iI i 1 hrontrb Thursday, July 11, 2002 50 cents INSIDE Teahouse plan scuttled for now By OREO MARX begin at the zoning Board of family homes along Meeker Triarsi elected to withdraw tatives did stay to discuss the THE CHRONICLE Adjustment's Monday meeting. Avenue and Hale and Heinrich the application, rather than seek- application with residents who More than 30 residents came out streets, which would be demol- ing a postponement for the hear- came out, and displayed site CRANFORD — A develop- for the hearing, and many of ished for construction of the ing. He indicated Twin Oaks will plans and architectural render- ment firm seeking approval to them stayed through two hours townhouses. refile the application, but the ings of the proposed buildings. build 43 townhouses near the of hearings on unrelated residen- But, Triarsi said, Twin Oaks' form the application and the date The three-bedroom, three-bath- Ashley Business Park on South tial applications. representatives had learned min- of its hearing will depend on room units will feature Victorian Avenue withdrew its application But when Joseph Triarsi, utes earlier the developer had negotiations with the property design elements and cost approx- Monday night, saying it had not attorney for developer Twin Oaks not yet reached an agreement owner. imately $300,000. ' reached agreement to purchase Realty, LLC, took the podium at with one of the subject proper- Triarsi did not specify which In the application, the devel- one of the existing homes in the 10:15, he announced the applica- ties. Thus, the firm did not have property is holding up the appli- oper had requested numerous area. tion could not proceed. the authority to bring an applica- cation. variances, including one for the The hearing on the townhouse The developer has contracted tion calling for construction on While the application was application was scheduled to to purchase a number of single- that property. withdrawn, Twin Oaks represen- See Townhouses, page A-2 Kenilworth mails No. 1 swollen tax bills Pitcher Chris Drechsel has helped the Cranford Senior American Legion squad take over sole pos- to boro residents session of first place. See story on Page C-1. By GREG MARX The Borough Council was THE CHRONICLE scheduled to vote on the budget at its Wednesday meeting. But at KENILWORTH — Borough press time mid-day Wednesday, it residents may have encountered was unclear whether the budget sticker shock this week when — which calls for a nine-point they opened up their third-quar- hike, and a tax increase of about ter property tax bills: The esti- $150 on a property assessed at mated tax rate is $2.50 per $100 the borough average of $167,500 of assessed value, an increase of — would be passed. nearly 20 tax points over the last Council members and Mayor fiscal year. Michael Tripodi had said since Those bills, due by Aug. 1 but the budget was introduced in with a grace period until Aug. 12, March the proposed taxes were are the product of rising costs in too high. But no local official had the county, municipal, and school clearly indicated he or she might budgets. But those third-quarter oppose the budget until bills are "estimated" — and the Tuesday's council work session, next round of bills, in the fall, when Democratic Councilman could be based on a rate two Robert Taylor Jr. said he and his Staying afloat points higher or lower — because party had "very legitimate con- Getting loose the biggest source of that cerns" about the spending plan. , NICOLE DIMELLA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER A group of canoeists returns to the increase, the 2002 municipal Because the council is evenly A runner warms up at Nomahegan Park in Cranford before the Firecracker 4-mile race on July 4. See dock after competing in one of the budget, had not been adopted Page B-1 for pictures and results of the canoe races. races on the Rahway River in when bills were sent out Monday. See Budget, page A-2 ' Cranford July 4. See Page B-1 for more pictures and race results. Cancer surviv something to prove By GREG MARX from San Jose to San Francisco. Area resident. Bonnie and ing challenge, Weinstein said, THE CHRONICLE When she did the New York Sarah will walk along the the 3-Day gives her a chance to walk in 1999, Weinstein says, California coast and share a raise money to light the disease CRANFORD — When Janet she was motivated by "the chal- tent at night while Bonnie's she conquered twice. Each par- Weinstein was recovering from lenge of it. It was, 'Can 1 do this? husband, Ryan Grisso, will be ticipant is required to raise her second battle with breast If I can do this, then I'm okay.'" part of the motorcycle patrol $1,900; the after-expenses pro- cancer three years ago, she She was okay, it turned out — crew that ensures the walkers' ceeds benefit the Avon knew she needed a challenge to and she was hooked. Always a safety . Foundation Breast Cancer prove she was really healthy. fit person, Weinstein began "We just wanted to do it Crusade, which sponsors But the task she chose was a lit- walking lour miles a day in together," Janet Weinstein said. research, outreach programs tle more daunting than the one Nomahegan Park, building her "It's just a very fun thing to do and screenings. most people might pick. regimen up to 16 miles in a day with someone you love." In Tact, she said, the paths at Weinstein, who is a senior cit- in preparation for her second 3- And while she had some Nomahegan will soon be crowd- izen, participated in the Breast Day. "Everyone in the park doubt about her ability to finish ed with people preparing for Cancer 3-Day, a 60-mile walk knows me," she said. "It's made in 1999, Weinstein is confident, this year's New York walk, to be from Bear Mountain, N.Y. to me feel lull of health and stami- she can conquer the course this held in October. And for any res- Central Park, to raise money for na. It just feels good." year. "1 am so ready. I am just idents who are interested in the Janet Weinstein gets in shape for the Avon Foundation Breast This weekend, she will be psychologically ready," she said. walk but, doubt whether they her second 3-day walk to fight Cancer Crusade. This weekend, joined by her daughter, Bonnie "I know I can do it... the crowd can finish, Weinstein gave this breast cancer, a condition she has Weinstein will participate in her Sarah Weinstein, Cranford High just carries you." advice: "If you think you want to successfully beaten twice. second 3-Day, a 60-mile trek School '89 and a current Bay In addition to being an excit- do it, you can do it." On the street Rose Grumei Barnet has been living Popular teacher on the streets of Westfield since she was forced to leave her home in May. See story on Page A-4. is leaving after all By GREG MARX Details of that new arrange- ment, a district official said at jmd KIMBERLY MEKt the time, were; "still to be deter- REMINDER THE CIlHONtCLli mined." Now, that position will KENILWORTH - In a sur- still bo made full time, but prise to residents and school offi- Carroll won't be filling it. Plan to give cials, David Urearley music One resident at Monday's teacher Sean Carroll resigned meeting said she was shocked at A blood diive will be from 3-7 p.m. recently to take a position in Carroll's resignation. "After so tomoirow and Monday at Union Highland Park. Carroll's residua many people fought so hard, we Hospital, 1000 Galloping Hill Road, .tion was accepted by the Hoard of have no inkling why," she .said. Union. Fut donor lequiiements, call Education at its Monday meet- Leschuk said he could not (800) NJ BLOOD, Ext. 140. ing. comment on Carroll's decision. Carroll's position ia tin- dis "Every one of the administrators trict sparked debate last mouth talked to him beforehand," he when district officials said that said. "1 can't go beyond that. A lot because of a change in course of people stretched out for him." offerings and because ho was the Carroll's resignation was one junior member of the music of five accepted by the board at INDEX department, the popular teacher the meeting. Board President would be forced to take a part- George Schleaker suggested the time position to stay in the dis- district begin conducting exit Commentary A-6 trict. interviews to find out why teach- Carroll's students, and some of ers are leaving, an idea Leschuk Community Life B-1 their parents, came out to the supported. board's June 3 inciting and Resident Joe tiihler tttao sup- Sports C-1 urged board members and din ported the proposal. "We have so trict ttduunisUatois to find some many resignations taking place, Prime Time B-3 way to keep the teacher. After that tells me there's a root cause that meeting, Superintendent and we need to find out what the Circus act Obituaries B-2 Lloyd Leschuk »t»ul the district root cause is," he said, NlCOlfc UlMglLA/STAFF PHOTQOIWHiW htttl adjusted teachers' respousi- The district has hired another Susan VMfcNrt i« In ttw cpotltght at ttw VMbtl't OM Tymt areut July 3, Ttw ptrtormms* WM •pontond Real Estate C-1 bilitie* to keep ('arrull in a lull teacher to take Cm roll's place, by tttt Cfwtfent Ctwntwr of Commtte*.