Incorporating The Eagle, The Ob^iV«r,flfe THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010 LOCAISOURCE^COM VOL.93 NO. 11 50 CENTS STEPPING UP STAFFING- COMPARISONS PER SHTFT-ITOFJl 27,000 POPULATION | Summit Firefighter Michael Mam- mone, rnade the trek up 69 stories with full gear on in 19 minutes and raised $12,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Page 9 P i ! —' ft-// 11-12* TOTAt u - , -1.. ''Indicates that some skifistnay contain fewerjirefigkitenr based on m<s£l<ihle st^ng and memm time. Information compiled by Union Count)' LoculSource staff This chart shows the number of officers and staff members on duty per shift at Union County fire departments in municipalities with populations below 27,000. In Springfield, there are often only three firefighters per shift as a result of absentees caused by vacation time or illness. By Cheryl Hehl established Springfield's fire was permissible because several problem facing the township, stat- Staff Writer department states that it will consist firefighters, as a result of poor lead- ing, "The department has been SPRINGFIELD — Staffing at of 19 firefighters, four captains and ership and management, were only operating understaffed for at least WORLD OF FUN the Springfield Fire Department is one chief, or a total of 24 staff. Cur- performing administrative non-fire- twelve months." The world paid a visit to Valley at such an unsafe level, residents' rently, the department is operating fighting functions," he said, adding "Clearly, this department falls Road School in Clark recently to safety may be at risk. with a staff of only 19. Factor in that, since their departure, these critically short in complying with teach students about continents, While most towns are facing vacations, sick leave or injuries and positions have not been replaced. the standards, when, forced to oper- countries and bodies of water budget cutbacks, many police and it often leaves only three firefight- Shehady also pointed out that ate with only three personnel on Page 23 fire departments in Union .County ers on a shift to take care of the captains are trained firefighters and duty," he said. have been able to maintain safe entire town. While the department "some individuals have failed to Popolo was also concerned that staffing levels. However, Spring- can recall firefighters from other include them in their count." the township might have problems field is frequently operating its fire shifts, many are often unavailable. Joseph Popplo, president of the complying with Occupational department with less manpower Mayor Ziad Shehady took issue New Jersey Slate Firemen's Asso- Health and Safety Administration than the recommended standards with this, placing blame on the ciation Local 57. addressed the standards for firelighters arriving set by state and federal guidelines, opposing political party in power issue of understaffing to then on the scene of an active fire. The as well as its own ordinance. during past administrations. Mayor Bart Fraenkel in a letter "two in, two out" rule requires For example, the ordinance that "Previously, the number '19' dated Oct. 12,2009. He stressed the See STAFFING, Page 5 Matthew Corbin of Union High School as 'Joseph' shows off his col- orful dreamcoat during rehearsal for the schools spring musical, 'Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat.' Page 30 Police Blotter 4 Opinion Page 10 Letters to the Editoi .11 County News 22 Health & Wellness 25 Obituaries . 28 Arts & Entertainment 30 Sports 34 I'iiotos Courtesy of Springfield Fire Department At left, a Forest Avenue apartment fire on Sept 29, 2009, resulted in residents of two apartments being displaced and a cat dying. At right, the Forest Avenue building snowed notable fire and smoke damage. Springfield fire- fighters could not enter the building to extinguish the blaze1 until they received aid from surrounding towns. 1TI liiiiiiiinuiiM .111 I Hi' ru aatsTtiH Mliniseiiee? m mmr\ H133 IWIHIH id Place your own Classified ads at your own convenience PAGE 2 — THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010 LOCALSOURCE.COM UNION COUNTY LOCALSOURCE Job well done! ATTENTION: HILLSIDE PARENTS/GUARDIANS If your child is between three and twenty-one years of age, and exhibits physical, sensory, emotional, cognitive, social, or communication problems, please contact: Hillside Board of Education - Department of Special V Services. •> Children who exhibit one or more of the problems indicated above, may be eligible for interventions in the general education program, or for an evaluation to determine eligibility for_sp_ecia! education and related services. To learn more about the programs and assistance available call (908)352-7664 x8448 for a free screening by May 15, 2010 Rahway City Councilman- Dave Brown presents Alan Johnson, principal of Grover Cleveland School, with a proclamation recognizing the school's attainment of Adequate Yearly Progress on the state mandated NJ ASK test. LINDEN BRIEFS Take the'Challenge' den. Classes will be limited to 35 The Linden Mayor's Challenge students. Registration will be 5K Race and Fun Walk is sched- accepted on first come, first served wa caw En@Ga uled for Sunday at 8:30 a.m. at basis. This is a one clay, make and Tiger Stadium, located on West take project. All supplies are Curtis Street. included. Each participant will The 5K race is sponsored by paint and decorate a project to take Linden Mayor Richard Gerbounka home. For information, call the and the Linden Cultural Committee John T. Gregorio Recreation Center You've got a great track record, but the cost of expansion at 908-474-8627 or go to www.lin- has you howling. Fortunately, UCEDC, an non-profit to benefit the Linden NJROTC and fund their trip to a competition in den-nj.org. economic development organization, is there to help. Florida. On-site registration begins For over 30 years we have made affordable loans to at 8:30 a.m. The Fun Walk is at Magic at McManus entrepreneurs and small businesses. 9:30 a.m., 5K begins at 10 a;m. For The Department of Public Prop- Let us lend you the funds you Med to information, call 908-474r8493 or erty and Community Services will visit http;//www,linden-nj.org/cul- sponsor a free magic show for chil- start, grow and expand tural_committee/mayorsj;hal- dren in pre-school through grade lenge_5k_race.htm to register. five featuring Magician Joe Fischer "! was fortunate enough to on April 7 at McManus Middle be introduced to UCEDC for Fresh from the farm School, 330 Edgewood Road, Lin- den. There are 2 shows available: the funding of my business. The Linden Farmers market will take place Mondays from June 7 the first show will begin at 10 a.m., With their funding and great and the second will begin at 11:30 ,/"•-> through Oct. 25 from noon to 6 mentoring,! am living my p.m. at Raymond Wood Bauer a.m. For information, call 908-474- dream as a business owner Promenade, located on Wood 8600 or go to www.linden-nj.org. Avenue at Knopf Street. Kim Pamperin, Owner Fresh-grown local vegetables Day Camp registration Hounds on the Hudson, and fruits and gourmet food items Guttenburg, NJ will be sold. For information, call now open in Linden 908-474-8493 or go to the Web site, Registration for Linden Day located at http://www.linden- Camp will take place through May Resources & Solutions nf. org/cultural_committee/far Ti- 28. Linden Day Camps will run from June 28 through Aug. 19 from for Small Business ers _market.html. There will be no market the day after Independence 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can register Day or on Labor Day. your child for a Linden Day Camp by going to the city of Linden Web site at www.linden-nj.org and click- Easter ceramics class ing on CommunityPass. If you do A Han Profit Ecorsomk Development Corporation planned for children not have a computer, you may man- The Linden Department of Pub- ually register your. children lic Property and Community Ser- at any city of Linden Recreation vices announces Children's One Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the 908.527.1166 I ucedc.com Day Easter Ceramic Classes for Community Center Building. students in kindergarten through Parents can also register chil- eighth grades today from 6 to 7:30 dren by visiting the Linden Multi p.m. at the John t, Gregorio Recre- Purpose Center, 1025 John St. from ation Center, 330 Helen St., Lin- 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. UNION COUNTY LOCALSOURCE L0CALSOURCE.COM THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010 — PAGE 3 Feud between mayor, council continues By Paul Greulich Holley, in the last three months, the council him. "They changed the way boroughs oper- further clarity from the court,' specifically Staff Writer has been "aggressively" pursuing borough ate under civil service law," Smith said. regarding where the decision is specific to ROSELLE — More courtroom drama business such as the appointment of fire Another, separate and distinct clash Smith or to all borough forms of govern- may lie ahead for the local government fol- chief, police chief and chief financial officer. between mayor and council was also settled ment. Smith said key aspects of this case are lowing Mayor Garrett Smith's decision to "We're trying to move forward," Holley in favor of the council in late 2009. This law- yet to be addressed. appeal a December ruling by the state Civil said. suit, filed by Smith in February 2009, also "The problem with the case and why Service Commission that has had repercus- Holley said he hoped for an end to legal involved control over borough employees. we're looking to appeal it is the council sions in other municipalities around the state.