The Westfield Serving the Town Since 1890 Leader USPS 680020 Published OUR 109th YEAR ISSUE NO. 44-99 Periodical Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. Thursday, November 4, 1999 Every Thursday 232-4407 FIFTY CENTS Republicans Sweep Council Races To Retain Majority on Town Council By PAUL J. PEYTON This year was the second time in while running as a slate in both 1997 dollars. Council seats pay $1 a year. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader three years Democrats had the op- and 1999. His comment was a direct referral Calling it a sweet victory, Republi- portunity, but failed to gain the coun- Second Ward Councilman Mat- to his attempt at being a contestant can incumbents retained four Town cil majority. thew P. Albano, who won a third on a television pilot game trivia show, Council seats in Tuesdays election Celebrating their victory at B.G. term while facing opposition for the called Who Wants to be A Million- and maintained a 5-4 majority on the Fields Restaurant on Springfield first time, noted that the Republicans aire? which aired this past summer. governing body for at least another Avenue, the Republican candidates cannot take a campaign for granted. The candidate needed, but failed to year. cited their teamwork as a major fac- The Dems, we realize, will do gain, a waiver from his opponent, Ms. The victory is a far cry from last tor in their win. anything to win an election, he told Claire Lazarowitz, to appear on the year when Democrats took three of Through the course of the whole supporters. show. Ms. Lazarowitzs mother was the four seats, picking up a seat in the campaign, we always said that it was Mr. Albano was victorious over ill at the time and Ms. Lazarowitz said process. Westfield Mayoral and Coun- a team and that if one of us were to Joseph P. Stoner by a tally of 767- she was unable to take time to exam- cil terms are for two years. lose, it would have been a total loss, 538. He said he believed the 14 col- ine and sign the waiver, but later did Republicans had a stronghold on said First Ward Councilman Gre- lective years of experience the four sign it. Paul J. Peyton for The Westfield Leader A CLEAN SWEEP!...Westfield Town Council Republican incumbents cel- Westfield government prior to 1996. gory S. McDermott, who defeated Republicans had on the council made Mr. Sullivan, who has been on the ebrate their Tuesday night victory at B.G. Fields Restaurant in Westfield. That year Democrats were victorious Marilyn S. Gulotta, 784-517. a difference with voters. council the past five years, called the Pictured, left to right, are: Third Ward Councilman Neil F. Sullivan, First Ward in two of the towns four wards in He referred to the Republicans as Third Ward Councilman Neil F. election results a big win for Councilman Gregory S. McDermott, Fourth Ward Councilwoman Janis Fried which they ran candidates but, most the New York Yankees, now that the Sullivan told the GOP faithful that, Westfield. He edged out Ms. Weinstein and Second Ward Councilman Matthew P. Albano. By virtue of their importantly, took the mayors office same GOP group of contenders has All campaign long Ive waited to Lazarowitz by 15 votes, 694-679, to victory, Republicans will maintain a 5-4 majority on the council in 2000. for the first time in 85 years. swept the two consecutive elections tell you that I feel like a million retain the Third Ward seat that he has held since being named to an unex- pired seat early in 1995. Democrats Win Freeholder Seats I think there is absolutely no place for negative campaigning between neighbors and friends, stated Coun- cilman Sullivan, referring to what Across-the-Boards for Fifth Year GOP candidates viewed as a strong By SONIA V. OWCHARIW AND 36,000 tallies, was Fanwood resident Im so happy about the election. negative campaign staged by Demo- SUSAN M. DYCKMAN Linda d. Stender, who will begin her These are a bunch of caring people crats this year, especially over the Specially Written for The Westfield Leader third term on the board in January. despite the negative literature (by weekend prior to the election. Happy Days Are Here Again She was previously elected in 1993 Republicans). Im very proud of these And by our victory here tonight, played in the background Tuesday and 1996. people, she said. maybe we have finally put an end to night as Union County Democrats, When asked how she felt follow- While no music played for the the sleaze and negativity that has surrounded by red, white and blue ing her victory, the former Fanwood Republicans who gathered at The marked the last several campaigns balloons, celebrated winning three Mayor jubilantly said, Great! Its a Westwood in Garwood to hear elec- and that has been directed at candi- Freeholder seats at a gathering at privilege to serve. Our leadership tion results, spirits were high, par- dates who have done nothing but try Nunos Pavillion Restaurant in Lin- was affirmed by this vote. We worked ticularly when GOP County Chair- to fulfill their civic responsibility, den. hard, and I believe we delivered our man Frank McDermott swept in he added. Having gained the majority in pledges and we responded. shortly after 9 p.m. with word of local Fourth Ward Councilwoman Janis 1997, the Democratic Freeholders This renews my faith to continue Republican victories in Westfield, Fried Weinstein, who won a second once again made history by sweeping to do my job with integrity and voters Scotch Plains and Cranford. consecutive term on council, called for five consecutive years, according The GOP also celebrated its sur- Sonia V. Owchariw for The Westfield Leader Tuesdays win the sweetest victory didnt tolerate a negative campaign FIVE STRAIGHT SWEEPS!...Union County Democrats celebrate their Tues- to Freeholder Chairman Nicholas P. (from the Republicans), added Mrs. prise sweep of three races in Fanwood, of all. The councilwoman has won Scutari of Linden, who with 34,847 day night wins in the Union County Surrogate and Freeholder races at Nunos Stender. including those for Mayor and two Pavillion Restaurant in Linden. Pictured, left to right, are: Surrogate-elect two of the three races she has com- tallies, was elected to a second term A newcomer to the Democratic council vacancies, unraveling the James S. LaCorte, County Democrat Chairwoman Charlotte DeFilippo, Free- peted for the past four years. on the board. ticket, Elizabeth resident Angel Democrats 12-year majority on the holders Linda d. Stender and Nicholas P. Scutari and Freeholder-elect Angel Councilwoman Weinstein defeated Democrats have not lost an elec- Estrada, earned his own place in CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 Estrada. The Democrats have not lost a freeholder race since 1994. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 tion since 1994. In 1997, they held a political history by becoming the first 6-3 majority. With this years across- Latino-American to be elected to the the-boards victory, they will continue freeholder board in Union County. Area Residents Protest Bathroom-Storage Facility to hold the 9-0 majority they cap- He has served on the Board of Educa- tured in 1998. tion in his home city since 1994. This is great! Even though it was Its truly an accomplishment to raining, we still came out on top. represent all people in Union In Gumbert Park At Rec. Commission Meeting This is the first time in history that County, said Mr. Estrada, who gar- By DEBORAH MADISON posed plans for a bathroom, storage Recreation Commission agreed to ism, which is already a problem in we have won five years in a row, Mr. nered 33,600 votes. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and concession facility, to be con- hear the presentation. the park, according to several area Scutari exclaimed. This signals a Union County Democratic Chair- More than 10 area residents showed structed in Gumbert Park. According to Mr. DiGiorgio, the residents. They also pointed out that new era in democratic history. woman Charlotte DeFilippo spoke out up at the monthly meeting of the The Westfield Baseball League has 1,200 square foot-building would be there are rat traps along the factory The top vote-getter among the after declaring Mr. Scutari, Mr. Estrada Westfield Recreation Commission on hired architect Thomas DiGiorgio of located directly behind the existing fence on the opposite side of ball field Democratic victors, with just over and Mrs. Stender the winners. Monday, November 1, to protest pro- Westfield to design the plans, and the parking lot on the corner of Salter No. 3, and that a concession stand Place and Fourth Avenue. Area resi- would increase the rat problems. dents protested the proposal due to The building would be constructed the unsightly location, which would of stone masonry and metal security be visible from their yards across doors and would stand approximately Fourth Avenue. 10 feet, 8 eight inches high to the Other objections included in- roof-line, 18 feet to the top ridge. creased litter, loitering and vandal- CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 Republicans Retain Control of Various Mountainside Seats By KIMBERLY A. BROADWELL nolia, who is also a registered Repub- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader lican, got 282 votes. Cheri Rogowsky for The Westfield Leader Cheri Rogowsky for The Westfield Leader There was another Republican In order to vote for Mrs. Magnolia, THE FIRST COUPLE...Bill and Hillary Clinton were a hit during the annual LUCKY 7s...Greg Whitman, left, and Patrick Gessner dressed as a pair of dice sweep in Mountainside on Tuesday as a voter had to type the candidates Halloween Parade at Wilson Elementary School last Friday.