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Since1947 Westfield Man Faces
Sex Assault Charge Involving Juvenile
Efforts Continuing To Improve Train Commute to NYC By DEBORAH MADISON
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times
WESTFIELD — The Raritan Valley Rail Coalition is continuing its efforts at improving the commute for thousands of area residents that utilize NJ Transit’s Raritan Line.
During a forum Monday morning in the Community Room of the Westfield Municipal Building, Coalition members were updated on a number of projects that are underway to improve rail transportation between New York City and New Jersey.
Congressman Bob Franks, who founded the Coalition in 1997, and NJ Transit’s acting Director Stanley Rosenblum, addressed several issues pertinent to improving rail service.
Congressman Franks, who represents the Seventh District, discussed the need for a one-seat ride between Raritan Valley points and New York for the 8,100 daily commuters who access the Raritan Line. A total of 93,000 New Jerseyans commute to the city each day by train.
He also introduced the “ring program” which would allow any state in a multi-state region, such as New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, to apply for federal funds for improvement projects.
According to Mr. Rosenblum, the estimated time frame on the one-seat ride to the city, the ultimate goal citizens groups such as the Coalition, is 20 years.
Mr. Rosenblum also discussed rail safety issues and the need for another Hudson River tunnel in order for the Raritan Valley Line to gain access to the regions core.
Currently, the commuter line does not have access to the one existing Hudson tunnel, due to the tunnel being electrified, and also due to competing usage.
Kate Sarles, Public Information Officer for the Raritan Valley Coalition, explained that many improvements at the Manhattan end are needed before another tunnel can be accommodated.
Ms. Sarles said there is a $3.5 million, two-year capitol plan to assess and make improvements to the commuter line such as time-table efficiency and numerous improvements in various stations. More lighting, clocks, and automated ticket machines will be added.
The coalition meets bi-monthly alternating between the Somerset and the Westfield Municipal Buildings. The next meeting is scheduled for July.
By SUZETTE F. STALKER
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times
WESTFIELD — Authorities charged a Westfield man last week with aggravated sexual assault on a juvenile and with narcotics possession in a case that remains under investigation by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.
Detective Sergeants Robert Compton and John R. Rowe, 3rd, of the Westfield Police Department arrested George Evans, 44, at his home at 11 a.m. on May 12, Detective Sergeant John M. Parizeau, also with the Westfield department, confirmed on Tuesday.
While executing an arrest warrant for Evans on the sexual assault charge, Sergeant Parizeau said the detectives observed what they believed to be narcotics “in plain view” on the living room floor of the suspect’s home.
He said the evidence included less than 50 grams of suspected marijuana, as well as what he described as “a very small amount” of suspected cocaine.
Assistant Union County Prosecutor John Esmerado, citing the ongoing investigation, declined to reveal many
details about the case, which he expects to present to a grand jury this summer. He described the charge against Evans as a “first-degree crime.”
Evans is alleged to have had intimate contact with one female, who the Assistant Prosecutor said was “less than 13” at the time. Mr. Esmerado would not reveal, however, where the crime reportedly took place, the youngster’s relationship to Evans, or exactly how authorities were alerted to the situation.
The investigation into the sexual assault charge, headed by Detective Anna Arocho, is focused on the time frame between August of 1998 and March of this year, Mr. Esmerado said.
It is being handled by the Child Advocacy Center, a division of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, which handles referrals from such sources as pediatricians, the Division of Youth and Family Services, or local police, he explained.
Evans remained at the Union County Jail earlier this week, where he was being held on $100,000 bail, authorities said.
Mountainside Council Holds Public Hearing On Comcast Renewal
Trap and Skeet Range Could Reopen With New Manager This Saturday
By SUSAN M. DYCKMAN
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times
CRANFORD — When the manager of the Union County’s Trap and Skeet Range in Cranford abruptly quit two weeks ago, the county closed the range until it could find a replacement, according to Mike Murray, the county’s Director of Public Information.
That forced regulars like Ralph Lossman to go elsewhere to shoot.
After the Cranford range was shut down two weeks ago, Mr. Lossman and a fellow competitor, Alberto Ventura, appealed to the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders to re-open the facility during a recent meeting. Neither man lives in Union County.
They come to the Union County range because it is easily accessible. When Mr. Lossman was unable to use the Cranford site last weekend, he drove over an hour to Thunder Mountain in Ringwood to shoot there. Other New Jersey ranges are located in Fairfield, Englishtown, Fort Dix and the Pine Belt.
“Ranges in a populated area (like Cranford) are unusual,” explained Mr. Lossman, “because they’re loud. But, people who moved in knew what they were getting into.”
“It’s not something that can be replaced,” he added. “You need two acres for the range, plus 30 more for sound shielding. If one closed, it would be hard to re-open.”
The Cranford facility has been in operation for approximately 75 years.
Mr. Murray claimed the Freeholders had already decided to maintain the range before the two men appeared before the board. He indicated a successful candidate has been found to replace the manager.
“They’re hopeful to make a hire and open. It could be as early as Saturday (May 22),” he stated.
Comparing the trap and skeet range to other county facilities such as golf courses or stables, Mr. Murray said, “Percentage-wise, in terms of usage, it’s not a major attraction in Union County. But, it’s going to survive.”
“The freeholders want to create opportunities for people to do what they want,” he explained.
The board plans to fund some much-needed repairs at the range, including building upgrades, new fencing and new picnic tables.
While Mr. Lossman spoke of a severe flooding problem that plagues the clubhouse, Mr. Murray said he could not speak to that. However, he reiterated, “The freeholders are committed to keeping this (facility) open.”
The Cranford range, located in a park along Kenilworth Boulevard,
includes two skeet and two trap fields. It is open to the public. Skeet shooters shoot from left to right with the intent of breaking apart a clay disc in the air.
In trap shooting, the target is launched in front of the shooter and then flies away from him or her. Instead of pulling a string as they did years ago, today’s “pullers” simply press a button to electronically launch the target. Discs travel at approximately 50 mph.
As Mr. Lossman explained it, target ammunition consists of hundreds of fine, tiny pellets that break up the target when they hit it. In the past, the Cranford range has maintained a permit to sell ammunition to its patrons, who must bring their own guns. Guns can run upwards of $12,000.
“People invest a lot of time and money in the sport,” said Mr. Lossman, who has been trap and skeet shooting since he was 12. He estimated that shooters could spend $100 a weekend on ammunition and range fees.
“Some of our people compete nationally and internationally,” added Mr. Lossman. He said the sport knows no ethnic or age boundaries. In fact, last year’s county trap shoot was won by an 80-plus year old veteran of the Cranford range.
He emphasized a lot of time is spent on safety, and to his knowledge, the Cranford range has “an absolute safety record. When safety is taught, and people are responsible, it’s not bad.”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
By KIMBERLY A. BROADWELL
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times
MOUNTAINSIDE — The Mountainside Council meeting opened Tuesday evening with a public hearing on the borough’s Comcast Franchise Renewal application, which is due to expire in the fall. The current franchise agreement with the cable company has been in effect for the past 10 years.
Robert F. Smith, a Fanwood resident and Comcast’s Area Director of Public and Government Relations, as well as Buck Dopp of Mountainside, the company’s Vice President and General Manager, were at the meeting to answer any questions the public might have about the service offered by Comcast. The representatives also attended a March public hearing.
During his address to area residents and council members, Mr. Smith stated “we are here to address comments that the public might have about their current service. No official action will be taken tonight.”
Mr. Smith pointed out that the second hearing was part of legal requirements that Comcast must adhere to when going through a renewal process.
He also stated that during the entire process, Comcast did, in fact, follow all government requirements, starting with its 1996 letter of interest to the borough asking to renew the franchise agreement.
According to Mr. Smith, Comcast is required to answer four basic questions about its service before being able to renew the franchise agreement, and felt the company has met all stipulations.
These include: compliance with all laws and regulations set forth in providing cable service to the borough; supplying a quality signal to the borough and having dealt with consumer complaints reasonably; having met financial and technical abilities promised, and meeting the future needs of the borough by assessing what those needs are and finding ways to meet them.
Borough resident Scott Schmedel asked council members what provisions were included in the new franchise agreement in terms of payments to the borough, as well as equipment given for Channel 35 broadcasts. He also asked about a possible link to Berkeley Heights.
Mayor Robert F. Viglianti stated that all of these points were currently being negotiated with Comcast, and that after an agreement was reached, would be made public knowledge.
Mr. Smith also stated that the full application for the franchise agree
ment was a public document and has been on file in the municipal clerk’s office for viewing by any member of the public. He noted that the original contract agreement made 10 years ago was also a public document.
Lewis Thomas asked Mr. Smith how many subscribers there were in Mountainside, to which the latter answered 1,941. Mr. Thomas also told the Comcast representatives he was not happy with his service because of the loss of a continual local weather report, and because of a loss in the broadcast of events at Freehold Raceway.
Michael Krasner asked the council about the timeline for introducing the new agreement to the public. The Mayor replied that a first ordinance reading was expected in June, with a second reading was expected for July.
In other business, the council unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing an annual salary of $12,000 for the borough’s Police Chief, retroactive to April 24, for assuming the duties of Acting Administrator for Mountainside.
Mayor Viglianti stated that in six months, the position will be reevaluated to determine if the appointment should become permanent.
After inquiries made by Mr. Schmedel as to why the borough chose to appoint the Police Chief for the position, the Mayor stated that during an exit interview with former Administrator Gregory Bonin, it was noted that a full-time administrator was not needed.
The Mayor also stated that because of the efficiency of the Police Department, the Chief could spend some of his time performing the duties of the Administrator, adding that the Chief was an excellent candidate because of his leadership expertise.
Mr. Bonin left his position as Administrator in late April to take over the same position in Branchburg. He started as the Mountainside Administrator in May of 1998.
In other business, officials passed Ordinance No. 1008-99, repealing an original salary ordinance which gave salaries of $1,500 to council members and $3,000 to the Mayor.
The original ordinance, passed in February, was met with opposition from almost 400 residents who signed a petition asking that voters be allowed to decide how governing body members should be reimbursed for their expenditures.
According to Borough Attorney John Post, passage of Ordinance No.
Financial Aid Is Needed To Send Scouts to Camp
WESTFIELD — The Washington Rock Girl Scout Council (WRGSC) is seeking contributions from individuals, area businesses and others to benefit girls who want to attend camp but cannot afford the $25 weekly cost.
Among the communities served by the WRGSC are Westfield, Fanwood, Scotch Plains and Mountainside.
For more information or brochures on the resident and day camps, or to make a donation, please call Ms. LampertRudman at (908) 232-3236, Extension No. 209, or send a donation to WRGSC, Camp Donations, 201 Grove Street, East, Westfield, 07090, Attention: Fund Development Director.
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