A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES Thursday, May 20, 2004 Page 3 Candidate Campaign Release – County GOP Candidate Campaign Release – SP DEM Renna: County Records Candidates Propose Tax-Free Must Be Made Public SP Dowtnown Alternative The county is buying the Union Union County Arts Center Board of SCOTCH PLAINS – On Tues- ness Administration, the Union County Arts Center in Rahway. Though Directors also did not materialize. day, May 25 the Scotch Plains County Economic Development the Freeholders have been presenting County Manager George Devanney Township Council will vote on an Authority and the State Depart- the initiative as just an idea, contracts said, “We are not looking to make ordinance to create a Special Im- ment of Commerce to work with are being signed. The statements being money off the Arts Center” and said provement District (SID), towards existing businesses is long over- made by officials are contradictory to that the reason for purchasing it is the goal of improving our down- due. Business interns from Kean the facts, and they have refused to “for an economic development ben- town. The council proposes to ac- University, Union County College discuss the details. efit for the City of Rahway.” complish this by imposing an ad- and other area colleges will be The cost for Phase I (renovations) The use of the Open Space Trust ditional property tax on the com- recruited and put to work applying is estimated to be $6 million. This Fund for this purchase and renovation is mercial property owners within the for public and private grants and does not include the cost to purchase a misuse of those funds. His wife and intended district. This proposal performing other time-consuming the building and property, which is administrator of the fund, Angie comes after commercial and resi- tasks necessary to make the im- undisclosed. There is no description Devanney, said the plan would “spur dential property owners alike were provement district work. or cost for Phase II or Phase III. hundreds of jobs for Union County hit last year with the largest mu- Now is not the time to force an There is no record provided to the residents.” She also said, “The plan will nicipal property tax increase in additional property tax on our public of the operating cost estimate raise ‘rateables’ in Rahway in an at- the history of the Township, an downtown commercial property or what the return would be. This tempt to equalize the tax burden.” If the increase that remains in our prop- owners. The additional economic initiative can easily approach $20 benefit is so great, let the city own it. SUPER HEROES...Sgt. Rock battles the enemy above in the art creation by erty tax bills. The money raised burden of another significant tax million and continue to be an annual The numbers being presented do renowned cartoonist Joe Kubert. Mr. Kubert will discuss the history of comic will be used to hire a professional increase will not lead to economic drain. The taxpayers should know not add up. For instance, the Arts strips at the Westfield Historical Society dinner on Wednesday, May 26. The downtown manager. growth. This alternative is an ex- what the costs are up front. Center’s total expenses for 2002 were public is invited. See story below. While the idea of a special im- ample of how Democratic candi- The law says the records must be $1.96 million. That year it ran a defi- provement district is a good one, dates Baron and Baldasarre will made available to the public. Denial cit of $160,000. The $900,000 in rev- funding it by an additional prop- strive to improve our community of existence is wrong. The official enue included a $75,000 grant from History of Comic Strips erty tax is not. without resorting to increased response from County Counsel in the County, $30,000 from the State Democratic candidates Andrew taxes. regard to documents pertaining to and $50,000 from the City of Rahway. Baron for Mayor and Barbara The members of the SID com- the Union County Arts Center has The Arts Center also boasts having a To Be Given by Joe Kubert Baldasarre for council propose an mittee worked very hard on this been that “they do not exist.” growing list of corporate sponsors, WESTFIELD – The History of the Milton Caniff (Terry and the Pirates); alternative plan that would avoid issue and their efforts should be However, the county said the fol- including Merck, and more than 4,000 Comic Strips will be the topic of Alex Raymond (Flash Gordon); Hal an additional property tax increase. commended. However, a change lowing consultants were called in to individual patrons and supporters. The artist, writer, editor and teacher Joe Foster (Tarzan, Prince Valiant) and The Democrats’ plan will make in direction to avoid increasing do the work over a year ago: MEP, portion of the revenue not donated Kubert’s lecture at the Westfield His- many other leading cartoonists and effective use of retired individuals the tax burden should be a first Fire Protection Study from Cosentini came from 50,000 paid admissions. torical Society’s annual dinner. The illustrators of the 30’s and 40’s. who want to apply their business step towards a long-range plan to Associates, Site and Civil Study from It is difficult to understand how the dinner will be held at the Echo Lake In the 70’s he drew “Tarzan” for skills in the community. It is worth improve the downtown. PMK Engineering, Cost Estimation programming loses money. The Arts Country Club in Westfield on DC Comics, one of his favorite comic the effort to find a retired market- from VJ Associates and Acoustics Center is only open eight months, from Wednesday evening, May 26. strips. ing executive through the Service Study from Cerami Associates. I was October to May, but they stage 80 events Mr. Kubert started his comic strip Mr. Kubert has made his own im- Corps of Retired Executives or Classifieds told after my OPRA (Open Public in that time. Ticket prices range from career at the age of 12 and now at 77 print in the cartoon and graphic art similar organization to coordinate Records Act) request that no records $20 to $65, depending on seat location. is still an enthusiastic cartoon artist. world. In 1952 he was the driving expanded efforts to promote the Buy & Sell on the Net exist. The proposal that the Free- The center holds more than 1,300 people. His examples as a young man were force behind the creation of “Three downtown and recruit new busi- holders said was accepted by the There are too many questions going the great cartoon artists such as Dimension Comics” featuring nesses. goleader.com unanswered, and it is very difficult to Mighty Mouse. His “Fax From Increased use of the Small Busi- Volunteers Sought support an idea that is not being pre- John Klock to Relate Sarajevo” is considered one of the sented in public and with full candor. best graphic art forms in the last 10 For Trailside Programs I’m concerned that companies are get- History of Calendars years. As an artist and illustrator he MOUNTAINSIDE –Trailside ting “no bid” contracts to do the work. created his own short stories such as Nature and Science Center needs For instance, the county just signed a FANWOOD – John Klock, of the “Sgt. Rock” and “Tor” and also had volunteers to assist staff naturalists contract with Joseph Jingoli & Sons Historical Society of Scotch Plains a daily strip “The Green Berets” for with week-long nature-related day for construction management services, and Fanwood and of the Scotch Plains the Chicago Tribune. His latest novel camps for pre-K through sixth- a noted big campaign contributor. Historical Commission, will trace is “Yossel,” the history of the War- grade students. Part of the Art Center’s mission is to the evolution of the calendar during saw Ghetto uprising as seen through Anyone wishing to volunteer should enhance cultural and educational op- the society’s monthly meeting on the eyes of a fifteen-year-old boy be reliable, have some experience portunities for children in an urban- Tuesday, May 25. The meeting will who loved to draw. with children, enjoy being outdoors ized area of New Jersey, where af- begin at 8 p.m. at the Fanwood train In 1976 he and his wife Muriel and be able to supply their own trans- fordable arts and culture are not readily station, located at North and Martine founded the Joe Kubert School of portation to and from Trailside Na- available. This is wonderful, and even Avenues. All are welcome. Cartoon and Graphic Art in Dover, ture and Science Center. Volunteers worth paying for, except there is no Mr. Klock will explain why there New Jersey. With an international are requested to assist for half- or full- evidence that this is happening. are 24 hours in a day, the creation of reputation, his students come from day sessions from Monday through What people should realize is that the seven-day week, the origin of such far away places as Japan and Friday for a minimum of one week. the millions being spent on these calendars, the different calendars in Malasia. Those interested in volunteering must projects are coming from their prop- use today and the difference between The event will begin with a busi- be at least 13 years of age. Training will erty taxes while being doled out to a lunar calendar, solar calendar and ness meeting at 5:30 p.m. with a be provided. For additional information political patrons. sidereal calendar. report by the Society’s president Donal on volunteering for summer day camps, I have much more to say about this He will also discuss the Mayan calen- Mokrauer. This will be followed by a please telephone Joseph Filo at (908) and related subjects. Please read dar, whether Stonehenge is a solar cal- social hour at 6:15 and dinner at 7. 789-3670, extension 223. joerenna.com/campaign04 and endar and how the Egyptians kept time. Two annual awards will be presented Trailside Nature and Science Cen- unioncountygop.org/. Fellowship and refreshments will during the dinner. The cost of the ter is located at 452 New Providence Most importantly, give me (and follow the meeting. Further informa- dinner is $30 for members and $35 for Road in Mountainside and is a facil- my running mates) your support now tion is available by calling Richard non-members. For further informa- ity of the Union County Department and your vote for Freeholder this Bousquet, Historical Society Presi- tion and reservations please call Bob of Parks and Recreation. November. I’ll keep you informed. dent, at (908) 232-1199. Miller at (908) 233-6360.

Graduation & Prom Night Special Ends June 30th

French Manicure Design Pedicure Combo Regular $35 $23

Add Color Tips or Designer Tips Regular $45 $35

Members Only Join Today! ($5 membership fee) Free Membership Kit (File,Buffer,Cuticle Oil,Tool Box,Clipper,Push Back Stone)

211-215 West South Ave Westfield, NJ 07090 (908) 317-9300