www.nj.com/fwcordpress Serving Westfield, Scotch Plains and Fanwood Vol.21, No. 35 Friday, September 1, 2006 50 cents INSIDE Pedestrian killed while crossing North Ave. outside the Lord & Taylor depart- THE RECORD-PRESS 82-year-old woman was struck by vehicle ment store and led to the installation of an unusual mid-block crosswalk WESTFIELD — An 82-year-old Hospital in Newark, but police were as she attempted to cross the street between the store and an employee woman was killed Monday when she notified shortly after 5 p.m. that she in the middle of the block, Auchter parking lot across the street. The was struck by a car while walking had succumbed to her injuries. said. , other 2003 accident took place on the across a downtown street. Capt. Cliff Auchter said there is no The location where the accident east end of North Avenue, near the Marie Schlieske of Westfield was indication that the driver, reportedly occurred has not been a pedestrian Garwood border. crossing North Avenue East between a 72-year-old Westfield woman, was safety hazard in the past, he said. Local police produced a traffic Central Avenue and Elmer Street at speeding at the time of the accident. The pedestrian fatality is the first analysis in early 2004 that showed 26 about 11:45 a.m. when she was hit by The police department's Traffic in Westfield since December 2003, accidents involving pedestrians on a vehicle traveling westbound on Safety Bureau is continuing the when two people were killed in sepa- North Avenue during the previous North Avenue, police said. investigation; no charges have been rate incidents along North Avenue five years, resulting in three deaths Rescue Squad technicians trans- filed against the driver. just days apart. ported Schlieske to University Schlieske was walking by herself One of those accidents occurred (Continued on page A-2) He's a MIlofFamsr Melba Moore to sing at FUMC Sept. 1 Cranford Airy Malanga was inducted into the New Jersey Amateur Softball Tony winner offers Association Hall of Fame at a recent will open ceremony. Malanga was the owner concert to benefit ofMalanga's Florist in Scotch Plains for many years. For more on his AIDS victims in Africa garage to accomplishments, see Sports, Page C-1. Broadway star and Tony Award-win- ner Melba Moore, along with TransJazz, the smooth jazz gospel recording group, Westfield will grace the sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church in Westfield at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1 for a benefit residents concert designed to call attention to and support AIDS-affected communities in Other towns will Rwanda, Africa. This "Hope Gospel" concert is one of have opportunity several which will benefit World-Vision- New York's work with orphans and vul- to purchase permits nerable children in Rwanda, a nation still recovering from the genocide of 1994 and now suffering from the AIDS STAFF WRITEH pandemic. The concert will also provide an A proposal to construct one opportunity to change, through sponsor- or more parking decks in ship, the life of a child living in a com- downtown Westfield was munity affected by AIDS. soundly rejected by local resi- dents when put to a vote in Moore, an accomplished singer 2004, but commuters looking known for her great vocal range, began for a place to park may soon her career in the groundbreaking musi- have an opportunity just a Magical cal Hair, where she originated the role few minutes down the road. of Dionne. During her 18 months in the show, she eventually replaced Diane The 300-space parking Keaton, becoming the first black actress garage at Cranford Crossing, Special needs students in the a major mixed-use develop- to replace a white actress in a lead role ment in downtown Cranford, Westfield Public Schodfswere treat- on Broadway. ed to a magic show recently after is set to open this fall, but the Her credits include "The Melba retail and residential compo- completing a special summer pro- Moore/Clifton Davis Show," the mini- gram designed to help them rein- nents that accompany the series "Ellis Island," the R&B and pop municipal garage could still force academic and social skills. hits "This Is It" and "You Stepped into See the story on Page A-3. be a year away from comple- My Life," and her Grammy-nominated tion. signature song "Lean On Me." Her 1990 The result could be that recording of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" parking spots expected to be was instrumental to the effort to have taken by shoppers and resi- the song entered into the Congressional dents of the new facility are Record as the official African American left empty; to fill the gap, National Anthem. Cranford plans to open the Directly on the heels of Hair came the spaces to residents of neigh- role of Lutiebelle Gussiemae Jenkins, boring towns during the lag the innocent southern domestic who time. falls in love with a fast-talking preacher According to a rate sched- in the long-running musical, Purlie. ule adopted by the Cranford This role launched Moore's successful Township Committee, a non- TV and recording career. Her show-stop- resident would have to pay ping performance in Purlie won Moore $250 per quarter for a 12- the Tony Award for Best Supporting hour permit. Cranford Mayor Actress in a Musical, again making her Dan Aschenbach has recently the first black actress to do so. said drawing commuters Keep rockin' In 1996, history repeated itself for a from outside towns may be third time, when Moore took over the the key to making the garage at Echo lake role of Fantine in the Broadway musical self-sustaining as early as- possible. Gary "U.S." Bonds will perform next Lcs Miserables. She was the first black week at Echo Lake Park, in a special actress to step into the leading role in The question remains addition to the county's summer that milestone Broadway musical. whether commuters will be concert series. For that story and a A deeply spiritual person, Moore is an willing to drive a few miles look at Music Fest '06, which will ardent advocate for thq rights of chil- down the Raritan Valley line bring rockers Cheap Trick to dren, and has created a foundation for Broadway star and renowned singer Melba Moore will headline a special benefit in exchange for a guaranteed Nomahegan Park on Sept. 16, see abused and neglected children. concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church in Westfield. parking space, but Prime Time, Page A-8. She will be accompanied Friday by Aschenbach remains hopeful. TransJazz, a contemporary gospel and Ragan Whiteside. Donations at the door will be $20 for Incoming revenue from recording group with a smooth jazz With a unique style that has been adults and $10 for students. No tickets parking permit fees and sound. The group started in the mid- described as "Sade turned on to Jesus," or reservations will be required; seating meters is the key to keeping 1980s with a unique style of music that the album has been featured on radio is available on first-arrival basis. the garage from being a drain has since appealed to people both inside stations around the country. TransJazz The church and sanctuary are handi- on Cranford taxpayers, and outside the church and across sever- was nominated for Urban Gospel cap accessible. Parking can be found in Aschenbach said. In a letter How to handle al generations. The band's debut album, Industry Music Awards in 2004 and the church lot off Ferris Place, on adja- to tho editor published last Transitions, was released in 2004. The 2005, and the group appears regularly cent streets and in nearby parking lots. week in the Cranford CD features talented young singer in concerts, special church services, For more information, call the church Chronicle, the mayor floated picky eaters Vanessa Daley Johnson along with Christian coffeehouses, civic events, office at (908) 233-4211 daily from 8:30 Next week, the Union County chap- guest artists Meg Okura, Ron Brown, radio interviews and cable TV programs. a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Continued on page A-2) ter of Mothers & More will learn some strategies for kids who don't want to eat what's on their plate. The meeting will be held at 8 p.m. Campaign for Congress brings Ferguson to the area Wednesday at the Fanwood Recreation Center in Forest Road By LESLIE MURRAY bakery stands. A farmer's market, he said, is Park. For more, call (908) 620- STAFF WRITER a perfect place to meet voters. 3202. "You get to connect with real people out- SCOTCH PLAINS — Braving a cool rain side of the normal business of the week," Saturday morning, shoppers went about the Ferguson explained. As the race heats up, the business of carefully selecting produce at the Congressman has been seen frequently in local farmers' market. Union County. His schedule Saturday also But one shopper, casually perusing the included a stop -at Kings Super Market in Commentary A-6 selection of fruit before deciding on some Garwood, he was in Kenilworth last week, peaches, stood out — he was Rep. Mike and he recently paid a visit to Children's Community Life B-1 Ferguson, who was looking for votes as well Specialized Hospital in Mountainside. as vegetables. Now on the campaign trail, While he was out campaigning, Ferguson Sports C-1 Ferguson is seeking re-election to New also had some domestic duties to attend to, as Jersey's 7th Congressional District, a seat his wife Maureen had given him a list that Prime Time A-8 he's held since 2000.