Happy Halloween Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, October 26, 2006 OUR 116th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 43-2006 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SIXTY CENTS WPD Concludes Kasko Hearing; Ruling Not Expected Until Dec. By NORDETTE N. ADAMS representation and did not notify him He said retaliation fueled accusa- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader that he was under formal investiga- tions against his client stemming from WESTFIELD – The town’s police tion during a February 6 meeting be- charges Officer Kasko made against department concluded a disciplinary tween the two men. former Police Chief Bernard Tracy hearing Friday against a Westfield In his opening statement, Arthur and a lawsuit Officer Kasko filed on police officer charged with lying un- Thibault, counsel for the WPD, said November 14 in U.S. District Court der oath and in departmental reports. police officers are called to testify Newark, against the former chief, A ruling is not expected from hearing about crimes in many cases in which Town Administrator Jim Gildea and officer Robert Lucid, the Summit it’s the officer’s word against the ac- the Town of Westfield. He said that police chief, until December. cused perpetrator’s. “Credibility and prior to Officer Kasko’s problems Defended by his attor- with former Chief Tracy ney Anthony Pope, Of- and filing of the law- ficer Greg Kasko, a 16- suit, he had been the year veteran of the de- “blue-eyed, blond- partment, faces termina- haired child” of the de- tion if found guilty on partment. charges of making false “You’d have to be statements of material blind not to see that this facts to superior officers is retaliation against this during a May 25 hearing man because you don’t conducted regarding like what he did,” Mr. charges that the officer Pope said. Horace Corbin for The Westfield Leader failed to back up another Officer Kasko’s three- ON THE MARCH…In the front row, from left to right, Officer Vincent Piano, Detective Lisa Perrotta, Officer Tom Ostrander, Sergeant Scott Rodger, Police Benevolent Association President Leo Lugo and Patrolman Kevin O’Keefe march patrol car during a motor count lawsuit alleges down North Avenue in Westfield to voice concerns about the status of contract negotiations. vehicle stop, while alleg- misuse of police depart- edly sleeping in his patrol ment computers to con- car at 1:24 a.m. on Janu- duct illegal background ary 29. Officer Kasko was checks in 2004 on sev- PBA, Teamsters Seek Support suspended from duty with eral town residents and pay on July 7 based on the Horace Corbin for The Westfield Leader the alleged retaliation he latest accusations. DRIVING HOME A POINT...Defense attorney Anthony Pope makes faced when he attempted Police Chief John a point during the disciplinary hearing of Westfield Police Officer Greg to look into the validity In Contract Talks With Town Parizeau, last Friday, tes- Kasko at the Westfield Municipal Courtroom. The hearing ended last of the illegal background By MICHAEL J. POLLACK cember 31, 2005. said, adding that the portions of the Friday, October 20, and hearing officer Robert Lucid is not expected to Specially Written for The Westfield Leader tified that Officer Kasko rule on the case until December. Pictured are: Westfield Police Chief checks. Westfield Mayor Andy Skibitsky tax bill allotted to these two entities committed perjury by stat- John Parizeau in the foreground and, left to right; Mr. Pope, Officer During Friday’s hear- WESTFIELD – Police officers said it was “his understanding” that are “significant.” ing under oath that he was Kasko, police department attorney Arthur Thibault and Mr. Lucid. ing, the police from Newark, Union Township, “the PBA has initiated the [binding]- “Despite the existing cost factors, not sleeping and drove his department’s GPS came Springfield, Mountainside, Plainfield arbitration process, and two media- this council has and will continue to patrol car three-tenths of a mile from truthfulness of an officer is para- under scrutiny. Mr. Pope said accusa- and Cranford, along with the Westfield tion sessions – including one held negotiate with good faith with the PBA Fairview Cemetery and back between mount,” he said. He argued that Of- tions against his client amounted to and Cranford Fire Departments and yesterday (Monday) – have already and the Teamsters, as it does with all 1:12 a.m. and 1:24 a.m. on January 29. ficer Kasko was “not fit” to serve if dependence on reports from a mechani- the Communications Workers of been conducted by the arbitrator.” He other labor unions that represent our Using reports from the WPD’s Global found guilty of lying under oath and cal device that may be faulty and that America representing town hall staff added that the Teamsters have “initi- town employees,” he concluded. Positioning System (GPS), Chief in departmental reports. the department had “no eyewitnesses” attended Tuesday’s Westfield coun- ated the mediation process and that the During public comment, Mr. Lugo Parizeau said Officer Kasko’s patrol Mr. Pope agreed that credibility to discredit Officer Kasko. cil meeting to support the Policemen’s mediation session was held last week.” said, “Being a police officer in car did not move from the spot where was the root of the case, but said The prosecution presented two sets Benevolent Association (PBA) Local Before the meeting, PBA President Westfield is more to us than just a Sergeant Todd Earl alleges he found the Officer Kasko’s credibility was not of GPS reports as evidence that Officer 90 and Teamsters Union during con- Leonard Lugo told The Westfield chosen profession. The men and patrolman sleeping. the problem. The WPD’s credibility Kasko lied about his movements while tract negotiations. Leader that “right now, presently women of the police department do Chief Parizeau also alleged that was at issue, he said. “You want to on duty January 29. The first set in- Teamsters, which represents pub- we’re without a contract for about 10 this job because we have come to Officer Kasko lied in letters and de- talk about credibility. Captain cluded a general system report and a lic works employees, and the PBA months. The town is looking for accept the fact that as individuals, we partmental reports when he said Cap- Wayman calls an officer in and puts a detailed system report, both generated continue to work under previous con- changes in the health care [benefits]. have an inherent need to be of service tain David Wayman denied him Po- tape on.” He said the captain taped CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 tracts, both of which expired on De- Of course, there are monetary issues to others, at times putting the service lice Benevolent Association (PBA) Officer Kasko “surreptitiously.” across the board. We want the public of others ahead of our families and support. We know they support us. ourselves. Every day, we come to We just wanted to clue them in on work knowing that when a member Police Take Down Credit what’s going on and where we’re at. of this community calls upon us, we We’ve had several meetings with the will respond with every resource pos- town. We’ve had mediation meetings sible and use every means to assist Card Skimming Operation and we feel it was time to let the them.” MOUNTAINSIDE – The chief and Union County Pros- public know what was going on and He added, “As with any form of Mountainside Police Chief James ecutor Theodore Romankow said four try to garner their support.” public service, our members do not Debbie announced Tuesday the persons, including a waitress from a Before the PBA spoke at Tuesday’s have an expectation of a golden para- takedown of an “enormous” credit- restaurant in the borough and three meeting, Mayor Skibitsky read a pre- chute beyond our means. But at the card skimming operation that netted Hudson County men, were charged pared statement, “acknowledging the very least, we ask to feel supported thousands of dollars from unsuspect- in connection with the thefts as part presence of a number of our police and appreciated by the very munici- ing victims throughout New Jersey of an investigation spearheaded by officers and DPW employees” and pal government of Westfield that we who had valuable credit information Captain Richard Osieja and Detec- “thanking them for their service to serve so proudly. The issues before us electronically lifted from their credit tive Donald Amberg. the community.” are not just about money, but are a cards and used to purchase items ille- It began several months ago, when “It seems clear that your collective matter of value, a value of what the gally. one victim came to police with a presence here tonight is to emphasize citizens of this community are get- “What these detectives from $1,500 unauthorized charge on his Courtesy of Kim Choma the fact that you are currently engaged ting and why they chose to come to Mountainside did, with some relent- account, Chief Debbie said. NATURE THRIVES...A Mountainside resident spots two coyotes in the back- with the town in negotiations for new Westfield to make this their homes less investigating, is quite impressive Police learned that a woman, Jessica yard of her Coles Avenue property. Mountainside Mayor Robert Viglianti last labor contracts,” he read. “As you know, and places of business.” week warned of coyote sightings in the borough. Mountainside resident Patrick in that it shut down an illegal network Beaton, 18, of Edison, was using her Thomas, the curator of mammals at the Bronx Zoo, is gathering information to the council has the responsibility to He concluded, “I am appealing to that was using the numbers and expi- job at the restaurant to “skim” credit help residents protect themselves, their families and their pets.