• -1 r,j -;;. • u> r-: I-- -J -:;- 1 '"• "* •-< j -:;- 1 2'• f- -i n: H 'II-J •;;• « •- (I—. f.. -;; > • -i.?:-':.'N. -::- ri inr- -;:• .<- "i f— > H! C •-> L> -t. A f. f 1 ^< 1i |— m r~ i 1 c h r ,» 1 "' o • -( r L • I -L !' i !. : Mayor of f ^1 •i Springfield Maya x> was honored M •-; Summit, Springfield and Mountainside'*^'^'' Gateway Cham merce. Candidates focus on board experience By Tracy A. Politowicz and critical thinking are key. As an have to be covered," said Tinnirella. Managing Editor information technology and manage- Schaumberg said, "I want to clari- MOUNTAINSIDE —- The topics ment consultant, he "must stay on top fy, initial public participation is for of board experience and community of emerging .technology and trends." items on the agenda, so it is inaccurate involvement and communication Schaumberg, noting her prior two to say it's after the vote is done." dominated the Mountainside candi- terms on the board, stated that it is "The meeting isn't a town forum, dates' night on March 22. important board members understand or else we wouldn't get the business of All four candidates — incumbent their role of setting goals and estab- the board done," she noted. MaryBeth Schaumberg and challengers lishing policies. She noted an incum- Each candidate expressed a com- Joseph Tinnirella, Geraldene Duswalt, bent is "ahead of the learning curve," Jakositz Tinnirella Schaumberg Duswalt mitment to the borough and its educa- Spring and Cathy Jakositz — participated in but acknowledged that new board answer session, an audience member questions of the community before a tional system, including maintaining the forurn. They are competing for two members receive training. expressed concern that public com- vote is made. I'd love to see informa- smaller class sizes. board positions. Current member Patri- "Yes, new people on the board ments are only permitted near the end tion about things to be voted on hand- "Class size has improved over the Ahead cia Knodel is not seeking re-election. would have a learning curve," said of board meetings, generally later at ed out the week before." years," said Tinnirella. "I feel strongly We remind readers to Each challenger asserted experi- Duswalt. "That should not deter peo- night when most parents have to be "That is a concern of mine as well. that will continue." push their clocks ence is relevant to a board position. ple from getting new people with new home to ruck their children into bed. The meeting should be a forum. The "Small classes are vital," said forward one hour Duswalt, an attorney, emphasized her ideas and fresh insights." "The need for community involve- community should have a voice and, Duswalt, who came from New York understanding of legal issues and She was the first candidate to address ment extends beyond Tuesday nights," to do so, they need meaningful infor- City and "saw the results of larger before retiring to bed problem-solving skills. the issues of public involvement and said Schaumberg. "The board welcomes mation," said Duswalt. class sizes." Saturday night. "Being a teacher, you see what does communication. In her opening state- input from the community all the time." Tinnirella agreed with both the Jakositz added, "Dr. O'Malley is and does not work firsthand," said spe- ment, she indicated the board needs to She clarified that there are opportu- concern and with Schaumberg's dedicated to keeping class size down." Don't miss a Taste of cial education teacher Jakositz. "It is "get information and issues out there" nities for public comments at both the observation that there are two points at "Berkeley Heights did its own Summit' on Sunday not secondary information." and "give parents and members of the beginning and end of Board of Educa- board meetings at which the public informal studies, to be sure adding The annual "Taste of Summit" Tinnirella indicated in his line of community an opportunity to be heard." tion meetings. may "bring issues up." Mountainside students would not be event will be Sunday from 6 to 9 work the "need to anticipate and plan" Later, during a question-and- Jakositz added, "I'd like to see "We all work, but agenda items detrimental," clarified Schaumberg. p.m. at the Grand Summit Hotel. The cost is $30 per person. r 7"., _ For more information, call the Flat aid will result Summit Historical Society at 908- 277-3747. Last chance for in 6.14 increase scholarships By Tracy A. Politowicz the next school year as maintaining The Junior League of the Managing Editor support for all existing programs; con- Oranges and Short Hills is currently SPRINGFIELD — "We explored tinuing curriculum updates and revi- accepting applications for its 2006 other ways to raise revenues ... we sions; adding textbooks, both adoptions Volunteer Scholarship Program for don't have many other choices," said and replacements; maintaining oppor- graduating high school seniors township Board of Education member tunities for professional development attending college this fall who Irwiri Sablosky. ' for staff members; maintaining smaller reside in Springfield, among other The board had just presented its class size; and investigating potential municipalities. proposed 2006-07 budget of avenues to expand current shared serv- The deadline for applications is $32,368,915 at its meeting on Mon- ices in order to reduce operating costs. Monday. As many as five SI,000 day. If adopted at the April 18 election, "This program does not cut any cur- scholarships will be awarded in May. this will result in a tax levy increase of rent programs. It retains all programs Application packets are avail- 6.14 percent. at current functioning levels and con- able on.JLOSH.org or by contacting That translates into, an increase of tinues to move forward," said Superin- the Junior League office at 973- $154.60 in the annual school tax on a tendent of Schools Michael Davino. 379-9655 or home assessed at $100,000, up from "It — 6.14 percent — is not a num- [email protected]. an increase of S89 for the revised ber I would like to present. ! would feel Scholarship candidates will be 2005-06 budget — the original 2005- better with more state aid," Davino said. evaluated on the demonstration of 06 budget adjusted for actual amounts In developing the budget, the board volunteer efforts in the area of health, since its inception. had to anticipate and plan for other Photo By Sean Havey wellness and'or education of women In dollar terms, the proposed budg- considerations, such as higher fuel and Former Mountainside Councilwoman Marilyn Hart reminisces about her 12 years on and children, achievement and lead- et is $624,095 more than that of last utility costs, an increase in insurance the council, while seated in the Borough Hail Courtroom. ership ability, and scholastic record. year, a 1.97 percent increase, mostly costs, out of district placements and For more information, visit due to higher expenses for special related services, and the requirements JLOSH.org. education tuition and athletics. mandated by the federal No Child Left School Business Administrator Behind policy and Individuals with Former lady Works of Jane Austen Matthew Clarke indicated they Disabilities Education Act. to be discussed received notification March 23 that "The state doesn't understand how Jon Plaut will continue his the amount of state aid for the 2006-07 education budgeting works. We are remember time in office library lecture series with a discus- school year would be flat — cutting back, not finding new initia- unchanged from the prior year. tives. We are being responsible," By Elana Aron refused. "But my husband convinced me to run," said Hart. sion of the works of Jane Austen on Correspondent She served from 1980 to 1992, rotating her duties Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Ernest "State aid is not going up. We need stressed Sablosky. another pot to pull from. It ends up hit- Clarke noted, "We are trying to re- MOUNTAINSIDE — March is National Women's every year. "I was fire commissioner, liaison to the S. Hickok Meeting Room at the History Month and, while the borough currently has no library and was on the local assistance board. I liked it a Summit Free Public Library. ting the tax levy," said Clarke. establish a consortium with the Union. Board member Jacqueline Shanes County District." women in a major elected position, there have been some lot," said Hart. "I grew up in Mountainside and I felt it The program is free and registra- distinguished women who have served Mountainside in was a way of contributing. I really enjoyed it." tion is not required. Seating is limit- noted, "The state aid was a great P.R. Such a pooling of services would — public relations —job. Corzine had result in lower utility costs to each the past. Her husband ran for council a year later, serving from ed. For more information, call 908- Marilyn Hart has a unique place in borough history as 1993 to 1999. 273-0350. everyone thinking aid would be cut. involved municipality. So, everyone was relived when there "No one has a problem with what the only woman to ever serve on the council. Prior to her time on the council, she served as Leadership institute wasn't a cut in funding." we are doing. Everyone has a problem When she was first asked to run for council, Hart See WOMEN, Page 2 to have open house Clarke listed the budget goals for with how it is funded," said Davino. The Girls' Leadership Institute at Kent Place will have an open house on Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m.