Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Rich Fortunato argues that the library ought to be a higher priority.
- GOVERNMENT
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Tuesday, April 30
Dear Editor: I, along with quite a few Scotch Plains residents, attended last week’s standing room only Town Council meeting where many people spoke in opposition to the budget cuts proposed for the Library. I and four other members of the public also attended the public budget workshop on March 19th when the Library cuts first came to light and at that time the Library director objected to the cuts, as did a member of the public. The Council has been aware of objections to the cuts to the Library's budget since the day they were first made public. Contrary to statements made at the council meeting, it is clear that the Town budget most definitely does cut the library’s budget. On sheet 34 of the Town’s budget summary (which is …
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Marc Ginsberg speaks out against Beckerman's recent letter and Councilman Glover's "divisive and partisan" actions. Ginsberg is a member of the Scotch Plains Republican Committee.
- OPINION
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Tuesday, June 26, 2012
To the Editor, I was truly dismayed by the recent letter by Scotch Plains Democratic Chairman Lou Beckerman challenging Mayor Mary DePaola to "not succumb to the whims of a few members of the local Republican Party". This admonishment comes from a man that has Kevin Glover as his candidate for Mayor, a man that is one of the most divisive, partisan people I have witnessed in my 25 years of following Scotch Plains politics. This admonishment comes from a man who repeated gets defensive when it is brought up that Jeff Strauss was supposedly alienated by the local Democratic Party for his independent thinking, but feels it is ok to claim that any Republican elected in this town has ever "been told how to vote or promised retribution". You, …
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Chairman Lou Beckerman believes that a "decade of Republican mismanagement" calls for a new era of government in Scotch Plains. He also urges Mayor DePaola "not to succumb to the whims of a few members of the local Republican Party."
- ELECTIONS
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Wednesday, June 20, 2012
To the Editor: As the Scotch Plains Democratic Chairman, I want to publically thank the 725 loyal Democrats who voted in the June 5 Primary Election. Although we did not have any contested races on our side of the aisle, these public minded citizens exercised their right and privilege by taking the time to vote and their actions should be applauded. On the local front, after more than a decade of Republican mismanagement, Scotch Plains Township appears to be postured for change. I challenge newly-appointed Mayor DePaola to follow the example of her predecessor and vote her own conscience, and not to succumb to the whims of a few members of the local Republican Party. Our Mayor should be loyal to the Citizens of Scotch Plains – not to …
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Three public hearings will be held for the State to assess if the community supports consolidation before a consolidation study is approved.
Courage to Re-connect, a local grassroots organization in favor of consolidating Scotch Plains and Fanwood has announced the dates of two public hearings designed to give community members an opportunity to express their concerns regarding consolidation. The first hearing will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, June 18 at town hall in Scotch Plains. The second hearing will be at 7:30 p.m. on July 10, at 200 Forest Road, Fanwood. The third and final public hearing will be at 7:30 p.m. on July 16 at the Scotch Plains Town Council Chambers. Fred Lange, founder of Courage to Re-connect stated that this is the last step the organization has to take before presenting their findings to the Local Finance Board who can approve or deny a Municipal …
Former SP Mayor, Martin Marks will succeed Bill McClintock, who is stepping down after eleven years of service.
Following the June 5 Primary Election, the Scotch Plains Republican Committee selected former Mayor Martin Marks as its Chairman Monday night. Marks will succeed former Mayor Bill McClintock who retired after serving as Chairman for eleven years. Martin Marks was elected to the Scotch Plains Town Council in 1996, and served as Mayor of Scotch Plains from 2000 until 2008. He was succeeded by former Mayor Nancy Malool. In 2008, Marks ran for congress, in hopes of suceeding retiring congressman, Mike Ferguson who served the 7th congressional district. Marks lost the election and endorsed Senator Leonard Lance. Marks, a pro-life propent of tax reform, also ran for Senate in 2003. “First and foremost, I want to thank Bill McClintock for his …
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Here are the top stories on Scotch Plains-Fanwood Patch last week.
This week, local residents finally got the opportunity to visit Ponderosa Park. This beautiful new facility on Cooper Road features walking trails, multipurpose fields for soccer or lacrosse, a variety of playground equipment and swings, and a spray fountain in the center of the play area which can be turned on and off by the user. Before you venture out to the new park, make sure you check out Patch's extensive photo gallery here. On the evening of Wednesday, June 6, the New Jersey Division of Taxation assisted by Fanwood Police executed a warrant to seize and shutter the Sun Tavern in Fanwood. A spokesman for the State Treasurer's office stated that the local restaurant had failed to pay sales tax and after two judgements totalling more …
Thursday, June 7, 2012
The beautiful 20 acre facility is now open to the public at 1600 Cooper Road in Scotch Plains.
The weather outside may have been cloudy and just under 75 degrees on Wednesday afternoon, but that didn’t stop community members of all ages from flocking to the newly opened Ponderosa Park on Cooper Road in Scotch Plains. As little ones danced under a brand new spray fountain, local parents remarked on the safety and beauty of the new facility. The new park includes walking trails, multipurpose fields for soccer or lacrosse, a variety of playground equipment and swings, and a spray fountain in the center of the play area which can be turned on and off by the user. At this time, no organized teams are permitted to play on the fields. “I have lived in the area my whole life and driven down Cooper Road a million times, but I never knew the …
40.62553
-74.369203
1600 Cooper Rd, Scotch Plains, NJ
/articles/ponderosa-park-opens-in-scotch-plains
/locations/7163564
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
In an unanimous vote, DePaola was approved to fill the mayoral vacancy for the remainder of the seven-month term.
Following a unamious vote by the Scotch Plains Town Council, Deputy Mayor Mary DePaola was sworn in as the acting mayor on Monday, June 4. DePaola will serve out the remainder of former Mayor Nancy Malool’s term, which ends on December 31. “I am really happy with tonight’s outcome,” DePaola said. “I am glad that the gentlemen who were here tonight chose not to prolong this process and are dedicated to working for the people Scotch Plains and making this transition smoother for all.” Prior to the vote, Councilman Mickey Marcus reviewed the legal steps that were taken by the Scotch Plains Republican Committee to fill the vacancy. The three candidates put forth to the Council were Mary DePaola; Edward Saridaki, a Republican candidate for …
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Here are the top stories in Scotch Plains and Fanwood this week. Click the links to read the original articles and see what other readers have to say about these hot button issues
A month after she first announced that she would be leaving her unexpired term as Scotch Plains Mayor, Nancy Malool has officially tendered her resignation. The SP Republican Committee now has less than 15 days to choose three candidates to fill the vacancy. Patch spoke with Deputy Mayor Mary DePaola and Councilman Kevin Glover about the challenges the Council faces moving forward, Malool's departure, and the controversy surrounding her failure to secure the Republican nomination for mayor. On Monday, Newsweek released its list of the best high schools in the country. Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School came in at number 769 with three Union County Vo-tech schools, also located in SP topping the list as well. Union County Magnet High School …
Thursday, May 24, 2012
The SP Republican Committee are now choosing three candidates to fill that vacancy.Glover and DePaola comment on Malool's departure and the process for choosing an interim mayor.
A month after she first announced that she would be leaving her unexpired term as Scotch Plains Mayor to take on a position in the State Government, Nancy Malool has officially tendered her resignation igniting a contentious process to fill that vacancy until a new Mayor is elected. Township Clerk and Interim Township Manager Bonnie Lacina stated that by law, the Scotch Plains Republican Committee has fifteen days to select three candidates to fill the mayoral vacancy until the end of the term. After the committee selects the three candidates, the Scotch Plains Town Council has fifteen days to vote for a candidate. If the Council is deadlocked, the decision goes back into the hands of the Scotch Plains Republican Committee. Whoever is …
John Vuber
2:40 pm on Saturday, May 18, 2013
Amen Mr Fortunato ! more ›