A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood Thursday, June 4, 1998 Page 5
Battleship New Jersey Contingent On Hand Despite Parade Wash- Out Editor's Note: The Sheppard family, submitted the following letter, as representatives of the USS New Jersey Battleship Commission, Battleship New Jersey Foundation, Battleship New Jersey Historical Museum Society and Flags Across America/ Students for the Battleship New Jersey.
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Meter Fee Increase Proposed by Task Force Not Council Committee
I must correct one statement in your article which appeared on the front page of
The Leader on May 28 about the current work by the Westfield Town Council's Transportation, Parking and Traffic Committee of which I chair. It was the 1995 Parking Task Force that recommended a rate increase for meters from 25 cents to 50 cents per hour, not the council's Transportation, Parking and Traffic Committee.
That Task Force recommendation, in fact, is one that I do not agree with, and I believe that the Committee, when it presents its report to the entire council in the coming weeks, will not endorse that suggestion.
While I do not agree with the meter pricing recommendation, that does not detract from the fact that overall, the Task Force report is an excellent compilation of data and recommendations. Our community will soon begin to see positive results from the efforts of those volunteers and many others who are participating in the Committee's work on parking.
Neil F. Sullivan Third Ward Councilman
Westfield
Letters to the Editor
Just a brief note of sincere thanks for sending your courteous photographer to the Scotch Plains- Fanwood Memorial Day Parade. Although the parade was cancelled, prematurely and without good reason, according to most of the parade participants, we were able to have a few of our representatives from the Battleship New Jersey attend an impromptu gathering at the Scotch Plains Municipal Building.
The Battleship New Jersey parade contingent is comprised of over 75 marchers, a Battleship New Jersey award winning van, a 30- foot replica float, four antique cars with Commissioners, former crew members of the New Jersey, 24 veterans and non- veterans, citizens young and old carrying the 24 made in New Jersey American Flags that are being flown around the state and region for the Battleship New Jersey under the Flags Across America program that originated in Fanwood, three large military vehicles and more.
The BB- 62 group was to be lead off by the "Ceremonial Honor Guard" of the Scotch Plains- Fanwood High School 821st Air Force Junior Reserved Officers Training Corps who have been assisting the Battleship Foundation with the Flag program.
Bill, Carol Lauren Sheppard Fanwood 'Lady of the Garden'
Deserves Recognition From Town Officials
My first memory of Westfield comes from a half a century ago. As a boy, stumbled one beautiful summer's evening upon an oasis of enchantment. There, on the corner of Rahway Avenue and Washington Street, a thousand roses suddenly materialized, luminous in the fading light, a perfume of night- scented nicotiana only intensifying further the incredible scene.
That secret garden still magically appears faithfully each spring. It still is a place loved by scores and scores of us from Westfield and beyond. We take it for granted.
But there has been a Lady of the Garden all this time. Wouldn't it be fitting, I wonder, for the town now to honor in some small way that indomitable lady, Florence Schilling? Inasmuch as she has given so much to this community, I know all Westfielders will join with me as I hereby propose to our town fathers that the juncture of Rahway Avenue and Washington Street be officially designated "Schilling Gardens" and a plaque erected there.
Thank you, Florence, for the beauty you have created. May you bloom on and on!
Dr. Ferdinand Gajewski Westfield
Thank You to Everyone Who Intended to March
In Westfield Parade
As Chairman of the planned Memorial Day Parade, I want to thank all the participants and bands who showed up with the intent of marching in the Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25.
After meeting at the Veterans Monument, we all became so rain soaked that cancellation of the parade was the only solution.
We may have lost out this year, but I will be back next year for a bigger and better Memorial Day Parade in Westfield.
Thank you again.
Edward Renfree Parade Chairman Westfield Memorial Day Committee Councilman Whitaker "Amazed"
Over Mayor's Tax System Claims Township Council Should Act Swiftly Against Flight Test
Scotch Plains/ Fanwood Citizens Against Aircraft Noise, Inc. was very disappointed when the Scotch Plains Township Council endorsed the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) 260- degree test (Resolution No. 63- 98 dated March 24).
Our group recognized that Scotch Plains would be adversely affected by tine test and joined with New Jersey Coalition Against Aircraft Noise (NJCAAN) to apply pressure to forestall it.
Other local governments, realizing the noise impact of the proposal and the political maleficence of the FAA, condemned its plan; the Scotch Plains Council was the only elected New Jersey body to indicate approval. Since 1994, the council's public policy decisions have consistently hampered progress in achieving quieter skies for Scotch Plains.
It is time for the Township Council to heed public reaction and be guided by the expertise of recognized, responsible citizen groups. We encourage the council to take action promptly and approve a resolution calling for the immediate termination of the 260- degree test.
Frederick Obrock President, Scotch Plains/ Fanwood
Citizens Against Aircraft Noise, Inc.
I was somewhat amazed to read the recent letters from Pat Hoynes and Fanwood Mayor Maryanne Connelly asserting that New Jersey's property tax system is just fine.
No one has suggested that Federal or New Jersey income taxes should differ, based upon the municipality or county in which one lives. That's because everyone who earns, say $75,000, is buy ing the same bundle of government services
from the federal and state governments — and pays the same price in taxes.
Why should that principle be any different when it comes to buying school services or county government services? It seems logical that a $150,000 market value house in Scotch Plains should pay the same county tax as a $150,000 market value house in Westfield, Fanwood, Elizabeth, Garwood, Plainfield, Mountainside or any other municipality in Union County — because they are all buying the same bundle of county government services.
It also seems logical that a $150,000 market value house in Fanwood should pay exactly the same school tax as a $150,000 market value house in Scotch Plains — because they are both buying the exact same bundle of school services.
That's not how it works. The owner of a $150,000 house in Fanwood pays $1,000 to $1,500 more in property taxes each year than the owner of an identical house just across the street in Scotch Plains. Almost all that difference can be traced to county and school taxes.
It's disappointing that Fanwood's mayor thinks this is fair.
I don't. I think real property tax reform in New Jersey would leave the $150,000 house in Scotch Plains paying no more in county taxes than the $150,000 house in Elizabeth, Plainfield, Mountainside or Westfield.
And real property tax reform would leave the $150,000 house in Fanwood paying no more school tax than the $150,000 house in Scotch Plains.
Joel Whitaker Fanwood Councilman
See More Letters On Page 4
Rotary Seeks Nominations For Charles P. Bailey Award
Nominations for the 1998 recipient of the Charles P. Bailey Humanitarian Award are now being accepted by the Rotary Club of Westfield. The deadline for submitting nominations is Thursday, June 18.
The award is given in memory of Charles P. Bailey, a former Mayor of Westfield, a Past President of the Rotary Club, and a prominent and active member of the community.
It is presented annually to a Westfield resident who has exemplified "outstanding dedication and service to the community," according to Dr. D. Michael Hart, President of the Rotary Club of Westfield.
Anyone may submit a nomination, whether or not they are a Rotarian or a resident of the town. Nominations should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person making the nomination, as well as that of the nominee.
The nominee's background and reasons for the nomination should be written in a narrative form. Applications may be sent to Dr. D. Michael Hart, Chairman of the Selection Committee, Rotary Club of Westfield, 553 Highland Avenue, Westfield, 07090.
A formal dinner will be held in November at the Echo Lake Country Club in Westfield to honor the individual who is selected to receive the Humanitarian Award.
Previous Charles P. Bailey Humanitarian Award winners include Robert L. Rooke (1987), H. Emerson Thomas (1988), William T.
Meglaughlin (1989), Robert H. Mulreaney (1990), Frank A. Ketcham (1991), Ernest S. Winter and Nancy F. Reynolds (1992), William D. Peek (1993), Robert and Alice Dillon (1994), Arthur C. Fried (1995), Rabbi Charles A. Kroloff (1996) and Lee Hale (1997).
Meetings of the Rotary Club of Westfield are held each Tuesday at 12: 15 p. m. at the Westfield "Y," and feature a variety of guest speakers. Guests and visitors are always welcome.
Tag Sale on Saturday To Benefit Symphony
The Westfield Symphony Orchestra (WSO) will hold a tag sale this Saturday, June 6, with all proceeds benefiting the symphony and its many educational programs.
The sale will take place between 9 a. m. and 4 p. m. at the home of Charlotte and Jay Foster at 525 Woodland Avenue. Merchandise will include small appliances, books and games, tools, small pieces of furniture, and other collectibles.
Board members and friends will be on hand to help with the event and bid farewell to the Fosters, who are longtime Westfield residents and symphony supporters.
The couple are relocating this summer. Mrs. Foster is a current board member and a Past President.
For further information, please call the WSO office at (908) 232- 9400.
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