No Solution in Sight for High School Parking
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Vittntti rwa * UJwD.1 Serving Westfield, Scotch Plains and Fanwood Vol. 19, No. 4S *£UJLL Friday, October 15, 2004 50 cents No solution in sight for high school parking conduct of students, accusing them of loi- ed specific streets near the high school But since the council tabled the issue, THE RECORD-PRESS tering or engaging in unruly behavior. One that would have been available for on- there has been little to no movement. Codding Road resident has recently com- street parking. The system, developed by a According to Anne Riegel, president of the WESTFIELD — Local officials continue plained to both the board and the council committee convened by the Board of Board of Education, town officials have to express interest in enacting a high about finding several used condoms near Education but including many other mem- expressed a willingness to return to the school student parking policy, but say no his property within the first week of bers of the community, would have contentious issue after holding the rede- action on the issue is imminent. school. restricted permits to high school seniors velopment referendum in November. Both Off-street parking spaces are limited at Last December, the Town Council living at least W-mile from the high school. the council and the board, she said, will the high school, and with insufficient tabled twin ordinances that would have An alternate-side parking restriction have their hands full until then. parking on the school property itself, vehi- established a permit parking system after was proposed for the designated streets to "We've agreed to meet — together we cles driven to school by student com- residents came out in force against the allow for leaf pickup and snow removal. can reopen (the issue) and come up with a muters spill out onto nearby residential plan. Council members planned to revisit Permits would have been sold to seniors solution before spring, when we will have streets during the week, drawing the ire of the issue in the spring, when the parking for $100, but residents would have also more kids driving to school," Riegel said. homeowners who resent the limited park- crunch becomes most acute. been required to obtain a parking sticker Riegel said she doesn't expect the board ing left on neighborhood streets. The policy would have established a for a nominal fee in order to make the sys- Some residents are also irritated by the code of conduct for students and designat- tem enforceable. (Continued on page A-2) Gymnasts sMra YMCA sets sights Westfields Claire MacDonaid won The sound the all-around title in the Cougar Invitational Friday night in Cranfbrd. Scotch Plains-Fanwood won the of the Alps, on major team title. For the story see Sports. PageC-1. on the streets expansion of Westfield Thar* was planty to aaa on THE RECORD-PRESS tha downtown atraata Saturday afternoon, at tha SCOTCH PLAINS — Officials Westfield Art Aaaoclation from the Fanwood-Scotch Plains hoeted Its annual Sidewalk YMCA presented an ambitious Art Show and Sale. But per- facilities and parking lot expan- haps the moat striking scan* sion proposal before the Board of waa this collection of Adjustment last week. alphorns, played by cos- Over the course of several tumed performers from the hours of testimony, experts out- Nsw Jersey Workshop for lined the architecture, engineer- the Arts. ing and traffic impact of a five- phase project toe nonprofit organization hopes to embark I __!••_»_ ——•—-——— upon in the next few years. JOHN FEI/COHRESPONDENT According to Executive Director Karen Drexler, the first three phases of the plan _are expected to coat abou^ J&SLjnil- Westfiekt's Bemadine Liebrich was lion and would result in the con- recently presented with Girl Scout Deck opponents assail Westfield council struction of additional workout Volunteer Achievement Award, rec- space, a second swimming pool, ogmzing her service on behalf of : and expanded office and storage local Scouts. Uebrich is the first per- about the project. ly insolvent. the developer to pay down the THE RECORD-PRESS Westfield residents will cast Councilman Sal Caruana principal. He acknowledged his space. son in the state to receive the honor. votes on Election Day over a attacked the $10 million project's continued opposition to the proj- The YMCA seeks board See the story on Page A-3. WESTFIELD — At one of the parking facility to be constructed financing, which under a model ect for financial considerations, approval to convert a residential Town Council's final regular on existing municipal parking endorsed by the council would be and on traffic and public safety lot the organization acquired in meetings before a non-binding lots between Prospect and Elm. covered with a 25-year general grounds as well. 2000 into a parking lot. referendum is held on a proposal The structure would be masked obligation bond. The model indi- Councilman Peter Echausse Currently, a single-family home to build a parking deck between by 19 condominium units and cates the project's annual costs of renewed his call for the occupies the tract of land, which Prospect and Elm streets, resi- about 3,500 square feet of retail $930,000 would be paid for by Downtown Westfield Corporation is slated to be paved over and dents took advantage of a light space facing Elm Street. increases in parking fees, park- to declare its support or opposi- converted into parking spaces. agenda to voice their grievances Proponents of redevelopment ing meter rates, payments in lieu tion to an expected $50,000 According to the land use ordi- over the plan. say the project would add needed of taxes from developer HKT annual contribution to the proj- nance, the organization must A dedicated group of parking capacity to address long- Nassau, and other previously ect. supply one parking space for aggrieved residents addressed standing parking problems. unanticipated parking revenue. "If they don't want to pay the every four members over the age the council Tuesday, some seizing Opponents counter that the plan Caruana said a 15-year-bond $50,000, then quite frankly, I say of 17. To fit that requirement, the the opportunity to attack details does not fit with Westfield's would save more than $4 million don't show up and let's cancel the YMCA would have to provide of the proposed plan, others to downtown character, would wors- dollars to taxpayers over its life referendum," Echausse said. more than 1,000 parking spaces, demand answers to what they en traffic problems and negative- and advocated earmarking $2.2 say are outstanding questions ly impact safety, and is financial- million in land that will be sold to (Continued on page A-2) (Continued on page A-2) For this budding journalist, 'Time' is always right ByKADMHOP — which he concedes will probably cut "I learned about his most memo- THE RECORD-PRESS into his free time on the weekends — rable moments, and what it was like to Ross had to compose a personal state- come home," Workman said. "I learned Quite a car WESTFIELD — Given that he's a ment, a news report, and a video clip. a lot about a soldier's life in Iraq." 10-year-old student at Franklin After qualifying as finalist, he reviewed Back home, Ross will be pursuing There were some classic vehicles on Elementary School, fifth-grader Ross the Smithsonian website and submit- his first major story in the next few display at the American Legion s car, Workman has some lofty ambitions. ted an article condensing and explain- days. He has been assigned the task of truck and bike show Sunday at the "I would like to interview Kofi ing the views of John Kerry and George interviewing the makers of "Robots," an Westfield train station. For pictures Annan, the Secretary General of the W. Bush on Iraq. animated feature expected to be from the event, see Page B-1. United Nations," he said. I'd ask him And for an extended writing sample, released in the spring. The movie will what the UN's role is in the world." Ross interviewed a neighbor, 1st Lt. include the voices of Ewan McGregor, Some day, believe it or not, Ross may Daniel Todd, who had recently Halle Berry and Mel Brooks, among get his chance. He is one of 16 children returned from Iraq. The article he sub- others. nationwide, selected from among 500 sequently wrote appeared in the school Ross will be interviewing animators entrants, to contribute to Time For newspaper and helped him secure the at the White Plains-based Blue Sky Kids, an adolescent-themed version of job with Time For Kids. Studios, a company that won an Oscar Breakfast benefits the popular weekly news magazine. The article detailed Todd's support- in 1998 for "Bunny," a short animated Each week, junior journalists write ing role during the capture of Saddam film. The high-tech studio is best articles for the magazine and its web- Hussein, his experiences passing known for its work on "Fight Club," Guanl families site, accessible at through primitive Iraqi villages, the "Alien: Resurrection," "Titan A.E.," and A pancake breakfast will be held at www.timeforkids.com. agony of a diet consisting of canned a memorable episode of "The the National Guard Armory on "It's going to be a fun experience," he military food and Ramen noodles, and Sopranos." RahwayAvenue in Westfield 7am- said. the elation of returning home after 254 Only In fifth grade, Waatfleld'a Ross Workman la noon Saturday, with proceeds bene- To qualify for the very selective job days on the ground.