Dems Rattling Saber Board Says Aye to New $46.7M Spending Plan
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Financial forecast Bright outlook Money for nothing How to save, invest Westfield girls volleyball How to make your wisely for your future should be strong again garage sale a success Sew Sports, page A-11 See page A-6 See WeefcendPlus BICE N I l-f\JN I Al The^festfield Record Vol. 5, No. 14 Thursday, April 7,1994 A Forbes Newspaper 50 cents T Briefs ;et to run; Dems rattling saber Candidates nights '.Concerned African-American Parents' Candidates Night will Mayor Boothe unopposed from either side as deadline nears be held 7:30 tonight at the Ward Councilman James Gruba, Third Ward Westfield Community Center, "Serving as Mayor of Westfield, and repre- fall, although they have not yet formally an- Councilman Gary Jenkins, and Fourth Ward senting its interests and those of its resi- nounced their intentions. "It is my under- 558 W. Broad. St. THE RECORD v Councilman Michael Panagos are all open dents, has been a great honor and responsi- standing that all of the incumbents will be The Westfield PTC Candi- Next Thursday is the petition filing dead- for the Call election. bility, and has provided a lot of personal seeking re-election," he said. dates Night will be held 7:45 line for the June primary elections for town Mayor Boothe has announced his inten- satisfaction for the past two years," he said. Additionally, the Republican Committee p.m. Monday at Roosevelt government So far, all Republican Town tion to seek a second term. A 35-year resi- "More importantly, I believe that I have has announced the selection of resident Gail School. Council incumbents will be seeking re- dent, Mayor Boothe has served on the Town brought to the office the leadership and ex- Vernick as the Republican candidate for the election and the Democratic party may be Council since 1880 and became Mayor in perience needed to achieve the town's im- First Ward Council seat. "Mrs. Vemick is giving residents some surprises. January 1991, when then-Mayor Richard portant goals." committed to returning responsible repre- Women for Women Mayor Garland 'Bud' Boothe's seat will be Bagger was elected to the state Assembly. According to the town Republican Com- sentation to the First Ward after two years of , Phyllis Murray linhart will up for election, along with a council seat He has served on all council committees and mittee Chairman Robert W. Cockren, Mr. headline grabbing by the incumbent (Mr. present "Managing Emotion," from each ward. Seats belonging to First is a member of the planning board and the Gruba, Mr. Jenkins, and Mr. Panagos all in- LaPorta)," Mr. Cockren said. 7:30 p.m. tonight at St. Paul's /Ward Councilman Anthony LaPorta, Second Memorial library Board of Trustees. tend to run for the council seats again next (Please turn to page A-2) Church. • • , ' - The Women for Women sup-,' port group programs open April II. Call 232-5787. / Board says aye Dance for Heart ' Volunteers are invited to a dance-exercise extravaganza to raise funds for the American Heart Association, 1-2:30 p.m. to new $46.7M 1 -Saturday at Suburban Fitness Center. Call 654-2700. Art opening spending plan The Westfield Art Association will hold its 70th annual Mem- By MARQAHET POWUNO butions will be made next year, ber Watercolor and Graphics Business Administrator Robert Exhibition, April 10-2^ in West- THE RECORD Rader said. Different insurance ad- field Community Room Gallery. The Board of Education Tuesday visers and better experience with night ratified its proposed $46.7 insurers means no cosi increase, million budget for the 1994-95 he said, and a better ability to ne- Friends seek books school year. If passed by voters gotiate coverage. Donation days for books for April 19, it will increase the school Over the past eight years, the the Friends of the 'Library Book tax rate by 14 cents to $2.34 per district has eliminated 10 adminis- Sale are Friday-Sunday, 9 a.m.- $100 of assessed property value. trative positions, Dr. Smith said, 5 p.m.; and Tuesday, 9 a.m.- Susan Jacobson, chairperson of Including one in the new budget. noon. Ihe liria'hce' committee, said that Four new elementary school the proposed budget is 2.4 percent teachers are being added because higher than the current budget, of an expected enrollment increase Carnival fun but that the tax rate is increasing of 146 students next year, officials Temple Emanu-El of West- about 6 percent. said. The board set a target of 18-25 field rescheduled its little Peo- Ms. Jacobson attributed 9 cents students in the elementary schools ple's carnival for 11 a.m.-2 p.m. SHARON WILSON/THE RECORD of the 14-cent increase to the bud- in 1986, Dr. Smith said. Sunday. Garry OKeefe assists caltor at the computerized 911 dispatching desk at the Westfield Police get itself, while 4 cents is the result The addition of two guidance Department Tuesday. of lowered state and federal aid. counselors was also approved at State aid will decrease $813,069, the elementary level at the last Flea market she said. One cent is due to a drop meeting, officials said. The Medina Chapter of in the total of assessed property The board has a part-time inves- NA'AMAT USA will sponsor a Dispatchers calm, cool — ready value, Ms. Jacobson said. tigator who pursues students who flea market Sunday at the A homeowner whose property is may try to attend from outside the Westfield Train Station. •y NIOOUr. A. "I just try to keep the caller calm, without getting assessed at $173,724 with a market district, Dr. Smith said. Fourteen hysterical," Ms. O'Keefe explained, "and get as much value of $257,026 would pay $20.25 students have been asked to pay Who Wore the Pants THE RECORD information as possible so that we get them help." more per month in school taxes, tuition or have been removed, he Ms. O'Keefe started as a crossing guard, stayed on said. The Westfield Women's Club Even when Gerry O'Keefe feels like she has the she said. to become a 'meter maid' and seven years ago moved About a dozen members of the meets 1:15 p.m. Monday in the world on her shoulders, she remains calm, cool and Instruction costs, the largest part collected. As a dispatcher at the Westfield Police De- inside and behind the phones. "It brought me in out of the budget, are $18,055,139, up Westfield Band Parents attended clubhouse for a fashion lecture of the cold," she joked. "But really, I wanted some- partment, she simply must. $1,891,991, officials said. Support the meeting, concerned about a by Carol Troxell. thing new, something different, and a little bit of services and general administra- budget cut of about $2,000 to the "They have to be able to remain calm under pres- excitement and challenge." sure," said Police Chief Anthony Scutti, "to be able to tion is at $6,480,298. A change in band program. "You never know what the next call is going to be," accounting systems has moved Dr. Smith said that the athletic Story Time receive calls in a calm fashion, not just for themselves Ms. O'Keefe said. "You have to be ready for any- The library announces that 3- some accounts into different cat- program had been cut 5 percent but for the callers. They are in a sense the life-line thing." How the dispatcher handles each call can be egories. across the board. Residents are year-old Story Time registration between the person when they first call until the the difference between life and death. She explained begins Tuesday, 4-year-old Superintendent Mark Smith concerned about the rising tax arrival of emergency services." that anyone who sits at that desk must, by law, be pointed out that the Westfleld rates, he said. The band program is Story Time begins Monday and In recognition of this vital service, this week has certified in both 911 training and emergency medical budgeted at $47,466. Magic Carpet Story Time be- school board is the first among the been proclaimed National Public Safety Com- dispatching. Union County Board of Feeholders, Allen Bostdorff, Tudor Oval, gins April 16. munications Week by both the state of New Jersey "They are no longer merely dispatchers," Chief its towns and school boards to questioned the additional teachers and Union County. Dispatchers and call-takers in Scutti said. "They are trained EMT and com have employees contribute toward and counselors in the elementary NOW meets towns around the country are being honored this munication specialists on whom we rely. They are the their health benefits. schools. Dr. Smith said that four week for their dedication and courage. backbone to the operation. There's no doubt about it." The Union County Chapter of Leo Sobell, Woodland Avenue, teachers are being hired, but that the National Organization for asked the amount of that savings. the enrollment jump actually calls for 5'/2 positions. Women meets 7 p.m. Thursday, About $100,000 in employee contri- April 14 at the YMCA Call 233- Board rebuffs neighbors' pleas •y NtCOll A. OAVWO ning Board to consider amending the master plan's Country Western zoning recommendation to RS-8, with a 60-foot lot THE RECORD width, a 8,000 squre-foot area, and a 120 foot, depth. The Westfield Community Town Planner Blais Branchcau said that he be Players will host a Country Monday night, the Westfleld Planning Board abruptly ended a three-hour discussion on the Dun- lieves the RS-6 is more appropriate for the areu.