Some are kissing mothers and some are scolding mothers, but it is love just the same, and most mothers kiss and scold together — Pearl Buck. Vol. II, NO. 19 A Forbes Newspaper Thursday, May 9,1991 233-9696 P.O. Box 2790, Westfield 07091 15 Cents First case of rabies confirmed in town fcVy DonaldPizziJr. the council should enact an ordinance Ft&cord staff writer requiring rabies vaccinations for cats. With a case now confirmed in West- "The Town Council is still dragging its field, rabies has suddenly become a feet on mandating vaccinations for cats," serious local threat Maus said- Town health officer Robert Sherr said , The council began discussing the issue Tuesday that the state Department of In April, and is currently looking into Health has confirmed that a dead rac- making licensing and rabies vaccinations coon found on the edge of Lenape Park mandatory for cats. off Springfield Avenue, did indeed have "The cats are the ones out there roam- rabies, ing the woods," he said, stating that the Ironically, the raccoon was found about cat's instinctive nature to interact with 20 feet uway from the office of a vete- other animals makes it a target "Then rinarian. Dr. Richard Maus of the West- those cats jump back in your children's field Veterinary Group said that the rac- bed or mine." coon was discovered in a stream off the Sherr said that the Board of Health is back of his hospital property. "somewhat split" on whether to require Sherr said that the confirmed case cat licensing or just the vaccination of does not drastically change what can be cats- done to combat the disease in town. Maus said that since the discovery of "We're still seeking the same meas- the raccoon, his clinic will now require ures," he saki, referring to a cat licensing that cats be inoculated before they are d and inoculation ordinance. ™'!f , ,. , t A tV. „. „ The health officer said that the only If they re not inoculated, they will be, thing the documented case changes is he said, "or they won't be admitted." that the health department no longer has Maus said that one technician in his to conduct routine surveillance of rac- employ was exposed to a non-vaccinated coons to see if the disease has surfaced cat that died. The employee was un- intown thdergoinedea gd a ca prophylaxitdl dno s ttreatmen naveth t eseries MMaus'saia d that the five doctors in his f» a Pr^a"*iJ?"' un*n il waf '«arned that veterinary group are trying to raisi e pub- lie awareness of the threat and he thinks (Please turn to page A-8) Pholo by Daryl Stone Officials disagree on THEY'LL MARK MOM'S DAY: Sheri Cognetti and her husband Tony stay busy with nine children under the age of fourteen. He's earns the income and she handles the principal parenting role. Front row, seated from left: David, Craig insurance procedure and Paul. Second row; Elisa, Catherine, mother Sheri, Christina; Standing: Marcus, dad Anthony, Matthew and John. By Donald PlzzlJr. the council did not follow all the neces- Supermom raises nine with a smile Record staff writer sary steps of the EUS. By Joan Smith was asked if she'd taken fertility drugs. In the 1940s, a pop song fit the Cog- Town Councilman Kenneth MacRitchie The Third Ward councilman said that Contributing writer The absurd question would have been netti approach to child rearing — and Mayor Richard Bagfter disagree over the certain steps in the process were a knee-slapper except she couldn't find "Accentuate the Positive." There is no whether correct procedures were used in "just ignored." Concerned parents devour child her knees at all. Understanding that frantic barking of orders, reminiscent psychology books to find the expert procuring the town's insurance for 1991. Bagger, however, said that the town did most people are totally baffled by trip- of the Von Trapp family of "Sound of consensus on raising children pro- lets and don't know what to say, Sheri Music" fame, nor is there anything MacRitchie has charged that the town not use EUS, and instead employed an- perly Sheri Cognotti, mother of nine, violated portions of the Local Public other exception to the public bidding would just summon a smile. resembling chaos. Toys are visible but could write her own book as a living not flung randomly in all directions. Contracts Law when obtaining the in- law. Bagger said that a competitive expert in the mom department Al- How does she do it? Flexibility, good surance contracts. quotation process was undertaken and Within reason the Cognettis believe in though aided and abetted by Tony, her organization and participation are each child having his own toys," Sheri Bagger, on the other hand, says the that Amalgamated General Agencies totally supportive husband, the prin- hallmarks of Sheri's approach to town did not even use the process Mac- (AGA) was awarded the contracts because said, so when each child is ready, he cipal parenting role is Sheri's. mothering. "I don't have rigid stand- has his own "wheels." Ritchie says was violated. companies it represented were the low ards," she said. "Our rules are some- Bagger said that except for the town's bidders on all policies for which quotes While Tony earns the income to care what consistent but not fixed. You Incredibly, there are no nannies or failure to print a legal notice of an in- were taken. for their nine children, all under four- must be flexible," she stressed. When cleaning teams. All the Cognettis pitch surance contract, MacRitchie's allega- All insurance contracts for 1991 aw- teen, Sheri stays home, stays sane and mayhem occasionally occurs, Sheri in. Sheri takes no short cuts in the tions that the town violated civil law arded by the town were to companies stays smiling. People constantly ask finds "children can be re-directed into diaper department, stating simply, her, "How do you do it?" in genuine regarding the procurement of insurance represented by AGA AGA then neg- positive action" rather than resorting (Please turn to page A-8) for 1991 are "absolutely untrue." otiated an even split of the $45,469 in awe. Is this some sort of modern day to endless reprimands. MacRitchie made the charges in a commissions with Pearsall and Fran- martyr playing the role of super-mom memorandum dated Feb. 14 sent to Bag- kenbach Inc., the town's longtime broker to an audience of nine? Not even ger, town attorney Charles Brandt and of record. close. Sheri thrives on her large family Sheri shares tips about children and calls herself "blessed" to have Town Council finance chairman Jubb Bagger said that the town decided to Sheri Cognetti shares advice about children: Corbet MacRitchie had marked the continue to keep Pearsall and Fran- nine healthy children and a husband memorandum "confidential — internal kenbach as its broker of record in 1991 who wants them «is much as she does. • Be positive — praise your child when he does something well. use only." for purposes of continuity of claims ad- The Cojmettis "only" had six child- • Listen to your child — he has a lot to say. ministration. ren until Dec. 1, 1989 when Sheri • Work with your child - cleaning up, doing homework, practicing. MacRitchie said that in December • Don't leave things to the last minute — it puts undo stress on them and you. 1990, when the council purchased the MacRitchie also contended that there delivered triplets, two girls and a boy. • Offer choices - leaving the final decision to the child, not the parent town's 1991 insurance, it did not to use were no public advertisements for bids Sheri is about the size of a small child • Pre-establish limits, yet be flexible to individual situations. the normal bidding process, choosing and that the full range of bids received herself but bloomed to staggering • Give advance notice of upcoming events or warning of changes in activities. instead to follow the Extraordinary Uns- was not in council minutes under the proportions during pregnancy. More pecifiable Services Exception (EUS,\ the normal bidding process. than once while she was pregnant and • Redirect a toddler's undesirable behavior. alternate method that municipalities may (Please turn to page A-8) knew she was carrying a group, she • Do something for yourself (you need it and you'll be a better parent!). use under state law. MacRitchie contends Police support School board deadlocked law addressing on naming vice president teen drinking By Stephanie Brown Murch, Pepper, Molnar, and McFadden. Record assistant editor A motion was then made to go to secret By Donald Plzzl Jr. (paper) ballot The board tied again, with Record staff writer For the next two weeks, the Board of McFadden, Murch, Pepper, and Rulf vot- Two proposed laws pending in the Education cannot be faced with the ing against the private vote, and the oth- state legislature that would address the question of whether the vice president is qualified to serve, in the event that the ers voting in favor of it issue of minors drinking in private homes McFadden made a motion to table the could help diminish the underage drink- president cannot That is because the board has no vice vote until the board's May 21 meeting. ing problem in town, according to police The board again made a split vote, with and the head of PANDA president After Susan Pepper, Carol Molnar and Jacobson, Moran, Nixon and Rulf dis- Both laws would allow youths arrested agreeing with McFadden.