Near-Brawl Leads to Arson Charges
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V**:: -v;^-*.};^^^^ ; .-•• •••;• •:';'•'•• -.•••'••••• •'•••'• •'.'> (Eranfnr Since 1893 Vol. 113, No, 5 CRANFORD * GARWOOD * KENILWORTH Thursday, February 1,2001 50 cents. Around Kenilworth schools unimpressed by state aid numbers ByMKHAELftCUOZZO the lack of special educati{j» Town THE CHRONICLE Borough officials say New Jersey should offer more fiinds funding is a statewide prqbletg that results in less opportunity KENILWORTH — School offi- to cover 'expensive,' mandated special education programs for students. "I think youTT fjnff Garwood Knights host cials were underwhelmed by the throughout the state, they're Saturday blood drive state aid figures announced Jan. cials, the biggest concern lies Kenilworth has approximately who noted that was "not njearly having/to cut other services,1! 25, and the borough's Board of with special education. The state 20 out-of-district special educa- enough funding." Leschuk said, noting Kenilworth GARWOOD <- The borough Education wants more state is willing to provide only half of tion placements, costing borough "Special education is an officials have been able to coVer] chapter of^ghe Knights of funds for special education initia- what is needed, according to offi- schools $1 million annually. The expensive program to run," special education costs through Columbus is Scheduled to host tives. cials, and the rest of the money state gave Kenilworth $500,000 Gonnella said. "It is very, very local revenues and have always^ a special blood drive-collection/ The state has earmarked just for borough special education specifically for those expenses, burdensome (andi much-needed." found a way to make it work. ^•> The blood drive is slated to over $950,000 for Kenilworth efforts will have to come from according to School Business Superintendent of Schools Dr. But the efforts- of the scltoej run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m schools. According to district offi- local sources. Administrator Vincent Gonnella, Lloyd Leschuk said he believes (Continued on page A-2) * ** Saturday at the Knights' Council Hall, located at 37 South Ave., across from the Pathmark supermarket, in Garwood. Near-brawl leads For more information on making a donation, call (908) 789-9809 after 4 p.m. to arson charges Cranford Rotary sets said that material was lighter ID effort, kids' concert Cranford residents fluid. A subsequent investigation led CRANFORD — The Rotary charged following to Johnson and Schipper, who Club has scheduled two events "along with the owner of the car for children — an identifica- Super Bowl fracas ... were at the Super Bowl party tion program and a special con- together," Wilde said, cert — for Feb. 10. By GREGORY ZELLER "We examined the crime scene The events are slated to be THE CHRONICLE and took physical evidence^" the held in the Community Center, lieutenant said. "We conducted an located at 224 Walnut Ave. in CRANFORD — A disagree- investigation that subsequently Cranford. ment over Sunday's Super Bowl led to the arrest of Johnson and "Child ID" will run in Room escalated into a near-brawl and Schipper," 201 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. eventually led to arson charges The second-degree aggravated Photographs, fingerprints, filed against two township resi- arson charges are different than height and weight for each dents. normal- arson charges, Wilde child are recorded in a "pass- Cranford. residents Raymond noted. Arson charges imply a sus- port" to take home. Johnson, 21, and Robert Schipper, pect set a fire with intent to dam- The process takes just a few 19, were arrested early Monday age another's property; second- minutes and there is no and charged with second-degree degree aggravated arson charges charge. aggravated arson after they imply a suspect set a fire with the Boy Scouts from Troop 80 allegedly set fire to a car parked intention of destroying property, will help out with this pro- on Bloomingdale Avenue. Both of the suspects were gram Officers initially responded to charged at 8 am. Monday and Guitar Bob is scheduled to a Bloomingdale Avenue residence processed at Cranford police put oh a concert m Room 200 at approximately 11:50 pm headquarters. Schipper was at 1 pm The songwriter and Sunday after an argument over released on his own recognizance, guitarist does anginal songs the Super Bowl spilled into the according to police reports, while for children and their families. street, according to Lt. Stephen Johnson was released" after post- .rTH&GHBQfcUCl-E He also is a kindergarten Wilde of the Cranford Police ing $1,000 bail. Wilde would not teacher in northern New Department. Officers dispersed comment on why bail was set for The sound . Jersey. two .groups of people, Wilde said, one suspect, but not the other. Admission to Bob'd show is but according to police reports, "The judge sets the bail," he said. $5, with proceeds to benefit the the evening's events were just Pam Schipper, Robert's moth- of rehearsal Rotary Charitable Fund. getting started. er, said Wednesday her son was "Maria" and the,"Von Trapp Concert tickets are avail- At 2:20 a.m., officials received not guilty of the aggravated arson kWa" (above) tune up thetawer. able at Bell's Pharmacy, a call that a tar parked in front of charge. "I feel that this article slon of "Do Re Ml," while young Cranford Eye Care arid SI the Bloomingdale Avenue resi- 'may not accurately portray my "nuns" run through a scene Bank & Trust Co. dence was on fire. The police son's involvement in this serious (below) as part of the last* For more information on Department and the Cranford offense," she said. "While my son minute preparations for the both Rotary-sponsored events, Fire Department both reported to was arrested, he did not partici- 'Uncaln/Franklln School's pre- call Marc Brown at (908) 272- the scene and discovered a burn- pate in the act. He was only pre- miere of "The Sound of Music." 9038. ing 1989 Chevrolet, police said. sent at the scene." The show Is expected to hit the After the fire was extin- Both Johnson and Schipper stage Friday and Saturday guished, investigators deter- are scheduled to be make their nights at the Garwood school. Jewish center schedules mined the vehicle — which first appearance Frida^in Union belonged to the Bloomingdale County Superior Court in second Women's Seder Avenue resident — had been cov- Elizabeth. SCOTCH PLAINS - The ered with a "flammable material," Staff writer Michael R. Cuozzo second-annual Women's Seder according to police reports. Wilde contributed to this story. is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. March 14 at the Jewish Community Center of Central Bank developer's Mwsuit I New Jersey. Township schools The center is located at 1391 Martine Ave. in Scotch Plains. happy with state aid targets township zoning law This ritual dinner is similar mercial zone. discussion." to a Seder meal held at Cranford officials see would lead to more opportunities Cranford board sued The use variance required Aschenbach said he wanted** Passover, but is conducted for district schools in 2001-2002- fpr the residential z6ne had the township to "move forward*^ entirely by women. Female $200K as 'good news' Carfagno noted that state aid ovef SID ordinance's already been approved. with negotiations and wanted^ clergy from Union County and money is not "earmarked," mean- Construction of the bank to send two messages to Site" adjacent towns are scheduled By MICHAEL R. CUOZZO ing that there is no designation Victorian mandates was "approved on condition," •Development. The first is one'"1. to lead the Seder. THE CHRONICLE ' ', as to where it must be spent. It is according, to zoning board of welcome, he said, noting*-* Last year, the-event attract- put into the general fund, he By MICHAEL R. CUOZZO attorney David Weeks said, Cranford would be pleased,tar*, ed more than 40J) women of all CRANFORD — Township said, adding the school board, THE CHRONICLE and itjft that/-condition which have the Commerce Bank johC ages and denominations, schools will receive $200,000 in with input from the Finance , Site Development is challeng- the qommunity. The secontl^ according to a Jewish state aid to diwy out during the Committee, will determine where CRANFORD - Site i message was one of reason, he-** Community Center press 2001-2002 school year, officials money should go. Development Inc. is suing the added. **| release. announced Jan. 25. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Township- Zoning Board of "Cranford is concerned with-** Cost is $50 for adults, $45 The total represents a 9.3-pef- Emalene Renna said she could Adjustments over matters con- maintaining (the) standard^ for senior adults and $36 for cent increase over aid received not offer specifics on possible cerning the building of a 7 know it'sounds like but we're going to be reason-*, children. for use during • • • . _ additions to Commerce Bank at the inter- I'm saying the township able about it, as well.jC; For more information, call the current next year's cur- section of South and shouldn't defend itself, Aschenbach said. t*. school year. "February is number- riculum until Centennial avenues. Lois Altschul at (908) 889- (but) ( think there is Triarsi backed Aschenbach's\2 8800, ext. 209. Mombers of the crunching time." the Finance The legal dispute stems t sentiments by noting that The Women's Seder is spon- Board of — Robert Carfagno Committee frqm a township ordinance opportunity here for fur- Development wants tpV.'" sored by the Jewish Education's works out the requiring that certain ther disdVssbn," Strong working rel " Finance Cranford school numbers. Victorian design standards be with Cranford. "ML Community Center and the Committee are "Before I can — Dan Aschenbach would like to come into town hi *% Jewish Federation of Central business administrator maintained throughout expected to ^ put new pro- Cranford's commercial zones.