Dems Maintain Controi at County Ievei
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Dems maintain controi at county ievei Gerbounka ousted as mayor; Union BOE to see two new faces; Cryan wins sheriffs seat By Cheryl Hehl does not allow a person to hold two elected positions. Cranford Staff Writer Linden In Cranford, Republican incumbents Andy Kalnins and The Democrats easily maintained control of the free Another major upset occurred in Linden where two- Lisa Adubato won a second term on the Tov^■ nship Com holder board on Election Day, although it had never term incumbent Mayor Rich Gerbounka lost his seat by mittee, keeping p>olitical control on the governing body in appeared that their stronghold was ever in jeopardy this slightly less than 400 votes to Democrat challenger Derek Republican hands for another year. time around. Armstead. The top vote getter in Cranford was Adubato, with 3,451 However, while some candidates at the local level easOy Gerbounka, who won a second term as mayor four years votes, Kalnins, 3,414 votes, while their Democratic chal won, there were major upsets in a few races that foreshad ago by a slim 200 votes when he went up against Armstead, lengers Brian McCarthy received 2,947 votes and Robert ow considerable change for some towns. did not fare as well this time around. The final unofficicd Salvatore, 2,734. Democrat Assembyman Joseph Ciyan, who has served tally came in with Armstead pulling 4,007 votes and Ger Union Board of Education as acting sheriff since the death of Ralph Froehlich in July, bounka 3,628. After a controversial and hard fought race by both soundly defeated challenger Michael Ince for the sheriffs Gerbounka’s running mate for city council president, Union Board of Education incumbents and challengers, in position by a margin of 54,249 votes to 34,807. Jacqueline Williams, also failed to gamer voter confidence, the end two newcomers were elected and just one incum Cryan will now have to give up his 20th Legislative Dis pulling in just 1,250 votes compared to Democrat Jorge bent was voted back in for a second term. trict Assembly seat at the end of the year because state law Alvarez, who received 3,628 votes to win the seat. See DEMS, Page 8 NJIT criticizes Kean University for schooi of architecture pians The supply of professionals exceeds the demand, says NJIT By Cheiyl Hehl Staff Writer The fact that Kean University is launching a school of architecture vrithin miles of another school has raised the ire of the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Last week NJIT issued a statement questioning Kean’s intentions to open yet another public architecture program when there is a thriving one just six miles away. Things came to head Oct. 25 when Kean President Dawood Farahi made the announcement at its new Green Lane building that it would be launching the Michael Graves Photo By Cheryl Hehl School of Architecture, a program they expect will expand ROCK THE VOTE! — Wayne P. Howe of the Vauxhau! section of Union, a retired New Providence police to 500 students between the Union and Wenzhou, China officer, stopped by Jefferson School to cast a ballot on Election Day. See pages 8 and 10 for full elec campuses. tion results. See KEAN’S, Page 6 Up to $100 Real Cash Back Enter Promo Code: UNION casino.com Must cjw 2 1 years or over & tocated in NJ to play. New patrons only. Registration required. $10 min deposit & a wager required to participate. Oijck IS withdrawaPfe as cash (subfect to min $ 10 withdrawal). Rules and dates apply (see www.virgincastno.com). G am bling problem ? C all l-BOO-GAMBiSR. 2 — November 6, 2014 — Union County LocalSource THE KENILWORTH 110 Brand New Rooms and Suites In-Room Micro-Fridge Keurig Coffee Makers Complimentary WiFi iHome Docking Station Moen Rain Showers Over 150 TV Channels New W edding & M eeting Packages • Showers G raduations • W eddings Repass • M eetings C onventions • Retreats 7,000 Square Feet of New Function Space RED RIBBON WEEK — In recognition of Red Ribbon Week, Franklin Elemen C om plim entary Airport tary School in Rahway held an essay contest and a poster contest. In the S h u t t l e essay conest, fifth graders were asked to write a one page essay explaining why being drug free was important to them and how they planned to accom New Happy Hour, Lounge plish this goal. Nhi Nguyen and Thomas Tripodi, above, from left, were cho M enu and New Chef sen as the essay winners. Below; Lezie Garcia, Diana Bonola and Timothy Garcia were the winners of the ‘What's My Anti-Drug’ poster contest. Don’t Forget To Book Your Holiday Party At 60 South 31st Street, The Kenilworth Kenilworth 908-241-4100 New Year’s Eve 800-775-3645 Dinner And Party Kenilworthlnn.com NFL Ticket Promotion Union County LocalSource — November 6, 2014 — 3 Union schools have a new super Stuyvesant m HAIRCUTTING By Cheryl Hehl Staff Writer UNION - Longtime assistant superintendent Gregory Tatum was appointed as the new school superintendent at a recent board of education meeting after a four-month search to fill the position. Tatum, 53, appointed at the Oct. 20 board meeting, was one of three finalists considered for the position that has been surround ed by controversy since former superintendent Patrick Martin abruptly announced his resignation in late April. Since that time, Tatum has served as acting superintendent. Quality Hair Cuts At An employee of the district since 2003, Tatum was hired initial Affordable Prices ly as the principal of Central Five Jefferson School, and in 2006 was named assistant superintendent of schools. SENIOR CITIZEN $ 1 1 0 0 A Parlin resident, Tatum is married and the father of three chil dren. SPECIAL JL * RIe Photo Mon.,Tues., Wed., Thurs,, Fri. The new superintendent’s contract has to be approved by the Acting Superintendent Gregory Tatum was officially county superintendent before the appointment is official, which is named the Union School District’s permanent superin OPEN MON. thru SAT. required by law. That approval is expected any day. tendent byt eh board of education. Board Member Vito Nufrio, who chaired the superintendent 1654 STUYVESANT AVE. • UNION search committee, pointed out at the Oct. 20 meeting that despite that. He is a leader and has been a leader in this school district,” 908-851-2813 considering other candidates for the position, Tatum was at the top said Nufrio. of the list. Tatum gave a brief speech regarding his appointment, thanking “There really was no indication that anyone else would be the the board for their confidence in him in leading the district for the choice,” Nufrio said, adding that Tatum had “stellar” interviews next three years and briefly explaining the direction he hoped to with the committee. take the school district. “His vision is one we all adhere to,” he added, {jointing out that “I know throughout the course of the number of years I’ve been "In Business 60 Years" the board desired to “move forward in all directions.” here. I’ve observed a number of issues we need to work on and a “I know Mr. Tatum has the ability, skills and experience to do See NEW SUPER, Page 12 Q u a lity New investigation raises suspicions about D ecorators Roselle BOE’s handling of insurance contract 632 Boulevard, Kenilworth By Cheryl Hehl board, instead of signing with a “qualified four members of the school board agreed Staff Writer broker” for school district health benefit with him. 908-241-2975 ROSELLE - It appears the board of insurance, began trading legal barbs with The school board attorney maintained education approved a $7.5 million contro Holley. the board had every legal right to approve 65% Discount versial contract with an insurance company This was based on the fact the mayor the resolution and characterizing the board on Vertical, 1” Blinds & Pleated Shades that is now being investigated by the New publicly demanded the school board in a negative light through the media vio Measurement Jersey Department of Education for back rescind the resolution approving the con lated the board’s legal rights. FREE door discussions with board members in a tract with Alamo and begin the process of And so began the legal wrangling sur West New York school district. selecting a health insurance carrier from a rounding the board’s nth hour selection of Slip Covers Reupholstery Last year when the Roselle Board of well qualified list of carriers not {jolitically Alamo, but the brouhaha eventually died Education cut a health insurance deal for connected to any board members. This down, until last week when it surfaced that $ 2 3 5 $ 5 8 5 $7.5 million with Alamo Insurance Group, started a firestorm of controversy and as a the state board of education was investigat • Sofa or 2 Chairs • Sofa or 2 Chairs a company former mayor Garrett Smith result both sides jumped into the fray ing the manner in which the West New worked for who had an insurance fi-aud demanding retractions or further legal York Board of Education appointed their • Welting • New Cushions indictment hanging over his head, many action would follow. health benefit carrier. Alamo Insurance. • Overlock • Pick-Up & Delivery people, including Mayor Jamel Holley, Holley refused to back down, pointing According to information obtained by took issue with it. out because Smith had political connec LocalSource, last week the West New York The entire matter initially surfaced in tions to the board, there was a line that Board of Education fired the insurance Wall to Wall Carpet July 2013 locally when the Board of Educa should not have been crossed when it broker that was at the center of an investi From $16.95 - Pad & InstaUation Included tion signed a contract with Alamo Insur comes to contractual issues.