Classic styling What's worse than... Hooked on classics Realtors offer homes ...shopping for a used car Westfield Symphony with unique designs with senior citizen parents? begins with Beethoven See page A-7 Real Estate section Inside See WeekendPlus INSIDE The\ftfestfield Record Vol. 4, No. 42 Thursday, October 21, 1993 A Forbes Newspaper 50 cents l Briefs Police still seek driver in fatal hit-and-run Golden goose •y NKOLEA.OAVM40 "We have spoken with several witnesses and was working at the time of the accident and has seen the police in the area every day we are asking that anybody with any infor- The Golden Goose Bou- THE RECORD said that Mr. Kopelchak came in and bought surveying the street and talking to neighbor- tique will be held at the mation to please call" Sergeant Auchter or a blank tape. "He was just like an everyday ing businesses and residents. Westfield Tennis Club, 139 N. Police are searching for a hit and run driv- Investigating Detective Donald Fuentes at normal customer. He came in, bought a Sergeant Auchter said police are continu- Chestnut St. today and Fri- er who struck and killed a Westfield man on 789-4010 or 789-4008. blank tape and left," said Mr. Adams. "The ing to speak with witnesses and neighbors day from 9 am to 0 pm, Sat- Central Avenue about 7:26 p.m. Saturday. Mr. Kopelchak moved to Westfield from next thing we know, we saw some com- and they have notified a network of busi- urday fh>m 10 am to 3 pm. The victim, Steven Kopelchak, walked out Roselle only three weeks ago to live in the motion and within minutes the whole street nesses, including body shops, in the area. At Highlights include jewelry, of Palmer Video to return to his new home, same apartment building as his father, just lit up." press time, the medical examiner's report toys, holiday decorations, fur- only a block and a half away on South Av- Steven Kopelchak, who has been a Westfield Mr. Adams said the section of Central Av- enue. Police believe he was crossing the resident for nearly 10 years. He said his son enue outside his store carries a steady flow was not complete. niture, clothing, and a new Steven Kopelchak was born in Monessen, kitchen corner. street when he was struck by a car. Less was very familiar with the area. of traffic at that hour every day. He also said than 50 minutes later he was pronounced His father said Mr. Kopelchak left to go to the store has an average of 100 people com- Pa. A New Jersey resident for 17 years, he dead at Rahway Hospital, only two days Palmer Video to buy a blank tape to record ing in and out between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on worked in a Coca-Cola warehouse in Parsip- Fall rummage after his own mother's death. the World Series. His father was awaiting his any given Saturday night panny. Surviving relatives include his father The Episcopal Church •"We are looking for a dark-colored sedan return so they could watch the game to- Mr. Adams said his store has provided Steven, and his sister Kelly, Women of SL Paul's will hold last seen heading south on Central Avenue," gether. police with all information they have that Mother and son will be buried together in their annual Fall Rummage said Westfield Police Sergeant Cliff Auchter. Michael Adams, manager of Palmer Video, might help the investigation, and that he Pennsylvania tomorrow. Sale at 414 E. Broad St. to- morrow from 9:30 am to 3 pm and Saturday from 9:30 am to 11:30 am. Town puts cash Westfield weavers Celebrate the Year of American Craft at the West- field Weavers 7th annual sale into light to cut tomorrow from 10 am to 5 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm at 715 Dorian Road. For more information call 654-1540. jet plane noise Candidates night By NICOUS A. OAVWIO and new route plans conflictirg with route plans of other northeast- The Westfield Area League THE RECORD of Women Voters will spon- ern airports in Boston and Wash- sor a Candidates Night on The Town of Westfield has ington, D.C. Monday at 7:30 pm at Park agreed to help fund the Union *There is a safety plus to the Middle School, Park Ave, County Air Craft Noise Coalition in new route structure," responded Scotch Plains. The public is its negotiation with the FAA of Mr, Russell, "it takes only a per- invited to meet with and ask newly designed route plan. centage of the routes over the questions of the following With the help of ex-FAA em- ocean, allowing a reconfiguration candidates for the State Leg- ployee Glen Bales, the coalition and de-congestion of the rest." islature: Donald DiFrancesco has designed a new route plan Councilman Norman Greco was and Eli Hoffman for Senate which would redirect air traffic the first to speak in favor of fund- seats; and Alan Augustine, over the ocean in an effort to re- ing the coalition for necessary ne- Richard Bagger, Susan Pep- lieve noise over New Jersey. Mr. gotiations. "We should do what's per, and Carlton Hanson Jr. Bales was part of a team respon- necessary to stop this noise over for Assembly. sible for designing the original New Jersey and over Westfield," plan back in 1987. Councilman Greco said. "I would Story Time Westfield Representative Jerry be wholeheartedly in favor of help- Registration begins Oct 25 Fetter along with Patrick Russell, ing out with any amount of at WebtfieJd Memorial Li- NICOLE GAVtNO/THE RECORD representing counsel for the coali- money." brary for Toddler Time Story Commuters board NJ Transit train at WMtfltld station last waafc. Planned upgrades to the tion, attended Tuesday night's However, the rest of the counciJ Hour on Nov. 1 at 10:30 am. platform-tunnel area will bring facility into line with ADA federal regulations. Westfield Town Council session to agreed on the requested $1,000. 2-years-olds can enjoy finger inform Westfield of the group's "The specific request was for games, picture identification, progress and to request funds. $1,000 and I think that is appropri- songs and very simple sto- "We were able to hire the design- ate," Councilman James Gruba ries. Rail commuters back upgrade ers of the original plan but we still said. need the resources to go ahead," All were in favor and council au- Children's benefit Mr. Russell said. "Our goals are to thorized Town Attorney Charles The 10th Annual Westfield of station to aid handicapped reduce the net noise over New Jer- Brandt to work out the details, Craft Market will hold a ben- sey by re-routine over the ocean with a reminder by Town Adminis- efit for Children's Specialized and also to establish some way to trator John Malloy that the town By NICOLE A. OW1NO van. can only pay for a specific service Hospital on Oct 29 from 5 Westfield Ticket Agent Jeffrey Van Jura watches protect ourselves so this does not pm to 9 pm at the armory. THE RECORD happen again." that would protect the town's inter- commuters boarding and exiting trains every day and est and is not legally able to give The Craft Market is also open Westfield commuters will eagerly welcome upcom- said Westfield doesn't have a largo disabled pop- Mr. Russell referred to New Jer- Oct 30- 31 and Nov. 5-7, Fri- ing renovations to the Westfield Train Station, accord- ulation. However, because the station is currently in- sey as the 'air craft noise capital' the coalition indeterminate funds. days from 5 pm to 9 pm, Sat- ing to an informal poll conducted during Friday's accessible, the disabled population would less likely saying that it has the largest noise The Air Craft Coalition will be urdays and Sundays from 10 morning rush hour by The Record. be seen there, he noted. problem in the country. going to each of 280 municipalities am to 6 pm. In order to comply with the federal Americans With "I think it's necessary," said Meg Hayden, "I've "They re-routed it over New Jer- in the state that have been fighting Disabilities Act, NJ Transit has proposed modifica- often thought about it, and it's very needed. Right sey, knowing that they would in- for a re-routing of air traffic. Dressing up tions which include high level platforms, construction now (the handicapped) know it's not accessible so crease air craft noise over citizens," "We think this is a major break- The Thrill Shop at 1H of a new tunnel with elevators at the east side of the they go to other towns." Mr. Russell added "According to through," Mr. Fetter added, "I be- Elmer Street invites you to station, and the closing of the existing tunnel. "We have to have handicap access, not only for Glen Bales, there are alternatives." lieve this plan would be a major put together a Halloween cos- Commuters generally approved of the proposal. people in wheelchairs but for others who simply have Questions raised by council benefit to Westfield. Westfield the tume for this year's festivi- "I think it's a very good idea," said Andrea Satty. difficulty walking up and down stairs." said Town members included safety issues of first of the municipalities to get the ties. Store hours are from 9 "It's a step in the future," agreed Timothy Dono- (Please turn to page A-2) airlines traveling over the ocean, ball rolling." am to 4 pm Tuesday through Saturday.