Is Pistol Range Shot to Death? Nick's Plans to Wood-Ridge Facility Faces Obstacles in 2010Looks to Withhold Rebound State Aid After Fire by Susan C
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Wood-Ridge • Coristadt • East Rutherford • Rutherford • Lyndhur* • North Arlington Pulse of the Meadowlands^" Meadowlands Cup winners accept trophy * PageA7 Dining Guide Page B7 Established 1894 www. LeaderNewspapers.net Thursday, December 10, 200S TIMELINE Same-sex marriage in the near future? 2006 • State Legislature passes civil union law. By Suson C. MMMT full Senate on Dec. 10. If approved there, the statements from people on both sides of the Dec. 7, 2009 SENIOR REPORTER Assembly has time to act on the bill before issue, seven senators agreed with Weinberg, • State Senate Judiciary Committee approve* ' Gov. Jon S. Corzine leaves office. Corzine giving them a victory over six others who Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage TRENTON — After a marathon session has promised to support the legislation; remained opposed to legalizing gay mar- ACL that stretched from the early afternoon Governor-elect Chris Christie has not. riage. Dec. 10,2009 hours until after 10 p.m. on Monday, Dec. "In this country, we do not afford some State Sen. Paul Sarlo, from Wood-Ridge, • State Senate is expected to vote on the same- 7, the state's Senate Judiciary Committee people full civil rights and some people par- who chairs the Judiciary Committee, voted sex marriage bill. narrowly approved a controversial same-sex tial civil rights," said Sen. Loretta Weinberg, no. Instead of redefining marriage, the January 2010 marriage bill that extends the definition of one of the bill's sponsors. Legislature should fix problems with the • If approved, the state Assembly will consider marriage in New Jersey to include gay and The evidence is clear: Civil unions have current civil union law, Sarlo indicated. the same-sex marriage bill. lesbian couples. not worked," she continued. "Same-«ex cou- •If approved by Assembly and Senate, Gov Jon The Freedom of Religion and Equality in ples are facing patterns of discrimination." Please see MARRIAGE on Page A6 S. Corzine would have until Jan. 19 to sign the t " Civil Marriage Act will be considered by the In the end, after listening to passionate Trenton Is pistol range shot to death? Nick's plans to Wood-Ridge facility faces obstacles in 2010looks to withhold rebound state aid after fire By Susan C. Moeller By Alexis Tbrrozi SENIOR REPORTER SENIOR REPORTER The State of New Jersey RUTHERFORD — The isn't bringing in enough fire has been put out, but the cash to cover its budget, and damage — approximately $1 municipalities are being asked million worth — is still done. to foot part of the bill. Nick Testa, owner of Nick's Because of a projected Towing on Meadow Road in $800 million revenue short- Rutherford, vows to resurrect fall for its fiscal year budget, his business, which went up in $20 million of aid payments flames in the morning hours to municipalities will not be of Nov. 24. released as scheduled during "It's been difficult, but do- the month of December. able," said Testa. In the South Bergen area, The massive fire engulfed the total to be withheld comes the 3&year-old towing busi- to $80,858. ness* storage facility, which With less than 30 days sits next to Flash Cleaners and remaining in the calendar near Wendy's and Arby's res- year, local officials will have to taurants. The fire was report- scramble to make up for the ed to emergency officials at state's refusal to deliver the 5:45 a.m., when a worker promised aid. Municipalities who came to the building saw will not be allowed to adjust smoke and flames. their budgets, according to a Route 17 was closed in spokesperson for the state's both directions at approxi- Department of Community PHOTOS K COUEEN KEYNO1DS mately 7 .i m , snarling traffic Affairs, which has jurisdic- Wojod-Ridge Lt. Angelo Paiotti takes aim at a target Many local police officers practice their shooting at the pistol range in Wood-Ridge under in and around the borough tion over local government a shared-services agreement. Lead and brass shells are sorted into drums for recycling after use. for several hours. Continuing finance. The New Jersey to burn on for several hours, Constitution requires the heavy black smoke shrouded By Colleen Reynolds state to have a balanced bud- the area. The blaze was finally REPORTER get, and the looming revenue controlled at approximately setback prompted the gover- WOOD-RIDGE — An antiquated pis- 12 p.m. nor, treasurer and "executive tol range at the end of a nondescript cul- "We haven't had a com- branch agencies," to hold on de-sac in the industrial district of Wood- mercial fire in this magni- to the $20 million normally Ridge serves as a mecca for South Bergen tude in a number of years, " doled out in local property police officers. Used for firearms train- Rutherford Fire Marshall Paul tax relief this month until ing, practice and qualification, the facil- Dansbach said. they have a plan to balance ity is hailed by police for its convenient The cause of the blaze was the budget, according to a location and round-the-clock availability. narrowed down to the engine letter sent from the DCA to It is also an example of local municipali- compartment of a car that local chief financial officers ties sharing services, a common practice was towed into the warehouse, Tuesday, Dec. 1. in today's cost-cutting times. Dansbach said. No further Other options are being But with a new year looming, the details are available. discussed, and a final deci- Wood-Ridge Police Pistol Range faces an tinued to shoot at the range for nearly a Bank of New York, Moonachie, little Rutherford Police sion about the fate of the uncertain future. full year without paying the established Ferry and Weehawken — have all signed Detective Michael Garner aid payments is expected A dilapidated structure and possible annual fee of $125 per employee on the the agreement and paid their respective investigated the scene and by Christmas, said Thomas environmental contamination are two police roster. The deadline for payment, fee. is in die process of dosing Bell, spokesman for the concerns. Another is a lack of definitive which helps cover the cost of operation, All participants were granted use of out' the case, which includ- Department of the Treasury. commitment by two parties that utilize ammunition and maintenance, is May 1 the facility under the expectation that ed interviewing a number of State agencies have also been the range. of each year of the contract. Both munic- they would comply with the new agree- employees and reviewing a asked to submit cost-cutting Rutherford and Carlstadt, while trying ipalities are several months past due. ment Rutherford and Carlstadt may be video surveillance tape.. to decide whether to accept the latest According to Wood-Ridge officials, Please see STATE AID agreement to use the range, in effect Jan. the other participants in the agreement Please see PISTOL RANGE on Please see FIRE on on Page A9 1.2009, through Dec. 31,2010, have con- — East Rutherford, the Federal Reserve PageA9 Page A9 With affordable, flexible offerings at three sites, spring 2010 is Think Smart. Think Spring. Think Bergen. the right time to begin (or continue) your smart start to a four-year degree at Bergen. Classes start January 25. For more Information, or to register, please call (201) 447-7195 orvlsltgo.bergen.edu •* COMMl'NIl '5 KE1»'.' T'ME ion TH? SPSS'! SEMESTE0 AT £ E 0 G E S C 0 M M ij S ! T r COLLEGE P a r a m u s Hackensack Meadowlands FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES, CALL: (201) 310-5161 OR E-MAIL: ADVERTISE0LEADERNEWSPAPERS.NET A2 THURSDAY, OKBtm Mi, 2009 POLICE BLOTTER 11)1 iV SPA IN 10WN idroblM the car mm parked on Rutherford and CVS at 2 Ave. that four males Toman placet. stole nine s <rf Prilotec with 42 tab- NORTH ARLINGTON — Anthony lets totaling 0.91. Gonzales, 21, of Passaic, was arrested DWI Police sent out an alert on the white Thursday, Dec. 3 at 12:35 p.m. for aggra- Dodge Caravan with New York plates vated assault, robbery, trespassing, pot- NORTH ARLINGTON — Joao and Lyndhurst police located the van session of a weapon, possession of a Dasilva, 41, of Keamy, was arrested and pulled it over. Inside the van, police weapon for an unlawful purpose, resist- Sunday, Nov. 29 at 5:58 p.m. for DWI and reported locating an Immense amount ing arrest, possession of marijuana and careless driving, following an accident on of stolen merchandise" from CVS phar- possession of drug paraphernalia, fol- Union and Schuyler avenues. A Union macies and other pharmacies throughout lowing a foot pursuit on Wesley Place Avenue resident called police to report area, including Crest white strips, Sonic <fB Ridge Road. An 18-year-old North that Dasilva's red Kia Sportage struck Care electric toothbrushes, Rogaine and Arlington female reported that Gonzales a telephone pole. Police responded to Pepcid, totaling $2,732. •hoved her against a wall, held a knife to the scene and said the car had front-end Police also reported locating $240 her throat and grabbed her pocket book damage. He reportedly failed the field worth of items stolen from the Rite and fled. Police located Gonzales behind sobriety test, his vehicle was impounded Aid Pharmacy in Harrison. A bag, lined Subzero Ice-Cream at 85 Ridge Road. He and he was released on summonses to a with foil used to toy and .throw off store reportedly emptied out the purse and responsible party. sensors, was also found.