See inauguration photos at www.goleader.com/photos Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, January 21, 2010 OUR 120th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 03-2010 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SIXTY CENTS Gov. Chris Christie Takes Office: ‘Change Has Arrived’ at Statehouse By PAUL J. PEYTON and SONIA The new governor, who lived on years he was living and working in the OWCHARIW Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Prospect Street in Westfield from 1987 Westfield-Cranford area. He took a great to 1989 and near Tamaques Park in interest in the personal lives of every- AREA – New Jersey is under new 1991, was a partner in the then-Cranford one at the office, always quick with a leadership after Tuesday’s swearing-in law firm of Dughi, Hewit & Palatucci good word and offers of help,” Mr. of former Westfielder Chris Christie as (now Dughi & Hewit). Prior to living in Palatucci told The Westfield Leader. the state’s 55th governor. Westfield, he and his wife, Mary Pat, Born in Newark, Mr. Christie moved Signaling the huge challenges he faces, resided in a small apartment above a to Livingston with his family. Later, headed by a $1-billion shortfall this year liquor store in Summit and later bought he joined Dughi, Hewit & Palatucci in and $10 billion starting in July, Mr. Christie their first home in Cranford. 1987, becoming a partner six years promised, “One person can make a differ- One of Governor Christie’s law part- later. Governor Christie is a graduate of ence; I will make a difference.” ners in the Cranford firm, William the University of Delaware (1984) and “While the economic hour is dark, Palatucci of Westfield, was put in charge Seton Hall Law School (1987). Ac- there are brighter days ahead,” Gover- of organizing the inauguration along cording to the University of Delaware nor Christie said. with Mr. Christie’s brother, Todd. While website, Mr. Christie served as student Mr. Christie’s ascent to the State- at the law firm, Mr. Christie specialized government president in his senior year house has its roots strongly planted in in securities law, appellate practice, and was succeeded by his future wife. Union County. His new administration election law and government affairs. A former Morris County Freeholder also has strong ties to the Cranford- “The governor was known as a hard- and state Assembly candidate, Mr. Westfield area. working and able attorney for the 14 Christie received his political big break when President George W. Bush ap- pointed him United States Attorney for New Jersey in December 2001 and served seven years. The New Jersey Courtesy of Giovanna Palatucci Bar Association opposed the move, PAST AND FUTURE…Governor Chris Christie gives his inauguration address Tuesday at the War Memorial in Trenton. citing his lack of experience. He went Pictured, left to right, are: Former Governors Thomas H. Kean, Donald DiFrancesco, Richard Codey and Jon Corzine; state on to become the state’s longest-serv- Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce, Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (LD-21, Westfield), Assembly Speaker ing U.S. Attorney. Sheila Oliver (LD-34, East Orange), Senate President Stephen Sweeney (LD-3, West Deptford), and Mr. Christie’s former As a U.S. Attorney, Mr. Christie drew law partner, William Palatucci of Westfield. Not pictured, but standing near the podium, are former Governors Brendan a national reputation going after and Byrne and Christine Todd Whitman. winning successful convictions of pub- lic officials – 130 of them – with no defeats. The convictions list was high- Needle Point Files ‘Builder’s Remedy’ lighted by former Newark Mayor and state Senator Sharpe James, a Demo- crat, and ex-Republican Essex County Executive James Treffinger. Against WF Council, Planning Board In his inaugural address, Mr. Christie By MICHAEL J. POLLACK Tuesday, the new lawsuit, which was but the defendants have unfairly “re- said, in addition to cutting some state Specially Written for The Westfield Leader served on the town, Mayor Andy buffed” the business in its attempts to programs while transforming others, WESTFIELD – As one builder’s- Skibitsky, the Westfield Town Council move its plans forward. Courtesy of Glenn Mortimer spending would have to be curbed at remedy claim against the Town of and the Westfield Planning Board in Thus, the plaintiff has demanded judg- GLORY DAYS…New Governor Chris Christie and wife, Mary Pat, rock out to the municipal level. “We have the larg- Westfield gets dismissed, another simi- late December, alleges that the town is ment against the defendants, declaring Bruce Springsteen hits Tuesday night during an inaugural celebration at Newark’s est budget deficit per-person of any lar lawsuit has arrived. hindering the development of afford- that the zoning ordinance and other land- Prudential Center. Governor Christie and Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno state in the Union. We have the highest If successful in a builder’s-remedy able housing. use regulations of the town are “uncon- were sworn into office earlier that day. tax rates in the nation,” he said. lawsuit, a plaintiff is allowed to pro- While one legal team defends the stitutional, null and void” and that the Following his election as governor ceed with the construction of a devel- town, council and Mayor Skibitsky, the business is entitled to a builder’s remedy, over incumbent Jon Corzine this past opment at a higher density than would planning board, a separate statutory requiring re-zoning of both properties to Teachers Unions React November, Mr. Christie named former otherwise be permitted in a given zone, body, requires its own legal defense, permit construction. state lawmaker and ex-Westfield as long as a sufficient portion of the which is provided by the board’s attor- The 466 West Broad Street prop- mayor Richard Bagger as his chief of project is dedicated to providing af- ney. erty, zoned R-6 (6,000 feet minimum) To Schundler Appointment staff. Mr. Bagger, who served on the fordable housing. The plaintiff, known in the suit alter- for residential multi-family use, is the By PAUL J. PEYTON proposals, she said, are to move to “au- Westfield Town Council and was While filing an affordable-housing nately as 466 West Broad Street and site of the former Heart and Soul Cafe, Specially Written for The Westfield Leader tomatically-approved” budgets, which mayor in 1991, served for 10 years in plan with the Council on Affordable 440 North Avenue East, refers to a cattycorner to McKinley School. The AREA – The selection of former would no longer go before voters. the Assembly. He was elected to the Housing (COAH) can offer a munici- company doing business at 212 Lenox lot at 440 North Avenue East, zoned Westfield resident and 2001 Republi- “I wish him (Mr. Schundler) well in Senate in 2001, but served only one pality some protection, it does not fully Avenue, the location of Needle Point for general business, is the site of the can gubernatorial candidate, Bret a certainly difficult economic time,” year before resigning due to a promo- guarantee complete safeguard from Homes in Westfield. former White Diamond, next to Schundler, a proponent of school vouch- Ms. Leiz said. She said there is “much tion with his employer, Pfizer. such a grievance. Being a member of The plaintiff has alleged that both Lindeman Buick. ers, school choice and charter schools, uncertainty” and “real concern” as to As a show of bipartisanship, Gover- COAH is also voluntary. areas of land, 466 West Broad Street The plaintiff also has requested that as education commissioner has drawn the future of school funding in New nor Christie called the state’s new leg- At present, Westfield’s plan has not and 440 North Avenue East, are suit- certain expenses, including applica- a mostly positive reaction from local Jersey and spending limits for boards islative leaders, Senate President been certified by COAH. However, able for multi-family developments, CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 school officials, although concerns on of education. Stephen Sweeney and Assembly Town Administrator Jim Gildea said possible school aid reductions and “It will be interesting to see how the Speaker Sheila Oliver, both Democrats, Westfield “intends to pursue COAH BOE to Implement New spending limits were foremost on their governor’s relationship with the NJEA to the podium. “Let us shake hands as a certification as soon as it is able.” COAH minds. (New Jersey Education Association) symbol for our citizens of all that is will not accept a plan while litigation is Mr. Schundler is a product of the will play out,” Ms. Leiz said, noting possible in a future that demands that ongoing. Student-Management System Westfield public school system, having that the Westfield school board will who gets the credit finally takes a back “We decided to get certified,” he seat to doing something worth getting said. “The town planner was working By SARA MAGNOLA began in October 2009. After identify- graduated in 1977 from Westfield High soon begin negotiations with the Specially Written for The Westfield Leader School (WHS), where he made All- Westfield Education Association credit for,” Governor Christie said. He on it with other town professionals. The ing what features were required, the State in football. He later had a career (WEA), whose contract expires in June. vowed to represent all New Jerseyans, plan was finalized, approved by the WESTTFIELD — The Westfield committee conducted research to nar- on Wall Street before being elected to “We need to continue our close rela- regardless of political affiliation, wealth planning board as part of the master Board of Education (BOE), Tuesday row down their choices.