Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, July 20, 2006 OUR 116th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 29-2006 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SIXTY CENTS Officer Greg Kasko Suspended; Charged with Lying Under Oath By MEGHAN GILL Kasko faces dismissal from the depart- The department’s action followed Specially Written for The Westfield Leader ment if found guilty of the charges. a May 25 disciplinary hearing con- WESTFIELD — Westfield Police The most recent action stems from ducted by Westfield Police Chief John Officer Gregory Kasko was suspended testimony that Mr. Kasko made on Parizeau. According to Mr. Blake, from duty with pay on July 7 for alleg- May 25, March 22, April 18, and the officer has been suspended for six edly making “false statements of mate- February 28, 2006, all relating to the days, three days on each of the two rial facts to superior officers during an charges he received for failure to back charges. Mr. Neals is reviewing the administrative hearing while under up another patrol car for a motor decision and will release a copy to oath,” according to the notice of sus- vehicle stop while allegedly sleeping The Leader once he has finished pension by the Westfield Police De- in his patrol car at 1:24 a.m. on Janu- studying the document. partment obtained by The Westfield ary 29 as confirmed by John Blake, One of the new charges alleges that Leader from Mr. Kasko’s attorney. Mr. legal advisor to Mr. Kasko. Mr. Kasko provided false statements during the hearing, which was made public at the request of Mr. Kasko. Leader Seeks Docs Alleged The other charges stem from state- ments allegedly made by Mr. Kasko during a police investigation con- By Westfield Police Officer ducted by superior officers. By MEGHAN GILL “whistle blower” policy. The suspension notice was signed Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Mr. Corbin said he was advised a by Acting Police Chief David Horace Corbin for The Westfield Leader WESTFIELD — The Westfield few months ago by attorney John Wayman. Mr. Wayman, a captain with THE POLE STAYS…The landmark barber pole of former Jerry’s Barber Shop on Broad Street in Westfield apparently Leader has sought documents through Blake that he was named as a witness the department, served in the role as has been given a reprieve to stay in the downtown as the Planning Board approved the expansion of Jersey Mike’s at that an OPRA (Open Public Record Act) in the case of Gregory Kasko v. Town prosecutor during the May 25 three- location and the owner agrees to maintain the landmark. request with the Town of Westfield of Westfield. hour hearing. Chief Parizeau, who based on public comments made to Mr. Gildea and Police Chief John ordered the action, was on vacation at publisher Horace Corbin on Thursday Parizeau both told Mr. Corbin that the time the notice of suspension was Board OKs Seneca Subdivision morning, July 13 by Detective James they were not aware of any such docu- issued and was unable to comment. McCullough of the Westfield Police ments. Julien Neals, attorney for Mr. In an e-mail correspondence to The Department at the Robert Treat Deli. Kasko, also told Mr. Corbin that he Leader, Mr. Kasko stated, “I need to According to Mr. Corbin, Detec- was not aware of any such documents. speak with my attorney on Monday Per Judge Barisonek’s Ruling tive McCullough questioned him as The Town of Westfield responded morning before I make any By KIMBERLY A. BROADWELL ruling said that granting the subdivi- smaller houses seemed to fit in better to why The Leader did not print the to The Leader’s OPRA request that, statements…I would be happy to Specially Written for The Westfield Leader sion seemed “particularly reasonable with the current neighborhood that latest suspension notice given to Of- “No such documents exist.” speak with you provided my attorney WESTFIELD – Following a ruling since it was indicated that further the plan of one huge house. ficer Greg Kasko (see story, page 1). “I (and the newspaper) were ac- gives his approval.” The Leader has from State Superior Court Judge development of the street is not fea- Judge Barisonek then gave the ap- Mr. Corbin responded that he was cused of doing something untrue, learned that Mr. Kasko would not be Walter Barisonek in Union County, sible.” He stated that although he did plication back to the planning board, not in the position to publish “rumors covering up a story and filing papers; commenting on the suspension. the Westfield Planning Board unani- not find the board unreasonable in it’s noting that the applicant needed to on the street” regarding the suspen- and (was) bullied by Detective Mr. Kasko, a 16-year veteran with mously voted, last Thursday evening, ruling, he did find that when consid- revise its plans so that the board could sion of Mr. Kasko, but would attempt McCullough,” Mr. Corbin said. “I the police department, has said he is to approve a major subdivision appli- ered against the hardship for the de- make its final decision. to find out official details on the mat- intend to get to the bottom of the innocent of the charges of sleeping on cation submitted by Joseph veloper, the positive criteria is out- During last week’s meeting, Ed- ter through the appropriate channels. references that were made in Robert the job. At a disciplinary hearing he Buontempo that was originally de- weighed and “goes in favor of the ward Dec, the applicant’s engineer, According to Mr. Corbin, Detec- Treat,” he added. said he never received the radio trans- nied last May. plaintiff.” noted that the only new plans were tive McCullough then stated that The “I sent an e-mail to Jim Gildea, mission of the backup call and that he Because of the judge’s ruling, which Judge Barisonek noted that the two the curbing for the new street for the Westfield Leader has been publishing town administrator, Mayor Skibitsky, was conducting radar at the time at came in April, the board granted per- lots are conforming, not needing any two proposed houses. “false stories” on people in the de- and Chief Parizeau,” Mr. Corbin said. Fairview Ceremony and reviewing and mission for Mr. Buontempo to de- variances, only gives the neighbor- Neighbors testified that they did partment, particularly involving De- The e-mail states, among other making notes on summonses he had molish an existing house on 254 Sen- hood one more house, thus not pro- not want curbing. They also asked if tective Sandra Chambers, Officer things, “I also express my dismay written a few days earlier. eca Place constructs two new build- viding a much more vehicular traffic Mr. Buontempo could remove the Greg Kasko and former Police Chief over Mr. McCullough’s public con- In addition, Mr. Kasko is charged ing lots with single-family dwellings. and that the drainage system pro- stockade fence that currently sur- Bernard Tracy. He further is alleged duct, something in my view that is with making a “false entry in a depart- Last May, after four meetings and posed by the applicant was acknowl- rounds the property. to have said that he has read docu- inappropriate for a law enforcement ment report or record specifically by hours of testimony, the board unani- edged by the board’s engineer to be a When asked by board member Matt ments and testimony that Mr. Corbin official of the town,” said Mr. Corbin. falsely reporting in writing to the Chief mously denied the proposed sub-di- “better system than the one currently Nilsen if being a “good neighbor,” if has been supplying regarding pend- Two witnesses to the conversation of Police that your (his) employee vision. Many Seneca and Coleman in place.” He also noted that the appli- Mr. Buontempo could take down the ing litigation to be filed by Mr. Kasko between Mr. Corbin and Mr. rights were violated by refusal to be Place residents were present at all cant had proposed a buffer zone with stockade fence and put up some shrub- against The Town of Westfield, which McCullough later acknowledged the provided with PBA (Police Benevo- four meetings that were held in No- fencing vegetation. bery, the developer answered “when alleges that Mr. McCullough had per- altercation took place but did not want lent Association) representation.” vember and December 2004, and The judge also stated that from construction is finished.” formed “illegal background checks” to provide their names for comment. Officer Kasko is represented by April and May of 2005. reading the transcripts of Mr. As conditions per the board’s ap- that took place in 2004 on behalf of Police Chief Parizeau told The Secaucus attorney Julien Neals, a As a result of Mr. Buontempo’s Buoentempo’s application, he noted proval, the subdivision will have a former Police Chief Bernard Tracy. Leader that Detective McCullough partner of the law firm Chasen, appeal stating that the board’s deci- the applicant had testified that from 40-foot right of way with four-foot Officer Kasko filed a lawsuit against was unable to make a statement to the Layner, and Lemparello. sion was “arbitrary, capricious and the renderings proposed, the two CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 the town, Town Administrator Jim press regarding this matter. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 unreasonable,” Judge Barisonek’s Gildea and former Police Chief Ber- “Why are detectives accosting wit- nard Tracy last year on allegations nesses regarding this lawsuit? It is Scotch Plains Is the Locale that he was harassed and retaliated certainly a reprehensible act,” said against after he reported information John Blake, legal advisor for Gregory to town officials per the town’s Kasko.