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Prospect Park, NJ 2004 News



December 23, 2004  The Record
Prospect Park's all-around helper
by Suzanne Travers

At 85, George Aupperlee is older than a lot of the patients he visits as a volunteer each week at St. Joseph's Hospital in Wayne. He also reports for desk duty when a fire alarm sounds in Prospect Park. He's a former councilman who now heads the Board of Adjustment and still weighs in at Borough Council meetings.
"I was more or less inclined to stick my nose in that kind of stuff," he said.
The Borough Council surprised Aupperlee with its Man of the Year award last week, citing his "outstanding volunteerism" and years of service to Prospect Park.
This is the first year the borough has given the award to two residents of note. Earlier this year it honored the Rev. Lydia Morales as Woman of the Year for her initiative to help borough women.
"He just has to be active all the time. He's always been like that since I've known him," said John Hunt, 80, a fellow firefighter.
Aupperlee's own explanation: "I just like Prospect Park. That's it."
At its Christmas party, the Fire Department also feted Aupperlee, giving him a bronze ax in recognition of 60 years of service.
"He's always got a smile on his face, always a warm hello, always concerned about everyone else around him rather than the attention focused on him," Fire Chief Jeff Vander Molen said.
Aupperlee's dedication to the borough spans a lifetime. The son of a Dutch immigrant father and New Jersey-born mother, he moved to Prospect Park from Paterson when he was 3. He married his wife, Anne, 81, the borough's welfare director and Board of Health clerk, on the condition that they live in Prospect Park.
"I told her I would not get married unless we were going to live in Prospect Park, because I was a member of the Fire Department," he said. "I got a good wife, though. She treats me like a cripple."
The two live in a white house high on North 16th Street. Outside, an American flag flaps near tinkling wind chimes. Inside, rooms are decorated with photographs of their four sons, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. The Christian Reformed couple also display framed religious messages, such as "The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace."
In his study, the former milkman and Met Life sales representative has the day's papers and a stack of magazine articles he has saved to read. The wall holds his Army medals from service in the Marshall Islands in World War II and awards from the borough, the Fire Department and the state.
He admits being proud of another accolade: a speech his granddaughter Janelle Aupperlee, a high school student in Washington, recently sent him.
Her grandfather, she wrote, is "an example of how to be positive in tough times and a lot of fun in the meantime."
She said he kept a gum ball machine at his house well-stocked for visits and used to jump and twirl as the two attempted ballet together.
With his gray sideburns shaped in mutton chops, Aupperlee is also known around the firehouse for busting chops. He and Hunt meet almost daily for an afternoon coffee at a deli near the firehouse.
"We're always kidding and joking and fighting, but we never mean anything by it," Hunt said. "By the time we're finished we're not mad at anyone."
The council tipped Anne Aupperlee about her husband's award. The night of the council meeting, Aupperlee told her he had a cold and was thinking of skipping the meeting.
"You better go," she told him. "They might talk about the budget."
 


November 17, 2004  The Record
Manchester's dream comes to an end
by Darren Cooper

LIVINGSTON - Manchester's boys soccer team gave its school a wonderful joy ride. But all rides stop at some point.
Against a resilient, spirited and savvy Harrison squad, the Falcons' dream season that included the school's first sectional title, came to a bittersweet end Tuesday as the Blue Tide prevailed, 3-2, in double overtime in the Group 2 semifinals at Livingston High School.
"Anytime you get to double overtime, you get anxious," said Harrison coach Mike Rusek. "They were a great team, but we felt like we were doing what we wanted to do. We were controlling possession, but they were doing a great job at coming back at us."
Harrison (20-3) scored in the first minute of the second overtime when Victor Flores pounced on a poor clearing attempt by the Falcons after a corner kick.
"It's kind of ironic," said Manchester coach Rich Broderick. "We had two corner kicks. We scored on ours and they scored on theirs."
Broderick said he would remember this season for the rest of his life. It included the most wins in school history (18) and saw Manchester go toe-to-toe with one of New Jersey's top programs in Harrison, which will seek its 22nd State title Saturday.
"Never in our wildest dreams did we think we would have this kind of season," said Broderick. "I am so proud of my kids and my team and my school. Everybody said after last year we would never have that good of a team again, but here we were. It was a dream season."
"This was a great team," said Manchester forward Andi Saliasi, who finished with 64 goals this season, tops in Passaic County history and three shy of the State record. "I am so proud of them." After a scoreless first half, Saliasi put the Falcons ahead, 1-0, nine minutes into the second when he gathered a perfect pass from Jhousa Escate between two defenders. Saliasi sliced through and blasted a shot past Harrison keeper Gustavo Oliviera.
Saliasi's goal, his 63rd of the season, helped inspire an already fired-up Blue Tide squad that answered with two goals in a 13-minute span to claim a 2-1 lead. It was reminiscent of the past two Group 2 semifinals when Harrison rallied to win.
Just when all seemed lost for the Falcons, Saliasi rode in and saved the day. His header with 1:18 remaining off a corner kick by Jefferson Estivaletti ricocheted off two Harrison defenders standing far post and rolled into the side of the net.
Broderick got Saliasi more involved in the contest, pulling him back so he could get more touches. The move paid off in the first half as Saliasi sent a pair of long passes to Daniel Sanchez that nearly bore fruit.
"When you have a player like he is, we had to get him more involved in a game like this," said Broderick.



November 15, 2004  The Record
Manchester has winning script
by Darren Cooper

HALEDON - Rich Broderick said the film should be called Manchester United. Andi Saliasi said he wants Brad Pitt to play him.
The trick might be finding a producer who will believe the story.
Seconds after limping back onto the field after sustaining an ankle injury, Saliasi toe-poked a rebound with 3:11 left Sunday to give Manchester a 1-0 win over Newton for the school's first sectional title in a boys sport.
"It feels like a movie script," said Broderick, Manchester's coach. "Unbelievable, never in our wildest dreams."
With roughly seven minutes remaining, Saliasi, who was largely kept quiet by Newton's defense, was chasing a ball when he was involved in a three-person collision. He punched the mud in frustration and rolled over in pain before being helped off the field favoring his right ankle.
"I was in the middle and they squeezed me. I thought I broke it first of all," said Saliasi. "Then their trainer came over and they saw my foot and said it was all right."
Saliasi reentered the game as Manchester was lining up a throw deep in Newton's zone. Jesus Rodriguez took the pass, dribbled down the end line, and fired a shot at Newton keeper Phil Spence. The ball trickled off Spence right to Saliasi, who just had to lift it over the keeper for the goal.
"I saw one guy stay back and then another guy came, so I just kicked it," said Rodriguez. "I thought it was going to go in, but the goalie got it. Then I saw Andi running like crazy and he just kicked it in."
"I couldn't believe it," said Saliasi, who added to his Passaic County record with his 62nd goal of the season. "I was so close to the goalie and the ball came right to me."
Newton dominated the first half, but Manchester goalie Daniel Vasilic kept the Braves off the scoreboard. He made several dramatic saves, including a flat-out dive and swat with his right hand to knock away a header by Brian Kedash from 6 yards.
"I just reacted as quick as I could to try to get it out," said Vasilic. "That's my job, not to let them score."
"Can you believe the game he played?" asked Broderick referring to Vasilic. "The first half it should have been 4-0. Everybody talks about Andi, but without Danny, we don't win the semifinal [against River Dell] and we don't win the final."
Newton coach Pat O'Donohue said the wind was a big factor and lamented his team's missed opportunities.
"We played well, the bottom line is, if you don't score, you don't deserve to advance," said O'Donohue. "We just didn't finish."
The Falcons (18-4-1) will face Harrison in the Group 2 semifinals Tuesday night at Livingston. Saliasi said he would play. Broderick said his team was just happy to get there.
"We are going to play as hard as we can and do the best we can," said Broderick. "We are just so proud of our kids and our whole school. We have done something that has never been done in a boys sport at our school."



November 10, 2004  The Record
OPENING THE DOOR  (Manchester Soccer)
by Darren Cooper

HALEDON - Manchester coach Rich Broderick lost his keys in the celebration and Andi Saliasi lost his shirt, all thanks to Franz Revollo, who kept his cool.
After both teams froze awaiting an official's call in the first overtime, Revollo was the first one to act, calmly shipping a pass to Saliasi, who gathered the ball, pivoted and tucked a soft shot inside the near post to lift the Falcons to a 2-1 win over River Dell in the North 1, Group 2 boys soccer semifinals Tuesday.
Manchester (17-4-1) will play Newton on Friday in its first sectional final.
"We are confident right now, we want to win the whole thing," said Saliasi, who notched his Passaic County-record 60th and 61st goals in the contest. "Now that we have gone so far and we are going to a final, we are going to win it."
The winning goal came after a period of domination by the Golden Hawks (11-6). In the second half, River Dell controlled the tempo of the game and the midfield, winning practically every loose ball, but it couldn't capitalize.
"This one is going to sting for a little bit," said River Dell coach Kevin Sabella. "Having dominated from the second half on, even in overtime, but when you have a player like Andi out there, you give him one opportunity and he puts the ball in the back of the net."
Saliasi never would have had the chance if not for the heads-up play by Revollo. Manchester's Jesus Rodriguez was attacking when he went down after contact. Neither team moved as Manchester players hollered for a foul, and River Dell players called for a hand ball.
"It was a wacky play," said Sabella. "I thought it was a hand ball. Everybody stopped, but with the wind you really couldn't hear anything, everyone thought there would be a whistle."
"I heard people screaming," said Revollo. "My teammates were saying to play on, so I went to the ball, kicked it over and Andi hit an incredible shot and scored."
Saliasi's shot didn't have much on it, but it went in touching off a wild celebration with Saliasi tearing off his shirt and hugging everyone in sight.
"I didn't hit it too good, that's why I couldn't believe I scored," said Saliasi. "The ball was going slow in the corner and I saw the goalie touch it and I thought the ball was out. And then I saw the ball go in. It was very exciting."
Broderick had never been past the sectional semifinals - either with the baseball (2002) or soccer programs (2002-03).
"You don't understand," said Broderick. "This was the fourth time in a row. I actually looked up at the sky and said, 'Please, God, just let me get there one time. I am just happy that we are there."
Broderick said his team was fortunate to win after playing poorly in the second half and was excited to move on.
"Obviously, I don't know a lot about Newton," said Broderick. "But they must be good. They are the fourth seed. We are just glad to be in the finals and be at home."



November 4, 2004  Hawthorne Press
Democrats Retain Control In Prospect Park

Prospect Park Democrats retained their council seats by a 3-1 majority. Councilman Herb Perez, who has been called up for active duty with the National Guard, was the top vote-getter with 1206. Councilman Mohamed Khairullah followed with 1156 votes.
Republican challengers Tom Magura and Lois Hubbard polled 431 and 427 respectively.
Voter participation was 61.28% with 1948 out of a possible 3179 going to the polls.
The Democrat sweep continued as follows:
President:
1055 for John Kerry (D), 495 for George Bush (R)*
8th U.S. Congressional District:
1121 for William Pascrell (D)*, 340 for George Ajjan (R)
Passaic County Sheriff:
1145 for Jerry Speziale (D)*, 333 for Mark Michalski (R)
Passaic County Clerk:
986 for Karen Brown (D)*, 432 for Ronni Nochimson (R)
Passaic County Freeholder:
1006 for Terry Duffy (D)*, 978 for Pat Lepore (D)*;
399 for Mike Mecca (R), 395 for Walter Porter (R)

* = elected.



October 28, 2004  The Record
GOP tries to unseat 2 Democrats
Prospect Park Council race focuses on taxes, recreation, school fees
by Suzanne Travers

PROSPECT PARK - As Republicans at­tempt to regain a foothold on an all-Democ­ratic council, candidates from the two parties present starkly different views on what issues matter, what the borough has accomplished, and whether one councilman is entitled to seek reelection.
Democratic Councilmen Mohamed Khairullah and Herb Perez are seeking second terms, while Republican chal­lengers Lois Hubbard and Thomas F.X. Magura are hoping to unseat them.
The Democrats say they will con­tinue to improve quality of life in the borough, offering more recreational programs for children and continu­ing road improvements while keep­ing taxes stable. They also vow to fight any measures that would sharply raise the borough's contribu­tion to the Manchester Regional High School District.
In a borough with the lowest tax increases in Passaic County this year,
the Democratic candidates said they are do­ing their best. Out on the campaign trail, Perez said he explains to residents that the overall property tax increases stemmed more from county and school taxes than the municipal levy.
"The council is working hard to get other state aid and grants," he said.
Republicans painted a different picture. Magura blamed Democratic rule for higher taxes, including a 2004 increase of 6.8 percent.
Hubbard said the borough has spent too much on "unnecessary" street projects such as repaying North Eighth Street, and that she is worried about the high municipal debt, $3.5 million. Perez said the bor­ough has several paving projects under way but that he recognized the need to show res­idents the fruits of municipal plan­ning. Candidates from both parties said the borough should do more to bring businesses to North Eighth Street, but said little about how they would go about it.
Both parties also agree the bor­ough needs more recreational ac­tivities for its expanding population of children. Hubbard said she would work to revive several now ­defunct girls' sports teams. Perez said initiatives such as a soccer pro­gram with Al Hikmah school and the Super Saturday program, which offers movies, games, and educa­tion for nearly 100 borough chil­dren each week, met with success.
Democrats touted the bike path through Hofstra Park, which is still under construction, as another recreation success. Republicans consider the path a disaster. Many residents expressed outrage this summer when contractors re­moved hundreds of trees in a bor­ough tight on space, creating a path much wider than many had anticipated - as wide as 40 feet in places.
"Lois calls it a Humvee trail. I call it Route 80," Magura said.
Magura claimed the path was indicative of council members' in­competence, poor judgment and reluctance to scrutinize grants and proposals by borough engineers.
Hubbard seconded that: "I don't want to put [the council] down for their volunteer work, but I don't think they think things through before they make a deci­sion, and they certainly don't listen to the residents."
She said one of her biggest is­sues is that the council seems deaf to residents' concerns.
The council's attitude "seems like it's, `I'm doing it this way, and if you don't like it, too bad,'" she said.
Khairullah said he believes the borough had been responsive to complaints about the path. But, he added, he wished more residents had taken part in the meetings when plans for the path were dis­cussed instead of after contractors had begun chopping down trees.
"I was hoping the complaints would have come earlier," he said. "The bike path was never a se­cret."
"I recommend more people at­tend council meetings so that we could be asked the questions as early as possible," he said.
Magura blamed borough engi­neering firm H2M - which de signed the path according to reg­ulations governed by the state De- J partment of Transportation grant , that funded part of the project - for misleading the public.
"If you looked at their maps, it looked like a little line," he said. "It was a $300,000 project and they got $100,000 for it, and I don't think they earned their money."
A key issue for Democratic candidates is the Manchester funding formula, which must be reconsid­ered after a long series of fairness challenges posed by North Hale don. Democrats said they would fight any plan to significantly change Prospect Park's contribu­tion to the district, and Khairullah said the borough would ask for more state aid if the borough's tax burden is increased.
A final concern for Republicans is whether Perez is eligible to run for office in the election. Like fel­low Councilman Thomas Jeffer­son, Perez has been called to ac­tive duty in the New Jersey Na­tional Guard. He expects to be de­ployed to Germany as a military police officer after the election. An August Department of Defense di­rective forbids soldiers called to ac­tive duty from running for political office, but Perez contends that he is still officially in training and not yet on active duty.
"We're running against a candi­date that I think can't serve, so people will be throwing their vote away on that," Magura said. "We admire what he's doing, but he should have done the honorable thing and resigned."
Perez said that although he has left his full-time job to do special logistics work for the National Guard in Morristown, the military considers this work special train­ing, not active duty. He said that although regulations will prohibit him from voting on council mat­ters or being chairman of a com­mittee, he plans to take his laptop computer overseas, and will be able to exchange e-mail con­stituents.

PROSPECT PARK
POLITICAL MAKEUP:
MAYOR: Democrat COUNCIL: Six Democrats AT STAKE:
Two three-year council terms THE CANDIDATES:

COUNCIL/REPUBLICAN
Lois Hubbard, 52, of Prescott Terrace is a 23-year resident of the bor­ough and is secretary for School 1. She is president of the Republican Club of Prospect Park. In 1988, she served on the Board of Education. She is married and has two adult children.
Thomas F.X. Magura, 61, of North Eighth Street. Magura is Republi­can borough leader. He works at Bergen County Vocational Tech. He was a councilman from 1997-2000 and a member of the school board from 1992-97. Magura is a member of the American Legion.

COUNCIL/DEMOCRATIC
Mohamed Khairullah*, 29, of North 11th Street is a Paterson public school teacher. Khairullah is a member of the borough volunteer fire department and is on the board of directors of the Paterson YMCA. He also is a member of the Network of Arab American Professionals and the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.
Heriberto "Herb" Perez*, 40, of North 16th Street is on duty with the New Jersey National Guard, on leave from his job at Bassil Bookbind­ing in Little Ferry. He has coached softball and spearheaded a soccer program at Al-Hikmah School. He is married and has two daughters.
REGISTERED VOTERS:
Undeclared: 1,492; Democrats: 1,220; Republicans 550; independ­ents: 8; total: 3,270



October 28, 2004   The Record
Glen Rock the spoiler
by Darren Cooper

HALEDON - The gym at Manchester is getting a new banner, although it didn't come the way the Falcons would have liked.
Manchester needed a win Wednesday to clinch the B-PSL King Division title outright, but will have to share the crown with Garfield after the Falcons and Glen Rock played to a 3-3 tie Wednesday.
"Forty-four years, we never had a banner," said Manchester forward Andi Saliasi, who tied the Passaic County record with his 54th goal of the season. "It means a lot."
"We are still getting a banner," said Manchester coach Rich Broderick. "And after the season is over, it will be nice. But we wanted to win the whole thing [outright]."
Although both coaches expressed their disappointment in the result, the Falcons (14-3-1) had a little more cause for their exasperation. After battling back from 2-0 down, Manchester took the lead with 3:37 left in regulation when Saliasi fired a cross to Daniel Sanchez, who headed it home to send the crowd into a frenzy.
Glen Rock, however, answered less than two minutes later. After his team was awarded a free kick just outside the box, coach Paul Cusack signaled for senior goalie Ira Auerbach to take it.
"We wanted to get an extra body in the box," Cusack said. "He's pretty good with his free kicks. He's actually gotten an assist earlier in the season."
Auerbach's kick appeared to deflect off Glen Rock's Luc Cofrancesco and back to sophomore Sam Petrone, who knocked it up and in with 1:44 left.
"Up 3-2 with 1:50 left, that will haunt us," said Broderick. "But what are you going to do? That's part of the game."
The Panthers (14-3-1) already had clinched the B-PSL Carpenter title, and seemingly had little to play for, other than the promise of pizza made by Garfield coach Mark Pieklo. "They still get pizza, just no pepperoni," said Pieklo, who watched the end of the game. Yet Glen Rock jumped on Manchester early with two goals by Ricky Garbaccio in the first 15 minutes.
"Our motivation has been that we want to come out and play solid in every game, even if we don't have anything on the line," said Cusack. "We won our side of the league and today we were playing to see if we could beat one of the best teams on the other side."
They likely would have, if not for Saliasi and the strong play of Sanchez and Jesus Rodriguez.
Saliasi tied former Clifton standout Chris Karcz's record with a goal late in the first half. He then got help tying the game with 13 minutes left, when his cross was accidentally kicked in by a Glen Rock defender.
"The kids are a little disappointed and I can't say I am not," said Broderick. "When you have the lead with 1:44 left, it's hard not to be disappointed, but we still have the State [tournament] and we have a lot to play for."
"I am not upset," said Saliasi. "We played a good game. We are both champs."


October 21, 2004  Hawthorne Press
BOROUGH SALARIES

Legal Notice
Ordinance No. 14-2004
Borough Of Prospect Park
An Ordinance fixing the annual salaries of the officers and employees of the borough of Prospect Park for the year 2004.
Be it ordained By the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Prospect Park that:

1: The salaries and hourly/session wage rates of the Officers and Employees of the Borough of Prospect Park for the Year 2004 shall be as hereinafter set forth and shall be paid at the intervals hereinafter specified:

Position
Annual Salary
Hourly/Session
Terms of
Payment Wage
Special Police Officers
$12.50
Per Hour
FT Admin. Assistant
$27,319.00
Bi-Weekly
DPW Superintendent
47,643.00
Bi-Weekly
Asst. DPW Foreman
$38,311.00
Bi-Weekly
DPW Worker - 3 years
$36,112.00
Bi-Weekly
DPW Worker - 2 years
$30,633.23
Bi-Weekly
DPW Worker - 1 year
$27,583.40
Bi-Weekly
DPW Worker - Probation
$27,318.60
Bi-Weekly
DPW Worker - Part Time
$12.00
Per Hour
Zoning &
Planning Board Clerk

$50.00

Per Meeting
Borough Administrator
$39,253.00
Bi-Weekly
Borough Clerk
$15,000.00
Bi-Weekly
Director of Recreation
$12,000.00
Bi-Weekly
Mayor
$3,183.00
Monthly
Council Members
$2,250.00
Monthly
Deputy Tax Collector
$26,523.00
Bi-Weekly
Part Time Tax Collector
$15,450.00
Monthly
Part Time Treasurer/CFO
$15,450.00
Monthly
Tax Search Officer
$984.00
Monthly
Municipal Judge
$29,832.00
Bi-Weekly
Municipal Judge
Special Session

$361.00

Per Session
Municipal Court Administrator

$34,891.00

Bi-Weekly
Municipal Court Admin.  Special Session
$124.00

Per Session
Prosecutor Special Session
$297.00
Per Session
Assistant Prosecutor
$515.00
Bi-Annual
Municipal Court Prosecutor
$13,618.00
Monthly
Municipal Court Attendant
$13.67
Per Hour
Deputy Court Admin. P/T
$13.67
Per Hour
Fire Official
$4,698.86
Monthly
Fire Sub Code Official
$1,740.00
Monthly
Borough Nurse
$13,971.00
Monthly
Board of Health Clerk
$7,033.00
Monthly
Sanitaran
$1,688.00
Bi-Weekly
Bureau of Vital Statistics
$927.00
Monthly
Deputy Registrar
$202.00
Semi-Annually
Welfare Director
$5,672.00
Monthly
Fire Chief
$1,221.00
Annual
Fire Inspector
$14.85
Per Hour
Public Defender
$325.00
Per Session
Director of the Office of Emergency Management

$302.00

Annual
Fire Alarm Inspector
$2,985.00
Monthly
FT Crossing Guard
$12.57
Bi-Weekly
Occasional Crossing Gd.
$11.50
Bi-Weekly
Occasional Street Worker
$12.00
Bi-Weekly
Solid Waste/Recycling Inspector

$13.27

Per Hour
Solid Waste/Recycling Assistant

$12.88

Per Hour
Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator

$1,629.00

Semi-Annual
PT Maintenance Person
$11.50
Per Hour
PT Receptionist/Adm.Asst.
$12.00
Per Hour
Assistant Fire Chief
$409.00
Annual
Alt. Public Defender
$133.00
Per Session
Safety Coordinator
$14.50
Per Hour
Tax Assessor
$9,529.00
Monthly
Construction Official
$27,333.00
Bi-Weekly
Building Inspector
$32,727.00
Bi-Weekly
Elevator Inspector
$515.00
Monthly
Plumbing Code Sub Offic.
$3,090.00
Monthly
Electrical Inspector
$3,090.00
Monthly
Municipal Alliance Coordin.
$4,800.00
Bi-Weekly
Municipal Alliance Workers.P/T

10.00

Per Hour

2. In addition to the salaries hereinabove set forth, all full time employees not covered by a labor agreement and employed by the Borough prior to December 31, 2002 are entitled to longevity pay based upon consecutive and cumulative years of service as a Borough Employee and in accordance with the following guide. All periods of service shall be computed commencing from the anniversary date of full time employment with the Borough.

Years of Service
Percentage of Base Salary
5 Years
3%
10 Years
6%
15 Years
8%
20 Years
10%

3. Overtime for members of the Street Department shall be paid at the rate of time and one-half of their normal working hourly rate.

4. All salaries set forth shall be retroactive to January 1, 2004, with the exception of the School Crossing Guards which will be effective September 1, 2004.

5. This ordinance and resolutions inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed.

6. This ordinance shall take effect after final passage and publication as required by law.

Notice is hereby given that the above ordinance was introduced and passed first reading at the Regular Meeting of the Board of Council of the Borough of Prospect Park on October 12, 2004 and it will be considered for final passage at the Regular Meeting on November 8, 2004 in the Prospect Park Municipal Building, 106 Brown Avenue, Prospect Park, NJ, 07508 at which time and place all persons interested therein or affected thereby will be given an opportunity to be heard concerning the same.

Allan Susen, RMC
Municipal Clerk



 
September 25, 2004 The Record
'You Are Not Human,' Judge Tells Sex Offender
by Eman Varoqua

A former elementary school teacher who admitted videotaping himself having sex with children and then broadcasting it over the Internet pleaded for mercy and a shorter prison term during sentencing Friday - and drew only wrath from the judge.
Froilan Gomez-Colon Jr., 44, of Prospect Park, spoke quietly and said, "I am full of shame, guilt, and remorse." He went on to ask for a sentence that would allow him to get out of jail 12 years earlier than the 32 years he faced.
"You are not human. You are a defect of nature!" Judge Raymond A. Reddin barked back, calling the case "the most horrific I've ever seen."
Reddin, ruling in state Superior Court in Paterson, sentenced Gomez-Colon to the longest jail term available through a plea deal he made - an additional 12 years to top off a 20-year federal sentence for the same crime.
Counting time served, Gomez-Colon will be 74 when he is released from prison. Gomez-Colon had asked Reddin if the 12 years could be made concurrent with the 20-year sentence.
Police said Gomez-Colon had a vast collection of homemade films in which he forced children he knew to have sex with each other, with him, and with others.
In one instance, he invited a man he met in an Internet chat room to engage in graphic sex with the children, despite their cries of pain. Gomez-Colon also posed the children in sordid scenarios for his films, police said. One victim tried to commit suicide, officials said.
"I can't think of words to describe how repulsive you are," Reddin declared. The judge said he consulted a dictionary for help but still could not find the words to fully express his feelings.
The tale unraveled when an anonymous couple dropped off an unmarked videotape in 2002 at a police department in Puerto Rico. The contents of that tape led federal authorities to charge Gomez-Colon, who had recently moved from Puerto Rico to Prospect Park, with several child pornography offenses.
Gomez-Colon molested at least three children from the ages of 5 until their teens, authorities said, preying on both boys and girls. One child told officials the acts took place more than 100 times. While in Puerto Rico, Gomez-Colon worked as an English teacher at an elementary school, authorities said. In New Jersey, he worked as a security guard for a Montvale car dealership.
He is already in the second year of a 20-year prison term in federal prison for the crimes that occurred in Puerto Rico. When that time expires, he will be transferred to a New Jersey state prison to serve the remaining 12 years for sex crimes that occurred here.
Gomez-Colon pleaded guilty earlier this year. Lisa Squitieri, Passaic County senior assistant prosecutor, said authorities negotiated a plea deal so that the already traumatized children would not have to testify.
"It's 32 years total in exchange for not having these kids testify," Squitieri said.
The judge said that, if not for the victims, he wished the case had gone to trial so he could impose a longer prison term. Reddin pointed to a report by specialists at the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center for sex offenders in the Avenel section of Woodbridge.
Experts there said Gomez-Colon expressed no symptoms of an internal struggle, or remorse, and that he referred to the actions as "an act of love." The report said Gomez-Colon claimed the children asked him on several occasions for sex.
"You've gotta be kidding me!" Reddin exclaimed. The judge said Gomez-Colon's pleas for mercy "went in one ear and out the other."
"You should never get out," the judge declared.




September 24, 2004 Herald News
Parents Petition For School Uniforms
by Suzanne Travers

 At the request of parents, the Board of Education is considering adopting uniforms at School 1.
At a meeting Tuesday, Tonya Busch of North Ninth Street presented board members with 55 signatures she collected from parents who would support the introduction of uniforms at the K-8 school.
Superintendent James Barriale said the district is "in the initial stages" of considering a move to uniforms.
Kathy Esquiche of the board's education committee said she will raise the topic at Back to School Night on Tuesday. The board also plans to send parents a survey asking if they favor uniforms, she said. "It's not up to us, it's up to the parents," Esquiche said.
If more than 50 percent of parents surveyed favor uniforms, the board will move forward, Esquiche said. The board would work with parents to choose school colors and decide whether to allow, for example, a shirt of any material as long as it is the uniform color, versus a specific uniform shirt.
Passaic elementary schools adopted uniforms last year to an enthusiastic response from parents. A similar move is in motion in Paterson. There are no regulations that prohibit public schools from adopting uniforms, but schools cannot require students to wear them unless they pay for the clothes.
Board of Education member Fehmi Khairullah said he supports uniforms, which would be less expensive than regular school clothes and reduce fashion competition.
Board President Al Demarest said he will respect parents' wishes but believes uniforms are a good idea.
"If the people want it, I'm for it," he said. "Girls tend to try to out-dress each other. This way they're all equal."



August 12, 2004  Hawthorne Press
No Quorum For Prospect Park Council Again This Week
 
For two successive Monday nights, public meetings in Prospect Park have been cancelled because the Borough Council failed to field a quorum. Both times, there were only three council members in attendance, one less than the required number to conduct official business.
At the August 2nd meeting, which was billed as a special meeting to amend the 2004 municipal budget. Mayor Will Kubofcik said one of the missing four members was on vacation; one was on military leave; the other two had work related or personal reasons for being absent.            
By August 9th, the mayor blamed the war. Councilman Herb Perez is in training with the Army Reserve, as his unit is getting ready to be deployed.
Council President Thomas Jefferson was present on August 2 and absent Monday night. Speaking of the council president, Kubofcik said, he too, has been called up for military in the Reserves. "He was told to be ready on Sunday. He's meeting with the superior officer to discuss his opinions. My understandings is that he was assigned to transportation and he's asked me to be transferred to water purification, which is the field he works in."
Councilman Pat Tirri, who was missing both Mondays, got married last Saturday and is on his honeymoon.
According to the mayor, Councilman Hassan Fahmy had a work-related matter which prevented his attendance on August 9.
"In all my years, I've never come across a situation like this," said Kubofcik about the local government standstill.
The stalemate halted progress on the 2004 municipal budget which requires one meeting to introduce an amended version and another public hearing before it can be finalized.
The cancellation of the August 9th meeting scuttled a public hearing for a grant application on proposed improvements in Hofstra Park. Seeking public input is part of a grant application in the Passaic County Open Space Program.
Other items on the August agenda that face delays are the bid advertisement for a new fire chief's vehicle, authorization to purchase protective clothing for the fire department, a request by Promise Community Development Corp. to conduct a tag day and a statewide Livable Communities grant application for Hofstra Park.
 


August 12, 2004  Hawthorne Press
Friends Of Hofstra Park, Citizen Volunteers Organizing
 
Prospect Park residents, upset by the devastation that took place in Hofstra Park for the construction of a multi-use path, are organizing the Friends of Hofstra Park. A dozen or so residents met informally with a Sierra Club official to submit a list of recommendations to the mayor. Dennis Schvejda of North Haledon is the conservation director of the New Jersey Chapter of the Sierra Club.
One of the suggestions generated at the forum was to create a citizens volunteer organization. Spearheading the group is Ilene Potoak, who was one of the first residents to question why so many mature trees were being removed to make way for the bike path.
Anyone interested in joining the group, which will work with the municipality on park redevelopment and assist with park maintenance, can contact Potoak at 973-942-1767.
 A discussion of the recommendations was on the agenda for the August 9th council meeting but Borough Engineer Stan Puszcz didn't get a chance to address them because the meeting was cancelled. The recommendations include designating 10 untouched acres of parkland as a preserve, replanting native species of trees and shrubs along the bike path's three foot shoulder and creating a self-guided nature walk on the existing unpaved trail in the park.



August 5, 2004  Herald NewsHelping Hand For Women In Need
 Souha Skeik's husband has been without a job for a year. They have six children, ages 2 to 11, and Skeik is pregnant with their seventh. Relatives send money from Saudi Arabia to cover their rent and food bills, but it's stretched to its limits and the family scours Food Town for sales and has cut out expensive staples.

It's a life of worry, and Skeik is reaching out for help.

She's found it on the second floor of the municipal building. There, the Rev. Lydia Morales has begun a new program to assist borough women like Skeik who are in need of food, clothing, jobs, medical care, English classes, or domestic-violence counseling.

She wanted to offer those services locally, she said, because many women have had to go to Paterson or Passaic for help.

"I felt there was a big need in our city," Morales said about Prospect Park, where, according to the 2000 census, the median household income is $46,434. "It's a small town, but there's a lot of poverty. A lot of the women are poor, going through difficult times, or suffering abuse."

Promise Community Development Corp., as her program is called, is a private, non-profit organization Morales started with a group of borough women and the blessings of Mayor Will Kubofcik and the Borough Council.

The borough is allowing Morales use of the municipal building three times a week, until she can get funds to open her own office.

Promise's mission is to help struggling women and families by providing free counseling, support, and training.

Morales and other volunteers have done their best to make the second-floor municipal room welcoming and cheerful, covering tables with purple tablecloths that Morales said represent "royalty." They gave each of the handful of women who came in small gift packs of toiletries, along with jars of peanut butter, dried milk, and canned vegetables.

Carmela Mariluz, 58, who suffered a stroke that caused her to lose her job as a cook because she couldn't work fast enough, was also seeking a job. Morales referred her to Nydia Mora, a North Haledon women who is starting a house-cleaning business and plans to employ a crew of 10 women.

"I know what it like to be poor," said Mora, who recalled once drinking sugar water during a three-week stretch when she was out of work. She went on to get a beautician's license and run her own business, she said.

Skeik spoke with Mora, too, although Skeik said she preferred baby sitting children in her home to housecleaning.

After doing "intake," in which volunteers asked each women about her needs, Morales spoke to the group about the services Promise offers: Once a month, a Clifton doctor will provide free medical exams to women at the municipal building, and Morales will also refer women to Passaic Beth Israel Hospital for free gynecological exams and mammograms.

Skeik and Mariluz both said they'd be back on Saturday for the English classes the program offers for a charge of $5 for materials.

Morales has worked for 11 years at the Maranatha Family Christian Center, a non-denominational evangelical community in Passaic, and is also a former assistant teacher in Paterson. She has spent the last three years in full-time ministry and outreach, and is trained in domestic-violence counseling. She also has life experience in what her clients face.

"I have a very powerful testimony," she said. "I was abused physically and verbally as a child. ... My parents were illiterate."

She emphasizes that her work in Prospect Park is secular and open to women of all faiths. Promise provides essential referrals to agencies like St. Paul's food pantry and Star of Hope Ministries in Paterson that offer food and clothing (most food pantries will not provide food without an agency referral). Morales has also been running a small food pantry and clothes closet out of her basement at home.

The borough's involvement began when Morales approached Councilwoman Esther Perez several months ago to discuss the idea of gathering women together to provide help and support.

Now, her admirers include the mayor.

"Like its name and its mission," Kubofcik said, the non-profit "brings promise and hope to people where there is little hope."



August 5, 2004  Hawthorne Press
Tax Hike Lower In Prospect Park

 Prospect Park received good news for its 2004 municipal budget. The borough was notified that it will get $50,000 in state extraordinary aid as well as $50,000 in property tax relief from Homeland Security Police Assistance Aid.
 Borough Treasurer Steve Sanzari said that additional revenues have been added to the budget including $18,000 from anticipated cell tower revenues and $35,000 from the Tilcon settlement. Coupled with a $16,000 reduction in expenses, the tax levy drops down to $2,239,303, compared to the original tax levy of $2,308,303.
 For the average household, assessed at $146,000, the tax hike for municipal purposes will be $116.05 instead of the $248.77 anticipated increase. What had been a double digit tax hike now reflects a 7.9 point increase.
 "This is good news for the budget," said Councilman Hassan Fahmy on Monday. "The budget increase is now 6.62%."
 A special meeting was scheduled prior to the August 2nd worksession to amend the 2004 budget but it was cancelled because there was no quorum.
 With only three council members in attendance, Mayor Will Kubofcik said the introduction of the budget amendment would have to wait until the regular public meeting on August 9.
 According to Sanzari, another meeting will have to be scheduled to adopt the budget amendment.



July 29, 2004  Hawthorne Press
Winners In The Gardening Competition

 Winners of Prospect Park's annual garden competition were presented with their awards at the July 12th meeting of the Municipal Council.
 Ruth Everett, whose property at the corner of Fairview Avenue and North 15th Street, was the first place winner for the second year in a row. Her prize was $250.
 Second place went to Maria Carabello, $150 and third place to Lois and Joe Bridge, $100.
 Honorable mention went to Alice DeLuccia and Marisol Santiago.
 "The Quality of Life Committee started the gardening competition to encourage residents to beautify the town," said Councilman Mohammed Kharrullah. "This was our second annual contest and we had increased participation this year."
 


July 22, 2004  Hawthorne Press
Twelve People Displaced In House Fire

 Twelve people were displaced in a house fire Monday at 65 Planten Avenue. Fortunately for all the residents, smoke detectors woke them up at 3:37 am when the blaze began in the basement and all of them safely exited the two-family house.
 Three pets - two small birds and a hamster - perished in the blaze.
 "Heavy smoke was coming out of the rear of the building when we arrived on the scene," said Acting Fire Chief Doug Struyk. He said firefighters brought the blaze under control in about an hour.
 The cause of the fire is undetermined and investigation is continuing into what started the blaze. The fire spread to the first floor where Adele Leger lives with her four children. The second floor where the landlord, Rafael Diaz, resides sustained smoke and heat damage.
 Leger, who works as a secretary, was a former member of the Prospect Park Board of Recreation, is a member in the Fire Department's Ladies Auxiliary and volunteers at the local school.
 The Red Cross is helping the Leger family obtain temporary housing. The single mother with four children, ages 16, 14, 11 and nine, lost most of the contents of their apartment, and did not have renter's insurance.
 Friends have started the Leger assistance fund and contributions can be sent to 3rd Alarm Deli, 119 Brown Avenue, Prospect Park, NJ 07508.
 Diaz, four adults and one teenager have relocated with relatives.
 Struyk said 24 local firefighters and the ladies auxiliary responded to the fire. He also called out mutual aid and Hawthorne's department came to the scene with one engine and its cascade truck. Also responding with one pumper each were departments from Haledon, North Haledon and Paterson. An ambulance from the City of Paterson stood by in case of injury but none were reported.
 The acting chief thanked all the departments who responded. Firefighters remained on the scene until 12:30pm doing overhaul.



July 22, 2004  Hawthorne Press
Police Car Damaged Twice Within One Week

 A Prospect Park police car was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Twice in one week, the 2000 Ford Crown Victoria was damaged while parked during police work.
 The first incident took police on July 9th while the patrol car was parked near an accident scene at North 7th Street and Brown Avenue. A pick-up truck had flipped over and when workers for Classic Towing uprighted the vehicle, it rolled back and struck the police car. The trunk lid and rear bumper were damaged and were repaired by Classic's body shop. The car was back in operation by the following Sunday.
 On July 15th, while the same car was blocking traffic for construction work on Planten Avenue and North 11th Street, the back window was shattered.
 It was struck by a piece of construction equipment. In this case, English Paving paid to have the window replaced.



July 15, 2004  Hawthorne Press
Public Complains About The Devastation Of Hofstra Park

 A News 12 New Jersey film crew was at the Prospect Park Council meeting Monday night as several residents protested the "mayhem" in Hofstra Park. At issue is the volume of trees being removed for the construction of a multi-use path.
 "Please stop killing the trees," said Nicole Aupperlee speaking for the younger generation. "The children were never asked what we wanted up there. We played baseball and the trees, that used to be our shade, are gone."
 In Aupperlee's opinion, the kids won't be using the bike path because there's too steep a grade in the park. She suggested improvements to the playground and the installation of grills for cooking.
 Ilene Potoak presented a display of photographs depicting the devastation resulting from the tree removal. "The mayhem in the park is horrible," she said.
 "I requested an environmental impact study," she said. "It doesn't seem one was done." Potoak said a great deal of illegal dumping had gone on in the park and "they're building the path over that debris."
 "Cutting down 79 to 200 year old trees is unconscionable," said Potoak. "One of them had a nest for a gold-tailed hawk. Another was home to a peregrine falcon. They're gone. The deer had their own path. I haven't seen one in two weeks."
 North Haledon residents, Kristen Robinson and Charles Baratta, live on Dietrich Lane adjacent to the park.
 "My property borders the park," said Baratta, "I think the bike path may be good but I'm concerned that the natural buffer zone is gone."
 Robinson, who said she grew up in Prospect Park, questioned why the path couldn't go around the majestic trees as she's seen in other bike paths.
 "I'm really upset. I think they ripped out too many trees. I think it was poorly designed," she said.
 Dennis Schvejda, also of North Haledon, conservation director for the NJ Sierra Club, stated, "This is serious ... What you did, you did out of ignorance. All across New Jersey, urban parks are being devastated. The forests are gone. The only piece of nature left (in Prospect Park) was that park ... It's a damn shame. You can't replace the trees."
 Several local residents complained about the current condition of the park.
 "This bike path is one of the worse engineering feats I've ever seen. You're building a road and not a path. Where's the common sense," said council candidate Tom Magura.
 "I went up to the park and looked at the bike path," said former Councilman Joe Bridge. "Quite a few trees were cut down for such a small area. I think we went overboard."
 Bill Reitsma said it was ironic that at the same meeting, the council was giving out awards for beautification of properties.
 "I've lived here for 25 years. I'm devastated," he said, "I walked through the park 10 times a week."
 "I was up at the hayfields," said Don White. "I took pictures of the rape and destruction." He presented copies to the mayor and council.
 Referring to the $340,000 grant for the Hofstra Park multi-use path, John Witham stated, "I think there should be a moratorium on grants."
 "There is no consensus on how much use the bike path will get from Prospect Park residents," he said. "Now you want to build a pool. Who will maintain it?
 "Many trees have been cut down in a small park," said Howard Goldman, whose property abuts the park. "I'm not comfortable with this project proceeding. I'm against it. The trees are cut and the animals displaced."
 When the public portion of the meeting was closed, Mayor Will Kubofcik responded to the comments.
 "First of all, the term bike path is a misnomer. The design rendering has been hanging in the hallway for months. The design has been in the works for years," he said. "This is a pedestrian/bike path designed to interconnect all the facilities in the park so pedestrians could go from one section to another safely."
 Noting that no work had been done on the park since 1981, Kubofcik said his administration was concerned about the deplorable condition of the ballfields, playground and the bathrooms and the lack of a water fountain and benches. we recognized the problem. When we do nothing, people complain; when we do something, they complain."
 "I've loved this park," said Kubofcik, "When I was seven, I buried my pet rabbit there."
 The mayor disagreed with those who say the bike path won't be used. Recalling that there had been several public hearings before this project commenced, he said, "I don't think we had one objector," a statement contradicted by both Witham and Magura. "I wish we had this level of concern beforehand."
 In the scope of the project, the park totals 21 acres. The multi-use path will take up 1.7 acres, about 7.5% for a total disturbance of 2.5 acres.
 Pledging to take all comments seriously, Kubofcik said he welcomed input from the Sierra Club admitting, "Maybe we were blinded. Maybe we had blinders on."
 "I think we'll take the guidance of the Sierra Club and others to move forward. We have the opportunity to do something positive," said the mayor. "It's easy to criticize in midstream. It'd like baking a cake. It looks like mumbo jumbo."
 The finished project will include new plantings of all types of flora and trees. According to Kubofcik, a significant number of the removed trees were diseased while admitting, "some were in very good condition."
 Kubofcik said the contractor would continue with the work.
 "On paper, it look beautiful. People need to look at the finished product before they condemn it," said the mayor.
 "The biggest issue is the bike path," said Councilman Mohammed Khairullah, who is a science teacher. "I'd be concerned about the animals but I'd also be concerned about the kids who try to ride their bikes on North 8th Street. I think the bike path will be used. Yes, it will cost. We're doing our best by applying for grants."



July 15, 2004  Hawthorne Press
Kidnapping Suspect Arrested

 A quiet afternoon was shattered on July 7 when three armed men broke into the home of a Prospect Park family, holding the residents at gunpoint.
 At around 3:30pm, three masked men forced their way into the home of Andrea Cummings. Brandishing handguns, two of the men tied Cummings two young children with telephone cord. The third man, who was later identified as Cummings' former boyfriend Claude Williams, took the victim to her bedroom and tied her up there.
 After 90 minutes of verbally threatening the woman and waving their weapons around the apartment, the three assailants left the apartment, leaving the victims tied and bound. After some time, Cummings successfully freed herself.
 She initially did not contact police saying that she feared for the safety of her family.
 However, after freeing her daughters, both Cummings and her eldest daughter phoned police to inform them of their ordeal. Officers from Paterson and Prospect Park both responded immediately.
 Since the Passaic County Sheriff's Department handles criminal investigations for Prospect Park, sheriff's officers took statements from the victims and began their search for Williams.
 At noon on Thursday, Williams turned himself in to the Passaic County Sheriff's Department and presented officers with an alibi for his whereabouts during the time in question. Officers from the Criminal Investigation Division drew up charges against Williams and are following up on the alibi. The investigation is ongoing.
 The charges against Williams include" three counts of kidnapping, burglary, aggravated, assault, possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, certain persons not to have weapons; conspiracy, terrorist threats and violation of a final restraining order.
 Due to the seriousness of the crime, a Superior Court judge set bail at $100,000. Williams was released on his own recognizance, but since it was found that he had an outstanding, unrelated, traffic warrant in the City of Paterson, he was instead released into the custody of the Paterson police. He is currently awaiting a bail hearing regarding the traffic warrant.
 "The department takes assaults on any citizen seriously and we will vehemently pursue those responsible," said Sheriff Jerry Speziale. "Anyone with information about the assault is encouraged to contact my department."



July 9, 2004  The Record
Prospect Park Councilman Faces Guard Duty In Iraq
by Suzanne Travers

 On June 29 the call came. The one Councilman Herb Perez - National Guardsman Herb Perez - had been anticipating, but his wife, Abby, had been dreading.
Perez could be going to Iraq.
The New Jersey National Guard needs to replace members of its B Company, which was deployed to Iraq in February. Four of its men were killed in June and others have been injured. A guardsman called to tell Perez they were looking for volunteers.
Perez, 40, a member of the 3rd Battalion of the 112th Artillery Division, is gambling that if he volunteers now, he may be sent to Iraq for only a few months, rather than the full year he is guaranteed to serve if he waits until the fall to be deployed. He put his name on the volunteer list last week.
"It's something we've been preparing for [for] a long time," he said this week. "I'm not going to say I'm not scared."
Perez's unit is slotted for deployment in October or November and is awaiting orders from the Army about where it will be sent, said Master Sgt. Jan Koedam of the 3rd Battalion, based in Morristown.
Perez said it could be Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, or Iraq. Koedam said the group could be sent anywhere, even to an Army base stateside, but in the event Perez replaces someone deployed in February, he would have to serve out only the rest of that soldier's yearlong term.
"Right now everything is still unknown. We're waiting for an alert order to tell us when and where," Koedam said.
Perez, who works at Bassil Bookbinding in Little Ferry, is hoping to get more information when he attends his monthly drill this weekend. But he started mobilizing on the home front a year ago, when he picked up military identification cards that will allow his wife and daughters to shop on Army bases and receive medical care and counseling, and attend support groups while he is on active duty. When his unit was told two months ago it might be deployed, he started taking care of legal matters such as making sure Abby has full power of attorney.
Perez said he knew something was up when he came home from work last week and saw Abby's look of worry. There was a message on the machine, she said. It was the call for volunteers.
"I looked at him, like, 'No, no, no" said Abby, 37, a teacher's aide at School 1 and an auxiliary police officer in the borough. In 20 years of marriage, they have never spent more than a week apart, she said. Their daughter, Lizette, 19, ran out of the room, then pleaded with her father not to go.
"I don't think it hit me as much as it hit my wife and oldest daughter," he said. "As human beings they had the normal reaction, because they know, if I go, what could happen."
He has told his younger daughter, Yasmine, 9, about the possibility of being in Iraq, but has not yet told his parents, who live in Florida. He'll wait until he receives precise orders before breaking the news, he said.
Perez enlisted in the Army at age 17 out of a desire for discipline and to serve his country. He was with a training unit in the Army Reserves for 23 years until December, when he joined the National Guard as a sergeant to work in logistics and small arms.
National Guard units can be called into service by the president and state governors. To accommodate the need for more personnel in Iraq, Perez's combat unit was reclassified this year from a field artillery unit to military police.
Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Paterson, he has never left the country. Perez, a first-term Democratic councilman, is running for reelection in November despite his likely deployment.
He said he has mixed feelings about going to Iraq.
"We're there to help the Iraqi people have democracy and give them a taste for what democracy's all about, and to have the right to a dissenting opinion," he said.
"Someone's got to replace our fallen comrades but, you know, it becomes scary," he continued. "A lot of Iraqis believe we're there to help them, but others have a difference of opinion. ... I don't want them killing me because they have a difference of opinion."
As for his wife, she said she's finding it hard to live with the uncertainty of when and if he'll go to Iraq.
"If he goes, he goes, but those are just words," she said. "Every time the phone rings, I'm like, oh, it's his time."



July 3, 2004  Herald News
Hundreds Of Trees Cleared For Bike Path
by Suzanne Travers

 Most everyone agrees that, on paper, plans for a new bike path in Hofstra Park looked good.
But since buzz saws began cutting a 30-foot-wide swath through the woods this week to make room for a 10-foot-wide asphalt path - some of the felled trees were more than a century old - outraged residents and environmentalists have been calling the path's design a hazard to nature and humans alike.
The bike path, which is being funded through a $340,000 state Department of Transportation grant, is composed of six intersecting loops through the woods and around the park's ball fields. Borough officials hope the path will spark a renaissance in park use and say borough children can't wait to use it.
Long-time park goers question not only the destruction of trees and wildlife, but the path's route. They note that it passes behind the Police Department's shooting range and lies at the edge of a 250-foot cliff that drops into a quarry.
"I honestly can't say anything good about this particular project," said Dennis Schvejda of North Haledon, conservation director for the New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club. He visited the park Friday after residents reported that 25- to 30-foot-wide trails were being cleared.
"It's just an abuse of public funding," he said.
Three-and-a-half of the park's 20 acres of woods are being cleared for the project, said Ransford Lodge of H2M, the borough's engineering firm. Hundreds of trees have been taken down this week, including 50 to 100 that have trunks thicker than 18 inches, said Frank De Carlo, owner of De Carlo Tree Masters of Cresskill. De Carlo is the subcontractor cutting down and removing the trees before the path is graded and paved.
"In a town that's as densely populated and developed as Prospect Park, the rarest thing there is is a patch of woods," Schvejda said. "This is not a bike path, it's a road."
He noted that bicyclists can already ride on a little-used road in the park.
"The size of this thing is a surprise," said Ilene Potoak of Prospect Park, who often takes her Cub Scout troop on wildlife walks through the woods. She said trees and brush that were home to hawks, deer, and other wildlife are gone, along with the animals. On Friday morning, she tied hand-lettered signs to trees and tree stumps.
"I stood tall and strong for 150 years till a saw took my life - why?" read one.
Kristen Robertson, whose driveway on Dietrich Lane in North Haledon borders the park and the bike path's route, expressed concern about its safety.
"The planning was a little screwy," she said. "They put a walking path right where the police practice shooting. ... [The quarry does] blasting on a fairly regular basis in that middle section, which is right where they're putting the path."
Last year, a blast from the quarry dumped football-size rocks onto houses and cars in the borough. In 1997, a 21-year-old man who had been drinking with friends in the park fell off the cliff into the quarry and died.
Lodge, whose firm designed the path, said that every effort was made to spare trees, but that the wide trail was necessary to accommodate three-foot buffers on either side of the path and to allow for proper grading and site work.
"We're losing trees, but you'll get the benefit of the bikeway," Lodge said at the park Thursday. "In order to create, you have to destroy."
Bike paths funded by the state Department of Transportation are required to be at least 10 feet wide, he said, a requirement confirmed by agency spokesman Marc La Vorgna.
"We're minimizing the taking [of trees] as much as possible," Lodge said. "That is priority Number One."
He did not return a call Friday seeking comment on the path's proximity to the quarry and shooting range.
Mayor Will Kubofcik did not return two calls seeking comment Friday. Councilman Pat Tirri and Councilwoman Esther Perez also did not return calls. Attempts over two days to reach Councilmen Hassan Fahmy, Thomas Jefferson, Mohamed Khairullah, and Herb Perez also were unsuccessful.



June 24, 2004  Hawthorne Press
Obituary

 Longtime Hawthorne resident James P. Evers, 88, former municipal court judge in Prospect Park, died June 12 in Connecticut. A general practitioner attorney with an office on Lafayette Avenue, he was the secretary/attorney to the Hawthorne Board of Adjustment for 30 years and before that appointment, he served as a member of the board.
 Upon his retirement in 1995, Evers and his wife, Vera, moved to Sea Girt. Faced with multiple health problems, the couple then moved to Ridgefield Crossings, an assisted living facility in Ridgefield, Connecticut where their daughter, Peggy Hostler, resides.
 From 1968 to 1996, he served as council to the Diocese of Paterson and until his death, he remained active in the National Diocesan Attorneys Association.



June 16, 2004  The Record
Prospect Park OKs Spending Despite Questions
by Suzanne Travers

 The Borough Council has authorized major new spending, an additional rank in the police force, and the right to impose fees for recreational activities.
At its meeting Monday night, the council adopted ordinances to issue bonds for nearly $1 million on several improvement projects, establish a lieutenant's position, and authorize charges of up to $50 for borough recreational activities.
Residents on hand for the public hearings on the ordinances expressed misgivings in each case, prompting officials to explain each measure. After the hearings, the council adopted each ordinance unanimously in 4-0 votes. Councilmen Pasquale "Pat" Tirri and Hassan Fahmy were absent.
Several residents opposed the ordinance that enables the Board of Recreation to charge up to $50 per person for recreational activities. Mayor Will Kubofcik said the ordinance enables fees to be set, but only with the permission of the mayor and council. This year, the Municipal Alliance wanted to charge for summer camp, but the mayor said he rejected the fee because he wants "zero barriers" to children's participation.
"I hope you never charge a kid in this town a nickel, because they don't have it," said Al Demarest, president of the Board of Education.
Ilene Potoak said she was worried about families with several children or those who lacked the means to pay.
"You set a fee, but what if a family cannot afford to pay the fee?" she asked.
Kubofcik promised that accommodations would be made for such families.
Another ordinance authorized bonding for improvements to the traffic signal at the intersection of North Sixth and East Main streets. Because they are county roads, former Councilman Thomas Magura asked why the county can't pay to fix the signal.
Borough Engineer Stanley Puszcz said the light - the only traffic signal maintained by the borough - was put up in 1951 and has not met Department of Transportation certification standards, which could make the borough liable if an accident occurs at the intersection. It is the county's policy not to maintain signal lights, but this one must be fixed, Puszcz said.
Lois Hubbard wanted to know what the "various improvements" were in another ordinance authorizing the borough to issue bonds to pay for them. She said such spending was "too much money for this little town."
Rehabilitation of the ball field and playground and defibrillators for the Police Department were among the improvements, said Steven Sanzari, the borough's chief financial officer. Grants to the borough account for $1.1 million, or half, of the spending authorized by the council's ordinances, Puszcz said.
Residents also expressed concern about creating a lieutenant's position on the police force. Demarest said the borough should promote Capt. Frank Franco - who is serving as acting chief - to chief and make another officer captain.
Kubofcik said the ordinance is necessary for the department's chain of command, but does not provide for a salary increase for the officer who becomes a lieutenant. Franco said that when he's away, there are four sergeants below him and no clear second-in-command.



June 10, 2004   Hawthorne Press
Cell Tower Going Up Soon In Prospect Park

 A cell tower will soon be going up in Prospect Park at the DPW garage, 162 North 13th Street. In a contract with T-Mobile for the 150 foot monopole, construction can begin as soon as the first payment is received.
 The cell phone carrier has agreed to pay the municipality an annual rent of $18,660 for a five year term.
 T-Mobile also has the right to co-locate other cell phone companies on the monopole and Prospect Park will receive a share of the rents.



June 10, 2004   Hawthorne Press
Pedestrian Injured On N. 8th Street

 A 19-year-old pedestrian was injured Monday when she apparently ran into the road on North 8th Street and was struck by a car.
 As of Tuesday, police officers had been unable to interview Promise Sullivan, the pedestrian who lives on North 9th Street in the borough.
 "There are no broken bones," said Police Captain Frank Franco although there was no other information about Sullivan's condition. According to Franco, witnesses reported that the pedestrian had hit the car's windshield when she flipped into the air before landing on the pavement.
 The driver of the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse from Elmwood Park, was traveling east on North 8th Street. She stated that the pedestrian ran out onto the roadway from a parked vehicle at the intersection of Brown Avenue. The driver reported that she did not have a chance to stop before the impact.
 Police said the driver had the green light at the intersection and that speed didn't appear to be a factor.
 "No summon was issued," said Franco.
 Mayor Will Kubofcik expressed concern about the length of time it took for an ambulance to respond to the accident at 12:11 pm.



June 10, 2004  Hawthorne Press
Mayor Vetoes Cable TV Ordinance; Council To Reconsider

 Mayor Will Kubofcik has vetoed Prospect Park's cable TV ordinance and the Borough Council will decide next Monday whether to override his veto or to invalidate the ordinance.
 At the June 7th worksession, the Prospect Park Council heard a presentation from cable TV consultant Joseph Schweighardt. A Wayne councilman, Schweighardt worked in the cable TV industry for 30 years.
 In the 15 year contract the Prospect Park Council has negotiated with Cablevision, the cable TV company is offering a $5000 grant to purchase equipment for the municipality's cable TV access channel.
 "I'd be looking to double that figure to $10,000," said Schweighardt, whose consultant fee would be $1000. We can go back and revisit this and get what your community and subscribers are entitled to."
 He pointed to various communities that had received grants from the cable TV giant. "Cablevision has done a good job of holding that dimension down," he stated.
 According to the consultant, Ridgewood received $10.40 per subscriber; Wayne, $6.87; while a community in Massachusetts with 6000 subscribers obtained a $250,000 grant.
 Prospect Park's $5000 grant translates to $4.42 per subscriber for the borough's 1141 customers.
 "There are other things in your ordinance that concerns me," said Schweighardt, noting that there should be full basic cable services for all schools in the community and other public buildings as well as free Internet service to the library.
 Council members questioned whether it would be better to join with Haledon and North Haledon since Manchester Regional High School is offering the use of its facility for a cable TV studio.
 "I'd suggest all three negotiate together," replied Schweighardt, who already represents the Borough of Haledon. Their community's cable TV franchise expired in December 2003.
 Schweighardt said the biggest concern of cable TV subscribers is the rates charged.
 "There is very little you can do because this is regulated by the federal and state agencies," he said. "But at renewal time, you should do a survey of the community to see what channels the people want."
 As a long-term goal, he advised larger communities like Wayne and Clifton to coordinate the expiration dates of their franchises so they can combine the negotiating power of their 37,000 subscribers.



June 9, 2004  The Record
ELECTION RESULTS IN PROSPECT PARK

Council (two seats):

Republicans:
(winner) Thomas F.X. Magura 48
(winner) Lois Hubbard 49

Democrats:
(winner) Heriberto Perez Jr. (I), 123
(winner) Mohamed Khairullah (I) 112



June 2, 2004  Shopper News
John Hunt Gives 58 Years To Firefighting
by Adrienne Paul
 
As an active member of the Prospect Park Volunteer Fire Department since 1946, John Hunt exemplifies dedication. For his years of service, he was distinguished as a 2004 Volunteer of the Year at the John A. Girgenti Civic League dinner on May 11.
 "I am proud that our organization has seen fit to honor an individual who has dedicated countless hours to protecting our communities from the threat of fire," said Esther Perez, chairman of the Firefighters Senate Committee.
 A resident of the borough for 78 of his 80 years, Hunt has served as fire chief 14 times in his 58 years of service.
 "John Hunt exemplifies the dedication of firefighters across our state," Senator John A. Girgenti said. "We are fortunate to have a volunteer in our district who, for more than 50 years, has been so strongly committed to public safety."
 "I guess it is one of those things that runs in the family," Hunt said. "My father was a fireman in Prospect Park, so as a kid I was always running after him. My brother was also a fireman in Paterson."
 He currently acts as the director of the fire school in Wayne.
 "I oversee everything that goes on, coordinate the activities, training dates, purchasing and activities," Hunt said. "I still have to go to school to hold my instructor level two certification."
 The school was started by the North Jersey Volunteer Firefighter's Association in 1928 to teach smokehouse, scuba and oxygen tank training.
 "The men go there to train or drill on certain subjects to keep their skills up to date," he added. "The fire service is like any other business. It is always changing and you have to change with it."
 He also helps out during fires, and even had to run out in the middle of the interview because a fire alarm sounded.
 "I do everything I can to help," Hunt said. "I drive the truck and help with outside things like putting hose lines in the street and changing air tanks when needed."
 Hunt worked for 25 years in the radio and television repair shop he owned. He traded it in for a change of pace and worked as a maintenance supervisor at Preakness Hospital for 19 years before retiring.
 He remains an active member of many organizations. He is treasurer of the Prospect Park Fire Department, the Fireman's Relief Association, Volunteer Hose Company No.1 and the Exempt Fireman's Association.



May 22, 2004   Herald News
Protest, Flag Law, Heat Sidetrack Memorial
by Suzanne Travers

 A solemn but routine ceremony commemorating Circassian Memorial Day went anything but smoothly Friday as an unexpected crowd held a demonstration, and two children dressed in traditional clothing fainted in the heat.
About 70 people, mostly Circassian residents of Prospect Park, Haledon, and Hawthorne, gathered on North 10th Street outside the municipal building at 4 p.m. for the ceremony, which marks the 1864 expulsion of 1.4 million Circassians from their homeland in the northern Caucasus by an invading Russian army.
Across the street on the sidewalk outside School 1, about 25 Prospect Park residents stood, many holding flags, including those of France and the U.S. Marine Corps. They said they did not oppose the ceremony but objected to a borough plan to fly the Circassian flag on the municipal building's lone flagpole.
"The main issue is the flag," said Pete DeSanto, 53, a demonstrator.
Several demonstrators spoke with the borough administrator Friday about the U.S. Flag Code, which does not permit another nation's flag to be flown on the same flagpole as the Stars and Stripes. Mayor Will Kubofcik, who is Circassian, said after the ceremony that the borough had planned to fly the Circassian flag, a green banner with gold stars, under the U.S. flag but decided not to fly it Friday.
Technically, the Circassian flag is not a national banner.
Demonstrators were silent throughout the ceremony. Kubofcik, flanked by 11 young members of the Nart Dance Ensemble in Wayne, gave an improvised speech calling the flag a symbol of sacrifice and freedom.
As Maha Khandis of the Circassian Benevolent Association in Wayne spoke, an 11-year-old Nart dancer dressed in Adigha fascia, the name for traditional regalia, fainted, fell backward, and hit her head against the brick wall of the municipal building.
Prospect Park police and Passaic County Sheriff's Department members rushed toward the podium to help her. Khandis resumed speaking, but moments later another 11-year-old girl fainted and fell backward, hitting her head. Khandis cut the ceremony short.
The Haledon Ambulance Corps took both girls to St. Joseph's Hospital in Wayne. Their condition was not available. Demonstrator Eileen Potoka said she was troubled that Kubofcik singled out Circassians for an official ceremony. She said she wants a community day to celebrate the borough's diversity and all its ethnic heritages.



April 21, 2004  The Record
PROSPECT PARK SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION
by Patrick Tuohey

The fate of the school district's tax levy is uncertain after Tuesday's balloting resulted in a tie vote. Also, incumbents Paul "Jay" Birch and Fehmi Khairullah were chosen from among five candidates for two three-year seats on the school board.
Birch and Khairullah each received 204 votes. Defeated candidates Jose Pantoja, Adele Leger, and William Willemsen had 188, 142, and 115 votes, respectively.
A $1.8 million tax levy to support an $8.6 million school spending plan ended in a 162-162 tie. The county will rule on the one provisional ballot within five days. If that ballot is thrown out, the budget would fail. If the ballot is accepted, the budget would pass or fail depending on that resident's vote.
Birch, 48, is a production supervisor for Private Label Cosmetics in Fair Lawn. He sees raising test scores as a priority, but says the tests and policies that require them bear as much responsibility as teachers and students. He is a staunch opponent of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
Birch is married and has three children, either attending or graduates of School 1. He is a former councilman.
Khairullah, 44, is a physician employed by the Bergen Community Regional Blood Center in Paramus. He is married and has three children, one a second-grader at School 1.
Khairullah said he is grateful to a School 1 teacher who gave his son one-on-one tutoring when he was falling behind in reading and that he wants to "give back" to the district. He said he would work to improve the district so that people aren't tempted to move to other towns in search of better schools. He also said an investigation is necessary to determine why test scores aren't higher in the district.

* The provisional ballot was counted 7 days later and certified with a "yes" vote in favor of the budget allowing it to pass.

Manchester Regional High School
Voters rejected the general fund $7.2 million tax proposal for the $12.1 million budget. In Haledon, voters decided 139-103 against the question; Prospect Park turned down the budget in a 169-131 vote. In North Haledon, which had the highest turnout in the district, the vote was 896-232 against the budget.
The proposed tax levy, which is apportioned according to taxable property worth, would have required a $177 increase on a typical home in Haledon, assessed at $158,000; a $70 increase in Prospect Park, where the average home assessment is $147,000; and a $134 decrease for North Haledon, where a typical home is assessed at $142,000.



April 21, 2004  Shopper News
CABLE PROVIDER OFFERS TV STATION, GRANT
by Curtis Zimmermann
 
 The borough will be getting its own public access television station in the next year when its new contract with Cablevision is ratified.
 At the April 13 council meeting, the borough approved a first reading of an ordinance authorizing Cablevision to be the sole cable provider for the next 15 years.
 Under the terms of the contract, the borough will receive a dedicated fiber optic connection to a building of its choice where officials will have unfettered access to run channel 77, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. To operate the station, the borough will also receive a $5,000 grant to purchase equipment.
 Cablevision representative Gary Shaw told the governing body the station could be used to show television programs and as a community bulletin board. He suggested it could be used for a variety of municipal and school functions, including announcing snow days and broadcasting local sporting events or concerts.
 The borough will also receive free Internet and cable access at all the school and municipal buildings. In addition to the station, the borough will also get a state-mandated two percent franchise fee on basic cable.
 This is not the first television station accessible to the borough. When it signed a 10-year agreement in 1994 with the now defunct TCI, the contract gave the borough part-time usage of a station, but it was never utilized.
 "Unfortunately the borough chose not to take advantage of that and it never materialized," Shaw said.
 In order for the station to become a reality, the borough has to approve the second reading of the contract in May. The Board of Public Utilities must then approve the contract. Shaw said the borough could have access to the new station by January 2005.



April 15, 2004   Hawthorne Press
PROSPECT PARK HIRES HALEDON BORO CLERK AS PART-TIMER

 After nine months without a borough clerk, the Prospect Park Council has appointed Haledon Borough Clerk Allan Susen to fill that position on a part-time basis.
 Susen, who attended his first meeting with the Prospect Park Council Monday night, will work three nights a week, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 6:30 to 9:30pm. The $15,000 salary covers nine hours per week in the office plus attendance at council sessions.
 During the daytime hours, the clerk's office will be manned 25 hours a week by Yancey Wazirmas, an administrative assistant. She expects to start taking the courses leading to the deputy clerk's position.
 Prospect Park Mayor Will Kubofcik said the municipal council has interviewed four to five candidates since the prior Borough Clerk Chris Mendez left last summer. He said Susen was selected because he's experienced and know the community.
 "I'm looking forward to the challenge," said Susen, who has been Haledon's municipal clerk since 1995. He is the former president of the Municipal Clerks Association of New Jersey and has held every executive board position with the state group.
 One similarity in the two communities is that both have the same borough form of government.
 Susen grew up in Haledon and has resided there his entire life except for a short time when he and his wife lived in Prospect Park.
 Besides adopting a resolution to hire Susen as part-time clerk, the Prospect Park Council also entered an interlocal agreement with Haledon to allow the clerk to do both jobs.



March 25, 2004  Hawthorne Press
PROSPECT PARK SCHOOL BUDGET
Legal Notice



March 18, 2004 Herald News
School moonlighting as a community center
By Suzanne Travers

There aren't very many places to hang out here.
The half-square-mile borough has a population of nearly 6,000, but no movie theater, bowling alley, or public library. The only restaurant is a pizzeria, and to find a bar, adults have to leave town. Children are left with little to do but see what's up on the street corner or in somebody's living room.
Little wonder then that the one exception to the rule has become a magnet for everyone.
Prospect Park's lone public school, School 1, is on its way to becoming a community center for children and adults because of a $9 million building renovation completed last June. Programs that keep the school open to the public five nights a week have been in place since the beginning of the year. On Wednesday nights, the school library is open. Children and parents come for evening study hours, when two teachers help with homework and check out books.
During the week, groups play basketball and volleyball in the gym, which also holds a community drop-in on Fridays. Plans are in the works to stock books for adults in the school library and offer classes in computer skills and English as a second language to borough residents.
"It's fantastic," Mayor Will Kubofcik said of the night hours. The school is "a multimillion-dollar corporation, and it shouldn't shut down after 3 o'clock when the students leave. It should be the center of the community."
On Wednesday night, Sasha Lambaz, 11, was doing her math homework at a table in the library with five other schoolchildren.
"Before the library, I would rarely do my homework, because I would forget how to do it. [Now] if I'm really stuck on a problem, I get a teacher's help," she said.
By 7 p.m., more than 30 students were reading, playing computer games, and doing homework in the second-floor library.
Jonathan Pineyro, 11, walks to the library to relax and read - "Sometimes it's noisy at home," he said.
Meanwhile, a group of Girl Scouts played basketball in the gym.
Police Officer Javier Vega said young people often complained that there was nothing to do at night. Now, he said 35 to 45 sixth- through eighth-graders show up every Monday to play, hang out, and relax.
The Friday night drop-ins that began two weeks ago drew 155 students the first night and 185 the second, said Tamara Abaza, coordinator of the Municipal Alliance, which sponsors the event.
On Wednesday night, Rocio Varela, 36, mother of 12-year-old Mariana, sat reading a book in the library.
"I want to spend more time with my daughter, and she's doing something good - she's reading and talking with friends," Varela said. "There is no TV for her to watch."
"This is all about keeping kids off the street," Board of Education President Al Demarest said. He said the gym and library nights have offered children a place to study and socialize.
"Sometimes in the gym on a Friday, they sit in the bleachers with their little radio and talk to their friends," Demarest said.
The costs of keeping the school open at night are low, he said. Each sports group has its own insurance, and the school's lights are on until 11 each night anyway as janitors clean the building. The school pays $300 a month for the teachers to staff the library on Wednesdays.
Superintendent James Barriale said he hopes opening the building to residents will foster parents' involvement in their children's academics and encourage adults to continue learning.
Last year, 30 people took adult computer classes at the school. Barriale said the school plans to offer those classes again in September, along with English as a second language.
"It's always been a dream of mine to open up the school and make it accessible to the whole community," Barriale said.



March 17, 2004 Herald News
Tax up an average $251 in Prospect Park budget
By Suzanne Travers

The Borough Council has introduced a $2.42 million 2004 municipal budget that would raise taxes on the average home by $251 a year.
A house assessed at the borough average of $147,000 would pay $1,962 to support municipal spending, up from $1,711 last year.
The council introduced the budget last week. A public hearing will be held April 12. As in previous years, nearly all municipal spending - $2,408,303 of the plan - will be paid for by property owners.
About half the budget - more than $1 million - goes to the Police Department, which is in contract negotiations with the borough.
The budget includes nearly $500,000 in state aid. Prospect Park also is applying for $100,000 in extraordinary aid from Trenton. The borough expects to hear from the state in late May or June, when it plans to adopt the budget.
In the meantime, the council is likely to continue to look for ways to reduce spending.
The budget may also change under the direction of Councilman Hassan Fahmy, who was returned to his post as finance committee chairman after a vote last week to overturn Mayor Will Kubofcik's 2004 committee appointments. Kubofcik had been serving as committee chairman.
Kubofcik had appointed Councilwoman Esther Perez and Councilman Pasquale "Pat" Tirri to the finance committee and named himself chairman, a move Tirri criticized at a work session the week before. Fahmy, who headed the committee in the past, was not appointed to it.
At last week's regular council meeting, Tirri led the council's 4-2 vote rejecting this year's committee appointments and returning to last year's appointments, with Fahmy as finance chairman. Councilman Mohamed Khairullah and Perez were the dissenters.
Tirri, Khairullah, and Fahmy now compose the finance committee.
Kubofcik called the dispute over appointments "childish." The mayor attributed the political infighting among the all-Democratic council to the ambitions of some council members to replace him in 2008. He said he plans to run for reelection.
Kubofcik said he appointed himself finance committee chairman because Fahmy was in Egypt for an extended period while his mother was ill and indicated that he was unavailable because of work commitments. While Fahmy was caring for his mother in Egypt, his father died.
Fahmy said he was out of the country for three weeks and took some time off when he returned.
"We had a deadline to meet," Kubofcik said, referring to budget preparations.
Tirri had challenged the mayor's appointments and his spot on the finance committee. He said that they violated a separation of powers and that the council should make committee appointments.
Kubofcik said he supports the creation of an ordinance that would outline the process for determining the appointments. As mayor, he said, he will continue to be involved with the budget.



March 11, 2004  Hawthorne Press
PROSPECT PARK FACING 17 POINT TAX HIKE

 The Prospect Park Council introduced its 2004 municipal budget calling for a double digit tax increase, which officials hope to reduce with state extraordinary aid. The $4,012,678 fiscal plan, in its preliminary form, calls for a 17 point tax hike or $249 more on the average property assessment of $146,000.
 Borough Auditor James Cerullo said the municipality is seeking state extraordinary aid to help reduce the tax impact. In last year's budget, Prospect Park received $100,000 from this state program and Cerullo says part of the tax impact stems from the loss of this amount of revenue.
 Other factors causing the $312,403 increase over last year's tax levy are a 4% increase in group insurance, up $71,678; $131,884 for the increase in police salaries, which reflects two additional patrolmen hired in the latter part of 2003 and $41,785 more for other salaries.
 Borough Treasurer Steve Sanzari said the municipality must also cover a 20% share of police and fire pensions, which account for $21,205 in this year's budget.
 On the revenue side, $472,000 in surplus funds have been applied to offset the budget. According to Cerullo, there's $170,000 remaining in surplus.
 Besides applying for state extraordinary aid, the Borough Council has introduced an ordinance allowing the municipality to increase its cap index to 5%. At Monday's meeting, the governing body also passed a resolution asking state approval to exceed the 5% figure. Cerullo said overall expenditures are up about 7.9%.
 The total tax levy of $2,408,300 calls for an increase of 14.4%, a figure Mayor Will Kubofcik soft-pedaled when questioned about the budget increase by a resident.
 "We hope the increase to be less than 10% with (the anticipation of) extraordinary aid," said Kubofcik.
 A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for April 12 at 7:30pm. The auditor said Prospect Park won't hear from the state until the end of June.



March 11, 2004  Hawthorne Press
BOROUGH COUNCIL VOTES MAYOR OFF FINANCE COMMITTEE

 Although the Prospect Park Council voted unanimously to introduce its 2004 municipal budget, a dust-up was created at Monday's meeting over who should head the finance committee. At issue was Mayor Will Kubofcik's decision to take over the committee replacing last year's chairman, Councilman Hassan Fahmy, "who was unable to sit because of serious personal problems," according to the mayor.
 Councilman Pat Tirri, who serves on the committee with Councilwoman Esther Perez, challenged Kubofcik's decision to be its chairman. After debating with the mayor over whether the mayor or the council should appoint the committees, Tirri made a motion to leave the 2003 finance committee intact. That committee was chaired by Fahmy and included Tirri and Councilman Mohammed Khairullah. The measure passed 4-2.
 The matter had come up at last week's worksession while Kubofcik was on vacation. Although the mayor was not expected to be present at Monday's session, Kubofcik said someone handed him a newspaper when he got off the plane that evening. A story about the finance committee squabble prompted Kubofcik to show up.
 Tirri asked for an opinion from the Borough Attorney Chris Weglos, who said state statute indicates the Borough Council "may establish such committees but does not indicate how the committees would be appointed, its powers and duties or how to designate a chairperson." Welgos further advised that the council may adopt and administrative code that sets powers and duties of committees. If an administrative code is not adopted, "there is nothing that governs how appointments are made," concluded the attorney.
 "It's been a customary practice for the mayor to establish committees," said Kubofcik, "I agree that a structure needs to be set in place."
 The mayor acknowledged that he changed the committees because the outgoing Council President Esther Perez asked him to do so. "I hate creating committes. It's a no-win scenerio because someone is always unhappy."
 Kubofcik said "rather than a circus," instead of squabbling, the governing body should be 'talking of getting things done."
 Tirri said his concern was not who names the committees. "It was the fact that you chaired the finance committee. State statute says the council has control over finance."
 "There is nothing inappropriate with the mayor on the finance committee as long as the council does the vote," said Welgoes.
 "Whatever it is, let's get the job done," said Kubofcik. "The committee can't pass anything. That's why I sat on it. I cahired it. I had the most experience. I took the budget by the horns so we could get it introduced tonight in time to apply for extraordinary aid."
 Then he took a shot at Tirri alleging that his attendance at committee meetings "is zero."
 Tirri countered that Kubofcik was making a personal attack. "I did attend meetings," adding that he didn't want to conduct public business at Kubofcik's Prospect Realty office.
 "I strongly feel you should not sit on the finance committee. We will adopt an ordinance (governing committee structure). Until we adopt an ordinance, I move we go back to last year's committee," sasid Tirri. His motion was supported by Council President Thomas Jefferson, Councilman Herb Perez and Fahmy. Councilwoman Esther Perez and Khairullah voted against the motion.
 "I hope you get the ordinance passed," Kubofcik told Tirri, "There's a gentleman out there who waited one year to get an ordinance passed."
 "It was locked up in committee because of you," charged Tirri.
 "Get the job done," ordered Kubofcik.
 "The same to you," concluded Tirri.



March 8, 2004 The Record
Mayor's appointive power doubted in Prospect Park
by Suzanne Travers

PROSPECT PARK - Citing the doctrine of separation of powers, Borough Council members are objecting to the mayor's making appointments to the council's finance committee and naming himself chairman.
At last week's council work session, Councilman Pasquale "Pat" Tirri asked Borough Attorney Chris Weglos to research state statutes to find out whether Mayor Will Kubofcik's actions are legal.
Kubofcik made committee appointments in January at the borough's reorganization meeting. The finance committee is responsible for preparing and introducing the municipal budget. Kubofcik appointed Tirri and Councilwoman Esther Perez to the committee, with himself as chairman.
"Until I get some sense of legally what is correct or incorrect, I'm sorry, but I have to sit here and protest the committees," Tirri said. "The power of the council is to regulate finance. If that's the case, then how can the mayor head finance?"
Kubofcik served on the council's investigative committee last year without objections from the council. The mayor did not attend the work session because he was vacationing outside the country.
Tirri said that before he publicly raised concerns about the appointments, he had written to the mayor but received no response. In protest, Tirri has attended none of this year's finance committee meetings.
Tirri proposed that either the committee appointments from last year stand or that the council rescind this year's appointments and name new members. He said the council's code book does not say whether the mayor has the right to make committee appointments or head a committee. He said that under his interpretation of state statutes, only the council has the power to appoint committees.
He said he did not know why the mayor appointed himself to head the finance committee. "I don't think he meant to do it maliciously," Tirri said. "I guess he thought it was OK."
A spokesman for the Division of Local Government Services said the division would not issue a definitive statement on the legality of the appointments.
"Since this matter is under review by the municipal attorney, we defer to his opinion," said the spokesman, E.J. Miranda.
Perez, who has met with the mayor and the borough's chief financial officer and auditor to prepare the budget, said concern about committee assignments will have no impact on the introduction of the municipal budget at the council's meeting today.
The mayor and all six council members are Democrats.
Councilman Herb Perez and Council President Thomas Jefferson said at the meeting that they, too, were concerned about the mayor's appointments.
"It really doesn't look good," Jefferson said. "I don't know any town where the mayor is head of finance."
Councilman Mohammed Khairullah said he did not object to the mayor heading the committee. "To me it doesn't matter who heads finance as long as it gets done," he said.



February 12, 2004  Hawthorne Press
Bond Ordinance Approved For Streetscape

 An amending bond ordinance appropriating $728,000 for streetscape enhancements on North 8th Street was adopted by the Prospect Park Council on January 12.
 The borough will bond $361,000 of the work while $330,000 will come from the Transportation Enhancement Program and $17,981 from the Department of Environmental Protection.
 Section 20 costs, professional fees, total $175,000.
 "I had asked about this previously," said borough resident Helen Donohue at the public hearing, "I thought this grant was for $300,000."
 "We're receiving $500,000 in grants and other costs," answered Mayor Will Kubofcik. "Our cost is $361,000."



February 11, 2004  Shopper News
RUPTURED GAS LINE IS REPAIRED
by Chris Sagona

 Passaic Valley Water Commission accidentally ruptured a gas line while working outside the municipal building on North 10th Street around 11 a.m. on February 4.
 "While digging up a valve they hit a 4-inch gas main," said Building Inspector Dave Heerema.
 The fire department responded and Public Service Electric and Gas checked the building, as well as the public elementary school across the street, for leaks and found no reason to close the buildings. However, municipal court was canceled for the day and the building had no heat or water.
 PSE&G was prevented from immediately repairing the line because of a water leak that was being fixed by the water company.
 "The gate cracked. That's a line valve, a shut off valve, leaking," said PVWC Supervisor David Carter.
 "[PSE&G] can't do their work until we replace it."
 "By 3 p.m., the gas line was patched, but they still had to replace the section of pipe," said Heerema. "The following day they dug it up and did the replacement of the line."
 "It's like putting a Band-Aid on for overnight," he explained. "With a cut on either side, some 15 feet apart, balloons were used to isolate the section of gas line needing replacement."
 The work was completed around 11 p.m. on February 5.



January 16, 2004  Herald News
CHAIRS, GARBAGE CANS REALLY HIT THE SPOT AFTER SNOWFALL
by Suzanne Travers

 Jack Santiago,18, and his step-brother Jesus San Martin,15, shoveled out a neat rectangular parking spot in front of their house on North 11th Street Thursday afternoon. Then, to be sure the spot would be open when their mother returned from work, San Martin dragged a gray garbage can from the side of the house and placed it smack in the middle of the rectangle.
"We ain't going to clean this spot for nothing," Santiago said. "If we don't leave something there, someone might park there."
The brothers were hardly the only borough residents to share that sentiment. As in recent snowstorms, borough streets were dotted Thursday with shoveled-out parking spots on public streets, "reserved" with chairs, garbage cans, and the occasional cardboard box.
Other residents, and borough officials, regard the spot-savers as eyesores that are in any case against the law.
"It's a (state) law that you can't put anything in the roadway," said Police Department Capt. Frank Franco. "You can't put stuff in front of your house to save a parking space or for any other reason."
Franco said police rarely enforce the law with tickets, however, because of the difficulty in knowing who has set a chair or garbage can in a spot. Instead, he said, the Department of Public Works takes over, cruising through town and hauling away chairs to its facility off North 13th Street.
Several council members recently expressed concern to the department about the prevalence of spot-saving items on the streets.
"It's really a quality-of-life issue," Councilwoman Esther Perez said by telephone Thursday. "It doesn't make the town appealing to see the chairs."
Gloria Gonzalez,52, also of North 11th Street, agreed.
"It looks bad," she said, shoveling snow away from her black sedan. She said most of her neighbors clear spots, too, so she doesn't have trouble parking.
"I'll park in another place," she said.
Councilwoman Perez said drivers encountering boxes and chairs in parking spots are loath to move them and park in their places.
"People are afraid" of retaliation, she said.
Franco said department employees were busy plowing Thursday but would begin picking up chairs and garbage cans today. Department officials could not be reached for comment.



January 15, 2004  Hawthorne Press
PROSPECT PARK RECEIVE COUNTY OPEN SPACE GRANT

 A new children's playground at Hofstra Park in Prospect Park is a project approved for Passaic County Open Space funds. Prospect Park will receive $80,000 to construct a children's playground and family picnic area within the 23-acre facility.



January 14, 2004  Shopper News
JEFFERSON MAKES HISTORY
by Chris Sagona

 On January 1, Thomas Jefferson made history as the borough's first African American council president.
 When he first mentioned running for office with incumbent Councilman Joseph Pepe in 1999, Jefferson thought he was simply joking around. But Pepe thought it a brainstorm, and he began hitting the pavement with Pepe and the mayor.
 "When I went door to door, I was accepted by a lot of people, but not some," he said. "I'd tell them at the door I was running and you could just feel it in their demeanor. There were people who didn't care for it."
 "There were definitely some tensions when we were running," said Mayor Will Kubofcik. "Some people even requested their lawn signs come down, but we dealt with it and rose above it. He should feel very proud of being elected the first African American council president."
 "On the council we have a Syrian and an Egyptian who represent the Muslim community, two Hispanics, an Italian, and me," he said. "So we have a diverse board and it pretty much encompasses the racial makeup of this town so everybody has a voice and we all work together for the town."
 Born and raised in Paterson, he married Cathy Rayfield and moved to Prospect Park. They have five children ranging in age from eight to 20. Employed by the Passaic Valley Water Company, he works swing shifts, and still finds the time for various positions he has held on the council during past term.
Thomas Jefferson
 Jefferson, who would like to be known as a family man, noted he would like to rectify a possible misconception about him: He is accustomed to diversity.
 "I've been accused of disliking certain races of people, which to me is absurd," he said. "I grew up with friends of all races and it's still that way now. I am a lover of all people."
 "He's a good councilman," said Councilman Herb Perez. "He's very honest, direct and to the point. He doesn't sugarcoat any subject. It's an honor to consider him among my friends."

 Jefferson said that if he had one wish it would be that more people would become involved, specifically with activities to keep children off the street.
 "Community involvement is my number-one pet peeve," he said. "When someone says, "We don't have things for the kids to do to keep them off the street, and then when they're asked to help, their response is, 'I'm too busy.' That kind of response is my pet peeve. Getting things done like that is not that much of a problem for us, but we need involvement."
 Jefferson said 2004 is the year he takes the bull by the horns.
 "I want to move ahead and get a jump on things as soon as possible," he said. "Prospect Park is a little town. It's just like a little seed. Add water and it will grow into something big. I believe a community that works together, grows together."



January 8, 2004  Hawthorne Press
PROSPECT PARK REORGANIZES: FAHMY, PEREZ SWORN IN

 Councilmembers Hassan Fahmy and Ester Perez started their second terms at the Prospect Park Council reorganization on January 1. Perez was sworn in by Mayor Will Kubofcik and Fahmy, by Senator John A. Girgenti.
 Elected council president for 2004 was Councilman Thomas Jefferson.
 Re-appointed to their positions were Barbara Varcadipone, borough administrator; the firm of Schwartz, Simon, Edelstein, et al, borough attorney; Steve Sanzari, municipal treasurer, CFO, tax collector; H2M Associates, borough engineer; Robert Baer, municipal judge, Joseph Perconti, prosecutor; Richard Baldi, public defender; Shirley Rumore, court administrator; Heidi Mulcahey, deputy court administrator; Rima Chak, deputy tax collector; David Heerema, building inspector/construction official; Ken Valt, DPW foreman/safety coordinator; Anne Aupperlee, registrar of vital statistics/secretary to the board of health/welfare director; Donna Rue Steurman, sanitary inspector; Rose Farrell, tax assessor; Al Marchitto, recycling coordinator; Joe Albanese, plumbing inspector; Mark Barone, electrical inspector; Gene DeAugustines, Bill Smith, Tom Dyk, fire prevention bureau; Raymond Dansen, Sr., alarm superintendent; Ed Vander Ploeg, Office of Emergency Management coordinator.

Absence of Amoresano's name from list

 Prior to voting on the list of appointments, Councilman Hassan Fahmy noted that there were some new names on the agenda and the absence of others. Missing was the name of Sue Amoresano, for whom a new position had been created last year. Amoresano served as economic development director/recreation director and special events coordinator. The combined annual salary for the three posts was $32,000.
 Kubofcik cut short the discussion saying a personnel matter had to be discussed in closed session.
 "Everyone deserved reappointment. That person worked very hard," said Fahmy referring to Amoresano, "So I'll abstain on these appointments."

Workshop meetings changed

 One of the changes for 2004 in municipal government will be in the scheduling of workshop sessions.
 "Workshop meetings will be held the Monday before the public meeting," said the mayor about the change from the Thursday workshops, "so we'll have more time to get the information we need for the public meetings." The regular monthly meeting is on the second Monday so the workshop will be held on the first Monday.

Board appointments

 Board appointments were made as follows: board of health - Gerda White, Paul Rumore, Carol Smith, Janet Guareglia and Diane Torres; board of assistance - Councilman Mohamed Khariullah, Marilyn Cakl, Rose Budryk; planning board - Mayor Kubofcik, Councilman Jefferson, David Heerema, James DeRitter, Edwin Budryk, Otto Cakl, zoning board - Jacob Kuiken, Amy Rayfield, William Smith, William Mullanaphy, George Aupperlee, Sam Petrecca.



January 6, 2004  Herald News
MANCHESTER FATE IN HANDS OF HIGH COURT
by Suzanne Travers

North Haledon's bid to leave the three-community Manchester Regional School District over issues of financial fairness is now in the hands of the state Supreme Court after a day of dramatic courtroom presentations Monday. North Haledon's lawyer argued before the justices that his borough's action is an attempt to escape an unfair funding structure. Lawyers for the district and Haledon and Prospect Park, whose students also attend the school, said the withdrawal would cripple taxpayers and hurt the school's racial diversity. The case was argued in a courtroom filled with the mayors of Haledon and North Haledon, council members, and a busload of North Haledon senior citizens who staunchly support the withdrawal effort. The court gave no indication of when it might rule on the case. North Haledon is appealing last year's lower court ruling that the borough could not leave the district because the school's racial and ethnic makeup would be damaged if North Haledon's mostly white students left. Vito Gagliardi, lawyer for North Haledon, argued that the conflict is "all about money."
"Would North Haledon be willing to stay with Haledon and Prospect Park if the [commissioner of education] ... had the power to change the [school tax] apportionment scheme?" Justice Barry T. Albin asked. Gagliardi replied that North Haledon would drop its withdrawal effort if each borough paid the same per-student costs.
"We wouldn't be here today," he said. To support the school budget, property owners in Haledon, North Haledon, and Prospect Park pay taxes according to a state formula based on property values. North Haledon, while sending just 20 percent of the enrollment, pays the most in taxes because its taxable property base is the highest of the three towns. It wants to send its students to Midland Park High School in Bergen County, where the cost to taxpayers would be less. Gagliardi also argued that North Haledon should be allowed to leave the district because projections based on the elementary school classes in Haledon and Prospect Park indicate Manchester's student body would be 38 percent white four years after withdrawal. He said that percentage could not be considered a "constitutionally impermissible" racial imbalance. Justices asked how the court might determine what a permissible racial and ethnic makeup would be, and whether such a formula would be advisable.
"One of the things we may need to do in this case is set a standard," Chief Justice Deborah T. Poritz said. "Isn't the question: What is diversity?" Justice Peter G. Verniero asked. Allan P. Dzwilewski, the lawyer representing Haledon and Prospect Park, said North Haledon is asking Haledon to pick up the lion's share of the costs. "If the court is really interested in the inequities, they've really got to look at the full picture," Dzwilewski said in a telephone interview after the hearing. "The real question if you want to look into inequities is: What's the overall tax burden? It could be that homeowners in Haledon and Prospect Park are paying a greater share since there are fewer ratables." Rodney Hara, lawyer for Manchester Regional, said projections of the school's racial makeup several years after withdrawal offer a simplistic snapshot that ignores Haledon's and Prospect Park's population trends. He argued those trends show the towns becoming increasingly composed of minorities, suggesting a future in which Manchester is a predominantly minority school district. "What will be the impact of the withdrawal of an entire school district that is largely white?" Hara asked. Some justices challenged Hara, asking whether he thought requiring North Haledon to pay a greater share of the school's costs was equitable. "Haledon and Prospect Park want to chain North Haledon to the high school and have North Haledon pay for most of it. Do you think that's fair?" Albin asked. "Do we consider whether or not senior citizens can no longer pay their property taxes and have to sell their houses? Can we ever say as a general principle that the financial impact can ever trump the racial impact?"
"We don't seem to be dealing with white flight and an attempt to leave the district just because it's diverse," Poritz said. "The attempt here seems to be to get out of financial inequity." Michelle Miller, a lawyer representing the state Attorney General's Office, argued that the appellate court's decision failed to provide appropriate deference to the [state educational] Board of Review, which ruled that Manchester would maintain an acceptable amount of diversity if North Haledon left the district. "The only thing that wrenches my gut constantly is the figure of $20,000," said Haledon Mayor Ken Pengitore, referring to comments by Gagliardi and several justices that North Haledon residents pay $20,000 per pupil to attend Manchester, as opposed to the $3,000 or $5,000 per pupil that Prospect Park and Haledon residents pay, respectively. Treating that average as some kind of fixed number, "that's the biggest misconception," he said. The mayor said North Haledon had 50 percent of the ratables in the district and was therefore responsible for 50 percent of the tax burden, whether it sends one student or 100 students to the high school.
Prospect Park Mayor Will Kubofcik and the borough's council members did not attend Monday's hearing. Afterward, a council member said he had not been aware of the hearing. Pengitore and his North Haledon counterpart, Mayor Randy George, said they could not predict the outcome of the case based on the oral arguments and the justices' comments. "I couldn't tell you from looking at it where it was going," Pengitore said. Both said solutions to the conflict rest with the state Legislature, which should change the funding formula or provide subsidies for a school district comprising Haledon and Prospect Park. "This is not North Haledon versus Haledon and Prospect Park," George said. "They are obviously the less affluent towns and need subsidizing - just not by another town." Marie Fillipo, 75, a member of the North Haledon Golden Age Club, said she attended the hearing because, like other borough seniors, she is "real estate rich and cash poor."
"I hope we had some impact on the justices," she said.







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