Page 4 Thursday, March 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— Analyze This: 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 Prognosis -- Laughter Member of: Member of: By Michael S. Goldberger New Jersey Press Association New Jersey Press Association AGONY National Newspaper Association National Newspaper Association One Popcorn, Poor • Two Popcorns, Fair • Three Popcorns, Good • Four Popcorns, Excellent The introduction to the “Wide Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce Scotch Plains Business & Professional Association World of Sports,” a popular televi- Periodicals – Postage Paid at Westfield, New Jersey Periodicals – Postage Paid at Scotch Plains, New Jersey 3 popcorns swan dive into the smorgasbord. sion sports variety show, contains Here the movie gets too rambunctious P.O. Box 250 • 50 Elm Street P. O. Box 368 • 1906 Bartle Avenue Analyze This makes audiences an of- this phrase: “the thrill of victory for its own good. Crystal and De Niro and the agony of defeat.” Accord- Westfield, N.J. 07091 Scotch Plains, N.J. 07076 fer they can’t refuse. Writer-director momentarily lose sight of their emerging Tele: (908) 232-4407 • E-mail: [email protected] • Web: www.goleader.com • Fax: (908) 232-0473 Harold Ramis’ highly congenial Mafia sympatico, the slapstick is wan, and the ing to ancient Greeks, as well as spoof provides viewers with laughter, underutilized Miss Kudrow as the bride most modern athletes, there is POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the offices of the newspapers at and lots of it. All moviegoers have to do continually left at the altar adds nothing agony in victory, too. P. O. Box 250, Westfield, New Jersey 07091 in return is overlook the film’s flaws. It’s new to the stereotype. Happily, once the “Agon” is the Greek word for “a not hard to do. action swings back to New York, matters contest or assembly of people watch- PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY BY WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. Proposing that a major New York don tighten up again. (Robert De Niro) might seek out a psy- ing games.” The Latin word Horace R. Corbin Gail S. Corbin Paul J. Peyton De Niro and Crystal’s juxtaposed per- “agonia” became associated with chiatrist (Billy Crystal) to ease his anxi- sonalities prove funny for the same rea- PUBLISHER GENERAL MANAGER MANAGING EDITOR eties as a watershed meeting of all the “the contest for victory,” itself. son that we find amusing those paintings In the English version of “agony,” Suzette F. Stalker David B. Corbin crime family bosses approaches, Mr. of dogs playing poker. Both scenarios are ASSISTANT EDITOR Michelle H. LePoidevin SPORTS Ramis manages to make Analyze This absolutely preposterous. The thought that the original sense of the contest is REPORTER funnier than it has any right to be. While a cold- blooded mobster might want to transferred to the pain experienced Joanna B. Marsh Karen M. Hinds possessing neither the comedy magic of MARKETING DIRECTOR OFFICE MANAGER abandon his innately antisocial ways to by the participants in a contest; his classic Caddyshack nor the inven- find his inner Barney the Purple Dino- pain that is readily observed on the SUBSCRIPTION PRICE tiveness of his Groundhog Day, this saur is a soul-pleasing fantasy of the faces of runners at the finish line. One-year subscription in county – $20 • Out-of-county – $24 • One-year college (September to May) – $16 latest effort is a shrewdly constructed highest order. assault on the funny bone just the same. “Agony” currently means “a very If the lowest element of our society can great mental or physical pain” and Astutely employing Robert De Niro attain grace, who knows what else is and Billy Crystal in the principal roles, is synonymous with distress. possible. In the meantime, moviegoers In many athletic contests, Residents Using Public Hearing Format the filmmaker combines the companion- sorely in need of some laugh therapy are able cast with his exemplary comic-tim- advised to see Analyze This and let the “agony” goes with the territory, ing skills and a good-hearted script (co- healing begin. regardless of whether you are a To Object to Development Proposals written with Peter Tolan and Kenneth winner or loser. The victors also Lonergan). * * * * * enjoy the exhilaration that comes You can never beat City Hall, so the saying goes. In the meantime, officials have proposed that grant Ten main jokes score sure-fire guf- Analyze This, rated R, is a Warner with victory, while the losers are faws; about 15 supportive gags garner Bros. release directed by Harold Ramis Well, don’t tell that to the residents in our communi- money from the state’s Clean Communities fund be medium-range cackles; and 20 lesser and stars Robert De Niro, Billy Crystal left with the emptiness and disap- ties who are facing proposed development plans in used to pay for a cleanup of the park. In addition, giggle- getters keep things bubbling. The and Lisa Kudrow. Running time: 103 pointment of defeat. their neighborhoods. groups and individuals are being sought to adopt the result is a requisite three laughs a minute, minutes. propelling the conventional farce to of- By reading our editorial page this week, as well as park, similar to the Adopt-the-Highway program. ten hilarious heights. SCOTCH PLAINS-FANWOOD GIRL SCOUTS in the past couple of issues, you will notice the When residents are opposed to a specific project, it So what if it’s predictable. Who cares concerns of Scotch Plains residents regarding the is important that they voice their concerns on the if the likable characters are no thicker Local Cadette Scouts Inspired than cardboard? When was the last time proposed Magnolia Gardens nursing facility. On top record at public hearings. If there are no objectors to you saw a movie that actually didn’t give By Fifteen Career Women of that, Fanwood residents are upset over a plan to a specific project, our elected officials will feel more you enough time to stop laughing be- build an apartment complex on the former Dean Oil compelled to approve it. tween jokes? See it with a full audience By Barbara Cronenberger-Meyer and you’re bound to miss some lines. site. Case in point: Village Supermarkets’ (ShopRite) Fifteen women gathered on a recent and the community, and with chances to De Niro, capitalizing on his Mafioso Wednesday evening to speak to dozens advance in her career. Meanwhile, Westfielders have been raising a stink application for a store on the Westfield Lumber and emeritus status, effortlessly balances the of Cadette Girl Scouts about their chosen Fanwood Mayor Maryanne S. Connelly over a plan to develop a small section of Brightwood Home Center property on North Avenue. The role of mobster Paul Vitti on his pinky careers. described how she was drawn into politi- finger. At one moment terribly danger- Park, a natural habitat, for a multi-purpose ballfield. Westfield Planning Board rejected the plan, while Representing both traditional and non- cal office, citing the examples of women ous, and then suddenly, uncharacteristi- traditional careers for women, all stressed like Patricia Kuran who inspired her We have been receiving letters and telephone calls Garwood’s board approved it. That case is pending in cally, vulnerable and humane, De Niro’s that determination, belief in one’s self dedication. on all three proposals, especially regarding the ones State Superior Court in Elizabeth. new age godfather is glibly conceived, and one’s choice, will go far in helping Julie Buckley of Fanwood reflected on his tongue properly poised in cheek. in Scotch Plains and Fanwood, not to mention the Opposition to the apartment plan centers on the today’s young women attain their chosen her choice to work in pharmaceutical When one of his lieutenants suggests careers. research, and pointed out the progress in number of residents who showed up at their respec- proposed density of the project. The original pro- that they must change with the times, the The women, mostly from local Union flexible schedules that enable working tive municipal buildings to oppose the plans. posal was for 36 units. That proposal, though, is now gangster sarcastically asks, “You think I County communities, gathered at Terrill mothers to be more effective for the should get a web site?” But alas, the thug In fact, due to a packed Borough Council Cham- being scaled back to 24 units. While the developers Middle School in late January, to assist family and the employer. is troubled of late by things that never Cadette Troops No. 1 and No. 751 in the Elaine Pratt, also of Fanwood, de- bers at the Fanwood Planning Board meeting on have said that public opposition was not a factor in fazed him before. And it’s not easy run- career-exploration activities for the scribed how she built on enjoying school February 24, the apartment application had to be their decision, residents have, nevertheless, made a ning a crime empire when you’re subject Dreams-to-Reality project. subjects to enter her pharmaceutical ca- to unexplainable fits of uncontrolled postponed to Thursday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m. in the strong statement about what they believe is inappro- Writer Loretta Bolger Wish of reer, and how she built on her learning in weeping. Somerset congratulated the Scouts on each subsequent role. Park Middle School auditorium on Park Avenue in priate development of the property. This situation has Vitti’s top hench- their note-taking, recognizing this as a Scotch Plains’ Kathy Quoi shared her Scotch Plains. Township residents are opposing the assisted living man, Jelly, understandably concerned. It familiar step in her writing process — thrill of scientific discovery in the labo- won’t bode well for the family if the rival Meanwhile, The Scotch Plains Board of Adjust- facility on the grounds that it does not belong in a adapted to many different jobs. ratory, and detailed her job’s impact on bosses sense this new fear. Plainfield’s Judy Mc Loughlin spoke her daughters. ment began to hear the Magnolia Gardens case on residential neighborhood. Particularly interested in this poten- of her diverse jobs providing her with a Connie Sensor of Scotch Plains March 4 — a meeting which lasted five hours. That Public hearings are a legal opportunity for resi- tial Achilles heel would be covetous broad foundation for the challenging ca- sketched the growing opportunities for Primo Sindone (Chazz Palminteri), the case will continue this Monday, March 15. dents to comment on how they believe a particular reers of commercial real estate, full-time young women entering nursing careers, other New York boss. Only Vitti stands parenting, and “active citizen.” rewarding in many unexpected ways. As far as Brightwood goes, the Town Council and case might impact a neighborhood — negatively or in his way to Big Apple domination. Synnove Reilly of Elizabeth stressed Geri Milano of Edison described her Recreation Commission are awaiting the findings of positively. Wonderfully rendered by Paul Viterelli the demands of time and energy required journey as a production engineer, con- in the film’s best supporting performance, a wetlands study at the park, specifically, the pan- We will keep an eye on all three cases and report the for a satisfying acting career. Mindy sultant, and professor at NJIT, and how Jelly is a self-admitted moron with a face Koprowski from Scotch Plains outlined she is adapting her administrator’s sched- handle section where the field would be constructed. facts as they develop. like a pock- marked bulldog, as loyal as the flexibility she has found in working ule to her growing family’s activities. he is Runyonesque. And remembering Deadlines for a government agency such as the IRS, Each panel member spoke briefly, then that he recently ran into a shrink, liter- permitting her time to spend with her mingled with the Scouts to answer ques- General News - Friday 4pm ally, during a fender bender that humor- children and to complete law school. tions. Weekend Sports - Monday 12pm ously exposed the mobster’s “Goodfellas- Fanwood’s Patrice Simms pointed Girl Scouting recognizes the impor- Letters to the Editor Classifieds - Tuesday 2pm like” cargo when the trunk popped open, out the drive a mortgage banker needs tance of positive role models in careers the sidekick apprises his boss of the How To Reach Us to succeed each day and detailed her — paid and unpaid — that reflect the meeting. “He even had a business card,” diverse careers as life presented new diversity of all girls’ talents and inter- Brightwood Park History Is Valuable; E-Mail - [email protected] an impressed Jelly notes, a sure sign of opportunities. She enlightened the ests, particularly at impressionable Phone - (908) 232-4407 the doctor’s professional ability. girls about “commission-only” pay middle-school ages. Residents Must Strive To Preserve It Mail-PO Box 250, Westfield 07091 Enters Dr. Ben Sobel, up until this careers. The time donated by these local women PO Box 368, Scotch Plains 07076 moment a “family” psychiatrist catering Carolyn Sorge of Scotch Plains spoke on a busy week night could well influ- Brightwood Park in Westfield - and oped land and started to fill up with In Person - 50 Elm St., Westfield almost exclusively to bored housewives of the rewards of helping people in life- ence these young women to become suc- the Scotch Plains Country Club beyond it shacks, turned into dilapidated housing. 1906 Bartle Avenue, Scotch Plains and the generally mundane of and-death crises through her volunteer cessful women with careers and fami- on Jerusalem Road - are all we have left These were bought up as bits and pieces Westchester County. Actually, more cor- work as a firefighter and as a rescue lies, and not to be afraid of a true chal- of the “Big Woods” which throughout by a public-spirited citizen and re-con- Submittal Formats rectly, enters Boss Vitti, unannounced, squad member — beyond her daytime lenge. the 19th century filled most of the area solidated into a park, for the benefit of Photos - B/W and Color barging into the good doctor’s office and career. * * * * * northwest of the village streets. future generations. No Panoramic or Polaroid demanding professional services. Beverly Peel described a challenging This column, from the ScotchPlains- This shows as the largest single block The story of this success is well docu- Typed, not handwritten Of course, Dr. Sobel refuses to treat career as a Scotch Plains police officer. Fanwood Girl Scouts, appears monthly of forest land left in 1862 in all of mented in a book of pictures on file in the Upper and lower case the hood. Naturally, Mr. Vitti insists The long beginner’s hours balance out in The Westfield Leader and The Times Westfield, in the detailed survey map we archives of the Westfield Historical So- Need name & daytime phone otherwise. So much for that argument. with opportunities to impact individuals of Scotch Plains-Fanwood. have on exhibit in the Municipal ciety. “So, what’s my goal here?” asks the Building’s Community Room. Brightwood, like any park in town, is For our complete editorial policies frustrated psychiatrist. “To make you a Most of this area was part of the inher- held in trust for us by the Town Council, request a copy of our Policy Guide happy, well-adjusted gangster?” itance of William Miller, our fast settler and only at their discretion. There’s al- The wacky relationship established, in 1727. His property extended in a di- ways a tug between parks and newer uses Residents Advised opposite worlds clash and the dance be- Letters to the Editor agonal strip due west from the Miller- for land and if we want to keep fine parks gins. Cultures are exchanged. In time, Cory farm on West Fields Lot No. 55 we’d better say so. About Possible Scams the crime boss begins to spout psycho- Proposed Assisted Living Facility through Lots Nos. 54 and 59 to Lot 62, Homer J. Hall babble (his enemies grow uneasy when now in Scotch Plains. Lot No. 62 was the Former Westfield Town Historian By Chimney Sweeps he talks about “closure”) and buttoned- ancestral property, assigned to his grand- New Hampshire down Ben gets to chum it up with the Would Be Unnecessary; Monstrosity father as one of the Associates of 1699 I hope to alert our area residents of a gumbahs. under rights he acquired in 1665. possible telephone scam, which I suspect During the course of therapy, the doc On March 4, the Scotch Plains Board to 150 people (my unofficial count) in If anyone cares, there isn’t anything is occurring. Yesterday, mid- afternoon, tells Paul about Freud’s take on the of Adjustment heard the continuation of attendance, the vast majority of this around more ancient and honorable than More Letters my son received a phone call from a Oedipal tale. “Those Greeks,” mutters an application to build a 90- bed, 58,000- crowd, if not all the people, judging this tie to our original forest lands. company identifying itself as a chimney the wise guy. “I can’t even call my mother square foot facility on Martine Avenue from the reaction to the testimony, were The fact that it carried over to present sweep. The call was supposedly made to on the phone since you told me that.” opposite the intersection of Martine with very much against this application. days is no accident. Earlier in the 20th On Page 5 confirm an appointment already made. Mr. Crystal, approaching the role from East Broad. An “expert” on gerontology testified century it became neglected as undevel- My son informed the caller that he was not a comedian’s vantage point, provides a There was an overflow crowd of close that there was a need for more such the owner of the home so a follow-up call nice match to De Niro’s satirically cant. facilities throughout the state and that would be necessary. Meanwhile, Dr. Sobel has his own Jennifer Ryan’s Family there was a severe shortage of beds in Westfield Should Develop Program At 5:20 p.m., a man identifying himself problems. He is scheduled to wed for a this category. Nothing could be further from a company called Advance, insisted second time. But it seems that his big- Thankful For Support from the truth, so much for expert wit- that it was imperative that I have my time psychiatrist dad (Bill Macy) can’t nesses. For Effective Pest Management chimney cleaned and serviced as soon as We wish to thank so many people for My neighbors and I, and my wife, (or is it won’t?) take off from book their overwhelming support and outpour- possible because it had not been done for signings to attend the nuptials. visited and called approximately 20 fa- The time has come for Westfield to their buildings and their playgrounds. years. ing of love for Jennifer Ryan. Her dedi- cilities in the immediate area — develop an Integrated Pest Management Children whose yards were treated Coincidentally, as permissibly soppy cation to the Presbyterian Church’s Youth I informed this individual that I am a story parallels go, the Mafia boss also Fanwood, Mountainside, Cranford, (IPM) program, joining other respon- with herbicides and pesticides had four real estate broker and have a chimney Fellowship will be furthered thanks to Plainfield, Edison and others. There is sible communities like Madison, times the risk of a certain cancer says one has some unresolved issues with his the many generous donations in her sweep to service my needs, plus those of tops-in-his-field dad, a former mob big- lots of room in just about every one of Princeton, Bernardsville, Chatham, study that also found smaller risks from my clients. He further stated that “the memory. the facilities we checked on for every- Cranford, Middletown, Millburn, other home pesticides. (Study performed wig who, due to occupational hazards, Her design and preservation of some chimney sweep that I was using was not a met an untimely end. Will the doctor and one. Verona, Rahway, county governments at me University of North Carolina’s recognized sweep because my name was of Westfield’s precious landscape will I mean, if a hundred or more people like Union, Bergen, Passaic, Essex, School of Public Health). Certainly chil- patient share matching epiphanies? continue to serve as a visual memory of listed on the national database.” Excited about this therapy stuff, a la wanted to become clients tomorrow, Monmouth and Ocean, The State of New dren are more susceptible as they run and This individual is extremely aggres- her and of her wonderful talents. they could be accommodated, just have Jersey (by Executive Order), The New play on the grass than adults. What About Bob the anxious Mafioso Most of all, her infectious smile and sive and used fear tactics. He did not even follows Dr. Sobel to his wedding in $3,000 to $5,000 per month ready per Jersey Highway Authority, plus other Try walking around the block in fall, back off when I identified my profession. caring attitude will live in the hearts of person. governing groups including school boards, spring and summer without picking up Miami. There, the zealous patient unin- all whom she touched. The number from which he is calling is tentionally trashes his therapist’s big This site is in the middle of an R-1 for a total over 68. chemicals from the overspray on side- unlisted, so it is impossible to determine zone where the entire surrounding area Simply put, IPM means using alterna- walks. day when one of Primo Sindone’s assas- Peter, Betty and Allison Ryan its origin. sins is thwarted and his corpse does a Westfield is made up of single-family homes. This tives, whenever possible to reduce the Taken a step further, these chemicals I have been on the telephone with Bell would be the first commercial entity in amount of pesticides and herbicides that are a threat to our fresh water supply. It Atlantic not only to report this incident, the area, if approved. we are using in our homes, in our gar- is just a matter of time that the Rahway but to also get some advice as to alerting Traffic is a serious problem — dens, our lawns, in our parks and our River watershed develops the problems area residents. Notification via our local Martine Avenue is probably the busiest municipal buildings. of the Raritan Watershed Further South, newspaper and/or local cable channel was street in Scotch Plains and this corner in Fortunately for our growing, younger the Chesapeake Bay has lost much of the the suggestion. This is the second call that particular is a very “difficult” intersec- families in Westfield, our schools have oyster beds and crabbing industry from I have received of this nature within the tion with numerous cars at all hours been practicing this for many years in the fertilizers and other chemicals from last several months, although I cannot (East Broad, Martine Avenue and the Susquehanna River watershed. absolutely state that it was the same per- Fenimore Drive). Florida is facing a restoration running son or company. Senior Bus Driver into the billions from the population There are many other reasons why this Dorothy McDevitt monstrosity does not belong here, par- growth on the Gulf Coast and the agricul- Westfield Called ‘Unsung Hero’ tural growth above the Everglades af- ticularly since less than a mile away we My purpose in writing is to be bring fecting the fresh water. This has created Dr. Donna Levy’s Kin have the Chelsea in Fanwood, Ashbrook attention to a remarkable human being red tides killing fish and also impacting Nursing less than a mile away has room, namely, James Scott, Senior Citizen Bus the shrimp and scallop industries. Thankful For Sympathy we have our own Senior Citizens Hous- Driver for the Department of Parks and Hopefully, our Council and Mayor will ing further down on Martine Avenue and Recreation for the Township of Scotch start an IPM Program, with monitoring, Words cannot convey the gratitude there is an area referred to as Broadway Plains. in our health code and legislate the we feel toward residents of Westfield which is zoned to accommodate such a His is not just a “job” but he is the cleanup of all lawn chemical overspray and surrounding communities who have facility and which is twice the area of the guardian of all his seniors. He sees to it on all sidewalks. expressed, in countless ways, their high Martine Avenue site. that they are safe, satisfied and happy. This is definitely in the quality of life regard for Dr. Donna Jean Levy, our The next meetings are scheduled for His courtesy and kindness is without category. If smoking can be controlled, as wife and mother, who died suddenly on Monday, March 15, Wednesday, March equal. It is so good to realize that a person it has been by public support, certainly January 27. 24 and Tuesday, March 30. I urge all with such compassion is in our very own we can control what goes into our homes, The heartfelt reaction to Donna’s residents who wish to preserve the resi- community. yards, gardens, parks, public buildings passing is a fitting tribute to her gentle dential, single-family nature of this He is truly an “unsung hero.” and water table and rivers. spirit and her good works. neighborhood to attend. Gary L. Rubin, Judith Schwartz Harvey Roberson Adam and Zachary Rubin George L. Tomkin Scotch Plains Westfield Westfield Scotch Plains CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK