Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, January 8, 2004 Published Every Thursday Since 1890 OUR 114th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 18-114 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SIXTY CENTS Threat Against Temple Deemed Not Credible By Police and FBI By LAUREN S. PASS Romankow said in a press release. Lieutenant John Parizeau, the barri- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader “Based on that investigation we, and cades were still in place on Monday Westfield’s Temple Emanu-El the FBI, have concluded that at this because County Emergency Services closed on New Years Eve after the time there is not credible threat to had not picked them up. Union County Prosecutor’s Office this temple.” The temple, which has over 1,100 received a threat against the facility. Also present at the press confer- member families, is one of the larg- The temple reopened on Friday af- ence on Friday was Shai Goldstein, est reformed congregations in the ternoon after it was determined that Director of the Anti-Defamation state of New Jersey. there was no credible threat. League New Jersey Regional Office. Friday evening services were held Between Wednesday and Friday, He said that “law enforcement at at the temple’s sister congregation in Springfield, and regular services re- sumed on Saturday. WHS Graduate Jumps to Death By LAUREN S. PASS Specially Written for The Westfield Leader A graduate of Westfield High School plunged to his death from the sixth floor of a New Brunswick parking garage at approximately 5:45 p.m. on Monday in an appar- ent suicide. Michael Charmatz was discov- Horace R. Corbin for The Westfield Leader ered by a sheriff’s officer and FULL SCALE RESPONSE...Barricades were set up and armed guards were stationed outside Temple Emanu-El from taken to Robert Wood Johnson New Year’s Eve until Friday morning following a threat to the temple. University Hospi- tal, where he was pronounced dead WF Mayor Vows to Increase Pedestrian at 8:56 p.m. According to Horace R. Corbin for The Westfield Leader Sergeant Richard ROAD BLOCK...Streets around Temple Emanu-el, including Jefferson Av- Rowe of the New Safety, Make Parking ‘More Friendly’ enue, as pictured above, were blocked off following a threat to the temple. Brunswick Po- Michael Charmatz By LAUREN S. PASS Jr. and Assemblymen Jon Bramnick safety challenges.” lice Department, Specially Written for The Westfield Leader barricades surrounded the temple and a note was found and no foul and Dr. Eric Muñoz. He said that he has worked with every level acted appropriately.” Republicans officially took a 7-1 In his State of the Town Address, the police to increase enforcement, members of the Union County Emer- Public Information Officer of the play is suspected. majority of the Westfield Town Coun- Mayor Gregory McDermott stated, noting that in 1999 only 400 traffic gency Response Team, clad in riot Union County Prosecutor’s Office, Mr. Charmatz was a sopho- cil on Tuesday night as new mem- gear, were stationed outside. more at Rutgers University, and “The people of this great community summonses were issued whereby in Robert O’Leary, said on Monday bers JoAnn Neylan, Mark Ciarrocca have entrusted this town to us.” He November of 2003, 1,100 sum- During a press conference on Fri- that there is “no threat at this time.” was a 2002 graduate of Westfield and James Foerst were sworn in. also reflected on the fact that monses and 700 warnings were is- day in Elizabeth, Union County Pros- Though the prosecutor’s office High School (WHS). Also sworn in was incumbent First ecutor Theodore Romankow declined While at WHS, he served as “Westfield’s priorities have not sued. continued to decline to release any Ward Republican Councilman Peter changed” since it became a town in “Our town must become safer to to provide details about the threat, information on how the threat was President of the senior class and Echausse. 1903. pedestrians,” he said. however he confirmed that a bomb received and the person or persons delivered a speech at graduation. The Council Chambers were was not involved. He said that it may He graduated with academic dis- The mayor said that, in 2003, The mayor pledged to continue to responsible, it was reported in packed with notable attendees such with the hiring of developer HKT work with the county and state to have been a bias incident, but was Sunday’s New York Times that a letter tinction and was a member of the as former Westfield Mayors Garland Nassau, McManimon & Scotland as improve safety and said that the coun- not an act of terrorism. was written to the FBI from a person National Honor Society and the “Bud” Boothe, Jr., Ron Frigerio, “We have exhausted all logical football team. Bond Counsel and Edwards & cil will continue to research traffic involved in a contentious divorce. Allen Chin and Thomas Jardim. Also Kelcey to perform the traffic study, calming measures. avenues of investigations,” Mr. According to Westfield Police present were Senator Thomas Kean, the town has gotten the pieces to the Mayor McDermott added that the puzzle in the process of building town would continue to improve parking decks. He added that in customer service to residents, con- Mountainside Mayor Viglianti Pledges to Move 2004 the council would be putting tinue the sidewalk repair program, the pieces together. improving parks and researching Mayor McDermott stated that in- the feasibility of adding additional creased parking enforcement is field. Forward With Plans for Community Center “slowly working to change bad hab- He said that Westfield is a “town its,” adding that the town has worked that has truly reached maturity, but By KIMBERLY A. BROADWELL Councilman Werner Schon, who sworn in as the new Mountainside now retiring after having served on Specially Written for The Westfield Leader has served as a councilman for 21 Borough Municipal Judge. It was the borough’s library board of trust- hard to make parking “more friendly” not yet its full potential.” Mayor Robert Viglianti was years and as council president for noted that outgoing judge, Bart Barre, ees for 30 years. by changing the meter hours to 9 Second Ward Republican Coun- sworn in for his sixth four-year two years, was elected as the council also served on the Mountainside Awards were also given to many a.m. to 7 pm. cilman Rafael Betancourt was ap- term as mayor this past Tuesday president. Board of Education, the members of the police department He said, “Speeding cars present pointed as Acting Mayor and Coun- Westfield with one of its toughest evening at the Borough of Outgoing Councilman Thomas Mountainside Borough Council and for outstanding service to the com- CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 Mountainside’s re-organizational Perotta, who has served on the coun- the Rahway Valley Sewage Author- munity. Police Chief James Debbie meeting. He has been the borough’s cil since 1995, was awarded a gold ity. presented “Excellent Police Service” mayor since 1987. plaque for his eight years of service Special recognitions were given to awards to Patrolman John Sworn in to serve on the council as a councilman and one year of Dick Picut, Harry Culp and Jackie Philippakos, Patrolman Jeffrey were William Lane, who has served service as council president. Barry. Mr. Picut is retiring from the Stinner and Patrolman Michael the borough as a councilman for four Mayor Viglianti addressed the au- borough’s planning board after hav- Pasquale. Chief Debbie presented years, and newcomer Robert Messler. dience — thanking the councilman ing served for 18 years. Mr. Culp has “Life Saving” awards to Sergeant Members were sworn in by for his years of service on behalf of served as the borough’s building in- Joseph Giannuzzi, Patrolman Tho- Mountainside resident, Judge Walter the community. spector for 18 years, and he retired as mas Norton and Corporal Kevin Barisonek. Judge James DeRose, Esq. was of December 31, 2003. Mr. Barry is Beteyman. Sergeant Allan Attanasio, Patrolman John Philappakos, Patrol- man James Urban and Detective Kenneth Capobianco were given Estrada Tapped as Freeholder Bd.’s commendations. A special “thank you” to Chief Debbie and Captain Richard Osieja First Hispanic-American Chairman was extended by the mayor for their role in the support of a com- By MATT MARINO Freeholders?” he asked. lifeline,” said the chairman. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader munity in deep mourning after the The new chairman first outlined Chairman Estrada also announced During the Union County Board loss of Captain Todd Turner who the achievements of the board in that the prescription drug plan for died in an automobile accident in of Chosen Freeholders’ annual Re- 2003, such as reaching the goal of seniors, which was developed by the organization Meeting on January 4, August of 2003. The mayor noted preserving 100 acres of open space, county last year, now would be avail- that he wanted to express appre- the board officially installed Free- and the creation of the Committee on able to all county residents. Under Benjamin B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader holder Angel Estrada as the chair- ciation for the support to Todd’s OATH OF OFFICE...Peter “The Hammer” Echausse, center, was sworn into Homeland Security. the plan, any resident – regardless of family and added, “We will never office as the First Ward Republican Councilman by former Councilman man for 2004, with Freeholder Rick He stated that that the freeholders income level – may obtain prescrip- Matthew Albano, left. Looking on are Peter’s wife, Colleen and their four Proctor tapped as the vice-chairman.