The Westfield L the Westfield Leader

Page 4 Thursday, November 20, 1997 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG C OMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION POPCORN™ Starship Troopers: TheThe WestfieldWestfield LLeadereader Campy Carnage TheTheThe Official WestfieldWestfield Newspaper of the Town of Westfield andLL the Countyeadereader of Union By Michael S. Goldberger — Established 1890 — 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 Periodicals – Postage Paid at Westfield, New Jersey Egregious 2 & 1/2 popcorns threatening the Earth with extinction are When someone does not conform to “A citizen is one who makes preserva- the aforementioned insects, an outer space accepted patterns of thinking or behavior, THE TIMES tion of the human race his personal re- phylum of arachnid that would just as it is said that such a person “walks to the Official Newspaper of the Township of Scotch Plains and the Borough of Fanwood sponsibility.” soon chop off your legs as spit fiery gook beat of a different drummer.” However, — Established 1959 — So affirms the fascistic mantra of the in your face. And they do. Repetitively. nonconformity is not always valued highly Periodicals – Postage Paid at Scotch Plains, New Jersey combative future depicted in Starship Few career infantry folk have all four as you shall see. Troopers. limbs. Happily, this is also a future with The ancient Latin adjective for indi- POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the offices of the newspapers at Combined with a raging spin of its own, space age prosthetic devices. vidualism was egregius, which combined P. O. Box 250, Westfield, New Jersey 07091 Director Paul Verhoeven’s delirious treat- The level of carnage depicted is an ex, “out” and grex, “flock” and literally ment of Robert Heinlein’s sci-fi novel uneasy, gory cross between cartoonish meant “apart from the herd.” The English, THE LEADER THE TIMES results in a campy send-up of Gung-Ho exaggeration and naturalistic nightmare. It noted for placing a high priority on confor- P.O. Box 250 P. O. Box 368 (1943) and just about every other film all leads up to the final confrontation with mity, assigned a very narrow definition to 50 Elm Street, Westfield, N.J. 07091 Scotch Plains, N.J. 07076 meant to mobilize minds during WW II. the big, fat, disgusting brain bug. Just their version of the word, i.e., egregious (908) 232-4407 • Fax: (908) 232-0473 (908) 232-4407 • Fax: (908) 232-0473 Guilty thrills abound. Never before has about the time when this charming fellow which means “outstandingly bad.” the genre been so thoroughly, so outra- E-mail: [email protected] is sucking the brains out of some poor Most of us crave acceptance and are geously, lampooned. Earthling’s skull, it becomes clear that too therefore gregarious, a word that shares PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY BY WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. Working from screenwriter Ed much time spent with the extravagantly the same root as egregious, but has the Neumeier’s sadistically giddy, occasion- violent Starship Troopers will drive you opposite meaning, i.e., “belonging to the Horace R. Corbin Gail S. Corbin ally visionary adaptation, director buggy. flock.” Despite the opinion of the English, PUBLISHER GENERAL MANAGER Verhoeven wreaks a curious melange of ***** marching to the sound of a different drum- high tech violence, naive patriotism and Starship Troopers, rated R, is a Tri- mer is not always “outstandingly bad.” Paul J. Peyton Suzette Stalker Joanna B. Marsh dimply idealism. Following the exploits Star Pictures and Touchstone Pictures Doing it your way might be pretty MANAGING EDITOR ASSISTANT EDITOR MARKETING DIRECTOR (from high school, through boot camp, to release directed by Paul Verhoeven and good, and if yours is a better way, you Karen M. Hinds the front) of a few quixotic youths hell- stars Casper Van Dien, Dina Meyer and have a chance to join the ranks of “The David B. Corbin bent on fighting for their planet, there is OFFICE MANAGER SPORTS Denise Richards. Running time: 129 min- Rich and Famous.” consistency only in the movie’s steady utes. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE bombardment of incongruous elements. It is a bedazzling, unsettling intrusion THE WESTFIELD LEADER & THE TIMES to be sure. And plenty funny when it’s NEWS FROM TRENTON One-year subscription in county $20 not being downright repulsive. Imagine 22nd Legislative District One-year subscription out-of-county $24 the special effects possibilities, about $50 One-year college (September to May) $16 million worth, out of a total budget of New Jersey Needs to Create $100 million. And how about a heartless enemy of giant, extraterrestrial insects? If Dept. of Children's Services that’s your beehive, you won’t be disap- pointed. By Assemblyman Richard H. Bagger Success of School Districts Celebrated But ultimately, this cinematic attempt to mix oil and water, while a challenging In a letter to John Adams, Thomas nant this year, the highest teen pregnancy exercise on the Dutch director’s part, fails Jefferson wrote that “a little rebellion, rate of any developed country in the During American Education Week to produce a cohesive entertainment. Of now and then, is a good thing, and as world. course, displaying your cinema savvy by This week, the Westfield and the Scotch Plains- The average Standard Assessment Test (SAT) necessary in the political world as storms While the high rate of teenage preg- ticking off the rapid-fire clichés provides nancy means trouble for many young some fun. And musing at the movie’s in the physical.” Fanwood school districts are observing American scores for both Westfield and Scotch Plains- We in New Jersey are more cautious people, the disappointing surge in drug Education Week. During November 16-22, we are Fanwood students were found to be higher than creative view of its circa-unspecified fu- ture is not without its diversions. about changing things than Jefferson was, use among our children is even more trou- reminded of the vital role a quality education plays in state and national averages, according to reports Epitomizing the new warrior genera- but we have been willing to make major, bling. Nearly half of high school seniors preparing today’s children for tomorrow’s chal- released by each of the districts. tion is Johnny Rico (Casper Van Dien). and in fact, revolutionary changes when say they have tried drugs by graduation circumstances warrant. day. Among 10th graders, LSD use is up lenges and opportunities. The average SAT scores attained by Westfield Inspired by his jingoistic civics teacher (Neil Patrick Harris) much the same way This year, for example, we are marking 62 percent, and marijuana use has doubled In both communities, the commitment to quality students in verbal and mathematics skills were 555 Lew Ayres’ character was stirred by Herr the 50th anniversary of our State Consti- among junior high school students. education is reflected in the success of the students. and 572, respectively. State averages were 497 Professor in All Quiet On the Western tution, rewritten, said Governor Alfred E. New Jersey has struggled with all of Their achievements are a testament to the many for verbal and 508 for mathematics. The national Front, Johnny signs up for the mobile Driscoll, because “New Jersey people, these problems. Programs stretching from infantry right after graduation. their lives and work have undergone the the Departments of Correction, Educa- teachers, administrators and other staff who strive averages were 505 for verbal and 511 for math- He wants to be a citizen, a member of effects of a civil war; of two world wars, tion, Health, Human Services, Law and each day to give the youngsters entrusted to their ematics. the elite voting class. Service confers that and of industrial and social revolutions Public Safety and Community Affairs all care a foundation on which to build solid and suc- On the SATs, the Class of 1997 at SPFHS status. Carmen (Denise Richards), his since our present constitution was adopted in some way try to help children navigate best gal and a fellow denizen of Buenos in 1844.” lives with too many shoals and too few cessful futures. achieved a verbal mean of 523 and a 537 math- Aires, has glory in her plans, too. With The “horse and buggy” constitution of safe harbors. It is also a tribute to the parents and other commu- ematics mean, for an average combined score of dreams of being a starship pilot, she joins 1844 was not adequate for a jet-age New The reality, though, is for all we have nity members who share their time, talents and 1060. By comparison, the state total average was Fleet. To Johnny’s chagrin, she could Jersey and so we wisely agreed to change done, we are losing ground. We must do very well let career goals interfere with her knowledge in support of a quality education system. 1005, and the national average was 1016, according as circumstances dictated we must. two things: First, we must do what we romantic relationship. In 1947, most Americans believed that already do, but do it better. This spirit of cooperation was showcased during the to a report issued by the district. Rounding out the love triangle that no change meant unalloyed progress and that Second, we must consider the recent Mini NetDay in Westfield, when more than Among members of WHS’s Class of 1998, five self-respecting war picture can be with- progress was our unique birthright. By Jeffersonian admonition to consider revo- out is Dina Meyer as Dizzy Flores, at- 50 volunteers banded together to help update the students are semi-finalists and 14 have received many measures, we have made great lutionary change with the times and cir- tractively tomboyish antithesis to Carmen. cumstances. Now is such a time. The Desperate to keep Johnny’s golden progress. We are, undoubtedly, more af- libraries at local schools. Letters of Commendation in the National Merit fluent today than we were in 1947. system we have gives responsibility for The Westfield public school system currently Scholarship Program. luster in her purview, Diz packs up her unrequited love and follows Johnny boy But if we are materially better off today, protecting our children to too many people enrolls 4,878 students, from Pre-Kindergarten through In this year’s senior class at SPFHS, two students right into his mobile infantry unit. And there is a portion of our population which in too many places. It costs too much and Grade 12, at its six elementary schools, two interme- have been named semi-finalists by the National that doesn’t mean she becomes a nurse or is not only not better off but, in fact, worse does not serve children well enough. off. The New Jersey of 50 years ago has The time has come to reorganize, sim- diate schools and Westfield High School. There are Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), while an- joins the WACs. Yep. This man and woman’s army is strictly unisex, and given way to an era which can be hard, plify and streamline how we protect our 77 out-of-district special education students. other 14 have been designated as National Merit there’s even a bold shower scene to prove harsh and dangerous for too many of our children. We need to unify our efforts In Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 4,302 students are Commended Students. it. children. under one roof instead of far-flung pro- currently enrolled in the five elementary schools, Three others have been commended in the Na- The bad news for liberals is that this Over one million American children future takes place following the “failed were the victims of child abuse in 1995. two middle schools and the high school which tional Achievement Scholarship Program, a scho- experiment of democracy;” on the bright The number of children who have been comprise the public school system for the sister lastic competition for outstanding African-Ameri- side of the platform, women’s lib has placed in foster homes has soared by More Columns communities. can students which is conducted by the NMSC. prevailed. Gains for the far right include nearly 50 percent in the past decade. public floggings and the already noted More than 17 million children live in On Page 17 Both districts offer comprehensive curriculums, The Scotch Plains-Fanwood public school sys- totalitarianism (Johnny’s mentor notes: families which receive Aid to Families including advanced placement and computer in- tem was recently chosen to receive the “What “Your ideas are the only freedom you with Dependent Children (“AFDC”) and struction, as well as varied extracurricular activities Parents Want Award” for 1997 by SchoolMatch, a have”). Iterating a sentiment from G.I. one out of every three children born today grams and competing agencies, we need Jane, ladies now enjoy the right to die for and other supplemental services. national school selection consulting firm, based on is born into the welfare system. In fact, 60 one home for our children’s programs. We their country. percent of all women who receive AFDC need, simply, to create a Department of The Class of 1997 at Westfield High School a criteria which included academic test scores, Only, in this case it isn’t a country, but do so as a result of a teenage pregnancy. Children’s Services. (WHS) had 92.7 percent of the graduates continuing among other factors. a global federation ruled by a Sky Mar- More than a million teens will get preg- New Jersey has not been afraid to shal. And the grotesque enemy now their education, with 83.7 percent matriculating at We congratulate both the Westfield and the Scotch change to protect our children. New Jer- sey has a long history of caring for its four-year colleges. Plains-Fanwood school districts on their successes, "COMMENTING ON UNION COUNTY" young. A century ago, the state created the Of the 293 students in the Class of 1997 at Scotch and encourage all residents of these communities to State Board of Children’s Guardians to Plains-Fanwood High School (SPFHS), 85 percent recognize American Education Week for the vital look out for orphans and foster children. International Trade Is Vital A generation ago, the state created the are continuing their education, with 75.1 percent of role it will play in readying our youngest generation Department of Human Services. A year that number enrolled in a four-year college program. for life in the 21st century. To County’s Economic Base ago, Governor Christine Todd Whitman created a Juvenile Justice Commission. By LINDA d. STENDER New Jersey has also been flexible Chairwoman – Union County Board of Freeholders enough to restructure its state govern- Letters to the Editor POLICY ON LETTERS ment as circumstances warranted. As Few residents of Union County realize Denmark. Peter Aagaard, OENJ Presi- New Jersey industrialized, it created a TO THE EDITOR Department of Labor in 1916. As our All letters to the Editor how much our economy depends on an dent, had the following to say when asked ever-growing level of international trade. why his company settled on Union commitment to conserving our natural Westfielders Must Continue to Work must bear a signature, a resources deepened, New Jersey created street address and a day- We are a county with its economic base County for the Metro Mall: “When you anchored in transportation and distribu- look at a map, it’s not difficult to see we the Department of Environmental Pro- Together to Achieve Success in Schools time telephone number tion facilities, particularly those which chose it because of two components: the tection in 1970. so authors may be veri- The theme for American Education and fund-raising efforts of its parents. transport, store, distribute and support first is demographics, the second is the As the proportion of senior citizens in fied. Letters that are E- exports by American manufacturers and infrastructure. If you draw a circle of 40 New Jersey grew, Governor Whitman Week, observed throughout the United Everyday in our schools, we see the mailed to the Editor also States from Sunday through Saturday, benefits of community support. Cer- imports by American industry and retail- miles around the site, there are 15 million moved the Division of Aging from the must contain a daytime ers. people living there. Newark Airport is Department of Community Affairs to the November 16 through 22, is “Teaching tainly, the overwhelming passage of the telephone number. Our Children to Think and Dream.” last school budget by the public is evi- Port Elizabeth is the largest handler of very efficient and it is important to have Department of Health, creating a Depart- E-mail address is seaborne containers in the United States. In Westfield, our schools have consis- dence of Westfield’s commitment to its a seaport, major highways, and water- ment of Health and Senior Services. “[email protected].” This method of moving sealed containers borne and rail access possibilities. It’s a tently provided students with both skills schools. And we have merged or eliminated de- During American Education Week and Letters may be no from shipper to freight to trucks has remarkable area.” partments when they were no longer nec- to achieve and hope for the future. revolutionized an industry that was riddled And countless, smaller service organi- Skills proficiency is reflected in stu- all year long, we can see that teamwork longer than one-and-a- essary. In fact, New Jersey has three fewer half pages, typewritten with the high costs of inefficiency and zations and manufacturers in Union departments today than it did four years dent test scores which continually out- breeds success. As Henry Ford once theft. Today, our facilities are the envy of County sell to larger domestic and foreign pace state and national averages. With said, “Coming together is a beginning; and double-spaced. Let- ago. ters must be typed up- the world, and one of the powerful reasons firms that depend directly on interna- The time has come to again make a almost 93 percent of our graduating se- keeping together is a process; working the Ports of New York and New Jersey are tional trade. niors continuing their education — many together is success.” per and lower case. All significant change. New Jersey 50 years letters are subject to ed- the entry and exit point of choice for Yet with all the benefits Union County going to the nation’s most selective col- Let us continue to work together for shippers worldwide. The recent agree- derives from worldwide commerce, there ago had few single parent households, a leges and universities — we can see that the success of our schools and the future iting due to space limita- ment between the Port Authority, State of is still much more we can do to realize the steeply lower incidence of illegitimate our students are also well prepared for of our children. tions and style. New Jersey and Union County to deepen full potential of this unique opportunity. births and far fewer welfare recipients, a No endorsement letters negligible drug problem and a markedly the future. Susan Jacobson, President the port’s ship channels will assure our That is why, last year, the Board of To make our schools the best they can Board of Education, Westfield or letters attacking can- leadership well into the 21st century, as Chosen Freeholders, launched a number less violent youth culture. be requires a commitment from every didates will be accepted the next generation of high superships of major economic development initia- This is not a panacea. Creating a De- member of the community — from re- during the campaign. comes on stream. tives, with a strong focus on international partment of Children’s Services will not, tired citizens as well as parents, from Everyone Who Helped The deadline for letters Newark International Airport affords trade. Among these are: with stroke of a governor’s pen, end wel- business leaders as well as school board is Friday by 4 p.m., if they Union County another advantage. This 1. The new Union County Economic fare or eliminate teenage pregnancy. members. Evacuate Genesis are to appear in the fol- facility is one of America’s leading touch- Development Department has retained a What it will do is focus all of our This commitment is evident more than lowing issue. down points for passengers and freight consultant to advise us on what more resources which are intended for our chil- ever in the current volunteer efforts of our ‘ Made A Difference’ heading into and from the entire globe. needs to be done to stimulate investment dren on our children. It will give them an community. Already in progress are com- I would like to commend the people United States Foreign Trade Zone No. 49 and trade by foreign companies and United advocate and a guardian of their interests. mittees of volunteers who will help de- who participated in the recent evacuation at Port Newark/Elizabeth is the largest States Exporters. No matter how well intentioned any agency velop a district-wide strategic plan — a of the Genesis ElderCare Center of West- Blood Drive Is Slated contiguous FTZ in the United States. 2. The Department is also following up can be, multiple agencies mean multiple blueprint for the future of our schools. field. Match these giant facilities with Union on Union County’s recent special section turfs, inherent inefficiencies and extra cost. These volunteers include senior citizens, As a Red Cross volunteer, I was called In Township Nov. 25 County’s superb system of rail and road, in The Wall Street Journal by launching an We must make the programs we have more teachers, students, parents, community to help at the temporary shelter estab- and its strategic position very close to the aggressive marketing campaign. One im- efficient, better, and more compassionate. organization representatives, ministerium, lished at St. Helen’s Roman Catholic The American Red Cross, largest, richest market in the world, and portant aspect of this campaign is to have Children are maddeningly inconvenient town officials, school board members and Church. I was impressed by the response Plainfield Area Chapter, and you can understand the importance of direct contact with commercial attaches at - I have three, I know - and their problems administration. of the other agencies to this disaster, not New Jersey Blood Services international trade to our taxpayers, wage the New York consulates of America’s do not fit neatly into boxes created by All play a role in the future of our only in number, but in competency. will hold a blood drive on Tues- earners and business community. major trading partners. But there’s even more to the benefits legislatures and bureaucrats. For all their children. Members of the fire, police, rescue day, November 25, from 2 to This same International Task Force inconvenience, though, they represent all squads and paramedic crews worked effi- we derive from worldwide industry and will be working directly with attorneys, As the strategic planning committees 7:30 p.m. at Scotchwood Li- commerce. Did you know that some of the accountants, freight forwarders and oth- of our fondest dreams and deepest hopes- create a vision for our schools, other ciency and compassionately in conjunc- . They are our future. tion with the staff of Genesis and St. quors, 2261 South Avenue, in most famous corporate names in Union ers representing foreign companies. And, volunteers continue to provide support a busmobile in the parking lot. County are, in fact, foreign companies local commercial and industrial Realtors Jefferson thought a lot about for another district goal: our technology Helen’s to assist the patients. All these efforts were coordinated with great skill whose investments here have brought us will be given assistance in “selling” Union government’s role. He once told support- plan. On a rainy Saturday morning this Donors must be in good by Eric Martin, a paramedic from Over- health, weigh 110 pounds or tax ratables. jobs, business opportunities County to foreign companies seeking ers that “the care of human life and hap- October, parent and community volun- look Hospital in Summit. and wonderful corporate citizens? To United States sites. piness, and not their destruction, is the teers brought our schools closer to our more, be between 17 and 76 first and only legitimate object of good Through their great effort, all those years old and have a form of name just a few, Schering Plough, Novartis, 3. The county is presently planning a technology goals by wiring school librar- who participated in this truly unfortunate Atlanta, BOC, Haarmann & Reimer, trade conference with the business com- government.” The purpose of govern- ies for automation during the district’s event made a deference for the residents of identification. Seventeen year Hoechst, IKEA and K-Line have major munity of Luxembourg, which is being ment has not changed much in nearly 200 first NetDay. Genesis. olds may donate with signed facilities in Union County. arranged by the United States Ambassa- years. In September, we ushered in the school Dr. John Tabachnick, parental consent. The huge Metro Mall, nearing comple- dor to Luxembourg, Clay Constantino. It It is time for us to be thoughtful. It is year by opening a newly-renovated el- Chairman For more information, please tion in Elizabeth, is being developed by will be held on December 2 and 3 in Union time for us to improve and coordinate ementary library at Tamaques School, Westfield/Mountainside Chapter call Chris at (908) 756-6414. Orien of Elizabeth, New Jersey (OENJ), and Elizabeth. children’s services in the State of New which was updated through the hard work American Red Cross a European investment group based in CONTINUED ON PAGE 17 Jersey.