Basketball and wrestling previews. See pages C1-6. “D& t't TK iu Former mayor Holiday Pages to head recreation By CRAIG TURPIN “I’m both proud and honored to be working with the recreation STAFF WRITER department,” Petronko said. SOUTH PLAINFIELD - The “There will be a lot of positive New Year will bring new changes things happening soon.” to the borough’s recreation Petronko said English will department. make a great addition to the The department will have a department. new look, newly renovated digs “He’s a community member, and, in February, a new director. an able manager and a strong | Briefs Former Mayor Michael English candidate,” Petronko said. “He will take over as director of the will make recreation a bright department starting Feb. 17. The spot in the borough. A great Office building wins Borough Council was expected to recreation department is an approve English as the new asset to the borough, it will bring Glitter Award director at its meeting last night. business into the borough.” SOUTH PLAINFIELD - English, who was mayor in the English will have a lot of work Park Plaza Associates, at 1510 borough in the 1980s, is current­ ahead of him. In addition to tak­ and 1550 Park Ave., has won ly a social studies teacher at ing on his daily responsibilities the South Plainfield Clean South Plainfield High School. he will have to manage a depart­ Business Associations Glitter Last week the Recreation ment growing at a phenomenal Award in recognition of its Commission____________ _____________rate. The depart­ outstanding property mainte­ approved English ment is in the nance for this professional as its choice to ‘He (Michael English) will midst of plan­ take the $58,000 ning an expan­ office complex. make recreation a bright Joseph Diegnan and Emile a year position. sion of its exist­ Leporino of the Clean The position had spot in the borough. A ing PAL build­ Business Association present­ been vacant since great recreation depart­ ing, doubling ed a certificate of achievement October when both its commu­ to John Cecchettini, Nicholas the previous ment is an asset to the nity space and Mongello, Dr. Brant Mozo, Dr. director, Jaye borough. administrative offices. Maya Sanghavi, Dr. Durga Joyce, retired fol­ — Raymond Petronko Gaviola, Dr. Om Sawhney and lowing a contro­ Curcio said Dr. Chacko Mathews. versial summer South Plainfield Councilman English was a The two building complex in the depart-_____________ unanimous has 13 professional offices ment. choice for the that occupy 22,000 square “We’ve gone 10 weeks Without position, which includes both feet. The present owners pur­ a director,” said Jim Curcio, recreation director and pool oper­ chased the building in 1986. chairman of the commission. He ator, for the six member selection said the board and the employees committee established to choose a Breakfast with Santa at the Police Athletic Building on new director. The committee Maple Avenue, have worked included Councilmen Dennis set for tomorrow “above and beyond the call of Cerami, Ed Kubala and Petronko. SOUTH PLAINFIELD - duty” to keep the department It included recreation commission Kennedy School will hold a operational, Curcio said. members Curcio, Michael Alverez Breakfast with Santa 9-11 Curcio spoke with particular and William Cochran. During the a.m. tomorrow. candor about the state of the selection process 24 people were The event will feature pony department, choosing to lay any interviewed. rides and pictures with Santa. blame for current deficiencies Joyce had announced her res­ Beanie babies will be raffled. within the department at the ignation in late July after ques­ Tickets will be sold at the door. commission’s feet rather than tions about the operation of the The event is sponsored by blaming someone else. department surfaced. Among the the school’s PTSO. Blowing in the wind “We’ve been reacting rather controversies this year was the Nicholas Cassidy, 2, tries to blow out his candle during the Holiday Delight activities Sunday. For relat­ than planning,” Curcio said. “We accusation that the department Residents win ed story and photos of the event, see page A-8. are in dire straits, the depart­ was not supporting a youth swim Broadway tickets ment is a mess. Shame on us. club either through public rela­ Public interaction is something tions support. SOUTH PLAINFIELD - we will be working on.” The club survives on member­ Winners have been Though Curcio was critical of ship dues and uses the borough announced for tickets for the Suspended middle school his own department and commis­ pool for meets. It has bought its Broadway production of sion, Councilman Raymond own equipment, but, wanted the “Smokey Joe’s Cafe.” Petronko said the department is department to provide a venue The winners are Raymond staffed by dedicated people — for publicizing the teams scores Petronko, Terry Alexa, Linda teacher faces court hearing those both paid and volunteer. and up-coming meets. Cassidy and Vincent Dinizo. 1996 four other eighth-grade They were selected at the By CRAIG TURPIN and made improper contact with them. girls claimed sexual harassment floliday Delight event Sunday. STAFF WRITER against Wood. The allegations The contest was sponsored In August the district sus­ Board accepts donations were handled internally, with by The South Plainfield Reporter. SOUTH PLAINFIELD - The pended him without pay and and teachers raised money for Wood apologizing to administra­ By LIBBY BARSKY__________ fate of a South Plainfield Middle replaced him with a full time, the materials to build the basket­ CORRESTONDENT SPHS to peform School teacher accused of sexual­ albeit temporary, teacher. The tors and the girls. ball court, constructed by Stilo ly harassing and touching sever­ Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Court papers show the district “Messiah” Tuesday advised Wood not to be alone SOUTH PLAINFIELD - Two with his own equipment and al girls is in the hands of a state Office and state Division of Youth workers. The teachers’ variety and Family Services are investi­ with a girl in the classroom and very different gift donations were SOUTH PLAINFIELD - court. accepted by the Board of show brought in $750 toward the The South Plainfield High It will be the second time the gating Wood for possible criminal have an adult present. In both the 1996 and 1998 cases the stu­ Education Tuesday. baskets. School chorus and orchestra district has had to deal with such charges, court papers stated. Stilo “donated his labor and Because he holds a tenured dents stated Wood allegedly A new basketball court for will perform an abridged ver allegations made against Roger Kennedy School was built with machinery,” Principal Allen sion of the Handel oratorio Wood, 52, of Branchburg, a sci­ teaching position, Wood must grabbed the girls’ buttocks, put his hands around their waists, the help of Robert Stilo, a con­ Czech said. “Messiah” 7 p.m. Tuesday in ence teacher at the middle first be stripped of tenure before The contractor “did not charge his position can be terminated by touched their backs or hugged tractor whose three children the SPHS auditorium. school. attend theschool. for labor or equipment,” Czech Soloists for the perfor The state Administrative the South Plainfield School them while they stayed after school for extra credit, help or Twelve used computers for added. “It was a wonderful ges­ mance of 26 excerpts will Office will hold a tenure hearing Board. He has been a teacher in ture on his part.” the district for 21 years and is detention. Riley School were donated from include Jason Kollarik, Daniel next month for Wood, who has Domingo Dongon, manager for The Riley School computers been suspended since February. the former coach of the South According to court documents. LaSpata and Sandra Reedy, Computers for Learning at the arrived two weeks ago and are all members of the 1998 Wood, who makes $64,050 per Plainfield boys tennis team. South Plainfield School Superintendent Guy C. Ferri NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory being used by the students, Region II Chorus. year, was suspended in February This is not the first time Wood according to Principal Janet Other soloists are Erin when four students made allega­ has been accused of fondling stated some of the girls suffered in Pasadena, Calif. The Kennedy School PTSO Munger. Mackey, Gary Shelheimer tions that he had fondled them female students at the school. In (Continued on page A-2) Thais Petrocelli, Matthew LaSpata, Malika Aaron, Dina Pasco, Andrew Falocco and Leo Campos. Board rejects plan The SPHS orchestra is under the direction of Bruce Mikolon and will be conducted by Tracy Glenn Murray, direc­ to subdivide corner tor of the SPHS chorus. Admission is $3 for adults, Developer hoped to build four houses $2 for senior citizens and stu­ dents. For more information, By CRAIG TURPIN Neighborhood residents have call (908) 754-4620, Ext. 278. STAFF WRITER attended hearings since they began. The residents said SOUTH PLAINFIELD - An though the house is an eyesore old house that was going to be it is not dilapidated. They said torn down to make way for four the most of the homes in the new homes has been spared. neighborhood are on larger lots In sid e The Planning Board voted than the one that had been pro­ last Tuesday to reject an appli­ posed for the subdivision. Com m entary........ .A-6 cation from developer Bill Plans called for two on Wilkins to subdivide a lot at the Pershing Place and two on Community Life... .A-8 corner of Bullard and Pershing Bullard Place. One lot would Places and erect four houses. have had a 60.7 foot wide rear Spo rts..................