Unlawful’ by CHRISTINA M
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Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, January 28, 2010 OUR 120th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 04-2010 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SIXTY CENTS BOE Changes Transportation Policy After Judge Deems it ‘Unlawful’ By CHRISTINA M. HINKE students “who actually attend RIS portation to RIS for students who re- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader while residing beyond two miles…is side beyond two miles from school and WESTFIELD – After the commis- inconsistent” with state statutes. The revise its attendance zone and trans- sioner of education, Lucille Davy, on BOE had mandated portation policies to December 30, 2009, agreed with a students who legally bring them into com- ruling on November 19, 2009, by Ad- required busing to at- pliance. ministrative Law Judge Richard tend Edison Interme- The judge’s ruling McGill that said the Westfield school diate School. and final decision by district’s transportation and attendance Under state law, a dis- the commissioner zones policies are “unlawful,” because trict must offer busing came from a lawsuit they denied transportation to Roosevelt to students who live put forth by Lee Intermediate School (RIS) for those more than two miles Stoller, who repre- students who resided beyond two miles from an elementary or sented 47 parents op- from the school, the Westfield Board intermediate school and posed to the BOE’s of Education (BOE) has changed its two-and-a-half miles plan last year to re- transportation policy. from a high school, district children who The board announced the new which the new policy graduated Washing- policy at its meeting Tuesday. It was now states. ton Elementary approved 7-2 for first reading, with The commissioner’s School to attend board members Richard Mattessich synopsis states that Mary Beth Eidus Edison Intermediate and Dave Finn voting no. within 60 days of her School, where previ- Judge McGill said in his ruling that decision, the board shall provide trans- ously they would have matriculated to Roosevelt Intermediate School, a school nearer to their residence. The judge upheld the BOE’s right to redis- Horace Corbin for The Westfield Leader trict, but not the transportation policy. GANG GREEN...Suzanne Taylor of Scotch Plains has been driving her “Go Jets” company Toyota throughout the area Board Secretary Robert Berman inspiring fan support for the NFL playoffs. At halftime Sunday, fans show their joy with the New York Jets in the lead. said he sent 53 letters to parents ask- Ultimately, though, the Indianapolis Colts prevailed. Pictured, left to right, are: Ms. Taylor, Val with Ed Melendez of Wood- ing if they wanted to bus their children Ridge, Cory Mermer of Westfield, Jim Annese of Fanwood, Dave Corbin of Garwood, Greg Ryan of Westfield and Vicki to RIS, and so far received 23 re- with Larry Darrow of Garwood. sponses to use the bus. He said the cost of one 54-passsenger bus is ap- proximately $30,000 for a full year. This year’s cost, for the final four WF Council Debates Merits months of the school year, would equal to about $12,000. Services would not be cut, he said, to pay for the bus. Mr. Mattessich asked the board to Of a Second New-Car Show “go back and look at its decision” on By MICHAEL J. POLLACK the DWC is working with George had one successful [new-car show] redistricting because part of that deci- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Withers, owner of G-Wiz Car Wash, yet.” sion was based on the plan not costing WESTFIELD – Council members, to bring in new vehicles. Mayor Andy Skibitsky responded, Wayne Baker for The Westfield Leader the district to bus students to RIS. Tuesday, debated whether to permit This past week, Harold Cohen of “The DWC’s one isn’t until Octo- DWC WELCOME...Shawn Hanna, pictured left, is welcomed to the board of the Superintendent of Schools Margaret the Westfield Neighborhood Council the WNC asked Town Administrator ber... The Neighborhood Council is a Downtown Westfield Corporation by Board Chair Dominick Verdic. Mr. Hanna Dolan said the Long Range Planning (WNC) to host a similarly themed car Jim Gildea about the possibility of nonprofit, and you want to help them is Mayor Andy Skibitsky’s designee, replacing Andy Wasserman. Committee reviews the numbers. show to one the Downtown Westfield the WNC hosting a similar car show, out. Let’s run this by the DWC. I’m Mr. Mattessich said he would like Corporation (DWC) will present later which would also cater to newer sure the council has done a lot of the board to discuss its redistricting this year. models, in mid-April. groundwork already and probably has Freeholders Contract With decision, and also to not put a perma- In years past, the Westfield Area Mr. Ciarrocca, who was not in fa- a lot of vendors.” nent transportation policy in place, Chamber of Commerce would present vor of the WNC holding a new-car Frank Arena, the council’s liaison calling it a “Band-aid.” a classic car show, featuring vintage show in town this year, said, “My to the DWC, was in favor of another USDA for Geese Problem Board members stressed that the automobiles, on Elm and Quimby concern is that the DWC is going to car show, saying, “It’s in April, and By SONIA OWCHARIW are losing the fight since there are 3.5 policy must change by Monday, March Streets. This event has since been do this in October, and we have al- we have all spring and summer. If Specially Written for The Westfield Leader million resident Canada geese in North 1, to reflect the state mandate in order eliminated. ready approved them. I’m concerned they have a plan put together, it might ELIZABETH – A year after the un- America.” to comply with the judge’s ruling and Earlier this year, the council ap- that another organization is coming help the DWC with lessons learned.” fortunate bird strike that forced US Canada geese live to 15 years and commissioner’s decision. proved the DWC to use the south side in and [possibly undercutting] them. Second Ward Councilwoman Jo Ann Airways Flight 149 to land in the have low reproductive rates, Ms. Ann Cary, board member and mem- train station to host a two-day car I would rather let the DWC have a Neylan said, “People may think it’s Hudson River, the Union County Board Gurlavich said. Characteristics of these ber of the Long Range Planning Com- show in October; this show would shot and see if it’s something that the same thing twice. If it doesn’t work of Chosen Freeholders on Thursday geese are that they are grazers and mittee, said, “I don’t think we [the highlight new and exotic vehicles. works; if it works, [the WNC] can out, people may stay away [in Octo- approved a two-year, $347,239 con- habitat easily, but pose health risks, committee] will be revisiting that de- Third Ward Councilman Mark make a request for next year.” ber]... It seems like the person who tract with the United States Depart- ranging from E. Coli Salmonella, as cision [to redistrict].” Ciarrocca said the DWC envisioned a Or, as Fourth Ward Councilman came first should have the [first] date.” ment of Agriculture (USDA), Animal well as damaging property. The inte- Board Vice President Julia Walker “mini” version of the New York Inter- Jim Foerst suggested, the WNC may In separate business, Tuesday, the and Plant Inspection Services, to man- grated approach is not a simple solu- said the busing cost “would not change national Auto Show, which is housed wish to co-sponsor the DWC’s ven- council gave its approval to another age the Canada geese problem in its tion, she said. Ms. Gurlavich said the my decision where the redistricted annually at the Javits Center in Man- ture this year. event to be held at the South Avenue parks. first measure is not to feed the geese, CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 hattan. In connection with the event, Mr. Gildea reminded council mem- train station parking lot that would Kimberly Gurlavich, a wildlife spe- since geese become dependent. She bers, “This type of car show hasn’t feature vehicles. cialist with the USDA, who requested also advised the county not to keep happened in this town before. Pre- The council authorized the Junior that Union County enter into an agree- short grass around its lakes and water- Garwood Discusses Park planning is very important. You want League of Elizabeth-Plainfield ment with the USDA, Animal and Plant ways, as this makes it easy for the to get car dealers to buy in. I didn’t (JLEP) to hold its fourth-annual Inspection Services, said, “There are geese to take off and land. Project, Motto Change want to have one organization [com- Touch-A-Truck event. This family countless reports of airplanes hitting According to Ms. Gurlavich, the pete with] the other when we haven’t CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 birds and other wildlife increases since goal is to locate and treat goose nests By LAUREN S. BARR changed. last year, including serious accidents during molting period in accordance Specially Written for The Westfield Leader The council also passed a resolu- such as birds crashing through cockpits with United States Fish and Wildlife GARWOOD — Tuesday night’s tion authorizing the clerk to sign an DWC Anticipates Increase and crippling engines in flight.” Service permit when geese are shed- meeting of the Garwood Borough agreement with Hatch Mott According to Freeholder Chairman ding.