a salary figure that was a fair and rea- sonable offer."

Had both sides reached an agree- ment on "minor" changes to the re- cently-expired contract, the board and SPFEA would have continued to ne- gotiate through the coming year on other issues.

"In continuing with negotiations," emphasized Mr. Ruggiero, "we'd have had a 12-month head start on the new contract."

When the one-year proposal failed to win SPFEA approval, the board filed for an impasse in its negotia- tions. This cleared the way for a state mediator from the Public Employee Relations Commission to step in to facilitate bargaining between both sides.

"We were surprised when the board first mentioned going to impasse," said SPFEA President Barbara McGuane. "We were willing to con- tinue to negotiate then and we still are."

According to Mr. Ruggiero, sala- ries are the biggest stumbling block in reaching a settlement. He indi- cated that the board had mentioned "as early as April" that it would file

for mediation if an agreement could not be reached.

"We were disappointed that we were unable to reach an agreement before the expiration of the last con- tract," said Mr. Ruggiero. "We pre- sented what we thought was a fair proposal and were dismayed that it wasn't accepted by the SPFEA."

The contract under negotiation would cover 352 teachers, including 43 advisors and 59 coaches; 52 secre- taries; 59 lunch/general aides, and 28 classroom aides.

The most recent settlement between the board and the SPFEA occurred in

1996, following 17 months of nego- tiations. That settlement included a one-year retroactive agreement with the teachers' union, plus the two- year contract which just expired.

According to the union president, the mood of local teachers is not happy.

"This is a pattern in Scotch Plains,

INDEX INDEX INDEX INDEX INDEX

County .......... Page 2 Editorial ........ Page 4 Obituary ........ Page 9

Religious ....... Page 8 Social ............ Page 6 Sports ............ Page 11

Composite sketch

Page 10 Thursday, July 9, 1998 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION

A JOB WELL DONE...Christine Silva, of Scotch Plains, holds the dictionary she received for her efforts as a Junior Volunteer at Runnells Specialized Hospital of Union County in Berkeley Heights. Pictured, left to right, are: Freeholder Lewis Mingo, Jr., Christine, James Picozzi of Summit, President of the hospital's Volunteer Guild, and Patricia Scott of Union, the hospital's Director of Activities and Volunteer Services.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

worst flooding during storms. The group also submitted a written reso- lution to the Planning Board oppos- ing the development.

An attorney for sisters-in-law Frances and Angeline Donato, the current owners of the 7.7-acre site across from the Weldon Materials quarry where Mr. Hovnanian wants to build, revealed that attorneys for the quarry alerted Sierra Club mem- bers to the housing project. Weldon has opposed the development.

Robert Schwartz, an attorney for the developer, told the Planning Board, "We have to get a decision on this as soon as humanly possibly." He indicated that Union County offi- cials were negative to aspects of the condo project.

"The county won't work with us," he said, "we were very disappointed in the county's reaction. However, it's going to be our position that they (the county) do not have jurisdiction as far as the dam is concerned."

In previous testimony, safety ques- tions arose over potential flooding dangers at the proposed housing site, in the event that a 70-year-old ma- sonry dam at Seeley's Pond failed. A spokesman for the developer said last month that the state has asked Union County to repair the dam "for some years."

Chairman of the Planning Board, George Tomkin, agreed, saying, "The county does not have jurisdiction." Adding that, "We would like to see this (case) closed," he attempted to

schedule a board vote on the applica- tion in September.

Attorney William Butler, repre- senting the Weldon quarry, also elic- ited testimony from an expert over traffic "gridlock" during daily rush hours in the surrounding neighbor- hood of the proposed condos.

Mr. Butler said more reports would be coming. Another meeting was scheduled for Monday, July 13, to continue testimony.

On a separate matter, the Planning Board okayed a site plan to build nine houses off Rahway Road near Michael and Greensview Lanes in the town- ship. Residents of the area evidently objected to the original plan, which made a through street of Greensview Lane and Greensview Drive. The approved plan creates back-to-back cul-de-sacs.

The board stipulated that the new street would not use "Greensview" in its name, since four other "Greensview" exist.

Neighbors in the area of the devel- opment queried an attorney for de- veloper Anthony Marconi about whether a drainage basin near the site had sufficient capacity for more stormwater runoff. Residents claimed that existing basins were overgrown and filled with silt.

The board also agreed to allow two Wilshire Run residents to buy and sell 1,000 square feet of contiguous property between themselves. No price for the sliver of property was disclosed.

Sierra Officer Fears Floods At Reserve Development

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who the assessment group views as potential volunteer "project specific stakeholders."

The individuals tapped by the com- mittee possess skills or professional experience which would be benefi- cial to the development of specific proposals, according to Mr. Pickering. They will also receive cop- ies of the information package, due back by the end of this month, the committee Chairman said.

Mr. Pickering said the committee is expected to make an initial deci- sion on which projects to pursue by Monday, August 3, after which infor- mation will be sent out to the com- munity at large for input.

The group is scheduled to make its final project selections, based on in- put from all its sources, in Septem- ber.

During October, Ms. Weiner will hold a general orientation for volun- teers concerning how the projects will be developed, and also train individuals as facilitators for action groups which will work on each pro- posal, Mr. Pickering confirmed.

He reported that the committee expects to make a presentation of its project proposals and funding re- quirements to the Borough Council at the latter's Wednesday, December 2, agenda meeting.

He said some of the projects would likely "enhance" endeavors which are already underway, such as work being done on the municipality's sewer system and a directory of local volunteer groups.

"This is a very exciting time for the borough," Mr. Pickering remarked about the improvement proposals. "Hopefully, we'll get a good re- sponse."

In addition to Mr. Pickering, mem- bers of the committee include Coun- cilman William E. Populus, Jr.; Fanwood Planning Board Vice Chair- man Jack Molenaar; Borough Clerk Eleanor McGovern; Candy Santo, Executive Director of CONTACT We Care in Fanwood; Realtor Carole Wood; Carol Kraus, Pamela Sayles and Laurie Feinberg.

In other business at last week's council session, Mrs. McGovern re- vealed that Fanwood officials are expected to receive a contract from Union County concerning a $125,000 grant which the county is awarding to the borough for creation of a pocket park on a parcel of vacant Watson Road land.

The borough will match that amount through funds and in-kind services including labor and materi- als. A resolution will then have to be passed by the council approving the agreement, Mrs. McGovern con- firmed.

Members of the governing body also discussed the proposed creation of a local 501 (c) (3) corporation, defined as a non-profit partnership between the public and private sectors, which offi- cials hope would increase the borough's eligibility for grants.

Councilman Joel Whitaker recom- mended that such a corporation be headed by a board of directors nomi- nated by the Mayor and Council, the Board of Education and local organi- zations, which he said would repre-

sent a cross section of the commu- nity. He did not believe, however, that members of the governing body should serve on the board.

The councilman also urged that all board members be Fanwood resi- dents, that term limits be enacted, and that the proposed corporation look into both grants and endowment funding.

Although he concurred with most of what his colleague said, Council- man Populus argued that the govern- ing body should have a representa- tive on the board if it were to truly reflect a cross section of the commu- nity.

"Government would certainly have to play a role because they are in- formed about things which the aver- age citizen is not," Mr. Populus told

The Times after the meeting. During the agenda session, Mr. Populus, who chairs the council's Administration and Finance Com- mittee, said he also felt the proposed corporation should not merge the pursuit of grants and endowments right from the start.

He felt the organization should initially concentrate on obtaining grants — involving short-term fund- ing to get projects done right way — rather than combining grants and endowments, which typically repre- sent long-term funding. The coun- cilman said the two could possibly be merged later on.

Finally, Borough Engineer Rich- ard Marsden revealed that a quarter of the borough's sidewalks have been surveyed to determine where repairs need to be made. The remainder of the evaluation is expected to be done by the end of the summer or early fall, according to Councilman Populus.

Surveyors have so far discovered 44 instances of sidewalks which have been raised an inch or more by the roots of borough trees, Mr. Marsden acknowledged.

He said governing body members must determine to what extent the municipality will be responsible for sidewalk repairs. The engineer noted, for example, that not all damage to sidewalks has been caused by bor- ough trees, and there is also the issue of who is responsible for sidewalk repairs along state - and county- owned roads.

Mr. Whitaker, who had called for sidewalk improvements as part of his campaign platform during last year's Borough Council race, stated he hoped officials could get a projection on the amount of work needed to be done on the sidewalks. He added it was possible some of the work could be covered under state grants.

The councilman also recom- mended the governing body estab- lish an official policy regarding re- sponsibility for sidewalk repairs, and that the term "maintenance" be clarified under the borough's ordi- nance.

Mr. Populus urged that the side- walk survey be completed before ac- tual repairs get underway, since the borough would likely be eligible for grant money, and since officials would then know the extent of the work involved when allocating funds in the 1999 municipal budget.

Fanwood Council to Evaluate Proposals by Committee

said Frank Meeks, Treasurer of the commission, referring to Middlesex County's failure to contribute. "The problem is so deep-seated, it is going to take shock treatment to get things moving."

Middlesex County has not funded the flood control project for a num- ber of years, according to Mr. Meeks. The commission plans to

continue to press the county for its allocation.

Nevertheless, Mr. Noble said he was pleased with the commission's work.

"I am happy that all these things are coming along," said Mr. Noble, "but I will be ecstatic once the money for the project is put in the President's budget."

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Flood Control Commission Awaiting Word on Funding

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watched. News accounts report that the vic- tim scared off the attacker when he pretended to be calling a dog up- stairs.

The husband was later treated for minor facial injuries at Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center in Plainfield, and released.

The suspect has not been caught, although neighbors who saw him flee provided a description to police for a composite drawing (see sketch.)

Witnesses also told police that two other men were waiting outside. The

suspect drove a black Ford pickup truck, police said.

Captain Protasiewicz said door- to-door solicitors may have targeted the couple's home several days be- fore the incident. He confirmed that police have increased surveillance in the area, although there have been no other incidents.

Authorities have asked anyone with information about the incident to call the Scotch Plains Police Department at (908) 322-7100.

SCOTCH PLAINS POLICE BLOTTER

Police Release Sketch of Suspected Intruder

FANWOOD POLICE BLOTTER THURSDAY, JULY 2

• A resident of Victor Street reported that the window of his vehicle was broken out while it was parked in his driveway.

FRIDAY, JULY 3

• Police reported that an armed rob- bery took place at a service station on Route No. 22, East. Authorities said three unidentified suspects entered the station brandishing handguns. An unde- termined amount of cash was taken from the register, after which the suspects fled

the scene on foot.

SATURDAY, JULY 4

• The manager of a business located in the 400 block of Park Avenue reported the theft of Instant Lottery tickets.

SUNDAY, JULY 5

• The owner of a service station on Route No. 22 reported that someone en- tered a garage bay by prying open the door. A blue Honda CRX which was being serviced was taken from inside the establishment, according to police.

Recent Home Sales MONDAY, JUNE 22

· A Chetwood Terrace resident re- ported that a tire and wheel were stolen from his vehicle while it was parked in front of his house overnight.

FRIDAY, JUNE 26

· Tina Moye, 34, of Somerset was charged with driving while intoxi- cated following a motor vehicle stop on Terrill Road, according to police. She was released on her own recogni- zance.

MONDAY, JUNE 29

· A 14-year-old male from Scotch Plains was charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana after police responded to a report of a suspi- cious juvenile on North Avenue, authori- ties said. The youth was released to the custody of his parents.

TUESDAY, JUNE 30

· A small amount of cash and tools were reported stolen from a South Avenue business, according to police. Entry was gained by someone removing a panel from the garage door at the rear of the building.

SCOTCH PLAINS

Thomas Massimino to Michael A. and Jennifer L. Rinaldo, 2258 Mountain Av- enue, $158,000.

Marie Walsh to Patrick R. and Alane Griffin, 1407 Golf Street, $320,000.

Gary J. Hom to Atul M. and Mohana A. Athalye, 2096 Maple Vie Court, $240,200.

Ernest Zito to Ralph and Linda Dinizo, 23 Marion Lane, $750,000.

Janet C. Kameros, Sr. to Janet C. and Richard E. Kameros, Yamouth Court No. Y, $200,000.

Joseph Reyes to David and Melika Davis, 1649 Ramapo Way, $287,000.

Alan R. Ross to Frank and Joanna Galbraith, 2518 Plainfield Avenue,

$65,500. Kathleen Colotta to Devon A. Romans and Velma M. Rose-Romans, 321 Wil- low Avenue, $119,000.

Joan P. Conlon to Frank P. Lettera, 2102 Aldene Avenue, $114,000.

Shackamaxon Homes to Leonid and Galina Rabinovich, 2 Pitching Way, $285,000.

Anne Terres to Beville J. Alleyne, 14 Malanga Court, $116,500.

FANWOOD

Linda M. Frame to Thomas A. and Denise L. Lies, 72 MacDermott Place, $169,500. that we can't open school with a

settlement," said Ms. McGuane. "So many of the teachers who are leaving are at the top of the salary guide," she added, "we thought it could be settled."

Mr. Ruggiero confirmed that be- tween 37 and 40 teachers left the district this year.

There are seven members of the SPFEA negotiating team, in addi- tion to Uniserve representative Ron Harvey of the New Jersey Education Association.

They represent teachers at the el- ementary, middle and high school levels, plus aides and secretaries.

Ms. McGuane acts as chief nego- tiator. Teacher representatives in- clude Ted Wurster, Camille Berkowicz and Joe Filep. Ginny Ogrodnick represents the secretarial personnel, and Roseann Fleming

represents the aide staff. Serving as negotiators for the board alongside Mr. Ruggiero are Board Vice President Theresa Larkin, Mor- ris H. Gillet and Lance Porter.

Mr. Ruggiero said he is "cautiously optimistic" about the ability of a mediator to help the two sides reach an agreement.

Ms. McGuane, too, is hoping for a settlement before the start of school, given the number of new hires in the district.

"I'm very optimistic that, if we work hard enough, we can get schools opened smoothly in September," she said.

If schools should open September 8 without a contract in place, as they did two years ago, Mr. Ruggiero said the board's major concern is "to have the staff working to the top of their ability for the benefit of the children."

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School Board and Teachers To Renew Contract Talks

EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE…Harry Stewart of Scotch Plains is thanked by Janet Weston, Director of Volunteer Services, for his work as a volunteer at Children's Specialized Hospital. Mr. Stewart, who volunteers as an inpatient transporter, was recently honored for rendering 3,572 hours of service. Scotch Plains resident Harriet Richter was honored for 1,544 hours of service. Fanwood residents Nicholas Paola (2,706), Mary Jo Harris (1,442), John Byrne (1,398), and Brenda Mentensana (1,175) also were recognized.

Lauren Mangione Selected For Girls Career Institute

Lauren Mangione, the daughter of Janet and Russell Mangione of Fanwood, was recently selected by the Woman's Club of Fanwood to participate in the 52nd Annual Girls Career Institute (GCI), sponsored by The New Jersey Federation of Woman's Clubs.

It was held at Douglass College in New Brunswick from June 22-25. The purpose of the GCI is to provide training in good citizenship, encour- age awareness of the political and social problems of contemporary so- ciety, and encourage the delegates to consider their role in the coming years.

It also gives participants a taste of college life, living in a dormitory, meeting delegates from all over the state, and taking responsibility for scheduling their free time. It also provides them with the opportunity to learn of career options available to young women.

Lauren is enrolled in accelerated classes at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, and is involved in many extracurricular activities. They in- clude American Field Service, the German Club, and the German Na- tional Honors Society.

Over the last summer, she had the opportunity to participate in the Ger-

man Exchange program. She is also a member of the Chemistry/Physics club, and recently placed third in a conference at the Annual Conqueror of the Hill competition, sponsored by Lucent Technologies.

Lauren is also an active partici- pant in the Chorus, the Concert Band and the Marching Band at the high school.

Outside of school, Lauren is the Treasurer of her Senior Scout Troop, and is working on her Gold Award – the highest honor bestowed by the Girl Scouts of America. She is also a volunteer at her church Vacation Bible School, and spent three summers volunteering as a camp counselor at Camp Juliette, a day camp.

For three years, Lauren has been working as a page in the Children's Department of the Fanwood Memo- rial Library, where she shelves books and helps with the children's pro- gramming.

Lauren was selected to participate in GCI based on her outstanding academic record and her many con- tributions to the community, accord- ing to a spokeswoman for the organi- zation.

Fanwood Library Plans Western-Style Round-Up Activities

The Fanwood Memorial Library, located at North Avenue and Tillotson Road, has announced that several special events will be held on Wednes- days as part of Reading Round-Up, the library's Children's Department's Summer Reading Club.

The events are as follow: July 15 at 7 p.m., a Pueblo Ring Dance Perfor- mance; July 22 at 3 p.m., a Wild West Song and Dance, and July 29 at 10:30 a.m., a come Ride-A-Pony.

For further information, please call (908) 322-4377.

GOP Expected to Select Mr. Fawcett's Successor

On Ticket for Council UNEXPECTED...Jim Fawcett leaves the Scotch Plains race for a council seat due to career and fam- ily obligations.

Scotch Plains Republicans an- nounced yesterday that James E. Fawcett will quit the slate for the November Township Council race, due to family and career obliga- tions.

The remaining two Republican candidates for the three seats are incumbent Councilman Robert Johnston and township Board of Adjustment member Paulette Coronato.

Gail Iammatteo, Chairwoman of the Board of Adjustment, is considered a party favorite to fill the slot on the ticket. Nancy Malool, Co-Chairwoman for the council campaign along with Co- Chairman Anthony Albanese, was herself a candidate for the party slate on the first selection round.

GOP party members said a third candidate will be selected in a vote on Wednesday, July 22. Accord- ing to Mr. Fawcett, "We do have any number of qualified candi- dates" to fill the vacancy.

Mr. Fawcett, a local Realtor, announced he was stepping down during a "Meet the Candidates Night" at Scotch Hills Country Club in Scotch Plains. "It's unex-

Retired Teachers to Share Experiences With Students

A project designed by Scotch Plains-Fanwood teachers Merrie Snow, Marianne Colangelo, Joseph Roskin, and Charlene Spencer-Hall will bring some retired teachers back into the classroom.

"Retired Teachers Have More Class . . .es" is aimed at increasing the interests of a core group of 85 stu- dents in grades 2 through 5 in the areas of mathematics, science, lan- guage arts, social studies, and tech- nology skills and concepts.

Supported by a $5,300 grant from the New Jersey Education Associa- tion Frederick L. Hipp Foundation for Excellence in Education, four retired teachers will present "mini lessons" based on their travels to other parts of the world, according to foundation spokeswoman Karen Joseph.

Students at Brunner Elementary School in Scotch Plains will partici- pate in activities which include co- operative learning groups to work with students in other grade levels; use of a computer as a tool to display and convey information, and the ap- plication of mathematics, science, language arts, and social studies skills in problem-solving activities using written and oral forms.

Student journals will become a cen- ter piece of the project. Entries will

include research information about climate, population, mileage, tem- perature, latitude, longitude, compara- tive costs of travel, monetary exchange rates, and cultural information.

The class sets of books and com- puter software will contain reference books and literature which represent the diverse areas of travel and cul- ture. The students will also access relevant information using the Internet, according to the spokes- woman.

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pected and somewhat disappoint- ing. I wrestled with the decision for a week or maybe 10 days," Mr. Fawcett said.

The Democratic slate of candi- dates includes Franklin P. Donatelli, Tarquin Jay Bromley and Geri Morgan Samuel. The general election will take place on Tuesday, November 3.