Rahway's newest elemen- tary school prin- cipal has a vision for his school. Read more on this and other education issues School section. See Page 14 Incorporating The Eagle, The Observer, The Progress THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2008 LOCALSOURCE.COM VOL. 91 NO. 34 50 CENTS Still a Double the fun: Winners take all tiitis I,";. , I work in I1-."' fora progress revival More time needed •"* - V"' By Jackeline Leon for Master Plan Staff Writer By Paul Greulich UNION — Republicans in the Staff Writer 1 largely Democratic-run township CRANFORD -r Township offi- •' ^ ',''-';'"'.". "",';,-r'''. • '*'«"A3 are hoping to make their voices cials are awaiting word on how heard and bring back .bi-partisan- much more time and money will be ship to the municipality. needed to complete the review of Local Republicans, including Cranford's Master Plan, an under- Senate candidate, Richard "Dick" taking that has been the subject of Zimmer, gathered Aug. 20 at Costa recurring complaints and frustra- del Sol Restaurant to formulate a tion in recent months. plan to unite the Republican party Most of the $84,000 budgeted in Union. for the review has been expended. Phil Morin, chairman of the The review, conducted by T&M Union County Republican Com- Associates, was originally sup- mittee, was also present for the posed to be completed this summer. meeting, along With three county The first draft of the revised Photo By Barbara Kokkalis freeholder candidates — John Rus- master plan was completed in early Keyera Robinson, left, and FatimaLyon, right, share the win during Bingo at the recent Hillside Public Library Activity Night. sitano, Michael Yukobov and Joe See LOCAL, Page 8 Franchino — who expressed their support of local party efforts. In addition, more than 50 township residents attended the meeting. Four unlucky truckers stuck on 'E Township of Union Republican By John O'Reilly according to Linden police Capt. Raymond fuel, had been emptied from the trucks' gas Party Chairman Ralph Gagiione, Staff Writer Tyra. The fuel cost approximately $700, as tanks. According to police, the case is still under whose wife, Linda, serves on the. LINDEN — Three area truck drivers return- diesel gas averages $4.40 a gallon. investigation. Union Board of Education, said the ing to their parked rigs found the gas tanks emp- The drivers — residents of Linden, Westfield Tyra issued a warning to local truck drivers, township has been run by only one tied, matching a similar theft in Rahway the pre- and Scotch Plains — returned to the lot at urging them to be careful when parking their party for far too long. vious week. around 7 a.m. to find their fuel tanks drained. vehicles in remote areas. "We seek to put in a petition to On Aug. 20, approximately 160 gallons of Sometime between Aug. 7 and Aug. 11, three The rising cost of gas prices has led to occa- get Republicans in town council, to diesel fuel were siphoned from the trucks, which trucks belonging to Veola Environmental Ser- sional reports of gasoline theft, particularly in get both parties involved," were parked in Linden on McKinley street at a vices on Pinewood Street had a similar issue. industrial areas, but Tyra said observant drivers Gagiione said, referring to the five- site where trucks are allowed to stay overnight, About 450 gallons, or $2,025 worth of diesel can stop it from becoming "an epidemic." member committee composed of all Democrats. "It can't always be one-sided." Westfield resident and county freeholder candidate, 'republican new hybrid SUV John Russitano, said Union has become too political over the years. By Joseph M. D'Alise The Summit Common Council, $26,212. The city is expecting to inspections, property maintenance, "People don't get the respect Staff Writer at its last public meeting in July, receive the new vehicle in approx- and by city, engineers. SUMMIT — As the city of approved a resolution authorizing imately six months. they should from their councilpeo- Summit has been at the fore- ple," Russitano said. There has Summit continues to make strides the purchase of a 2009 Ford According to Mayor Jordan front of environmental awareness toward environmental responsibil- Escape Hybrid sport utility vehicle Glatt, the vehicle will be used by been so much fighting over parties in the state for almost three and trying to be politicians that ity and lowering harmful emis- through the Morris County Coop- the city's Department of Commu- decades. Recently, for example, sions, another small step has been erative Purchasing Council. The nity Services for code enforce- they're not thinking about what's the city installed the largest best for the town." taken to "go green." city purchased the vehicle for ment, and tasks such as housing See CITY, Page 8 See UNION, Page 8 YOUR NEWS, YOUR WAY! For more information Whether you Itmmoni out of state, gone off to or to see a demo college or just mnt your hometown newspaper of our £-Edition log on to kose. www.localsource.com PAGE 2 — THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2008 LOCALSOURCE.COM UNION COUNTY LOCALSOURCE Goods salvaged from destroyed business, stolen Cranford on Aug. 11 on Raritan Road and den was arrested and charged with on Aug. 7 at police headquarters Raphael Fernandez, 53, of Central Avenue and was charged possession of under 50 grams of for theft. Roselle Park was arrested by with having an outstanding warrant marijuana, possession of narcotics • Alejandro Lucas Moreno, 42, Patrolman Eugene Perrotta at for contempt of court and various month vacation. They reported the in a motor vehicle and was issued a of Summit was arrested at 6:14 1:11 p.m. on Aug. 13 on the motor vehicle violations. car keys inside their apartment summons for a loud and defective p.m. on Aug. 7 for theft. 300 block of Centennial • McDonald Desir, 26, of North were also missing . muffler. • Craig Brodman, 37, of Cata- Avenue after a passerby Brunswick was arrested by officer • On Aug. 15, at approximately He was released pending sauqua, Pa, was arrested at 11:12 noticed him throwing property George Marmarou at 2:09 a.m. on 2 p.m., police responded to a bur- municipal court hearing. p.m. on Aug. 8 at Summit Police out of a second-story apartment Aug. ! J in the North Brunswick glary alarm at a Lewis Street apart- • Joseph M. Alberti, 21, of Eliz- Headquarters for contempt of that was left vacant due to a Police Department and was ment. abeth was arrested for an outstand- court. fire several months ago. The charged with having an outstand- The owner arrived and said they ing from Union Township in the • On Aug 12, at 12:25 p.m., two items being removed were per- ing warrant in the amount of $500 found the rear balcony window amount of $710. He was unable to silver BMX bicycles were reported sonal belongings and old for contempt of court and various slightly opened and the door lock post bail and was released to Union stolen from a Glenwood Place inventory that was salvaged motor vehicle violations. broken from the door frame. Police police. apartment. The theft is believed to from Crisanti Shoes, a store • Scott Skocypec, 36, of Clark also found a tire iron discarded have occurred sometime after 8 below the apartment that was was arrested by officer Alex Yanes nearby, with paint on it matching Springfield p.m. the previous day. abandoned. Fernandez was at 6:55 p.m. on Aug. 14 in the the door to the victim's home. • Aaron Holman, 43, of Irving- • On Aug. 14, at 4:23 p.m., charged with burglary and Camden County Jail and was • On Aug. 18, at 12:10 p.m. a ton was arrested at 1:22 p.m. on Leobardo Victor Gonzalez, 21, of theft. Two other men with him charged with having an outstand- $170 Mongoose bicycle was stolen Aug. 4 at the Union Police Depart- Summit was arrested at Ashwood were not charged after it was ing warrant from Little Egg Harbor from an Essex Street home. ment for an outstanding warrant Avenue for aggravated assault. determined they believed they in the amount of $5,000. The victim claimed a black and failure to appear. His bail was • On Aug. 14, at 9:20 a.m., Ken- were hired to assist with a man, in his early 20s, with short posted at $658. rick Ashley Wilson, 47, of Summit, legitimate job. Fernandez was Kehilworth hair had been looking at his bike • On Aug. 5, at 5:39 p.m., was arrested at Union Place for taken to Union County Jail on a • On Aug. 16, at 3:13 a.m., suspiciously earlier that day. police arrested James Person, 39, contempt of court. $25,000 bail. police arrested Debra Kouacher, Roselle on Springfield Avenue for a num- • On Aug. 15, at 11:44 p.m., 28, in the area of Galloping Hill • Charles Rean was arrested on ber of charges, including outstand- Timothy A. Pandolfi, 25, of Sum- Road and South 31 st Street for pos- Aug. 19 at 5:55 p.m. and charged ing warrants from Summit, Cedar mit was arrested at Union Place for Clark session of narcotics. with .burglary, criminal trespass, Grove, Newark, and Montville, as contempt of court. • On Aug. 5 at 7:40 p.m. police • On Aug. 15, at 8:57 a.m., and resisting arrest after police well as driving an uninsured vehi- • On Aug. 18, at 12:07 p.m., and fire personnel responded to police responded to a major motor responded to 241 West 6th Ave.