SP-F 'illiams wins gold at Meet of Champions. Please see Sports, Page C-2, WESTFIELD SCOTCH PLAINS FANWOOD Vol.16, No. 24 Friday, June 15, 2001 50 cents Area mourns death of Alan Augustine By OREO MARX DNA testing of old evidence to THE RECORD-PRESS Municipal, state politicians remember a 'true gentleman' establish a convict's innocence, the WestGeld High School Identity Theft Act establishing UNION COUNTY — Local after veteran public servant loses his fight against cancer criminal penalties for assuming hosts 2001 graduation politicians offered glowing remem- another person's identity and the WESTFIELD — Westfield brances of Alan Augustine this Denny added Augustine was a character. "He was an educator, Augustine had served in the Dendbent Parent's Law, which High School will host graduation week, following the death of the "gentleman's gentleman" who whether he realized it or not," General Assembly since 1992 revokes the driver's and profession- ceremonies for the Class of 2001 Scotch Plains Republican and for- offered personal support when Marks said. "He taught us how to before stepping down in Mnrch due al licenses of parents who are delin- beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday. mer member of the New Jersey Denny's father passed away last be a public servant. One of his to health concerns. Before the leg- quent in dnld support payments. Commencement exercises are General Assembly. favorite phrases was 'good govern- Nancy Mnlool, Augustine's scheduled to be held at Kehler Augustine died Monday after a "(Augustine) set the ment,' and he personified it." friend and chief legislative aide, Stadium. In the event of rain or lengthy bout with cancer. Democratic Mayor George Jorn "He taught us how to remembered Augustine us a "car- other inclement weather, the Members of both the Democratic highest standard for pub- of Cranford said while he and be a public servant. One ing human being" who was "any- graduation ceremony will be and Republican parties praised lic service anyone could Augustine belonged to different of his favorite phrases thing but a typical iK>litician," moved to the Westfield Armory Augustine's personal integrity, parties, he had always known the "He tried to give a voice to peo- on Rahway Avenue, according to sense of public service and commit- hope to achieve. He was Assemblyman to be "a decent man." was 'good government,' ple who didn't have a voice" said a press release announcing the ment to the towns and people he a true gentleman who "He always had the interests of and he personified it" Mnlool, noting Augustine's devo- annual event. represented. cared deeply about mak- Cranford at heart," Jorn said, "He tion to liis constituency and his Later Wednesday evening, Tom Denny, a Republican mem- was always there for us. Everybody — Martin Marks efforts on behalf of seniors children, after the ceremony, the "Bash," an ber of Cranford's Township ing a difference." had the utmost respect for Alan Mayor of and the handicapped. all-night, substance-free gradua- Committee, called Augustine's — Assemblyman Augustine." Scotch Plains A memorial service is scheduled tion party sponsored by the passing "a definite loss for all those Tom Kean Jr., the Westfield res- to begin at 2 p.m. June 24 at the Optimist Club of Westfield, will whom Alan served." Tom Kean Jr. ident who was chosen to fill Westfield Presbyterian Church, be held at the Ricochet Racquet Denny noted Augustine person- Augustine's Assembly seat, said islntivo districts were redrawn this located on Mountain Avenue in the Club, the release said. ally toured Cranford to survey year. "He was a unique individual Augustine "set the highest stan- spring, his 22nd District seat repre- town. property damage following Tropical who will truly be missed at multi- dard for public service anyone sented Cranford, Westfield, Scotch Memorial donations in Scotch Plains' Lipstein Storm Floyd in September of 1999, ple levels," Denny said. could hope to achieve." Plains, Fanwood and Garwood, Augustine's honor should be direct- and said Augustine helped shep- Martin Marks, the Republican "He was a true gentleman who among other towns. ed to the Center for Hope Hospice, to seek committee chair herd state funds for flood relief mayor of Scotch Plains, empha- cared deeply about making a differ- Among Augustine's legislative 1G7 Huffa Street, Linden, NJ SCOTCH PLAINS — through the Assembly. sized another part of Augustine's ence," Kean said. initiatives were a bill permitting 07036. Kenneth Lipstein, an 18-year township resident, has announced his intentions to seek election as the Scotch Plains Democratic Committee Snakes Chairman. Deck The members of the Democratic Committee will be chosen during the June 26 pri- mary election and will vote on the alive! committee chairperson at a sub- sequent reorganization meeting, foes according to a press release School officials: announcing Lipsteins intentions, Stanley Donatelli, the current Brunner visitors chairman, has decided not to seek re-election. are milk snakes, Lipstein, an attorney, has been plan active in Scotch Plains politics, not copperheads was a candidate for Township Council in 1996 and nerved as By THOMAS 1COTT Scotch Plains municipal prosecu- THE RKCOKD PRESS tor in 1999. This is a particularly good SCOTCH PLAINS — Brunner rally time to become chairman," Elementary School parents Lipstein stated in the release. "I received a cautionary notice from feel that the people of Scotch school officials June 6 after Plains have come to realize that snakes, believed to be poisonous, Protesters hoping it is the Democrats who have were found in the school area. worked, in a straightforward But one snake first miaidenti- June 23 march manner, to do what is best for the fied as a poisonous copperhead township. 1 look forward to sup was later determined to be an will sway council porting the upcoming Township Eastern milk snake, which can By THOMAS SCOTT ^ Council campaign." grow to 36 inches in length but is not poisonous. TUB UKCOUI)-I'HKHH Operators ham it up WESTFIELD — Residents "ft may have been an who are troubled by the potential during radio Field Day impact of a possible parking MOUNTAINSIDE — error to report (the snake) garage at the intersection of Elm Hundreds of amateur radio oper- was poisonous. But we and Prospect streets are plan- ators will work around the clock sent the letter out thinking ning a "Rally to Dump the June 23-24 to set up field radio Westfield Deck" for June 23. communication stations and con- it better to err on the side tact thousands of other operators of safety." "Bring your children, in the U.S. and Canada as part of the American Radio Relay — Jeffery B. Ross babies and strollers." League's Field Day. Principal of the — Julie Dlddell According to Dave Sawyer, president of the Tri-County Brunner School Citizens for the Radio Association, Inc., Field Day Preservation of is the annual "shakedown run" "It may have been an error to for the ARRL's National Field report that it was poisonous," Residential Westfield Organization. The idea is to put said Brunner Principal Jeffery B. together a self-sufficient, working Ross, who signed the note sent to "Bring your children, babies station quickly and begin making Brunner parents. "But we sent and strollers," said rally organiz- contacts," Sawyer said. the letter out thinking it better to er Julie Diddell of the Citizens The ARRL Field Organization err on the side of safety." For the Preservation of has been effective in establishing No Brunner children have GEORGE PACCIELLO/RECORD-PRESS Residential Westfield. "We'll meet emergency communications net- come into contact with snakes in at 10 a.m. on Elm Street by works during floods, hurricanes, the school area and none have Trader Joe's," fires, earthquakes and other been bitten, according to Ross. Sky king "We will march around the major disasters. The league esti- "School officials occasionally area where the deck is going be," mates that more than 35,000 Scotch Plaint-Fanwood High School senior Derrlon Aberdeen spread his wings and took flight June 6 receive reports from neighbors of at the state track and field Meet of Champions, held in South Brunswick, but Derrion's long Jump of 21 added organizer Cnthy Dudley, hams participate in Field Day With a recent Town Council every year. snake sightings," the principal feet, 9 inches was good only for a sixth place finish. For more In the Meet of Champions, please see said. "The school property abuts Sports, Page C-2. vote to authorize $700,000 to Tri-County Field Day opera- (Continued on page A-8) tions will be in the Loop Area in (Continued on page A-8) Watchung Reservation, just off W.R. Tracy Drive in Mountainside, Activities are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. June Scotch Plains names 23 and end 24 hours later. The New principals raring to go public is invited to attend. For more information, call Jim Montlior, Field Day chairman, at new finance director (908) 232-8707. By THOMAS SCOTT Polidore. The new finance direc-. in Scotch Plains-Fanwood tor will work with the township TUB RECOKD I'KESS manager and auditors to get By CANPACC WALLER Dr. Carol Choye said having helm. Choye said the district SCOTCH PLAINS — township records in order, and RECORD-PRESS COKRESJ'ON I)ENT three retirements in one year is Inside Township officials appointed n then assume the management of unusual, but .she is confident the received 144 applications for the new director of finance Tuesday nil aspects of municipal finance, SCOTCH PLAINS — New new principals will be good for principal openings.