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Letters to the Editor
Parent Commends Scotch Plains Teachers
In this age of “fitting in with the crowd” and “everybody does it,” it is not always easy for parents to instill values that will help our children grow into honest, caring individuals with respect for themselves and for others.
As a parent, I would like to express my respect and appreciation for those members of our teaching staff who have recently shown that they are willing to stand by their beliefs in what is right despite tremendous pressure to do otherwise.
Those individual teachers in this district who have continued to do what they feel is right for the children in their charge, in spite of unpleasant repercussions from Scotch Plains-Fanwood Education Association (SPFEA) members, are providing the role models that I want for my child.
Giving in to peer pressure, or knuckling under to mob-rule tactics against one’s own personal beliefs, does not set an example of the kind of values that will enable our children to “just say no” when faced with difficult choices in their futures.
Standing up for what you believe is right when you seem to be in a minority is always hard to do. To those teachers who continue to stand by the courage of their convictions, I would like to assure you that many parents in Scotch Plains and Fanwood recognize your efforts and honor you for your actions.
Janet Mann Scotch Plains
Tattered American Flag Considered Unpatriotic
On Veteran’s Holiday
On November 11, I decided to pay a personal tribute to the deceased veterans enshrined at the Westfield Memorial Pool. For many years, I have admired this town’s dedication to their heroes, and could only think of the respect that these brave men and women had been afforded.
As I strolled along the wildlife trail, my mind was consumed with thoughts of admiration for a community that exhibited such reverence for the many who served their country.
Rounding the corner of the parking lot, my opinion rapidly changed. In the wind, attached to the pole, flew a star spangled banner that made the area look like a combat zone. This majestic symbol of our nation was faded, it was shredded, it was torn, and it was hanging over a sign designating a memorial.
I realized the previous night’s weather had been heavy, but I had also been at sea in some of the worst storms imaginable, and never saw this degree of despair. Surprise, anguish, and heartbreak consumed me as my son asked me why, and I could not give him an answer.
My only thought was to enlighten the proud locals that their image had been tarnished, and hope the right thing would be done to restore the luster to this now depressing site.
If a new flag is not available, please let me know and I will provide one.
Joseph F. Doll Scotch Plains Woman’s Club Thanks
Coat Drive Participants
On behalf of the Junior Woman’s Club of Westfield, I would like to express my sincere thanks and admiration to the local community for your participation in our recent coat drive at the Westfield Memorial Library.
This year marks the first that our club has sponsored a coat drive, and we were overwhelmed at the kindness of the people of Westfield and surrounding communities in supporting this project.
Pam Wiaczek Coat Drive Chairwoman Junior Woman’s Club of Westfield Resident Asks Mayor to Pay Attention
To Local Street, Sidewalk Conditions Editor’s Note: The following letter was addressed to Westfield Mayor Thomas C. Jardim with a copy sent to this newspaper.
* * * * * Congratulations on your re-election. This is my second letter to you requesting intervention. Please come by to see the deplorable condition of the street and sidewalk at the comer of Scotch Plains Avenue and Clarence Avenue.
The place is filthy and no attempts are being made to keep the area tidy. Dry dirt flows through the air every time a vehicle drives on Clarence. No attempts are made to clean the area. Don’t we have street sweepers? Aren’t we entitled to some cleanliness at our homes?
Straw is strewn over the sewers on Clarence, clogging them. If there were significant rainfall it would be a disaster. I believe the straw was originally placed around the sewers in an attempt to channel rain and prevent water from accumulating on Scotch Plains Avenue.
The sidewalk that was destroyed in front of my house has not been repaired. Halloween was frightening. There is no marker to alert walkers of a serious “hole” in the sidewalk area.
Please be advised, should anyone fall and hurt themselves the Town of Westfield or Charles Higgins (a developer of homes on the street) would be responsible for negligence.
The power line is still lying in the street, is this acceptable to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)? Is it not a hazard to have live wires on the ground?
We are still looking at a temporary utility pole. My neighbor’s property has not been restored thus adding to the dirt and unsightly conditions here.
My taxes are now $5,500. What do I get for that? Certainly not protection of my investment in Westfield. This now borders on ridiculous. Clarence Avenue was “created” on or about December 1, 1997. It will soon be a year. Are we to live through another winter of muck and filth?
Where are the elected officials that were re-elected by the people and “for the people?”
Your assistance in this matter is appreciated.
Michele M. Krug Westfield
PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE FOR REAL ESTATE FOR NON-PAYMENT OF TAXES
AND MUNICIPAL CHARGES
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, the Collector of Taxes of the Township of Scotch Plains, Union County, New Jersey will sell at a public auction on the 1st day of December 1998, in the Municipal Building, 430 Park Avenue, Scotch Plains, New Jersey at 10 o’clock in the morning, the below described lands. The said lands will be sold to make the amount of municipal liens chargeable against that same on the 1st day of December 1998 together with interest and cost of sale, exclusive however, of the lien for taxes for the year 1998. Said lands will be sold in fee to such persons as will purchase the same, subject to redemption at the lowest rate of interest, but in no case in excess of eighteen (18) percent per annum. Payment for the sale shall be made by cash, certified or cashier’s check, or money order before the conclusion of the sale or the property will be resold. Any parcel of real property for which there shall be no other purchase will be struck off and sold to the municipality in fee for redemption at eighteen (18) percent per annum and the municipality shall have the right to bar or foreclose right of redemption. The sale will be made and conducted in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 of Chapter 5 of Title 54, Revised Statutes of New Jersey, 1937 and amendments thereto. At any time before the sale, the undersigned will receive payment of the amount due on the property, with interest and costs incurred up to the time of payment by cash, certified or cashier’s check, or money order. Industrial properties may be subject to the Spill Compensation and Control Act (N.J.S.A. 58:10-23.11 et seq.), the Water Pollution Control Act (N.J.S.A. 58:10A-1 et seq.), and the Industrial Site Recovery Act (N.J.S.A. 13:1K-6 et seq.). In addition, the municipality is precluded from issuing a tax sale certificate to any prospective purchaser who is or may be in any way connected to the prior owner or operator of the site. The said lands so subject to sale, described in accordance with the tax duplicate, including the name of the owner as shown on the last tax duplicate and the total amount due thereon respectively on the 1st day of December, 1998, exclusive of the lien for the year are as listed below:
Kathleen W. Silber Collector of Taxes Scotch Plains, New Jersey
PROPERTY INTERNO. BLOCK LOT OWNER NAME LOCATION TAX MUNIC. EST COST TOTAL
1. 00201 02 Chua, Edita 406 Farley Avenue 2,990.52 0.00 296.41 65.74 3,352.67 2. 00203 03 Rayric, Inc. 445 Terrill Road 17,204.66 0.00 1,883.90 100.00 19,188.56 4. 00502 03 Armstrong, Frederick 1616 Front Street 3,876.60 0.00 1,014.10 97.81 4,988.51 6. 00602 16 Shackelford, M. & Banks, R. 1601 Front Street 3,424.33 0.00 885.72 86.20 4,396.25 7. 00603 08 Campbell, Leroy and Hillary 349 Jackson Avenue 904.46 0.00 16.59 18.42 939.47 8. 00902 07 Moore, John & Minnie 318 Myrtle Avenue 3,851.75 0.00 775.48 92.54 4,719.77 9. 01101 04 Vargonick, J. and S.D.L. 1729 East Second St. 5,275.33 0.00 947.38 100.00 6,322.71 10. 01103 27 Johnson, Frederick Estate of 446 Flanders Avenue 2,957.15 0.00 599.78 71.14 3,628.07 11. 03703 08 Gellerman, Floyd 2292 Mountain Avenue 4,318.93 0.00 1,080.08 100.00 5,499.01 13. 04201 11 Cicalese, James & Michelle 515 William Street 2,270.86 0.00 199.38 49.40 2,519.64 14. 04401 14 West, Mary E. 4 Johnson Street 1,107.79 0.00 36.56 22.89 1,167.24 16. 06102 14 DeStefanis, Austin 690 Rolling Peaks Way 894.60 0.00 79.89 19.49 993.98 17. 06102 15 West, W. Charles 2551 Broadway 3,280.20 0.00 659.19 78.79 4,018.18 18. 06102 16 Broadway Associates 2539 Broadway 3,424.33 0.00 688.15 82.25 4,194.73 19. 06102 17 Broadway Associates 2529 Broadway 2,236.50 0.00 406.40 52.86 2,695.76 20. 06102 20 Broadway Associates 2521 Broadway 994.00 0.00 88.78 21.66 1,104.44 21. 06103 07 Sawyer, Arthur 2563 Waverly Place 606.34 0.00 54.15 15.00 675.49 22. 06103 09 Sawyer, Arthur 2553 Waverly Place 1,615.25 0.00 246.52 37.24 1,899.01 23. 06201 05 Flynn, James B. 2536 Broadway 2,276.26 0.00 416.63 53.86 2,746.75 24. 07201 12 Legg, G. Randolph 2386 Beryllium Road 7,623.37 0.00 1,728.19 100.00 9,451.56 25. 07201 24 Foster, James and Sallie 2402 Hamlette Place 532.85 0.00 127.57 15.00 675.42 26. 13301 22 Dixon, Robert L. & Barbara 3 Linden Lane 6,608.15 0.00 1,582.00 100.00 8,290.15 27. 13302 07 Leighton, Saul & Roberta 2051 Winding Brook W. 9,676.59 0.00 1,944.61 100.00 11,721.20 28. Blk-13701.15
Lot-3 CB010 LiBrandi, Catherine 10 Burnham Village 4,085.34 0.00 773.95 97.19 4,956.48 29. 14301 22 Tussel, Carol Ann 1360 Raritan Road 1,344.88 0.00 262.73 32.15 1,639.76 31. 15302 02 Shanni, Stefan 1310 Cushing Road 3,668.14 0.00 797.82 89.32 4,555.28 33. 16002 01 Skyline Develop. Corp 27 Winchester Drive 2,189.29 0.00 376.65 51.32 2,617.26 4 T – 11/5, 11/12, 11/19 & 11/26/98, The Times Fee: $685.44
SPFEA Offers Tips to Strengthen Kids’ Reading and Study Skills
Members of the Scotch PlainsFanwood Education Association (SPFEA) — Scotch Plains and Fanwood’s teachers, aides and secretaries — know how much parents want their children to enjoy reading, and how much they want them to succeed in school.
Parents know that good reading skills help their children succeed in school, and the love of reading is the greatest education gift we can give our children. To help families instill a love of reading in their children, the SPFEA offers these tips:
·Link reading to children’s current interests — comic books, fashion magazines, even retail catalogues and the Guinness Book of World Records.
·Keep a selection of library books linked to children’s interests at home and let them browse.
·Stack appealing reading materials wherever your children sit.
·Let your children see you reading every day. Don’t put off reading until after the children are in bed.
·Discuss articles you’ve read in magazines and newspapers with your children.
·Be flexible and tolerant. Don’t insist that children finish a book. Let them read while the television or radio is on.
·Give books and magazine subscriptions as gifts. Treat them to movies and plays based on books they’ve read. Ask them to compare.
·Share the reading experience from infancy to middle school; read to your children every day or have your child read aloud to you. Act out scenes.
·Ask questions such as, “What do you think will happen next?” or “Why did the character do that?”
·Be optimistic and patient. Every child can learn to love reading — eventually.
Homework extends the learning experience beyond the classroom and reinforces learning by giving children a chance to practice without the pressure of time.
It also teaches a child to organize time, work independently, use good study skills and develop self-discipline. In addition, it gives the child with learning challenges extra time to improve.
The SPFEA has offered families these tips to help children benefit from homework assignments:
·Create a quiet place to study with lots of light and school supplies.
·Set a scheduled time every day for homework.
·Show your support by staying nearby.
·Urge your children to pair up with a homework “buddy,” someone they can call.
·Encourage your children to take short breaks while doing homework.
·Discuss any problems with your children’s teacher.
·Talk with your children about some of their homework assignments.
·Support your children’s efforts, but do not protect them from the consequences if their homework doesn’t get finished.
·Discuss homework as a way to develop self-discipline and good study habits.
·Surprise your children with a reward when they’ve been studying hard.
The SPFEA wants every child to develop strong study skills, and we believe that parents are our true partners in education.
Barbara McGuane SPFEA President
I write to express my thanks to the people of the First Ward, my neighbors, for their support on November 3.
During the Candidates’ Forum on October 22, I said that, of the many places my wife and I lived before settling down in Westfield, I love this place the most and it is not even close. The campaign for Council made me marvel at the good fortune we enjoyed and the wisdom we employed when we chose Westfield as our home.
For eight weeks, the people of this
Why Lie About Facts Of Recent Election?
I was impressed with the graciousness of the Westfield candidates who lost the past election — as evidenced by their letters to the editor in The Leader
of November 12. Then I read the letter by a Mountainside candidate who lost (Michael Krasner) and wondered why he has to continue to lie about the facts even after the election is over.
In his letter published November 12, he states “...registered Republicans outnumber registered Democrats 3 to 1.”
In my letter of the same issue, I had stated “Only about one-third of Mountainsiders are Republicans.” Surely, the voters must be confused when reading our two letters.
Therefore, the Union County Board of Elections has furnished me with the actual numbers of registered voters as of November 13.
Total number of registered voters are Mountainside, 4,624 – Republicans, 1,554; Democrats, 782; unaffiliated, 2,280, and declared, 8.
I again repeat that only about onethird of Mountainside’s voters are Republicans, and that we rely on independents and Democrats to support our best candidates. Thank you to all of the Mountainside voters who exercised their right to vote.
Dr. Marilyn McGuire-Hart Republican Chairman
Mountainside
town opened their doors — and often their homes — to me and talked with me about their concerns, hopes, complaints and joys. They spoke about these things thoughtfully and they always treated me with respect, warmth and courtesy. They made me happy to be their neighbor. I give my heartfelt thanks to them for a great experience.
I also give my heartfelt thanks to Jon Bramnick, who was an honorable and worthy competitor in a race that was decided by a razor-thin margin. I trust that Jon feels as I do: that we have become good friends during this campaign and that we will remain so for many years. I hope that the honest and civilized campaign he ran becomes a model for all who run for office in Westfield in the future.
Countless times during the many doorstep conversations I had this fall, people would express a healthy skepticism about whether this stranger was up to the task. Then they would flip to the back page of my brochure and see the picture of my wife, Casey Chandler. Suddenly, I was their best friend. They would often say: “Why didn’t you tell me before that you were Casey’s husband?”
Evidently, they felt that anyone who had the good sense and judgment to marry this wonderful woman was obviously an excellent judge of character and a man to be trusted. In point of fact, I married way over my head.
Those of you who contributed your time, energy, and hard-earned money to my campaign know who you are and so do I. There are too many of you to list and I would inadvertently leave someone out if I tried to mention all of you. If there was one thing about this experience that was truly humbling, it was the notion that so many good people would contribute their energies and open up their wallets in support of my run for office.
I want my neighbors in the First Ward to know that I had fun and that I am ready to work hard for them.
Carl A. Salisbury Coucilman-Elect
First Ward Westfield Carl Salisbury Offers Thanks to Those
Who Aided in His Recent Re-election
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