Happy Mother’s Day Special Edition, includes everyone in Westfield and Garwood Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, May 8, 2008 OUR 118th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 19-2008 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SIXTY CENTS Citizens Vow to Fight Against Closure of Muhlenberg Hospital By JOHN MAGUIRE nities. Councilman Kevin Glover of Specially Written for The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times Representatives of the State Health Scotch Plains stirred the crowd say- PLAINFIELD – An estimated 900 Planning Board conducted the meet- ing, “Make this about Main Street, residents packed a public hearing on ing with local and state representa- not Wall Street.” Tuesday evening at Plainfield High tives in attendance. Assemblyman Carmen Salavarrieta, a voice in the School to discuss Solaris Health Sys- Jerry Green (D) of Plainfield and Plainfield’s Latin community, called tems’ closing of Muhlenberg Regional Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D) for more time to work out a compro- Medical Center as a result of them of Fanwood represent Plainfield as mise. Mrs. Salvarrieta has been a losing more than $10 million per year part of the 22nd Legislative District. member of the board of the Plainfield in operations. Mr. Green, deputy speaker of the State Health Center for 25 years. She cited The crowd, with signs and T-shirts Assembly, said, “Muhlenberg did not the importance of Muhlenberg to the advertising their protest of closing look out for Plainfield.” Latino community, and said the loss Muhlenberg, called to save the hospi- Ms. Stender was not in attendance, of the hospital would hit immigrants tal. Many citizens spoke passionately citing a prior comitment — Mayor hard. at the podium about the impact that Colleen Mahr of Fanwood spoke on “They would take care of the people the hospital closing would have on her behalf. The mayor noted the im- – papers or not,” she said of Plainfield and surrounding commu- portance of the hospital to the region. Muhlenberg. According to Mrs. Salavarrieta, many lower-income resi- dents simply can’t afford to have healthcare and Muhlenberg is a ref- uge for them. She recognized that the decision to close Muhlenberg is due to the hospital having to bear the Benjamin B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader financial burden of charity care, but PARKING UP THE WRONG TREE...Business and property owners came en masse to the Westfield Town Council meeting, said, “Give us time to work it out.” Tuesday, to implore the council to reconsider raising tickets for overtime parking meters from $20 to $32. Those in She feared that many immigrants, attendance spoke about three facets of the current parking situation – a lack of parking spaces, fines that are too high and “paperwork or not,” without any enforcement that is too aggressive. At top left is current Finance Policy Committee Chairman Sal Caruana. At top right is means of transportation would not be Gregory Wyn-Williams, owner of Baron’s Drug Store. For more photos, see goleader.com/photos. able to afford costly cab rides to JFK Medical Center in Edison, and if they make it there, would not receive ad- Business Owners Protest Parking equate care. Other residents were angered by what they view is a systematic effort Greg Ryan for The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times Fines at Westfield Council Meeting INTENSE...Approximately 900 citizens met at Plainfield High School Tuesday to deprive Plainfield of accessible healthcare. Jesus Delvi asked the By MICHAEL POLLACK restaurants. Mr. Sayegh noted that his Commerce, said Westfield’s downtown night to protest and let state legislators know how they feel about the closing of Specially written for The Westfield Leader Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center. board where the money to keep attendance dropped by 13,000 last year; is an “asset”; however, he said it is “in Muhlenberg open had gone. WESTFIELD – Westfield Town compounding his problem, not only do trouble.” “Westfield, Fanwood is where the Council members listened as, one by larger movie theatres have digital capa- He said the town council, instead of Philhower Winner Honored; money has gone,” he shouted. With one, business owners protested the rais- bilities, but parking is free. enforcing a parking policy, has gotten many cheering, he said, “We will ing of ticket prices for overtime parking On a more local scale, Mr. Sayegh itself into the parking business. fight to the end,” and that “if Martin fines and demanded more parking ca- noticed that while business is down in “I want you out of the parking busi- Kids Petition to Save Staffer Luther King were alive, he would see pacity. After public comment, the coun- Westfield, attendance has risen at the ness,” Mr. Goodman said to extended By CHRISTINA M. HINKE McKinley, presented the award to the closure as a violation of civil and cil voted unanimously to introduce the Cranford Theatre, which Mr. Sayegh applause from the audience. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Ms. McGarry. Ms. Andreski said human rights.” ordinance necessary to raise the current also owns. Responding to Westfield officials, WESTFIELD — Philhower Award when she asked the students to de- Others were less emotional, but $20 fine to $32. Bob Saunders, who runs a CPA firm who, in previous meetings, have called 2008 recipient Catherine McGarry scribe Ms. McGarry that “‘nice’ came eager to point out that they thought Approximately 100 citizens attended at 241 North Avenue, pushed for a the proposed $32 overtime meter rate was honored at a reception at up a lot.” closing Muhlenberg would have a the three-hour meeting, with the major- parking deck to stop the downtown comparable with other Union County McKinley Elementary School Tues- Teacher appreciation also came up devastating impact on the area. Using ity representing the Westfield Action from “bleeding.” towns, Mr. Goodman, said “You have a day evening prior to the board of at the BOE meeting following the a domino analogy, Jim Uffer of South Group, comprised of those united He suggested New Street, the Lord different asset than Roselle. Westfield education (BOE) meeting. The audi- reception. Plainfield said, “If Muhlenberg goes against the proposed hike. & Taylor lot and the Elm Street lot as is unique, and these policies endanger torium was filled with students, par- The official meeting began with a down, others will be affected.” Michael Blancato of Summit, a busi- possible locations. its uniqueness.” ents and staff supporting her. plea from middle school students in- “You have the power to keep this ness owner, started the evening off by With the current parking arrange- Tim Boyle, co-owner of the 16 Pros- “I was overwhelmed and so sur- volved in the peer leadership pro- hospital open,” he told the board, but calling the council “out of touch” with ment, Mr. Saunders joked that it might pect Street restaurant, asked that the prised and thrilled,” Ms. McGarry gram to save Marie Koch’s job as went on to question whether they had the needs of business owners. Mr. be easier to start “dropping people from council “not put a hurdle in front of us” told The Westfield Leader about when student assistance counselor. There the “vision and courage” to do so. Blancato said it is the town’s responsi- an airplane.” and forge a “greater partnership” with she found out she was selected. were many speeches about how Ms. “Never doubt that a small group of bility to work towards a solution that Finance Policy Chairman Sal business owners. She said that as part of the award, Koch’s anti-bullying agenda within thoughtful and concerned citizens can would provide adequate parking. Caruana, while acknowledging that He said increasing fines was a “mis- she received a stipend for class sup- the peer leadership program is cru- change the world,” he added. Specifically, Mr. Blancato asked the capacity issues do exist, said there is take the [town] cannot make. It could plies, adding she plans to go through cial to the students. Amidst the emotions of the night, council to consider a ruling that would “ample parking” at the Elm Street lot mean the loss of businesses.” some catalogues with students to de- About 25 students attended the the board remained composed, but create a 10- or 15-minute “grace pe- near Trader Joe’s. Second Ward Councilwoman Jo Ann termine how to spend it. meeting and had a petition to save clearly felt the intensity of the ex- riod” after a meter has expired and help Mayor Andy Skibitsky, throughout Neylan said it is difficult to sit from the Kerry Paone, a parent to Lily, a first Ms. Koch’s job with 300 student sig- changes. At the end of the session, the educate the public on how all meters the evening, remained firm that he would dais and hear the council described as grade student in Ms. McGarry’s class, natures. board promised to see if another pub- and pay stations work. not address a parking deck, saying, “adversarial” to the business district. said to The Leader, “she is so pa- The BOE is eliminating her posi- lic meeting could be scheduled so Jesse Sayegh, who runs the Rialto, “It’s not in the cards.” “We invest time and love the town. tient.” Ms. Paone, a former art teacher, tion as part of the staff cuts that were more residents would have the oppor- described the downtown theatre as an More than capacity and rate, mem- No one is here to put people out of was also invited to do art projects in announced as part of the budget pro- tunity to speak.