Page 4 Thursday, October 10, 2013 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION ABCDICTIONOPQRSTDECEPTIONUVWXYZ The Westfield Leader The Scotch Plains–Fanwood Letters to the Editor — Established 1890 — Times Since 1959 DD Legal Newspaper for the Town of Westfield, Legal Newspaper for the Borough of Fanwood We Will Make Returning to WFD DTM Boroughs of Mountainside and Garwood And the Township of Scotch Plains D Diction Deception And the County of Union, NJ. Eight-Man Platoons a Near-Term Goal Members of: Below are four arcane words, each New Jersey Press Association • National Newspaper Association • Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce Our campaign for Mayor and Coun- limited to what they can do from out- with four definitions – only one is cor- Scotch Plains Business & Professional Association • Fanwood Business & Professional Association cil essentially comes down to this: we side the home until more show up. With rect. The others are made up. Are you have had too many terms of the same platoons of seven, in the best of circum- sharp enough to discern this deception of Periodicals – Postage Paid at Rahway, New Jersey Periodicals – Postage Paid at Rahway, New Jersey town government and need some stances, one of the trucks has only three diction? P.O. Box 250 • 251 North Avenue, West P. O. Box 368 change. firemen and must wait for the second If you can guess one correctly – good Westfield, N.J. 07091 Scotch Plains, N.J. 07076 For example, Westfield’s fire depart- truck to arrive before entering the home. guess. If you get two – well-read indi- Tele: (908) 232-4407 • E-mail: [email protected] • Web: www.goleader.com • Fax: (908) 232-0473 ment has been cut to the quick. We are Seconds matter in a fire. In the case of vidual. If you get three – word expert. If asking for trouble. A situation can de- the Barchester fire, our mutual aid agree- you get all four – You must have a lot of POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the offices of the newspapers at free time! P. O. Box 250, Westfield, New Jersey 07091 velop where our fire department will ment and our low staffing level caused All words and correct definitions not adequately respond to a fire and we a house to burn to the ground. Although come from the board game Diction Published every Thursday by Watchung Communications, Inc. risk loss of life and property. We have additional firemen were called in, they Deception. Paul Peyton Horace R. Corbin Jeff Gruman cut our fire department personnel by were unable to get to the fire quickly Answers to last week’s arcane words. ASSIGNMENT EDITOR PUBLISHER SALES MANAGER about 25 percent. We have gone from an enough to save the structure. 1. Importuous – Without a port or Suzette F. Stalker David B. Corbin Michael L. Bartiromo adequate nine-man platoon (five on the We should look to increase the level harbor COMMUNITY ASSISTANT PUBLISHER & SPORTS MARKETING PRODUCTION north side and four on the south side) in increments to achieve a level of safety 2. Mise – In Old English law, an issue Betsey Burgdorf Ben Corbin Robert P. Connelly with a minimum manning of seven (four that we believe is appropriate for our to be tried EDUCATION & ARTS SERVICES BUSINESS OPERATIONS and three, when there are vacations or town and the taxes we pay. As your 3. Perry – The fermented juice of pears injuries) to seven-man platoons and a mayor and councilman, we will make 4. Saxicoline – Living or growing minimum manning of six (three and returning to eight-man platoons a near- among the rocks SUBSCRIPTION PRICE www.goleader.com/subscribe three). This means if we are called out term goal toward finding the right level HORARIOUS One-year – $33 • Two-year – $62 • Three-year – $90 on mutual aid, Westfield becomes de- of fire department staffing. 1. Enduring for only an hour or two fenseless. It has affected fire safety in We have also fallen short in encour- 2. Menacing; frightful town and will result in higher fire insur- aging volunteers who are an important 3. Resembling barley ance premiums for every homeowner component to our fire department. It 4. Laughable; pathetic Next Week Will Be Another Senator the next time the town is evaluated. has dwindled to almost nothing in terms PLOUTER These higher premiums will simply be of responding to fires. In walking door 1. To wade in water with a splashing another tax that is hidden in the cost of to door, Dave met a Westfield resident noise our insurance. who volunteers as a fireman in a neigh- 2. To whip or thrash From New Jersey or Hollywood? This is not hypothetical; it is real. boring town. He did not know that 3. To delay; retard The effect of the cuts was demonstrated Westfield had a volunteer component 4. To gather and store U.S. Senate seats in New Jersey are often pre- According to state law, a new candidate cannot be by the Hamilton House and Ferraro’s of its force and said that he would have SCHELLY arranged or purchased. Based on history, Holly- named within 51 days of an election. That means fires where we didn’t have enough volunteered here if he had known. The 1. A steep slope; an abrupt declivity firefighters to bring our ladder truck. In volunteer component has to be rebuilt. 2. A whitefish wood will be the highest bidder next week for N.J.’s September 16 was the last day for this to be possible several recent home fires only three Westfield is large enough to have a 3. A worthless fellow; a rogue Senate seat, funding an estimated $15 million for this year. The ballots have been printed, and many firemen showed up initially and couldn’t professional fire department, but we 4. A peculiar bronzelike luster in cer- Cory Booker – a 5/1 purchasing advantage over absentee ballots have been sent out. Some have even enter the house (including one home on need to take advantage of the tain minerals, often iridescent HALOPHILOUS Steve Lonegan. been returned. There’s no time to change all this. It’s Barchester that burned to the ground volunteerism that helps make Westfield because of the delay in firemen being a great place to live. 1. Devoted to exercise and good health That price for U.S. Senator is not close to the a mess for the voters.” able to enter the house). We have committed ourselves to a 2. Fond of storytelling, especially when record established by Jon Corzine when he bought it The Democrats succeed however in overcoming stretching the truth The National Fire Prevention Asso- paid fire department with a volunteer 3. Salt-loving, as plants native to salty in 2000 for $65 million. Corzine almost blew the the law and plugged retired Senator Frank Lautenberg ciation standard calls for four firefighters component. We should make sure that soils cash though, narrowly defeating popular Bob Franks. back into the slot. per apparatus (truck). At our current we are getting what we are paying for 4. Fond of rings, jewelry, etc. full complement of seven firefighters and that we are making efforts to bol- Since then, Corzine blew $1.6 billion of customer New Jersey has other noteworthy Senatorial split between two firehouses, we can ster the volunteer aspect. We have nei- More letters on 10, 19, 20 cash and is under investigation from dealings as achievements. Senator Harrison Williams (D) from never meet that standard. The OSHA ther that assurance nor that effort from chairman and CEO of MF Global (prior to a stint as Plainfield is the only sitting Senator in the history of rules require that to send anyone inside the present town government. It is time Letters to N.J. Governor). the United States to go to jail. Williams was con- to fight a fire we have two firefighters for a change. available to go in and two standing by the Editor Sometimes even money is not enough. Senator victed on May 1, 1981 for taking bribes in the DEM Candidates ready to help them. When we show up David Haas for Mayor Bob Torricelli, nicknamed “the Torch,” served a Abscam sting operation at a fire with three firemen they are John Walsh, for Council, 4th Ward Kids Should Be At single term in the Senate and resigned past the legal It’s not fun for us in New Jersey to be the brunt of limit for a substitute to be picked in 2002 for reelec- many jokes and featured in a TV series. Sure, we Incorrect Are Mr. Kasko’s Innuendos Curb for School Bus tion after a campaign finance scandal involving bring some of it on ourselves. But, it’s not the total Have you ever driven down a street and approached a school bus on the contributions by an imprisoned Korean business- story of our state. We have many outstanding candi- In His Letter to The Editor of Oct. 3 opposite side of the road? Drivers are man. dates running for public office and many fine public I felt compelled to address certain 1. As part of its due diligence, two confused, not knowing if it is ok to The Westfield Leader wrote on October 3, 2002: servants already in office. aspects of Greg Kasko’s letter that Westfield Police Department employ- proceed or stop. appeared in The Westfield Leader on ees went to the manufacturer in Utah To the parents who have their chil- “New Jersey politics, once again, has spun itself into By voting, it might be possible to rid the system of October 3, 2013, due to his innuen- to look at equipment and obtain in- a tumult with Senator Robert Torricelli withdrawing the hacks, curtail political skullduggery and recap- dren bused to school, please have dos that employees of the town and formation, prior to asking the town to them ready at the curb when the bus from the race for reelection at the last minute. ture democracy. the Town Council did not act prop- commit funds for public safety equip- arrives. Many mornings I see these erly with respect to the acquisition of ment. buses pulled over waiting for stu- the Westfield Police Department com- 2. The town hosted a statewide dents only to interrupt traffic flow. mand center, and further, due to his display and demonstration of the lat- Busing is a very expensive service Letters to the Editor – More on Pages 10, 19-20 statements that his questions/accusa- est developments in power and com- provided to your children and it is tions were not addressed at public munications equipment designed for funded by the taxpayers. Please have meetings. In fact, the bidding process first responders in February 2013. the decency to have your child ready Voting Yes For Roof Bond Referendum Nov. 5 Will Result had been addressed at public meet- 3. Publicly advertised bids were to board the bus. I wonder how many ings more than once by the Mayor, received in April 2013. taxpayers realize they are funding a In Less Property Taxes Paid by Westfield Residents Council members and the town ad- 4. All companies who were mak- private limousine service? ministrator, and I personally ad- ing proposals had to file non-collu- On November 5th, Westfield vot- the voters approve a revised referen- ered. dressed Mr. Kasko at the last meet- sion affidavits, in which they must Ray Martucci ers will be asked by the Board of dum that makes clear we are seeking In either case, the amount raised is ing. certify the prices quoted are fair and Westfield Education to approve a new bond the newly available state aid. the same because the project cost has It is important for the public to proper and not tainted by any collu- Westfield Resident referendum for the remaining roof If voters pass the new referendum, not changed – what has changed is know that the bidding process was sion, conspiracy or unlawful agree- projects that will be completed in the then $2.7 million will be paid for by that the state will now pay $2.7 mil- properly done in accordance with the ment. This affidavit is required with Deserves Recognition Summer of 2014 in the amount of state aid, and the remaining amount lion of the amount raised, rather than New Jersey Local Public Contracts regard to all public contracts that the Not sure if The Leader is planning $6,684,000. Westfield voters have of principal and interest due will be Westfield taxpayers, if the new refer- Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1 et seq. Fur- town intends to enter into. already approved this amount as part paid by taxpayers. endum is passed. anything for the anniversary of Hur- ther, requests for information have 5. At a tremendous cost savings ricane Sandy, but if you are, there is of a prior referendum last year. After If voters do not approve the new The choice is clear. Passing the been complied with per the provi- achieved through the statutory bid- Westfield approved the last referen- referendum, the work will still pro- referendum will result in less taxes someone I think you should recog- sions of the Open Public Records ding process, the town purchased the nize. Scott Saltzer is a Westfield resi- dum, a change occurred in state fund- ceed in 2014 under the old referen- raised by Westfield for our roof Act, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 to -13 command center which was unani- ing for capital projects and Westfield dum and Westfield taxpayers will pay projects. Thank you. dent who lives on Harrison just off of (“OPRA”). As to the latter, certain mously approved by the Town Coun- East Broad Street. He is an electri- is now eligible to receive $2.7 mil- the full amount, including the $2.7 Rich Mattessich information was redacted at my di- cil in April 2013. The town obtained lion of state aid for this roof work if million that the state would have cov- cian by trade. President, Westfield BOE rection, because OPRA provides that title to the command center and re- After the hurricane struck and “security measures and surveillance lated equipment in May 2013. knocked out power for most of the Glover and Beckerman Raided Sewer Utility Funds techniques” should not be disclosed If anyone wishes further clarifica- town, Scott hooked up furnaces for at if they will present a potential public tion, please contact me. least 25 to 50 homes (maybe more) To Proclaim Lower Tax Increase in Scotch Plains safety risk. Russell M. Finestein when no one had any power or heat. A year ago Democrats Lou Beckerman/Glover budget games. sleight of hand was to move money As to the bidding process: Town Attorney He helped out everyone he could. So Beckerman and Kevin Glover ran a I’ve posted a full copy of the study on from the sewer to look good for this people were able to heat their homes campaign that made a big deal about my website and I strongly encourage year’s tax levy increase, and then Assisted Living Facility at Parker to stay warm, even though the power the sewer bill. They promised to undo you to read it: stick you with the bill next year. I was out for a long time. Not only that, the utility and put the cost of using www.jonesforscotchplains.com/ wrote a letter to the editor opposing Gardens Site Could Be Win for SP but he did not accept a penny from the sewer system back in your prop- sewer/ this type of budgeting back in 2012 anyone! He also helped people un- Shelter Development Company, a you to be able to voice your opinions hook their furnaces from their gen- erty tax levy. The study highlights that the re- when Kevin Glover first got his way real estate developer and the operator and participate in the process. This summer, they spent thousands serves in the sewer utility are now so on this topic. erators once the power came back on, of Brightview Senior Living has en- Parker Greenhouses have always so they could safely reconnect their of dollars on a consultant to study the low that “it is clear that a 2014 rate I ask for your vote on November tered into an agreement to purchase been valued and important members issue. The study concludes that increase is necessary.” So not only 5th. furnaces to the internal power source. the 14-acre site of Parker Green- of our community and are expected I am sure there are a lot of people “merging the sewer utility into the will you still have a sewer bill next Llewellyn Jones houses on Terrill Road. Brightview to remain at their present location current fund would not be possible.” year, but you’ll be getting a big rate who went above and beyond the call Candidate for Scotch Plains Council proposes constructing 180 indepen- until this project is ready for con- of duty, but I wanted to throw his Doing so would require exceeding hike too! dent living and assisted care units on struction most likely in 2015. the 2 percent tax levy cap. I’m not That’s because Lou Beckerman name out there as someone who re- Clarification the site in their first phase. A future Again, the meeting is October 15 ally made a difference for a lot of going to make promises I can’t keep and Kevin Glover’s budget raided the phase may include an additional 60 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers just to get elected (nor waste your utility’s accounts to help fund the In the October 3 edition, the photo people during a time of need. Maybe units. The proposed construction re- at Town Hall on Park Avenue. you can do an article on people who money on unnecessary studies). Ironi- town’s regular operating expenses. caption on page 18 did not correctly quires a change in zoning to allow for If you can’t make the meeting and cally, this study does have some value All so that they could proclaim “the identify Jill LaZare (D). She is run- made a difference during the hurri- such a facility. There will be a public want to share your thoughts with me, cane? Thanks for reading my e-mail. for what it tells us about the lowest tax increase in 10 years.” Their ning for General Assembly, LD-21. presentation by their management please e-mail me at and planners at the next township [email protected] or call Noah Ament council meeting on Tuesday, Octo- my cell phone (908) 930-0991. This Westfield ber 15 at 7:30 p.m. will be a major decision being made In addition to a much needed re- for our community and I want to Happy Halloween source in our community, such a de- know what your thoughts are. velopment has no impact on the SP Councilman Louis Beckerman Our Election Edition on Octo- school system. In addition to creat- Candidate for Election ber 31 will be mailed to every ing a much needed ratable estimated home and business in Westfield, between $500,000 and $625,000 a Scotch Plains, Fanwood, year with little township services I Feel Like Family Mountainside, Garwood and needed, having this type of facility in Cranford (more than 100,000 our community will create full- and Living in Fanwood people) along with our subscribers part-time job opportunities for our My letter of thanks: On September out of the area -- also on the Internet residents and resulting business for 15, my home at 18 Washington Av- at www.goleader.com. our local merchants and restaurants. enue in Fanwood caught fire. We invite you to be part of this Our town’s Master Plan recognizes Like most residents, I don’t relish significant effort. the need for these services in our paying the quarterly property tax; Please submit your articles, pho- community and allows us to increase however on this day, I was reminded tographs and advertisements early. tax revenue with no the risk of pollu- of why I should be happy to pay tion that industrial growth poses. them. Immediately upon the outset They have agreed to arrange for of the fire, the Fanwood Police and professional ambulance services to Fire Departments with emergency ser- meet the needs of their residents to vices from the surrounding towns take any potential strain off our res- responded with all due haste. They cue squad. We encouraged them to were kind and helpful. meet with representatives of the res- The fine and honorable mayor of cue squad prior to our meeting to our town Fanwood, Collen Mahr, work out emergency service details. showed up and offered her support This could be a significant win for and assistance on my front lawn. Scotch Plains but there are always I have lived in Fanwood for over 35 details that need to be considered. years, and I have always felt like this That is why, I invite you and your area was friendly. On this day I felt neighbors to attend the Council meet- like family. ing and let us know what you think. The Regina Brown Council represents you and we want Fanwood