Mohn 's Florist names Mother's Day essay contest winners - see page 16. South PMnfield OBSERVEMember New Jersey Press Association R VOL 15, NO. 37 60 CENTS MAY 18, 2012 The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree Lucy Show and Batman, and he was a (And that tree grows regular on the soap opera, The Edge in South Plainfield) OfNight. Anne daughter, Lisa, can recall Many of our readers may remember many a time as a little girl kissing her die sensational singing group, The Five mother good night as she sat at the DeMarco Sisters. They started out as kitchen table playing cards with the little kids on The Fred Allen Radio likes ofTony Bennett, Cliff Robertson Show and appeared on The Ed Sulli- and Nat King Cole. van Show more than two dozen times. After Anne's short lived marriage They worked with entertainment to Remo, she married singer/guitarist giants including Frank Sinatra, Dean Jimmy Rose, and they made South Martin and Jerry Lewis, Judy Garland Plainfield their home. and Jackie Gleason, to name a few. Anne and Jimmy formed a duo and They made their motion picture played night clubs all over New Jersey debut while still in grade school in and New York and appeared regularly Mark Tomei signs a Letter of Intent alongside his mother, Wendy, and (top L-R) Athletic Director Al Czech, at the famed Latin Assistant Coach James Darby, Head Coach Anthony Guida, Mark's father, Mel, and Principal James Pedersen. Quarter owned by Lou Walters, father of Barbara Walters. Outstanding Baseball Career Earns They performed for months at a time on the campaign trail High School Senior Full Scholarship with former New Jer- sey Governor Rich- South Plainfield High School 18 hits during the 2011 season, of the Year and South Plainfield High ard Hughes. Senior Mark Tomci signed a Letter Mark batted in 11 runs with three School's Most Valuable Player award. Lisa also has fond of Intent on May 1 to attend Mercer doubles, two triples, five home runs Mark plays centcrficld and his bat- memories of the County Community College in West and five walks. He had 34 extra base ting average so far this season is .377, countless nights her Windsor this fall. hits, nine home runs and drove in with 20 hits, three doubles, three mom made the family Mark's outstanding baseball career 26 runs as the team's leadoff batter. triples and one home run. He collected a big bowl of spa- with the Tiger's earned him a full Mark's lefty' batting average of .496 his 100th hit, a single, on April 21 at ghetti in jeans and a scholarship where he will be playing helped to earn him accolades as 1st home against Paramus High School sweatshirt, and before ball for the Vikings who arc members Team All-State, 1st Team All-Area and the Tiger's won the game, 10-5. the table was cleared, of the National Junior College Adiletic Home News Tribune, 1st Team All-Area Their record as of May 1 was 9-7. exited the bedroom Association, Region XIX and die Gar- Courier News, 1st Team All Area Star- Mark will be studying criminal Filmmaker Matthew James Reilly will debut his shortin a gold lame gown den State Athletic Conference. Ledger, Star-Ledger Player of the Year, law at Mercer County- and plans on a film, Abigail, at Cannes Film Festival this month. with her dad, guit; Scoring 18 runs and belting out Greater Middlesex Conference Player career as a police officer. the short film, Homcrun On The in hand, and went off to the "gig" Keys, with the great "Bambino" Babe It was Anne and Jimmy along with Ruth. The five sisters also starred in their three children Lisa (Brandi), Ste- the MGM musical Skirts Ahoy with phen (Pisani) and Jamie (Rose) who BOE Appoints New Audit Firm Esther Williams, Vivian Blainc and performed on the rcx>f of the Police- By Jane Dornick did not feel he could vote on the best per hour, managers S100-S125 per Debbie Reynolds. Athletic League to raise money to buiJd qualified firm and Vice President Deb- hour, senior accountants/supervisors Anne DeMarco, a senior member South Plainfield's Community Pool. The South Plainfield Board of bie Boyle voted no. $80-5100 per hour, staff accountants of the group, was married to actor/ Anne's children followed in their Education appointed Lerch, Vinci The firm will be engaged to audit 570-580 per hour and other personnel director Remo Pisani. He appeared parents9 footsteps; Jamie went on to & Higgins, LLP of Fair Lawn as the the financial records and prepare the at 545 per hour. on Broadway with Sammy Davis success in musical theater, Stephen is Auditor of Record for the 2012/2013 basic financial statements and Single Any specific item or group of items Jr. in The Desperate Hours and with a renowned musician and performer, school year at the public meeting on Audit Section of the Comprehensive of a similar nature purchased by the Jack Lemon in Idiot's Delight in Los and Lisa moved to Los Angeles where May 9. The vote was 4-1 to hire the Annual Financial Report for the school district, totaling more than Angeles. His television appearances she wrote, directed, produced and CPA firm. Board members Bill Sces- 2011/2012 school year for the sum $5,400 and less than 536,000 for included Bonanza,My Three Suns, Tlje (Continued on page 10) selbcrg and John Farinclla were not of $32,600. Any additional services the entire year must be competitively present at the meeting. Board member will be billed at the following standard quoted or advertised for bid at the TWo Borough Owned Joe Sorrentino abstained because he billing rates: partners $140-5170 ((Continued on page 10) Lots Sold at Auction By Libby Barsky John's Place, did not receive any offers at the minimum bid of SI 00,000. Three municipal lots zoned residen- The minimum bid of $85,000 on tial were up for auction at the May 7 the 75 x 100 ft. lot on the southeast meeting of the Borough Council, and corner of Harvard Avenue and St. the borough accepted offers on tw< > of John's Place changed five times and the parcels. was sold to Michael Socha, whose final The lot located on Trcmont Avenue bid was $93,500. (100 x 100 ft.) was purchased by "I've been a borough clerk in an- Hekmatollah Amini of South Plain- other municipality, but this was the field, who bid the minimum amount first time I've seen bidding on prop- of S8(S,000. There were no other erty where the price was more than the bidders for (bat property minimum but," said Amy Antonides, The second lot, located at the north- who recorded her first land sale as east corner ofHarvard Avenue and St. South Plainfield borough clerk. The bidder must pnxiuce 10% of The 201112012 Junior Journalists were celebrated at a banquet in their honor on May 9. The winners are the bid amount in cash or check at the pictured with program sponsors, Nancy Grennier of the South Plainfield Observer (far left) and Debbie auction and is allowed three days to and Charlie Kurland (far right) of Hometown Heros. Also pictured in the back is Michael Bertram, Roosevelt School third grade teacher and Junior Journalist "Poet Laureate." 4 8 7 9 18 8 4 8 comply with other conditions. •To subscribe to the South Plainfield Observer, call 908 66«0010 • May 18, 2O12 Want to stay informed about the business of your Council and BOE? Borough Council meetings air on Comcast Channel In My Opinion 96 Mondays at 7 p.m. BOE meetings air on Opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those ol the publisher, nor do we guarantee accuracy. Council Thursdays at 7 p.m. FYI &BOE To the South Plainfield Community: the Observer last week attacking the produce high-achieving students that To purchase a complete copy of a council or BOE meeting, contact the Observer. I started the Feast of Saint Anthony South Plainfield Board of Education. have the tools to be successful in life, (Check Comcast community bulletin board for last minute time changes.) in 1975 with Father John at Our Lady Mr. Petrone, you are correct: I am (living money back to the council will ofCzestochowa Church. I left running entitled to my own opinion. I have not help improve our school district! council' :;; it tor nine years from 2000 to 2010 been honest and forthcoming about The Department of Education just Meets twice a month on Mondays, 'except where noted. because of health reasons, and was my views and had the a >urage u > make released the list of reward schools in Borough Hall Council Chambers • Questions? 908-226-7605 subsequently asked to return. During them public. New Jersey: Agenda Meeting Public Meeting my absence, I still ran games at the When members of the council come "Reward Schcx)ls: The department Monday, May 21 Monday, May 21 feast to help out. So, for 25 years, to the public board meetings request- will identify Reward Schools based on Monday, June 4 Monday, June 4 I have run die event that the com- ing that the superintendent and board high proficiency levels or high levels All Agenda Meetings begin at 7 p.m. followed immediately by the Public Meeting, unless munity has enjoyed throughout the of education hand over large aim units of growth, including progress toward otherwise noted.