ttBB l&ttntb_ ^ ____ ^ __ ___ _ .._ .. ___ •: ;••_ Serving Westfield, Scotch Plains and Fanwood Friday, August 26, 2005 50 cents Westfield police chief will step down soon ByAHNABOOOAMOWICZ Tracy told The Star-Ledger last week he THE KECOKD-PKESS Tracy draws praise from town officials was diagnosed with cancer of the salivary glands five years ngo and wishes to WESTFIELD — After 31 years of serv- Tracy will be taking a job as a security When Tracy leaves, an acting police chief improve his health and spend more time ice to the Westfield Police Department, officer for the Linden Board of Education will most likely be appointed until Gildea, with his five children and grandchildren, including five years as chief, Bernard Tracy Sept. 1; the job will offer him more time to the mayor and council hire a full-time saying "A more sedentary life is important is retiring. spend with his family than his typical 60- replacement. Gildea said the selection to good health," Tracy is currently on vacation and could hour work week as police chief. He will process will probably be very similar to the Gildea became the town administrator not be reached for comment this week, but retire with his full pension, having worked recent appointment of Dan Kelly as the in 2001, one year after Tracy became police town administrator Jim Gildea confirmed the required 25 years, Gildea said. new fire chief. chief, so he said he has spent a "majority of the chief has informed the town of his Although Tracy has not submitted a for- Gildea said that process includes sever- that time together." impending departure. He will officially be mal letter of retirement yet, Gildea said he al components. The two deputy chiefs being "He has been a leader and innovator in leaving in early September, shortly after he has started to plan for the process of hiring considered for the top fire post underwent a the police department and in Westfield. returns from vacation. a new police chief. Town guidelines state psychological analysis, followed by an inter- creating many community-based pro- Tracy first indicated he had other job that the chief is to be "appointed by the view process and an analysis and presenta- grams such as the community policing Headed to opportunities a few weeks ago. according to town administrator with the consent of the tion of the candidates to the Town Council. program, the TEAM program, SOS pro- Giide-a. "I wouldn't call this abrupt, just a mayor and approval of the Town Council," "Something similar could happen for the gram and DROP program," said Gildea. the Next Level little quicker than I thought," said Gildea. said Giidea; the replacement will come police chief position. I'm in the process of Scotch Plains-Fanwood girls bas- "It will be a loss in the town.'" from within the department. thinking what we will do," said Gildea. (Continued on page A-2i ketball coach Lori Gear McBride led the local Next Level basketball camp earlier this month. For pictures of that event, as well as a first look at Toddler the fall high school season, sse Sports. Page C-1. Classic rescued cars, after classic falling moves into pit ByANNABOQDAHOWICZ Fall fun THE RECORD-PRESS WESTFIELD — The scene at Trallslde had all the markings of a possible tragedy: A toddler falls in a hold With a change of seasons fast and becomes unresponsive. But approaching, the Trailside Nature & thanks to the unrelenting efforts Science Center in Mountainside is of the Westfield firefighters, offering a host of educational fall police officers and EMTs, the program for children and families, as child is now recovering at home. well as an encore performance of the After two exhausting nature trail ride. For all the details, attempts, firefighters recovered a see Community Life, Page B-1. 16-month-old John Michael Butterfield of Mctuchen from an open excavation site in Tninnques Park Monday evening. The tod- dler fell in the holt1, which was dug to install a new light post in the park, at around -4 p.m. and BROOKS CRANDALUCORRESPONDENT was wedged between a 16-foot- The Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce sent the summer out long pre-cast concrete column in style Aug. 17, hosting its third and final car show of the sea- and an earthen wall nine feel son. Above, onlookers get a gander at some of the vehicles on below the surface, according to display. The evening also included some other entertainments; top left, professional dancers Kara Shovlin and John Russitano fire chief Daniel Kelly. of "Make You Wanna Dance" boogied in the streets to the delight When firefighters first arrived of the crowd. The car shows continued to grow throughout the at the scene, the toddler was still summer; organizer Bill Mackey of B&G Salsa said 122 cars were responsive. An initial attempt to registered for last week's show, compared to 102 in July and 65 lower a firefighter in the hole to in June. retrieve the boy was unsuccess- ful, and firefighters made an immediate request for mutual aid from the Confined Space Rescue Team in Elizabeth. Hearing on Chambers dispute continues But with time running out, firefighters had to act fast. "The ByANNABOGOAHOWICZ between Chambers and Tracy Chambers has been suspend- he apologized and offered to pay child became unresponsive," said Kelly. Firefighters tried once THE RECOHD-l'RESS changed after Chambers refused ed since March for allegedly hav- the ticket for her, but that to "do something for him," which ing another officer, Jonathan Chambers told him "No, don't more to retrieve the child from Dog days the work site; this time. 25-yeur- WESTFIELD — Two key wit- led to Tracy retaliating against Pierce, void a $20 parking ticket even worry about it." The ticket J nesses testified at. a heated sec- her. her son had received. The town is was voided Feb. 16 on the old firefighter Jim l feiffer low- of summer ond hearing regarding the town's Tracy agreed he had a social attempting to fire Chambers, a grounds that the meter was bro- ered himself into the hole was able to lift John Michael out. Cute canines and their owner had a disciplinary action against relationship with Chambers and former recipient of a Chamber of ken. blast Saturday at a dog show hosted Detective Sandy Chambers on said he had given $1,000 in gifts Commerce award who is well- Pierce said Chambers had Immediately, firelighters and by The Chelsea at Fanwood. For a Aug. 17 in the community room to her family for Christmas. But regarded for her community out- asked Capt. John Morgan to help KMTs went to work, trying to full photo spread from the competi- of the municipal building. when asked if he retaliated after reach efforts with local youth her with the ticket on Feb 16. bring the toddler back to con- tion, turn toPageA-10. The Ibur-and-a-half-hour a change in their relationship, and the African-American com- "Morgan asked her what hap- sciousness. Paramedics arrived hearing was marked by sporadic Tracy said their relationship had munity. pened, and she said she got the and took the child to Overlook outbursts between the attorneys not changed and called the claim Pierce testified at I he hearing summons on u broken meter," Hospital. "The toddler had lacer- for each side and grew tense EIP "absurd." he had no knowledge the car was said Pierce. When Morgan asked ations to his face, neck and Chamber's attorney, Hasscn James Plosia, the attorney registered to Chambers until she Pierce if the meter was broken. arms," said Kelly. Abdellah, cross-examined Chief representing the town, called the called him two days later on Jan. Pierce agreed. Pierce said he did But after undergoing some Bernard Tracy, saying the social questions about the relationship 17 and informed him he had Platelet drive relationship that existed "marginally" relevant. written her a ticket. Pierce said 'Continued on page A-2) (Continued on pnge A-2) held on Friday New Jersey Blood Services will be Plans for building Wedding bells for Weiss, Smith hosting a blood platelet drive from 2-6 p.m. Friday. The Bloodmobile will be parking in the Westfield Area Fanwood Library Director YMCA parking lot on Ferris Place. repairs progressing Daniel Weiss and Mary Olive No appointment is necessary. For ByANNABOGPANOWICZ At a June 8 council conference Smith were married by more information, call (908) 322- Fanwood Mayor Colleen THE HECOUD-PKESS meeting, architect Tom Potter 2700, ext. 251. said the roof and the heating, Mahr in a simple ceremony SCOTCH PLAINS — Plans to ventilation and air conditioning on the grounds of Borough restore three public buildings in system need replacement at town Hall last Friday. Weiss con- the township and to design a pro- hall, and the public works build- tinues to make a full recov- posed community and senior cen- ery after being stabbed by ing is in need of major repairs or his ex-wife, Rosemary ter are progressing. Mayor total replacement. The town hall Dunlap, earlier this month, Martin Marks said this week. facility has suffered damage from just days before his sched- Commentary A-6 Town hall, the public works roof leaks for a while, leading uled wedding to Smith. He building and the library have employees to set up buckets to has also returned to work Community Life B-1 been in need of major improve- catch water dripping from the full-time at the library and ments for some time now.