Clifton Merchant Magazine - April 2011

Clifton Merchant Magazine • Volume 14 • Issue 7 • July 3, 2009

CLIFTON STEEL At Blickman, Their Reputation is Stainless MTS Frames Find Their Work in the National Archives and in Local Studios

Precision Motors The Zielonkas Have Turned Believing Into Achieving

Wagner Rack Still Hand Crafted on Broad Street

CHS Athletics and Academics • BOE Candidates • Optimist Club Awards

POLLER DENTAL GROUP

My Mowimy Po Polsku (Dentystka)

THE APPREHENSIVE PATIENT

EXP 5-15-11

973-546-6977

470 Clifton Ave • Clifton

DENTISTRY WHILE YOU SLEEP

Smile Makeover

EXP 5-15-11

$119 per month based on credit approval and 60 month financing through GE capital for a total of $5,000.

For as low as $119 per month you can have a new smile

DENTAL CARE FOR COWARDS

908-686-5868

629 Clifton Ave • Clifton 459 Chestnut St • Union

973-777-7364

EXP 5-15-11

Follow The Apprehensive Patient of Clifton and Poller Dental Group on

Clifton Merchant Magazine is published the first Friday of every month at 1288 Main Ave., Downtown Clifton • 973-253-4400

Meet Our Highest Achievers for 2010...

Alma Billings

Lesia Wirstiuk

Elena Schwartz

Ellen Weiner

NJAR 2010 Circle of Excellence Bronze Level

NJAR 2010 Circle of Excellence Bronze Level

NJAR 2010 Circle of Excellence Bronze Level

Weichert 2010 Executive’s Club

Weichert 2010 Executive’s Club

Weichert 2010 Executive’s Club

Weichert 2010 Executive’s Club

We Proudly Announce our January Award Winners...

We Proudly Announce our February Award Winners...

Carlito Chi

Top Lister

Tania Hernandez Faria

Top Lister

4

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

Daniel ‘Dan’ Brozyna

Top Sales

Ligia Nogiec

Top Sales

Jerry Sanders

Alma Billings

Top Producer

Agent of the Month

Mary Pat Holt

Gregorio ‘Greg’ Manalo

Top Producer

Agent of the Month

Ellen Weiner

Weichert Pride

Frank Gorga

Weichert Pride

MOMENTS of GRACE

A Great Day for

Baseball

By Christopher de Vinck

M

was being ignored a bit in the family, overwhelmed in any years ago, on my way to the campus school possibly, perhaps annoyed at his older brother’s post office on my first day at college, I walked by a little man in a rumpled, fedora teasing, or his sister’s new friends. I suggested to hat who was sitting alone on a bench. He looked up at Michael that we go kite flying at Sandy Hook, the long me, raised his left hand in a welcoming gesture and New Jersey beach that rested under the thick, glass eyes said, “Hello Yankee boy. A great day for baseball.” of the famous twin lighthouse. “We’ll bring the Chinese Griff was part of the fish kite.” Michael college legend, a man was eager and who endured obvious interested.

Baseball is the great American symbol for intellectual disabilities We drove down the what it is that we try and do each day: and yet who also Garden State Parkway, endeared thousands of and quickly found step-up to the plate and swing with the students and teachers ourselves running onto hope that we hit a homerun over the heads’ with his smile and the beach in a warm, of our fathers. Baseball makes us feel lucky. greeting. All he ever May afternoon. It was said to anyone was the time before the Have faith in the Yankees, I tell my son.

“Hello Yankee boy,” or summer season, and Have faith in yourself.

“Hello Yankee girl,” after the cold winter and then he’d months.

Michael punctuate his enthusiasm with “A great day for baseball.” kicked off his sneakers and ran ahead of me while I Every day is a great day for baseball, and there is no carried, under my arm, a gigantic, red paper fish. sport in America that defines, better, the metaphor for “Come on Daddy!” Michael called out as he ran into what it is we tend to peruse each day in our sometimes the foam and waves, the last gentle touch of the great Atlantic Ocean unfurling itself at Michael’s little feet. I confused and sloppy interpretation of ourselves. took off my shoes and socks, dropped the kite and Many years ago, when my son was eight years old, joined my boy.

I wanted to spend the day alone with him. I felt that he April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

5

6

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

“The water’s freezing,” Michael said in cautious delight.

We collected shells and drift wood; found bits of polished seaglass, chased seagulls, and then Michael said, “Let’s fly the kite.”

As we walked back to the kite and our shoes, Michael placed his small hand into mine. The wind was strong and steady. We unrolled the fish. I hooked the kite string to its large, open mouth.

“Michael, you take the string.

I’ll hold the fish by the tail and you start running.”

And Michael ran and ran as the paper fish was quickly inflated, but no matter how much the wind blew, no matter how fast Michael ran, the stubborn fish would not fly. Only then did I realize that the Chinese fish was not a kite, but a paper windsock, an ornament to be hung on a stick, or down the side of a house for decoration. The fish was never going to fly, and Michael was disappointed.

As I was rolling up the fish, Michael called out from up the beach “Hey! Look what I found.” A tennis ball. I looked around where I stood and found a long, smooth stick of driftwood. Michael ran up to me and said, “Dad. See if you can hit.”

I could barely hit a baseball as

everyone in my grammar and high school gym classes knew when I was a kid, but did my son have to also know? I swung a few times, lamely hit the tennis ball once, twice, until Michael called out, “My turn.”

With each pitch I made, Michael whacked the tennis ball over my head and then the two of us would race to see who could reach the ball first. A hit at my feet was a single.

A hit over my head was a homerun.

Michael and I played nine innings.

We had the beach nearly to ourselves. The waves roared in approval. I kicked the pitcher’s mound again and again. Michael took practiced swings with his driftwood bat. He won the Pennant and the World Series.

My son will graduate from Rutgers University this spring.

What does a man say to his son as the boy becomes a man? Santiago, the old fisherman in Ernest Hemingway’s classic little book, The Old Man of the Sea, said to his protégé, the adolescent Mandolin, “Have faith in the Yankees my son.

Think of the great DiMaggio.”

Hemingway admired DiMaggio’s gumption to overcome physical injury as he roared back to a winning season in 1946. The old man in the novel admired DiMaggio’s courage.

“I would like to take the great DiMaggio fishing,” the old man said. “They say his father was a fisherman. Maybe he was poor as we are and would understand.”

DiMaggio understood suffering and endured. Another famous Yankee, Lou Gehrig, stood before thousands and thousands of people in Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939 and said, as he accepted the diagnosis of his fatal disease, "Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break I got. Yet today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth."

Baseball is the great American symbol for what it is that we try and do each day: step-up to the plate and swing with the hope that we hit a homerun over the heads’ of our fathers. Baseball makes us feel lucky. Have faith in the Yankees, I tell my son. Have faith in yourself.

I think that the giant paper fish is still rolled up in the attic somewhere. Hey Yankee boy. Hey Yankee girl. Today IS a great day for baseball.

Dr. Christopher de Vinck’s 13th book, “Moments of Grace,” will soon be published by Paulist Press. He is the Language Arts Supervisor at CHS.

SM *

%

2.51

EARN

APY 1 Limits apply.

NO MINIMUM ACCOUNT BALANCE ATM FEE REFUNDS 2

1 Non-promotional 2.51% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) paid on daily balances up to $25,000 (0.65% APY paid on that portion of your daily account balance above $25,000), each statement period that the

qualification requirements are met. If you do not meet the qualification requirements for a statement period, your account will still function as a free checking account earning 0.25% APY; however, it will not receive ATM fee refunds for that time period. APYs in effect as of 1/17/11. APY is variable and may change at any time after the account is opened. No minimum account balance required, however, you must deposit a minimum of $50 to open this account. Withdrawal/transfer restrictions apply; ask for or see account disclosure for details. Available to consumer/personal account holders only. No monthly service charges. 2All nationwide ATM fees will be refunded provided qualification requirements are met. *Provident $mart Checking is powered by BancVue. Member FDIC. www.ProvidentSmartChecking.com

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

7

Corrado’s Garden Center has a Huge Variety of Annuals, Perennials, Seeds, Lawn Decorations, Mulch, Sod, Stones, and More!

973-340-3393 600 Getty Ave Clifton, NJ

Spring Savings

our r o f Look location third ing this com ing in spr horne!

Hawt 600 Getty Ave, Clifton, NJ 973-859-2599 Store Hours: Sun. - Tues. 9am - 8pm Wed. - Sat. 9am - 9pm

DE WE LIV ER !

201 Berdan Ave, Wayne, NJ 973-646-2180 Store Hours: Sun. 9am - 8pm Mon. - Sat. 9am - 9pm

VISIT US ONLINE AT corradosmarket.com • OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • WE DELIVER! 8

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

made in

CLIFTON

EDITORIAL

Still Made with Pride in Clifton Owners and Workers are Keeping Manufacturing Alive

I

n small shops and in traditional factories, there is lots of ‘stuff’ still Made in Clifton.

And the folks on the line and in the labs are manufacturing items large and small with great craftsmanship.

From reusable ammunition softpacks made on Clifton Blvd. by Polymer Technologies and used by American and UN forces across the globe to 14,000 pound motors created by the Zielonka family on Sebago St. that will be shipped to Africa for use at a refinery, it is truly an amazing array.

There are also less complex, everyday items made here.

Beautiful wooden picture frames are quietly manufactured on Walman Ave. by MTS Frames and displays found in supermarkets are crafted at Wagner Rack over on Broad St. Over this past month, our team of writers and photographers got to meet a variety of company owners and factory workers who help keep manufacturing alive in the USA.

Wendy Prior holds a banner that was part of an order for 2,600 display racks manufactured and shipped for Walmart by Wagner Rack, a Broad St. firm.

Most firms are family owned, some more profitable than others, but all take immense pride in creating quality products.

So read on. On the following pages, we take great joy in telling

the stories of the people that work in our hometown, many of whom are your neighbors. And next time you make a purchase, who knows, you may even get a chance to purchase an item still Made in Clifton.

16,000 Magazines

are distributed to hundreds of Clifton Merchants on the first Friday of every month.

Subscribe Page 16

1288 Main Avenue Downtown Clifton, NJ 07011

$27 per year $45 for 2 years Call 973-253-4400 © 2011 Tomahawk Promotions

Editor & Publisher Tom Hawrylko Business Manager Cheryl Hawrylko Graphic Designer Michael Strong Staff Writer Joe Hawrylko Contributing Writers Irene Jarosewich, Carol Leonard, Rich DeLotto, Don Lotz, Jack DeVries

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

9

made in

CLIFTON

STAINLESS At Blickman, Their Reputation is

By Joe Hawrylko

I

f you’ve never heard of Blickman before, that’s probably a good thing. Most likely, you were not in a hospital long enough to notice the company logo that’s branded across a wide variety of equipment im many medical centers.

But to those working in hospitals across the nation, the stainless steel products from this Clifton-based manufacturer are ubiquitous: bassinets, warming cabinets, stands, stools and much more.

“If you’re getting an IV, there’s a good chance it’s a Blickman stand,” stated President Rob Freedman.

Though new to the Clifton manufacturing matrix, Blickman only moved to Rt. 46 in the Lakeview section in May of last year. However, the company and its products are very much established in the medical field.

Stainless steel is the Blickman calling card, and this metal is used to create eye-catching yet simple products that have a wide variety of applications. Besides a warming cabinet used to heat blankets and solutions, most goods produced in Clifton are low tech but highly useful.

“Our products do not obsolesce easily, they are durable and they stay out there for a long time.” explained Rob. “We’ve had a lot of growth. The brand is historically relevant. We have a reputation for putting out quality products.”

At Blickman, stainless steel is readied for processing in furniture for the medical field. On the top of facing page, welder Edward Ortiz who is also pictured on our cover.

10

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

y g a

, d g

d d

y e h

Rob and his brother Paul, who serves as the company CFO, represent the next generation of ownership in this family company. The duo assumed the reigns from their father, Ben Freedman, and uncle, Fred Heisman, in 2002.

The Freedman and Heisman families were involved with the company as early as the 1940s, and purchased the medical and surgical division in 1975.

“It used to be S. Blickman Inc., with five different divisions,” added Rob. “Essentially, they bought one division of what was a massive company.”

However, the origins of Blickman, Inc. trace back to the previous century.

Originally known as the S. Blickman Company, it was founded in 1898 by Sophia Blickman, who started by making pots and pans for neighbors in her garage.

By 1923, the company outgrew its base of operations and relocated to Weehawken.

It was during the era that growth continued, with the company expanding its product line to satisfy

a wide range of demands.

Blickman products became pervasive, including everything

ONE STAINLESS STEP AT A TIME

s t t n

y f r David Feliciano is one of six employees in the manufacturing office who stages and manages jobs.

Jan Mroz operates a punch press, the first stop for the 120 inch sheets of stainless steel.

Eric McRobie shapes an item on the bend & break machine before sending it down the line.

Giving it form, Junior Riversa spot welds the bottom rollers to the body of a bassinet.

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

11

from mess kits in World War II to biological sample boxes used on lunar missions in the 1960s.

After the Freedman and Heisman families purchased the medical branch, a series of moves ultimately brought the company to Clifton.

From 1975 to 1993, the factory was located in Fair Lawn. Another move brought the company to Lodi and eventually to Clifton in May 2010.

Economic conditions and a changing manufacturing landscape are what brought about some of those changes. Rising labor costs, competition from overseas and the general cost of doing business in such close proximity to New York City creates a challenging work environment.

Yet, despite these factors, Rob and Paul chose to stay in North Jersey. Staying close to home and keeping jobs in state was a priority, even if it’s a hard ideal to uphold in 2011. To be able to stay in New Jersey, Blickman opened up a factory in Mexico to reduce costs.

“Frankly, after we moved to Mexico, we were looking for something smaller,” said Rob. The Clifton location that they selected satisfied

Brothers Rob and Paul Freedman own and operate Blickman.

all of the requirements for the middle-sized business while making use of available space.

“Mexico is make to stock,” he said, explaining many items in their catalog, such as bassinets, IV stands and shelving units are purchased and shipped within 48 hours. “We have a showroom in Houston.”

“In Clifton, we do fabrication and make items to order,” he continued.

Clifton worked for many reason.

Many of the workers lived nearby, public transportation is available and the location of the property allows easy access for truckers, the primary means of shipping Blickman’s nationally used products.

ONE STAINLESS STEP AT A TIME

Mohammed Subwari is a polisher, making sure a Blickman product functions well and looks good.

12

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

Bulent Gulsoy in the assembly stage where all the parts, casters, doors, tops, are put together.

Vilma Pariona and a team hand clean each of the many stainless items before packaging.

continued

Jerzy Iwaneczk custom fits packaging for a job, the last stop before it is shipped to a customer.

When assessing the process at the Clifton plant, Rob makes a frank announcement: “We could do a better job at cost containment.

Stainless steel is a sky rocketing commodity.” And as the metal market continues to fluctuate, the uncertainty gets passed along to Blickman. Bulk charges on the material can further increase costs.

There are other challenges in the manufacturing business, especially in the northeast. The prevalence of unions can create many issues, which Rob and Paul experienced during a strike in 2002.

Though the United Sheetmetal Workers decertified, the brothers, adhereing to the principles that guided the family-owned business to success in the past, feel that despite the lack of a union, the workers are treated fairly.

Employees work on a single, eight hour shift, Monday to Friday, from 7

“OJT,” he proudly stated, meaning on-the-job-training, as he started on the production line, fresh out of Passaic High School in 1994. “It’s the only place I’ve ever worked.”

Feliciano said that getting product to the customer on time is accomplished by flowing raw material through one door of the cavernous plant, then staging the job through various workstations.

“My goal here is to get our custom orders in and out in less than four weeks,” Feliciano said. “Nothing ever goes back that way,” he said during a recent tour, pointing back towards the delivery doors where large raw stainless comes in.

Standing near containers of finished items ready for shipping, Feliciano surveys the factory floor and points to his fellow employees.

“We are a team,” he concluded.

“Everyone here is important to making this place work.”

am to 3:30 pm. In a sign of a growing economy, Blickman has added Saturday hours for all employees and overtime on some weekdays.

Though there previously were more employees in the past, Rob said that the company found that he and his brothers are not yet ready to add staff and that it is more cost effective to pay overtime to meet demands.

“We have about 50 employees, some who travel over 100 miles and have been here for years,” said Freedman. Among those employees is David Feliciano, one of six manufacturing engineers in the plant.

The Paterson resident explained that his role is to make sure the made-to-order jobs get in and out of the factory on time.

Feliciano has worked at Blickman for 14 years and learned the process and about the industry literally from the floor up.

WEEKEND SPECIAL

99

11

Flavored cream cheese add $1. Plus Tax. w/coupon. May not be combined with any other offers.

$

1/4 lb Sliced Nova, 6 Bagels, plus 1/2 lb Cream Cheese

W’KEND EARLY BIRD

12 499

BAGELS

$

Sat & Sun Only 5am- With coupon. May not be 10am combined w/any other offers.

WEEKLY SPECIALS

61/2BAGELS 121/2BAGELS lb. Cream Cheese lb. Cream Cheese & 1/2 lb. Butter

8

$

& 1/2 lb. Butter

13

$

75

Specialty Cream Cheese

Add $1 w/coupon. May not be combined w/any other offer.

Specialty Cream Cheese Add $1 w/coupon.

75

May not be combined w/any other offer.

GOOD ANYTIME

3 FREE 2 OFF FREE 3 3 BAGELS w/Purchase of 1/2 lb. Specialty

$

Any Purchase of $10 or more

Cream Cheese or Any Salad With coupon. May not be combined with any other offers.

With coupon. May not be combined with any other offers.

INFLATION BUSTER

1 DOZEN BAGELS ONLY $ 99

Mon thru Fri (after 3PM)

BAGELS

when you buy Six Bagels $

With coupon. May not be combined with any other offers.

With coupon. May not be combined w/any other offers.

4

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

80 13

made in

CLIFTON

MTS Frames Turns it Out...

HAZEL MADE

By Joe Hawrylko

T

hough their products can’t be purchased in chain stores such as Michael’s or AC Moore, visit the gift shop at the National Gallery of Art and you’ll find hand crafted products made at MTS Frames, right here in a quiet Hazel residential neighborhood, at their plant at 65 Walman Ave. 14

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

Their American Primitive frames, in line with the weathered vintage wood used often in Americana interiors, showcases replicas of the collections found on the walls of this Washington, DC, museum. They are among the 200 or so items the Eve and Jeff Friedlander of MTS frames.

firm manufactures here in Clifton.

The line was visioned by Eve Friendlander a few years back, sold by her husband Jeff and are manufactured under the direction of their son, Marc, who has worked at the firm for almost two decades.

MTS Frames was first founded in 1961 by Eve’s dad, Ben Tuchinsky and his brother-in-law Dave Stein.

Originally a two man operation, the business has expanded and now employs about 15 individuals in a 20,000 square foot facility off of Hazel St. “My father had a frame shop in Passaic on Broadway,” explained Eve, a 1961 CHS grad who worked part time at the shop as a child. “My father first worked for Macy’s doing frames. He was also a salesman for a couple of manufacturers and one day said I can do that too.”

In 1983, Eve and her husband Jeff purchased MTS after “learning the ropes” of the family business. Jeff, who went to Bridgeport College in CT for advertising, joined up first in 1966. “I used to go out and sell people. I learned a lot on the job that way,” he said.

Eve taught at School 2 for five years before coming aboard in the 70s. “I had my two sons and then didn’t work for a bit,” she said. Son Marc joined the firm 14 years ago and represents the third generation of ownership. “He’s a wealth of knowledge as far as framing, wood and all that stuff,” explained Eve. “He does sales, helps run the factory. Everyone’s got their own little niche here.”

Marc Friedlander with Cliftonite Miguelina Perez, who has worked for MTS for nearly 20 years.

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

15

For Eve, it’s her eye for the nuances that go into creating an appealing design for a frame. “When you do design work, you either see it or you don’t,” she explained. “I’ve got a good color sense.”

It also doesn’t hurt to follow a muse (or two) and seek inspiration from a variety of sources, from the everyday to the aesthetic. For instance, Eve noted a trend to American primitive accessories for home decor and followed that with the line. The couple also spends time viewing art and seeing how the work is framed at galleries. “We go to museums now and go, ‘How about that frame? How about that approach?” added Jeff.

The MTS niche that seems to have emerged is creating so many options to their ready made frames that it seems like it is custom work.

To do that, they have manufactured a series of lines (go to www.frames4everyone.com) which offers the buyer plenty of options at a price point that is affordable That approach has gained them some notice as well. Homes featuring ready made frames from MTS have been featured in Martha Stewart Living and Country Living magazines. “It is nice when our work is recognized,” sad Eve.

Regionally, the Friedlanders have been engaged by emerging artists from throughout the tri state area. “I get to see a lot of great art,” Eve said. Up and coming artists like working directly with a framer who also has an eye for art, she added.

The MTS sales showroom has samples of work by these emerging painters, graphic artists and photographers. “Some artists have been coming here for many years,” said Eve. “You get to see the growth in their work as it evolves.”

On the commercial side, MTS has clients which range from various regional and national corporations to retailers such as Pearl, independent frame and craft shops and others servicing that industry.

Among their long time customer is Playbill Magazine, which uses the services of the firm to custom frame keepsake playbills, tickets and other items for their clients.

MTS frames are manufactured primarily in wood and plastic and at times in metal. Since wood is their primary product, the family is particular about where it is purchased and the type and grade.

For decades, MTS had used a family-run mill in western Pennsylvania bud sadly their primary source closed.

Finding dependable, quality and affordable suppliers for wood and other materials is a never ending process. They now work with a few different vendors for wood, depending upon the nature of the job and quantity.

In the bountiful years of the 1980’s and 1990’s, MTS had over 30 employees and used both floors of their 20,000 square foot building.

But times have changed and to remain competitive, the company, in a move to reduce overhead, now outsources frame painting and finishing, thus using less space in Clifton.

Now over a dozen employees inhabit the offices, show room and the factory, all on the first floor of the building. The basement is used for storage, though the Friedlanders are looking for a tenant.

“When you’re in business for yourself, you have control of your own destiny. You can go different directions,” explained Eve of their decision to outsource work.

It’s the visual appeal that first attracts MTS consumers and the durability of the carefully crafted product that brings them back again. Go to their website for more on MTS or come ready to buy frames on April 9 during their twice a year clearance sale.

Have Clifton Merchant Mailed.

Sorry but due to problems with Bulk Mail Delivery

$27/YEAR SUBSCRIPTION we no longer offer a $16 rate for Clifton Subscribers.

Name: __________________________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________________ City: ____________________________________________State: _________________________________________ Zip:______________________Phone:_____________________________________________ Email:________________________________________________________________________ PLEASE MAKE CHECKS TO TOMAHAWK PROMOTIONS, 1288 MAIN AVE., CLIFTON, NJ 07011 16

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

as E ast

Happy Easter and Joyous Passover

dge gelawn Rididgelawn

C E M E T E R Y

FFor or inf information o ormation with no obliga obligation tion call: call:

973-777-1920 255 M Main ain A Avenue, venue, C Clifton lifton

• • • • • • •

S

niches mausoleum garden graves non-sectarian monumental graves pre-need counseling new prime plots facing East

ituated on 80 acres, East Ridgelawn Cemetery invites you to visit

our Mausoleum on Main Avenue to pause, reflect and remember the lives of those who have passed. Visits are unlimited and unaffected by the weather. Crypts are located in the building and convenient for the elderly and handicapped. Mausoleum entombment provides greater Peace of Mind & Security.

Our Cremation Scattering Garden

Financing available one-year at no interest on easy monthly plans April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

17

Comfy & Easy to Wear, Flip Flops can lead to Injury & Long Term Foot Pain Perfect for hot weather, they are always a fashion hit of the summer and part of a typical summer outfit, for both men and women.

But while flip flops can be comfortable and are easy to slip on and wear, they can lead to joint pain, shin splints and twisted ankles.

Thomas Graziano, MD, DPM, FACFAS, a Clifton-based foot surgeon who regularly treats patients with flip flop injuries, said statistics prove that the lack of arch support from these sandals increases the likelihood of a foot injury.

“The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons has an increase in reported injuries every spring and summer directly related to wearing (flip-flops) too much,” Graziano said.

“So people develop strain in their heel and their arch. Ankle injuries, ankle sprains and ankle fractures are actually becoming more common.”

The thong that goes between your toes can also be a problem. In people, especially those who have sensitive skin or circulatory conditions and conditions such as diabetes that make their feet more prone to injuries and infections, this can be a point of irritation that can lead to infection.

“The single thong between the toes offers the wearer no support',” said Graziano. Flip-flops are meant for short walks to and from the beach, not for everyday use. A thin bit of foam rubber that separates your feet from hot sand, sidewalk or pavement isn't meant to be your everyday footwear.

“The problem comes down to overuse,” Graziano said. “When people wear flip flops all the time they are constantly scrunching their toes up into a claw. That can cause problems such as tendonitis and even shin splints. They are also extremely unstable so you are more likely to trip over and hurt yourself.

18

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

Schedule your surgery at Clifton Surgery Center. We are a three room state of the art, nationally accredited, physician owned facility. Smaller and more service oriented than hospitals, patients and their families benefit from the convenience and lower cost.

PODIATRY Thomas Graziano, DPM, MD 1033 Clifton, Ave. Clifton, NJ 07013 973-473-3344 Jeffrey Miller, DPM 1117 Route 46 East, 2nd Floor Clifton, NJ 07013 973-365-2208 Eugene A. Batelli, DPM 1117 Route 46 East, 2nd Floor Clifton, NJ 07013 973-365-2208 Zina Cappiello, DPM 886 Pompton Ave, Suite A-1 Cedar Grove, NJ 07009 973-857-1184 Glenn Haber, DPM 140 Grand Ave. Englewood, NJ 07631 201-569-0212

Call your physician about scheduling your surgery at Clifton Surgery Center.

Matthew Welch, DPM 6506 Park Ave. West New York, NJ 07093 201-662-1122

CHIROPRACTIC Michael Gaccione, DC 26 Clinton St. Newark, NJ 07012 973-624-4000

PAIN MANAGEMENT Ladislav Habina, MD 1117 Route 46 East, 2nd Floor Clifton, NJ 07013 973-357-8228

Terry Mc Sweeney, DC 600 Mount Prospect Ave. Newark, NJ 07104 973-485-2332

Kazimierz Szczech, MD 1033 Clifton Ave. Clifton, NJ 07013 973-473-4400 Binod Sinha, MD 1117 Route 46 East, 2nd Floor Clifton, NJ 07013 973-777-5444

Kevin Healey, DPM 152 Lakeview Ave. Clifton, NJ 07013 973-340-8970

Todd Koppel, MD 721 Clifton Ave. Clifton, NJ 07013 973-473-5752

UROLOGY Daniel Rice, MD 1001 Clifton, Ave. Clifton, NJ 07013 973-779-7231

973-778-7882

Anas Khoury, DPM 235 Main Ave. Passaic, NJ 07066 973-473-6665

John Mc Evoy, DPM 152 Lakeview Ave. Clifton, NJ 07013 973-340-8970

ENDOSCOPY Piotr Huskowski, MD 1005 Clifton Ave. Clifton, NJ 07013

ENT Stephen Abrams, MD 1070 Clifton Ave. Clifton, NJ 07013 973-773-9880

ORTHOPEDICS

OPHTHALMOLOGY Charles Crowley, MD 1033 Clifton Ave. Clifton, NJ 07013 973-472-6405

GENERAL SURGERY Kevin Buckley, MD 1100 Clifton Ave. Clifton, NJ 07013 973-778-0100 Edwin Kane, MD 1100 Clifton Ave. Clifton, NJ 07013 973-778-0100

Kent Lerner, MD 17 Jauncey Ave. North Arlington, NJ 07031 201-991-9019

Ramon Silen, MD 1117 Route 46 East, Suite 301 Clifton, NJ 07013 973-779-4242

Meet some of our Physicians...

Dr. Kevin Buckley

Dr. Thomas Graziano, DPM, MD

Dr. Jeffrey Miller, DPM

Dr. Kazimierz Szczech

General Surgery

Podiatry

Podiatry

Pain Management April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

19

made in

CLIFTON

Peter and John Zielonka with Arnold Sisco, their longest term employee. They presented him with a plaque for 10 years of service.

The Zielonkas Turn Believing into

ACHIEVING Story and photos by Carol Leonard

O

n a small desktop inside a cluttered little office off the production floor at Precision Motors, John Zielonka proudly displays a photo of himself and his son Peter. The two are shown toasting each other with champagne at the grand opening of their business in July of 2000.

The frame that surrounds the picture is engraved with a verse that begins, “Success is the sweet reward for turning believing into achieving.”

20

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

From when he first set foot on American soil in 1962, the 75 yearold Ukrainian-born elder Zielonka had dreamed of starting his own business. But with a family to support, the hard-working motor technician just couldn’t put all the pieces together to make his vision a reality.

That was until he partnered with his ambitious youngest son to start a fledgling little motor repair shop that in just 10 years has grown into a highly successful, multifaceted business.

Tucked away on Sebago Street, a short one-way road off the lower end of Van Houten Ave., Precision Motors started out in a small warehouse type building that since has been more than doubled in size.

The business also includes another building across the street.

“In the beginning, it was just four walls with me and my father tinkering around with some small motors,” Peter said. “I never expected it to get this big this quickly.”

r n

r

t r l r

The Jozsa Family, now in our second generation...

We’ll Mail Your Easter Order!

• Holiday Hams & other

Traditional Easter Foods • Pork, Beef, Cheese &

Meat Products • Home Style Smoked Bacon

& Smoked Sausages • We make our own Salami

& offer many fine Imports

We now bake Homemade Hungarian Rétes Rétes, or Strudel, is one of Hungary’s most renowned dishes. We bake it like in the old days and offer it to you in Lekvar, Poppyseed, Sour Cherry, Apple. Apricot or Cheese.

Our cases are filled with fresh Poppyseed, Lekvar, Apricot and other Hungarian Spices!

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

21

Welcome to The Village: Self Reliance (NJ) Federal Credit Union 237 Dayton Ave. 973-772-0620

Taxes, Financial, Professional Services

Supermarkets & Specialty Foods

John Scarlato CPA (973) 772-1840 Sadowski and Associates (973) 546-700 Wasserstrum & Fabiano (973) 546-3800 Botany Village Check Casher (973) 928-3280 LAB Financial & Tax Service LLC (973) 365-1522

Pathmark Botany Plaza (973) 253-2432 Peoples Choice Market (973) 340-6057 Super Exito Supermarket (973) 478-1869 Clifton Live Poultry (973) 546-4925 DeLuxe International Foods (973) 246-7861 Polish Delicacy House (973) 340-0699 Stefan and Sons Meat Store (973) 546-3288 Taste of Mediterranean Sarajavo (973) 253-0700

Banks / Mortgages Investors Savings (973) 253-8020 TD Bank (973) 253-2021 Bank of America 800-432-1000 Clifton Savings Bank (973) 546-3320 Capital One (973) 546-2585

Easter Gifts & Services Delicje Polish Candy Store (973) 546-1602 Johnny’s Liquor Gourmet Baskets (973) 546-9813 ARS Cathloica Gift Shop (973) 772-3187 Botany Village Jewelers (973) 272-8008 Damiano Pharmacy (973) 546-6700 Angelo Custom Tailor (973) 546-4203

22

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

e

DINE, SHOP, STROLL www.HistoricBotany.com Contact: John Penkalski: 973-546-9813 or Joe Nikischer: 609-731-5454 Greg Mayo: gmayo@AmericanCleanAndSafe.com

The 37 year-old younger Zielonka said he often watched his father work on electric motors as a boy, and he was always fascinated with how things are put together and how they work.

While growing up in Clifton, he enjoyed attending sheet metal class at CHS, and he went on to take wood shop at Wallington High School when his family moved to that community in his junior year.

After graduation, he attended Bergen Community College, taking business classes for about a year. “I didn’t do very well and I just wasn’t interested,” he said.

Peter dropped out of Bergen Community and eventually enrolled at Southwestern Technical College in Jackson, Minnesota. The school offers one of the only training programs in the country in electric motor repair. He finished at the top of his class.

“As soon as I found the thing that I was interested in, I focused on it,” he said. “I graduated with honors.”

When he returned home, Peter went to work for the same motor repair company where his father worked until the two decided to venture out on their own.

Today, workers at Precision Motors repair and rebuild hundreds of different types and sizes of motors for all kinds of industries, from schools and hospitals, to utility companies, amusement parks and everything in between. From the smallest swimming pool pumps to huge motors found on ships and in refineries, you name it and you will see it in the company’s shop. The City of Clifton, including its Fire Department and DPW, and the Board of Education are among the company’s clients.

“People don’t realize how often and where motors are used in daily

life,” Peter said. “Manufacturers have hundreds of them and even when a small one breaks down, it can affect the whole operation.”

With no real business plan in mind when he and his father started the company, the younger Zielonka, who is listed on the company’s profile as its owner and president, said that he built the business from the bottom up by pounding the pavement. “I would just walk into factories and introduce myself,” he said.

“I’d say to them, let me show you what we can do.”

The Zielonkas hired their first employee, Arnold Sisco, in 2001, and he has been with them ever since. They recently presented him with a plaque for 10 years of service. “I never expected to have more than two or three employees,” Peter said. But today, Precision Motors employs 29 workers and has never had to lay anyone off.

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

23

SELF RELIANCE (NJ) FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

BOTANY VILLAGE OFFICE / HOURS 237 Dayton Avenue

973-772-0620

We’ve Arrived!

Visit Our New Botany Village Location.

Great Rates! Great Service!

PRINCIPAL OFFICE: 851 Allwood Rd., Clifton 973-471-0700

24

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

Mon: 12PM - 7PM Tue: 9AM - 4PM Thu: 9AM - 4PM Fri: 12PM - 7PM Sat: 9AM - 1PM

Toll Free: 1-888-BANKUKE

www.bankuke.com

E

About a year and a half ago, the Zielonkas purchased a division of Continental Electric Company and they expanded from just motor repairs and rebuilding to manufacturing of motors, from raw material to finished product. They also stock and sell motor parts to businesses all over the world. This was the reason for the addition of the second building.

“It opened up a lot of doors for us,” Peter said of the new venture.

“We own the rights to a lot of parts.”

Among their latest projects, they are building a 900 horsepower, 14,000 pound motor that will be shipped to Africa for use at a refinery.

As CEO, Peter hasRa second floor

office in the main building.

But, during the day, he moves miles, running from his office down to the reception area, onto the factory floor or across the street to the other building, then back up to his office to answer phones and deal with paperwork.

N

Meanwhile, John is happy to be part of the crew, working mostly on the repair of small motors. Ten years past retirement age, he still puts in 10-hour days and is not an office kind of guy. “I don’t want to do anything with paperwork,” he said. “I work with my hands.”

The elder Zielonka is also very proud of his son’s accomplishments in developing the company into what it is today. “It was my dream,” he said with a tear in his eye. “But I never expected all of this so soon.”

The nature of their business requires a quick turnaround, especially when a malfunctioning motor brings a client’s operations to a halt.

So, as Peter said, “there’s a lot of shifting around everyday when priorities change.” The workers also need to adapt to the circumstances.

For example, a crew of three men recently had to spend a Sunday in an operating room at Hackensack

University Medical Center rebuilding a fan motor. Sunday was the only day the room wasn’t being used.

Peter gives a lot of credit to his workers for the company’s success and he knows what skills and dedication it takes to complete the tasks at hand. “I used to do this work myself, so I know it’s not easy,” he said.

“They’re a great team. If I need something in an emergency, they’re always here for me.”

Precision Motors is a true family business. Peter’s wife Jody does the bookkeeping, working from home, caring for Nicholas, 9; Alex, 7; and Anna, 5. Her mother Kathy also pitches in to help and Peter brings his kids into work on occasion and lets them get their hands on the motors.

Peter arrives at work at 7 am and leaves at 5 pm, and puts in one late evening a week to catch up on paperwork. He also works most Saturdays.

When not at work or on the job, Peter

enjoys spending time with his kids, which includes coaching their baseball and soccer teams. The family is also very involved with the Ukrainian community in the area.

“I’m very blessed that I have good people working for me, so I can leave to be with my family,” he said.

“That’s an important priority for me.”

Peter knows that he is a lucky man to be running such a successful business, especially in this time of economic downturn. “To me, it’s more like a hobby,” he said. “I really enjoy it. My friends make fun of me because I like my job so much.”

Most of all, in a day and age when so many companies are sending their manufacturing jobs out of the country, the Zielonkas are proud of the fact that what they produce is made in America – and made in Clifton.

For more about Precisions Motors, visit the company website at: www.precisionmotors.net.

Easter Ham, Roast & Lamb

www.stefanandsons.com April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

25

made in

CLIFTON

Neal Goldenberg holds a small turbine manufactured at Polymer Technologies on Clifton Blvd.

Manufacturing, streamlined

GETTING LEAN

By Joe Hawrylko

T

he powerful rainstorm on March 10 brought flooding and power outages across northern New Jersey. For some, this meant a few hours in the dark, for others, a little longer morning commute. But at Polymer Technologies, Inc., blackouts had a profound impact on business.

This manufacturing giant in a large building with an art deco facade on Clifton Blvd., utilizes countless machines and well paid, highly trained technicians to manufacture a wide variety of plastic and metal injection 26

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

molded items. These small items have a wide range of uses in the aerospace, healthcare, commercial and military fields. The day after the deluge, when power shut down the plant, machines got backed up, products idled on the line and no doubt, shipments were delayed.

Sound complicated? Costly? It is.

PTI President Neal Goldenberg is ultimately the one who must figure out how to get the plant up and running, and how to make up for delays. And the answer isn’t as simple as making everyone work overtime.

Great stores and services at the Allwood Circle

GNC Vitamins, Supplements

Largo House Nail & Spa Facial Care, Waxing, Body Treatment

FYE Music, Movies, Video Games & more

ACME (973) 594-0590 AC Moore (973) 470-8885 Antonio’s Hair Stylist (973) 472-1011 Atlanta Bread Company (973) 777-2211 Avant Garde Salon (973) 778-0557 Bertelli’s Liquors (973) 779-0199 Chiropractic Center at Styertowne (973) 777-6995 Cleaners 2000 (973) 614-1400 F.Y.E. (973) 778-8759 Corbo Jewelers (973) 777-1635 Crystal Optics (973) 594-0020 CVS Pharmacy (973) 778-7630 Dollar Tree (973) 249-7530 Dress Barn (973) 249-0322 Dunkin Donuts & Baskin Robbins (973) 473-9631 Exchange Florist (973) 594-0700 Footnotes Bookstore (973) 779-6122 GNC (973) 779-1500 Kid City (973) 614-1111 Kim’s Nail Salon (973) 471-8118 Largo House Nail & Spa (973) 777-9784 Lucille Roberts (973) 262-3802 Moda Shoes & Co. (973) 777-4700 Modells (973) 779-5253 Pet Stuff (973) 778-1617 The Season’s Fine Chinese Cuisine (973) 777-8073 Radio Shack (973) 777-7931 Shereeds Ladies & Mens Clothing (973) 773-1673 Styertowne Bakery (973) 777-6193 Subway (973) 685-9992 Taste of Tuscany (973) 916-0700 US Post Office (973) 473-4946 Valley National Bank (973) 777-6283

Offices at Styertowne

Bertelli’s Liquors Wine, Liquor, Spirits & Love Potions

• Heat & A/C • Electric • Daily Janitorial • Free Parking • 24 Hour Access • Elevator

Available 700 Sq. Feet & Up: Your monthly lease in our office suites on the 2nd floor include the amenities at the right plus easy access to Route 3 and Express Bus Service to NYC. On the ground floor, you are steps from great restaurants, shopping, banking and the Post Office.

Call Jamie Wohr: 973-591-5222

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

x 16 27

28

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

A machine can only churn out so many items in a given timeframe, capping production. Employees also have a limit, and since many products require a human hand at some point along the line, this is a malleable barrier.

Shipping, machine availability and many other nuances go into the equation at PTI. It may seem overwhelming, but Neal, a second generation owner, has the industry experience and the academic credentials to find the quickest way to get the plant up to speed without sacrificing too much on the bottom line.

The solution, he said, isn’t so much working harder as it is working a little bit smarter.

Creating efficiency is what Neal does on a daily basis, utilizing the principles of Lean Manufacturing, which entails preserving the value of a good while decreasing the time that it takes a product to go from conception to completion.

This is expressed through value stream charts and other algorithms that seem like gibberish to the layman but detail every single process in the 150,000 sq ft building.

Though he has a background in finance, graduating from UMass Amherst and later receiving an MBA at NYU, Neal gained factory experience in his early years at PTI while working for his father and founder, Mel. “He never knew it, but I used to come in here on the weekends just to understand how things worked,” recalled Neal.

The 38 year old began working at PTI in January of 1997. So new to the industry was he that Neal, for just a brief moment, began to reconsider his decision to join after being

A scientist by training, an entrepreneur by nature, Mel Goldenberg is the founder of PTI. He still gets to mix his love of science and sales to promote the firm.

assaulted by the distinct and omnipresent aroma of raw CPVC. “My dad said it’s the smell of money,” laughed Neal. “I’ve been hooked ever since.”

In the decade and a half since he joined, the business has seen steady growth with Neal’s focus on business and new markets juxtaposed by his father’s expertise in science and technology.

“We have nothing to argue about,” said Mel, whose academic credentials include a Bachelors in mechanical engineering from City College and a Masters in polymer chemistry at Princeton. “We have different specialities.”

It was his expertise as an engineer that ultimately convinced Mel to set out on his own in 1987. Prior

to that, he was employed by a toy manufacturing company.

The decision was two fold: The toy manufacturing industry was going overseas, and the music reeds (made through injection molding) used in some of the goods developed by his former employer proved to have use in the much more lucrative medical and military fields.

“It ended up being used for smoking surgery, for people without voiceboxes,” recalled Mel. Further tweaks gave way to the development of a stall speed indicator in airplanes.

Mel followed the industry trends and began manufacturing products out of his factory, which was located in a 35,000 square foot facility in Athenia, at 35 Monhegan St. April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

29

“It was a cut throat industry with small margins,” Neal said of the toy market. Mel’s former employer closed for good three years later, while he continued to enjoy success in new fields. “It’s strictly luck,” said Mel. “The harder I work, the luckier I get.”

Innovations and identifying market trends spurred success in the 1990s. When plastic molding started becoming common place, PTI added metal injection to diversify its product line.

“We had about 15 to 18 employees and went up to 50 or 60.

We were doing three shifts for six days a week,” said Neal.

However, perhaps the greatest boon for business was once again, a matter of luck and time. In 2002, the landlord of the Monhegan St. facility began raising rates to such a level that the Goldenbergs began looking elsewhere out of necessity.

However, the scope was limited. Despite competition from overseas competitors, the family was determined to stay in the area to keep the workforce intact.

“We love Clifton. It’s very accessible for our workers to get here,” said Neal. “The population is a wonderful mix of residential and commercial.”

The search brought them to Clifton Blvd., where a 150,000 sq ft facility was for sale. The Goldenbergs purchased the facility, allowing for continued growth. In the meantime, it also gave them the ability to sublease to tenants.

Among them is Harry Benedikt of Precise Components.

30

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

On the day following the storm and the shut down of machinery and ovens at PTI, a technician works with a team of co-workers to get the line up and running.

His adjacent machine shop now handles many processes that used to be outsourced near and far by PTI and the two have a close working relationship. Collaboration and sharing technology—even employees as projects dictate—is important to the success of PTI. Assessing their own firm, it also helps to acknowledge strengths and weaknesses.

“I’m not an expert, but I hire experts,” said Neal of his neighbor.

PTI takes up roughly 90,000 sq ft, while Precise utilizes about 14,000.

“I need a machine shop I can rely on. I get real time feedback. It’s a perfect situation.”

In another money saving move, the front of the PTI building, on Clifton Blvd., is subleased to a physicians groups, giving the Renal Center of Passaic good visibility and access for its patients.

Real estate may be a good investment but the essence of PTI remains technology and science. That’s why PTI remains competitive in the industry, having achieved SAE AS9100B certification, an Aerospace Quality Standard that affirms the quality of the products leaving the factory.

“The amount of paperwork weighs more than the product itself,” recalled Mel of all the work put into filing for the certification.

“It’s a five year program.”

It also requires employees be trained and certified, as well as other inspections. The benefit is a guarantee that simply can’t be matched by competitors who cut corners or mass produce items overseas using cheap labor and lax regulations.

As the Goldenberg family can attest, the term Made In Clifton has certainly become more sophisticated and complicated over the decades.

North Jersey Eye Associates

Considering

Eye Surgery?

M

Choose the Eye Surgeons Known for the Best Quality Eye Care

Reputation and Experience Counts

North Jersey Eye Associates 1005 Clifton Ave., Clifton, NJ

973-472-4114 For directions and more information

William S. Lesko, M.D. F.A.C.S. Stuart E Wunsh, M.D. F.A.C.S. Cecily Lesko, M.D. F.A.C.S. Patricia Cucci, M.D. F.A.C.S.

Same Day, Sutureless, Laser Surgery

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

31

made in

CLIFTON

Owner Harry Benedikt holds a cobalt chrome hip ball while machinist Jessie Rodriguez displays the other samples.

Precise Components keeps Clifton Connected to the

HIP BONE Story and photos by Tom Hawrylko

I

n a Clifton Blvd. warehouse filled with high tech machinery, a handful of men and even a robot, Harry Benedikt is working on making new and improved ball heads for use in hip surgeries of the not too distant future.

His company, Precise Components, is a small firm which conducts manufacturing research and development for a division of Stryker Orthopedics.

“They dream it up and we make it happen,” Benedikt explained of the folks he works with at the Mahwah based medical technology company. “Our customers do the science behind it. They explain it to us and we try and understand what they want. Then we put our expertise to the early stages of the manufacturing process.

We often support and develop the first few stages of their ideas.”

32

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

On a recent afternoon, Benedikt and machinist Jessie Rodriguez were shuffling between work stations doing finish work on a cardboard egg tray of about a half dozen cobalt chrome ball heads for hip implants.

Would this little shinny item, made in Clifton on the floor of a subleased factory, end up on the operating room table and then in one of the 193,000 hip replacement surgeries conducted every year in America?

“No they won’t,” Benedikt answered before explaining: “They will be used by scientists and R&D people at Stryker to test mechanical properties, longevity and other applications.”

Up until 1999, Benedikt was a process development engineer employed by Stryker in Rutherford. His job was to innovate manufacturing systems for emerging products, helping inch new product development from R&D to production. Those items would be sold to surgeons and eventually be implanted in to the tops of the legs of those 193,000 Americans.

But 1999 was beginning of a changing economy for items made in America. Benedikt and hundreds of thousands of other middle class working people would lose their jobs as manufactorys plants across the north east were closed and jobs exported overseas.

Times were changing and American factories were hit hard. Knowing the industry so well, Benedikt stayed close with employees and vendors from his former employer and began picking up work at different shops, even working as a consultant for Stryker.

He knew his stuff and his knowledge and work ethic were valued. Among the part time work he was doing was for an older gentlemen that operated a one man machine shop doing work for Stryker. “Stryker people suggested we get together and I bought the business from him. That was in 2000,” recalled Benedikt.

Since that leap, business has grown steadily and so has his firm. By investing about $1 million in technology and keeping tuned in to his clients, Precise Components now has eight employees, having recently hired a supervisor to keep production moving.

Styrker is their largest client but Precise Components also does contract machinery for a number of local firms, including their landlord, Polymer Technologies. The relationship is so good between the two, the employees of the companies even collaborate on certain projects, sharing ideas and technologies.

“We are a prototype shop,” Benedikt said later, explaining the niche the firm has found. “We’re pretty good at doing unconventional manufacturing. We do a lot of stuff other shops don’t do.”

Trying to explain the finer points of the processes he has custom designed for firms, both large and small, Benedikt holds a cobalt chrome hip ball between his fingers and ponders the best way to explain it: “Hip balls are just not hip balls anymore,” he laughed. “Our job is to nail down the manufacturing process so that it all works smoothly.”

And likely, that’s a long time before it finds its way from a Clifton Blvd. warehouse on to a surgical table.

772-8451

973Roofing • Siding Seamless Gutters Additions • Alterations

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

33

made in

CLIFTON

HAND CRAFTED IN CLIFTON

By Carol Leonard

I

n a day and age of cookie-cutter type products, often mass produced in China and other countries over seas, it is refreshing to know that hand-craftsmanship and pride in workmanship are still alive and well at the Wagner Rack Company in Clifton.

Located at the far end of Broad St., near the border of Paterson, Wagner Rack is owned and operated by Wendy Prior and her brother, Ron Wagner Jr. The business was 34

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

started more than 40 years ago by their father, Ron Wagner Sr. After a stint in the Navy, the elder Wagner had become a union carpenter, a job that paid well when the work was there. But with a family to support, Wagner Sr. took on a side job working for a business that made wooden display racks for books and magazines.

When the owner passed away and his son took over the business,

Wagner Sr. became increasingly frustrated over what he felt was the son’s lack of professionalism.

Eventually, the son accepted Wagner Sr.’s offer to buy the business in 1970.

Working out of a small space that he rented in Wallington, Wagner Sr. essentially ran the business as a one man operation.

“He literally would get an order, go out and buy the supplies and go

On the production floor at Wagner Rack, owners Wendy Prior and Ron Wagner Jr.

back and make the product,” Prior explained. “Then he would change into a suit to meet with clients.”

As the quality of Wagner Sr.’s work became known, his business began to grow. He hired some workers to help him and in 1977 purchased the Broad St. building.

Prior had just graduated from high school and, while attending Fairleigh Dickinson University, she worked part-time for he father doing invoicing and other clerical work in the office. Her younger brother would help out in the production area.

“My father had this old fashion vision for me,” Prior said. “I was going to become a secretary, get married and be a stay at home mom like my mother. He would never let me set foot in the factory.”

Jose Rodriguez works on a checkout counter for Dollar General stores.

Prior completed her degree in business and production management, with some coursework in finance, and continued to work in the office at Wagner Rack.

The Original of Botany Village is back in Clifton...now at...

Meanwhile, Wagner Jr. went to work full-time with his father right out of high school.

In 1985, at the age of 53, Wagner Sr. abruptly died at home of a heart attack, leaving his children to continue the business. “It was so sudden and unexpected,” Prior said.

“We had to put our heads together and figure out what to do.”

The two siblings, ages 26 and 22 at the time, continued the company’s specialization in producing book and magazine racks for book stores and retail outlets. Eventually, the smaller book stores they serviced were being phased out by the larger chains and their own suppliers.

The advent of Kindles and ebooks also shrank the market, so to survive they decided to expand to other products and clients.

1132 Route 46 West Across from Fette Ford, Just past the Hearth

Homemade Pasta

FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1953

Made Fresh Daily

Over 50 Varieties

We’re Here 7 Days a Week Mon - Fri : 10 am - 7 pm • Sat & Sun : 9 am - 4 pm

See our Menu, Order Online!

www.mariaspasta.com Back in 1953, Maria Leonardi opened a small shop on Parker Ave. in Botany Village called Maria’s Ravioli.

There she made and sold a variety of pasta products and sauces, all from fresh ingredients. Dishes enjoyed for generations in villages throughout Italy—and in North Jersey—inspired her menu. It is a tradition carried on today, through a third generation of the Leonardi family, giving today’s Nonna Maria’s its authentic Italian fare.

ORDER EARLY! Keep the Easter Tradition Alive.

Order your Party Tray of Lasagna, Manicotti, Stuffed Shells and More

Take Home Meals • Over 50 Homemade Pastas • Ravioli • Sauces April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

35

Chuck Banghardt assembles one of 250 wooden pushcart displays for Jim Beam bourbon company's Cinco de Mayo promotion. In the finishing area, Jose Cancel applies varnish to one of the pushcart displays for that job.

Today, a large percentage of the company’s business is the construction of fixtures of various sizes and shapes, known as point-of-purchase displays. Many of these are used to show and promote certain products often found in supermarkets, outlet stores such as Walmart and even smaller specialty stores.

An example of their work can be seen in Stop & Shop Supermarkets through Wagner’s client, Butterfly Bakery, which is on Clifton Blvd.

While some of their orders are for standard displays, much of what they produce is handmade custom design, using exact specifications, descriptions or photos supplied by the client. And, while in the past all of their racks were made of wood, today’s products also include laminate and metal displays.

“On any given day, you’ll see something different that we’re working on,” Prior said. “Everything here is specialized. We’re not a rubber stamp operation.” Prior and her brother employ 15 machinists, assemblers and finishers in their 32,000 foot facility, which they have doubled in size since the death of their father. They have also added to and upgraded their equipment to accommodate construction of their expanded product line.

Recently, most of the workers in the shop were focused on assembling an order for 250 small wooden garden carts for a display planned for Cinco de Mayo by the Jim Beam bourbon company.

Sections of the carts could be found in different areas of the production floor, where workers cut the wood, hand assembled, sanded and varnished the various sec36

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

tions before the carts were put together and the metal wheels were attached.

Those who weren’t assigned to the Jim Beam job, were working on an order for checkout counters for the Dollar General outlet stores.

Among their most exciting jobs in recent years, Prior said, was an order for racks to display the latest Guitar Hero video game. “My kids thought that was pretty cool,” she commented.

Among the most nerve wracking and largest orders was a request about a year and a half ago for 2,600 display racks for Walmart.

“The turnover time was supposed to be six weeks, but it was moved up two weeks,” Prior said. “I thought, how are we ever going to do this? But everybody just rolled up their sleeves and we got it done.”

Prior and her brother shared the bonus they received for rushing the order with all of their workers.

The siblings divide the workload of running the company, with Prior handling most of the administrative and financial end of the business and Wagner Jr. overseeing purchasing and supervising production.

In spite of her father’s aversion to her being involved in the hands-on side of the business, Prior admits that when a deadline for an order is looming, she will often pin up her hair and go out to the factory floor to help with whatever needs to get done.

Other than a Web site, Wagner Rack doesn’t do any advertising. Pretty much all of their business is from word of mouth and referrals from other clients.

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

37

38

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

“We offer competitive pricing, good service and quality products,” Prior commented. “My father always said, when you price things, always price them fairly. The day they figure out that you ripped them off is the day you’ll lose their business.”

The other secret to their success, Prior said, is the hard work and loyalty of their employees, many of whom have been with the company for 10 years or more. “They’re the backbone of the business. I have what I feel is From left in a 1970’s photo: Dominic Offreda, Neil Wagner who is brother to the most loyal, hardworking and ethfounder Ron, at center, Patsy (unsure of last name) and Dominic Cassella. Offreda and Cassella, the two Doms, still work for the Broad St. firm. ical group of people. They’re like family to me. I would trust my life Like most siblings, Prior and Wagner Jr. admit that with any of them.” they’ve had their moments with each other, but the two Like many small business owners, Prior and Wagner are very proud of the way they came together to continJr. have felt the pinch of the economic downturn. ue and expand the business that their father started over “I run everything very frugally,” she said. “But it’s a four decades ago. buyers market out there and vendors are not paying as “I feel like he watches over us,” Prior said. “How I quickly as they used to.” wish I could bring him back for just one day to see what Prior also commented that the cost of providing health we have done.” insurance to their employees had gone up 18 percent this You can learn more about Wagner Rack by visiting year and they had to make some adjustments in the benthe company Web site at: www.wagnerrack.com. efits package that they offer to the workers.

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

39

T H E 2 0 1 1 O P T I M I S T C L U B AW A R D S

At Courtney’s wedding on May 12, 2007, from left: Jon, Eileen and Jack, Courtney and Kevin Shannon and Lindsay and Tom Moore.

Jack Whiting

LIFE COACH

By Carol Leonard

M

any people in Clifton know Jack Whiting as the city’s mild mannered tax assessor, a position he has held for more than two decades.

But next month, Whiting will be honored not for his work at city hall, but for the countless hours that he has put in as a volunteer coach in town. On May 22 he will receive the Community Service Award 40

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

from the Clifton Optimist Club at its annual awards dinner at the recreation center.

The lifelong Clifton resident, who still lives in the same home where he grew up, attended School 3 and what was then Christopher Columbus Jr. High before moving up to Clifton High School, where his graduated in 1966.

While at CHS, Whiting got involved in the school’s new interscholastic wrestling program and

went on to become Clifton’s first two time district champion.

Following high school, he attended Kent State University in Ohio, where he studied liberal arts with a concentration in journalism and took some education courses.

Although he wasn’t sure at the time what he planned to do with his degree, the thought had crossed his mind that he might follow in the footsteps of his dad, who had been a sports writer for the old

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

41

Whiting also recalled an incident before the shootPaterson Morning Call and The Record newspapers. ings where he and several friends were knocked to the Whiting’s final days at Kent State in the spring of ground by guardsmen. “We weren’t doing anything, 1970 were a very memorable and tragic time in our just walking across campus,” he said. nation’s history, and he painfully remembers the scene “It was a very tragic and unfortunate situation. They very vividly. were just kids,” he reflected about the guardsmen, “and It was at the height of the Vietnam War and the anti-war we were just kids. It was a mistake to atmosphere on campus reflected what bring them into such a volatile situawas going on at nearly every other colTickets to the Clifton tion. It just created a war zone.” lege and university around the country.

Optimist Club awards That following summer, Whiting Demonstrations against the war by studinner, which will be and his friends went backpacking in dents, many fearful of being drafted to held on May 22 at the fight in a war they didn’t believe in, Clifton Recreation Center Europe. It was a trip that had been planned to celebrate their graduation, were a common occurrence. at 1232 Main Ave., but it also served to help clear their When the protests heated up folare $35. For info, heads of the eerie final days they had lowing the expansion of our military call Tom Hawrylko spent as college students. into Cambodia, Ohio’s governor at at 973-253-4400.

Upon returning home to Clifton, the time, James Rhodes, ordered Whiting became a substitute teacher in Paterson. He National Guard troops to the Kent State campus. also received a surprise phone call from the director of At one point during a huge demonstration on May 4, the old Pope Paul VI High School on Valley Road to 1970, National Guardsmen fired 67 rounds into the crowd, ask him to start a wrestling program at the school. killing four students and wounding nine others. A number “It was totally out of the blue,” he said. “I had no of those shot had merely been walking by the demonstraclue what to do, but I decided to accept the challenge.” tion or observing it from a distance.

Whiting served as head wrestling coach at Pope Paul VI Photos of the incident, including one of a young for 10 years, where he built the program and coached a woman kneeling over the body of one of the victims, number of championship athletes. were broadcast around the country and around the world.

42

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

43

Through fundraisers for the team, he also got to know the parents and other members of his wrestlers’ families, including his wife Eileen, whose brother Jimmy was on the team. He started dating Eileen and the two were married in July 1975.

At the time, he had also been recruited by the Clifton Recreation Department to start a junior wrestling program in town.

Whiting attributes the start of his career with the tax assessment office as being in the right place at the right time. About a year after coming home from college, he happened to be at City Hall to testify in court as a witness in a break in, when he heard about an entry level opening in the office. He pursued the lead and was hired as a junior assistant assessor. Eventually, he was appointed as tax assessor in 1988.

Whiting gave up his part-time coaching job at Pope Paul VI in 1980 to spend more time with his family.

“It took up an awful lot of my time,” he said. “After working all day for the city, then going there to coach, I wasn’t getting home until after 8:30 every night. I had two young daughters and I felt it was time to move on.”

And move on he did. But this time, instead of coaching wrestling as a paid member of the staff, Whiting took on the role as volunteer coach at Northern Division Little League, coaching tee ball, softball and baseball as his three children, Lindsay, now 33, Courtney, 31 and Jon, 24, were growing up. He even stayed on to coach after his kids had graduated from the Little League program.

The hardest part of coaching his own kids, he recalled, was trying not to show favoritism. “I didn’t treat them any better than any of the other players,” he said.

Whiting has many fond memories of coaching a group of softball players who stayed together for a number of years and won two city championships. Several of his former players, including Kim and Jamie Anzaldi, went

on to play in high school and were members of the 1997 and ’98 undefeated CHS state championship teams.

“Those girls just loved coming to practice,” he said.

“We used to practice every night until it was dark. I had so much fun watching them. They just enjoyed the game so much.”

When Whiting’s son was in first grade, he helped to revive the junior wrestling program, which had since become defunct. The program was taken up by the Clifton Junior Mustangs football program.

Whiting stayed involved as a coach with the Clifton Junior Mustangs wrestling program until just this year, when he decided it was time for others to assume the coaching reigns for the program.

Over the years since his children were small, Whiting figures that he put in 43 seasons as a volunteer coach.

Asked why he continued as a volunteer for so long beyond his own children’s involvement he said, “I just really enjoy working with kids and watching their progression. It makes me feel good to think that I helped take them to the next level.”

Whiting has also served since 1996 as a member of the CHS Athletic Hall of Fame Committee. The group reviews nominations of outstanding CHS athletes from the past and selects honorees for induction into the Hall of Fame about every two years.

When not involved in volunteering or at his city hall job, Whiting enjoys being with Eileen, his wife of 35 years, and the rest of his family. In a span of 29 months the Whitings’ two daughters gave them five grandchildren. “We spend a lot of time together and have a lot of fun,” he said.

Tickets to the Clifton Optimist Club awards dinner, which will be held on May 22 at the Clifton Recreation Center at 1232 Main Ave., are $35. For more information, call Tom Hawrylko at 973-253-4400.

We Keep the Fleet on the Street Proud to serve the Clifton, Passaic & Nutley Police & Fire Departments

• • • •

Domestics/Foreign Automatic/Manual Commercial Fleets Differentials, Clutches

45 Atlantic Way (790 Bloomfield Ave)

• • • •

Light/Medium Trucks Antiques & Classics 4 Wheel Drive Service A/C Systems & more

Call 973-472-2075 ask for Mark or Brian

Present this ad and save $100 off any overhaul 44

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

T H E 2 0 1 1 O P T I M I S T C L U B AW A R D S

Gloria Kolodziej

LIVING LIFE WITH COMPASSION

By Irene Jarosewich

I

n an overview of Clifton’s history in its March 2004 issue, this magazine wrote about Gloria Kolodziej: ….if the eighties belonged to any Clifton politician, it had to be Gloria Kolodziej, the city’s mayor from 1982 to 1990.

After serving out her late husband’s Joseph’s council term, Kolodziej became the city’s second female mayor, earning the most votes in the 1982 council election and then, as the headline (see next page) indicates ‘It’s Gloria!’ again in 1986. Kolodziej earned a reputation as an articulate and well-prepared leader from both political friends and foes alike… During her time as mayor, Kolodziej guided Clifton through a prosperous time that mirrored that nation’s fortunes and, in doing so, left her mark on our community …

After her term as mayor ended in 1990, Kolodziej – known to most in Clifton simply as Gloria – continued to serve on the City Council until 2010. For these decades of commitments to her community, the Clifton Optimist Club has chosen Kolodziej as the recipient of their 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award.

“I’m deeply honored that I’ve been chosen.

I’m always amazed what this small but dedicated group of individuals accomplishes,” she said about the Optimist Club, “and in my heart, I’m one of them. I’ve always considered myself to be an optimist.”

And, indeed, she is.

At 71, Kolodziej is dynamic - energetic, cheerful, kind. Given some of the hard blows that life has dealt her, you have to wonder how she does it.

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

45

“Faith,” she says, “that’s how my family has always done it. We lived our faith – seven days a week, 365 days a year – not just on Sunday. Deep roots that allowed me to grow tall. My family - the result of being raised in a warm and loving environment – raised with the belief that for all of us, God has a plan that will lead to a fulfilled and peaceful life if we choose to follow it.”

She recalls a story from early childhood, one that her mother often told her, one that shaped her life: “I was four and a half years old when I fell out of a car. It was a freak accident. My mother was driving on Route 46 and I was in the backseat. I had often seen my parents open the car door from the inside and decided to try it myself.

You can image, a moving car, the lightweight body of a four year old – I just flew out of the back door.

She rushed me to a nearby doctor’s office - Dr. Sala on Randolph Ave. – he remained a special part of our family for years and became our family doctor – and he helped her. I was not expected to live. But I did. I lived. My mother called me ‘her private miracle’ and often said that God has better plans for me. I heard that throughout my childhood. No doubt, this influenced the way I see the world. I credit my mother, Josephine, for that.”

Born and raised in Clifton, Gloria and her sister Linda grew up in the Athenia section, where she continues to live in a house that she built with her husband, the late Joseph Kolodziej and where the family business, Conveyors by North American is located.

Her roots in Clifton go back several generations. Her maternal grandparents moved to Clifton from Passaic.

“My grandfather Manczur was Ukrainian, from a family of landed gentry – he was an educated man who came to America at the beginning of the 20th century.

46

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

However, there were no jobs for an immigrant that was educated, so he worked in the woolen mills in Passaic.

I never knew him, he died before I was born, but I believe that my love of music comes from him. He was well-educated about various musical traditions and he worked with Ukrainian churches in the area at the time, including St. Nicholas in Passaic.”

This love of music, she recalls, is a commonality that she shared with former Clifton Councilman Stefan Tatarenko with whom she served for many years. She smiles when she says that her grandparents moved from Passaic to Clifton “to live in the country.”

Clifton, she notes, was mostly farmland.

“When my grandparents moved here, they were the first Catholics in Athenia. At the time, everyone who lived here was Protestant, which back then, made a difference. I recall hearing how my grandmother, who was Polish, would bring fresh-baked goods to all the neighbors when they moved here, to introduce the family, to break down barriers. Apparently, she did this for the first six months and with time, the family was accepted. My grandmother was called Honeybunch. Whenever you would say Honeybunch around here, everyone knew who you were talking about.”

Honeybunch. Gloria. Hmmm…. One-word monikers spoken with admiration. Seems to run in the family. Like grandmother, like granddaughter.

Kolodziej also credits her strength of character to her father’s family, who originally emigrated from Austria.

“My father, Charles Malitsch, was Austrian, a tall, athletic man. I get my athletic ability from him and from

him I learned the lesson to go after what you want in life, don’t let anything stop you from achieving. Dad had a rough life. At a young age, he wound up in orphanage in Passaic. He taught us that when something is bad in life, you have two choices – give in or rise above – he gave me the ability to hang in and be tough.”

Her late husband Joseph Stanley Kolodziej was also a Clifton native. “Joe graduated CHS in 1952, I graduated in 1957. I remember, as a young girl, watching Joe play football,” said Kolodziej almost giggling.

“After we were married, we were thinking of maybe moving away from Clifton, but then Joe looked at me and asked ‘why? – all our family is here, our friends are here’. So, here we built our house, in Athenia, with a big kitchen, because Joe predicted that the kitchen would become our gathering place. And so it was.”

I’m not a great cook,” she laughs, “but I am a nurturer and love to give not only to my family, but to other families – it’s a way of life – a philosophy – one I grew up with that – one that Joe and I shared – and part of that was the joy of having people congregating over a meal.”

Gloria and Joe hoped to have a large family and were blessed with four children, Mary Jo, Joseph Charles, Thomas, and Jennifer. However, during those early years of their marriage, the Kolodziejs also experienced deep grief.

“Two of our children died early,” said Kolodziej quietly, “the first boy was born two months premature and died after only one week. The second boy, Michael, was born healthy, but then developed leukemia. He was two and half years old when he died. We had our two oldest children and my husband said ‘no more’ – that way we wouldn’t risk the pain again. But I felt differently. I knew we needed to try again. And thankfully, we had two more children. But losing a child - I know how that feels. This experience has gave me my motivation to help the next person.”

“When I was mayor,” she continued, “and parents of a sick child would approach me, for those who cared to listen, I would share my story. I could give them my compassion. And I would tell people ‘I can’t solve all of your problems, but I will try to give you access to a network that can help you.’ I would share with them my network of contacts. People knew that when they saw me coming for help, that I was not coming to ask for myself, but for somebody else. Very few people turned me down.”

Active in their church, and with a growing family, Joe Kolodziej was an engineer and worked with the former Grand Union food chain.

Gloria Kolodziej, a schoolteacher, taught English. “I spent a great deal of my life with young people,”

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

47

6 LIVE BANDS! 10th Annual Fundraiser Passaic-Clifton Chapter LOUNGE

UNICO Spring Concert Bliss Venue & Lounge, 955 Allwood Rd., Clifton 973-773-2110 • blisslounge.net

Sunday, May 15 4pm-12am Doors Open at 4 18 to Enter/21 to Drink

UNICO is Service Above Self Total Net Door & Bar Proceeds and 50/50s to Benefit • Unico Passaic/Clifton Chapter Scholarship Fund • Passaic & Clifton Police Unity Tour Funds • Clifton Junior Mustang Wrestling Team Uniform Fund

Advance Tickets $10 $12 at the Door. Contact: Bliss Lounge 955 Allwood Rd., Clifton Wed-Sat, 8-11 pm, 973-773-2110 Contact Bands for Advance Tickets

First Set: Swingman & the Misfit-Mutts Band 5:00 sharp!

Brookwood: 9:00!

Cash Bar

$4 Coors Light s $6 UV Vodka Drinks $1.50 Burgers , Hot Dog

Plus

Buco’s

s & More Menu Availabl e

plus DJ Lugghead 48

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

www.blisstickets.com

she says, “and that is probably one of the reasons why I belong to the optimists in life. That hopefulness, with that I always see an opportunity to make things better. I loved being in education, being a teacher.

I hate to hear now how teachers are being demonized. OK, hate my salary, but don’t hate what I do.”

She recalls that teaching not only gave her the opportunity to teach, but also to challenge her students, to influence them, to nurture them. “For a period, I taught at South High in Bloomfield. I often would stay late, I would open my classrooms to students. My classroom would be the place students would come and hang out, sometimes for several hours. I’m not even sure if you can do that anymore. But for many years afterward, students would come back to me and say ‘Thanks, Mrs. K – if it wasn’t for you, I’m not sure what

would have happened. I probably would have been a juvenile delinquent. I now realize you wanted to make sure that didn’t happen.’ It was gratifying to hear that from some of my students. Really, we’re all responsible for kids who have no good support system, to make sure that they don’t fall through the net.”

Tragedy, however, struck her life again in 1981 when her husband suddenly fell ill and unexpectedly passed away at the young age of 47.

In her early forties, she was a widow with four children, between the ages of 9 and 16. “I was terrified, filled with a dreadful fear,” she recalls, “all I could think about was how was I going to raise my children without him? He was so involved in their lives. And how was I going to support my family?

I knew I couldn’t do it on a schoolteacher’s salary.”

A few years earlier, the Kolodziejs had borrowed money and Joe set up a business to manufacture conveyors. After her husband died, Gloria’s first impulse was to sell the business, since she knew nothing about it. Her mother, however, convinced her at least to try to learn run the business, Conveyors by North American.

“My husband’s death convinced me that no one person achieves anything by themselves. It’s a lifetime achievement to build and use those networks of support. When my husband died, his friends came over and put a new roof on my house. My house needed a new roof – I said ‘I can’t afford a new roof and they said - we know, we said we’re going to put a new roof on your house, not you.’ In life you pay forward, in times of need, you get back. At my darkest hour, people were there for us. People

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

49

take care of each other. I will always be grateful to his friends, to all the people who came and helped us.”

To help her with the business, her father came out of retirement to run the shop floor, her mother quit her job to help Gloria in the office, and “my mother-in-law, who was in her eighties at the time, would come over every day to take care of the children. It was still unusual at that time for a woman to run a business, and what did I know? I was a teacher. I had to learn everything about the businesses, from bookkeeping to assembly to buying the raw materials.”

She also took on the commitment to finish her husband’s term on Clifton’s City Council.

“I wanted to finish his term,” she said, “I felt it was part of my transition. I knew how he was planning to vote on certain issues, I wanted to make sure his vote was heard. At first, I said that I wouldn’t run when his term ended, but as I came to meetings, I became involved and concerned. There were issues at stake that we both had cared about deeply.”

She adds ruefully, “I decided to run on my own, but I definitely did not expect to be highest vote getter.

Some said it was the ‘widow sympathy vote.’ Maybe. Probably.”

50

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

She began her first term as mayor in 1982, a novice to city management. “Fortunately so many good people stepped into my life and gave me crash courses in all aspects or running a city. I am a sponge. I love to learn. I soak up information. I read management books, I became known for doing my homework on all the issues. I also believe I brought a unique perspective. In turn, I am grateful for having had the opportunity. I grew personally.

And the skills that I acquired as mayor, I was also able to apply to running the family business.”

Though politics is still a part of her life now that her son Joe Kolodziej sits on the City Council, for herself, Gloria has put active politics behind her. She continues to serve on the Board of Commissioners for Passaic Valley Water Commission, but said “I’m in that phase in my life where I want to ease people’s lives, make other people’s lives more tranquil.”

She is very committed to the oneon-one counseling and assistance that she provides to victims of domestic violence, working as a volunteer at the Passaic County Women’s Center in Paterson.

Gloria Kolodziej calls Clifton home by choice, has deep roots here. In her lifetime, she has seen

Clifton transformed from a sleepy farm town to a mid-size city, from a rural to a suburban to an urban environment.

Reflecting on Clifton’s future, she’s a bit pensive, “At times, I miss the old Clifton, I’ll be honest. But I also know that things cannot stay static. Things are going to change and the city needs to be guided in the right direction. I know that I now live in an urban environment, but I believe that the same values, family-oriented and community values that have guided us in the past will continue to guide us in the future. If everyone will take just a little time to get involved, to make Clifton a better place, the city will attract newcomers who will also want to call Clifton home by choice.”

Asked if she were to give herself a lifetime achievement award, what it would be for, Kolodziej looks a bit taken aback for a second. Then she laughs. “Ha! So this is payback time for those days in classroom when I asked my students such questions.” Reflecting for a bit, she replies thoughtfully, “to have taken my God-given talents and use them to make a positive difference in the lives of the people that I have been privileged to touch. If I have done that, then I will have considered that I lived a worthwhile life.”

CHS Spring Sports Preview

The 2011 Lady Mustangs. Top row, from left: Kayla Meneghin, Callie Shanahan, Jess Jacobus, Meghan Fahy and Kelly Young. Middle: Naiasia McCoy, Kelly LaForgia, Amanda Marakovitz, Megan Ferrara and Renee Korczynski. Bottom: Heather Ranges, Christina Hlavaty, Felicia Costillo and Alexis Balkjy. Not pictured: Janine Giordano.

A

fter posting a 17-9 record in his first season, head coach Sal Anzaldi will have the challenge of replacing nine graduating seniors in a number of key positions. The new Lady Mustangs have offensive power, but it is defense, according to coach, that will ultimately dictate the fortunes of the team. And after

Go titleagencyofnjinc.COM

WWW.

returning from the annual Florida trip where the girls went 4-4-1, Anzaldi feels that the Lady Mustangs, given time, will pull together in the field.

“It was a very good outing because we’re a very young team,” said Anzaldi, who was impressed with pitchers, sophomore Amanda Marakovitz, a part timer on

Prompt, Professional, Dependable Title Service Throughout New Jersey

374 Clifton Avenue • Clifton (973) 253-2399 • (800) 61-TITLE April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

51

CHS Spring Sports Preview

CHS

Softball April 01 IHA

Varsity, and Callie Shanahan, a junior who pitched every game for JV. “We’re looking for big things out of both these kids,” he said. “Down in Florida, both got equal pitching time. They’ve done a nice job at this point so they’re both going to get pitching time.”

Catching will be Kelly LaForgia, a senior who will now move into the full time starting role. Junior Renee Korcyznski shifts from right field to first. Senior Megan Ferrara returns for her third year on Varsity at second base. Short stop is currently headed by junior Meghan Fahy.

Versatile sophomore Kayla Meneghin is also in the mix at what will be a very important position.

“You build defense up the middle.

You try to take your best athletes that

can handle shortstop and second base so you’re strong up the middle,” explained Anzaldi. “Now you try to find a rabbit that can play center field and run down balls. Then you build from there.”

At third base, junior Lexi Balkjy and sophomore Janine Giordano are competing for time, with the better hitter likely to emerge.

The outfield will feature speedy sophomore Heather Ranges in centerfield. Seniors Felicia Costillo (also 1B) and Asia McCoy and juniors Kelly Young and Tina Hlavaty make up the rest of outfield.

“We can play very well or very bad defensively,” said Anzaldi.

“We have to remain solid. Good pitching and good defense will win us games.”

April 02 at Wallkill Valley April 04 at Passaic

4:00PM 11:00AM 4:15PM

April 06 Eastside Paterson

4:15PM

April 08 at Wayne Hills

4:15PM

April 09 at Passaic Valley

7:00PM

April 11 Kennedy

4:15PM

April 13 at Passaic Cty Tech

4:00PM

April 15 Bergen Tech

4:15PM

April 18 at Wayne Valley

4:15PM

April 20 at IHA

4:15PM

April 21 at Union City

4:00PM

April 23 Pope John XXIII

5:00PM

April 23 Clifton Classic

5:00PM

April 25 Passaic

4:15PM

April 26 St. Mary's (Ruth)

4:00PM

April 27 at Kearny

4:00PM

April 29 at Eastside Paterson

4:15PM

May 02 Passaic Cty Tech

4:15PM

May 04 at Passaic Valley

4:15PM

May 06 at Kennedy

4:15PM

May 07 St. Dominic

10:00AM

May 09 Lakeland

4:15PM

May 11 West Milford

4:15PM

On June 7, Vote GOP STRONG Clifton’s Own

Michael L. McLaughlin Surrogate

Donna Anderson Michele Joustra Freeholders

Vote for the Kristin Corrado Team

The Real Republican Party

pd for by GOP Strong, Paid for by Committee toMark ElectJoustra Gary Passenti Treasurer

52

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

Vote 2-4-7 on April 27! polls open 1:30 to 9 pm

for Clifton Board of Education Paul

GRAUPE

#

Rosemary

PINO

Blase

BILLACK

2 4 7 #

#

Promises Made, Promises Kept!

• RESTORE TRUST IN THE COMMUNITY BY ENSURING TRANSPARENCY EXISTS ON THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

• EXERCISE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, WHILE NOT COMPROMISING OUR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION

• BEING INNOVATIVE TO COMMUNICATE WITH, AND IMPROVE PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

Paid for by Rosemary Pino for Clifton Board of Ed April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

53

CHS Spring Sports Preview

CHS

Baseball Senior members of the Mustang baseball team, clockwise from center: Edgar Lopez, Gianni Roman, Robert Marakovitz, Ryan Bergen, Mark Korczynski, Alex Alicea, Maxie Egyed, Delvin Brito, Michael Hidalgo.

T

hough the Mustangs matched last year’s 12-12 record, head coach Joe Rivera will not have the luxury of retaining his starting line up. In fact, the coach is faced with replacing an entire field due to graduation.

“We lost 10 seniors and all of them were starters,” said the former JV coach. “We have some kids that I brought up that I had a while ago.

When they were freshmen, they won 20 games. As sophomores, they won 20 games. They’re good players, but they’re inexperienced for now.”

Though it did not show in presea54

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

son, Rivera believes that the strength of the team will be offense, where the Mustangs have a nice blend of power and speed.

Junior Max McDonald, who sports the best arm and legs on the team, will start in center field and at the top of the order. He will be joined in the outfield by senior captain Max Egyed (also DH; 3rd in order) and classmate Rob Marakovitz, who will also be in the pitching rotation.

Other outfielders include seniors Edgar Lopez, Al Alicea and Joe DeJesus.

The infield will feature captain

April 01 at Don Bosco Prep

4:00PM

April 04 Passaic

4:15PM

April 06 at Eastside Paterson 4:15PM April 08 Wayne Hills

4:15PM

April 11 at Kennedy

4:15PM

April 12 at Ridgewood

4:00PM

April 13 Passaic Cty Tech

4:15PM

April 15 at Bergen Tech

4:15PM

April 17 at Montclair (SI)

5:00PM

April 18 Wayne Valley

4:15PM

April 20 Don Bosco Prep

4:15PM

April 21 at Teaneck

4:00PM

April 25 at Passaic

4:15PM

April 27 at Elizabeth

4:00PM

April 29 Eastside Paterson

4:15PM

May 02 at Passaic Cty Tech

4:15PM

May 04 Passaic Valley

4:15PM

May 06 Kennedy

4:15PM

May 07 County Tournament

TBA

May 09 at Lakeland

4:15PM

May 11 at West Milford

4:15PM

May 12 at Paramus Catholic 4:00PM May 17 at Bloomfield

7:00PM

May 19 at Kearny

4:00PM

Pulse Acupuncture Discover the power of Chinese Herbs • Auto Accident Injuries • Allergies • Asthma • Back, Neck, Shoulder, Knee & Joint Pain, Arthritis, Numbness, Burning Sensation • Depression, Anxiety • Headaches/Migraines • Women's Health (Infertility, irregular menses, UTI's, hot flushes)

• Men's Health (impotence, enlarged prostate)

• Stop Smoking

Marina Doktorman, M.S., L.Ac. Board Certified Diplomat Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine

• Discounts for Senior Citizens

Major Insurances : Blue Cross/Blue Shield, PHCS, Oxford, Aetna, Landmark; others + Auto Accident Coverage

Call for Your FREE consultation Pulse Acupuncture P.C. • 1030 Clifton Ave.

C.

973-778-0013

SE A UL

PUNC CU

RE TU P.

P

Adnan Pjetrovic behind the plate. The senior will bat clean up for the Mustangs.

Senior Mark Korczynsky will man first base and the mound on occasion. He is one of just a few Mustangs who previously saw limited action on Varsity.

Second base is a toss up between junior Jimmy Lavin and senior Gianni Roman.

Third base will be manned by Delvin Brito, a surprising senior who returns after forfeiting last year due to academic ineligibility. Sophomore Eric Ferrera could also see time at 3B or DH when he plays up on Varsity.

Junior Ryan Hariton bounced around the infield at times last year and has settled into shortstop.

Rivera expects to go with a pitching committee this year, headed by junior Pat Ferrara, who quarterbacked the Mustangs on the gridiron in the Fall, and Mike Hidalgo, who has emerged from the pack after not playing in 2010.

Other hurlers who will get some time on the mound include senior Ryan Bergen, Rob Marakovitz and senior Joe DeJesus, a speedster who can also play outfield.

“It’s our goal every year to get over .500 and make a run in the states and counties,” said Rivera. “The only thing we’re lacking is experience, but sometimes that doesn’t mean anything. They’re talented. Sometimes, you don’t need it.”

First Floor, Suite 4, Clifton Located within Prestige Dental Office www.pulseacupuncture.com

“No Strings Attached”

Judy Bassford • Education First • Community Involved • Fiscally Responsible

6

#

Board of Education

Judy and Keith with daughter, Samantha who attends Pace University and Keith who attends CHS Paid for by Committee to Elect Judith A. Bassford April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

55

CHS Spring Sports Preview

T

Front row, from left: Jessica Figueroa, Ektaa Rana, Indira Silverio and Desiree Douglas. Middle: Juan Beltran, John Sunday, Chinua McDonald and Bhavin Shah.

Back: Mikel Romero, Daniel Green, Noe Lara and Vatsal Shah

he Clifton girls had another excellent season, going 6-2 in dual meets enroute to a county crown and second place showings in both the relays and Tri-city events. “It was a great year,” said third year head coach Flo Calise. “We lost eight seniors but I think we’ll be able to rebound.”

Top seniors include Indiara Silverio, a talented sprinter.

Classmate Karina Carmichael will lead the pole vault and hurdle events. Distance events will be led by seniors Ana Carballo, Ektaa Rana and Priya Shah.

Senior Kriss Zambrano will compete in the long and triple jumps, as will classmate Desiree Douglass, who Calise is counting on to replace the production lost to graduation.

Junior Shianne Nevers will compete in hurdles and jump events. Classmate Monika Miazga earned All-County honors in

CHS

Track April 04 Eastside Paterson

4:15PM

April 09 at PC Relays

9:00AM

April 12 at Passaic

4:15PM

April 15 at Bergen Tech

4:15PM

April 16 at Morris Hills Relays April 18 Kennedy April 21 at Penn Relays April 23 at Randolph Relays

Front: Wojciech Losos, Mark Cruz and Kevin Ramirez. Middle: Mike Biondi, Charles Bucsko, Jr., Diego Vega, Adrian Camacho and Dave Alburo. Back: Ana Carballo, Priya Shah, Kriss Zambrano and Karina Carmichael.

56

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

TBA 4:15PM TBA 9:00AM

May 02 at Passaic Cty Tech

4:15PM

May 07 at Bernards Inv.

9:00AM

May 13 Big North Championship at Hackensack TBA

d , s e s d t o

a . l e d a

l e e g o

l p a n

indoor track and the sprinter will be counted on by Calise to perform this Spring.

Other juniors include Gabrielle Gonzaga in distance, Elizabeth Los in distance and hurdles, Wanda Martinez in sprints and Taylour Mauro and Yuria Yuasa in distance. Keep an eye for sophomores Tiera Elam in sprints and Nicole Buttel in the pole vault and IH. In contrast to the girls, the boys squad ended the season with a 3-2 mark that head coach John Pontes hopes to at least equal as the Mustangs aim to return to prominence.

One of the few returning veterans is Dan Green, a senior who competes in the 800 and 1,600 and was named to the All-County squad last year. “He’s one of the top middle distance runners in the area,” said Pontes.

Senior John Sunday, who holds the school record for shot up, will be a top Mustang in field events. Junior Lawrence Johnson will compete in the sprint events along with senior Tracey Jackson, a returning Varsity runner. Mike Miondi is another returning senior who specializes in the 400 and the long jump. Classmate Chinua Mc Donald will compete in the triple jump and hurdles.

The chances this season will depend on the contributions of underclassmen like sophomore Jessie Boria, who was the county champion for the freshman mile last year.

A Family Practice That Feels Like Home.

Affiliated Foot & Ankle Specialists

Our centers offer individual care for all members of the family and provide the most comprehensive foot and ankle care available. New patients are always welcome and often immediate appointments available.

Dr. Jeffrey Miller, DPM, FACFAS Dr. Tara Blitz, DPM, AACFAS Dr. Eugene Batelli, DPM, FACFAS

We now have three convenient locations Clifton Office: 1117 Rt. 46 East 973.365.2208

Teaneck Office: 751 Teaneck Rd. 201.238.1595

Sayreville/Parlin Office: 2909 Washington Rd. 732.727.5502

Visit our patient education center online & make your appointment today!

www.ipodiatry.com April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

57

CHS Spring Sports Preview

CHS Boys

Lacrosse April 01 Fair Lawn

4:00PM

April 02 at Nutley

11:00AM

April 04 Columbia

4:00PM

April 07 at Pope John XXIII

4:00PM

April 09 at Arthur L. Johnson11:00AM

Sitting, from left to right: Anthony Smeriglio, Cody Morrison, Steven Davies. Middle: Pandi Rrappo, Joey Borrajo, Matthew Vail, Nick Jacobus. Back: Dylan Wong, Fernando Monar, Jorge Pacheco, Brian Yip, Michael Phillips, Sean Fleming.

T

he Mustang lacrosse program is playing at a level not seen since the 1990s in Clifton. Not only are the Mustangs annually competitive, the club has a three year playoff streak on the line

58

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

going into 2011. Head Coach George Cowan, at the helm for two of those seasons after taking over for Brian Armstrong, believes that streak will continue this year.

“We’re steadily getting better,

April 11 at Paramus Catholic 4:00PM April 12 Caldwell April 14 Lenape Valley

11:00AM 4:00PM

April 16 at Randolph

7:00PM

April 20 at St. Peters Prep

4:00PM

April 23 Millburn April 26 Montclair Kimberley

10:00AM 4:00PM

April 28 Glen Ridge

4:00PM

May 04 Cranford

4:00PM

May 07 at Morristown Beard 2:00PM May 09 at River Dell

5:00PM

even though we graduated 10 seniors,” said coach, whose team went 13-6 in 2010. Despite the losses, Cowan will return many experienced starters in key positions.

In net is senior Matt Vail, a former goalie who played Varsity defense last year and made the switch when a hole opened up. He will be backed up by Pandi Rrapo.

The poles in front of Vail will be a veteran core of senior lettermen in Nick Jacobus, Cody Morrison and Michael Phillips. Thomas Russo, a junior, will be the fourth defender in 2011. Senior dylan Wong will run as the long stick middie.

Offensively, the Mustangs will feature four year starter Brian Yip at attack. The senior will dictate Clifton’s pace in the offensive zone.

“He’s our go to guy for a lot of things,” said Cowan.

He will be assisted by seniors Steven Davies and Sean Flemming, as well as talented sophomore Mark Surgent.

Four year letterman Joe Chiavetta will be featured in the midfield along with junior Edward Borthwick and sophomore Thomas Cotroneo. Other middies include seniors Fernando Monar and Jorge Pacheco, and sophomore Chris Rosado. Sophomore Joe Cupoli will be the draw specialist and classmate Mike Duesler, a converted defensemen, will also run in the midfield.

With a solid defensive core supporting a midfield and attack sprinkled with raw talent and experience in key

positions, Cohen expects to have a good season.

“Clifton’s youth teams have been doing really well,” coach said of the city feeder program. “We’re really optimistic about this year.

Book Early!!! Specializing in Communions & Graduations

Complete Drop-Off Buffet 4 Hot Entrees, Potato, Vegetables, Rolls, Butter & Tossed Garden Salad

10

$

95

Min 25 People + Tax/Person (Paper Goods Extra)

Call for Our complete Menu Also Available, Individual Pan Items!

Try our Easter Bunny Cupcake Cakes & our many other Easter Cupcakes!

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

59

CHS Spring Sports Preview

Back: Eryka Baez, Kelly Degen, Traci McStay, Michelle Lima, Itati Aburto. Front: Ryan Amico, Marina Rodriguez and Gina LoBue.

Elect Rosemary Pino for Clifton Board of Education “Committed to our Children’s Future”

Here is what I would work toward if elected onto the Board: • Exercise Fiscal Responsibility Coming up with creative solutions to reduce cost and eliminate waste is a must. Being prudent while not compromising our children’s education but instead striving to enhance it, is key.

• Innovation in our Communication Coming up with creative solutions to engage the parents and help them recognize the importance of their role and involvement in their children’s education.

• Bringing Shop Classes back to Clifton Recognizing that not all students are wired the same is the reason why I am supportive of bringing the Shop Classes back to Clifton.

Write me at: rosemary4boe@gmail.com

Vote #2, 4 & 7 on April 27!

Graupe, Pino & Billack 60

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

Paid for by Rosemary Pino for Clifton Board of Ed

I

t was a rough season for the Lady Mustangs, who have tasted both success and failure over the short lifespan of the Clifton girls lacrosse program. As more girls try out for the fast growing sport, coach Amanda Gryszkin said that the Mustangs will not be as stung by graduation, which took away about five full time starters from the 2010 squad that went 3-12.

Unless sports like soccer, which have extensive feeder programs, girls lacrosse is a sport that students often don’t pick up until high school, meaning athletes don’t hit their stride until a little bit later.

“We have just two sophomores on Varsity and the rest are all juniors and seniors,” said Gryszkin. “We do have athleticism, so that should help.”

Key senior returners include Itati Aburto, in her second year on Varsity as a defensemen and middie. Four year starters include Eryka Baez (mid), captain Michelle Lima (defense) and Kelly Degen at forward. Seniors Tracey Gomez and Traci McStay will get time at forward this year.

Other returning starters include juniors Laura Jaramillo (defense), Sam Pedraza (M/D) and Jazmine Perdomo (M/F).

Junior Marina Rodriguez, who CHS Girls collected AllLeague and AllApril 02 at Union Catholic 10:00AM County awards in April 05 at Wayne Valley 4:00PM 2010, will pace April 07 at Scotch Plains 4:00PM the midfield.

April 11 River Dell 4:00PM “We’re expecting April 13 at Fair Lawn 4:00PM her to step it up April 16 Lakeland 12:30PM this year,” said April 19 at Lenape Valley 4:00PM Gryszkin. “She April 20 Lacordaire 4:00PM does a little of April 25 at Gov Livingston 4:00PM everything for April 27 Cranford 4:00PM April 28 at Randolph 4:00PM us.”

May 03 at Mt. St.Dominic 4:00PM Junior Ryan May 05 Livingston 4:00PM Amico returns for May 07 at Pascack Valley 10:00AM her second year as May 10 New Providence 4:00PM a Varsity defensemen and will be counted on heavily by coach. She will be supported by classmate Gina LoBue, who will move up.

Sophomore Victoria Vail (F/M) and Jackie Bergen (forward) will crack the line up in 2011.

“We should be better this year, I think,” said Gryszkin. “The talent’s there. All we need is time.”

Lacrosse

PETE VASIL’S

MVP BASKETBALL CAMP

2011

OUR CLIFTON DATES & LOCATIONS: WEEK 1: Boys & Girls club of Clifton 6/27 to 7/1 WEEK 2: St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church 7/11 to 7/15 WEEK 3: St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church 7/18 to 7/22 WEEK 4: St. Brendan’s School 8/1 to 8/5 CLIFTON CAMP TIMES & FEES: 9AM – 3PM • 1 SESSION: $125 • 2 SESSIONS: $220 • 3 SESSIONS: $320 •

REGISTER BY JUNE 10TH AND RECEIVE 10% OFF

ASK ABOUT OUR FAMILY DISCOUNT Discounts for 4 week enrollment available.

MORE INFORMATION CALL: PETE OR ANGELA VASIL AT 973-930-8331 862-668-1450 OR 973-569-0407 EMAIL: Petari@optonline.net

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

61

CHS Spring Sports Preview

The volleyball team, from left: Emil Feratovic, Kyle Zwiazek, Freddy Perez, Mark Oliver, Ronak Pathak, Moe Grudic, Chang Mansur, Tom Kaczynski, Elvis Daniele, Nick Cordi, Lukasz Glowacz and Kamil Kozlowski.

C

lifton had yet another successful season in 2010, notching a record of 19-6 and a league title to add to the record books.

However, in playing a shortened

schedule due to budget constraints, the Mustangs narrowly missed the 20 win milestone, halting their streak at 12 years running. Head coach Mike Doktor will have to utilize talented yet unproven JV and

FREE SUNDAE

ICE CREAM CAKES

Buy One Ice Cream or Yogurt Sundae, Get Another

$

FREE

2 00

300

$

Off of Any Cake Off of Any Cake 8 Inches or 10 Inches or Smaller!

Larger!

With This Coupon Coupons May Not Be Combined.

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

Gelottı HOME MADE ICE CREAM

Coupons May Not Be Combined.

2 UNION AVE., PATERSON • 973-595-1647 • SINcE 1984 • STIll ThE ORIgINAl

62

part time Varsity players to find success in 2011. But, as always, there seems to be plenty of potential in the Mustang volleyball program.

“We’ve got a lot of players stepping up this year and others moving

gElATO • ITAlIAN IcES • IcE cREAM YOgURT • cAKES AND NOVElTIES

positions to help the team,” the coach stated. “We had a very good JV team last year. We’re one of the most athletic teams I’ve had in a while. And not just a few guys, but all around.”

This young team will still feature a senior at the helm in Elvis Daniele, a three year starter at outside hitter who collected AllLeague and All-County honors in the 2010 campaign. Daniele’s play will likely dictate how the Mustangs fare early on as the new players acclimate to the faster Varsity game.

Another returning letterman is Moe Grubic, who previously served as the team’s defensive specialist.

The senior will now take on much more responsibility as a setter.

“I told him last year, ‘We’re going to expect big things from you,’” said Doktor. “He’s doing really well this year. In two weeks, he went from never setting to being

a very solid setter.”

Senior Ronak Pathak will also take on a prominent role as the Mustang libero. “He started last year and now he’s more of a leader.

He takes control out there,” explained coach.

Senior Mark Oliver will move up from JV and will come in off of the bench. Classmate Nick Cordi will also see time as a defensive specialist in 2011.

Senior Tomasz Kaczynski, a middle hitter, has impressed Doktor thus far. “He’s improved tremendously this year,” said coach. “In addition to a big block, he’s got big offense.”

The remaining positions will be determined as the season goes on, but Doktor is confident that the Mustangs athleticism will shine.

“We’re a solid 6’0 to 6’5 across the front,” he said. “We’re able to slow down the offense a bit and dictate the pace. It should be another good season.”

CHS Boys

Volleyball April 01 at Don Bosco

4:00PM

April 04 Passaic High

4:00PM

April 05 North Bergen

4:30PM

April 06 at Eastside Paterson

4:00PM

April 08 Wayne Hills

4:00PM

April 09 Clifton Tournament

9:00AM

April 11 at Kennedy

4:00PM

April 13 Passaic Cty Tech

4:00PM

April 14 at Bergen Tech

4:00PM

April 15 St. Joseph, Metuchen 4:30PM April 18 Wayne Valley

4:00PM

April 20 Don Bosco

4:00PM

April 21 Belleville

4:00PM

April 25 at Passaic

4:00PM

April 27 Garfield

4:00PM

April 29 Eastside Paterson

4:00PM

May 02 at Passaic Cty Tech

4:00PM

May 03 at Harrison

4:00PM

May 04 Passaic Valley

4:00PM

May 06 Kennedy

4:00PM

May 09 at Lakeland

4:00PM

May 10 at Bergen Catholic

4:00PM

May 13 at JP Stevens

3:45PM

May 17 at Hillsborough

4:00PM

Opening Day Saturday April 9

Are You Ready for Trout Season?

• Knowledgeable Staff—Real Fishermen—Free Advice • Large Inventory, Personal Service • M-F 9 am-8 pm, Sat 9-5 • Everything Your Outdoorsperson Needs & Wants!

Meltzer’s now offers LIVE BAIT! • Shiners • Fatheads • Worms

• Worms • Salmon Eggs • Rods & Reels • Lures & Accessories • Tackle Boxes • Hip Boots • Waders • Rainwear • Pocket Knives • Beginners to Pros!

• Freshwater & Salt

Established 1914

’s Meltzer SpOrting gOODS 118 Outwater Lane, Garfield

973.478.7647

www.meltzerssportinggoods.com

Once You Shop Meltzer, You’ll Go Nowhere Else Sir!

Agent for NJ State fishing & hunting licenses

Hunting • Guns & Ammo • Fishing • Outdoor • Shoes & Clothes April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

63

64

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

CHS Spring Sports Preview

CHS

Golf April 04 Passaic Cty Tech

4:00PM

April 05 at West Milford

4:00PM

April 06 Eastside Paterson

4:00PM

April 08 at West Milford/ Depaul/Wayne Hills

4:00PM

April 19 Wayne Valley/ Kennedy/Passaic

4:00PM

April 20 Wayne Valley

4:00PM

April 25 at Bergen Tech

4:00PM

April 26 Passaic Valley/Eastside 4:00PM April 28 PC Tournament

TBA

May 09 at Big North Tourn.

TBA

May 11 at Big North Tourn.

TBA

May 12 Kennedy

4:00PM

May 16 Lakeland/Hawthorne Christian 4:00PM May 17 PCT/Hawthorne/ Eastern Christian

4:00PM

Before hitting the links, the CHS Golf team, from left, front: Derek Leeshock, Evan Young and Nick Flaherty. Middle: Anthony Sanchez, Derrick Rodriguez, Sarah Scrudato and Sarah Fusco. Back: Oscar Martinez, Eric Lux and Jacob Sheets.

C

lifton was once again above .500 on the links last season, a streak that coach Chad Cole hopes to extend in 2011.

“We didn’t play too badly, but this year is going to be different,” said the coach. “In the division we’re in,

we’re contenders. It’s us, Kennedy, Passaic, Eastside and other schools not known for golf.”

Junior Derek Leeshock is the only full time returning starter. Other Mustangs looking to make the jump this year include junior Sarah

Scrudato, sophomore Erik Lux, junior transfer Jacob Sheets, sophomores Evan Dunn and Derek Rodriguez and freshman Nick Flaherty. “We have a pretty young squad,” said Cole.

“Scores should come down towards the end of the season.”

Happy Easter from

POGORELEC LAW OFFICES John D. Pogorelec, Sr. - John D. Pogorelec, Jr. 840 Van Houten Ave. • Clifton, NJ 07013 Concentrating in the areas of...

Real Estate, Elder/Medicaid Law, Wills & Estates, Landlord/Tenant

Tel: 973-778-1604 • Fax: 973-778-0334 April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

1206

John D. Pogorelec, Jr.

65

CHS Spring Sports Preview

CHS

Tennis The 2011 boys tennis team. From left to right is Peter Chudolij, Jefferson Rangga, Richard Rangga, Mihai Solotchi, Szymon Kutyla and Vijay Patel.

I

n 2010, the Mustangs began the rebuilding process, posting a 712 record with a couple seniors and a slew of young players. Now, just a year later, head coach Andrea Bobby is thinking that Clifton is ahead of schedule in returning to

Benjamin Moore Paints and much more...

Able Hardware 745 Van Houten Ave.

973.773.4997 Mon.-Fri. till 7pm Sat. till 5pm

1232

66

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

prominence within the tennis ranks due to the emergence of some exceptional young talent.

Freshman Richard Rangga, an athlete who plays tennis year round in tournaments, is the reason for the optimism. The experienced coach said that the underclassmen is a generational talent that Clifton hasn’t seen in years.

“It’s going to be great. He’s the best guy I’ve had in 20 years here,” said Bobby. “They compete against each other all the time in practice.

It’s motivating and them practicing with each other is going to make everyone better.”

Rangga is just one part of a talented young team that also features four sophomores, including his cousin Jefferson, who will play in the first doubles position with Mihai Solotchi.

After Richard Rangga, the singles line up is quite similar to the

April 01 at Don Bosco

4:15PM

April 04 Passaic

4:15PM

April 06 at Eastside Paterson

4:15PM

April 08 Wayne Hills

4:15PM

April 11 at Kennedy

4:15PM

April 13 Passaic Cty Tech

4:15PM

April 15 at Bergen Tech

4:15PM

April 18 Wayne Valley

4:15PM

April 20 Don Bosco

4:15PM

April 25 at Passaic

4:15PM

April 27 at County Tourn.

TBA

April 28 at Bayonne

4:00PM

April 29 Eastside Paterson

4:15PM

May 02 at Passaic Cty Tech

4:15PM

May 04 Passaic Valley

4:15PM

May 06 Kennedy

4:15PM

May 09 at Lakeland

4:15PM

May 11 at West Milford

4:15PM

one that Bobby ended the 2010 campaign with.

Sophomore Peter Chudolij and junior Shilpan Chokshi return to their respective spots in the second and third singles positions.

“I’m excited. It’s all positive here. It’s going to be a very good season,” said Bobby. “If you enjoy the game, come and watch these boys play some good tennis.”

0

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

67

S H N C O I T A U D A GR t c e j o r p

Some of the senior models for the fashion show, top from left is Sufian Mahmoud, Anthony Gretina, Kris Alvarez, Christy Zoecklein and Cristal Morales. Standing front from left: Andrea Villanueva, Kurt Irizarry and Karen Mendez.

68

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

On April 3, CHS seniors will take the stage at the JFK Auditorium at noon to unveil wares for the annual Prom Fashion Show. Students participating or attending this major class fundraiser will receive credit towards their Project Graduation ticket. Tickets are $5 at the door.

Mustang seniors are invited to volunteer as models as Deluxe Formal Wear of Clifton will provide the latest trends in tuxedos for men while the young women will showcase prom dresses provided by CoCo’s Chateau of Wayne and Unique Designs by Vikki on Clifton Ave. The Fashion Show is made possible with the help of these local businesses: AGL Welding (helium for balloons), Zip Printing, Guy Anthony Hair Care Center, Lunar E Clips, Nina’s Hair and Nail Salon, Santa Fe Hair and Nail Salon and Hair Expressions.

On graduation eve, CHS students are invited to participate in Project Graduation. The annual event shuttles hundreds of our graduates to a nearby resort where they can party all night in a safe, alcohol and drug free environment. Next morning, the kids are bussed back to CHS. Project Graduation chair Maryann Cornett said monetary donations are still being accepted.

For info, call her at 973-779-5678.

CHS Student of the Month By Joe Hawrylko

A

ntonio Palomba dreams big. He says he wants it all in life: his own business, a house, a nice car; the typical American Dream. And he’s got the work ethic to make it happen.

“My father, Anthony, told me to go after what I want,” said the CHS Student of the Month. “When I was little, he’d take me places and I’d see people with all these nice cars and other things. I want that some day.”

“I’m never satisfied. I just want to keep going,” he continued. “I want to own a business. Maybe a hotel. I like dealing with people.”

Palomba also knows that the drive and maturity needed to realize his goals doesn’t just magically appear overnight. He’s worked since he was a freshman, diligently saving his money while balancing a rigorous academic schedule that includes some challenging courses.

Richfield Farms is where you’ll most likely find Palomba when he’s not in school. He’s been a constant face at the Clifton landmark for the past four years, employed to do a wide variety of work.

“I actually enjoy manual labor,” he laughed. “I’ve learned so much there. My other friends... I don’t think could handle it. It’s not easy.

I wouldn’t want to work with them.

They’d drive me nuts.”

“I work for everything that I own,” Palomba said proudly and then continued. “It’s seasonal, but even though I’m not there in the winter, I make up for it.”

So where did he get his drive?

CHS Student of the Month Antonio Palomba

Palomba said it was his parents, Anthony and Stephanie, that inspire him to dream big and work hard.

“They’ve never discouraged me from doing anything,” said Palomba. “I’m glad that I’ve always listened to them. I want to make them proud.”

“My dad used to own a businesses, so I was always interested in doing something on my own,” the CHS senior continued. “He was into clothing.

He had one of the first outlet stores in the area.”

And though he enjoys working, Palomba also makes sure that he challenges himself academically at CHS. In his senior year, he is enrolled in three advanced placement courses: statistics,

criminal justice and English.

“I like creative writing, it’s interesting and fun,” he said. “And I like poems too, as weird if it sounds. If I like something, I can write about it.”

For a short while, Palomba was also a member of the Italian club and the guitar club. However, he’s since left those two groups to focus on his studies and log additional hours at Richfield Farms. Palomba is also an avid soccer fan, regularly playing pick up games with friends.

He also sacrificed playing for the legendary Mustangs because he didn’t want to sacrifice elsewhere.

“I know I’ve got to work for it. I don’t expect anything to be handed to me,” he said. “I’m going to do it right, I’m going to step up and work for what I want.”

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

69

CHS

ACADEMIC AWARDS Balancing School, Work & Sports, Mustangs Honored for Scholarship

I

t’s that time of the year when the world of academics, sports and work come together and the students who can balance all this and more are honored for their industry.

On April 5, the 26th Annual CHS Academic Awards Dinner will be held at 7 pm at the Westmount Country Club in Woodland Park.

This event honors Clifton’s diverse body of students who have maintained a 90 or better average for the school year, regardless of the level of course taken.

Approximately 800 students have been invited to attend this event.

Students, parents, teachers and others will have a chance to celebrate the success of these Mustangs, 70

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

who are from all four grades of CHS. For some students, it will be their first time at the event; others have been to the banquet all four years of their time at the high school.

They will hear speeches from administrators and have a chance to swap stories amongst themselves.

They will also get to hear from someone who has walked in their shoes not so long ago. That person is Katie Bakarich, a 2004 CHS grad who finished third in her class, where she also played outside hitter on the volleyball team.

In 2008 she was awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student scholarship.

The Fairfield University grad left spent an 11-month stay in Germany, where she will be did research and took classes in international accounting and European Union business at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University in Frankfurt.

“I’ve always been interested in the international side of business and I studied German for four years at CHS,” Bakarich said in an interview conducted before she left.

From left, five of the 800 students who will attend the CHS Academic Awards, from left: Bijal Desai, Nicholas Jacobus, Tom Trommelen, Chelsea Barrett and Rosanna Sanchez.

The School 3 and Christopher Columbus Middle School alum was one of more than 1,450 Americans who travelled abroad for the 20082009 academic year through the Fulbright program.

To get a preview of the current CHS students being honored, here is some info on those pictured.

ROSANNA SANCHEZ Rosanna Sanchez has her eye on the medical field, but at CHS, she did her best to enjoy all of the opportunities that the high school has to offer.

Sanchez, who attended Classical Academy Charter School of Clifton, is competitive in both academics and outside of school. A member of the French club, she has represented

CHS for the past three years at the Orlando Saa Foreign Language Poetry Recitation Contest at William Paterson University.

As a sophomore year, she won first place in the math league contest open to students of all ages.

Sanchez also participated in the quiz bowl and ethics bowl, where she competed and debated against students from other schools.

Sanchez cited the day that she shadowed a Clifton School Board Administrator during Youth Week, as a memorable experience.

Sanchez is a four year member of the Key Club and the gallery club these past two years.

She’s also a member of the National Honor Society at CHS, and was a member of the Honor Guard in 2010.

Sanchez is ranked 16th out of 723 students.

In addition to the classroom, she’s also an outstanding athlete.

The CHS senior also enjoys sports, having played JV soccer for a year as well as track. However, her specialty is Taekwondo, which Sanchez practices every day after school for the past six years. Now a black belt, she has participated in many tournaments, including the Junior Olympic Taekwondo Championships that took place in Detroit, Michigan.

Due to her grades and diverse background, Sanchez was accepted to the Rutgers Honors College on a full merit scholarship, where she will study pre-med. She plans to prepare herself by volunteering at St. Joseph’s Hospital this summer.

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

71

NICHOLAS JACOBUS Over his four years at CHS, Nicholas Jacobus has balanced academics with athletics for a well rounded education. Jacobus, who attended Woodrow Wilson Middle School, plays defense for the Mustang lacrosse team, which has seen a resurgence in his time there, going from perennial doormat to playoff competitor.

For three years, he’s been a starting defender on Varsity.

Jacobus also assumed the role of team leader, as he was a constant face in the Strength and Coordination program at CHS, helping underclassmen lacrosse players prepare for the upcoming season.

Jacobus was as successful in the classroom as he was on the field, evidenced by his standing as a four-year Distinguished Honors

recipient. The CHS Senior will be attending Rutgers University next year, where he will major in Engineering.

CHELSEA BARRETT Performing in front of a large audience has never really phased Chelsea Barrett. And the CHS senior hopes that confidence may eventually translate into a career as a lawyers.

Most people will recognize Barrett from her involvement in Clifton High’s theater productions, where she’s been a figure for the past four years. His roles were diverse, starting with acting in RENT and 42nd St. Barrett also played the first chair in the Wizard of Oz and South Pacific.

In addition to theatre, Barrett, who attended Christopher Columbus Middle School, has also

been a four year member of the CHS Orchestra, where she performs violin under the guidance of Natalie Babiak.

Barrett is a member of the Music Honor Society, Tri-M, where she has served as treasurer since her junior year. She is also gifted academically, having been inducted into the National Honor Society in her junior year. As a freshman, she was inducted into the National Society of High School Scholars.

Her diverse background and strong class ranking of 55 earned Barrett acceptance into Berkeley College. She plans to study criminal justice, and if her plans for law school don’t work out, Barrett plans to become a private investigator.

THOMAS TROMMELEN Thomas Trommelen may have established himself as a standout

Register Now!

For Our & Summer Camp Kindergarten 72

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

athlete as a Mustang, but he’s also quite the scholar and is one of the prestigious Four Year Seniors at this year’s Academic Awards Dinner. His biggest dilemma in the past four years was simply finding time to juggle all of his responsibilities.

“It was a challenge to keep up my grades while pursuing my athletic goals,” he said.

Trommelen, a captain for the 2010 football season, played three years of Varsity for the Mustangs.

The powerful offensive lineman concluded his high school gridiron career by being named to the Super 100 All-State Football team of New Jersey. Trommelen was also selected to play in the North-South All-Star Football Classic.

Besides football, Trommelen was a standout wrestler, spending three years with the Varsity squad.

A dominant heavyweight, he once

again qualified for the State Tournament in Atlantic City this year, placing in the top 16 for his division.

Though he’s not yet settled on a college, Trommelen, who attended Woodrow Wilson Middle School, plans on studying criminal justice while continuing his football career.

BIJAL DESAI In a school as big as Clifton High, there’s always a diverse selection of clubs and activities.

For Bijal Desai, that was an open invitation to try as many things as possible. Art, writing, math, hard sciences—Desai did a little bit of everything in her four years as a Mustang.

Peers may recognize the cover of the Phoenix Literary Magazine as Desai’s artwork. The CHS sen-

ior is also a member of the National Art Honor Society as well.

Her other activities include the Asian Club Asian club, the Italian club, National Honor Society, and the Knights of Pythagoras.

Desai is also the yearbook editor and the editor-in-chief for the CHS newspaper, where she would occasionally write op-ed articles.

The senior, who attended Christopher Columbus Middle School, also competed in the academic decathlon, which covers a wide array of subjects covered in high school curriculum. Desai was particularly proficient in art and essay, winning numerous awards in those categories.

Desai plans to attend Lehigh University to study neuroscience.

While the hard sciences pique her future, she expects to balance that with her interests in the arts and to stay active in the community.

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

73

BOARD OF EDUCATION ELECTION q APRIL 27TH q

By Joe Hawrylko

O

n April 27, six individuals, just one of them being an incumbent, will vie for three seats on the Board of Education. Commissioner Paul Graupe is the only Board member attempting to retain his seat, as commissioners Lou Fraulo and John Traier will end their tenures on the elected body. The budget is expected to be approximately $141.8 million

this year, which represents a $75 increase for the average home owner. In addition to these stories, voters can learn more about those running at the Dutch Hill Residents Association Candidates Night on April 21 at 7:30 pm. The event will be held at the Family Federation, the group’s normal meeting spot, located at the intersection of DeMott Ave. and Second St.

ARLENE AGRESTI With just under 40 years of experience in the district as a math teacher, Arlene Agresti knows the nuances of education and the Clifton’s public schools. After retiring last year, the Cliftonite finally had enough free time to campaign for a seat on the Board of Education.

“By being in the system, you see what’s going on, what’s working and what’s not working,” said Agresti, who started teaching in Clifton in 1971 and retired from Woodrow Wilson Middle School in 2010.

“I’ve been in both middle schools. I started in CCMS when it was a junior high. College prep, basic schools, all areas, I’ve seen it all.”

The former educator said that the district needs improvements, and 74

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

Arlene Agresti

falling test scores should be a concern of both parents and taxpayers.

“I don’t think people understand why it’s failing,” she said. “I hear people say all the time that the kids are getting dumber. I don’t think they are. Kids today are brighter

than they were in the 70s. All the talents these kids have, but they’re not channeling it in the right directions.”

“There has to be more communication from parents. They have to get more involved,” Agresti continued. “Go to these private schools and you don’t just get the report card. You have to go in and meet the teacher. It would be nice if that happened here. How many times can you go through a whole year as a teacher and not see a parent?”

The problem also extends beyond the home or school.

“Test scores have been dropping, class sizes are increasing and less money is being spent on education because of Governor Chris Christie,” said Agresti.

“Do I think that, essentially, if classes are smaller, kids will learn more?

Not necessarily,” said

Agresti, explaining that classroom size alone is not enough to bring test scores to the level they need to be at. “And taxpayers cannot afford anymore costs. My taxes are ridiculous, so I understand that.”

Voters can expect Agresti to consider the interests of all parties involved. “I’m a very honest person and I saw what is on my mind,” she continued. “I don’t say things just because I think it’s politically correct. I say it because I really think it’s right. I have a passion for education and if I believe in what I’m saying I’m going to follow through.”

“The Board of Education and the Council should definitely be working together,” said Agresti. “I was very happy to see that Wayne Demikoff had brought the Board and Council together. They usually wait until after the budget fails to meet. It should be before, always.”

And when amending the budget,

Agresti said consideration should be given to the many educational paths one can choose.

“You need a balance,” she said.

“You need the arts, you need sports.

And a lot of kids don’t go to college. Why shouldn’t they have a place to go? Not everyone needs a college education.”

“I think it changed when they started getting people who had been there before,” she said.

“Wayne Demikoff served on boards for many years. He’s a professional.”

In the end, Agresti is looking to make a similar impact.

“I want people to turn on the TV and say, ‘What a great group of professional people,” she said.

JUDY BASSFORD As an advocate for special needs students, Judy Bassford has an

Judy Bassford

understanding of the many federal and state mandates present in modern day education. This, combined with her lengthy history of service in the community, is what she feels makes her a quality candidate as a Board of Ed Commissioner.

“My calling is to train people.

My mission statement is to train people and give them so

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

75

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS APRIL 27 • POLLS OPEN 1:30PM - 9PM much awareness that they can advocate for themselves,” said Bassford, who is employed by the Association for Special Children and Families in West Milford.

Affiliated with the group for more than eight years, Bassford helps parents understand the rights that children have in school, a role that gives her a unique understanding of the many mandates that complicate the budgetary process.

“In 2014, common core curriculum standards will go from state regulations to nation wide regulations,” she explained. “It will change what special and regular students have to learn. And the new special education regulations coming down, we don’t know if it’s pro-parent or pro-district (essentially who bears the cost).”

Beyond her professional experience in education, Bassford also believes she brings a unique prospective to the Board as a mother and well known community activist.

“There’s one person on the Board that has children in the school system. That’s my concern,” she explained. “Besides Gary Passenti, there’s no other parent perspective on that board. And it’s male dominated. I’m not trying to be sexist, but it’s male dominated.”

She also plans to stand out from the crowd by funding her own campaign to get away from the politics on the elected body.

“My husband (Keith) and I are paying for ourselves from our income,” said Bassford. “Why should these people have to spend

HONEST LOW PRICING! THE HOME OF SAVINGS SINCE 1927 Come see us and save on: • Carpet • Vinyl • Linoleum • Wood

76

• Cork • Laminates • Runners • Refinishing

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

all this money to buy a seat on the Board of Education?”

If elected, her main goals would be to make the Board more proactive, and to enhance the lines of communication between parents and teachers, and the Board and taxpayers.

“All teachers should be online,” said Bassford. “But what about parents who don’t have emails?

You also have that issue.”

The candidate would also like to see more parents involved in the budget processs, either by increasing forums or further publicizing events.

“I’m concerned that a lot of people in the community have no involvement,” Bassford said. “I’m a Hudson County girl, but I moved her for the good schools, the afford-

able taxes and the nice area. I got involved once I had Samantha (her older daughter who graduated CHS in 2008).”

Bassford said that voters who are looking for a qualified candidate who understands the delicate balance needed in juggling budget concerns with education should consider her on April 27.

“I operate my own business and I’m a high school graduate. Some people think that’s going to hurt me, but I don’t think it will,” she said. “I have experience in the community, I’ve sat on more than one dias, ranging from an interview panel to the Board Parent Advisory Committee. The college degree doesn’t make you any smarter. All that matters is what you’ve done.”

“I think the voters want someone who isn’t tied to anyone else.

That’s what makes this country great: you have everyone’s opin-

ion,” Bassford continued. “Are there going to be tough decisions that people aren’t going to like?

Absolutely. Have I made them before? Absolutely.”

BLASE BILLACK While his running mates Paul Graupe and Rosemary Pino bring in experience with finance, Blase Billack’s expertise is science and education.

“I’m what I call a scientist and an educator,” said Billack. “I did all research before I started teaching at St. John’s [University].”

A father of a two year old daughter, his motivation for running is simple: ensure that the education standards are kept high and to reintegrate the sciences back into the Clifton schools.

“I wanted to get involved after

Blase Billack

attending the NJ Science and Engineering festival at CHS,” said Billack. “I had a microscope and volunteered to be there. And what I saw was an enthusiasm for science in Clifton that was exciting.

There is interest here, and if I can help, I would love to.”

Billack moved back to

305 Oldham Road, Wayne, NJ 973-317-7020 www.passaiccountynj.org

Come See Our New Facility

LEVELS OF CARE

CLINICAL PROGRAMS

• • • • •

• Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementias • Neurological Disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis • Mental Health • Respiratory: including Ventilator Dependent & Tracheostomy Care • Peritoneal Dialysis

Sub-acute Care and Rehabilitation Long-term Skilled Nursing Care Hospice, including Inpatient Respite Special Care Behavior Management Licensed by the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services

Providing quality care for over 80 years April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

77

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS APRIL 27 • POLLS OPEN 1:30PM - 9PM Clifton three years ago after living here with his family as a child, and is looking to further establish roots in the community through the Board.

“I started by going to meetings last year,” he explained. “When you do an analysis of our schools, they don’t rank as highly as you’d think. As far as reading or math scores, I’m not all about a one dimensional test score telling you how good your scores are, but it’s one of the many indicators that it’s not good. We need to get kids motivated and parents engaged.”

“I think there’s a lot of students who need to hear that again and again,” Billack continued.

“Education is a transformative thing. It transformed my life.”

“Mechanic, carpenter, electrician... these are all good career

78

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

paths and there’s not a good chance they’ll consider them if they’re not there,” he said. “If you can find your passion in high school, that will take you a long way.”

Billack explained that he’d only seek such changes if he could remove less popular courses.

“Are there classes that used to have 40 or 30 students but now have three?” he rhetorically questioned. “I think in this environment, if there was an unlimited amount of money there’s a lot of things we can do. But people in this town pay a lot of taxes. People in New Jersey do, period,” he said. “I don’t want to hear older homeowners like my grandmother say they might have to sell the house. That’s a tragedy and shouldn’t happen.”

Billack said he is aware of his

position as a newcomer, and pledged to not take action without first researching all options.

“Before I do anything to perturb the system, I’d ask what’s going on here,” he said. “Open dialogue with administration, then look at hard numbers. I wouldn’t plan to micromanage on my end. And I want input from teachers. Changes won’t happen immediately, but it’s a longer term investment than that.”

LUCY DANNY As an educator with multiple degrees, Lucy Danny is always seeking new and innovate approaches to teaching.

“I’m a life long learner,” explained the Bergen County

teacher. “I just see what I’m doing as an educator, this is the next logical step. I have such a strong passion for education.”

“I’m there in the classroom. I understand the entire dynamics at the school, so I think that makes me a great asset,” said Danny. “I understand the certain terms that are used, the implications of those terms as far as funding.”

“Let’s say technology, they want to implement some new technology,” she continued. “It’s probably something I can look at as a teacher.

I know how teachers in my district deal with the issues in implementing a new program. If you don’t understand the mindset, you’ve lost a large part of the battle.”

Danny would like to see innovative ways of reaching students.

“My daughter, she loved the Clifton School System. She loved the programs offered at the high

Lucy Danny

school. If you seek out these programs, they’re wonderful,” she said. “Maybe we can talk to former students and have them come talk with ones currently in the school system as far as the importance of why they are there, and maybe administration can also learn how to better assist students.”

Such action would go towards fostering an environment that enhances education.

“I think you have to build a community,” she said. “When I teach, I build a community in my classroom. If you don’t have that community, you won’t have respect and compassion for someone else in the classroom.”

“I really do understand that entire dynamic and that aspect because I’m a teacher and I think that good teachers are compassionate, you listen and you’re understanding,” continued Danny.

“You’re always trying to do the right thing because you’re trying to set a standard for your students. I think those are good qualities to have on the Board.”

The candidate feels that the current administration is working towards addressing issues in a reasonable fashion.

Off

OneonlySingle Item! one per customer

1065 Bloomfield Ave • Styertowne Shopping Center, Clifton • 973-614-1111 With this coupon. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Offer expires 5-22-11

Boys • Girls • Infants • Layette Furniture • Clothing & Accessories Name Brands for Less Friendly Customer Service

Off

Any Purchase

any purchase of $30 or more only one per customer

1065 Bloomfield Ave • Styertowne Shopping Center, Clifton • 973-614-1111 With this coupon. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Offer expires 5-22-11 April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

79

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS APRIL 27 • POLLS OPEN 1:30PM - 9PM “When you work with people you have to trust them. If you don’t trust them, don’t get into the position,” explained Danny. “I have to trust the people too, unless they give me a reason to not trust them.”

“I think it’s really great that they didn’t have to cut the teachers. As a matter of fact, they brought back media specialists,” she said.

“Looking at what the Board did with limited funding just shows the Board is really trying. They’re really questioning what needs to be done, making good decisions.”

The next issue will be to tackle needed repairs in many schools.

“Our buildings are older and you have to take care of those things,” said Danny. “At our school, there was an issue with water seeping in.

Then mold, and then a teacher was sick from the mold.”

The candidate said that Board’s actions will go towards restoring trust amongst voters, which will continue on to the teachers and eventually pay dividends in the classroom.

PAUL GRAUPE Commissioner Paul Graupe has seen the Board undergo many changes in the past three years.

And though he still feels that the district has issues that need to be resolved, for the first time in quite a while, Graupe feels that the elected body working towards common goals.

One of his main concerns going forward is the maintenance of Clifton’s many aging facilities.

About three months ago, Graupe

www.ihop.com Come Hungry. Leave Happy.

requested that facilities manager Tom Walsh come up with a report of the maintenance worries in the district. The length list included a variety of problems at each facility, with estimates coming in at around $41 million.

“We got bids for three roofs,” said Graupe. The district will fix the older portion of Woodrow Wilson, the CHS Annex roof and the auditorium at CHS. “We’ve got all of these problems here and the city cannot afford them.”

As is the case with the roof, the district can occasionally make repairs from within the budget.

Under Graupe’s term, the Board also repaired the stage, lighting and sound system at CHS. He said that the current Board has been taking the steps necessary to address any and all maintenence

enter from Allwood Rd. 680 Rt. 3 West • 973-471-7717

New DINNERSpecials 9.99 Maple BBQ-Glazed Pork Chops

9.99

8.99

Spinach & Garlic Chicken

Buttermilk-Battered Fish & Chips

10.99 Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya

Enjoy our savory new dinner entr´ees served hot and full of flavor

4.99 80

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

New for Kids!

Kid’s Buttermilk-Battered Fish & Chips

issues in the district.

“Long range planning, as far as maintenance...? I think the entire Board has been in agreement about that,” he added.

Graupe would also like to explore bringing back special education students, who are now sent out of district for education. “It costs us a lot of money to send them out of town,” he said. “I’m advocating a possible lease agreement with (the former school) Sacred Heart on Clifton Ave. There’s very few steps. There’s about nine classrooms and a cafeteria. It may be able to accommodate special education children.”

“Some require transportation and an aide on the bus. We’ve got to provide this for them,” Graupe continued. “They deserve to be here and it would be a lot cheaper for the city of Clifton to keep as many people here as possible.”

As a temporary solution, the district will bring back some students in modular classrooms which will be placed behind School 14.

Graupe would also like to see the return of shop classes to Clifton High School, which has gradually removed vocational programs in favor of other courses.

“Maybe a kid takes a course and then he wants to take electrical shop,” he said. “Why should he have to go to Passaic County Tech when he could come here?”

Graupe contends that the space is available, citing a survey done by Commissioner Michael Paitchell which indicated that approximately nine classrooms at the Annex and 22 at CHS are open at any time during the day.

“That raises questions about whether 290 Brighton Rd. was

even needed,” said Graupe.

“There’s no proof that was given to us that says children are doing better in academics because of a smaller environment. Myself, I’d rather be in a smaller environment.

But there hasn’t been any proof submitted to us that the test scores have been any higher.”

“People have to regain the trust of the Board of Education, other-

Paul Graupe

wise we are never going to pass a referendum here,” he continued.

“This particular Board is being left with problems that predated us.”

Despite lingering issues, Graupe says he and his peers have been successful.

“I think we did a very good job with this upcoming budget,” he stated.

State aid increased $1.5 million this year after Clifton lost nearly $7 million the year prior. “Last year, we reduced the budget—the first time according to the business manager—and it still failed. I think that has a lot to do with public trust.”

Graupe hopes that will change going forward. To expedite the process, he’s aligned with Rosemary Pino and Blase Billack,

two Board candidates with similar mindsets on fiscal responsibility and education.

Graupe is also concerned about enrollment in Clifton’s elementary schools and the unbalanced distribution of students. Currently, schools 11, 12 and 17—all on the densely populated and more urban east side—house approximately 1,600 of 5,000 students.

Graupe is the chair of both the negotiations committee and the facilities committee for 2011. He’s been trying to put together a deal for the teachers, who have been working with an expired contract for approximately two years.

Salaries and benefits take up a large portion of the budget, and Graupe has been trying to use this impasse to change that.

“The janitors and bus drivers are tenured, so we’re limited in what we can do. The NJEA represents the bus drivers and janitors. They work the NJEA schedule,” he said.

“Most districts don’t have [those benefits]. This is all coming out because I’m asking questions. And I think that the public should know this.

It’s not anything against our employees. We have all good employees. But things need to change.”

“We have a 40 percent senior citizen population,” he said, noting he too is in retirement years. “We have to be very careful and still have to give a quality education.”

ROSEMARY PINO A background in finance and a desire to ensure that her children receive a proper education are the reasons that Rosemary Pino decided to make a bid for one of three April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

81

!

NEW Kitchen Cabinets Ready to Go Within

1 Week!

82

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS APRIL 27 • POLLS OPEN 1:30PM - 9PM seats on the Board of Education.

“I was home and just starting my project with a non-profit (to help foster children once they hit 18) .

The reason I want to run is I have children in the school system. I have a vested interest in their education,” she explained. “I want to have a hand in what’s going on. I feel I bring a lot of ability with my strong financial background and strong analytical skills. I’m an excellent multitasker. I think I can be a true asset for the board.”

Pino, a resident of Clifton’s Hazel neighborhood and a home owner, currently has six children making their way through the school system.

Her goal is not to bring radical change to the Board, but rather continue the progress that has been enacted by sitting commissioners.

“I think they’re doing a good job but there’s two openings,” said Pino.

“I decided to raise my family here.

We’re homeowners. We’re not going anywhere. I want to bring everything that I have to the community. Rebuilding the trust on the Board, that’s something that’s very important and I’d like to be a part of that. I think they’re doing a good job but I’d like to have a hand as well.”

The candidate said her academic and professional credentials will help improve fiscal responsibility, which will contribute to enhancing the bond between voters and the Board. After graduating from Rutgers with a Bachelor’s in finance, Pino worked for Passaic County Community College for more than eight years in the purchasing department and the bursar’s

office. She also worked for approximately a year with the Federal Treasury Department.

Pino said that these skills are transferable to the Board of Education.

“It’s a learning curve,” she continued. “I’m not going to sit here and pretend like I know it all. It wouldn’t be honest to voters and myself. You can fake it for so long, but after that, you have to be truthful and honest to work was a team.”

To facilitate any necessary improvements, Pino will be running on a ticket with incumbent Paul Graupe and challenger Blase Billack.

“This is great. The race is nonpartisan. We put all our differences aside,” said Pino, a Democrat, whose allies are Republican.

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

83

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS APRIL 27 • POLLS OPEN 1:30PM - 9PM “We’re all on the same page. It’s all about the children first. We want to rebuild the trust, be fiscally responsible and be innovative.”

The candidate said that the Board has been working together on each of those fronts. Pino’s goal is to continue improvements in the district considering the challenges faced by those footing the bill.

“We have to be prudent. I’m dealing with that in my home, especially as a taxpayer,” explained Pino. “But we have to find a balance so our children’s education is not compromised.

But we have to find creative ways to what Clifton is famous for, what people move here for. But do it in a way that’s not going to hurt families financially.”

Though encouraged by the latest budget, which is expected to be an increase of $75 for the average homeowner, she said that it would be foolish to comment without seeing each line item.

“I want to be in there to properly identify where the waste is going,” she added. “I will ask the questions that people might not

Rosemary Pino

want to ask, go beyond what’s more than right in front of us.”

As far as improvements, Pino primarily goal is to make it easier for parents to keep tabs on how a child is doing in school.

“As a community as a whole, we could do more to be engaging or innovating in our communication as far as getting parents involved,” she said. “No parent wants to see their child fail, but many people don’t realize the importance of their role. I can relate, I’ve been there.”

Pino said that her child’s teacher at Woodrow Wilson sends

out daily emails to parents regarding homework, quizzes and other information. “I think that’s awesome,” she said. “I don’t expect every teacher to do that, they have other things that they work on.

But maybe we can build on that, maybe hold forums with teachers and parents.”

Pino is also supportive of bringing in more shop and trade classes at the high school, which have been phased out in recent years due to education trends, as well as space and budget constraints.

“Vocational education is a priority. We outsource a lot of those now.

We need to try to bring back those shop classes to Clifton,” she said.

“We need to engage all of our students and provide them with a fair shot once they leave our schools.”

Pino said she doesn’t want to make any promises without having access to the budget, since the figures there will determine what, if any, improvements can be made in the district. “I’m not going to sit here and tell you what you want to hear,” she explained. “I’m a team player, and I know that we cannot do anything on our own.”

You’re a Neighbor, Not a Number.

TomTobinAgency.com 84

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

BillEljouzi.com

Call Now! Season-Low Pricing on New Installs!

CLIFTON Events…

Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church at 635 Broad St. seeks vendors for its Flea Market on May 7. The $35 fee entitles vendors to two tables. To reserve a space, or for details, call 973-5758355 before April 15.

US Armed Service Veterans who have been awarded the Purple Heart, Navy Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross and Medal of Honor should contact Tom Miller of Passaic County Veterans Services. He is coordinating a series of May events to honor veterans. Call 973-569-4090.

The Ladies Auxiliary of the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton hosts its 4th Annual Tricky Tray on May 6 at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $15 and include one bidding sheet, dessert and coffee/tea. Call 973-773-2697 ext. 43 for more info.

St. John Lutheran Church’s Craft Fair is April 9, from 10 am to 2 pm.

Gifts and crafts will be sold as will lunch, beverages and desserts.

Table space ($20) is still available.

Call 973-779-1166; the church is at 140 Lexington Ave., Passaic.

Cliftonite Ashley Berdnik was crowned Miss Polonia 2011 at the 74th Annual Kosciuszko Ball, held on March 6 at the Polish American Cultural Center, Passaic. From left: Angela Lora Donato and Alicia Stolarz, Junior Miss Polonias, Ashley and her dad, Sheriff Richard Berdnik, Grand Marshal 2011 of the PassaicClifton contingent to the 74th Pulaski Day Parade in NYC on Oct. 2, Agnes Zabawa, 2010 Miss Polonia, Krystyna Bladek of the Polish American Cultural Center. Front: Kasandra and Angelina Lapczynski, Little Jr. Miss Polonias.

Passaic Clifton UNICO’s Comedy / Oldies Show is April 3 at Bliss Lounge. Radio DJ Goumba Johnny and the oldies group The Cameos will headline. Portions of the proceeds will benefit the Clifton Boys & Girls Club along with other UNICO charites. Doors open at 5 pm and the $20 admission includes the show and a hot and cold buffet.

For tickets, call Dave D’Arco at 973-685-7479.

The CHS Class of 1956 will hold its 55th year reunion on Sept. 23, at the Cucina Calandra on Rt. 46 in Fairfield. Plans are still in the works but for details on the event or to provide leads to classmates who have not yet been found, contact Judi Zagaya Den Herder at judifromnj@aol.com or call 973779-6923 or call Terry Guarrera Gloede at 973-773-5910 or via gloede314@msn.com.

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

85

CLIFTON Events…

The Coalition for Brain Injury Research annual beefsteak dinner is June 10 at 6:30 pm at the Athenia Veterans Hall, 147 Huron Ave. Comedy entertainment, silent auctions and 50/50 raffles are planned.

Tickets are $45. Proceeds will benefit the search for a brain injury cure.

Contact Dennis Benigno at 973632-2066, benignod@verizon.net or go to www.brainjurycure.org.

The CHS classes of 1970 through 1974 host a reunion on Nov. 4 at the Parsippany Hilton from 7 pm to midnight. The event includes a cocktail hour, buffet dinner and desert, a four hour open bar and entertainment.

Cost is $99; more details at www.reunions-unlimited.com. These classes will also hold a mini reunion on May 7 at 7 pm at the Grande Saloon. Contact Bill Geiger at

WGGeiger@yahoo.com or call him at 973-557-3613.

CCMS 6th Annual Locks of Love Cutathon is May 16 at Christopher Columbus Middle School. Anyone with at least 10 inches of hair can have their hair cut at no charge by stylists from Salon Ilona. Contact Kim Dreher at 973-769-0500 or via email kad30506@yahoo.com.

Clifton’s Avenue of Flags Bill Van Eck is part of the crew of volunteers who set up the display of over 1,300 American flags on the campus of city, which appears five times a year. The idea is to honor a veteran for their time in service and to remember them in perpetuity. Van Eck and the volunteers do maintenance to on the grounds year round but the next time the impressive display will be hoisted is Memorial Day, May 31. Other days for the display are Flag Day, June 14, Independence Day, July 4, Patriots Day, Sept, 11 and Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11. Volunteers are needed to put up and take down the flags. There still is room to honor a living or deceased veteran by purchasing a flag, which also includes a protective sleeve, a name plate, and a ground socket. The vet’s name, branch of service and the donor’s name will be placed in the registry book located in city hall. For info, call 973-519-0858.

86

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

Members of Boy Scout Troop 40 of St. Brendan’s Church meet at 154 East 1st St. on Thursdays from 7 to 9 pm.

The June 4 Relay For Life of Clifton will have a western theme, Let’s Give Cancer the Boot. Held from 2 pm to June 5 at 6 am at Clifton Stadium, the overnight celebration and fundraiser brings individuals and teams together to camp out, and take turns walking or running around a track “relay” style. At nightfall, participants light hundreds of luminaria candles around the track in a touching ceremony honoring cancer survivors as well as paying tribute to those lost to the disease.

Find out more, call the American Cancer Society at 201-457-3418 x2231 or visit relayforlife.org.

Hospice Foundation of America’s Spirituality and End-of-Life Care program on April 13 will discuss differences between spirituality and religion, while also addressing spirituality during illness, death and grief; spiritual assessment and empowerment, and life review. The program is free at William Paterson University in Wayne. Contact Mary Osinski at osinskim@wpunj.edu or 973-720-3690.

The Rosary Society of St. Paul’s R.C. Church is now in its 91st year and membership is open to all. In addition to praying together at the Washington Ave. church, the group offers Catholic women a special lifelong bond and pursues various charitable endeavors. To join, call Marge Schweighardt at 973-478-2046.

Catholics in the Diocese of Paterson are invited to experience God’s healing love and forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent.

Catholic churches will be open for Confession every Monday until April 11, 7 to 8:30 pm.

Downtown Clifton’s Street Fair is May 14, 10 am to 5 pm, rain or shine along Main Ave. between Washington and Hadley Aves.

There will be music, dancing, live entertainment, food, arts and crafts vendors, street performers and activities for children. For info or sponsorship opportunities, call 973-253-1455. Vendors call JC Promotions at 201-998-1144.

Boy Scout Troop 40, sponsored by St. Brendan’s Church since 1949, always welcomes new members.

“If you have completed the fifth grade and are at least 10, or who are 11, but not yet 18 years old, Troop 40 is the place for you,” said Scoutmaster Steven Farrell. “We meet in the school gym (154 East 1st St.) on Thursday nights from 7 to 9 pm.”

Kristen Hariton, Fight Back Chair for the 2011 RFL Clifton, points to the fundraising goal of $92,000.

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

87

CLIFTON Events…

Clifton Optimist Awards

Clifton Police Sgt. Billy Gibson,featured in last month’s magazine, will receive the Judge Joseph Salerno Respect for Law Award and former Cliftonite and NFLer Dave Szott will receive the Friend of Youth Award.

Sgt. Billy Gibson will receive the Judge Joseph J. Salerno Respect for Law Award from the Clifton Optimist Club. He is one of four recipients to be feted at the 2011 Awards Dinner which is on May 22 at the Clifton Recreation Center, 1232 Main Ave. Other recipients include former NFLer and 1986 CHS grad, gridiron legend Dave Szott. He will receive the Club’s highest honor, the 2011 Friend of Youth Award. Jack Whiting will receive the Community Service Award and former Councilwoman Gloria Kolodziej will be honored for her Lifetime Achievement.

Tickets are $35. For more information, call Optimist Club members Tom Hawrylko at 973-253-4400 or Ted Munley at 973-473-2200 x112.

88

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

Hungarians from the community gathered on March 15 at Clifton City Hall to raise the flag of that nation and to mark the anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848.

At the weekly meetings, Troop 40 offers peer group leadership opportunities, and a personal exploration of career, hobby and special interests, all designed to achieve the BSA’s objectives of strengthening character, personal fitness and good citizenship.

“We do this through having fun, outdoors skills instruction, weekend camping trips, day trips to local areas of interest, culminating in a week long summer camp experience,” added Farrell.

To join the Boy Scouts of Troop 40, stop by any Thursday night.

Parents or kids who would like to be Scouts should call Scoutmaster Farrell at 973-779-4453.

CHS Class of 1960 is hosting their first rain or shine Picnic Under the Big Tent on June 4 from 9 am to 7 pm at Tomahawk Lake Water Park,

Sparta. The $36 fee covers all you can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as birch beer, lemonade and beer.

There is a $15 additional fee to use

water slides. RSVP by May 7. For details, call Kathy (Ploch) Mack at 973-989-3911 or email Nancy Lewis Zink at nadelma1942@yahoo.com.

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

89

CLIFTON Reads

CLIFTON AUTHOR UNEARTHS GOLDEN AGE OF BICYCLE RACING Forgotten History from Early Bicycling Clubs to Tour of Somerville

C

lifton’s Carl Anderson (left), is pictured in the July 21, 1941 edition of the Newark Evening News, following his victory as New Jersey amateur cycling champion in the senior men’s division. Anderson prevailed in a series of races held at Brookdale Park in Bloomfield.

He’s pictured with Mildred Kugler (center), the daughter of Tour of Somerville founder Fred “Pop” Kugler, and a bike rider named Ken Block of the North Hudson Wheelmen. Kugler captured the senior women’s crown, while Block won in the junior men’s division.

The following year, Anderson—in his all-toobrief career as a top-notch cyclist—took first place in the 1942 Tour of Somerville. A 1937 graduate of CHS, Anderson died in Belgium on March 8, 1945, while serving with the Army during World War II. Clifton author Michael C. Gabriele will tells more about this and other items when he unveils his new book, “The Golden Age of Bicycle Racing in 90

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

Photo courtesy of Mildred Kugler New Jersey” at a reception on April 27, 7:30 pm, at the Nutley Museum, 65 Church St., Nutley.

The reception to launch the publica-

tion will include a short presentation on New Jersey’s cycling heritage as well as a book signing by Gabriele.

The Nutley Historical Society will sponsor the event.

When the tour resumed in 1947, it was renamed the Kugler-Anderson Memorial Tour of Somerville, in honor of the two fallen heroes.

The tour will mark its 68th year in 2011.

Races are held in Somerville and the surrounding communities during the Memorial Day weekend.

A 1975 graduate of Montclair State University, Gabriele has resided in Clifton with his family since 1990. He serves as a member of the Clifton Art Center’s advisory board and is the publicity chairman for the CHS Mustang Marching Band. The book, published by The History Press, Charleston, SC (www.historypress.net) is dedicated to the Mustang Band.

New Jersey’s 130-year cycling legacy, for the most part, is a forgotten history. Gabriele’s publication—128 pages with 70 images—traces the development of cycling as a sport and a social phenomenon in the Garden State.

The narrative begins in 1879 with the formation of early bicycling clubs and the staging of races at the old Waverly Fairgrounds; through the era of grand velodromes in Newark and Nutley; and concludes with the current Tour of Somerville. The book documents that New Jersey indeed is deserving of its distinction as the “cradle of cycling” for the United States.

Clifton’s contribution to New Jersey’s cycling legacy is included in the text. Gabriele’s research has uncovered the long-lost career of one of the city’s greatest sports champions: the previously mentioned Carl Anderson. A member of Paterson’s Triangle Cycling Club, Anderson

Clifton author Michael C. Gabriel

was the 1941 NJ senior amateur champion and the 1943 all-around national cycling champion.

Tragically, Anderson’s promising career as a bicycle racer was cut short when he was killed during World War II. He joined the Army in 1944 and served with General George S. Patton Jr.’s Third Army.

The book features extensive information on the careers of legendary golden-age champions Frank L. Kramer, who lived in East Orange; A.A. Zimmerman, who was born in Camden; and Alf Goullet and Willie Honeman, who resided in Newark. It also provides information on lesser-known cycling heroes such as Furman Kugler, Bert Ripley and Martin Journey.

We’re Moving In April!

8 Franklin Pl., Rutherford, NJ 07070 Visit us for Updates and Coupons: www.AllwoodBicycle.com

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

91

CLIFTON Events…

Members of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic School PTA presented Fr. Andriy Dudkevych with a check for $25,000 in gratitude for the continued support of the school by the parishioners. Enrollment to St. Nick’s, which offers Pre-K to 8th grade and features small class sizes, on President St. in Passaic, is open to all. For info, call 973-779-0249.

St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic School is presenting a four day carnival on May 5 to 8 on the grounds of the school and parish, which is on President St. in Passaic.

There will be rides and games, as well as food and beverages. Other attractions are being planned; interested vendors may call 973-779-0249.

Passaic County Planning Department officials will be in Clifton City Hall on April 12 at 7 pm to gather public comments as they develop the Transportation Element of the Passaic County Master Plan. Topics include safer streets, bicycle/pedestrian priorities, scenic and historic routes, as well as public transportation, freight movement and general traffic issues. The Clifton event is one of five intended to gather more feedback in anticipation of the release of the Draft Master Plan in May. For more details, visit www.passaiccountynj.org and click the link for the Passaic County Master Plan Transportation Element.

Clifton Rotary Club member (and City Manager) Al Greco read to students at School 14 as part of Read Across America on March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss. For info on the Clifton Rotary, call President Angela Montague at 973-557-3886.

Credit Unions combine responsibility, education and service to create something beautiful: North Jersey Federal Credit Union members can participate in a juried art exhibit which will benefit NJFCU’s Education Foundation in Passaic County. First, second and third prizes awarded in three age categories: under 14 years of age, 14- 21 and over 21. Mediums include but not limited to: painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, photography and crafts. Judging will take place in Totowa on April 27. Entries must be submitted to NJFCU at 711 Union Blvd., Totowa no later than 5 pm on April 15. For other info, email jgiffin@njfcu.org.

92

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

93

The Passaic County 200 Club Valor Awards Dinner will be held on May 3 at The Brownstone, Paterson. The event recognizes police officers, fire fighters and EMTs that have distinguished themselves above and beyond the call of duty. Educational scholarships will also be awarded to qualifying individuals. To support this event, the Club is publishing an ad journal and offering sponsorship opportunities.

Rates are as follows: $150 for a half page black and white ad, $300 for a full page ad (or $500 for color full page), $1,000 for silver sponsorship on the inside or back covers (includes 5 tickets and recognition at the dinner) and gold sponsorship for $1,500, which includes the same as Silver plus three more tickets.

Ads should be received no later than April 15. For info, call Lauren at 973-773-0777.

Detective Mike McLaughlin at his desk in the Clifton Police Department. A 25year veteran, the Clifton boy is more than just a police officer. He’s a PBA state delegate, an ACTION member, a Corrado’s employee, a loving husband and a father of six. “Everyday there’s something going on,” he said in a 2008 interview. And sure enough, the soon to be retired officer has announced his candidacy for Passaic County Surrogate, heading the GOP Strong ticket.

Save the Date!

The 4th Annual John Samra Scholarship Memorial 5K Run/Walk Sunday, October 2, 2011 8:30 am, Start & End, City Hall 900 Clifton Ave., Clifton, NJ 07013 — Certified Course —

✮

LAW ENFORCEMENT CHALLENGE 3 Man Challenge

✮

Best Combined Time for a 3 Man Team Wins!

presented by the Clifton PBA with support from the Clifton Roadrunners

For additional information contact John Kavakich at 973-470-5897 or email at sgt-at-arms@cliftonpba36.com 94

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

Sweet!

Our Easter Values are

• Candy & Chocolates • Cut & Fresh Flowers • Floral Arrangements • Palm Crosses • Stuffed Animals • Basket Items • Cookie Platters • Fresh Baked Goods • Holiday Dinner Meats • Center Cut Prime Rib Roast • See our circular for other Holiday Specials

Need to Pick Up Something on Easter Sunday?

We’re here 7 am to Midnight!

Paulison Avenue ShopRite 503 Paulison Ave., 973-471-0868 7 am to Midnight • 7 Days A Week

Cuellar Family Markets April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

95

Charlie & Frances Stek celebrate their 65th anniversary April 28. Rudy Zayac turned 96 on April 17.

Mr. & Mrs. Steven Hatala Sr. celebrated their 60th anniversary on March 31. They married at St. John Kanty R. C. Church in 1951 and are the parents of Councilman Steven Hatala Jr. and his sister Debra Mc Cullough. The Hatala’s have 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Shirley and Egon Kot were married 65 years on March 15. Belated birthday wishes to Mary Macejka who turned 89 on March 21.

Birthdays & Celebrations

Send dates & names...tomhawrylko@optonline.net Karen Goldey.....................

Timothy Hayes ....................

Hetal Patel..........................

Karen Schwartz ..................

Raymond DeDios ................

Carl DiGisi .........................

Eric Homsany .....................

Kevin John Lord ..................

Joey Scotto .........................

4/1 4/1 4/1 4/1 4/3 4/3 4/3 4/3 4/4

Bo Franko ..........................

Sabrina Greco....................

Wafa Othman ....................

Mark Peterson ....................

Bob Tanis ...........................

Joe Franek..........................

Sharon J. Koribanics ...........

Jessica Mondelli..................

Luke Kulesa ........................

4/5 4/5 4/5 4/5 4/5 4/6 4/6 4/6 4/7

Happy Birthday to the Hawrylko brothers! Joe will be 26 on April 27 and Tom Jr. turns 24 on April 16. They are pictured with their good friend Bob Marley who celebrates his 7th on April 4.

96

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

Donna Mangone ................ 4/7 Patricia Colman .................. 4/8 Sheryll Franko .................... 4/8 Jackie Henderson................ 4/8 Jeff Murcko......................... 4/8 Emma Gretina .................... 4/9 Kathy Krisinski .................... 4/9 Brian Firstmeyer ................ 4/11 Leila Gasior...................... 4/11 Corky Holms .................... 4/11 Felipe Rivera .................... 4/11 Erin Smith......................... 4/11 Debbie Tucker .................. 4/11 Doreen Delancy-Williams... 4/12 Josh Ontell ....................... 4/13 Lisa Kulesa ....................... 4/15 Adam Pienciak ................. 4/15 Robert Monzo .................. 4/16 Linda Humphrey ............... 4/17 Joseph P. Koribanics.......... 4/17 Peter Fierro....................... 4/18 Jason Dubnoff................... 4/19 Bryan Rodriguez............... 4/19 John Anderson.................. 4/20 Jeff Camp......................... 4/20 Alicia Rose Aste................ 4/22 Lori Hart........................... 4/22 Michael R. Tresca ............. 4/22 Alyssa Tucker.................... 4/22 Bobby Ventimiglia............. 4/22

Super 5th Birthday to Damian Calvo on April 13 Danny Gorun................. 4/23 John Pogorelec, Jr........... 4/23 Marc Scancarella........... 4/23 Katie Michelotti .............. 4/25 Brianna A. Pastore ......... 4/25 Klondike Tresca.............. 4/25 Buddy Czyzewski........... 4/26 Stephanie Magaster ....... 4/26 Jillian Mangone ............. 4/26 Daniel Ricca .................. 4/26 Elise Termyna................. 4/26 Mike Grimaldi ............... 4/27 Michael Press................. 4/27 April Graham ................ 4/28 Stephen Camp, Jr........... 4/29 Paul Colman .................. 4/29 Heather Halasz.............. 4/29 Christine Klein................ 4/29 Happy Anniversary to: Peter & Eileen Fierro ....... 4/18 John & Donna Hawrylko .. 4/28 Daniel Magaster April 7, 1985 October 16, 2003 Loved and missed every day.

Mommy, Dad, Kyle and Stephanie

1036

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

97

BUSINESS OPENINGS Self Reliance (NJ) Federal Credit Union 237 Dayton Ave. 973-772-0620 On March 12, Self Reliance (NJ) Federal Credit Union hosted the official opening and blessing of its branch in Clifton’s Historic Botany Village. On hand for the festivities, from left, Val Bogattchouk, CEO, Father Oleh Zhownirovych, Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Clifton, Ken Wanio, Board Director, Father Andriy Dudkevych, St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Passaic, Mayor James Anzaldi and John Penkalski, President of the Historic Botany Village Special Improvement District.

Liberty Auto Electric 1196 Main Ave. 973-928-3976 Juan Reyes, at center, has opened his second automotive repair station, taking over a garage at the corner of Main and Union Aves. in Downtown Clifton. Reyes has been in the automotive repair business for two decades and his first location is at 101 Straight St in Paterson. Find he and his team of mechanics in Downtown Clifton six days a week, Monday to Saturday.

Jubilee Park Diner 913 Allwood Rd. 973-365-2575 George and Anastasia Logothetis and George’s brother Gus have completed the extensive renovation of the former Allwood Diner. With the establishment of the Jubilee Park Diner, they’ve created a new landmark in the Allwood section. The diner is open Monday to Thursday 6 am to 2 am, Friday and Saturday 24 hours, closing midnight on Sunday.

98

April 2011 • Clifton Merchant

Tomahawk Promotions 1288 main avenue Clifton, nJ 07011

PRSRT STD US Postage PA I D PaTeRSon, nJ PeRmIT no. 617