OFF to SEE the WIZARD Schools Take Steps to Prevent MRSA's Spread RVSA Rep Calls Talk of Privatization 'Premature'
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HELPtNO HANDS RUNNING WILD A team from fnc Presbyterian The Scotch Ptaint-Fanwood H.S. Church in Wtsthetd recently varsity football Imam ran all over traveled to New Orleans to sup- Cranhrd last weekend, defeating port the post-Katrina reconstruc- thm Cougars 42-20. For more on tion effort. See Community Lifm, the game, see the story in Sports, PageB-1. PageC-1. 50c«nts l&ttttth VtBB Vol. 22, No. 44 Serving Westfield, Scotch Plains and Fanwood Friday, November 2, 2007 Library OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD Schools take steps to likely to prevent MRSA's spread Dolan. Among other meas- open later THE RECORD-PRESS ures, custodians have been directed to use cleaning this month In response to recent products effective in killing reports about the spread of staph bacteria, especially in a drug-resistant "superbug" areas that ban become known as MRSA, local breeding grounds. THE RECORD-PRESS school officials have asked "We've given special WESTFIELD — The ren- staff, students and parents attention to cleaning athlet- ovated Westfield Memorial to take steps to control the ic facilities and equipment," Library was slated to re- spread of the bacteria. said Dolan. Coaches have open by the end of October, While cases of MRSA — also been directed to review but residents eager to see or Methicillin-resistant appropriate hygiene with the changes will have to Staphlococcus aureus — athletes and to encourage wait a bit longer, Library have not been diagnosed in students to take home uni- Director Phil Israel said this schools in Westfield, Scotch forms and have them week. Plains or Fanwood, infec- cleaned regularly. Israel said the renova- tions have been reported "Our coordinator of nurs- tions are going well, but he across the area. The staph ing is working with the admitted the original proj- infection, which has proven school physician to keep ect timeline was optimistic resistant to traditional abreast on any updates and a mid- to late-November antibiotic treatments, has from the Center for Disease opening is more plausible. been found in high school Control," added Dolan. "We didn't build into the students in Elizabeth and Those efforts have been original schedule any Irvington, and a 12-year-old mirrored in Scotch Plains- delays," Israel said in an Brooklyn boy died after Fan wood, according to interview Monday. becoming infected. Superintendent Margaret Although the delay can't This week, Westfield Hayes. "Health instructors be attributed to any signifi- school officials said the dis- are stressing the impor- cant problem, Israel said trict is taking appropriate tance of good hygienic contractors found a crack in measures to disinfect its habits in their curriculum, the main floor that needed facilities and equipment. particularly in grades five to be repaired. "We couldn't "We are working on a through 12 where infections just put a carpet on top of number of different fronts," are likely to spread," said it," he said. said Westfield Hayes. "Parallel to good Renovations to the sec- Superintendent Margaret (Continued on page A-2) ond floor were finished by August, when construction moved to the first floor, RVSA rep calls talk of Israel said. The adult fiction collection, which is the largest in the library, moved privatization 'premature' to an expanded space mayors that privatization upstairs that will accommo- THE RECORD-PRESS talks should be put on hold date the growing selection. for at least a year, until The second floor is also now WESTFIELD — Allen mandated upgrades costing home to a centralized com- Chin, a former mayor and $225 million are complete puter station, where more the town's longtime repre- and manning requirements computers are still being sentative to the Rahway for the future are estab- added, and a new handicap Valley Sewerage Authority, lished. accessible bathroom, which appeared before the Town "To do it now is prema- is "mostly completed," said Council Tuesday to explain ture," said Chin, who also Israel. his vote against a measure reassured the Town Council Additionally, most of the to begin studying privatiza- that he intends to vote new carpeting throughout tion of the debt-riddled whichever way the govern- authority. the building has been ing body indicates when the installed, along with the Kids aren't the only ones At an Oct. 18 meeting, issue comes to the table for new circulation desk. On the who can have fun dressing Chin voted against a meas- a final vote. first floor, materials have up for Hallow*»n. Th* ure to begin preparing Requests for Proposal According to Chin, a been moved back to the chil- entire Fei family of Scotch thorough study after com- dren's department. Plains (above) played char- (RFP) for engineers, attor- acters from "The Wizard of neys and financial consult- pletion of the upgrades "There are still a lot of lit- would avoid "wasting hun- tle things that needs to be Oz" at a costume parade In ants who would help the downtown Westfield RVSA explore privatization dreds of thousands of dol- done," said Israel. Electrical lars to go through the work remains on the to-do Sunday — John as the Tin of the facility, which serves Man, Jean as Dorothy, 11 municipalities. The process." list, and new books, audio- Dylan as the Scarecrow visual materials and furni- measure was approved by a Chin also offered an and Benjamin as the Lion. 6-5 vote to the consterna- update on upgrades, which ture must be moved in. Right. Westfield's McKinley "Things just took a little tion of mayors of many of were mandated to mitigate Elementary School held its those towns, who view the the environmental impact longer than originally pro- own parade on jected," he said. discussions as premature. of the facility. The cost of Wednesday. The festivities the improvements has sent Once complete, the featured the "Flying According to Chin, who $700,000 worth of improve- McKinley Brothers'7 shown has represented Westfield annual costs to the member ments should be immediate- here with their trusty side- on the RVSA board since towns skyrocketing. ly apparent, as the 20-year- kick "El Kermito," who 1984, representatives for Westfield's assessment is old facility is being struck a pose while show- Rahway have pushed the slated to rise about $1 mil- redesigned to have the ing off their muscles and issue despite a consensus lion to approximately $3.2 (Continued on page A-3) then some. from the member town's {Continued on page A-3) CAMPAIGN 2007: A LAST LOOK AT THE LOCAL RACES GOP seeks foothold; COUNTY FORUM TO BE Control of council is Mahr unopposed in FW SHOWN ON CHANNEL 26 at stake in Westfield A videotape of the Union County candidates' night the council, but all four Democrats currently sponsored by the Union County Council of the League of hold a 6-0 majority on the seats up for election are THE RECORD-PRESS Women Voters will be shown by Comcast on Channel 26 THE RECORD-PRESS now held by the GOP, so council, and Mayor Colleen at 10 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5. FANWOOD — In a cam- Mahr is also a Democrat. WESTFIELD — When Democrats can gain control Freeholder candidates who took part in the Oct. 24 they go to the polls next of the council with a sweep. paign marked by uncertain- Mahr is unopposed for re- forum included Democrats Daniel Sullivan, Bette Jane ty, one thing is for sure even election after her Tuesday, local voters will Mayor Andy Skibitsky, a Kowalski and Rayland VanBlake; Republican John choose either to return the Republican, is not up for re- before the first vote has Republican opponent, Russitano Jr., ana independents Adrian Mapp and Becky been cast: Democrats will Patricia Lindsey, dropped Town Council to Republican election until 2009. McHuah. Also participating were Democratic Sheriff Ralph control or to give Democrats In the weeks leading up be in control of borough out of the race. But voters Froehlich, who is running for re-election, and Charles government in 2O08. will have a choice at the a chance to try their hand to the Nov. 6 election, Mitchell Sr., an independent candidate for sheriff. in the majority. Republicans have touted Still, voters in the Nov. 6 council level, as Patricia Quattrocchi, a Republican candidate for free- election can send a message Democratic incumbents The campaign features their efforts to hold the line holder, sent word that she was unable to attend because of eight candidates, though on municipal taxes, stream- by either returning the Katherine Mitchell and a medical emergency. Robert Reilly, another Republican Democratic incumbents to William Popuius Jr. look to voters will see only the line services in town candidate for freeholder, and Peter Lijoi, the Republican Democratic and Republican departments, increase traf- the Borough Council or fend off the GOP slate of candidate for sheriff, also were absent, electing two Republican Tony Parent! and Joel nominees from their ward fic and pedestrian safety, challengers to take their Stroz. Channel 26 serves all of Union County except Elizabeth on the ballot. Republicans curb overdevelopment and place. (Continued on page A-2) and Plain field. currently hold a 6-2 edge on (Continued on page A-2) REMINDER QUOTABLE The results of local elections in "/ was taken by surprise when I read that people were attacking Commentary A-4 Obituaries B-4 ELECTION Westfield and Fanwood will be posted Dick Samuel on volunteerism. It is clear they picked the wrong on the Record-Press news blog as soon issue to discuss... If people want to attack Dick, they should find Community Life B-1 Real Estate C-5 RESULTS as they become available Tuesday a basis closer to reality.