Mayoral Hopefuls Lay out Their Visions for Town Can't Keep" He Said Regarding a the KECORD-HHKSS Simple Solution to Increasing Taxes
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l&nttrb ttBB Serving Westfield, Scotch Plains and Fanwood VOL £\Jt 1 * |jj ijfi ijj Friday, October 7, 2005 50 cents 3 tf.' 3 Mayoral hopefuls lay out their visions for town can't keep" he said regarding a THE KECORD-HHKSS simple solution to increasing taxes. Substantially reducing WESTFIELD — Republican expenses would mean "cutting Andy Skibitsky and Democrat back on important services" such Tom Jnrdim both say they want as police positions, he said, some- to be elected mayor because they thing he and the town do not love working hard to get results want to consider. — but in interviews this week, The best way to stem the the two candidates offered some growth of the tax rate, Skibitsky sharply different ideas on how to said, is to continue to review the achieve the best outcomes on effectiveness and efficiency of the Rowbotham stars, property taxes, development and town's departments. other issues. Jardim agreed that with but Raiders fall With the general election structural forces driving up the scheduled Nov. 8. Skibitsky, a town's obligations, the best thing Plains-Fanwood wide receiver councilman who assumed the to do would be to stabilize taxes Kyle Rowbotham had a huge game mayor's post when Republican and prevent rapidly increasing or against Cranford Friday night — nine Greg McDcrmott resigned in decreasing taxes from year to catches, 144 yards, three touchdowns June, is seeking another lour year. But he said he saw a chance — but the Haiders came up just short, years, while Jardim, who served to increase revenue in some losing 26-23 in overtime. For that as mayor from 1996-2000, is hop- unutilized commercial properties story and more in high school athlet- /fwgtf crowds for ing to take on the role once again. downtown, citing one property on ics, see Sports, Page C-1. With property taxes continu- South and Central avenues that ing to rise throughout the state, lias been the subject of a legal Fanny Wood Day the candidates had different dispute between the town and The 10th annual Fanny Wood Day celebra- views on the possibility of owner for several years, Jardim tion in downtown Fanwood brought out a increasing revenue and minimiz- also said by improving long-term crowd of more than 12,000 Sunday, ranging ing spending. Skibitsky .said rais- planning, better management of from the young to the young at heart. ing revenue would be difficult town departments and stretching Above, Anthony Rivers of Fanwood and because Wcstfleld's commercial the use of town equipment such Hashem Selim of Scotch Plains paid a visit zones are almost fully developed. as police and public works vehi- to the face painter so they could be contest- In terms of outside assistance, cles, there is potential for mean- ants in the best beard contest. The day also "Westfield sends a lot to Trenton, ingful savings. featured a pie-eating contest, which was but gets a little back on the local "There's no doubt these are won by Matt Nieroda of sponsor level," he said. Independence Bank— though Joe Salcedo "I never make a promise I (Continued on page A-2) (bottom) may have ended up with the most jelly on his face. The festivities also includ- ed a classic car show; a poetry reading; music and dance performances; and plenty of rides, games and good food; as well as a Township, PBA blood drive and Hurricane Katrina relief col- You've got lection. And of course, the event wouldn't be complete without the crowning of Mr. *,« ttJMViflltfl and Mrs. Fanny Wood. This year, Dorris I agree on new deal Terry (at right, with Councllwoman Donna Barber Jerry Gerardiello will be the Dolce) ana Jim Grover took home the ho*-* three times. In this case, Atkins guest of honor at the Westfield Area THE RECORD-PRESS said, the decision to go to an arbi- Chamber of Commerce's upcoming ore. trator was expected. Faith in Westfield dinner. For the SCOTCH PLAINS — After "The PBA probably believed names of all the honorees and several meetings with an arbitra- they "should have gotten a little information on how to attend, see tor, the Scotch Plains PBA and more, but Danser and I thought Community Life, Page A-8. Township Council have agreed on the taxpayers should pay a little a new fbur-voar contract that will less," said Atkins. Atkins said the run from 2005-2008. The negotiation process was "pleas- Township Council adopted an ant," with no "name-calling" or ordinance approving the contract references to mutters that did not on Sept. 27. concern salary increases and The police have been out of a other key issues. "I have to give new contract since their previous credit to our labor counselor and three-year one ended Dec. 31, the PBA for keeping things that 2004. Township Administrator have no place out of the meet- Tom Atkins called the agreement ings," said Atkins. "fair" and said both parties were The contract breaks the .satisfied, for the most part (PBA salaries up into three different representative Brian Donnelly schedules, each based on the couldn't be reached for comment amount of years an officer has at press time*. Atkins noted that spent on the force. One schedule in collective bargaining situa- lists salaries for officers hired Moms seek out tions, it is important to find a bal- before March 14, 1999 with a ance between giving police officers fourth-year, top grade patrolman grown-up books fair and competitive salaries earning $76,955 in 2005. An while considering the interests of increase of about 3.75 percent Reading to your kids is great, but taxpayers. the members of Mothers & More annually brings the salary to know that reading a book written for During the course of negotia- $85,941* for a fourth-year top adults once in awhile is important, tions, three meetings wore held grade patrolman in 2008. too. For more on the organization's between the PBA and the town- Under this schedule, a bookclub, see the story in ship, which was represented by sergeant's salary will advance Community Life, PageB-1. Atkins and labor counsel from $84,157 to $94,254 over the Frederick Danser. According to life of the contract, and a lieu- state law, police unions have the tenant's from $91,238 to $102,161, right to bring in an arbitrator BROOKS CRANDALUCORRESPONDENT after meeting with town officials (Continued on page A-2) Celebrate SP all weekend long Westfield Y cuts the ribbon on new 'Family Branch' Scotch Plains Day festivities open 7 ByANNABOOOANOWICZ of Christ, Scientists. The project was par- p.m. Friday night with a bonfire/pep THE RECORD-PRESS tially funded through a $4 million loan rally and movie screening at from the New Jersey Economic Evergreen School, then continue all WESTFIELD — The Westfield Area Development Authority (EDA), an organi- day Saturday with a Lions Club flea YMCA officially dedicated its new East zation which helps non-profit organiza- market at the municipal building Broad Street Family Branch with a rib- tions secure low-interest financing. parking lot. The main event is bon-cutting ceremony Sunday. The new The new 14,000 square-foot facility Sunday, with a ceremony honoring facility, which sits across the street from includes preschool classrooms, a new play- outstanding residents and a full day the municipal building, will host programs ground, a youth and teen center featuring of family entertainment on the specially designed for preschoolers, teens, a Pre-teen/Teen Cardio Arcade, a teen/sen- Village Green. families and seniors, as well as youths ior lounge and conservatory, a computer unable to use certain equipment at the learning center and a multi-purpose room organization's main gym. for preschool, teen, family and senior pro- Although the Y's central facility at 220 gramming. The building has 50 parking Clnrk St. has been serving the area for spaces. more than 80 years, former Y chairperson The preschool program has been moved and current Town Council member into the new facility, which has subse- Commentary A-6 Darielle Walsh said it was time to expand quently freed space at the main facility to in order to accommodate a growing com- expand the Cardiovascular Wellness Community Life B-1 munity and to place more emphasis on Center and install new equipment, accord- youth programs, especially those that con- ing to Walsh. The process doubled the pro- Sports C-1 centrate on the growing national concern gram's available space at the main facility. of childhood obesity. The lower level at Enst Broad Street Prime Time B-2 "It will allow us tr> increase the number will be used for the preschool program, of programs we are able to offer and while the teen/senior center upstairs will Obituaries B-4 enhance the quality of the programs," said be u.sed primarily by senior citizens dur- Walsh. ing the day and teenagers at night, said Real Estate C-4 To that end, the building has been sub- Walsh. KEN BUNIEWSKI/CORRESPONDENT stantially renovated since the YMCA pur- Members of the community were allowed to tour the new Family Branch Center, Police Log A-4 chased it last year from the First Church I Continued on page A-2) Pictured are three of the first visitors to the new pre-school rooms. A-2 Record Press October 7, 2005 Mayoral hopefuls lay out visions (Continued from page A-l) Department of Public Works a lot of time in," Skibitsky said fDPW) White Paper Study of his community outreach.