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GW
Recognizes Officers Who Save Man’s Life
By
KATHY MARQUES, Specially Written for The Westfield Leader
GARWOOD
– Nearly 30 residents came out to Tuesday’s council meeting
to recognize the courage of three Garwood police officers and
one dispatcher in saving a Mountainside resident’s life.
On
August 31, dispatcher Thomas Gesior received a 911-distress call
from Gold Medal Fitness, saying Michael Sheehy, a senior citizen
from Mountainside, was unconscious.
When
patrolmen Samuel Rocco, Jr. and David Perrotta arrived at the
scene, Mr. Sheehy had stopped breathing and ceased to have a
pulse.
The
patrolmen began administering CPR until Lieutenant Bruce
Underhill arrived with an automatic defibrillator, which was
used to regain the man’s heartbeat.
Mayor
Dennis McCarthy honored Dispatcher Gesior, Patrolmen Rocco and
Perrotta and Lt. Underhill with a certificate, thanking them for
their courage.
“On
behalf of the residents of Garwood, I would like to thank you
for your brave work in saving this man’s life,” the mayor
said. “I know Police Chief [William] Legg is proud to have you
on the force, and Garwood is a safer and better town having you
all here. Mr. Sheehy, we are happy that you are doing well and
that our police officers were able to assist you in your time of
need,” Mayor McCarthy said.
Mr
Sheehy said he was grateful to the Garwood police department for
saving his life.
“And
during the Christmas season,” Mr. Sheehy said, “this is the
best gift anyone could get – the gift of life.”
Under
committee reports, council president Charles Lombardo reminded
residents to bag their leaves for trash removal.
Borough
residents can pick up biodegradable bags at the department of
public works building from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more
information, see garwood.org.
Councilwoman
Kathleen Villaggio, the school-board liaison, said the board of
education might be in line for $111,000 in additional school-aid
funding.
She
said, “I urged the legislature to adopt the new school-funding
plan to assist the taxpayers.”
Mayor
McCarthy congratulated Mr. Lombardo, who did not win re-election
this year, for his more than 20 years as councilman.
“You
have won seven consecutive elections, happily serving the
residents of Garwood. You will be missed. We wish your family
lots of luck and happiness for the future,” the mayor said.
Mr.
Lombardo thanked his family for allowing him “to be on the
council for as long as I have been,” he said, holding back
tears.
“I
have made many friends and thank the residents of Garwood for
their faithful support.”
The
reorganization meeting of the mayor and council will take place
on Sunday, January 6, at 3 p.m. in council chambers.
The
first borough-council meeting of the year will be held on
Tuesday, January 8, at 7 p.m.
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