What's virtually free, fun, popular and educational? Tamaques students know — see page A-3 Vol. 5, No. 47 The^festfield Record Thursday, November 24,1994 A Forbes Newspaper 50 cents Briefs Board replaces Flast in a flash ights the Lawn will o ty NtCOtf A. OAVWO to the need "to get someone as quickly as the Technology Committee and as an in- critical elementary years." ttistmas season THE RECORD possible." terim board member, he "had high hopes of Mrs. Pepper said board members stated a iday at First Mr. Flast was elected to a full three-year being a positive agent for change." However, clear need to find an immediate replace- •h on Elm ment after Mr. Flast's resignation last Tues- l The Westfleld Board of Education was term in April, after serving as an appointed he said "as month after month passed and I o foUow the scheduled to appoint ex-school board mem- replacement for two months. In ten months assessed my lack of performance against day. They said the need is due to the press ne north-side ber John Toriello as the board replacement on the board, Mr. Flast was a member of the those expectations, I became increasingly of board business, including the bond issue urch mem- for Robert Flast. Mr. Flast resigned suddenly Technology, Programs and Policies, Long- frustrated. and next year's budget. 1 ty will light "John Toriello's name emerged as a logi- last week for personal reasons. Range Planning and Administrators Nego- "Since I see no possibility of this situation cal choice for the five-month appointment," c 'avorite sea- The appointment of Mr. Toriello was on tiation Committees, He was also liaison to improving between now and April, and only celebration Mrs. Pepper said. "1 am happy to report that K the agenda for board action at a special the Parent-Teacher Council, the high school limited possibility of its improving after he agreed to serve. John brings to the board Wi'J side the meeting Tuesday night, after Record press Student Council and Washington School April, I decided to resign and to devote my needed experience at a time when we are ch» o ocoa and time! School Board President Susan Pepper PTA. energies to working outside the system and faced with some very important decisions — mu. 1*1«-» said the board was acting with dispatch due Mr. Flast said as an active volunteer for to help my children more directly in their (Please turn to page A-2) ^ group meets ..., second Racist graffiti at WHS and 1 -.ut Sunday at St. Helen's Parish Center. Up- coming events include a Dine Out for Thanksgiving this Sunday and the Annual Din- leads to open dialogue ner Dance, Dec. 10. •y HIOOiE A. ous drawings and words. Bricks walls and cement steps on the front and sides of the building advertised Free seminar - THE RECORD Merrill Lynch will hold a numerous swastikas, Ku Klux Man symbols, and free seminar on "Estate Plan- Instead of causing chaos and rage, a racial and anti- even a caricature of an African-American. Words in ning & Trusts," 7:30 p.m., semitic graffiti incident at Westfield High School thick black magic marker spelled out such things as Tuesday, 195 Elm Si seems to have brought out the best in the com- "Niggers get off welfare," "Boo go home," and "white munity. rule." Students, school staff, parents and community lead- 'We were shocked," said senior Shi-Kia Carter, who Hanukkah plans ers are stepping out and joining forces to combat was one of the students who first found the graffiti. "I . Children in grades K-3 are prejudice and hatred. couldn't believe somebody would do that. It's hard invited to Westfleld Memorial About 7 a.m. Thursday, several students came to because we're a race that's always getting picked on Library to share the "Festival school to find the outside surface covered with vari- (Please turn to page A-2) of lights," 3:45-4:30 p.m., Tuesday. The program will feature Hanukkah stories, the dreidel game and potato Town budget brewing now, too latkes. Register in person. By NHXHg A. OAVINO has placed general budgeting dis- "There does not appear to be an THE RECORD cussions on its agenda for the past appreciation for the fact that this is Story time several meetings. a year-round, on-going process," he Registration begins Tues- Westfield Mayor Garland "Bud" Mayor Boothe said it is never too said. "We are constantly looking at day at Westfleld Memorial Li- Boothe contends the school board early to discuss the budget, in fact, what we have spent and what we brary for a Toddler Time is not alone in working early and budgeting is a year-round process. (Please turn to page A-2) Story Hour set for 1:30 p.m. openly on its budget process. Dec. 6. Children must be 2 V The Westfleld Board of Educa- 2 years old, be members and tion is drawing attention to its at- register in person. tempt to open up the budget pro- Holiday Fund sends cess, by beginning public discourse earlier than usual and by making Candies in Wind the finance committee meetings Temple Emanu-El will host open for public attendance and cash to local needy a state-wide AIDS observance participation. on World AIDS Day, Dec. 1. Mayor Boothe pointed out that A young woman who has been cil, Westfield Community Center, There will be a candlelight the town budget process has al- hospitalized for some time is ready Salvation Army and various church Cooking the hearth way ways been as open, and the town for discharge. While her relatives service, accompanied by an RANDALL MILLER/THE RECORD organizations. The fund helps interfaith choir and display of has already started working on its are willing to provide her with shel- working people who, due to illness, Judy Murphy prepares fare for tha annual Miller Cory Mu- $21 million budget. the AIDS Memorial Quilt seum Thanksgiving meal last Sunday afternoon at the his- ter, they are not in any financial are out of work for a little while 'The finance committee has al- position to Itave her numerous pre- and can't get help from any gov- Sponsored by the AIDS In- toric house. A story and another photograph of the event are ways sat as the committee as a terfaith Network of NJ, the scriptions filled. Without the medi- ernment program. It helps families on the Community Life page, A-8. whole, which is open to the pub- cations, slie will surely end up back 7:30 pm- event is free and all lic," Mayor Boothe said. "We hold a who can't pay their utilities bill and are urged to attend ~- for the in the hospital. Until an applica- may be without electricity or heat. series of open meetings in January tion for a long-term program can be sake of unity, for those who where the full council goes into full It hrlps families pay their rent and are suffering and their car- processed, Diere is little available avoid eviction. It buys food, detail of the budget. We bring in help. egivers, for those who did not the people responsible for running clothes, and medical care. Shopping season Help can come from Westfield's survive and need to be re- all the different parts of the town But the fund is up and down membered. Call 232-6770 for — such as the police chief, the Caring Neighbor Fund, if there is throughout the year and many enough money there. The Record is details. public works director, the library things can't get done because the director." inviting readers to participate in its Record Holiday Fund. Proceeds money isn't there. Any donation shopper-friendly These similar meetings for the will help. Antique boutique school board's $44 million budget, will support The Caring Neighbor Fund of Westfield — the only local Readers wishing to support the Polly Reilly's 26th Christ- By NICOLE A. QAVWO 0 Shop early in the morning. will be announced in December Record Holiday Fund and the Car- mas Boutique with a collec- 0 Take advantage of special and probably run close to the same fund which helps Westfield resi- TOE RECORD ing Neighbor Fund may send Sunday hours. time as the town's meetings. Both dents who fall between the govern- tion of gifts, decorations and checks to Record Hobday Fund, antiques is back at Andrea's After the turkey has been eaten, 0 Come into town during spe- the school board and the town mental program cracks and are in- Box 626, Cranford 07016. Donors Furniture, 540. South Ave. we are reminded of the task ahead cial holiday events. allow time for public comment at eligible for public assistance. who contribute to the fund will until Dec. 3. Call 233-4680. — holiday shopping. Chances are 0 Break up the shopping expe- their regular meetings and are Westfield Welfare Director Lillian most of us haven't finished, let rience and intersperse it with social open to hearing budgeting sugges- Corsi coordinates her efforts with have their names published in this alone begun, our holiday shopping. or entertainment events. For ex- tions. The school board, however, the Westfield Neighborhood Coun- column. Active adults Katherine Brainier, Executive Di- ample, take a break to listen to the Programs abound for the rector of Westfleld Area Chamber carolers or stop in for a holiday movie with the children.