USPS 680020 Published OUR 110th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 18-110 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. Thursday, January 6, 2000 Every Thursday 232-4407 FIFTY CENTS Council Reappoints Attorney and Judge By PAUL J. PEYTON S. Jeremiah, 2nd, by an 8-0-1 vote. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Third Ward Councilman Neil F. With the rumblings of a political Sullivan abstained as a protest of battle likely on the horizon, all but how the appointment process was two of the 60-plus appointments pro- conducted by Mayor Jardim. posed by Mayor Thomas C. Jardim Democrats said they had heard were approved during the Town Republicans were not happy with Council’s reorganization meeting Mr. Jeremiah. held Tuesday night. Second Ward Councilman Mat- Prior to the meeting, Democrats thew P. Albano, a Republican, said told The Westfield Leader they feared only that some GOP council mem- that several town officials would not bers had “lost confidence in him and gain support for reappointment from decided to go in another direction.” David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader OATH OF OFFICE…Republican Fourth Ward Councilwoman Janis Fried SETTING GOALS FOR THE FUTURE…Re-elected Republican Third Ward the Republican majority on the coun- Since Mayor Jardim had indicated Weinstein is joined by her family as she takes her oath of office from the new Councilman Neil F. Sullivan, Jr. addressed his colleagues, friends and family cil. he would not consider another attor- Town Clerk, Bernard A. Heeney, Jr., far left, for another term on the Westfield after being sworn in. Councilman Sullivan was joined by his daughter, while However, in the end, the council ney, provided Mr. Jeremiah wanted Town Council. Democratic Fourth Ward Councilman Lawrence A. Goldman looked on. reappointed Town Attorney William to continue in this role, Councilman Albano said the GOP decided to vote in favor of the appointment. The reason for this, Mr. Albano explained, Republicans Emphasize Team Work, Bipartisan Effort was that Mr. Jeremiah would have remained in the post as a “hold over” appointment. As Full Council Returns for First Time in Six Years Municipal Judge William L. Brennan was given a full, three-year By PAUL J. PEYTON political and experienced” town ad- Noting that there is sometimes Mr. McDermott said the town needs sues, deteriorated roads, downtown Specially Written for The Westfield Leader ministrator. more “political bickering” on coun- to establish two-, five- and 10-year parking and the traffic issues im- term by a 5-4 tally, as veteran Second Emphasizing the spirit of team He said the “team work” demon- cil and “less progress for the town,” plans to improve Westfield’s parks pacted by the likelihood of a ShopRite Ward Councilman James J. Gruba work and a bipartisan governing body, strated by the GOP candidates in the he asked the council as a whole to and recreational facilities. being built in Garwood. broke ranks and joined Democrats to Westfield incumbent Republican fall election, along with the rest of “make this a year in which we achieve Mrs. Weinstein, beginning her sec- Mr. Sullivan, beginning his third support the nomination. Town Council members Gregory S. the council, “has been and will be the great things for our community and ond full term on the council, said her full term and sixth year representing Councilman Albano said he was McDermott, Matthew P. Albano, Neil critical ingredient in your success in for the town as a whole.” desire to serve the community on the the Third Ward on the council, set “shocked” that Judge Brennan was F. Sullivan and Janis Fried Weinstein government.” During swearing-in speeches, Mr. council comes from her parents, Mr. the agenda for council members this re-appointed. Mr. Albano, who knows officially began their new terms dur- Citing this team work and biparti- McDermott, who represents the First and Mrs. Arthur C. Fried. Her father, year. attorneys who have appeared before ing a swearing-in ceremony this past sanship effort, he said it is possible Ward, said the council needs to set who was in attendance, is a former He said voters both at the national Judge Brennan, said he has asked for Sunday. that following “competitive, hard goals and ensure that its specified Union County Freeholder and town and local levels feel disconnected third party opinions on the Judge’s The Republican victory in Novem- fought though positive election cam- objectives are met in the new year. councilman. Both her parents ran for from government. performance on the bench. ber resulted in the first time since paigns,” council members can “come The councilman said he would take mayor in years past. “Instead of being engaged, the gen- He told council members that he is January 1994 that an entire govern- together, shake hands, roll up their it upon himself to see to it that im- Mr. Albano, who represents the eral public feels estranged, instead of “not hearing good things about our ing body has returned. sleeves and get to work.” provements along the Central Av- Second Ward, also emphasized the civic commitment, we foster civic judge.” During his comments, Assembly- Westfield Republican Committee enue corridor, such as new lighting, importance of community service. abandonment; and instead of prac- Mayor Jardim said both Judge man Richard H. Bagger, a former Chairman Robert W. Cockren, who tree plantings and a new fence near He noted that all families of council ticing social discourse and discus- Brennan and Mr. Jeremiah “have Westfield Mayor and Councilman, served as the master of ceremonies, the railroad tracks overpass, are com- members make a sacrifice in terms of sion and empowerment, we practice done an outstanding job for this emphasized the need for bipartisan- told Democrats on the council, whose pleted. In addition, new benches, bike the hours council members put in on the politics of personal destruction town.” ship on the council as was demon- seats come up for reelection this year, racks and a kiosk near the Rialto town business. and division. Republicans stated they had not strated when the search committee that the Westfield campaign season Theatre are also planned as part of the In his third term, Mr. Albano vowed “We have got to restore the sense of received the appointment list from was formed by Mayor Thomas C. should take place from September to Downtown Westfield Corporation’s to address a number of issues raised ownership. And we must do it now,” the Mayor until Friday night. They objected to not being brought into the Jardim for a new “professional, non- November, “not all year long.” business district improvement plan. by constituents, such as drainage is- CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 process from the beginning, noting that most of the appointments re- quired council consent. First Night Revelers Pack Art and Entertainment Venues They said they should have had more than four days prior to the meeting to review the list of appoint- As Westfield Ushers in Millennium With Best Bash to Date ments. Councilman Sullivan stated that By KIM KINTER Specially Written for The Westfield Leader obtaining the consent of all council members is the correct process to With a blast of mild weather com- follow when making municipal ap- ing early in the evening, First Night pointments. He said the fact that Westfield had its best year since its Mayor Jardim did not follow this inaugural celebration four years ago. procedure was a “detriment” to the Julia Black, Event Organizer for town. First Night Westfield and Wellness Mayor Jardim later called the ar- Director of the Westfield Y, said the gument on the appointment process best attendance First Night has had “hogwash” during a heated exchange was about 5,000 people. She revealed with Councilman Sullivan, as wit- that First Night this year had at least nessed by reporters after Tuesday’s that many visitors to the various sites. meeting. She explained that exact figures “Don’t be hoodwinked by the pro- were still not available, as First Night cess,” Mayor Jardim commented to organizers did not yet have proceeds Mr. Sullivan. from all the entertainment sites. Mrs. Councilman Albano told The Black said she based her estimates on Leader that Mayor Jardim “did not observations on the night of Decem- discharge his responsibilities prop- ber 31 coupled with sales of buttons. erly by failing to consult on the ap- “Stores did really well this year,” pointments with the council and he she said. “Some (stores) sold out.” Cheri Rogowsky for The Westfield failed the voters (in this regard).” Mrs. Black pointed out that Baron’s Ingrid McKinley for The Westfield Leader Leader MASK MAKERS…Joshua and Amanda Simmons show off their custom deco- WESTFIELD’S OWN ROCKIN’ EVE…Members of the band, The Hudson Regarding other employee appoint- Drug Store sold buttons for the first ments, Mayor Jardim said he hopes time this year and sold hundreds of rated masquerade masks they created at the Westfield High School during First River Rats helped ring in the new year by entertaining crowds with festive the $10 pin-on buttons that serve as Night 2000 Westfield festivities held last weekend. rock melodies during the First Night 2000 Westfield celebration. CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 purchasers’ entrance into the various entertainment venues. “Everything went great,” she Westfield Planning Board Approves Second Floor Addition added. “Everything (the various sites of entertainment) was very full. Some- times in the past, some would be full and others would not be. Everything To Lord & Taylor, Okays East Broad Street Subdivision seemed to be equally full this year.” Particularly big hits this year were By MELISSA BETKOWSKI Street posed the question of whether store might have on traffic around the Westfield Symphony Orchestra, Specially Written for The Westfield Leader or not the new sign would be illumi- the area.