Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, January 5, 2012 OUR 122nd YEAR – ISSUE NO. 01-2012 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SEVENTY FIVE CENTS In State-of-Town Address, Mayor Decries The ‘Politics of Fear’ By MICHAEL J. POLLACK tested the town’s mettle, and the because of ‘cuts to the fire depart- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader public’s patience, as everyone en- ment.’” WESTFIELD – In addition to the countered inconveniences. Some resi- The mayor said he was “extremely usual sentiments expressed in his dents’ grievances were aired directly disturbed by the emergence...of the State-of-the-Town address given on to the mayor’s office, and Mayor politics of fear and alarm.” Without Tuesday, Mayor Andy Skibitsky used Skibitsky told the public about one identifying the offending party by his speech to decry a “politics of particular caller. name, he said that anyone attempting fear” that he felt plagued the last After logging a complaint about to win by “creating a crisis,” where election cycle. debris pickup, the caller asked, “why none exists, “is doing a grave disser- The mayor recounted the many the town let Ferraro’s burn to the vice to our community...there is ab- challenges faced by the town over the ground.” solutely no justification for any cam- last year, from a blizzard, multiple The caller said that a candidate told paign to practice fear-mongering.” multi-alarm fires, a hurricane and an her, during the fall campaign, that the The mayor went on to detail the earthquake. He said these events town “let Ferraro’s burn to the ground long-established system of mutual aid, whereby 21 local municipalities work together to share resources, es- pecially during emergencies such as the Ferraro’s fire. “That is why, when you see a pic- ture of the Cranford ladder truck in Westfield, as certain campaigns in- cluded in their literature, it is not cause for alarm,” he said. Greg Ryan for The Westfield Leader In the case of the Ferraro’s fire, the NEW YEAR’S DAY TRADITION...The 30th annual Hangover Run at Tamaques Park in Westfield, hosted by the mayor said, there were six Westfield Cranford-based Central Jersey Road Runners Club, had a record number of runners on New Year’s Day. There were firefighters on duty when the call was over 1,000 runners from the region. The first runner crossed the finish line in just over 15 minutes. received after midnight. The battal- ion commander on duty assessed the situation and called for mutual aid. In total, there were 21 Westfield WF Board of Education Interviews firefighters at the scene battling the blaze, as well as 22 other depart- ments and almost 100 total firefighters, he continued. Seven Candidates for Open Seat “The extent of the damage was the By KIMBERLY A. BROADWELL for all students, what could be done ementary School PTO; that she had result of the building construction, Specially Written for The Westfield Leader to help the schools in a time of been appointed to the town’s plan- lack of sprinklers, ignition source WESTFIELD – Westfield Board limited resources, and how they ning board and that she had served and the intensity of the fire when first of Education members interviewed have resolved conflict between as president of the board of trustees Paul Lachenauer for The Westfield Leader WESTFIELD COUNCIL…The Westfield Town Council held its reorganization discovered, not because the ladder seven candidates Tuesday evening committee members on any previ- for the Education Fund of Westfield. meeting Tuesday night. Pictured, from left to right, are: Councilman David Haas, truck was not the first truck on the during a special meeting aimed at ous jobs, boards or assignments. Ms. Ohlig has three children in the Councilwoman Jo Ann Neylan, Councilman Frank Arena, Mayor Andy Skibitsky, scene,” the mayor said. finding a replacement for the open The first to be interviewed was Westfield public schools and also Councilman James Foerst, Councilman Keith Loughlin, Councilman Mark Following the meeting, the lone seat on the board. The appointment Robert Whitehead, who stated that was part of the Strategic Planning LoGrippo and Councilman Sam Della Fera. Missing from the photo is Council- Democratic council member, David will be from January 2012 until the he was a partner in the Westfield- Committee for the district. woman Vicki Kimmins. Haas, told The Westfield Leader he board of education elections in based construction firm Corner- In her interview, she stated, “I am was “disappointed” in the mayor for April, where a total of four seats stone Associates. Mr. Whitehead incredibly grateful for a wonderful using his address to send a “political” will be open. The four-month term noted that he had 34 years of man- experience in the Westfield CF Seeks DEP Hearing on message; since the remarks occurred is being filled after ex-Board Presi- agement development experience. schools.” She also stated, “My pro- in the speech, “the opposition had no dent Julia Walker resigned in No- He told board members that he has fessional training as an attorney will opportunity to discuss the issue.” vember. a degree in chemical engineering help me to problem solve in a ratio- Birchwood Application “We can have legitimate, different Each candidate was asked to make and that he and his wife moved to nal way.” She added, “My personal By FRED T. ROSSI to turn the property into a retention opinions about the budget,” Mr. Haas an opening statement, including Westfield 19 years ago. He said his vision for students I would suspect Specially Written for The Westfield Leader basin in an effort to mitigate flooding said. “I hope everyone can respect why he or she wanted to be on the two sons graduated from Westfield is the same for all Westfield parents CRANFORD – Cranford officials on nearby streets. the opinions of others, and we can board and what they thought the High School and that his daughter – to produce good citizens who act say they will seek to have the state S. Hekemian Group submitted an come to our differing views without vision of the Westfield school sys- received a diploma from Mount with integrity and service.” Department of Environmental Pro- application to the DEP last month for being political.” tem should be. In addition, each Saint Mary Academy. Candidate Lucy Biegler told the tection (DEP) hold a public hearing a permit to perform various prelimi- Mr. Haas acknowledged that the candidate was asked the same three Mr. Whitehead said he was drawn board that she was interviewing for on an application filed by the nary work on the Birchwood Avenue ads to which the mayor referred were questions, including what their to the position because he wanted the position because she wanted to Birchwood Avenue developer so that site. More recently, Daniel CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 thoughts are on achieving success to “be a good citizen and step for- “give back to the community.” She township residents can voice their Aschenbach, then the mayor, met in ward to help.” He also stated, “I am has been a teacher and part of the opposition to the proposed develop- Trenton with DEP officials to discuss so happy to see so many like-minded education system in Secaucus for ment of several hundred housing the development, in particular the individuals who also came forth.” the last 25 years. She also noted units. local opposition, and to request a Former WF Resident Killed He noted that he has been a scout that she currently serves as a lit- At a special meeting of the town- public hearing on the application. At leader for 13 years, mentoring many eracy coach and member of the In- ship committee last Thursday, where last week’s committee meeting, Mr. Serving as Park Ranger young men to achieve their Eagle tervention Referral Team in Hudson the agenda called for mostly routine Aschenbach said it was “very, very Scout badge. County. She added that she was an end-of-year bill payments and bud- important” that such a hearing be WESTIELD – Mount Rainier Park Westfield Leader in February 2005, Also interviewed was Gretchen advocate for children with special get fund transfers, several residents held. Daniel McCarthy, in his final Ranger Margaret Kritsch Anderson, she was a 1995 Westfield High Ohlig, who noted that she was a needs. turned out to ask about the status of days as township attorney, said at last 34, the daughter of a Westfield pastor School graduate and graduated from past president of the Jefferson El- CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 the proposed development, which is week’s meeting that a formal request and Scotch Plains resident, was shot Kansas State University in 1999 opposed not only by many residents for a public hearing would be filed and killed in the line of duty on New with a Bachelor of Science degree but also by municipal officials who with DEP. He said he had received Year’s Day by a gunman who drove in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology, fear that flooding would be exacer- numerous telephone calls and e-mails his vehicle through a park check- with an emphasis in natural history. bated by any development on the from residents opposing the permit point. She graduated in 2000 from the property. Last month, a judge ruled and the development. According to national news ac- Seasonal Law Enforcement Train- that the development, which calls for In other business, at the township counts, Mrs.