Page 4 Thursday, May 29,1997 fflrstfirlfr %taber and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains - Fanwood A WATCHUNC COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION

' POPCORN ™— Night Falls on Manhattan: The Official Newspaper of the Town of Westfield and the County of Union JO & JOHN JACOIJSON — Established 1890 — The Dark Side of Justice Member of the New Jersey Press Association • Member of Ihe National Newspaper Association • By Michael Goldberger Periodicals - Postage Paid at Westfield, New Jersey ^One Popcorn, Poor < Two Popcorns, Fair • Three Popcorns, Good • four Popcorns, Excellent^ Ghetto Roots Extend

3 A 1/4 popcorns court, the proverbial can of worms is To the 16th Century THE TIMES Night Falls on Manhattan which high- opened. And the creeps slither out from GHETTO Official Newspaper of the Township of Scotch Plains and the Borough of Fanwood lights a pungent sliver of New York their rocks. The word ghetto originally referred to — Established 1959 — City's justice system, is about corrup- This motion picture adds a calm, en- a section of certain cities in Europe to Periodicals - Postage Paid at Scotch Plains, New Jersey tion, bribery, extortion, graft, scandal, gaging maturity to this sordid fact of life. which Jews were restricted. It now refers; power plays in the back room and then It is only Sean who's surprised, and that's to any section of a city in which members,! POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the offices of the newspapers at some. Just like your daily routine, but a bit thick to swallow. A big boy his age? of some minority group live, or to wfijcj P. O. Box 250, Westfield, New Jersey 07091 with the added attraction of bullets. A New Yorker no less? Former flatfoot? they are restricted by economic pressuri Diligently working a fine roster of Went to law school at night? And he or social discrimination. /; THE LEADER THE TIMES picaresque characters, director Sidney doesn't know the score? Its acceptable Ghetto gets its odious start in, of al P.O. Box 250 P. O. Box 368 Lumet (Serpico, Prince of the City) once only because the bright side of this well- places, Venice, Italy. In 1516, the cit; 50 Elm Street, Westfleld, N.J. 07091 Scotch Plains, N.J. 07076 again treads the perilous land of his cel- shaded movie promises the possibility of fathers decreed that the Jews of that ci' (908) 232-4407 • Fax: (908) 232-0473 (908) 232-4407 • Pax: (908) 232-0473 ebrated expertise: bad cops, well-heeled good surviving somewhere in this jungle would have to move to a small island E-mail: [email protected] crooks, and the savvy politicos their in- of nihilism. On second thought, maybe known as "Ghetto." It was so discretions keep prosperous. Personally the protagonist can't have a clue if he's because a cannon foundry, or ghetto, PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY BY WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. adapting the screenplay from Robert unafraid to take on this urban hell's formerly located there. The ghetto coi Daley's novel, 'Tainted Evidence," the forces of darkness. from the Latin word "jactare"—to thn Horace R. Corbin Gail S. Corbin Paul J. Peyton director takes pretty much the same frus- What's harder to take than Sean's ini- or cast. PUBLISHER GENERALMANAGER MANAGING EDITOR trating police melodrama we witness tial naivete is Andy Garcia's accent. It The practice of segregating minont nightly on television and imbues it with doesn't take Henry Higgins to know that Suzette Stalker Karen M. Hinds spread to other European cities, and ' panache, intelligence, and just maybe a this otherwise superb actor's elocution is sections were usually called ghettos ASSISTANT EDITOR OFFICE MANAUER little hope. hardly that of an Irish-American in New Joanna B. Marsh Kathleen G. Norman David B. Corbin In what had to be more of a box office York. Mr. Garcia's plosives and diph- ADVERTISING SALES MARKETING DIRECTOR ADVERTISING SALES consideration than a precise casting coup, thongs areof decidedly Latino inflection. Andy Garcia is the Young Turk about to But his visage and popularity are undeni- Where Is Spring? /; SUBSCRIPTION PRICE clash with the Big Apple's Byzantine ably universal, and thus his place in this New seasons come and then they go,, THE WESTFIELD LEADER & THE TIMES system of crime and punishment. He is flick. The casting anomaly reminds of Providing expectation Sean Casey, former cop, up-and-comer James Dean in Giant. Playing an older And holidays have their set date One-year subscription in county $20 in the D.A.'s office, and the kind of man, the method-acting heartthrob looked To savor — with elation. One-year subscription out-of-county $24 idealist who only good direction and act- like a kid with a mustache. But likeGarcia One-year college (September to May) $ 16 And when spring comes — ing can preserve from being laughable. now, his star power and Ian prevailed. we do renew Thankfully, this movie provides both. A host of winning portrayals serves to As well as most things growing The legal education of young Casey set the tone at each of the film's spheres Plus all that green and blossoming begins anew when the mostimpossiblcof of dramatic influence. In the picture's Wi II make joy overflowing. ' Primary to Decide Democratic Picks film ironies has Sean prosecuting the best supporting role is Ron Leibman as 3 would-be killer of hisdetective dad, Liam District Attorney Morgenstern, a won- The flowers bloom, trees are in leaf': (Ian Holm). Of course, the "tainted" evi- derful, forgivably hammy stint that And happiness pervades us — ! For Freeholder and Governor Races dence against brutal drug lord Jordan smacks of pastrami on rye, pragmatic But winter's chills are still around, Washington (Shiek Mahmud-Bey) has justice, and old-fashioned loyalty. Fast While springtime's warmth •: The primary election conies and goes most years They are being challenged by two Independent potential for being a career-making case. behind him is Richard Dreyfussas liberal evades us. with little fanfare. Most voters don't even realize it candidate slates. The Stop Corruption and Profi- Amazingly, Lumet makes this and other powerhouse Sam Vigoda who, along with So like Atlantis — still not found,;' occurred, except occasionally in a Presidential teering in Government slate has put up Mary L. cliches work as if they had never seen the Morgenstern, represent the Yin and Yang Though some claim it existed, ' " light of silver screen before. Chalk itupto by which Sean will fashion his own posi- They'll write about "' ; election year or when a local race is involved. This Varona, Paul P. Pickton and James E. Garvin, all of the veteran helmer's great and subtle sense tion in the high stakes game of big city this current spring ','"J year, however, registered Democrats, or those In- Elizabeth. Also challenging the party's endorse- of moment, a 1950s veneration for dia- justice. Because — it seems — logue, and inspired acting performances dependents who plan to declare themselves among ments are a Plainfleld candidate slate under the Displaying understated elegance is Ian we've missed it. '''" that clearly hint of directorial imprima- — Faye DeGoff, I the party's faithful, by voting in this Tuesday's slogan Democratic Progress. Under this banner tur. Taking his cue from the boss, cin- Holm as the senior Casey. And also im- primary, will help decide who will get the party's are Craig Montgomery, Bryan Askew and Marie ematographer David Watkin comple- pressive is James Ganriolfini as Joey Al- legretto, his long-time partner. Less poi- nomination for Governor. The winner will face Davis. ments the purposeful plotting with a multi- angle approach that ensures plenty of gnant is LenaOlin as Sean's love interest, incumbent Christine Todd Whitman this fall. Republican Freeholders Edwin H. Force, Frank a role seemingly more perfunctory than t* mood and the sort of quick-paced fluidity inspired. Among those seeking to grab the party's nomi- H. Lehr and Henry W. Kurz are running unopposed expected of modern cinema. nation are Congressman Robert Andrews of in the primary. They are seeking to maintain their Within the greater cliche, the film- High production standards and a care- Residents Thanked maker manages a surprise or two, as well Camden County, Morris County Prosecutor party's three seats en the nine-member board. The fully applied sense of integrity raise film- as some nicely interjected nuances. One maker Lumet's effort well abovethe usual For Supporting Michael Murphy and State Senator and Woodbridge Democrats have swept the last two Freeholder punctuating scene, tense with build-up, is offering in this genre. If cops, crooks and Mayor James E. McGreevey. Mr. Andrews is be- elections to wrestle control away from the GOP sure to catch most viewers off guard. But the characters that populate the shadows Day Care Center Sale if you're expecting a lot of time in court, lieved to be the front-runner in this race. after five years as the majority party. The Demo- between good and evil are your cup of The Westfleld Day Care Center Auxil- note a change of venue. The aforemen- tea, you won't let too many moons pass Another contested race in the primary is that for crats are hoping to increase their majority to 9-0 on tioned back rooms and alleys are where iary garage sale marked its 29th anniver- before seeing Night Falls on Manhattan. sary on May 17. Proceeds will benefit ihe the Democratic Party's nomination for three seats the board. this story's deals are struck. ***** It is said that there are two things folks scholarship fund of the Day Care Center. on the Union County Board of Chosen Freehold- We look forward to the Novemberelection which Night Falls on Manhattan, ratedR, isa The sliding scale tuition allows working shouldn't see made: sausage and laws. parents of all income levels to use the djjy ers. The Regular Democratic Organization of Union will include the race for Governor, State Senate Night Falls on Manhattan makes it cyni- Paramount Pictures release directed by Sidney Lumet and stars Andy Garcia, Ian care center's services. • County has endorsed Deborah Peer Scanlon of and Assembly and Freeholder races, challenges for cally entertaining to witness the arbitrari- ness by which those laws are adminis- Holm and Ron Leibman. Running time: Area residents donated merchandise; Union, Rahway City Councilman and former Union seats on the Westfield and Fanwood governing tered. Following Sean's heroic foray in 115 minutes members, parents and volunteers stored, County Utilities Authority Commissioner Chester bodies, both of which could result in a change in priced and arranged the goods while over 1,000 buyers from surrounding commu- Holmes and former Roselle Park Councilman the majority party. We anticipate a very interesting nities shopped for bargains at the Alexander Mirabella. and aggressive fall campaign. Westfield Armory. Computer Telephone Voices As the event coordinator, I thank every person who contributed in any way Jo POLICY ON LETTERS make this year's sale as successful akjlt Are Getting Us All Hung Up! was. .•'• ' Special kudos must be given to 1 TO THE EDITOR By Louis H. Clark Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School I dents from SCN (Students ~ All letters to the Editor must Talk about faceless bureaucrats! How press the right button and then the star about the fake human voices we are get- after you have heard our menu." So they with the Needy) who gave hour* of 1 bear a signature, n street ;iri- ting on the telephone these days. too thought they were a restaurant.An- . on numerous days, the Armory crew, i 'Divisive' Debate on Liquor Law dress and a telephone number Even department stores are getting into other voice came on and said, "If you are Westfield Recreation Department for uie the act. My wife tells me she called a store calling about a bill or a credit, press 1. If of storage facilities at the Westfield I' so authors may be verified. If morial Pool; to the Westfield Lumbera contributors are not able to the other day and first came the taped you are calling about our new plan, press Prevents Council to Proceed Forward voice saying "Thanks for calling us. Please 2." Home Center for ply wood and the I The recent events surrounding the li- be reached by The Leader and The elevator music came on at once Works Department for barricades usedjri short term. listen to the menu and then press the making tables. ; 5 quor license amendment debate caused These concerns were widely held by The Times during business appropriate button and the star and some- and a stern masculine voice said, "You Mayor Thomas C. Jardim to question my representatives of the clergy, the parent - have not heard the entire menu of options Hope to see you all next May at tne hours, the writer's signature one will be right with you." 30th annual garage sale. ; motives in deciding to not proceed with teacher council, and PANDA (Prevent- must be notarized. When sub- My wife laughed, "I had to listen to six available. Please help us serve you cor- controversial, and permanent, changes to ing Alcohol, Narcotic and Drug Abuse). different departments interrupted by el- rectly by listening to them all." Carolynn Pulllam that ordinance. Specifically, he stated that The concerns of these important commu- mitted by e-mail, all letters evator music and when I finally did get "Okay," I said into the phone, "I'll Westfleld the vote was based on "politics," not nity organizations, as well as those who must contain a daytime tele- someone she told me I had pressed the listen." When I had listened to every part policy. spoke of their individual concerns before phone number for verifica- wrong button. But I was fooled, she was of the menu, I pushed the 1 and the star. the council, and in phone calls and letters If he had chosen to listen to my com- tion purposes. a computer voice too because she kept Immediately the telephone on the other ments at the prior council meeting, or to me, far outweighed any potential ben- repeating the same thing over and over end began to ring and said "All our op." speak with me regarding my decision efit of the proposed changes. Letters may be no longer again." and stopped. Then it said, "If you want Noise Opponents ] prior to making that unfounded charge, than one and a halt pages, They say they are doing it to lower information about a bill press 1. If you he would have learned that my vote was Meanwhile, issues much more signifi- costs. I say they should wonder why want information about credits, press 2." Ask for Messages *,, cant than whether a restaurant lounge typewritten and double- well grounded in the best policy for spaced. All letters are subject people like my wife are shopping by This went on for 20 minutes interrupted Westfield. could have eight bar stools were going catalog nowadays. by elevator music and a voice which kept To Be Forwarded | unaddressed. On the Laws and Rules I prefer not to see things in "Republi- to editing due to space limita- Since I rarely have anything to do with saying, "All our representatives are busy In response to our recommendation, can" and "Democrat" terms, but in Committee alone, we have significant tions and style. department stores I shrugged it off but with other customers now. Please hold legislation which will make positive dif- the Federal Aviation Administration "Westfield" terms. And I do not view The deadline for letters is then it happened to me. for a few minutes." (FAA) has installed a new, toll free, air- those who may disagree with me as ferences in our community in areas such All I wanted was a bill from our HMO. I held on for 25 minutes listening to as property maintenance and downtown Friday by 4 p.m., if they are to craft noisecomplaint number, 1-888-466- "wrong" or assume there is some per- I didn't want to discuss anything, I just music until finally I got a human voice 4732. In the past the PAA used the num- sonal or partisan motivation behind their signage. I would like my proposal for a appear in tlse following, issue. wanted a bill so that our health insurance who said her name was Betty. I then shade tree protection ordinance to re- ber of people calling the FAA to decide actions. would keep on going. When you have asked her "Where is my bill?" She told whether they have finally gotten usectjo When these amendments were brought ceive attention before developers clear- three kids, you can't afford to have these mel hadpushedthe wrongbutton. "Would cut more properties in town. We need to the noise, simply given up, or are still to the council for public debate, I hoped things lapse. I please call another number." angry. '$ to persuade those with concerns that we, address the issue of controlling the loca- Library Thanks Many So I called an 800 number and a voice "Betty," I said. "I'm beginning to think tion of cellular telephone towers by up- For this reason we highly recommMd as a governing body, had considered those For Helping to Reopen came on that said, "Thank you for calling I'd rather talk with a faceless bureaucrat calling the FAA every time they arelfi- concerns, and written an ordinance which dating our zoning ordinance to reflect the us. Please listen to the instructions and than a lot of computers," I hung up. impact of this new technology, and we noyed by jet noise. Unfortunately r$- adequately addressed each of them. Children's Section dents will not speak to a real live person. The debate, however, both in the com- need to do it before, not after, applicants seek to install them in locations where After many long months recovering Leave a message and ask that someone munity and on the council, had become from the flooding caused by the October call back to explain why the FAA did not very divisive and progress had stopped they will be an unsightly blight on the surrounding area. nor'caster, the Children's Department of deliver the relief it promised. !•; towards changes in the law which would the Fanwood Memorial Library had a to- t6e We would appreciate it if those getting both be positive for the community and And as a government, we need to en- grand re-opening on Saturday, May 10. a return call from the FAA, let us kn(jw. supported by the community. sure that every citizen and merchant in We would like to take this opportunity Send a brief note to OSP/F CAAN, PJO As Chairman of the Laws and Rules town is receiving the best government we to thank Mayor Maryanne S. Connelly Box 163, Scotch Plains, 07076. $ Committee last year, and as a member are capable of providing. and the Library Board of Trustees for E. Dennis Hardle, Chalndin this year, I have probably spent more We can do this, and more, if all mem- their support and advice during our re- Restaurateurs' Letter Receives time than any other council member on The Original Scotch Plalns/Fanwflfid bers of the community join together. As I covery and Ray Manfra of Fanwood Pub- Citizens Against Aircraft Noise, Ilk. this issue. If there was a way to help the said after last week's council meeting, it lic Works and his crew for their invalu- Irate Response From Resident viability of the businesses which would is time that we stop defining ourselves by able assistance in moving and relocating benefit from thischangc without a "down- our differences, and start defining our- bookcases, furniture and over 300 boxes I would like to respond to the letter of fact, especially in a public forum, is irre- side," I certainly would want to do that. selves by our common community inter- of books. Ken and Nancy Marcotte in a previous sponsible? But, no matter how well-intentioned and edition, wherein they suggest that there is The Marcottes have not availed them- well-drafted the proposed amendments csts. We would also like to thank McGinn selves of the right to have a lounge area to BOA Thanked for Denial Elementary School teacher Joan Costello "some misinformation being circulated were, the fact remained that significant Neil F.Sullivan, Jr. by Councilwoman Gail S. Vernick" as it . service waiting patrons, which is already Of Apartment Proposal. segments of our community had con- Third Ward Councilman for giving up many Saturdays to pack and provided for in the present ordinance. then unpack thousands of books. pertained to the liquor license ordinance. cerns which could not be addressed in the Westfleld To date, Mrs. Vernick has been in- Instead they request modifications that Our sincere thanks to those members Many people had a hand in making our would permit bars in the restaurants. If of the zoning board who voted to deny the grand re-opening a huge success, espe- vited to speak at three meetings concern- ing this issue: a Westfield-Mountainside Ken Marcotte's restaurant was the only application for a variance to build a 12- cially our local merchants, Dunkin Do- establishment being granted this privi- unit apartment building on Lamberts Mill Are Purebred Westfielders Better nuts, Irma's Bag, McDonalds of Scotch Ministerium Association meeting, a Pre- venting Alcohol, Narcotics and Drug lege, I would view this issue in an entirely* Road. We are comforted in the knowl- Plains, The Rice Inn, and United Skates different light. That is, however, not the edge that the board strongly considers not of America in Edison. Without the gener- Abuse (PANDA) meeting and the Par- For Deciding the Town's Fate? ent-Teacher Council (PTC) meeting. I case. The modification would permit a only what is in the best interest of the osity of our local merchants, we would total of seven bars, including the unre- town, but, most importantly, the best In- Funny how you can learn things just by some circles, I guess. By Norm's stan- not have been able to have as festive a was in attendance at the PTC meeting and reading the local paper. For years, I dards, I'm just an adolescent, haven't the last two meetings of the Town Coun- stricted bars, in the central business dis- terests of its residents. V" reopening as we did. trict. That many bars, whether consid- A 12-unit apartment building on lets thought that in a democracy everybody even been here for 20 years (only 18 Most of all, however, we would like to cil. Mrs. Vernick did not misrepresent counted. After all, didn't the Supreme years), yet. any of the facts, nor did she twist infor- ered a piece of furniture, or a vehicle to than an acre of land among single family thank our young Fanwood and Scotch raise profits.does not show common sense residences with property sizes of at loa>t Court once say it's one man, one vote. I'm not making a stink about this; Plains patrons and their families for their mation to "fuel rage on the part of a few maybe Norm's right. I know my place. people." As a matter of fact, I have not and it certainly doesn't qualify as support an acre just wouldn't "fit in." •$ But now I realize that's wrong. And how patience during our recovery. To them s do I know that? Read it right here in the I' 11 just move to the back of the bus with seenragefromanyoneopposinjthe modi- for the community. The property on which we reside 8* we would like to say, "We're back! And What benefit does a modification to been in the Miller family for more thsinjpO Letters to the Editor column in the issue the rest who didn't grow up here. But the we're better than ever." fication of the ordinance and I cn-'lengc of May I5.lt was the one from Council- back of the bus is getting pretty crowded the Marcottes to produce a single enraged this ordinance bring to the citizens of years. During those years, the family flj|s man Norman N. Greco. and there's some talk about whether those Gloria Rusnak, Library Assistant person. Mrs. Vernick made ;' perfectly Westfield? That has been the key ques- witnessed the development that has tajefln He told me and everybody else who purcbreds up front can't hear us. Children's Department clear, from the beginning, that the modi- tion in this debate, and neither the place on Lamberts Mill Road. Yes'»de- read it, "I realize some residents and Some thought they had shouted loud Fanwood Memorial Library fication to this ordinance would not in- Marcottes or the council members have velopmcnt is necessary and most tirt)cs possibly council members arc just pass- enough last November. That's when the crease the number of liquor licenses. been able to supply us with a substantial, favorable, but development for the ben- ing through Westfield: whether for five, voters elected the first Democrat Mayor Neither of the Marcottes attended any satisfactory answer. Such an answer efit of one individual at the expense^ 1 Ocven 20 years. I would not expect them in — what was it — four, five, six, seven of the meetings, at which Mrs. Vernick would be a welcomed substitute for sub- others is not. ••', to have the same passion for this town decades? was invited to speak, yet they appear to jective, unsubstantiated and inflamma- Thank you, members of the board Sjpi that I do, having grown up here." But then, Norm, you know more about More Letters stipulate the circulation of misinforma- tory remarks. You owe Councilwoman your genuine concern for the town andtM > There it is — purebred Westfielders that than I do. tion by Mrs. Vernick as fact. Might I Vernick an apology. residents. > arc better equipped to decide the town's Joshua I.. McMahon On Page 5 suggest that carrying forward second- Karen ¥. Mortenson. Deborah and John Mltor future than the rest of us. Makes sense in Westfleld hand information, and stipulating it as Westfleld