patient care 3x7
Schwartz 2x4 Mary Lou
1x3 J&M
2x3 Private Tutor
2x2 Let’s Get Our Bathrooms in Place
Before Adding More Parking Lots
I am a mother of a 4-year-old daughters and live near Tamaques Park. The park can be both a delight and a danger.
We enjoy using the playgrounds, tennis courts and fields. However, the number of cars, the speeds at which they travel, and lack of effective parking laws makes it dangerous at times to run or even push a baby carriage.
If the speed and volume of cars is not enough, then the cars parking on the right side of the road make traveling even more difficult.
Having mentioned all this you, could imagine my disbelief when I heard about the plans to add three new parking lots to a park famous for its half empty lots. To add insult to injury, these 71 -yes 71 —
Mayor Jardim Responds To Letter From Mr. Boothe
Editor’s Note: The following letter is in response to a letter by former Westfield Mayor Bud C. Boothe concerning campaign literature distributed by the Jardim Campaign.
* * * * * I write to respond to some more accusations against me, this time by former Mayor Bud Boothe.
Former Mayor Boothe has been a frequent critic of mine. In the past, he has criticized me for forming the Raritan Valley Line Commuter Commission and organizing the towns along the Raritan Valley Line to fight for a one-seat ride and other improvements for the Raritan Valley train line.
He criticized me for calling for a comprehensive, top-tobottom review of how and why each municipal dollar is spent, and for forming the Westfield Expenditure Review Commission, a non-partisan group of citizen volunteers, who made specific recommendations on how to make the government more cost-effective and efficient.
And he has criticized me for seeking to bring more grant funds home to Westfield, specifically, the $117,500 we applied for and received from the Union County “Pocket Park” program, funds that we have now dedicated to improving our baseball and soccer fields, and obtaining new playground equipment.
Teddy Roosevelt has said that it’s not the critic that counts, but the person who is willing to get into the ring, who strives mightily, who, although failing at times, gets back up and fights for his beliefs and his convictions. I am one of those who is willing to work for great things — for this town and for the residents of Westfield.
And I’ll proudly continue that fight despite the inevitable letters to the editors and the spiteful talk of critics like Bud Boothe.
Thomas C. Jardim Mayor of Westfield
Parent Calls Lack of Bathrooms At Westfield Parks ‘Embarrassing’
I am a lifelong resident of Westfield and a parent of five children, four of whom (school age) are active in town recreational sports including the traveling softball and baseball teams.
From April to August every year, I spend most evenings and weekends at the baseball and softball fields in Westfield and other local towns. I am a mom who supports these activities by paying the fees to participate as a spectator, a coach, and a fund-raiser.
It has been my experience that my children, who are involved in sports, stay out of trouble, keep high grades, and establish a sense of teamwork along with enhanced self-esteem. Sports are important to my family.
I am not alone. Other parents share my beliefs. There are crowds of us who sit on the bleachers at night and on weekends. In fact, most of my children’s peers are also involved in sports of some form or another. We live in a wonderful familyoriented and community-minded town where there is great interest and support of athletic activities for our youngsters.
The trouble is that we all share one common problem...we can’t use a bathroom at any of the fields because there are none! The choices are limited...bring a child (usually only a boy) on a mad dash to a desolate bush...let them go in their pants...race over to a friend or neighbor’s house close to the field (if you’re lucky enough to have one) or try to drive home before it’s too late!
In other local towns, not only do they have clean, stocked and conveniently located rest rooms, they also have concession stands, batting cages, and in most instances, dugouts.
It’s a real embarrassment to think that we live in a town that won’t even provide its residents, let alone out of town visiting teams, the luxury of a restroom.
The worst part is knowing that the present governing body in Westfield has the allocated resources to build these very basic facilities (and better yet more resources are available by way of county matching funds) but continues to have a need to “study” the problem and delay the solution.
I have missed too many good plays, strike outs and home runs because I had to race myself, or a child, off the field to use a bathroom. Again, I am not alone. This is an open letter to the Mayor and Town Council. What will you do about this?
Susan Brandt McCrea Westfield
Officer Rodger Helped Comfort Daughter After Car Accident Editor’s Note: The following letter was sent to Westfield Police Chief Anthony J. Scutti with a copy sent to
The Westfield Leader.
* * * * * I am writing this letter to compliment you on the performance of one of your officers, Jason Rodger. On September 11, my daughter was involved in an automobile accident on Rahway Avenue. She was cut off and struck two parked automobiles.
Officer Rodgers was first on the scene and comforted her during the incident. His professionalism helped put her, being 17 years old, at ease.
Thankfully she was not injured, though the car’s airbags were activated and the car totaled. Being a retired New York City police detective with 25 years of service, I feel proud that I can say Police Officer Rodgers is a member of our police family.
Again, my compliments to your department.
Frank A. Panarese Westfield Let Us Cast Aside
Tendency of Blowing Things Out of Proportion
I am appalled at the effrontery of the individual ostensibly working on Mayor Thomas C. Jardim’s behalf who authored some of the questions on the latest poll.
My husband and I have known Mayor Jardim personally for several years and argue vehemently that this was not and never would be an approach he would sanction. Mayor Jardim has consistently attempted to work for the interests of the Town of Westfield and not out of political partisanship.
His priorities remain straightforward and he has made significant strides for the betterment of our town. One very big point to Mayor Jardim’s credit and one which continues to be overlooked was his call to stop the poll as soon as he found out about the inserted questions. Not only did Mayor Jardim stop the poll immediately, but he took responsibility for it and apologized both publicly and privately.
Let us get back to the issues at hand and set aside this most recent example of a local tendency to blow things out of proportion. We need instead to treat the issues squarely and with fair consideration.
Alison Toates McCabe Westfield
Letters to the Editor
new spaces were at a cost of $71,000. Would this change in parking spaces help make the park safer?
A resounding “no” is the answer that comes to my mind and that of friends and neighbors as well. This money should be used to maybe add a water fountain (there is only one in the park) or better yet, strictly enforce park speed limits and diminish, if not eliminate, parking on the right side of the road.
Little did I know that this $71,000 was just the tip of the iceberg. The “Pocket Park” program has close to $200,000 available for use. This amount of money warrants a serious specific plan. Aside from the above mentioned ideas, bathrooms in this town are obviously a problem.
Gumbert Park is just one example. Another that immediately comes to mind is Mindowaskin Park. Anyone who has spent time in this park has seen young children using the small patch of bushes as a bathroom facility.
How can a town of Westfield’s caliber leave children (many of whom are just toilet trained) without any bathrooms? It is time to sit down and take a serious look at the town’s priorities. Let’s get bathrooms in place before we add new parking lots to an overcrowded park.
Mary S. Earl Westfield Westfield Chamber to Honor
H. Emerson Thomas at Dinner
WESTFIELD — The Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce will honor former Mayor H. Emerson Thomas at its 50th Anniversary Dinner and Faith In Westfield Awards Ceremony this Monday, October 26, at 6 p.m. at The Primavera, owned by the Ferraro family, in Stirling.
“If anyone deserves the title ‘Mr. Westfield,’ it is H. Emerson Thomas,” said Darryl Walker, Chamber Vice Chairman. “We are so pleased that he will be our guest of honor at the Chamber’s 50th Anniversary Dinner.”
An active member of the Westfield community throughout his life, Mr. Thomas served as Mayor for six years, and also as a councilman. The fountain in Mindowaskin Park is named after him in recognition of his many years of service to Westfield.
Mr. Thomas is a long-time member of the Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce, and served as a Director on the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce Board.
He is the founder of the Westfield Foundation, and served as their President and a Director. He is also a Past President and Director of the Westfield “Y” Board of Trustees, and the first recipient of the “Golden Man” Award.
Mr. Thomas additionally served on the Frost Valley YMCA Camp and Conference Center Board as Founder, Vice President, and Director. The organization’s new dining hall, known as “Thomas Lodge,” was dedicated in his honor.
He is an active member of the Rotary Club of Westfield and was honored by them as Humanitarian of the Year in 1988. He is a Past President and Director of the Westfield Community Center and a Past Vice President and Director of Children’s Specialized Hospital.
As a member of the Westfield United Fund Board of Trustees, he founded the Pillars Club, a special recognition for generous donors.
“The community is invited to be a part of this gala celebration,” said Debbie Schmidt, Chamber Executive Director.
Reservations for the dinner may be made at the Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce office, 111 Quimby Street, at (908) 233-3021. Tickets are $50 per person, with wine and beer included.
Miller-Cory House Museum To Be Included in Festival
WESTFIELD — The Miller-Cory House Museum in Westfield will be among 20 museums on a free two-day fall tour of Union County’s historical sites, entitled “Four Centuries In A Weekend — A Journey Through Union County’s History.”
This heritage festival is designed to help promote national awareness of the arts and humanities, according to MillerCory spokeswoman Dorothy Petrein.
The Miller-Cory House will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 25. The museum is located at 614 Mountain Avenue in Westfield.
The museum will conduct tours of the house and gardens along with demonstrations of 18th century cooking.
The Miller-Cory House Museum has been certified as an historic site and
has been entered on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
Visitors are introduced to a variety of Colonial-era skills as trained artisans and costumed docents recreate the everyday life, crafts and tasks of a typical 18thand early 19th-century farm family in Westfield, the spokeswoman said.
On Sunday, November 1, from 2 to 5 p.m., the museum will resume its weekly program schedule and feature an “Apple Bee” and open-hearth cooking, focusing on apple recipes.
For further information about the museum, group tours and the fall schedule of events, please call the museum office at (908) 232-1776.
Gardenaires to Present Illustrated Slide Show
Parent Support Group Announces Meeting
The New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community (COSAC), Inc. Parent Support Group will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, October 28, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the Scotch Plains Public Library, 1927 Bartle Avenue in Scotch Plains.
The guest speaker will be registered nurse Maureen McDonnell, who will discuss how nutrition impacts children with autism. Nancy Arvizzigno will be the facilitator for the event.
Family members of children with autism from any county are invited to attend this free support group.
COSAC sponsors nine parent support groups throughout New Jersey. The purpose of each group is to help parents and family members learn more about autism and relevant issues, to share experiences, and to offer and receive support.
For directions or for further information, please call Catherine Zane at (609) 883-8100.
Sharon Dennis Wyeth To be Guest Reader At Fanwood Library
FANWOOD – The Friends of the Fanwood Memorial Library have invited children ages 5 through 14 to visit the library on Monday, October 26, at 3:30 p.m., when children’s book author Sharon Dennis Wyeth will read from her book “Vampire Bugs.”
The author has written several stories for children during the past 10 years, including “Always My Dad,” “The World of Daughter McGuire,” “Something Beautiful,” and her latest novel for middle schoolers, “Once on This River.”
Ms. Wyeth is a former singer, actor, producer and teacher who now pursues full-time writing from her home in Montclair. Her stories often reflect her experience as an African American.
Admission is free and books will be available for purchase and signing. The library is located at North Avenue and Tillotson Road.
Musical Club Auditions Slated for Performers
Of Classical Music
WESTFIELD — The Musical Club of Westfield will hold auditions for individuals interested in performing classical music on Wednesday, November 4.
Two pieces must be performed. One selection must be of the Classical or Baroque period, and the other of the Romantic or Modern period.
Interested persons may call either Caroline Holt at (908) 232-6332 or Barbara Krause at (908) 272-5549. Both men and women are invited to audition.
The Musical Club of Westfield, now in its 83rd season, provides an opportunity for musical performance, social interaction, and education through its scholarship program. The Gardenaires of Westfield re
cently announced that Ginny Seabrook of Westfield will give an illustrated slide show of “The Flora and Fauna of the Arctic” at the club’s meeting on Wednesday, October 28, at noon at the Scotch Hills Country Club on Jerusalem Road in Scotch Plains.
For the past 15 years, Mrs. Seabrook and her husband have been avid
birders in New Jersey and have taken trips to Kenya and Chile. They particularly enjoyed visiting the tropics and the Arctic. They have made three trips to the Canadian Arctic. Their most recent trip was to the MacKenzie Barrens in the Northwest Territories.
Refreshments will be served. Guests and new members are welcome. For further information, please call (908) 754-5160.
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H. Emerson Thomas MAGAZINE MARKET…The Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) of Edison
Intermediate School in Westfield is holding its annual magazine sale to help raise money for its programs. Pictured above, left to right, are Stephanie Finn, Charles Hely and David Eisenberg as they select materials for the sale.
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