Page 4 Thursday, June 11, 1998 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION POPCORN™ The Westfield Leader Origin of the Species: A Nice Beginning The Official Newspaper of the Town of Westfield and the County of Union By Michael S. Goldberger — Established 1890 — IDIOT Member of the New Jersey Press Association • Member of the National Newspaper Association One Popcorn, Poor • Two Popcorns, Fair • Three Popcorns, Good • Four Popcorns, Excellent Members of the political profession Periodicals – Postage Paid at Westfield, New Jersey are not held in the highest esteem by 2 & 1/2 popcorns Harry; and Amanda Peet did a Seinfeld), the general public, according to opin- Do you feature yourself a good judge of manages a modicum of ensemble electric- ion polls. While we have plenty of THE TIMES emerging talent? Want to be able to say you ity. What develops often has that derivative statistics that reveal our feelings about Official Newspaper of the Township of Scotch Plains and the Borough of Fanwood knew them when? Chances are, one day taste. Yet there are moments, both touch- them, do you ever wonder what politi- — Established 1959 — you’ll be able to make that claim if you see ing and humorous, when the variation on a cians think about us? We have never Periodicals – Postage Paid at Scotch Plains, New Jersey Origin of the Species — sort of like saving theme creates its very own flavor. seen a poll designed to answer this a rookie’s baseball card and then hoping he But for this auditor, the real enjoyment question. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the offices of the newspapers at becomes a Hall-of-Famer. First, however, of screening Origin of the Species involved Etymology, however, provides us P. O. Box 250, Westfield, New Jersey 07091 you’ll have to find this independent film the entire independent film experience. At with a rare insight into what the an- playing somewhere. Recently screened at Myhelan, a nascent film festival held in a cient Greek politicians may have THE LEADER THE TIMES the 1998 Myhelan Film Festival following rustic stone and frame firehouse perched thought about those who held no politi- P.O. Box 250 P. O. Box 368 its best film award at the Houston Film atop Schooley’s Mountain Road in pictur- cal office in their society. The Greek 50 Elm Street, Westfield, N.J. 07091 Scotch Plains, N.J. 07076 Festival in April, if, when and where it will esque Long Valley, a group of obviously word idios described “a private per- (908) 232-4407 • Fax: (908) 232-0473 (908) 232-4407 • Fax: (908) 232-0473 be released for general consumption re- dedicated cineastes gathered to sit on metal son,” while its derivative, idiotes, de- mains to be seen. folding chairs and imbibe that culture known E-mail: [email protected] scribed “a citizen who did not hold But if you do catch this promising first as film. And whether or not any of the public office.” He was, therefore, con- PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY BY WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. effort by director Andres Heinz, don’t let movie’s young stars ever get to sink body sidered ignorant. the title fool you. This is no long-awaited parts into wet concrete on Hollywood Bou- The word idiot is currently defined Horace R. Corbin Gail S. Corbin dramatization of Charles Darwin’s thesis levard, as “an insane or mentally deficient PUBLISHER GENERAL MANAGER on evolution. No Galapagos Island loca- Origin of the Species proved a fitting person.” We suspect that those few tion shots; no giant turtles; no missing link; start for an evolving tradition. Paul J. Peyton Suzette F. Stalker Joanna B. Marsh politicians, who perform their duties not even Tarzan. So, you won’t have that * * * * * MANAGING EDITOR ASSISTANT EDITOR MARKETING DIRECTOR in an illegal manner, probably think of unenviable task of deciding which is bet- Origin Of The Species, not rated, is a their constituents as idiots, and citi- Karen M. Hinds David B. Corbin ter, the book or the movie. Nickoll Arcade Film directed by Andres zens certainly are idiots if they let If Origin of the Species were in fact Heinz and stars Elon Gold, Amanda Peet OFFICE MANAGER SPORTS crooked public officials get away with based on a non-fiction work, a chapter from and Sybil Temchen. Running time: 95 their shenanigans (mischief). SUBSCRIPTION PRICE Gail Sheehy’s “Passages” would be more minutes. like it. Already touted in some indy film THE WESTFIELD LEADER & THE TIMES nooks as a Big Chill for generation-X’ers, One-year subscription in county $20 its curious title refers to the lead character’s One-year subscription out-of-county $24 preoccupation with the theory of evolution. Asteroid Brings Thoughts of Star Wars One-year college (September to May) $16 Studious, incisive and forever dissect- ing both life’s great motivations as well as its minutiae (sometimes, with little differ- And Our Chance to be Future Heroes entiation), philosophical Paul (Elon Gold) is of late on a Darwin jag. The Martha By Louis H. Clark Had Trouble Sleeping Lately? Stewart of the gang, he leaves nothing to chance, from meals to conversation topics. Whenever I hear about asteroids, I Nearing Earth, May Crash Into It In Our It’s probably what makes his best friends don’t think of a belt of large and small Lifetime.” Could be Those 260-Turn Flights both love and hate him. And, let it be stones circling the earth about 10 or 20 Then I’d say, “Are we prepared for it?” miles up there. No, sir. I think of Han Of course, the answer would be a re- Have you had trouble sleeping lately? Has the the FAA does not have any direct control over flights known, there will be plenty of loving and hating this weekend. For it is the 10th Solo in Star Wars, right in the middle of sounding “no.” rumbling in the distance prevented you from drifting per airport. It simply ensures that aircraft are safely annual gathering of the six best friends all those stones, putting his craft into Then I’d distribute pictures of the dam- into that deep sleep that is needed to be fully refreshed separated. Flights per airport fall more into the who comprise the young cast. The yearly overdrive and scampering away while age a large asteroid would cause on earth. Darth Vader kills a captain because his Dust clouds “will shut off the sunshine and energized in the morning? Well maybe, just jurisdiction of the Port Authority of New York and site for the much anticipated pilgrimage is Paul’s mom’s country house, which, in a men didn’t capture old Han. for at least a thousand years.” An aster- maybe, the solution may be in the skies up above. New Jersey, which operates the three leading airports portentous bit of news for the college pals, So at least I know what an asteroid is, oid like this wiped out the dinosaurs. Is A few months ago, the Federal Aviation Adminis- in the metropolitan area. has recently gone to contract. and I became very interested when I the human race to end with a bang and heard that one was coming this way. not a whimper? tration (FAA) instituted a change over the skies of The New Jersey Coalition Against Aircraft Noise This group has baggage. If they were boarding a plane, they’d be charged for the The drama went out of it when I also Perhaps that would be a little too central New Jersey. The change, FAA officials stated, (NJCAAN) has proposed routing aircraft over the excess. While Paul may be trying to figure heard that it’s about 65 years away and strong. I’d suggest that every nation get was aimed at providing noise relief to area residents Atlantic Ocean as the only solution to the noise out how feet metamorphosed from the will come within 800,000 miles of the all its missiles ready but put rubber caps earth. on them like pencil erasers. Then shoot following increased traffic headed for Newark Inter- problem. While we are not ready to support or, for webbed variety to an Air Jordan 12 double- D, his wife Julia (Amanda Peet) is actually By that time, my mortgage will be paid them so they hit the asteroid all at once, national Airport. that matter, condemn this proposal, one thing is in a position to begin knitting booties. But off, and I’m sure they’ll find some way of thus pushing it away. Back in April, the FAA implemented a change in certain — the 260-degree turn is not doing what the the newly impending arrival has the former letting it skid by without doing more Right at the end of the story, I’d say, damage than the average huge tide. “We still have 65 years or so to figure this routes at Newark Airport, more commonly referred FAA has promised. cheerleader type in an identity tither. So much so that she has not yet told hubby The trick is to capture people’s atten- out. Let us put our faith in God and the to as the 260-degree turn. The new flight patterns, At a meeting of the Scotch Plains Township Coun- about their own little contribution to the tion more quickly and instill the fear of scientific community so that at least our essentially, have rerouted 25 percent of the Newark cil last week, Mayor Joan Papen noted that FAA evolutionary process. Oh, but she does tell God into them. You don’t instill fear of grandchildren will be saved.” something that is 65 years away. If I’d People are always sentimental about departures, accounting for some 600 aircraft each officials have told her that pilots are used to receiving Fisher, the resident lady’s man whose glamorous job as a voice-over artist may discovered the asteroid, the publicity grandchildren. The research money would day. FAA officials claimed earlier this year that a signal from air traffic controllers on turning as they not be all that it’s cracked up to be. Later, would have been different. The first thing flow in. We’d give annual reports on the jetliners would rise to altitudes of 5,000 feet over take off. Under the new routes, no signals are being when Kate learns Julia is in a family way, I would have done was ring the alarm asteroid’s position. bells, then I’d write on everything I could Then in 65 years we’d either be dead industrial areas within two miles of the runway. given, which has apparently caused pilots to make the she chides: “She doesn’t know if she wants to have a baby or be the baby.” Ooh, catty. the word “Urgent” three times. or be heroes. What more can anyone Aircraft noise in this region has been a topic of turns too quickly, before they are far enough over Sexy Kate (Sybil Temchen), who is to Then, in all caps, I’d say, “Astroid want from a piece of rock in the sky? concern since 1987, when the FAA implemented its industrial areas. Origin of the Species what JoBeth Will- Expanded East Coast Plan in an effort to improve Jerome Feder, Chairman of the Union County Air iams was to The Big Chill, is a trafficker in attractiveness. That albatross stole she efficiency by avoiding flight delays at the three major Traffic Noise Advisory Board and one of two West- wears about her shoulders is a rather dubi- Letters to the Editor metropolitan airports, including Newark Interna- field representatives on the board, has noted that ous trophy which leads to an introduction tional, John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia.. aircraft are being prematurely directed to the west of of Stan and how she done him wrong. You see, continuing casting analogies, Stan Opponents of the 260-degree turn have argued that their 260-degree headings, thus flying over the south- (Jonathan LaPaglia) is the motion picture’s Westfield Has Better Uses for Money the change directs departures from the airport di- west portion of Westfield. answer to William Hurt’s sexually maimed rectly over residential areas. Under the 220-degree The FAA has also not delivered, as promised, soul. However, this go-round he is a victim Than a Poorly Planned ‘Pocket’ Park of cancer and a surgeon’s scalpel rather turn, which had been proposed, aircraft took off over reports or updates to the Scotch Plains Township than some North Vietnamese shrapnel. Deidre Gelinne certainly hit the nail Beyond these reasons why it is a poor industrial tracts to gain altitude before turning back Council on new routing procedures, and the success When he was first diagnosed, siren Kate on the head last week in The Westfield location for a park, I am dumbfounded Leader questioning the sense of creating over populated areas of the county. The FAA stated or failure of the 260-degree turn. Given that noisier gave him the gate. that the Town Council has $100,000 (and Ah, but hope springs eternal. Laura a pocket park on North Avenue. probably more) to spend on this project at a public forum in March that the new patterns aircraft, known as “stage 2” planes, are using the new (Jean Louisa Kelly), in the last Big Chill Can you imagine sitting in that narrow when our other established parks need would place noisy low-flying aircraft over industrial flight patterns, it is essential that these jets are comparison you will read here (promise), strip of land with the exhaust of cars funds—Mindowaskin for its overlook, waiting to exit onto North Avenue waft- sections of Rahway and Carteret while gaining alti- directed to depart either over industrial tracts or over is akin to the romantically awkward 5th Tamaques for work on its pond. West- wheel played by Mary Kay Place. Sensi- ing toward you, with the heat of the field has better uses for its money than a tudes. the ocean. Older aircraft will be retired within the tive Laura has a crush on Stan — inno- asphalt paving in the parking lot drifting poorly planned park. While we have not witnessed much of an annoy- next few years under an FAA mandate. But until that cently unfazed that he may be damaged toward you, with a brick wall on one side Mary D. Herberich of you and a sea of cars on the third side ance during the daytime, air traffic overnight has time, this issue needs to be put on the fast track by the goods. Westfield Writer Robert Weston Ackerman, adapt- emitting exhaust as they wait for the (Former Westfield Board of significantly increased. It would seem the agency agency. ing from his Off-Broadway play, tosses light at Elm Street? Can you imagine Adjustment Chairwoman) could develop less intrusive patterns for evening While the FAA has announced it will do a complete these ingredients into that dramatic caul- teenagers congregating there to smoke undisturbed? flights. redesign of the region’s air routes as a long-term dron known as the confrontational week- end. Director Andres Heinz ambitiously Mr. Wolski’s Analysis Also, from numbers obtained by individuals moni- solution, to address both passenger delays as well as stirs. And the likable enough cast, most of Of Cell Phone Program toring the skies more closely than our staff, reports jet noise, short-term relief is what is needed now. If whom have already flirted with greatness Removal of Embalming are that Newark Airport is now by far the busiest of the FAA does not respond, then Congressional pres- (e.g. — Miss Kelly was in Uncle Buck; Mr. Described as Erroneous LaPaglia had a part in Deconstructing Waste From Sanitary the three major airports. We would like to note that sure from New Jersey’s delegation may be necessary. I would like to respond to the letter Sewers Needs Support from Michael C. Wolski (May 28) re- New Jersey State Senator Louis Kosco garding the donation of cell phones for Scotch Plains Council Not Responsible is this session sponsoring a bill (Senate Westfield’s crossing guards. Letters to the Editor Bill No. 298) which “would require that I believe Mr. Wolski was misinformed For Aircraft Taking Alternate Route human blood and pathological waste, on several fronts. including tissues, organs and body parts First, donated (free) cell phones are Former Councilman Calls on Mayor Scotch Plains/Fanwood Citizens sible citizens group, it owes the residents and fluids which are removed during “always” cheaper than new phones or Against Aircraft Noise (SP/FCAAN) says of Scotch Plains a detailed explanation embalming be treated as regulated medi- two-way radios, no matter how inexpen- it is very disappointed with the Scotch of its position, and why Mr. O’Brock is cal waste under the Comprehensive Regu- sive they have become. To Support Tax Cuts for families Plains Township Council’s public policy looking after the interests of another lated Medical Waste Management Act,” Secondly, there are no service charges In a recent article (5-21-98), Fanwood decisions on aircraft noise. They accuse town. thus ending the practice of discharging involved. Recent legislation allows any Great Society, there has been one Fed- the council of hampering progress in They also owe the Scotch Plains Coun- Mayor and Congressional candidate, eral intrusion after another, into the fam- ex corpore materials into the sanitary cell phone user (as long as the phone’s Maryanne S. Connelly calls for more achieving quieter skies. cil an apology. sewers. battery is charged) to dial 911 without ily life of this country. The net effect has This is unfair. Scotch Plains is the only E. Dennis Hardie Federal attention to her definition of the been the destruction of the family by Given the compromised state of sani- having a service contract. The need for needs of working moms. There was a town that went to the trouble of asking the Chairman tary and storm sewer systems in our funding, whether it be “start-up” or on- those inside the beltway who have con- Federal Aviation Administration to ex- Scotch Plains Aircraft Noise time when women could decide whether vinced themselves that they know more state’s older municipalities, contents of going, has been completely eliminated. or not to stay home and take care of their plain its route changes to the public. SP/ Committee Inc. the sanitary sewers have been known to Westfield’s Parent Teacher Organiza- than the average citizen. I hope and pray FCAAN attended that meeting. own children. Back when Maryanne that Mrs. Connelly will rethink her big find their way into the storm sewers, tions/Associations have been actively It is not our council’s fault that aircraft are Connelly and I were kids, mothers stayed government proposal. Man Who Lost Money even here in town. And storm sewers involved in the donation and solicitation not using the route presented by the FAA. may flow as above-ground streams and of these phones, as well as the public at home. Andrew J. MacDonald SP/FCAAN says “it has consistently Fathers usually made enough to take Lauds Townspeople into ponds where children play. large. The perception that our tax dollars Fanwood opposed moving aircraft noise from one In the 1996 legislative session, a bill will be needed to keep up this program is care of the family. Of course, in those Union County community to another.” days, the Federal tax burden on the aver- For Their Honesty similar to Senator Kosco’s (Assembly simply not true. Freeholder Candidate Any air route change, including ocean Bill No. 2363) was sponsored by Assem- While Mr. Wolski is looking to see age American family was in the range of routing, will move noise from one com- On Sunday, May 31, my wife and I 3 percent of family income. Today, it is enjoyed a pleasant day sampling very blyman Paul DiGaetano and co-spon- what can benefit his pocketbook, what I munity to another. sored by Assemblyman Richard H. Bag- see is a cost effective (free) way to better over 20 percent. Add in state and local A New Jersey Coalition Against Air- good food and purchasing well-made, taxes, and the tax burden for the average Teams Help Live Out hand-crafted items from the vendors at ger. Despite the obvious urgency of the ensure a safe passage back and forth to craft Noise report entitled “Setting the problem addressed, that bill failed to school. We all benefit when we reach a New Jersey resident is in the range of 40 Record Straight” admits that almost the Westfield Craft Fair. percent. Coach Powers Legacy Unfortunately, the day was marred by pass into law. higher level of safety for our children and 900,000 people would suffer increased The public would do well, I think, to motorists. If there is one thing we do not need, aircraft noise from ocean routing. my losing a considerable amount of money it is another huge bureaucracy, the os- Through Scholarship (over $1,000), when I reached into my press our elected representatives in Tren- Laura Ciarrocca The 1998 Scotch Plains-Fanwood Knowing this, it would appear that SP/ ton to adopt Senator Kosco’s bill before tensible purpose of which is to raise FCAAN wants to keep aircraft noise pocket to retrieve my eye glasses. Westfield our children. It would be most refresh- High School swimming, diving and vol- I reported it to the Westfield police, the current legislative session winds leyball teams are organizing a scholar- concentrated over Scotch Plains. down. ing if Mrs. Connelly would call for tax Another cause of confusion is that who were sympathetic and helpful. Al- cuts for middle class families, in order ship in memory of our beloved coach though my wife believed someone would Dr. Ferdinand Gajewski and teacher, Jim Powers. Through this Rick O’Brock, President of SP/FCAAN, Neighborhood Council that they may make their own decisions also represents the town of Winfield on find the money and return it to the police, Westfield as to how they are going to raise their scholarship we wish to continue his I was not so optimistic. Meeting Set for June 16 legacy of love and support that was so the Union County Freeholders Air Traf- children. fic Noise Advisory Board. Isn’t that a On Monday evening, I received a call Over the last 33 years, since the un- strongly felt by the students and ath- from Detective Patrick C. Gray from the The Westfield Neighborhood letes of Scotch Plains-Fanwood High conflict of interest? POLICY ON LETTERS Council will hold its annual veiling of Lyndon Johnson’s so-called If SP/FCAAN wants to be a respon- Westfield police station. I can’t tell you School (SPFHS). how happy I was to learn that someone TO THE EDITOR meeting on Tuesday, June 16, at We are asking his community and found and returned the money to the 7:30 p.m. at the council facility Brunner PTA Thanks friends to contribute. All donations re- Musical Club Offers Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce. All letters to the Editor must bear at 127 Cacciola Place in West- ceived will be used to fund the James On Tuesday morning, Detective Kevin a signature, a street address and a field. Safety Patrol Picnic O’Hara Powers Memorial Scholarship Tribute to Kate Bauer Keller handed me the money and the name daytime telephone number so au- The agenda will include the Fund. Please make all checks payable to of the person who gave the money to him. thors may be verified. Letters that recitation of poetry by one of the Sponsors for Success the SPFHS Scholarship Fund. For Her Loyal Support I wish to thank Chamber of Commerce are E-mailed to the Editor also must A special thank you to Alfonso’s Piz- Please join us in living out Coach contain a daytime telephone num- teen participants, Kiana Mon- On behalf of the Musical Club of Executive Director Deborah Schmidt and roe, and a preview of the drug zeria in Scotch Plains and the Friendly Powers’ dream of helping students. We Westfield, the Executive Board mem- acknowledge her honesty. Deborah in- ber. Our E-mail address is Ice Cream Shop in Scotch Plains for thank you in advance for your generosity. formed me that a woman returned the “[email protected].” prevention video that the bers wish to pay tribute to the memory of PANDA (Preventing Alcohol, helping make the Brunner Elementary Checks should be made out to the Kate Bauer. She was a loyal and enthu- money to her without giving her name. Letters may be no longer than School Fifth Grade Safety Patrol Picnic Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, siastic member and supported the fine My faith in human nature has been one-and-a- half pages, typewritten Narcotics, and Drug Abuse) par- a great success. It is wonderful that these James O’Hara Powers Memorial Schol- music in Westfield. restored to know there are so many un- and double-spaced. Letters must be ticipants have produced this year. local businesses support their local arship Fund, 641 Westfield Road, Scotch It was always her greatest interest that sung honest citizens who deserve our typed upper and lower case. All let- Elections of board members will schools and the Brunner School PTA is Plains 07076. talents and achievements be recognized gratitude, from the Westfield Police also be held. very appreciative. ters are subject to editing due to Michele Zarro and encouraged. We treasure her loyalty Department to Deborah Schmidt, and to space limitations and style. Everyone is invited to attend. Kathie Watson, Scholarship and remember her for her devotion to the Good Samaritan who could very well Refreshments will be served. To have kept the money. The deadline for letters is Friday Safety Chairperson, Coordinator tradition and excellence. by 4 p.m., if they are to appear in the make reservations, please call Brunner School PTA Scotch Plains-Fanwood High The Musical Club of Westfield Francis J. James following issue. (908) 233-2772. Fanwood School Rosemary Bauer, President Carteret