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Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, November 14, 2019 OUR 129th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 46-2019 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] ONE DOLLAR Proposed WHS Class Causes Debate at BOE Meeting By JENNIFER GLACKIN within those power structures for the Peggy Brug said, “encourage kids to Specially Written for The Westfield Leader benefit of American society.” talk about issues as they exist from their WESTFIELD — A potential new Board member and curriculum com- perspective.” Ms. Brug continued, “we social studies class caused debate mittee spokesperson Amy Root said need to recognize the makeup of among residents and board members at this “thought-provoking class” will America and the makeup of this world the Westfield Board of Education meet- “educate and foster discussion among is changing, and our kids need to be ing on Tuesday. The course, entitled students” in the right kind of environ- prepared to address it.” “Power, Privilege, and Imbalance in ment. Donnell Carr said, “there is one real- American Society,” would be a semes- Board member Tara Oporto ques- ity, the opposite reality, and the in- ter-long, junior and senior elective. tioned the course material, saying that between reality.” The purpose of the course, according during her Internet research of the pro- Randall Wernes questioned whether to its description, “is to understand the posed material, she found reviews indi- this class would unite students or divide barriers encountered by people of eth- cating the reading materials offer a them. Mr. Wernes said that the United nic minorities and how those barriers biased perspective. While some resi- States was founded on an ideology that were created and have changed dents agreed with her, others said that people are equal. Kerri Oligino agreed America.” The description also states history is always told from someone’s that there was an ideology that the students will discuss socioeconomic perspective and the purpose of this country is based on, but added, “there is status and its role in America, as well as course is to bring previously a practicality on how that ideology was “identify power structures and deter- marginalized voices to the conversa- carried out.” She referenced that Tho- mine methods to reduce inequalities tion. mas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence at the same time he was a slave owner. “The reality is that there is racism in our schools because our kids don’t know how to talk about it,” Ms. Oligino said. Paul Lachenauer for The Westfield Leader The word “privilege” in the course REMEMBERING WESTFIELD’S VETS...Students from Holy Trinity School in Westfield hold flags during Monday’s title also caused some controversy. Westfield’s Veterans Day ceremony at the town’s Veterans Monument. Some parents worried about the pos- sible political implications. Steve Chris- tian said that his concern was that the Cranford Twn. Committee OKs course material seemed “left-leaning” and that “white people are not out to get anyone,” as he believes the materials imply. Housing Agreement of 440 Units Mr. Christian said his interpretation By MICHAEL BONACCORSO township bought and sold the land in In 2018, Cranford’s RDP was deter- of a proposed reading piece, “White Specially Written for The Westfield Leader order to reduce the density of housing mined to be 85 units. Privilege: Unpacking the Knapsack” CRANFORD – The township com- development there, and the courts “Fair Share” is an effectual legal by Peggy McIntosh, indicates that mittee on Tuesday night approved its said the township had to make up that term that defines how much afford- “white people are to blame.” Many fair share housing plan between the loss of 20 affordable units elsewhere able housing a township must zone residents questioned whether he read township and the Fair Share Housing in the municipality. for and was established in the Mount the essay in its entirety. Claudia Cohen Center (FSHC), an agreement which Township Attorney Ryan J. Cooper Laurel New Jersey Supreme Court Paul Lachenauer for The Westfield Leader said privilege is not about blaming white stipulates that Cranford’s affordable explained at Tuesday’s township com- ruling in 1975. LAYING OF THE WREATHS...Wreaths are laid during Monday’s Veterans people, but about “looking at society housing obligation is 440 affordable mittee meeting that the settlement A fair share number is the actual Day ceremony at Westfield’s Veterans Monument. and understanding the structure that units with a realistic development agreement comes after a year of liti- number of units the township should perpetuates it.” potential (RDP) of 131 units, plus an gation and negotiations with the zone within the township’s master Mira Mehta, a Westfield High School additional 20 units. FSHC. plan, stated Mr. Cooper. He said if a Westfield Council Names junior whose Girl Scout Gold Award The additional 20 units represents Initially, in December 2018, the township remains compliant with their Project focused on racism, said, “the the reduction in 20 units at the FSHC projected Cranford’s fair share fair share number the township will Another Home As Historic consequences of institutional racism is Birchwood Avenue redevelopment, housing unmet need as 381 to 1,227 remain in control over where the fair CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 currently under construction. The affordable units, stated Mr. Cooper. CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 By CHRISTINA M. HINKE The town awarded a contract for Specially Written for The Westfield Leader the 2020 curbside collection of recy- WESTFIELD — The town is soon clable material to Giordano Com- Cranford to Split Birchwood Online-Only Bonus at goleader.com to have another private residence pany for $607,000. “We have a cur- Index named historic, after an ordinance rent agreement with Giordano and we was passed on first reading at went out to bid to see how current PILOT with School Dist. Free Advertising Online Opportunities: Tuesday’s town council meeting. The contracts have shifted, but it would By MICHAEL BONACCORSO the Cranford school district. residence, at 1737 Nevada Street, will have been higher,” Councilman David Specially Written for The Westfield Leader “I propose we prime the pump See www.goleader.com/free mark the fourth property in town to be Contract said. The town did extend CRANFORD – The township with 80 percent of the (PILOT pro- named a historic landmark in the last its current contract with Giordano at committee on Tuesday agreed to gram) revenue to the school district,” Community -- Top Associates from Team; Scotch Plains-Fanwood year, together with the Newells’ home, the same price it had previously. committing 70 percent of the Commissioner Thomas Hannen, Jr. Weichert, Realtors’ Westfield Office Schools Honor Tenured Staff and the Reeve House and Triangle Park. Leaf collection started last week, Birchwood redevelopment project said. Recognized for Sales Accomplish- Celebrates National Principals “I remain committed to prioritiz- Councilman Contract said. He ad- PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) The district is at an “immediate ments in October. Month. ing historic preservation, knowing its dressed some questions he received revenue to the Cranford Board of disadvantage” with the possible stu- Education — McKinley Third Sports -- Lady Raiders Wobble importance to maintaining the char- asking why the town is not using leaf Education during the first two years dent population increase, stated Mr. Graders Take Walking Tour of BrH2O For Section Soccer Crown, acter and uniqueness of our commu- vacuum trucks. Westfield has the third of the 30-year pilot program. The Hannen. He said the 80 percent rev- Westfield; UCC Eligible to Com- 2-0; Blue Devils Use Magic to nity,” Mayor Shelley Brindle said. highest volume of leaves in Union decision was made at Tuesday’s enue consideration is validated when pete For $1 Mil. Aspen Prize; Stun Panthers in Grid Section, 27- The town also adopted two ordi- County, he said. Vacuum trucks can workshop agenda meeting with one considers the greater percentage Board of Education Honors the 23; Raider Boys Edge Blue Devils nances, including an ordinance to re- break down when leaves are wet or if Board of Education President Kurt of each tax dollar goes to the school SPFHS 2019-20 Girls Tennis in N.J. Section Soccer Semi, 1-0. quire submission of a digital copy of there is pile contamination, such as Petschow and Vice-President Lisa district and Union County govern- applications to the planning board or pumpkins, mums, lawn clippings and Carbone participating in the public ment collects an immediate 5 per- board of adjustment, as well as an branches in the leaf pile. Mr. Contract discussion. cent of revenue, stated Mr. Hannen. ordinance to allow for projecting urged residents to use the Westfield The township committee agreed Mayor Giblin said a five-year signs. The latter ordinance states that Connect app to know when leaves are with board of education officials that timeline would best serve the school projecting signs on businesses be no being picked up. the school district will receive 70 district and the township committee’s larger than six square feet, among Councilman Contract also noted percent of the Birchwood PILOT budget to allow both entities to as- other conditions. The ordinance also that the new food waste bin was full proceeds during those first two years, sess actual financial impacts on their specifies that internally-illuminated this past weekend at the conservation while 55 percent of total revenue respective budgets over a five-year blade signs are not permitted. CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 will be received during years three period from the PILOT’s commence- through five, stated Mayor Patrick ment.