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Today is Flag DayHappy Graduation to H illside students H illside Leader COUNTY LE*DC« n e w s p a p e r s V0L1 NO B—HILLSIDE. N.J.. THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 1990 ONE SECTIO N 25 CENTS BOE’s budget still unsettled B> SH4RON CATES A month after the Township Committee directed the Board of Educa ■ BO! 3i.013.918 from l- * i-hooi budget, the board filed an appeal with the stale comm scone: education Board attorney Neil Cohen noted that he filed the papers on June 8. Now, according lo Cohen, die board is waiting for the Township Com mittee’s response to their action “The decision was made based on the proposed reduction in funding to be raised by die township for education," Cohen said. "Our position is diat such an act is arbitrary and the ultimate effect will deprive die stu dents of Hillside of a thorough and efficient education as pursuant with the stale constitution." The S 18.2 million school budget was rejected by the voters in the polls on April 24. Since it was rejected, the Township Committee was given the opportunity to review the budget and make suggestions as to where they felt the budget should be cut. On May 9 die Township Committee met with members of the BOE to discuss the budget. During that meeting they adopted a resolution direct Photo By Tom Picard ing the board to cut $1,013,918 from dieir budget. On May 16 the BOE rejected the township’s resolution. STARS AND STRIPES — Kindergarten students a' Richardson of American Legion ^ost 50, Helen Stoitz After the board rejected that resolution, a meeiing w ith County Super Saybrook School received ftags horn the American oi the American Legion Post 50 Ladies Auxiliary; Rose intendent Vito Gagliardi followed And. on May 30 members of the Legion for Flag Day, which is celebrated today Pic Stahnten, superintendent of schools, and Florence board and the Township Committee met with Gagliardi in an attempt to tured, among the kindergartners from left, Jim Finkler of the American Legion Post 50 Ladies reach an agreement. Those negotiations, however, were also Auxiliary, unsuccessful. Then the BOE was faced with their final alternative — to file an appeal with the state commissioner of education. Cohen explained that negotiations between die two governing bodies Alleged election tampering investigated will continue while they wait for an administrative law judge to hear their appeal. He also explained that if the negotiations are successful, they may By SHARON CATES Committee. says that if there is a problem with a decision may be adjusted, but until be able to reach an agreement and resolve the matter before their appeal is An investigation is under way to Lester was the incumbent in the voting machine, for example if it is someone says otherwise — someone heard by the administrative law judge. determine whether one of the voting contest However McGhee gained damaged or if it is malfunctioning, it being a judge — there is a winner," “Hopefully, the parties will be able to reach a fair and equitable settle machines used in the primary election backing from the local Democratic should be substituted with a machine Braker said." ment without intervention of die courts,” Cohen said. cm June 5 may have been tampered Committee and was put cm the regular in perfect working order and the elec McGhee noted that he is consider However, if no agreement is made, the administrative law judge will with. Democratic line, tion official should make the move to ing whether to pursue the matter. review the case and a final decision will be reached. Democratic Municipal Chairwo Lester' narrow Iv won the seat by have the machine substituted," Braker In the meantime the BOE is forced to cut $1,013,918 from their "At this point, as far as I'm con man Charlotte DeFilippo has directed capturing 34 votes compared to said. budget. If, after negotiations, part or all of that funding is reinstated, they cerned Fred Lester is the winner," the inquiry' to Tow-nship Attorney McGhee’s 29, Then, according to a Another twist to the story is that then can appropriate those monies back in their budget. McGhee said. "The only reason I am Marvin Braker. who is reviewing the township official, two of the ballots Lester s wife was one of the officials "It is an unfortunate and unfair process because cuts have to be made considering pursuing the matter is while the appeal is pending," Cohen explained. Based on the natural facts to determine whether a com ■ ere , o n lend in a lid - toeing the working the election in the 5th because there w'ere some allegations gap and go ing Lester the win by a appeal process, it is unlikely that a decision will he made pnor to the start plaint should be made. If a complaint District. dial the machine was malfunctioning. mere three votes Braker noted that he advised town of the 1990-91 school year." is made, the machine would be But, I still haven’t decided whether Several voters reportedly stated ship officials that a verified complaint impounded and checked for mccham I'm going to take action or not.” that when they entered the voting could be signed by McGhee, which cal malfunctions. Lester noted that he was surprised machine • lever had already been would act as an official request for an Significantly, the machine was in that so much attention was directed to Interview program joins investigation. the 5th District - the only district pulled down Braker explained that it the allegations. McGhee's complaint, accompanied where there was a contested race is the responsibility of the person "I think that this is ridiculous that students, senior citizens by the affidavits from those who The contested race was between making the claim to sign an affidavit. all of this is going on over a district claimed that the machine was mal access to grandparents like they used Township Comitteeman Samuel He also noted that it is the responsibil leader position," Lester said. “There By SHARON CATES functioning, would be submitted as to. McGhee and Fred Lester, president of ity of the election officials working in is no way thal the results are going to For three weeks in the spring, stu evidence and the matter would be "There is a need for them lo get to the Coalition for a United Hillside. the district to ask for a substitute change if there was a re-election — dents in Gail Seemin's fifth-grade heard in Superior Court, Braker know what other generauons are They were vymg for the position of machine if any malfunctions are it's just a w aste of taxpayers' money. class at George Washington School male representative of Hillside's 5lh noticed of reported. explained. were given the opportunity to inter like,” Seeman said. “All this is sour grapes," Lester The program puts four or Five stu District cm the county Democratic "Under Title 19, NJSEA 19:48-7, it “After a formal investigation the added. “Members of the Democratic view local senior citizens, so that diey can gain a better understanding of the dents with one senior citizen. An Committee want me out, but the peo hour-long interview session follows, ple in my district want me in. They older generation. The “Intergenerational Program" is as the students ask their guest ques Payne to be honored by local know that I'm the better person. I am tions from a prepared list of interview doing positive things for the in its. fourth year at George Washing ton School. Seeman conceived the questions. community. "Before the program we brainstorm coalition as Man of the Year “I didn’t even campaign for the idea while doing research for her mas ter’s thesis. She approached the Hill- and the kids usually say that senior then decides who the coalition will seat. If Sam McGhee wants it, he can citizens are grumpy, old, and can't By SHARON CATES sdie Community Center for senior honor.” Lester explained. have it,” Lesier concluded. "But, I hear." Seeman said. "After seeing die Congressman Dcnald M. Payne. citizen volunteers. "Donald Payne has made history think that if there was a re-election 1 older generation as vibrant, energetic D-10. has been selected as the Man of "From what I read, kids don’t have Lester said. "He was the first black would win again I heal him without and knowledgeable, they say that the 5'car by the Coalition for a United access to older people because they campaigning die first time. If I cam senior citizens are friendly, helpful, Hillside, New Jersey official elected to the are segregated into separate groups. paigned 1 would win big." smart and kind." Payne will be the guest of honor at United States Congress Seeman said. "Kids also don’t have a dinner on June 15 at the New Blue "Over the years he has helped our Each week of the three-week prog Ribbon Restaurant. 256 Hollywood efforts." Lesier continued. "He has ram. students touch on a differem Ave, Hillside. been there overall He is responsive to area For the first session on May 27 Damien Johnson, a professional the needs of the state, his district and students asked questions about tneir football player, who fomerly played the community and we are proud of guests’ home life. During the next with the New York Giants, will be him." week. June 6. they touched on school arming the guests attending the The Coalition for a United Hillside life and during the final week, June dinner.