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Visit www.spobserver.com to renew or subscribe, view borough meetings, get submission info & more! | i i ^ \ o n it M ••CAR-RT LOT**C 026 c17 p17 s920 ws6 Sp Public Library Spfld Public Library 2484 Plainfield Ave South Plainfield S Plainfield NJ 07080-3531 www.spbhserver.eom JANUARY 30, 2015 VOL 18, NO. 22 Member Vtii' Jersey Press Association 60 CENTS Roscoe and Freckles to Compete in Puppy Bowl By Mary Ann Bourbeau Faithful fans of the Puppy Bowl-a canine lover’s alternative to the Super Bowl-will be pleased to hear that three local puppies made it into diis year’s game. Roscoe and Freckles from the South Plainfield-based Jersey Girls Animal Rescue (JGAR) will be featured in the starting lineup on the Animal Planet network’s show, which airs on Febraary 1 from 3-5 p.m. and repeats all evening. Their sister, Lola, will be seen later in the game. ‘It’s ver\' exciting,” said borough resident Rosemary Petriello, who started JGAR in The South Plainfield High School Soccer Team was recognized for winning the Group III State Championship 2012. “It was a neat experience and we at the January Board of Education meeting. Team members are: Jacob Alba, Mark Butrico, Italo Cardoso, Kevin feel very blessed to be included Casteblanco, Diego Chumpitaz, Jason Cieszkiewicz, Carl Cirilli, Kyle Dennis, Andy Garcia, Nick Grasso, Jose in it.” Guardado, Jake Hoffman, Sean Hutchison, Caleb Kuberiet, Paul Licato, Richard Marcovecchio, Jared Marks, Roscoe (top) and Freckles Patrick McCoid, Nathan Mensah, Ricky Pellegrino, Nick Polizzano, Anthony Rovayo and Jacob Villacres. The As in past shows, Puppy Bowl XI w ill compete features shelter puppies of all breeds members of the soccer team were also honored at the Borough Council meeting held on January 20._______ on Team Fluff running and playing on a makeshift in Animal Planet's football field. Both children and Puppy adults enjoy watching the tackles, Borough to Receive $106K and Lot Bowl on fumbles and touchdowns during the Sunday. competition. Meep the Bird will once again be on hand to “tweet” live updates during the game, which includes the ever-popular $4K in Land Swap Agreement BJssell Kitten Halftime Show. Eveiy' year. Animal Planet invites shelters around the country' to enter its At the Tanuary 20 meeting, the Bor for an extended period of time. Coun According to Councilman Alex ough Council introduced an ordinance cilman Diana, a member o f the com Barletta, “The land swap was brought puppies for a chance to be included. Petriello submitted photos and a video of to swap four borough-owned lots mittee, said that he was voting against before the Economic Development Roscoe, Freckles and Lola, who were all rescued from a private owner in Nordi the ordinance because he wanted the Committee rw'o times, once when I Carolina. (Block 536, Lot 2 and Block 537, Lots “It is always difficult to choose borough to follow the usual practice of was chairman and last year when Der- “They are happy and playful, and not shy 5, 6 and 7) in exchange for $106,000 what puppies will appear in Puppy and a small lot on Morris Avenue that advertising the lots for public sale and ryck White was chainnan. CJ was on in a crowd,” Petriello said. Bowl, but when we met Roscoe and is owned by RScE Investors. The vote allow potential buyers to bid for the the committee both times and had no Thousands of rescues from around the Freckles from Jersey Sirl Animal was 4-1; Councilman Rob Bengivenga property at a public meeting. objections to the swap. In my opinion, country' are researched for the show, so the Rescue, we knew their sweet faces recused himself and Councilman CJ “In my mind, the most important the borough property being swapped network can find a nice mix o f breeds, looks and playful personalities would Diana voted against the introduction. part of any government’s job is to be up is o f no use to the borough. The larger and sizes for the big game. capture the viewers’ hearts.” Because R8tE Investors is owned by front and honest with its constituents. piece has no street nor utilities and is “It is alwavs difficult to choose what pup a relative of a councilman, the borough Calling this transaction a “land swap,” triangular-shaped. Once it’s sold, we pies will appear in Puppy Bowl, but when -Executive Producer Melinda Toporoff hired Stirling, DiSanto & Assoeiates where only 3.5% of the total transfer will be receiving $106,000 plus the we met Roscoe and Freckles from Jersey Girl to appraise the lots involved in the is acmally an exchange of property, ongoing tax revenue. The property Animal Rescue, we knew their sweet faces and playful personalities would capture deal. The Morris Avenue property' an simply doesn’t meet that standard. In the borough is receiving on Morris the viewers’ hearts,” said Executive Producer Melinda Toporoff. undersizxd lot owned by R& E Inves acmality, this is a land sale where one Avenue will not be developed. There Roscoe and Lola, both 12-week-old Labrador Retriever mixes, were among tors, was appraised at $4,000. The developer is being allowed to purchase are many past precedents for these 55 puppies chosen for the show. For the filming in New York City, Petriello h.ad borough-owned properties were ap property outside of the auction pro types of transactions.” nowhere to leave Freckles, so she brought him along. Freckles, a male hound mix, praised at $100,000; two of them are cess. It not only provides preferential The practice of putting lots up for was ultimately chosen for the starting lineup along with Roscoe. Both are on Team located on West End Avenue and two treatment to one resident over all public sale doesn’t always result in a Fluff, which will be competing against Team Ruff. Lola is on a backup team. are located on Easton Avenue. others, but it is robbing all borough purchase. Such an incident happened “We don’t know what footage was selected for the show because we weren’t Under die terms of the deal, the bor taxpayers of even more revenue. The on April 16, 2012 when there was a in the room when it was filmed,” Petriello said. ough will receive $106,000 in addition pieces of property that the borough 75'xlOO' lot up for sale on the comer of Regardless of who wins the game, the pups had a good time and JGAR will to the 40'xl00' lot on Morris Avenue is swapping could easily sell for more St. John’s Place and Harvard Avenue. also get some much-needed recognition. Petriello keeps the shelter running by in exchange for the four, unimproved at auction and would certainly sell for At that time there were no bids for collecting adoption fees and donations. borough-owned lots. no less than the value we’re receiving the property. “The publicity will help draw attention to what we do,” she said. The eost of the appraisal for all the under this so-called swap. The admin The public hearing and final passage (Continued on po0 e 12) properties, which totalled $1,200, was istration should abandon this plan for the swap ordinance will be held on paid for by RScE Investors. immediately and put the properties up Monday, Feb. 2. According to Mayor Matt Anesh, for auction,” said Diana. the borough is committed to prevent ing any new ctmstnicrion on the comer lot on Morris Avenue, which is adjacent South Plainfield Restaurant Week is Coming! to an area dedicated to open space. The property borders the senior housing Calling all foodies! Local restaurants apartments on Morris Avenue. Mark your calendars will feature various The matter has been in front of the for the first-ever South specials for the entire Economic Development Oimmittce Plainfield Restaurant week, which may in Week. Enjoy delicious, clude pre fixe menus, iiS8»Eriiia<iii;EiNTiiEiiuiiiiz7 budget conscious special pricing on meals at local restau lunch or dinner fare rants, pubs and din e s t Q u r o n t a m e k or discounts on entire ers during the South meals or take out. Plainfield Restaurant Week, sponsored Participating restaurants will be bv the South Plainfield Economic posted on the borough’s webpage and RESERVE NOW BY CALLING iSevclopmcnt Committee and Business will be periodically updated. Eateries, 908,668.0010 OR EMAIL Advisorv' Croup. as well as their special offerings, will The week-long event will take place also be updated in the South Flainjuld Ecbruaiv’ 22-28. It will be a great op- Observer and on TAP. Mayor Matt Anesh swears in Pastor Edmund Seponosky as Borough portunitv fr)r diners to experience the Restaurateurs who would like to Chaplain at the January 20 Borough Council meeting. Seponosky is the local cuisine at special pricing and for participate should email edc@south pastor of Crossroads Calvery Church in South Plainfield. restaurants to expand their clientele. plainficld.com or call (908) 668-0010. To subscribe to tbe South Plainfield Observer call 908-668-0010 J a n u ary 30,2015 Be informed about the business of your Borough Councit & BOE. Visit WWW, spobserver.com to view Council & BOE meetings Borough or watch Comcast Ch. 96 Mondays at7 p.m. BOE meetings Opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of the publisher, nor do we guarantee their accuracy. Council air on Thursdays at 7 p.m.