The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood

FIFTY CENTS 232-4407

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

OUR 39th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 36-98 Published Every Thursday USPS 485200

Periodical – Postage Paid at Scotch Plains, N.J. Thursday, September 3, 1998

of of of of of

— Serving Scotch Plains and Fanwood Since 1959 —

School Board Members Object to State’s ‘School-to-Work’ Plan for High Schoolers

By SUSAN M. DYCKMAN

Specially Written for The Times

During the August 27 special meeting of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Board of Education, Dr. Thomas A. Henry, Director of the State Office of School-to-Career and College Initiatives, spoke on the “Structured Learning Experience” mandated by the state’s Core Curriculum Content and Cross Content Workplace Readiness Standards.

Response from board members was overwhelmingly negative.

Implementation of the school-tocareer initiative calls for all 11th and 12th grade public and charter school students to “participate in structured learning experiences linked to a recognized career major.”

Work experience could include volunteer activities, community ser

vice, paid or unpaid employment, a school-related project or an apprenticeship program. The time commitment would “consist of not less than one day per week or the equivalent thereof.”

Dr. Henry defended the mandate, saying it represents “the merger of practical application and learning.”

“It gives students an opportunity to see the relevance (of school work),” he said. “When students see the relevance, they do better and learn more.”

He estimated that 85 percent of SPFHS’s juniors and seniors are already doing something that qualifies under the initiative.

The standards, adopted in 1996, were developed by content specialists, kindergarten to grade 12 educators, and representatives of higher

education, business and the community. Dr. Henry said the business executives surveyed complained that New Jersey high school and college students are “unprepared” for the workplace upon completion of their education.

“I believe what employers want are students who can read, write, spell and compute well,” responded board member Jessica D. Simpson. “Perhaps we should consider introduction of values courses that teach students how to be responsible citizens and good workers.”

Board member Morris H. (Butch) Gillett questioned the wisdom of asking students to define a career path in high school when most individuals do not make that decision until their second or third year of college.

Their colleague, Edward J. Saridaki, Jr., was concerned about pulling students out of class for mandatory participation.

“Programs like this deprive students of a sound educational program,” he said. “I benefited from a structured, regimented education.

He faulted the state for not finding out from parents what they need, relying instead on a survey of businesses. He claimed, “The public is fundamentally ignorant of this concept.”

Mr. Saridaki later asked what kind of flexibility individual districts have to meet the requirements of the school-to-career initiative.

“How you get there is your business,” stated Dr. Henry.

Three public hearings are scheduled as the verbiage of the administrative code is fine tuned. It is expected to take about 18 months to nail down the final draft of the code.

Board member Jean McAllister asked, “I think you’ll hear ‘thanks, but no thanks’ from districts like ours.”

She also raised the possibility of districts like Scotch Plains-Fanwood opting out of the school-to-career initiative.

According to Dr. Henry, the standards “are what they are,” but the proposed code is “not set in stone.” He encouraged the board to draft specific language that would work for Scotch Plains-Fanwood students and submit it to the Department of Education.

Board President August Ruggiero asked Richard M. Meade and Mr. Saridaki to prepare a statement on behalf of the board.

While Mr. Meade acknowledged the benefits of such a program for certain schools, he said the state was “imposing a solution that Scotch Plains-Fanwood school children do not need.”

He wanted to know if the state would back up this mandate with the funds to pay for implementation.

Board Vice President Theresa Larkin pointed out that, beyond basic graduation requirements, high school students’ course selection is elective.

She pointed out that SPFHS provides a comprehensive education that brings together students, parents and counselors to create an individualized schedule.

“The state is treading where it has no business,” declared Mrs. Larkin.

Board member Thomas A. Russo’s comments addressed the issue of mandatory versus optional work experiences.

Fanwood Planning Board Grants Approval To Second Chelsea Facility on South Avenue

By SUZETTE F. STALKER

Specially Written for The Times

A proposal by The Chelsea at Fanwood to construct a second facility on South Avenue got the green light August 26 from the borough Planning Board, which endorsed the project with a 6-0 vote.

The pending four-story structure, featuring a mix of senior housing and assisted living units, will stand adjacent to The Chelsea’s current assisted living facility, which opened on the former Mansion Hotel site in January of last year.

The new facility will be erected on a lot next to the Fanwood Post Office,

currently occupied by an old, dilapidated house which has been vacant for several years. It will be linked to the original building by a breezeway on the top floor.

Plans for the new building were first unveiled for the Planning Board in June. The Chelsea was subsequently granted a month-long extension in July to complete site plan revisions, which were detailed by the applicant’s representatives last week.

In its initial proposal, The Chelsea had sought approval for 40 indepen

FIFTY YEARS OF SERVICE…Fanwood Rescue Squad volunteers accept an honorary flag from Councilman William E. Populus, Jr., far right, in commemoration of the squad’s 50th anniversary this year. Squad members, pictured left to right, are: Captain Jeff Downing, John Oatis, Barbara Breuninger, Bill Crosby, Bob Cruthers, Sue Davis and Ed Sargent. Please see a story on Page 10.

Fights, Five Arrests at Terrill Road Nightclub After Superior Court Injunction Allows Opening

By JEANNE WHITNEY

Specially Written for The Times

The parking lot of a Scotch Club nightclub on the border of Plainfield was the site of five arrests last Thursday night when fights erupted outside at closing time, 2 a.m. No weapons were involved, according to police, although one suspect went to the hospital with a broken jaw.

Lonnie Askew, 26, of Orange was charged with fighting and obstruction of justice. Shabazz McCoy, 27, Louis Thompson, 24 and Jason Lacroix, 25, all of Plainfield, were charged with fighting as was Clark Lang, 20, of Union.

The busy nightspot, Club Malibu, on Terrill Road near the intersection of Route 22, remained open last Thursday after Scotch Plains fire officials ordered the club closed last week for 30 days, and fined club owner Frank Ricciutti, $5,000. Fire inspectors said they found 150 people milling around outside the club, which holds 600.

Before a Superior Court injunction came down late Thursday afternoon, allowing the club to stay open, township police said they would arrest club owner Ricciutti if he attempted to open the club that night. A court hearing is scheduled for Friday, September 25, on the fire code violation.

Township police indicated that more “bouncers” were in evidence outside the club when it opened last Thursday night.

The club was fined $2,000 in May after fire officials were unable to bring an ambulance through the parking lot to the club door. The establishment was required to designate a fire lane near the entrance.

Police officials said they did not know of any violations involving underage drinking at the club.

Reportedly, several weeks ago, police temporarily shut down a doughnut shop across from the Malibu until large numbers of afterhours customers from the nightclub dispersed from its parking lot. Other 24-hour eateries in Plainfield have drawn big crowds in the early morning hours after the club closes and police report car windows broken and bottles being thrown.

Friday nights at the Malibu are reserved for teens and a club telephone recording claimed security is “iron tight.” Chief O’Brien said police are usually in the neighborhood as well, when the club is open, primarily “as a deterrent.”

The club is open for business on Thursdays through Saturdays, and

reportedly feature dee-jays from popular New York City nightclubs.

According to a recent Star-Ledger

report, the Ricciutti family has operated a club at the same Terrill Road

location for over 40 years. In the same report, a lawyer for the owners said, “We hope to reach an amicable resolution and...avoid the necessity of continuing litigation.”

File Photo

NEW ADDITION ON THE WAY…A second Chelsea at Fanwood building, to be constructed adjacent to the existing facility on South Avenue, will offer both senior housing and an assisted living wing on the top floor. The four-story structure was approved by the Fanwood Planning Board last week.

Jeanne Whitney for The Times

PARTY DOWN...Malibu, a nightclub on Terrill Road in Scotch Plains, remained open last week under a court injunction after township fire officials shut it down for 30 days the previous week. Five arrests were made outside the club last Thursday, August 27.

STATE TOUTS FLEXIBILITY IN METHODS

‘School-to-Work’ Plan on Schedule In Face of Some Local Opposition

By JEANNE WHITNEY

Specially Written for The Times

While the deadline for implementation draws closer, area educators increasingly express concern over the New Jersey Department of Education’s School-to-Work Initiative adopted as part its “Core Curriculum” standards two years ago.

The initiative requires “not less than one day per week or the equivalent” of work-related activities from students, in order to graduate from high school. Some have interpreted this as requiring only four days per week be dedicated to academic subjects.

Westfield Superintendent of Schools Dr. William J. Foley attacked the mandate last month, saying, “How can we be expected to meet our requirements in just four days? It is taking the notion of preparing kids and carrying it to some level of absurdity.”

In an August 6 letter made public from Director of the State Office of School-to-Career and College Initiatives, Dr. Thomas A. Henry stated, “I don’t know why so many people are misquoting [the code] and insisting that it is one day within the five-day school week. Our intention is to allow flexibility so that the student, their parents and the district can decide what is the most appropriate experience for each student.”

In the letter, written to Superintendent Dr. Carol B. Choye of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood school district and later made public, Dr. Henry went on to say, “This particular proposal is founded on the significant research that shows the positive effects that

volunteer activities, community service, paid or unpaid employment, or school-based enterprises have on students’ academic and personal development.”

Reportedly, Dr. Foley endorsed the importance of preparing students for future careers. Dr. Foley said he hopes that the high school, in particular, will be able to “maintain the basic philosophy which underscores the importance of a liberal arts education, and balance that philosophy with the intrusive requirements of the state.”

Last month, Westfield High School Principal Dr. Robert G. Petix commented on the sate School-to-Work plan, saying, “This will be a crucial year for us because the state code is being rewritten so extensively and in such a revolutionary way. Its effects will be profound and enduring in this school and on education in this state.”

The New Jersey School Boards Association’s July/August issue of its publication, School Leader, writes, “NJSBA supports student instruction in skills that make it possible for them to take their places as workers in society. Further, we view learning experiences in the workplace as opportunities for developing work ethics and attitudes necessary for holding a job.”

The NJSBA indicated, however, it did not support career choices being required from high school students as early as 11th grade.

Reportedly, the state code also requires career awareness and exploration activities for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Hearings on the School-to-Work plan will be held before its adoption

next year. John Patella, a spokesman for the NJSBA confirmed, “We want to be a part of the process in defining the regulations. We will be conveying the concerns of local districts,” to the state.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Township Council Critical of Freeholder Board’s Decisions on Environmental Group, Ashbrook Path

By JEANNE WHITNEY

Specially Written for The Times

Scotch Plains Township Council members took a double shot at Union County Board of Chosen Freeholder

measures, Tuesday, during an agenda meeting.

One move would create an Office of Environmental Health – eliminating the existing Commission. Another move plans an estimated $200,000 walking trail through Ashbrook Reservation in Scotch Plains.

“We’ve been trying to get this for years, in Ashbrook,” Mayor Joan Papen claimed. “We’d like to be in on the planning of this.”

Evidently, Freeholders moved to put the nature path through the 350acre county-owned Reservation, which is located primarily in Scotch Plains, without notifying the township.

Mayor Papen explained that the township originally turned over the wetlands property to the county with the stipulation that it be made into a recreation facility.

Councilman William F. McClintock, Jr., questioned the Freeholder action, saying, “Why would the county plan this thing...and not talk to us?”

According to a newspaper report, Freeholder Alexander Mirabella said funding for the trail would come from the state and private sources.

The Reservation also borders Edison and Clark Townships. Reportedly, some local officials expressed concern over the possibility of scaring off wildlife in the Reservation.

Township officials alternately questioned the county takeover of the Union County Regional Environmental Health Commission. Chairman of the Commission, Andrew Snyder, indicated that he had not discussed, with the Freeholders, the virtual dissolution of the Commission before the change.

The 12-year-old Commission is made up of representatives of all 21 municipalities in the county.

Mayor Papen said the Commission had done a “fine job” and encouraged council members to send a letter to state Commissioner Robert Shinn detailing how the process went down. One local official suggested that the county was looking to get direct control of the licensing fees connected with the department.

Reportedly, the new Office of Environmental Health will deal with air and noise pollution, solid waste and hazardous materials.

Other council business included pursuit of a plan to eliminate the “lowest responsible bidder” clause from municipal contract requirements. Council members claimed that the state mandate over using the lowest bid “caused problems.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

INDEX INDEX INDEX INDEX INDEX

County .......... Page 2 Editorial ........ Page 4 Mountainside Page 2

Obituaries ..... Page 9 Religious ....... Page 10

Social ............ Page 6 Sports ............ Page 11

Page 10 Thursday, September 3, 1998 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION

Fanwood Rescue Squad Plans Exhibit for 50th Anniversary

FANWOOD — This year, the Fanwood Volunteer Rescue Squad is celebrating its 50th anniversary of service to the community.

Formed in 1948 by members of the Fanwood Fire Company, the

36-member organization is staffed entirely by volunteers, and depends on donations from community residents for its survival.

It responds annually to approximately 525 calls for emergency aid, and provides other non-emergency services as well.

The Rescue Squad has invited Fanwood residents to visit their planned exhibit during Fanny Wood Day on Sunday, September 27.

Volunteers will be on hand to display their brand new ambulance, and will present a pictorial history of the past 50 years.

Cannonball House To be Open Sunday

SCOTCH PLAINS —The Osborn Cannonball House, located at 1840 Front Street in Scotch Plains, will be open to visitors this Sunday, September 6, from 2 to 4 p.m.

The Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood maintains the old salt box farm house, built circa 1760, as a museum.

Costumed docents will give tours of the house and surrounding gardens. There is no admission charge.

School Bd. Members Object To ‘School-to-Work’ Plan

He said, “Isn’t one of the values of volunteering the fact that it is voluntary? Don’t we want kids to serve because they want to, not because they’re being forced to?”

The board’s Public Information Coordinator Kathleen Meyer, speaking as a citizen of Scotch Plains, was the lone positive voice in the discussion.

“On July 30, a strategic plan was approved that says this district ‘values initiative and creativity,’” she said. “To say that I’m disappointed at the board’s reaction would be an understatement.”

Dave Zinman of Fanwood disagreed.

“If it looks like totalitarianism and smells like totalitarianism, it is totalitarianism,” he said. “I urge the board to fight the codification.”

In other business, the board approved a yearly contract with Resolve Community Counseling Center, Inc. in the amount of $127,100.

Thirty-thousand dollars of the annual fee is funded by grant money.

The contract between the district and Resolve to provide individual and group counseling services to district students and their families was first enacted in 1983.

Counselors worked with 550 students during the 1997-98 school year.

The board also approved a Substance Abuse Treatment & Education Grant in the amount of $17,600 for grades kindergarten through fourth for the 1998-99 school year.

During the meeting, Business Administrator/Board Secretary Matthew A. Clarke announced that the modular classrooms at J. Ackerman Coles School received a certificate of occupancy on August 27. Modular classrooms at School One and Evergreen School were scheduled for inspections this week.

It was announced that the Facilities and Enrollment Task Force is scheduled to meet this evening, for a recap of the summer’s subcommittee activities.

Regardless of what the task force ultimately recommends, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carol B. Choye announced that “no major changes will take place by September, 1999.”

Enrollment for the start of the 1998-1999 school year, beginning this Wednesday, September 8, is up to 4,350 — about 50 students over last year.

Fanwood Planning Board Grants Approval to Chelsea

dent senior living residences, with six additional units designated for assisted living. The revised plan approved by the board last week provides 31 units for senior housing and 15 for assisted living.

Once the second building is finished, The Chelsea’s twin facilities will extend from 277 to 295 South Avenue. Kathy Ryan, Executive Director at The Chelsea at Fanwood, told The Times on Monday the new facility would likely be completed around the spring or early summer of next year.

Board members rendered their decision following approximately 90 minutes of testimony from four witnesses called by Chelsea attorney Brian Burns.

The Chelsea sought several variances from the board in connection with the application, including one permitting the building to stand 45 feet high — exceeding the 35 feet permitted under borough zoning regulations.

The current four-story facility houses 68 assisted living units, including a second-floor “Country Cottage” section for residents afflicted with dementia who cannot easily mix with the rest of the facility’s occupants.

Chelsea representative Leonard Hirschhorn said the 15 assisted living units on the new building’s fourth floor would also be a “Country Cottage” setting.

He also revealed that each building would be equipped with an elevator which could easily accommodate stretchers – a key concern among board members since stretchers do not fit comfortably into the present building’s elevator.

Mr. Hirschhorn stated that, in addition to a Wellness Director who will oversee the entire building, the new facility will have a full-time licensed practical nurse to supervise the “Country Cottage” section, which he said would provide proper security measures for the special needs residents.

Rocco Palmieri, an engineer and Vice President of Schoor DePalma in Parsippany, reviewed a dozen revisions which were made to the applicant’s site plan.

The Chelsea will assume responsibility for maintaining a storm drain easement along the easterly side of the property; create a walkway leading to the rear entrance of the facility, add a connection enabling the fire department to hook into the building’s sprinkler system, install a water line and fire hydrant at the back of the building, and extend a fence around the perimeter of the parking lot, among other provisions, Mr. Palmieri explained.

Paul Adison, an architect with Kanalstein, Danton and Johns of Cherry Hill, exhibited the floor plans for the proposed building, which will feature a combination of oneand two-bedroom units. He also produced a computer-generated illustration for the board showing how the facility would impact the site.

Professional planner Susan Gruel, who had discussed the growing need for senior housing and assisted living facilities during the Planning Board’s June meeting, described the proposal as an “inherently beneficial use” of the property.

She noted that the anticipated building, which will have 87 parking spaces, represents a “very lowintensity, quiet use,” with low parking demands and traffic volume, and “not a lot of on-site activity.”

Mrs. Gruel said The Chelsea has also proposed significant architectural and landscaping measures to make the facility blend with the surrounding area.

Eugene Bellamy, Deputy Chief of Fanwood’s Fire Prevention Bureau, voiced concern about whether the fire department would have sufficient access to the front of the new building, noting that Post Office customers currently park their vehicles along that section of the street.

He mentioned the possible designation of a fire zone in front of the planned facility. Such a measure would have to be pursued through the New Jersey Department of Transportation, however, since South Avenue is a state highway.

The new building, like its predecessor, will be in compliance with I2 code (institutional use) regulations, which cover construction and fire safety issues at places such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities, Chelsea officials maintained.

Planning Board Chairman Gregory S. Cummings read a report from the borough’s Environmental Commission which expressed concern that the building will tower over the neighboring Post Office and detract from the borough’s suburban image.

Board members, after weighing the testimony and various concerns surrounding The Chelsea proposal, concurred that the positives of the planned facility outweighed any negative aspects.

Board Vice Chairman Jack Molenaar noted that the facility was “exactly where it should be from a planning perspective,” adding that it would also be aesthetically pleasing and would bring people to the downtown.

EXCELLENCE IN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES...Overlook Hospital, Summit, recently honored members of local first aid and rescue squads for their outstanding contributions to emergency medical services during its Second Annual Excellence in Emergency Medical Services Awards Dinner held this spring. Recipients of the Emergency Medical Technician Excellence Awards, left to right, are: back row, Lieutenant Lathey Wirkus, Township of Union Volunteer Emergency Medical Service; Edward Ransom, Callmen’s Emergency Unit in Union; Harold C. Hill, Scotch Plains Volunteer Rescue Squad; Richard A. Jackson, Westfield Volunteer Rescue Squad, and Dan Luna, Warren Township Rescue Squad; front row, John Miksch, Millburn-Short Hills Volunteer First Aid Squad; Gloria Simpson, Springfield First Aid Squad, and Edward Schmelz, Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Not pictured are William Cooper, Chatham Emergency Squad; Paul Vickery, Summit First Aid Squad;

FANWOOD POLICE BLOTTER

SCOTCH PLAINS POLICE BLOTTER

Recent Home Sales TUESDAY, AUGUST 25

· A resident of Jersey Avenue reported that a car was damaged with a key during the night while it was parked on the roadway.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26

· A John Street resident reported a home burglary in which someone gained entrance through a basement window and removed a television.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27

· A bicycle was reported stolen from a Country Club Lane residence.

· Police reported that various objects in the Lenape Way area were defaced with graffiti.

· A resident of Donamy Glen reported finding his alarm and a basement window tampered with. Entry was not gained.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28

· Simeon Noel Jeune, 19, of Roselle was arrested and charged with obstruction of justice, authorities said, after he allegedly refused to identify himself and became loud and disruptive while police were investigating a report of rocks being thrown at a vehicle from another car.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29

· A bicycle was reported stolen from a residence on Church Street. It was later recovered by Fanwood police during an investigation in their jurisdiction.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30

· Police reported that a pool house on Breezy Court was broken into, but nothing in the building appears to have been taken.

· Authorities revealed that a customer left without paying for gasoline at a Terrill Road service station.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19

· A 17-year-old Plainfield resident was arrested and charged with burglary and theft in connection with a break-in which occurred at a Burns Way home in July, according to police.

The suspect, who allegedly stole a bicycle and tools from the home, was transported to the Juvenile Detention Center in Elizabeth, authorities said.

· A juvenile reported being assaulted by two other youths at La Grande Park, according to police. Complaints have been signed against the juveniles who allegedly committed the assault, authorities said.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22

· Jason Tucker, 19, of Scotch Plains, along with two juveniles, were charged with causing criminal mischief for allegedly breaking windows at a Terrill Road business, authorities said.

Tucker was released on his own recognizance. The juveniles, one a 15 year old from North Plainfield and the other a 17 year old from Scotch Plains, were released to the custody of their parents, according to police.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27

· A street sign was reported stolen from the intersection of La Grande Av

enue and Staggard Place.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28

· James Lofton, 28, of Plainfield was arrested and charged with obstruction for allegedly giving false information and identification to a police officer during a motor vehicle stop on Terrill Road, authorities said.

The suspect, who police said was also wanted on warrants out of Plainfield, South Plainfield and Highland Park, was turned over to Plainfield authorities, Fanwood police confirmed.

· Jon Campbell, 20, of North Plainfield and Justin Browne, 19, of Piscataway were charged with underage possession of alcohol on Terrill Road, according to police. Both suspects were released on their own recognizance.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29

· Carl Simpson of Scotch Plains and Da’mar Shannon of New Brunswick, both 18, and a 16-year-old Scotch Plains resident were each charged with possession of two bicycles, police said.

One of the bicycles had been stolen from Scotch Plains and the other had been taken in Fanwood. The suspects were released on their own recognizance.

SCOTCH PLAINS

Carole Urbach to John and Cheryl Wilkinson, 3 Indian Run, $270,000.

Guy Buonpane, Sr. to Michael and Jayne Tsipas, 2264 Sunrise Court, $190,000.

Rohan Douglas to Dean and Judith Mouckas, 2044 Newark Avenue, $248,000.

Stephen Buell to Hubert Chemla, 11 Oxford Road, $345,000.

Peter Neumann to David Frick and Susan Kobliska, 326 Jerusalem Road, $155,000.

William Feury to Satish and Snehal Tamhankar, 2111 Algonquin Drive, $268,000.

William Davis to Natalie and Martha Klufas, 1710 Cooper Road, $195,000.

· Dave Ray to Peggy Greene, 218 Myrtle Avenue, $145,500.

· James Sangiacomo to William and Christine Purcell, 414 Warren Street, $154,000.

· Charles Carr to Ross and Tobi Feldman, 2253 Westfield Avenue, $205,000.

· Douglas Lange to Michaeline Hamilton, 24 Burnham Court, $165,500.

· Sumit Roy to Srikant and Chandrika Mukerjee, 2668 Deer Path, $277,500.

· Joseph Ciufia, Sr. to Michael Ciufia, 218 Scotland Street, $168,000.

FANWOOD

Michael Tierney to Richard and Robin Gasson, 14 Shady lane, $294,000.

Donald Campbell to Danny and Catherine Prelusky, 132 Vinton Circle, $222,500.

Scott Higgins to Gwenn Simmermacher, 96 Madison Avenue, $206,000.

William Kawaskis to Michael Rancourt and Julie Evans, 184 Vinton Circle, $199,500.

· Marilyn Suter to Brian Garbinski, 65 Midway Avenue, $134,000.

Councilman’s Family Escorts Miss NJ to 1998

Miss America Contest

In a little over two weeks from now on Saturday, September 19, this year’s Miss New Jersey, Stephanie Ferrari, will compete for the Miss America title in Atlantic City.

During the contest events, Miss Ferrari will be accompanied – as have the last 12 Miss New Jerseys – by the wife of Scotch Plains Councilman Robert Johnston, Sally Johnston.

Mrs. Johnston will join Miss New Jersey as her chaperone, for five days in Disney World, in Florida, as part of the pre-contest activities.

From there, they will fly a chartered plane to Atlantic City on Labor Day, according to the Miss America contest schedule.

Mrs. Johnston’s involvement in the event began years earlier with Union County pageants that were sponsored by the Jaycees, according to her husband, Councilman Johnston.

Over the past several years, Miss New Jersey has addressed the Scotch Plains Council in a public meeting.

Miss Ferrari is a Glen Rock resident.

Donations of Used Automobiles Can Help Kidney Foundation

The National Kidney Foundation of New York and New Jersey is asking people to donate their used cars to help the organization. Donors may qualify for a tax deduction for the fair market value of their car.

The foundation will arrange to transport donors’ used cars free of charge, and will send donors a letter acknowledging their gift. Gifts of real estate and construction equipment are accepted by the foundation as well.

Donors may consult their tax advisors for details pertinent to their specific situations.

The National Kidney Foundation of New York/New Jersey is a voluntary, not-for-profit health organization which has been dedicated to the

research, treatment, and cure of kidney, urological, and hypertensive diseases for more than 50 years.

The foundation receives no government funding and relies solely on the public and corporate sector for the support of its programs.

For more information, please call the National Kidney Foundation of New York and New Jersey at (800) 63-DONATE.

Information filed with the Attorney General concerning this charitable solicitation may be obtained from the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey by calling (973) 504-6215. Registration with the Attorney General does not imply endorsement.

Officials cited the township’s discovery earlier this year that two owners of a company awarded a $1.7 million township sewer contract were awaiting sentencing on bid-rigging convictions.

Mayor Papen called the lowestbidder mandate “obsolete.” Adding that, “It hurts the towns, now.”

The Mayor recommended lobbying the League of Municipalities and state legislators to rescind the requirements.

In other business, the council said it received a petition from neighbors in the Kramer Manor neighborhood, asking that the street name be changed back to Cliffwood Street from Shalom Way.

Earlier this year, the council approved the street name change at the request of Congregation Beth Israel. The temple is the only address on the street.

Area neighbors challenged the name change at the time of the public hearing but were unable to sway a majority of the council in delaying a vote. Some neighbors objected to traffic from temple activities and a pay telephone in the temple parking lot, that attracted loiterers.

The council noted Tuesday, that the telephone had been removed from the lot, and a meeting was scheduled between the neighbors and temple leaders, as promised.

Township Council Critical Of Freeholders’ Decisions

Jeffrey Bloch Helps Uncover Science Wonders at Institute

SCOTCH PLAINS — Jeffrey A. Bloch, the son of Ricardo and Remedios Bloch of Scotch Plains, was among 105 senior high school students from 34 states and the District of Columbia who completed scientific and engineering projects this summer during Operation Catapult at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Jeffrey, a student at Scotch PlainsFanwood High School, was part of a team which researched, designed and built a device which hurled a Frisbee more than 15 feet without human control.

BUDDING ENGINEER — Jeffrey Bloch of Scotch Plains, right, helps teammate Michael Morita of Sunnyvale, California, put the finishing touches on their Frisbee Thrower project during the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Operation Catapult. The team researched, designed and constructed a device which hurled a Frisbee more than 15 feet without human control. Operation Catapult, conducted July 12 to 31, allowed high school students to explore their interests in science and engineering.

Now in its 32nd year, Operation Catapult offers students a hands-on learning experience at RoseHulman, which specializes in engineering and science education. Participants are challenged to resolve problems in areas dealing with chemistry; electrical, mechanical and civil engineering, and computer science.

Beginning July 12, student teams worked on their projects over a threeweek period. They also got an early look at college life by attending lectures by Rose-Hulman faculty and living in a residence hall.

BUDDING TALENT…Thirteenyear-old Falyn Marsella of Scotch Plains attended Stagedoor Manor, a theater camp in the Catskills, this summer. Youngsters age 8 to 17 spend three weeks rehearsing 11 shows, which are then performed for the public either at one of Stagedoor’s five theaters or at one of the nearby Catskills resorts. Among the Stagedoor alumni who later found show business success are actresses Jennifer Jason Leigh and Mary Stuart Masterson.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ROAD RACE PARTNERS...David Trumpp, left, and Wilfred Coronato, Republican candidates for Fanwood Borough Council, showed their support for CONTACT We Care by participating in the organization’s 5K road race on August 22. Mr. Coronato ran the race and Mr. Trumpp assisted as a race marshal for the annual event.