Page 4 Thursday, February 11, 1999 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield Leader THE TIMES POPCORN™ of Scotch Plains – Fanwood — Established 1890 — — Established 1959— She’s All That: The Official Newspaper of the Town of Westfield Official Newspaper of the Borough of Fanwood and the County of Union and the Township of Scotch Plains Andy Hardy Gets Jiggy With It Member of: Member of: By Michael S. Goldberger New Jersey Press Association New Jersey Press Association National Newspaper Association National Newspaper Association One Popcorn, Poor • Two Popcorns, Fair • Three Popcorns, Good • Four Popcorns, Excellent BURLESQUE Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce Scotch Plains Business & Professional Association 2 popcorns whistle that only Fido and Fluffy can Prepare yourself for the bare facts Periodicals – Postage Paid at Westfield, New Jersey Periodicals – Postage Paid at Scotch Plains, New Jersey on “burlesque,” a word with an ety- P.O. Box 250 • 50 Elm Street P. O. Box 368 • 1906 Bartle Avenue Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the hear. Variation on a theme though She’s geekiest high school girl of them all? mological rating that ranges from Westfield, N.J. 07091 All That may be, it’s THEIR variation on Scotch Plains, N.J. 07076 Though hippie throwback Laney Boggs a theme, their identifying harbinger of “GP” to “X” and beyond, depending Tele: (908) 232-4407 • E-mail: [email protected] • Web: www.goleader.com • Fax: (908) 232-0473 (Rachael Leigh Cook), the only bohe- youth. Respect must be paid. on which of its several meanings you POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the offices of the newspapers at mian residing in tres upscale Pacific Making this motion picture pilgrim- elect to infer. Palisades, California, doesn’t ask that age with my 13-year-old daughter, Erin, P. O. Box 250, Westfield, New Jersey 07091 The French borrowed “burlesque” question in She’s All That, she’ll be the I naturally want to come across non- from the Italian word, “burlesco,” PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY BY WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. first to tell you it is she. judgmental and hip (...or is it hep this go- which in turn was derived from their The nonconformist takes pride in her round?). So I try not to wince when the word, “burla,” for “jest, joke or mock- Horace R. Corbin Paul J. Peyton nerdism. So it’s easy to understand why handful of sexual innuendoes begin fly- this artistic ragamuffin is extra-suspi- ing. Gosh, wasn’t it just yesterday we ery.” PUBLISHER Gail S. Corbin MANAGING EDITOR One form of “burlesque” is “a GENERAL MANAGER cious when Zack Siler (Freddie Prinze, reviewed The Little Mermaid? Suzette F. Stalker David B. Corbin Jr.), the wealthy burg’s No. 1 chick mag- I furtively glance at Erin to judge her vaudeville-like show characterized ASSISTANT EDITOR Michelle H. LePoidevin SPORTS net, comes a courtin’ in this typical reaction to one scene. Is that lipstick by wild comedy, dancing, and nu- Joanna B. Marsh REPORTER Karen M. Hinds teenploitation rehash directed by Robert she’s wearing? But I count my blessings. dity.” MARKETING DIRECTOR OFFICE MANAGER Iscove. No nose ring or rebellious tattoo that says This form of entertainment, which Nonplused by the Adonis’s sudden “Vic.” At least not yet. But hey, whose SUBSCRIPTION PRICE was also known as “burleycue” or attentions, she asks, “Is this some kind of rite of passage movie experience is this “burly,” has now almost completely One-year subscription in county – $20 • Out-of-county – $24 • One-year college (September to May) – $16 dork outreach program? supposed to be anyway? The self-imposed wallflower is per- Bottom line: how entertaining She’s disappeared in the United States. A fectly right in mistrusting the straight-A All That is will depend on your perspec- lesser known legitimate meaning of student and standout athlete. There is an tive, more or less. the word “burlesque” is “a treatment Ticketing of Westfield Jaywalkers of a serious dramatic or literary work ulterior motive, and Laney’s the goat. * * * * * What we other teenagers know and she She’s All That, rated PG-13, is a that makes it appear ridiculous.” Is a Symptom of Other Problems doesn’t is that Zack has just been given Miramax Films release directed by Rob- Finally, “burlesque” can mean “a the gate by Taylor Vaughn (Jodi Lynn ert Iscove and stars Freddie Prinze, Jr., ludicrous or mocking imitation,” a O’Keefe), his vampish female counter- First there was Operation Desert Storm. Then, there the piper for such petty acts as not using a crosswalk, Rachael Leigh Cook, and Matthew favorite device used by comedians – part. Lillard. Running time: 87 minutes. and “that’s a laugh.” was Operation Desert Shield. Now, cut to 1999 — putting change in the meter over the two-hour limit, or, It seems the ultra-obnoxious Miss Operation Jaywalker is underway. on occasion, feeding geese at Mindowaskin Park. And Popular and prom queen shoe-in is now keeping company with the equally nar- GUEST COLUMN Oh yes, the battle has begun on how to lessen the the Westfield Police Department should not be un- cissistic Brock Hudson (Matthew risks to pedestrians in Westfield following the death of fairly pushed into a corner by reactionary officials. Lillard), a humorously clueless would- be actor who regularly appears in a sa- Local School Board Membership: a woman just weeks ago in a crosswalk. With BRAKES This portrays an untrue and morose image. tirically pseudo version of the MTV show, (Bikers, Runners and Kids are Entitled to Safety) An image, we might add, that the Downtown “Real World.” Leaders Needed For New Millennium pushing for enforcement of speeding laws and stop- Westfield Corporation (DWC) believes is so impor- Per the unwritten rule of love which applies only to teen-agers and soap opera ping motorists who move through crosswalks with tant they are buying a full page paid advertisement in characters, for every action that hurts, Editor’s Note: The following is an the budget, negotiates employee con- people still in them, the town leaders have evidently an upcoming issue of New Jersey Monthly, at a cost of there must be an opposite and equally informative column regarding school tracts, approves the hiring of teachers, roused the police to ticket everything that moves or $2,500, just to promote the town state-wide. In fact, a hurting reaction. Thus, in an uncharac- board membership from the President of administrators and other staff, and sets teristic bit of bravado meant to save face, the New Jersey School Boards Associa- policies on curriculum and facilities. crawls. third of the DWC’s 1999 spending plan of $281,320, good guy Zack bets his friend Dean (Paul tion. Whatever issue the board is considering, A warning to geese: the next time you leave a nearly $100,000, is being budgeted just for promo- Walker as the obligatory, blond-haired By CHARLES V. REILLY the individual board member should keep dropping, you too could be fined. Just ask a jaywalker. tional efforts. snake-in-the-grass) that, solely via his Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times in mind the goal of maintaining the high- And you meter feeders, don’t think you are off the We admit, though, that the police did open our eyes popularity, he can turn any girl into a A recent CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll est quality of education possible. prom queen. asked Americans what they believe is What are the requirements to be a hook. And if your lawn is not cut, watch out for the to the jaywalking law. The current statute dates back In a plot that doesn’t much stand on the nation’s top priority. The number one board member? Maintenance Code. THEY are coming for you next. to 1951. That law states that pedestrians must cross at ceremony, that’s just when Laney hap- issue – cited more often than healthcare Candidates must be able to read and This may seem as though we are poking fun at the the walkways. It also states that when a pedestrian is pens to walk by, frumpish and rumpled or Social Security – was education. write English; they must have lived in the as they come — the perfect challenge to It’s an exciting time for education in school district for at least a year; they ticketing frenzy that is going on in Westfield. But, the halfway across the street and the light changes, traffic Zack’s Pygmalion-minded boast. Agreed; New Jersey. Whether it’s a program may not have an interest in, contract with bottom line is “Westworld” is developing a reputation must stop and let the individual proceed. she’ll be the unwitting sow’s ear. proposed in Trenton or legislation sub- or legal claim against the local school of being an unfriendly community. It’s never been that The basic threat to quality of life in Westfield, as is Problem is, in order to foster this mitted in Washington, D.C., Garden State board; and they must be registered to Cinderella tale, the age-old stereotype residents can expect to see new ideas, vote. way before, and it should not be that way now. In our the situation in many other New Jersey towns, in- calls for a hopelessly ugly duckling to new construction, new curriculum – and There are also some key intangibles. view, with the direction in which things appear to be volves too many cars, too much traffic and too many shed her eyeglasses and then wow us simply a stronger focus on education. It’s a lot of work, and there’s no question headed, and with other plans on the books, matters will callous drivers. And if there is a downtown parking with her suddenly uncommon pulchri- But, the most critical part of the edu- that it’s a difficult job. You should have tude. cational process occurs right in your a thick skin and, at the same time, be a get worse. deck to double the shopper traffic, then what? And if But Miss Cook, a cast member on hometown, during local school board good listener. You need to be able to hear We believe downtown Westfield should be an enjoy- the roads are widened to include traffic signalization TV’s “Dawson Creek,” is winsomely meetings. New Jersey citizens can make what other people have to say, even able place to be. A comfortable and safe place for at the intersections of Central and Mountain Avenues appealing right from the get-go, albeit a difference by considering membership though their views might differ from not yet the silk purse she morphs into on their local boards of education. yours, and you have to be able to explain people to linger, to entertain, to shop or to dine. It’s not and East Broad Street, how many more cars will speed after a makeover by Zack’s world-weary March 1 is this year’s deadline for why you’ve taken a certain position. a race to see how high property values, rents, profits through the downtown from the Garden State Park- younger sister, played by a very candidates to file nominating petitions School board membership is based on and taxes can be driven. It’s not a contest to see who way in Clark to Route 22? What will be the collateral underutilized Anna Paquin (Academy for local school board elections, which lay control. Therefore, you do not have to Award winner for The Piano.) will take place on Tuesday, April 20. be an education expert to serve. School gets the most national retailers. Or is it? We believe it’s damage of all this? Are we killing ourselves with Once the scenario is in place, She’s All Statewide, there will be an estimated board members, however, bring differ- a question of “quality of life” and human decency. friendly fire? That runs on automatic pilot, jauntily 1,500 local school board positions on the ent areas of know-how to the table – Sure, a jaywalker should be ticketed if he runs What’s lacking in Westfield is an acknowledged purveying the required smattering of ballot in these non-partisan elections. drawn from parenting, employment, com- buzzwords, fashion statements, and In New Jersey, school board members munity involvement or other personal across North Avenue as a menace and causes a near vision statement for the downtown; though there ethos-affirming antics. Fact is, the for- are not paid. Any local school board experience. It could be technological, traffic collision by motorists trying to avoid him. seems to be many agendas. This vision statement mula for teen-based movies has hardly member will tell you it’s tough work and agricultural, legal or simply the ability to Absolutely, ticket a motorist that flies through an should come from the town officials, including the changed since Hollywood first isolated time consuming – but the rewards can be get different interests to cooperate to- this group between childhood and adult- enormous. ward a particular goal. intersection with a person attempting to get across the Mayor, the Town Council and the Downtown Westfield hood and then invented a genre to enter- Here are answers to some frequently street. But don’t line up commuters underneath the Corporation. We want you to see this vision statement, tain them. asked questions about school board mem- Should I seek a seat on my local Voila, Andy Hardy, perennially con- bership: school board? train station overpass to issue tickets. Don’t ticket and we want you to examine it. Does it make common founded by Polly, forever in search of If qualities I’ve described sound like citizens downtown for crossing streets in a manner sense? Does it pass the smell test? Do you care? If so, status, and endlessly tortured by the chal- Why me? Why should I serve on a they belong to you, I hope your answer is that has been the norm for years. It does more to do all the projects on the books fit? lenge of living up to his judge-Dad’s school board? yes. If you decide to seek a seat on your shining example. Zack is ostensibly Andy If you’re genuinely interested in edu- local school board, the New Jersey School tarnish the image of the town, in our view, than it does In the meantime, we believe discretion is the order of Hardy with an earring and a yellow Land cation and care about the children of your Board Association (NJSBA) invites you in educating the public to the dangers of not using the the day until the town gets its act together with a vision Rover. community, I urge you to seriously con- to attend one of the three regional confer- crosswalk. The same can be said about parents who for the community. If there’s a situation that arises An unabashedly simple plot telegraphs sider serving on your local school board. ences designed to provide critical infor- its twists at every turn. And poor produc- Providing the opportunity for our chil- mation to candidates. are now being issued summonses for double parking requiring action, hand out a flyer explaining the dren to develop the best of their abilities tion standards preclude the kind of gloss Where can I get more information? to pick up their kids from school. importance of the matter with a request for coopera- that might have given the somewhat is vital to our economy and to our future as a nation. A school board plays a criti- The NJSBA has developed a “School Westfield should not be known for citizens paying tion. Offer assistance. It costs nothing to be nice. thoughtful romp a better look and sound. Board Candidate Kit.” A free copy can be Still, occasional character interactions cal role in a community’s efforts to pro- vide its children with that opportunity. obtained from your local school board of Deadlines do make for some humorous situations, education secretary or by calling NJSBA General News - Friday 4pm and while director Iscove never quite What does a school board do? at (609) 278-5202. Letters to the Editor Weekend Sports - Monday 12pm captures the sort of sensitivity his dra- The local board of education sets poli- Classifieds - Tuesday 2pm matic sequences would like to claim, cies under which the school district oper- Meeting Dates: there’s no denying that a modicum of ates. These policies guide the school Thursday, March 18, at 6:30 p.m., How To Reach Us genuine emotion is sporadically achieved. administration in managing the educa- Montville Twp. High School, 100 Ticketing of Jaywalkers Regarded E-Mail - [email protected] Zack’s agonizing inability to pick a tional program. The board also adopts Horseneck Road, Montville, (877) 294- Phone - (908) 232-4407 college is a credible coming- of-age- 6416. Sponsored by the school boards of As Punishment From Public Servants Mail-PO Box 250, Westfield 07091 quandary; likewise, Laney’s hermetic Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren counties. PO Box 368, Scotch Plains 07076 existence since her mother’s death from Editor’s Note: This letter was also 3) Better yet, why not finally find a cancer can’t help but garner our empa- Letters to the Editor Thursday, March 18, at 7 p.m., East sent to Westfield Mayor Thomas C. long-term solution to a problem that will In Person - 50 Elm St., Westfield Brunswick High School, 380 Cranbury 1906 Bartle Avenue, Scotch Plains thy. Otherwise, She’s All That is basi- Jardim, Chief of Police Anthony Scutti, increasingly get further out of control cally a re-tread. Road, East Brunswick, (877) 294-6418. Third Ward Councilman and Public commuter parking. This has been per- Submittal Formats But be warned, ye who would nega- Houligan’s Island Sponsored by the school boards of Safety Committee Chairman Neil petually discussed since I’ve lived here; tively criticize this film, especially if you Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Sullivan, and Third Ward Councilman who will finally take some action and Photos - B/W and Color Praised By Resident Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset, and Union No Panoramic or Polaroid have a teenager living on the premises. John J. Walsh. responsibility and do something? More You may be trespassing on hallowed Westfield is a special place to live counties. traffic realistic crosswalks that reflect Typed, not handwritten Thursday, March 18, at 7 p.m., * * * * * Upper and lower case ground. Granted, there’s something here for so many reasons. This weekend’s actual pedestrian traffic patterns (no se- that doesn’t transfer readily to adults, Williamstown High School, 700 North I am shocked, totally flabbergasted Need name & daytime phone Washington School Parent-Teacher and very angry at the steps taken by the cret: the shortest distance from point A to especially fuddy-duddy dads who write Tuckahoe Road, Monroe Township, B. That’s the route I along with every For our complete editorial policies film criticism. Organization program was another Gloucester County, (877) 294-6417. local public servants of the Town of fine example of families working Westfield due to the traffic related death other jaywalker needs to take). And en- request a copy of our Policy Guide It’s a teen culture phenomenon which Sponsored by the school boards of Atlan- of some non-commuter pedestrian re- forced automobile traffic speeds through can be likened to the high-pitched dog and playing together. The produc- tic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, cently. town are possible short-term solutions. tion from casting to dancing, the Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem To punish and subject commuters to In case you’ve forgotten, let me re- Resident Urges Mayor and Council band and the chorus — truly a won- counties. jaywalking tickets is the most absurd, mind you why most of us moved to derful performance. Participants will receive information childish and ineffective policy I have Westfield, it’s only three station stops To Preserve, Honor Brightwood Park I’ve attended the shows for so many on topics such as policy-making, school seen in the 11 years I have lived in from Newark and it has great public years. Wonderful, thank you. administration, school finance and bud- Westfield! schools; and to be protected from silly geting, school-community relations, col- jaywalking type ordinances which were The Recreation Commission’s pro- so. I urge the mayor and council to pre- George Rogers lective bargaining, and relations among Jaywalking tickets for commuters is posal, as described in the February 4 serve this natural setting for present and how my public servants react to an unfor- also absurdly enforced for a short period Scotch Plains the board, superintendent and staff. of time in New York City as well (to no issue of The Westfield Leader, to develop future generations of Westfielders. tunate occurrence? As this ineffective Noel Taylor Park (previously Brightwood I also suggest they seek the services of crisis management policy is reflective of avail I might add). Commuters and a solution to com- Park) causes great concern. qualified naturalists to enlighten our your management style, I will be sure to It is proposed to irreversibly damage people, especially our children, about the reflect my indignation and dissatisfac- muter parking had better be the priority of any future public servants. Those re- our town’s last truly natural setting in treasure we have here. Isn’t this a proper tion at my next opportunity at the polls. order to relieve a temporary shortage of role for and duty of our Recreation Com- Several other management decisions cent upscale stores are only there now due to the high-income commuters. Nice playing fields while playing field con- mission? you could have suggested might have struction in other town parks is underway. been: stores downtown are great, but they would Robert P. Wederich not be there without commuters. These The Recreation Commissioner argues Westfield 1) Have the police first give out or post that the town can no longer afford to have some sign — a warning (other than one upscale stores could not afford to be in town without commuters. a large parcel of land “underutilized.” time) that tickets will be issued, public While he may be correct in saying that it safety is finally going to be enforced, etc. New residents are moving in even Library Defends Policy after being told there is a three-year is presently underutilized, this need not How could I have missed those Star and should not be so. On Evaluating Books Ledger and Westfield Leader notices? I waiting list for a train station parking spot! You guys should be able to it figure Proper utilization of this site need not don’t know, but I along with the other and should not be playing fields and The Westfield Memorial Library ticketed jaywalkers certainly did, and it this out. They are not moving to Westfield would like to clarify the issue of material because of a new store or two downtown. parking lots. wasn’t because we weren’t commuting. A former head of the science depart- donation as it was addressed in a letter in The actual experience getting this Again, look at your waiting list, they this column on January 28. want commuter parking spots! ment at Westfield High School, Noel ticket was like some surreal scene, al- Taylor, fought valiantly years ago to pre- Any donated books, tapes, etc. be- most laughable had it not been so utterly Again, you can be sure that my shock come the property of the library and may and disappointment in my public ser- serve this land as a refuge for rare and pathetic to see Westfield policemen only endangered plant and animal species — or may not be added to the collection. “following orders” that are so utterly vants will be reflected in my vote at the A librarian evaluates the material us- next opportunity. I may be reached late and as a delight for the townspeople of useless, hypocritical and a waste of Westfield. ing the same criteria that are applied to everyone’s time and money. evenings at home as I commute home all acquisitions. Is it suitable to the com- from New York City nightly. When Mr. Taylor was alive he was 2) Post policemen to assist commuters forever guiding and instructing groups of munity? Does it meet our standards for across streets during rush hours as other Janis Arnold children and young people to experience quality? Is the format appropriate? and towns do, i.e., Ridgewood. Police assist Westfield the joy of this natural setting. He taught so on. jaywalkers every Saturday and Sunday them the importance of preserving it. If so, it becomes a permanent part of going to temple and church. Why dis- Many of our townspeople will recall our collection. If not, it is added to our criminate and punish just commuters? that Mr. Taylor was also the driving book sale shelf. We are only a larger part of the jay- force behind creation of Westfield’s pio- On hearing this policy, the book refer- walking criminals, but no more guilty More Letters neering ecology center on Lamberts Mill enced in the January 28 letter was with- that the rest the offenders throughout the Road. drawn from consideration by the author. town all day long as every one knows. I don’t know whether our schools are Harrison T. Watson People from the local businesses are On Page 5 today continuing to use this valuable President, permitted to jaywalk just not the train resource as a site for nature study, learn- Westfield Memorial Library station and the commuters. ing and pure pleasure. I very much hope Board of Trustees CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK