Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, July 23, 2009 OUR 119th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 30-2009 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SIXTY CENTS Despite Reports, Westfield Not Pursuing Transit Village Status By MICHAEL J. POLLACK hoods where people can live, shop, very quickly” and noted that a transit Specially Written for The Westfield Leader work and play without relying on village designation is “not front and WESTFIELD – Despite reports to automobiles.” Towns such as center” on the mayor or council’s the contrary, the Town of Westfield is Cranford, Morristown and South Or- agenda. not pursuing a Transit Village desig- ange are considered transit villages. Mayor Andy Skibitsky confirmed nation at present. Though it may study While reports of Downtown that the “impromptu” and “last- the “appropriateness” of such a des- Westfield Corporation (DWC) Ex- minute” meeting took place, but he ignation in the future, town officials ecutive Director Sherry Cronin lead- said there is “no directive to pursue refuted a report that said the town was ing the Transit Village Taskforce on a this…it will never happen without “eyeing” the matter seriously. tour of the town two Fridays ago are mayor and council approval.” According to the New Jersey De- accurate, Frank Arena, the Westfield While the mayor said there was partment of Transportation (DOT) Town Council’s DWC liaison, said it “nothing wrong” with meeting with website, the Transit Village initiative was an “impromptu” meeting. the taskforce, it is not something his creates incentives for municipalities Mr. Arena said the taskforce, which administration will pursue. to redevelop or revitalize areas around includes DOT and NJ Transit staff “I’m against turning over more land transit stations. These “transit-ori- members, was in nearby Cranford control from us to the state,” he said. ented developments” would then help and approached Ms. Cronin, asking, Town Administrator Jim Gildea municipalities create “attractive, vi- “We’re next door. Can we stop by?” also reiterated that the town is neither brant, pedestrian-friendly neighbor- Mr. Arena said the tour “happened seeking to adopt the definition of a transit village nor has filed an appli- cation to do so. Mr. Gildea said around 2003, the town considered adopting such a status but that as a downside to doing so, commuter parking at the Greg Ryan for The Westfield Leader South Avenue train station parking JOINING THE BENCH…Jim Hely of Westfield takes the oath of office for state Superior Court Judge of New Jersey from Union County Assignment Judge Karen Cassidy. Judge Hely’s daughter, Meghan Hely, an attorney herself, holds the Holy lot would have been opened up to Bible. The ceremony took place at the county courthouse in Elizabeth on July 17. anyone in the state. Currently, Mr. Gildea said, the demand for com- muter spaces from solely Westfield residents is great, and a waiting list Westfield’s Jim Hely Takes Oath exists. Mr. Gildea did say that the town’s Master Plan Reexamination Report, under the heading “Downtown Goals As Newest Judge on Superior Court for Future Planning,” specifies that By PAUL J. PEYTON ment “a great honor” and he hopes his strategy in an upcoming trial. “[Westfield should seek to study the Specially Written for The Westfield Leader experience as an attorney would make “He (Mr. Hely) is the true definition appropriateness of the transit village WESTFIELD — Former six-term him a “humble and good judge.” of what a public servant is,” Mr. Scutari designation.” Westfield Town Councilman Jim Hely He took his oath from Assignment said. At present, though, it is “not on the was sworn in on Friday as the newest Judge for Union County, Karen Cassidy “He is such a committed and moti- radar screen,” Mr. Gildea said. member the state Superior Court, Union of Cranford. Mr. Hely’s legal colleagues, vated individual,” adding that Mr. Hely David Samsky for The Westfield Leader Mr. Gildea said he took an “opti- County bench, during a ceremony at current and former elected officials of is “the right candidate (for Superior PRESIDENT IN NEW JERSEY...President Barack Obama attended the PNC mistic approach” to the informal the Union County Courthouse in Eliza- both major political parties, as well as Court judge) at the right time for Union Arts Center in Holmdel with 17,000 attendees last Thursday in a Democratic meeting of transit village staffers and beth. family and friends, witnessed the cer- County.” Party campaign stump for the re-election of New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine. Ms. Cronin earlier this month in Mr. Hely, who has been an attorney emony. He is a graduate of Westfield Mr. Kean said the judicial system, is See goleader.com/photos. Westfield, saying it proves that for 30 years, was nominated in the High School, Gettysburg College and the “closest interaction the citizens have Westfield is a “desirable place.” How- spring of 2008 by Governor Jon Corzine Rutgers Law School. with any form of government.” He told ever, he said it was “disappointing” to fill a vacancy on the Union County All three State Senators from Union the nearly 30 judges that sit on the Mountainside Board of Ed. that the mayor or a councilperson bench. The state Senate Judiciary Com- County, Tom Kean, Jr. (LD-21, county bench that they are “getting an was not contacted to attend. mittee signed off on the nomination, at Westfield), a Republican who serves as incredible colleague.” Makes Staff Changes Mr. Gildea said in the future, when which point Governor Corzine made Senate minority leader, and Democrats, Citing Mr. Hely’s work in his com- CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 the appointment, which was approved Ray Lesniak (LD-20, Elizabeth) and munity, Mr. Lesniak added that Mr. By MAGGIE DIGGORY from July 22 to August 21. by the full Senate on July 1. Nicholas Scutari (LD-22, Linden), both Hely’s “commitment to justice does Specially Written for The Westfield Leader “The personnel committee has been Garwood School Board The new judge served 10 years as a of whom are attorneys and serve on the not end at the courtroom steps.” MOUNTAINSIDE —The first very busy this summer,” said Ms. councilman from Westfield’s fourth Senate Judiciary Committee, attended. Judge Cassidy, who assumed the as- Mountainside Board of Education Schaumberg. Approves Fees for Pre-K ward. Among his accomplishments as Mr. Scutari described the approval signment judge leadership post earlier (BOE) meeting for the school year The committee consists of board By RAYNOR DENITZIO a councilman was his leadership in process for Mr. Hely before the Senate this year, told those in attendance that centered on personnel changes. members Jorge Baptista and Gene Specially Written for The Westfield Leader enacting a municipal law requiring hel- Judiciary Committee as “a breeze,” she went up against Mr. Hely in a trial as Child Care Center Director Patricia Nagel. They meet with Chief School GARWOOD — Families with chil- mets for bicyclists under the age of 14 based on the attorney’s extensive a young attorney trying to impress her Debbie addressed the BOE. “I’m get- Administrator Jeannette Baubles to dren entering half-day pre-kindergar- to prevent head injuries. The law has résumé. In fact, the senator said he bosses, but ended up losing the case. ting a pink slip. I want to say thank make recommendations to the full ten in the borough for the coming school become the basis for similar laws around would call Mr. Hely to discuss his CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 you to the parents and children of board. year will be charged a monthly $75 the country. Mountainside on TV 35. It’s been a In other personnel matters, recently activity fee after the Garwood Board of Mr. Hely ran for Congress in 1988, hell of a ride. Dr. Baubles has offered hired accounts payable clerk Jennifer Education approved the measure Tues- against veteran, Rep. Matthew Rinaldo RVSA Grants Union Raises, me an aide position,” said Ms. Debbie. Caldwell has resigned effective Au- day night. The fee will be used to offset (R-Union), a position that he said, Ms. Debbie did not state why she gust 31 after just three months on the costs of the program. “wasn’t a real coveted position” for a was dismissed and left the meeting job. Director of Special Education, A $25 participation fee for each sport Democrat. He had an unsuccessful run Costs Rise; Gypsum Closes immediately after her remarks before Mary Humphries has also resigned was also approved for the borough’s six for mayor of Westfield in 1984. By WAYNE BAKER their healthcare costs. The Westfield Leader could speak with effective August 21. Ms. Humphries middle school sports. In addition, stu- Mr. Hely told The Westfield Leader Specially Written for The Westfield Leader In other business, Clark is ques- her. Likewise on the matter, the BOE was hired last year. CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 that he considered his judicial appoint- RAHWAY — The commissioners tioning the authority’s billing pro- will not comment on personnel is- “I want to thank Ms. Humphries of the Rahway Valley Sewerage Au- cess. Charges to member municipali- sues to the press. for her service and wish her good thority (RVSA) met Thursday night ties are based on a five-year rolling The BOE then unanimously ap- luck in her next position,” said Mr. Hyatt Hills Golf Complex and approved an 11 percent raise over average. According to a statement proved a motion introduced by Board Nagel. three years for union employees.