— Scnini; Srott h Plains and i'anwood Since 1959- SCOTCH PLAINS THE TIMES Scotch Plains j ,1 K .'SHi "> I AK- ISSUE NO. 21-97 LISPS 48S2MI Periodical - PaiUft Paid •! Scotch Ptaim, NJ. Thursday, May 22,1997 Published Every Thursday 232-4407 FIFTY CENTS STRUGGLING FA CIUTY FA CESIA TKST ROUND OF COMPIAINTS Owners of Scotch Plains Zoo Deny USDA Charges Surrounding Care of Animals By SUZETTE STALKER plaint issued April 4 by the USDA's during times when the animals were at the zoo, with Mr. Kafka working Specially Written for The Times Animal and Plant Health Inspection on exhibit, "a sufficient distance or under that person. Scotch Plains Zoo owners Harold Service (APHIS). It stated that his barrier was not maintained between Mr. Murray, who advised the and Deborah Kafka are refuting clients are denying all of the allega- animals and the general viewing pub- Kafkas to withdraw their appeal, said charges by the United States Depart- tions, according to the attorney. While lic, and an identifiable employee or the couple faced several obstacles to ment of Agriculture (USDA) that farm he declined to discuss specifics of the attendant was not present." getting their permits renewed. He animals at the popular facility are not case, Mr. Murray argued that his cli- Dr. Robert Willems, Supervisory said that although his clients had "sub- being properly maintained. News of ents had committed "no willful viola- Animal Care Specialist at the USDA's stantially" remedied the violations the allegations came on the heels of a tions" in their operation of the zoo. Eastern Region Officeof Animal Care which had led to non-renewal of their ruling that the couple would have to The USDA regulates the care of in Annapolis, Maryland, told The permits, the state was seeking addi- • transfer their exotic animals to other livestock such as cattle, sheep and rrrn i» v CTI7D f r^ ••_ .. David B. Corbln for The Times Times on Tuesday that the Kafkas tional renovations be made to the ! rse Grlbas displa s thcna l nead v 8 qualified facilities after they with- goats, while exotic animals such as > i««I 7ri':r° y ' aluminum heads in would have an opportunity for a hear- premises. Mr. Kafka had also pleaded . his 195. h ord Club Coupe appropriately named "Step by Step" because he built drew their appeal of a state decision elephants, large cats, primates and ing before an Administrative Law guilty or been found guilty of 10 . the car from scratch and improved upon it as time went by. Mr. Gribas not to renew their operating permits. reptiles at the zoo are under the juris- Judge in a federal court, at which violations in Scotch Plains Munici- • men loncd that he did like the song of thc same name sung by Johnny Maestro diction of the state Division of Fish, and the Crests in the early '60s. The car is owned by Mr. Gribas and his wife Joseph Murray, the Berkeley time they couldofteradefenseagainst pal Court, which would have prohib- - Game and Wildlife.The Scotch Plains Dome. Mr. Gribas also provided nostalgic music from that era for all passers- Heights attorney representing the the USDA complaint. ited him from having his permits re- by during the Fanwood Classic Car Show which took place at thc northside train Zoo is home to approximately 150 : Kafkas, said Monday that he had newed for at least two years. station in Fanwood on May 18. animals, including some rare and In January, the Fish, Game and filed a response last Friday to a com- Located three miles southof Route endangered breeds. Wildlife Division declined to renew the Kafkas' operating permits, also No. 22, the Scotch Plains Zoo is bor- : The complaint, based on nine claiming the couple had failed to cor- dered by Raritan and Terrill Roads ' APHIS inspections which occurred rect multiple violations regarding and Clover Lane. The Kafkas pur- between December 12, 1995 and public safety and animal welfare. The chased the 6.5-acre zoo three years January 17, 1997, charges that the Kafkas withdrew their planned ap- ago from Frank and Louise Terry, Kafkas "had failed to maintain pro- peal of the state's ruling on May 13, who operated it for more than four grams of disease control and preven- just before a scheduled hearing on decades as the Terry Lou Zoo. Now tion, euthanasia, and adequate veteri- the matter was to take place in the living in Florida, the Terrys still hold nary care under the supervision and Office of Administrative Law in New- the mortgage on the property. Mr. assistance of a doctor of veterinary ark. Kafka would still be responsible for medicine." After agreeing to accept the state's the mortgage payments if a curator It also al leges that the couple failed decision, the Kafkas were given 15 were to come on board. to adequately protect the food supply days in which to notify the Fish, Animal activists have regularly from deterioration or contamination; Game and Wildlife Division of their that the animal enclosures were not picketed the zoo to protest what they plans for relocating approximately claim are unsatisfactory living con- structurally sound, and thatthe build- 60 exotic animals to other qualified ings and grounds were not properly ditions for the animals. The Kafkas' facilities. Mr. Murray said last week, supporters, however, have argued that maintained. According to the com- however, that the Kafkas intend to the couple has done the best they plaint, the Kafkas additionally "had keep the zoo open and were explor- could to improve conditions in the failed to maintain complete records ing the possibility of having someone' face of mounting bills, and havecited showing the acquisition, disposition, else apply for a permit to operate the the many times Harold Kafka has and identification of animals." zoo. Pending state approval, the new given educational talks about ani- Federal officials also charged that permit holder would serve as curator mals at local schools and elsewhere. Township Council Considers Limits David B. Corbln for The Times RIDING IN STYLE AND GRACE.. .Joan Dunn shows off her yellow and blue 1930 Cadillac, Dual Cowl Phaeton, during the Fanwood C\assic Car Show. The Phaeton is additionally special because of its second windshield to protect the back seat passengers from the elements. The vehicle is owned by Mrs. Dunn and her husband, Hai ry Dunn, or Wusitieid. rvi^ On Size of Public Building Signs car show was held at the northside train station in Fanwood on May 18 and was sponsored by the Fanwood Policeman's By JEANNE WHITNEY but may belighted from above or ing loi and basketball courts. Benovelent Association. S/iet iaflv Written for The Time\ below. The Scotch PlainsTownshipCoun- Construction Official Robert cil said Tuesday it wanted to change LaCosta said the proposals arose af- On a separate matter, the council a zoning ordinance regulating the size ter the Jewish Community Center said it would agree to prohibit left Fanwood Board of Adjustment of signs on public buildings while (JCC) questioned aspects of the turns on toQuimby Lane from Raritan adding maximum size limitson signs. present sign ordinance when it wanted < Road during morning and evening At its conference meeting, thecoun- to put a new sign on its building. rush hours. Residents have com- cil said it would agree to the township Recently, the township's legal de- plained that motorists "cut through" Planning Board's recommendation to partmentquestioned whether the JCC the neighborhoodatexcessive speeds Okays Three New Applications sign should be considered under the amend the sign ordinance to allow in order to avoid the Lamberts Mill signs to cover 10 percent of the front public building ordinance. Mr. and Raritan Roads intersection. At LaCosta said these kinds of buildings portico, noting that he has not had a provement to the property as well as facade of a building and 5 percent of the same time, the council said it By SUZETTE STALKER — like the YMC A and other clubs— would rescind a "no left turn" ordi- 5/»mW/.v Written for The Time\ problem with flooding, but said he the neighborhood." side walls. However, the council were all grouped in this same cat- nance from the parking lot of a would be willing to install them if the wants to set a limit on how large The Fanwood Board of Adjust- Following the three public hear- egory. Subsequently, Township At- Westfield Avenue convenience store ment met for an hour last Thursday to board deemed it necessary. Officials signage may be in the case of a very torney Donald T. DiFrancesco rec- ings, the board reviewed several items large building. onto the adjoining side street since hear three new appeals for home reno- approved the application as it was ommended the code language be more the measure did not appear effective. submitted. of correspondence. The first of these "We should consider the intrusive vations, as members mourned board exact in this area. Officials said bids would again be In the second application of the concerned a Quinlan Publishing Zon- nature of a sign in a residential neigh- Vice Chairman Edward Ryan, who In other business, the council said taken for the township's firehouse evening, Jeffrey and Gail Arkin of ing Bulletin, which covers change of borhood," Councilman Robert E. died May 7. Board member James it would introduce a $280,952 bond overhead doors in a third round. Coun- Marian Avenue were awarded bulk use, code violations and other chal- Johnston said. Watson presided at the meeting in the lenges faced by municipal zoning ordinance to improve the Brookside cil members said reasons for the re- absence of Chairwoman Kathleen variances to build a deck onto their Currently, a sign may be a maxi- boards.