Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Each of the 8 candidates up for election in 2012 gathered at the SPF Tea Party meeting to discuss hot button issues in SPF.
Candidates from both Fanwood and Scotch Plains crossed party lines on Tuesday night to engage in a discussion about tough issues facing the neighboring towns. Hosted by the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Tea Party at the Scotch Hills Country Club, this was also the first opportunity for local residents to approach council and mayoral candidates. All nominees were present. Question 1: Chairman Al Smith asked the candidates to state their position on shared Services. Manduca, Fanwood (R) Councilman Manduca, stated that while he “applauds our basic impulse to save money, shared services is not a silver bullet.” Manduca emphasized analyzing the risks and benefits of merging departments before making a decision. Levine, Fanwood (D) Daniel Levine, who …
Friday, April 20, 2012
Malool will resign in May to work in state government. She stated that she is "disappointed" that some of her fellow council members continue to put politics first. Malool would have run for Mayor again if not for a state policy.
In the midst of campaign fury, Scotch Plains Mayor Nancy Malool has announced that she will resign from her post as Mayor, effectively ending her campaign for reelection. Malool, who has served in Scotch Plains local government for over 10 years, has accepted a position working for the State. Beginning in May, Malool will take on the role of the Director of the Shared Services within the division of Local Government Services in the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. The Mayor stated that a state policy will prevent her from holding elected office while she works in state government. Malool expressed that she would have liked to remain Mayor and work for the state at the same time, but felt that this opportunity was the right …
Monday, April 2, 2012
Mayor Nancy Malool responds to DePaola's candidacy and sheds light on why she believes she was not selected by the Republican Committee.
Today, the Scotch Plains Republican Committee as well as the Scotch Plains Democratic Committee announced the candidates that will run in the upcoming June primary municipal election. Councilman Kevin Glover has been selected as the Democratic candidate for Mayor with running Colleen Gialnella. Deputy Mayor Mary DePaola, who will run alongside BOE veteran, Ed Saridaki, has been selected by the Republican Committee in lieu of incumbent Mayor Nancy Malool. Patch sat down with the Mayor today to learn more about her upcoming candidacy and why she was turned away by the Republican Committee. Today, Mayor Nancy Malool announced that she will run for reelection against Deputy Mayor Mary DePaola. Township Clerk, Bonnie Lacina confirmed that …
Glover will be joined by local politics newcomer, Colleen Gialnella who will run for a seat on the Scotch Plains Town Council.
The Scotch Plains Democratic committee, chaired by Louis Beckerman announced today that the organization has selected Councilman Kevin Glover as the Democratic candidate for Mayor. His running mate will be local resident and educator, Colleen Gialnella. Deputy Mayor DePaola also announced her candidacy today. Click here for the full story. “We look forward to a spirited campaign this year where we will bring our message of fiscal responsibility, shared services and small government to the residents of Scotch Plains” said Beckerman. Kevin Glover is currently serving his second term on the Town Council. Glover is credited with saving the summer concert series (at no cost to tax payers) and for fighting for the return the sewer surplus back …
DePaola (R) will be running along side BOE veteran, Ed Saridaki.
Deputy Mayor Mary DePaola announced today that she will be running for Mayor in the upcoming June primary election. Her running mate, Republican Ed Saridaki will be vying for a seat on the town council. Mayor Nancy Malool could not be reached for comment. In a statement released the press this morning, Bill McClintock, Chairman of the Scotch Plains Republican Party stated that "[DePaola's] background as a structural engineer gives her a unique perspective on problem solving," McClintock said. McClintock expressed that Scotch Plains Republican Party will be launching a website and posting a schedule of events in the near future. DePaola has served as the Deputy Mayor since January 2011. Prior to serving on the town council, she was a member…
Monday, March 19, 2012
Whether it's a sole practitioner or a larger practice, who do you trust in Scotch Plains or Fanwood with the health of your children?
Ask parents anywhere and they will discuss with you the joys and stresses of their unpaid, 24/7 job. Just as many of those parents will tell you about moments when the common sense and medical expertise of their pediatricians saved them from a full-blown parenting meltdown. This week's installment of Patch's "Readers' Choice" survey is aimed not merely at casting a vote for your favorite pediatrician, but also getting you to comment about the moments when that doctor made you feel grateful for having them on speed-dial. Whether a true life-saving emergency or a simple, reassuring discussion with you or your child, that relationship is a bond that reinforces a commitment to healthy living and good choices. So make your choice known! As we …
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Union County Freeholders pull the plug on MusicFest, saving at least 42 county employees from being laid off. From police reports to council decisions, here's a look at the top news for the last week
Faced with at least 42 layoffs and the possibility of additional job cuts, county officials decided to cancel the annual MusicFest held in Clark's Oak Ridge Park."A consensus was reached by the Freeholder Board (March 8) following numerous fiscal committee meetings, union negotiations and departmental meetings," the press release stated. The Board also canceled the Union County Rhythm and Blues by the Brook. County officials say the cuts will save approximately $1.2 million. In other news around the county: BERKELEY HEIGHTS On Saturday, March 11, Berkeley Heights Police Officers responded Ralph Pl., Branko Rd. and Ridge Dr. to investigate three separate residential burglaries. Investigations revealed all three residences were forcibly …
Friday, February 10, 2012
The Board of Education passed a resolution on Thursday to move the School Board Elections to November.
On Thursday, February 9, the Board of Education passed a resolution to move the School Board Elections to November after an 8 to 1 majority vote and heavy support from public participants, in addition to a lengthy debate at a regular meeting two weeks ago. Betty Ann Woerner, who has served on the Board for nine years was the only vote opposed, although other members expressed concerns. BOE President Trip Whitehouse opened the meeting by recapping the Board’s discussion at the last meeting and explaining what passing a resolution to move the election would mean for the community. For the full report on last meeting’s extensive discussion of these points, read here. Moving the election would mean that the public would no longer have the …
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Michael Lewis presents an argument for keep the School Board elections in April. The BOE will make a decision on this matter at a special meeting on February 9.
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Saturday, January 28
To the Editor, Scotch Plains – Fanwood Patch: On February 9 at 8pm the Scotch Plains – Fanwood BOE will discuss and vote on a proposal to move School Board elections from April to November. As part of this proposal school budgets will not be subject to a vote by the electorate, so long as they stay within cap guidelines. Proponents will cite a number of reasons to favor such a move, and I would refer readers to the spfk12.org website for a presentation of both pros and cons. Chief among the reasons to be in favor would be -Cost – April elections are an added cost to taxpayers. -Administrative efficiency – Time spent “barnstorming” the budget can be better spent attending --to educational concerns -Greater overall electoral participation …
Friday, January 27, 2012
Vote in the poll to voice your opinion on this matter. The BOE will hold a special meeting on February 9 to discuss and reach a conclusion. Here is a detailed account of what an election date move could mean for SPF.
At Thursday’s Board of Education meeting, the Board announced that due to recent Election Law legislation, the BOE has until February 17 to decide whether or not to move the Board of Education election from April to November. The Board engaged in an intense debate regarding a decision that could save the district $27,000 – 30,000, but would take away the public’s opportunity to vote in favor or against the school budget, as long as the BOE remains inside the 2 percent cap. Here is how the new election law works as explained in a presentation delivered by BOE President, Trip Whitehouse: While the budget will still be crafted in April, if for some reason the district should need to apply for additional funds, the school budget will not be …
SPFMOM2
10:23 pm on Thursday, April 26, 2012
I totally agree with you about carpooling and how it can help the environment, but in my comment I tried to address the environmental impact that ideling contibutes to (only since M. Connolly referenced parents dropping off thier kids at school). I have also called our town administrators when I see the municipal trucks drivers enjoying a nap (during their lunch break) in the lot of Kreamer Park … more ›