Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus USPS 680020 Published Every Thursday OUR 110th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 43-110 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. Thursday, June 29, 2000 Since 1890 (908) 232-4407 FIFTY CENTS Among Tears, Best Rescue Squad Seeks Wishes, Graduates Council Support Bid Farewell to WHS For Pension Plan By JOSH HAMERMAN you to use the critical thinking Specially Written for The Westfield Leader that you have learned at By PAUL J. PEYTON unit. The countless hugs, camera lens Specially Written for The Westfield Leader flashes, and good wishes that were Westfield High School to for- “Many towns have had to go to seen and heard outside of the Na- mulate your own ideas. Don’t In an effort to increase and paid EMS services. That’s not the tional Guard Armory on the after- be afraid to criticize and don’t retain membership on the town’s direction we want to go in,” he said. noon of Wednesday, June 21, said it be paralyzed into silence for volunteer rescue squad, the Town Last year, the squad responded to all. Something unforgettable and fear of offending others.” Council has been asked to con- over 2,000 calls for service. Cur- exciting was about to occur. Walter Clarkson, a member sider implementing a pension rently, the squad has 72 members At 6 p.m., the 327 members of the of the WHS Class of 1950 and a plan for squad members. who receive no compensation. Mem- Westfield High School (WHS) Class retired WHS teacher, gave the Called a Length of Service bers volunteered 2,638 hours in 1999. of 2000 paraded into the Armory, final commencement address. Award Program, or LOSAP, the LOSAPs have been around in New located across the street from He admitted, “When I first en- plan is a tax-deferred compensa- Jersey since legislation was signed the educational institution tion program for active members into law by Governor Christine Todd where they had spent the last of volunteer emergency organi- Whitman on January 19, 1998. four years. zations, according to Town Ad- In a letter to Mayor Thomas C. After the graduating class ministrator Thomas P. Shannon. Jardim, Mr. Edles outlined the and audience members joined He said a fund adminis- squad’s LOSAP proposal, including in singing “America, the Beau- trator will be needed and the various benefit categories. Un- tiful,” Class President Lyndsay a threshold, based on total like other squads, Westfield mem- Valentine Ruotolo began the members eligible for the bers respond from the squad’s first commencement address program — perhaps 65 or Watterson Street headquarters, rather of the 90-minute ceremony. 80 — will have to be de- than by pagers from their homes. She noted that in the 30 years termined by the council. Under the proposed LOSAP, squad since her father graduated from In order to have it on the members with a 74 percent atten- WHS, “The Westfield com- fall ballot, the council dance record would be eligible for munity still provides the foun- would have to pass an or- 20 percent of their benefit, or $230. dation upon which we build dinance by Friday, August This figure would climb to $920, or our future.” 25. 80 percent of the benefit, for an 85- Lyndsay declared, “Nothing Nineteen towns in to-90 percent attendance record. Bergen County and four “It’s time to give back to others must hinder us from achieving Cheri Rogowsky for The Westfield Leader our dreams . if you can in Union County, includ- who have given so much,” responded dream it, you can become it.” ing Fanwood and Berke- Second Ward Councilman Matthew Student Council President Heather tered Westfield High School, I was a ley Heights, have adopted P. Albano. Lynn Dennis remarked, “Four years very unconfident young person.” LOSAP ordinances. In other business, the Westfield of growing up has brought us here for Luckily, Mr. Clarkson’s teachers The maximum any Area Chamber of Commerce has one last lesson: to say goodbye . built up his self-esteem and encour- member could receive is endorsed a plan by the town’s park- our past is coming to a close . our $1,150 a year. That would ing consultant, Michigan-based Rich future is just beginning.” equate to $92,000 in next and Associates, to build two parking Heather thanked the teachers, guid- year’s municipal budget, decks in the downtown. ance counselors, families, coaches, or half a tax point. The Unlike consultant Rick Rich’s pro- and the other WHS staff who en- council would have to pass posal, however, the Chamber wants a an ordinance to put a refer- deck built on the north side of the riched the her life and her class- Cheri Rogowsky for The Westfield Leader mates’. She ended her speech with, endum on the November railroad tracks first, followed by a LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE…Last Wednesday evening in the National Guard ballot. “The future is sitting right here be- Armory in Westfield, members of the Westfield High School Class of 2000 bid adieu at south side deck. fore you . I present the men and Commencement Exercises and looked ahead toward future plans. Pictured, above, are: Noting that half the Mr. Rich has said a south side deck women of tomorrow – I give you the top center; Jennifer Lynn Dachowicz, Annabel Maria Benito, Megan Marie Chance and squad turns over every five would entail moving 200 long-term Class of 2000!” Erin Grace McCool; and below, Timothy Owen Flannery, Jack Alexander Gordon, Yari years, Squad President employee, customer and visitor Upon stepping up to the micro- Michael Sigal, Joshua David Hoey and Evan Lerner; top left, Erin E. Kiniery; left center, Reid S. Edles told council parkers from the north side to a South phone, WHS Principal Dr. Robert G. Student Council President Heather Lynn Dennis, and bottom left, Westfield High School members that the goal is to Avenue deck. Petix asked the school band, a fe- Principal Robert G. Petix. keep the squad a volunteer CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 male German exchange student, the Westfield Board of Education, and WHS teachers and administrators to stand and be applauded for their Discussion on Need for Spiritual Fulfillment constant efforts. Dr. Petix informed the audience that 17 members of the graduating Concludes Community Roundtable Series class received National Merit com- mendation letters, four students were By SUSAN M. DYCKMAN four roundtables brought together a very heart of the community.” between spirituality and religion, named National Merit finalists and Cheri Rogowsky for The Westfield Leader Specially Written for The Westfield Leader total of 32 residents, parents, spiri- When asked by program facilita- calling spiritual fulfillment “a moral “The Need for Spiritual Fulfill- tual leaders, businesspeople and tor Dr. Lois Richardson of The Gate- compass.” ment” was the topic of the fourth and municipal officials to explore vari- way Institute (which produced the “Spiritual fulfillment is on an indi- final roundtable discussion in ous issues that affect the community program for the town) “What is spiri- vidual basis,” answered Reverend Westfield’s Community 2000 pro- of Westfield. tual fulfillment?,” Ms. Lazarowitz Randall. gram, which was held on four con- The June 26 discussion, which was replied, “Spiri- “Spiritual fulfillment gives that secutive Mondays in June at the broadcast live on TV 36, included tual fulfillment person some meaningfulness in life. Westfield Municipal Building. the following panelists: Brian Grand- has to do with It gives you an aspect of right and Sponsored by The Westfield Foun- stand, parent; Reverend Leon the way you in- wrong.” dation and Town of Westfield, the Randall, St. Luke AME Zion Church; corporate the Mr. Fredas viewed spiritual fulfill- Thomas C. Jardim, Mayor of spiritual dimen- ment as everything that is non-mate- Westfield; Peter Fredas, parent; and sion into your rialistic. “You have to reach deep Richard “Dick” Griggs, Westfield life. It becomes inside to attain it, and it’s there for Crosswalk businessman. Four Mondays In June: your core, your the long term.” Other participants included Rabbi Community 2000 center.” Mr. Grandstand called spiritual Renee Goldberg, Temple Emanu-El; Rabbi fulfillment an effort that persons have Addresses Claire Lazarowitz, Westfield Coun- Goldberg answered, “There is no to make throughout their lives. “It’s cil member; and Keith Hertell, former exact definition of spiritual fulfill- trying to apply some kind of model Board of Education member. ment. We all take the journey by (to living),” he said. “It’s a daily Safety Issues In his opening comments, Mayor ourselves. Part of it is recognizing struggle to achieve peace.” By LYNN KOLIBABA Jardim remarked that the topic of you are part of the world around Panelists agreed for the most part Specially Written for The Westfield Leader spiritual fulfillment is “entirely ap- you.” that spirituality can be taught most If not for the bright yellow- propriate... (because) it goes to the Mr. Hertell saw a definite link CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 green pedestrian crossing signs, motorists might think the fa- miliar crosswalk at East Broad Cheri Rogowsky for The Westfield Leader Street and Jefferson Avenue in Westfield has suddenly trans- semifinalists, and five were awarded aged him to succeed. He concluded, formed into a mini airport run- National Merit scholarships. Those “I encourage you to believe your way. seniors were also asked to rise and be own thoughts . I wish for you that The technology is based on recognized by the spectators. your life rewards your own life and just that, but the enhanced cross- Dr. Petix also stated that the WHS those of the community. Bon voy- walk is actually a pilot program Class of 2000 contained 26 Edward age!” in pedestrian safety.