T ' ,-A -*< Incorporating The Eagle, THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2009 LOCALSCUKCE COto VOL. 92 NO. 27 50 CENTS ALL FIRED UP! Colorful fireworks exploded in Union July 4. Wrestler fights for, Page 2 at WWE programs By Chris Neidenberg move, he had been working at Correspondent linage Planet health spa on West evaluation UNION — As a young boy, Chestnut Street. By Joseph M. D* Altec Fred Rosser Ill's dreamed of Rosser said he still has a ways Staff Writer reaching professional wrestling's to go to achieve the success of RAHWAY — District officials "big leagues." At 25, the pursuit is Hulk Hogan or Shawn Michaels surprised by a failing score on the nearly over. — his two major idols. i nstruction/programs portion of the New Jersey Quality •' Single GRANT A WISH , The journeyman has won an But for now, the Union High Accountabih'ty Continuum say they Summit Police Department may audition with one of World School wrestler and graduate is receive a federal grant to update are already implementing a plan to Wrestling Entertainment's pre- taking being one of two aspirants, its dispatch equipment. improve. mier talent-development groups, initially selected from a field of 65 Page 8 The QSAC report, which is Florida Championship Wrestling. competitors, as a sign of better administered to a district every He also looks forward to working things to come. three years, is a five-part of evalua- with some of wrestling's top "It's a major organization in tion of the school board. Other teachers and television exposure. the sport, which serves as 'a feed- evaluations include governance, Previously, Rosser entertained er' for television," said Rosser, fiscal, operations and personnel crowds in venues primarily in the who developed a fanatical interest sections. The school board must Northeast. He was known as in professional wrestling while in receive a grade of at least 80 per- "Fred Sampson" or "Frederick of his youth accompanying his father cent on all five sections, of the Hollywood" while performing on to matches at venues suclv as the «- . _.».i QSAO report in order to pass. smaller circuits, such as the East Dunn Center in Elizabeth. "It's Rosser The district received a score of Coast Wrestling Association and the equivalent of the Arena Foot- JOIN THE IwCE its local television program. "You 58 on instruction/programs. Chaotic Wrestling Inc. of Massa- ball League to the NFL, or Triple Union County will host its annual have to get noticed," he pointed Superintendent of Schools torn.dance and barbucue July chusetts. A to Major League Baseball." out. Frank Buglione said Rahway was 25 at the Watchung Stable Since winning his FCW con- In explaining the term, "feed- While competing with peers notified of its results in April and Page 24 tract, following tryouls for 65 er," Rosser said FCW is often the sprouting impressive physiques, may have failed the instruction por- competitors May 1-4 in Tampa, next step to becoming a big play- Rosser suggested his key to suc- tion due to a technicality in the the former Russell Street resi- er on the WWE's stage — - host to cess was displaying as much brain paperwork, not for lack of quality, dent's life has undergone major wrestling matches shown on the as brawn. After all, professional The district lias also taken several change. popular television shows "Raw" wrestlers are entertainers first, he measures to improve test scores, and "Smackdown." He has moved to Florida city, explained. "Having the right per- such as implementing summer pro- and promises to focus solely on With the FCW, Rosser hopes to sonality and.persona are a very grams for grades 6,7, and 8, as well making the- WWE. Before the perform each Thursday night on See ONION, Page 2 as starting an enrichment program See SCHOOL, Page 14 SPLASH OF COLOR Members of the Potters Guild of NJ created mosaics at the Trail- Mayor, council clash at reorganization meeting side Visitor Center in Watchung. By Paul Greulich regarding a number of resolutions on the agen- should be heard before moving forward. "Once Page 26 Staff Writer da, concerns Council President Edward Brewer I hear Mayor Menza's.. .and point of view, I will HILLSIDE — Different council, same trou- requested the mayor express at the end of the be in a much better position to make an educat- meeting, after the council had approved most of ed vote. Until then, I must abstain," Freedman ||i° Last week's reorganization meeting wit- the items. Menza described the council's first explained. ^*k nessed the refonned Township Council strug- meeting since the elections as "not a good start." Bates claimed she had not seen the agenda Police Blotter 6 gijng to find common ground with new Mayor The municipal conference seemed to confuse until late that same afternoon and was not pre- Letters to the Editor 11 Joseph Menza, _ while a throng of residents council members Shelley-Ann Bates and Gerald pared to vote on items without reviewing them School Zone 17 expressed frustration at the familiar rift between Freedman, who abstained or voted against near- in detail. "Any item on the agenda cannot be Obituaries 22 t]iecounc j] ancj jt's chief executive. ly every item on the night's agenda, which voted on because we did not get time to review Sports 30 The July 1 meeting also saw the swearing in included resolutions to make several appoint- it," she said. County News 24 of jncumDent Councilman Frank Deo and new- ments to boards and committees and appoint Following the passage of the resolutions, Arts & Leisure 26 comers Angela Garretson and President Carlisle. Bank of America as one of the township's Menza informed the council that Bank of Amer- Classified 43 Menza, who was sworn in earlier that after- depositories, ica is under investigation by the FBI and may . T._Trr .•':.••;•• *;,•!;';".7: noon, came to the meeting with concerns Freedman argued the mayor's comments See NEW Page 4 Y-U33 W15UW 2 SGiiiS Place your own Classified ads at your own convenience PAGE 2 — THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2009 LOCALSOURCE.COM UNION COUNTY LOCALSOURCE Union gets the 'works' :^->~ X^\-XWs%::'.'^- BRIEFS By Don E. Smith Jr. move our fireworks rigging to a Correspondent whole new location because of the Plenty of programs at UNION —' On a sunny Satur- houses," he said. "You have to ; _ ' . • . - . • - - > {:*,' - '-,f- ,. v-s libraries through July day afternoon, lames Mulligan and watch for the safety of the nearby The Children's Department of Lake Dobes stood in the middle of houses, nearby trees and people the Union Public Library has the diamond unloading their rented watching. Every show we work scheduled the following programs truck. They were ready to light up with the local fire officials and they at the Main Library and Vauxhall the sky July 4. mark out where we can load the Branch during the month of July: "I say between him and me, we rigs up." Main Library have about thirty years of experi- What goes into lighting up the • Today: Creative Dramatics ence," said Mulligan, an employee sky? It's like playing with crayons. will be held at 11 a.m. Children of with Millington-based Garden Mulligan said of streaking the sky all ages and their caregivers are State Fireworks. with brilliant flashes of light. invited to attend. This year, economic concerns "You "experiment with colors," • Friday: "Name that Tune" prevented many towns from cele- he said. Before fireworks are added Music Contest will be held at 11 brating Independence Day fire- in with the explosives, different a.m. This program is for children in works. Union was nearly victim to color chemicals are combined. grades 2 and up. the same trouble. "For instance if you want gray, you • Mondays: Pre-school Story "Many towns have cut budgets, mix a black chemical with a white Time and Craft program for kids and they ended up cutting...fire- one," he explained. and their caregivers will be held works out/' Dobes said, as he set Between 2,000 to 3,000 people through July 27, at 11 a.m. up the fireworks at the baseball typically attend the Union show, Bedtime Story time will be held diamond, across from and this year's crowd was hearty. through July 27, at 7 p.m. Biertuempfel Park on Winsiow "When we heard that crowd erupt • Tuesday: Magician Mark Avenue. ; after the show, it made it all worth- Zacharia entertains at 11 a.m. He added many towns were res- while for us," Dobes said. Above; Fireworks exploded across • from • Wednesday: Make a "Sum- cued this year by local businesses. Editorial can be reached at Biertuempfel Park, Union, July 4. Below: James mery Starburst Wall Decoration" at "These local sponsors have 908-686-7700 ext. 121, or editori- Mulligan of Garden State Fireworks sets up pipes School-Age Craft program at 11 stepped in to assist with covering al@thelocalsource com thajt house fireworks. a.m. This program is for children in the cost,' said Dobes. grades 1 through 6. According to the township's Vauxhall Branch Web site, the fireworks show went • Today: Drop-In Sand Art Craft off thanks to sponsorship from will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1 Investors Savings Bank and Union p.m. or while supplies last. This Center Business District. program is for children ages 4 and Mulligan and Dobes said last up and their caregivers. year's display was nearly ruined by • Friday: How good are you at rain — both men recalled huddling puzzles? "All Things Puzzles @ beneath tarps to help pull off the your Library" will be held at 1 p.m.