THE WESTFIELD LEADER Serving Wettfleld Since 1890
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THE WESTFIELD LEADER Serving Wettfleld Since 1890 USPSMOM Published NINETY-r- .^ kR, NO. 29 Second OAU Pcuwtt Paid WESTF1ELD, NEW JERSEY, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1989 24 Pa«es—» Cento II WcufirM. N.J. Every Thursday "•; o . Sch s ^! Board Has Approved Hardwick Announces Bid Te itive 1989-90 Budget For N.J. Governorship The Westfk, f Educa- jor influences on people selecting Chuck Hardwick, two-term New Jersey r budget," said School Superin- tion unanimou; -. .•- ed a ten- a town in which to purchase a tendent Mark Smith. Noting that Assembly Speaker and long time resident of tative 1989-1*) <:'x expense home include:, the commute, more than $500,000 was cut from Westfieid, announced his bid to run for New school budget ." u.t amount of education and appearance of the original budget requests, Dr. Jersey Governor yesterday in the Council (32,252,369 at a special meeting community. He further noted Smith stated: "The budget can- Chamber of Westfield's Municipal Building. Tuesday, Feb. 7. that questions raised about not be cut further without signifi- Speaker Hardwick, who has a broad base of sup- Finance Chairman John education always include: "Does cant changes in the level of pro- port in Union County, is the second ranking Toriello noted that the board held the community support the grams and services offered by Republican in State Government and often serves a number of meetings with West- schools?" the district." ,as Acting Governor under Thomas Kean. field citizens while the budget Presenting the budget to the The current expense budget for Familiar to many local community groups and the was being developed. "Essential- board for a vote, Mr. Toriello 1989-90 is 8.15% higher than the recipient of many awards, the Speaker was ac- ly, we heard two messages: said that it will enable Westfieid current expense budget for companied by his wife Pat for the announcement. maintain the excellent standards to provide "excellent education 1988-89. The total budget, in- A working ally of Governor Thomas Kean, who and avoid waste," he said. in a cost efficient manner." cluding $836,963 for debt service is completing his last term in office in this post, He pointed out that a realtor at "The proposed current ex- to pay off interest and bonds ap- Mr. Hardwick remains a vocal partner in Gov. one of the board's "reaching out" pense school budget is a proved by the voters to update Kean's view of New Jersey's future. Speaker meetings said that the three ma- 'maintenance/hold-the-line' and upgrade the school buildings Hardwick has emphasized the lowering of present in 1985, is $33,089,332, an 8.55% in- property taxes and automobile rates to New crease over the present total Jersey residents, as well as a commitment to a budget. cleaner environment and improved education in "Major increases in the pro- the state. posed school budget are in areas Mr. Hardwick is given much of the credit for the over which the Board has little or party's strong stand on New Jersey's environ- no discretion," said Dr. Smith. ment, sponsoring the bill calling for a ban on all These include: fixed charges (for ocean dumping in the state; an idea signed into insurance, pensions, etc.), up law this past summer by Gov. Kean. 16.53%; plant operations, up Committed to the improvement of educationon 9.05%; and out-ofilistrict tuition all levels in the state, Mr. Hardwick also served on for special education students, up the National Fund for the Improvement and Assembly Speaker Chuck Hardwick Reform of Schools and Teaching Board. (continued on lho lait paga of thlstaction) Planning Board Votes Not Town Council Will Convene on Tuesday To Appeal Hahne's Decision The next regular session of the resolutions for the authorization Despite concerned citizens build an addition based on Town Council will be held Tues- of a professional services agree- pleas, urging the Westfieid Plan- variances for selling in the base- day, Feb. 14, at 8:30 p.m., in the ment regarding the proposed ning Board to appeal the Superior ment, which is a pre-existing con- council chambers, in theProspect Street deck plan, and Municipal building, 425 East Court's decision of Nov. 30, grant- dition, (Hahne's was selling in final acceptance of contracts for ing the May Department Store the basement before the or- Broad St. The public is invited to Co., approval of site plans for a dinance prohibiting such sales attend. construction work at the new 15,000 square foot addition to its was implemented) and also Council is expected to consider library. existing building on North denied a variance on a proposed Avenue, (Hahne's), the planning sign. Judge Beglin upheld the board voted 7-1 against appealing decision by the planning board on Genova To Visit the court's decison, at its regular the proposed sign, but reversed meeting Monday night. • its decision on pre-existing, non- Edison on Monday A decision by the board on Nov. conforming conditions, for which 2, 1987, denying the May Co., the • Hahne's did not intend to change Peter J. Genova, New Jersey Lambert have been studying right to renovate its Hahne's the usage. The judge ruled that State Assemblyman from local, county and state govern- store, was reversed by Superior that portion of the Municipal District 21, will be visiting Edison ment and will culminate their Court Judge Edward W. Beglin, Land Use Ordinance was not ap- Intermediate School on Monday, studies with a visit to the state Police Chief Anthony Scutti welcomes Officers Robert F. Bartkus and Jr. plicable in this instance. capitol in Trenton on March 2. Scott M. Rodger to the Westfieid Police Department. Feb. 13. The Westfieid Planning Board Citizens, primarily residents Assemblyman Genova will be had denied the department store around the Hahne's store area, speaking to five seventh grade This presentation was schedul- company approval oh site plans to fcunUlmuti on tho lait porje of thltiucllon] U.S. History classes on the topic: ed through the school system's New Officers Appointed "How Our State Government STS (Sharing Talents & Skills) of- Works." These students of Al fice. Chief of Police Anthony J. Scut- his younger brother, Jason, also Reduction in Testing ti has announced the appoint- hopes one day to have a career in ment of two new officers to the law enforcement. Westfieid Police Department, Bd. of Ed. Votes for Scott M. Rodger and Robert F. Officer Bartkus grew up in Bartkus, Jr., who are now atten- Clark and graduated from Arthur The Westfieid Board of Educa- there are "also reasons to be ding the Union County Police L. Johnson Regional High School. tion unanimously voted in favor cautious." Board members Academy. He moved to Scottsdale, Ariz., of a recommendation to reduce stated they would like as much Officer Rodger, who has been a where he became a police officer the number of standardized tests public input on this matter as police fire dispatcher in and served for seven years given each year at a special possible. Westfieid for the past two years, before returning to New Jersey, meeting Tuesday night. Members of the public were is 20 years old and a resident of and applying for the Westfieid It was recommended by present at the meeting and ex- Rahway, where he is now in his force. With his wife, Mary, and Superintendent Dr. Mark C. pressed a variety of views con- fourth year with the Rahway their daughter, Kristina, he now Smith, that the following tests be cerning receiving students from First Aid Squad. He is a graduate lives in Clark. His father, Robert discontinued: IOWA Test of another district. Dr. Smith said of Rahway High School. One of F. Bartkus, Sr., is a retired Academic Proficiency for grade that it was very important that his older brothers, John, has been lieutenant of the Clark Police nine, IOWA Social Studies and both schools do extensive ex- an officer of the Rahway Police Department, where he served for Science tests at all grades, ploration into the possibilities. Department for five years, and 25 years. Cognitive Abilities Test at grades Board member John Toriello 3,9, and 11 and test only in grades announced at Tuesday's meeting Scouts Ready Flags 2, 4, and 6, and the Visual that he would not seek re-election Materials and Reference to the school board in April, and Materials sections of IOWA tests as of press time three petitions Photo by J.A. Lott in grades 2, 4, and 6, and test only have been submitted to thePictured in front of the Westfieid Community Center's new van are: in grades 3, 5, and 7. Dr. Smith board. (left to right) George Keenan, Jr., member of the Westfieid Founda- feels there is too much testing go- tion Board of Trustees; Ernestine Howell, executive director of the ing on, and many of the board WCC; Thclma Smith, senior Citizen coordinator; and Elvcn Shcahan, members agree. Recycling Rose Vastano, Lorencr Bullock, member of the Westfieid Community The board also discussed the Center Senior Citizens. initial exploration of receiving Information approximately 125 tudents from Foundation Helps Put Green Brook High School. Dr. Residents' newspapers, Smith stressed the fact that aluminum cans and glass bottles Westfieid was "exploring the and jars will be collected on the Seniors Back on the Road possibilities", and that it was foilowing days during the month "tentative." of February: member of the Westfieid Com- North of railroad tracks, The Westfieid Community Green Brook Board of Educa- Center's Senior Citizens are back munity Center Senior Citizens tion has determined that it will no Thursdays, Feb.