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The Westfield Leader
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THE TIMES
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ARTS and ENTERTAINMENT
THE DEEP SIX
The deep six is a salty slang expression that, like some living things, began in the sea and later crawled onto land. This expression became generalized to mean “to toss out; get rid of.” Jump in with us as we help you fathom this nautical phrase.
The word fathom, incidentally, is of Anglo-Saxon origin and means “outstretched arms.” The distance between the fingertips of two outstretched arms became standardized by the English as a unit of length equal to six feet. The fathom was later used to measure marine depths.
The deep six also came to mean “the last or deepest fathom,” i.e., thebottomofa bodyofwater.American slang converted deep six, circa 1946, to mean “a grave,” probably because a grave is generally six feet deep.
Whatever you do, don’t deep six this column! Cut it out and pass it around among your friends and relatives. Perhaps they will receive unfathomable pleasure from The Word Sleuths column, too.
Reader Calls Recent SPFHS Program A ‘Biased’ and ‘Propaganda’ Forum
Several weeks ago, Scotch PlainsFanwood High School interrupted its regular program of instruction to spend the day discussing issues of importance to the people who run our schools.
The program took on the appearance of left wing indoctrination. Some of the topics up for discussion included, but were not limited, to homosexual “marriage,” Holocaust denial and a general condemnation of “hate” crimes and speech. Let us take a moment and consider the absurdities associated with each of these subjects.
Therearesome peoplewhowouldhave us believe that homosexuals should be allowed to marry. The fact is that homosexual “marriage” is a physical, philosophical, moral and legal absurdity. A “marriage” involving two homosexuals or two lesbians contains in it about as much logic and truth as the idea that the sun will also rise in the west every day, if that’s the way you like it, and if you build and nurture a constituency that believes such an absurdity.
Furthermore, the Scotch PlainsFanwood community, and indeed this nation contains a great many religious believers who take it as an article of faith that homosexual practices are immoral. Why does the school district feel that they have the right to denigrate the religious beliefs of so many people?
What ever happened to the establishment clause in the First Amendment?
Holocaust Denial: Sad to say, there are people who believe that Hitler and the Nazis never murdered six million Jews. However, the murder of the Jews of Europe in World War II was not, by any means, the only holocaust of this century. When V.I. Ulyanov (Lenin) took power in Russia in 1917, he specifically and viciously attacked the Orthodox Church, jailing and murdering priests and bishops, closing down and desecrating churches and monasteries.
When Stalin took over upon the death of Lenin, he murdered millions more including five to seven million Ukrainians between 1930 and 1932.
Disproportionate numbers of his victims were Catholics of Western Ukraine.
All of this occurred before Hitler came to power in Germany. Ah, but Stalin had his anti Semitic side as well. If Hitler took a dubious gold medal for killing Jews, Stalin gets the silver medal. Why are some mass murders more important than others? All of this begs the question, if Hitler had been a communist, would anyone on the left have cared?
“Hate” crimes are another one of my favorites. This latest fad of the extreme left reminds me of the ritualistic condemnation of sexual harassment which was once a very effective bludgeon used to destroy the lives and careers of businessmen, military officers and Republican politicians.
All of that changed on January 21, 1998 when the abortion President was exposed as a pervert, serial molester of women, and a liar. The extreme left and especially the so-called women’s rights crowd stood by their man.
Thanks to President Clinton in the White House, and his many leftwing apologists, women are once again relegated to the definition of sex toy for the powerful and well connected.
Which brings me to my point on “hate” speech etc. Most adults know the insulting and bigoted terms that are sometimes used to describe blacks, Jews, Chinese, Puerto Ricans, homosexuals and others. What if it transpires that the man who perjured himself with God as his witness, uses such terms?
What if he was caught but denied it for several months of non stop lies?
Would behavior of that kind bother the anti “hate” crowd? I think not.
The Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District should stick to its knitting and stay away from onesided and biased propaganda forums.
Andrew J. MacDonald Fanwood
Park Improvements Please Local Resident
I would like to publicly thank Ed Zazzali, Bill Degnan and the other Recreation Commissionerswhoworkedwith Laura Botto in the upgrade at Green Forest Park in Scotch Plains.
I personally think the new shrubs and beautiful new sign add significantly to the park’s appearance, and the local kids are certain to enjoy the new playground equipment.
I hope everyone will join with me and respect the efforts of the volunteers and paid members of the Township Recreation Commission by helping to keep the park a nice place to visit.
Walter V. Kutcha Scotch Plains
HUNG UP!! HUNG UP!! HUNG UP!! HUNG UP!! HUNG UP!!
By Milt Faith, Executive Director
Youth and Family Counseling Service
A Good Marriage is Earned Through Open and Healthy Communication
A moviegoer writes:
Did you recently see the hit movie,
Analyze This? I wanted to know if you felt the therapist (Billy Crystal) represents the way a clinician behaves?
The movie hit home for my husband who had a tyrannical father who demanded that my husband succeed in life professionally and socially. His father was an angry blue color worker who died during a violent act and my husband, who frequently wished him dead, and had fantasies of hurting him, felt responsible when his father died at age 43.
Answer: I enjoyed the movie, laughed during different parts of it, and found the therapistvery humanandveryempathetic. There were many touches of reality — the therapist working very hard with his patients, and at times, having comical fantasies of his own, his “family” and their idiosyncrasies, the complexities of his mobster patient, and the relationship between therapist and patient, which can be multi-layered and complex.
However, I responded to the patient’s overwhelming feelings of guilt because I seemanyindividuals whohavestrongguilt feelings which originated from childhood.
Many young persons feel guilty (ashamed) if they wished that someone towards whom they are angry, becomes ill or dies, or if they feel that they want to hurt the individual. And if that person becomes ill or dies, they hold themselves responsible.
This is a magical belief. The therapeutic goal is to free the patient from this belief — that a feeling can lead to a horrible consequence.
A healthy parent writes:
After reading your column, and Dear Abby, etc. for years, I wonder if anyone in this world is healthy and well-adjusted.
I read about depression, unhappy marriages, broken relationships, poor selfimages, parents and children involved in power struggles, parents wondering whether to set limits and then feel rejected by their children, etc.
Well, let me tell you that this is one person, and her family, who are happy, get along well, and resolve issues with satisfying results.
I was raised by parents who always expressed their love, and, at the same time, expected us to do well in school, enjoy friendships and healthy activities, and participate in chores at home.
I chose to go to college and majored in management. I am the manager of a hotel in New York, am happily married, and have two sons who are doing real well. And no one has had a need for therapy.
I thought all your readers should know life is not necessarily filled with doom and gloom.
Answer: I was very pleased to have received your letter. It is a joy to read of a family’s happiness and ability to resolve problems (issues) as they arise — and they do because that’s what life is all about.
At the same time, you present answers re what factors contribute to a healthy life adjustment: a loving home environment during the early formative years, healthy relations, activities, responsibilities and an expectation to utilize one’s capabilities — and the resulting motivation to do well — in school, in a career, in a marriage as a partner and parent.
Congratulations and thank you for writing. Why not write a column called “No More Hung Up, Only Happy Days?”
A bewildered reader writes:
Is there such a thing as healthy arguing? Every time my wife and I argue or disagree about a situation, she says terrible things to me and brings up my family and everything else to hurt me.
And yet I am told that marriage without arguments isn’t healthy. Please explain.
Answer: I always raise an eyebrow when I hear that a “good” marriage is devoid of arguing. When two people live together, it is within reason, that there will be disagreements on certain issues, however, the way in which these are resolved is the key to a healthy resolution and interaction between the two.
The healthy way: focus on the specific problem or issue, explore specific strategies, express the way you feel without attacking the other person. Try to compromise or agree on a common denominator. Leave out inappropriate, built up rage.
Theunhealthy way:attackingandcriticizing the other individual with hostility, pointing out personality deficits, name calling, guilt instilling, blaming his/her family for the problem, rambling on and bringing into play other issues. This becomes a power struggle with no healthy resolution.
If youwish,sendin examplesofhowyou dealt with heated issues and I will try to respond. (NowwhatdidI letmyselfinfor?)
BASH ’99 Sponsors ThankCommunity
The BASH ’99 Senior Graduation Party continued its positive tradition by attracting the vast majority of the Westfield seniors to this substance-free post-graduation event.
A total of 250 seniors, or 86 percent of those graduating, attended the all-night party at Ricochet Racquet Club and had a super, if not, exhausting time.
The party achieved its objective of making graduation night a safe, sober, and above all, fun way to mark the end of the high school experience.
Thank you again to all the Optimists and spouses, parents, teachers, friends, local businesses, clubs, professionals, andcorporations whosupportedthisevent and made it happen.
Thanks also to the Class of ’99 who through their actions enhanced the reputation of BASH as the best party alternative for Westfield High School graduates. Best wishes to the Class of ’99 in your future endeavors.
Our sincere thanks from the co-sponsoring organizations.
Don Pray Project Chairman Optimist Club of Westfield
Darielle Walsh Westfield High School Parent-Teacher Organization
Glenn Burell Executive Director Westfield Recreation Commission
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Dean Oil Apartment House Proposal Another Example of Over Development
Responsible development is and can be a very simple undertaking, with the overall goal of promoting harmony for the community as a whole. To put it another way —everyone wins. History demonstrates that there were many projects designed, some with good intent, that have backfired, ironically at the cost of the same community it was supposed to help in the first place.
These costs are far reaching, involving losses of hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars, destruction of the environment and the destabilization of a once harmonious existence enjoyed by all. An Associated Press headline on May 19, “Disasters By Design,” sheds light on many of these so-called “benevolent” endeavors.
There are many such projects that have failed and not enough space to providesufficientcommentary;however, it would be fair to mention a few.
Regarding the subject of flood control, one of the biggest debacles was the Kissimmee River flood control project in central Florida, which was designed to transform 52 miles of this river into a straight concrete canal. This project fulfilled all building code requirements, was given a blessing of the government and the residents despite vigorous opposition by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
Predictably, the effects to this sensitive ecosystem were devastating, resulting in the loss of billions of fish and shrimp, increased erosion, flash flooding and water pollution.
In short, the entire ecological balance was thrown off simply by the lack
of consideration of sound biological principles and natural law for the sole benefit of the few that would benefit from such a disgrace. Other examples of similar projects involve the Mississippi River and the Green Brook Flood Control Project, which is set to begin this month
A most important thing to remember that underscores the whole subject is that flooding was not the root cause of these problems, but rather the over development of land on a flood plain. It is therefore fair to say that certain individuals obviously never open a biology or history book to prevent such things from happening, but would rather get caught up in hype, money grabbing and senseless laws at the expense and exploitation of others.
With all this said, we now arrive at the prospect of overdeveloping the former Dean Oil site with rental housing. This project should be considered a potential nuisance under common law and be promptly rejected. It will no doubt disrupt the harmony and quality of life of the neighboring residents — as it already did — stress the overly burdened school system, LaGrande Park and other services offsetting any income derived from taxes.
We the citizens of Fanwood are educated enough to know better that you don’t stick something resembling a juvenile detention center next to a business district any more than you would try to build a pig farm next to a vacation resort.
John Licata Fanwood
Women For Women Lauds Drive Supporters
We would like to thank all those who contributed so generously to the one monthonly“Informal DropOff”ofshoes for the refugees from Kosovo. The overwhelming response brought in 600 pairs of shoes.
We would especially like to thank Dorothy Van Dyke, our head counselor, who not only organized the drive, but took on the awesome task of banding and labeling each pair of shoes and to Jim Gruba of Cadillac Leasing who so kindly offered to assist in delivering these shoes to Fort Dix.
Women For Women is a private, nonprofit organization that provides self-help services and professional counseling for women and their families in crisis and transition. If you are interested in volunteering, please call us at (908) 232-5787.
Paula Blumenthal President Women For Women
Letters to the Editor
Police Officer Offers Get Well Wishes To Fellow Officer, Friend, Pat Gray
I, along with many officers, were upset and saddened with the recent news of the motor vehicle accident that seriously injured Pat Gray, a decorated police sergeant on the Westfield Police force.
I have worked with Pat for 17 years and consider him my friend. To most, the outpouring of concern from friends, acquaintances and the general public would be amazing but to those who are close to him, it’s understandable.
It has always been a running joke that no matter where you were in the county or state, if you were wearing
anything with the Westfield Police or Westfield PBA logo on it, someone would come up and say, “How’s Pat Gray doing? Tell him I said ‘hello.’”
This notoriety started with his father, Eddie Gray, a 30-year veteran of the Elizabeth Police Department and has continued with his son, Pat. To those who have the pleasure of knowing either one, would understand why.
Pat has always been the type of personwhohas beenthereforpeople, especially at their times of greatest needs. I’m sure Pat and his family are appreciative of the outpouring of concern and support from his friends and the public.
We are all hoping and praying for a full and speedy recovery.
Jim McCullough Westfield Police Department More Letters
On Page 5 Mr. Goldman Should Spend Less
Time Seeking Political Advantage
I feel compelled to respond to Councilman Larry Goldman’s disingenuous and dishonest attempt to characterize Republican Westfield Town Council members as “partisan” because they declined to consider a last minute agenda item regarding four-year council terms that had received no discussion by the Laws and Rules Committee or any prior review by Republican council members.
The partisan rancor stirred by Mr. Goldman is hypocritical at best.
Nowhere in his letter to The Leader on June 17 does he disclose that he is the town Democratic Party Chairman. Why should he mention this fact when it would render hollow and meaningless his lofty, self-serving rhetoric condemning “posturing, partisanship and pandering to special interests...”
Perhaps he wished to hide his own partisan reasons for moving to a fouryear election cycle. Mr. Goldman’s proposal would limit elections to only even numbered years, times at which the national and state democratic party and soft money contributions are at their highest, thus improving his party’s chances of taking control of Westfield’s government.
The Town Charter governing municipal election cycles may indeed need to be reviewed, and possibly improved, but
Mr. Goldman refused to consider any proposal other than his own. And, (unlike Mr. Goldman) I believe that a proposal to significantly change Westfield government should be submitted to the voters of Westfield in a binding referendum not a non-binding straw poll vote the politicians can ignore if they don’t like the outcome.
The correct way to approach this topic is to thoughtfully study and deliberate on these concerns and others to determine what is in the long term best interests of the people of Westfield.
This review will be able to draw on the experiences of the hundreds of Westfield residents who have made our community a model of self government through their service on various boards and commissions, including the Town Council, in the 30 years our community has very successfully operated under the current charter.
If Councilman and Democratic Party Chairman Goldman spent more time working in the same non-partisan manner he espouses in his letter to achieve results, and less time seeking political advantage, every Westfield resident would be better served.
Robert W. Cockren Chairman, Westfield Town Republican Committee Effort to Bring Battleship New Jersey
Home Shows Sense of Pride This Fourth
Withthe traditionalfireworksmarkingIndependence Day, what better time to promote the arrival of the decorated Battleship New Jersey, which will arrive back in the Garden State this fall after 50 years of servicing the United States’ military efforts in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
The New Jersey will arrive back on the Eastern Seaboard in September when it is towed up the Panama Canal to the Philadelphia Naval Yard, where it will await a final decision on its new home – the Bayonne MilitaryOceanTerminalon theHudsonwaterfrontnear the Statue of Liberty, or on the Camden waterfront near the state aquarium. The Navy is expected to decide in January where the ship will be located.
Beginning in today’s edition of The Westfield Leader and The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood,
we are publishing a two-part series on efforts to return the battleship to New Jersey, where it is expected to become a museum and major tourist attraction. The return of this vessel will be a proud moment for the Garden State, which often has to fight to be recognized in the large New York-Metropolitan arena. The New Jersey will give our state a renewed sense of pride in its history.
Surewehavethe Jets,GiantsandNets –allNewYork sports franchises that moved across the Hudson to the Meadowlands sports complex, or the Devils, which came in the 1980s from Colorado. But New Jersey is constantly in the shadow of New York. We battled over whether Ellis Island was in New York or New Jersey watersand, morerecently,overthe taxonNewJerseyans commuting to New York.
The New Jersey was named after the State of New Jersey as a favor from President Franklin D. Roosevelt to New Jersey Governor Charles Edison (son of
inventor Thomas A. Edison), who also served as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Navy at the outset of World War II.
Mothballed since1991,theNew Jerseyalsoservedin the Mediterranean in the early 1980s to back up U.S. troops in Beirut, Lebanon.
The New Jersey is one of only four “Iowa-class” battleships specifically built for World War II. The others include the Iowa, Missouri and the Wisconsin.
Whilewehavenothing againstlocatingthebattleship in Camden, we believe that the goal should be to place theshipwhereit canbeviewedby themosttourists.And that’s Bayonne. We encourage our local elected officials, including the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and local governing bodies, to lend their support to this effort by passing resolutions favoring a Bayonne home for the New Jersey.
The more support that comes forth, the better the chances North Jersey will receive the honor of having this ship in its midst. Done right, the project could be a tourism boon for the area.
The cost of the mooring alone is estimated at $10 million. Over 33,000 New Jersey voters have taken the opportunity to donate funds toward the effort to bring the ship home by checking the appropriate box on their state income tax returns.
A license plate program has produced additional funds to help in the acquisition, restoration and maintenanceof thebattleship.Eachof theseefforts,alongwith those of the Battleship New Jersey Foundation, have helpedpromote thecampaigntobring theshiphomeand educate the public about its importance.
Themomentthis shiparrivesinits newhome,amajor sense ofpridewillbe feltbyallwho callthisstatehome.
Westfield Baseball League Appreciates Work Done to Town Playing Field
Editor’s Note: The following letter was sent to Janis Weinstein of the Public Works Committee with a copy sent to The Westfield Leader and The Times of Scotch Plains and Fanwood.
* * * * * On behalf of the Westfield Baseball League, all of its players, and residents of Westfieldwhouse GumpertField,Iwould like to send a letter of commendation to the Department of Public Works for the work it has done.
On May 10 foreman Jim Van Blaroom sent a work crew to Gumpert Field to skin, level and put new clay on field No. 2, which was in very bad condition. The crew that was sent consisted of three men named Rich Eubanks, Mike Muth, and Keith Brennan.
To my amazement, in one day the three men completed the job and no town baseball games were canceled.
At the start of the job, I thought it would take three to five days to complete the job. This quick completion could only be accomplished for the following reasons. The crew had the proper equipment for the job; they operated the equipment expertly; they worked extremely hard and took pride in completing the job as well as they did.
In closing, as a taxpayer in Westfield, it makes me feel good to see the quality of workers our town employs. I would like to give thanks to those workers, whose work often goes unnoticed.
Frank Ricciuti WBL, Chairman, Field Maintenance Committee
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