Clifton Merchant Magazine - January 2005

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Clifton Merchant Magazine • Volume 11 • Issue 1 • January 7, 2005

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The Orange Revolution.

Tom Hawrylko was in the nation of Ukraine during December as an International Election Observer.

See pages 68 to 71.

January 2005 Issues that Shaped Clifton in 2004 . . . . . . . . .8 City Officials Discuss 2005 Goals Gloria will ‘Absolutely Run Again’

. . . . . . . . . .28 . . . . . . . .40

Dundee Island to Open This Year? . . . . . . . . .43 School on Athenia Steel Still Possible? . . . . . .48 From Clifton Stadium to the Super Bowl . . . .55 Tony Accavallo helps his Clifton Neighbor . . .60 Sea Cadet Amanda Curtiss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 Project Graduation Fashion Show . . . . . . . . .63 Catholic Schools: Faith in Every Student . . . . .72 Happy Birthday Centenarian Joe Frost . . . . . .82

Super Bowl Sunday is Feb. 6 and for the seventh year, the Clifton Recreation Department, CASA, Clifton Merchant Magazine and 21 individual sponsors host Clifton Super Bowl Family Day. Get the details inside and bring your crew!

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Clifton Merchant Magazine is published monthly at 1288 Main Ave., Downtown Clifton • 973-253-4400

New Year, New Ideas

opinion by Tom Hawrylko

Happy new year and thanks to those residents who voted in the Dec. 12 School Board Referendum.

Our cover and this column again asks readers and city leaders to start a conversation about Clifton Tomorrow. A conversation not exclusively about the schools, nor the downtowns, or any neighborhood, but about the future of our entire community.

You’ve read my opinions on these pages before, but I ask you once again to consider these suggestions...

Make Clifton City Hall the 8th & 9th Grade School.

For all this talk about Athenia Steel, the contamination and traffic congestion issues may never be resolved. Also, if the State of New Jersey or the voters say no to building a school on Athenia, what next?

We can go back to Latteri Park, consider Main Memorial Park or change course and propose an alternative site as part of a bolder move. That site is city hall.

Let’s convert city hall, which is adjacent to CHS, to the desperately needed 8th & 9th grade school. First occupied in 1980, it is likely the building can be easily updated. Proponents of Athenia Steel should apply the same logic they did for that property... city hall is adjacent to CHS, and it is free, owned by the municipality.

One final piece of logic: despite naysayers, someday, somewhere in town, Clifton will build a new school. If the Board and Council truly collaborated to find a solution, this mess could become an opportunity and a grander plan for our city’s future can be offered to voters.

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January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

Move Police or Fire Headquarters to a Business District and City Hall to Downtown Clifton. One of the more memorable conversations I’ve had over the past decade was with the late City Manager Bill Holster in which I asked him what was his greatest regret. He said without a pause: “Moving city hall from Main Ave.” Let’s take Holster’s advice: use the current city hall for the 8th and 9th grade school. Move city hall back where it belongs—in Downtown Clifton—on either Bellin’s Pool or a portion of Main Memorial Park.

Construction of public facilities in commercial districts can be the catalyst for change and stabilization in ailing neighborhoods and despite the progress made in Downtown Clifton, more needs to be done.

Establishing Police or Fire Headquarters at Bellin’s and City Hall on a portion of Main Memorial Park will bring hundreds of daily visitors to the Avenue.

Bellin’s is on two acres on Main Ave. near the Passaic border and it’s for sale. There’s been talk of building subsidized senior housing there. Also, the City Council has authorized an $8,000 study to determine if they should purchase the 72-year-old facility and create a cityowned-and-operated Pool and Community Center.

Here’s the first question for the consultant: If an expert entrepreneur can’t make the aging facility profitable, what makes the Council think that our under-staffed Rec Dept. can make it work? The reality is Main Ave. is no longer the ideal spot for a community pool.

Tomahawk Promotions 1288 Main Avenue Downtown Clifton, NJ 07011 973-253-4400 • Tom.Hawrylko@verizon.net

EDITOR & PUBLISHER Tom Hawrylko BUSINESS MANAGER Cheryl Hawrylko GRAPHIC DESIGNER Andre Olave WRITERS Jack DeVries, Joe Torelli, Fran Hopkins, Raymond Tulling, Daniel Wolfe, Frank Santamassino, Gary Anolik, Joe Hawrylko

City Hall, adjacent to CHS, should become our 8th and 9th grade school.

Make the former Athenia Steel factory the Community Pool. The 35-acre former Athenia Steel property has some well documented issues. Forget about all that for a moment and consider this swath of green space on Clifton Ave. If the City Council is serious about creating a Clifton-ownedand-operated Pool and Community Center, then have the consultant study Athenia Steel as an option.

Compare the cost of building a new pool from scratch and repairing and upgrading the 72-year-old facility on Main Ave. And have the consultant ask residents which they would purchase membership to.

With vision, Athenia Steel could be Clifton’s Central Park, complete with a community pool residents would want to purchase membership to, along with walking trails and sports fields once envisioned.

Walk this long-vacant former factory complex and find rolling hills, open fields and mature trees.

Creating a jewel of a park on contaminated land will be safer, less expensive and easier to complete than a school. And it would have minimal impact on local roads.

And Latteri Park... should be sold.

I’m certain a developer would purchase the 7 acre property, develop single family homes––and at no cost to the city––preserve a portion for parkland in a deal to generate ratables and keep open space.

Something Big in Botany? Bravo to the business owners who have worked for years to create a Special Improvement District. But the city needs to go beyond a simple endorsement of their organization and look at some major changes in the historic district.

Where is the 2005 Master Plan for Botany? In the 1970’s, the city offered the vision and created the historic motif seen in the neighborhood today. So how do we bring shoppers back to the district? Can the city use eminent domain to purchase the former supermarket in the center of the square and make the structure a municipal building?

New Year, New Ideas. Over the last few weeks, we have asked elected and appointed officials to discuss their goals for the city’s future and offer suggestions on how to meet those objectives.

Starting on page 28, you’ll find their comments.

Now Let Us Hear From You. While I have been disappointed by how, in some ways, Clifton has evolved over the last few years, I am not giving up. And I hope you will join with me and others in helping to build a better Clifton.

How ironic it would be if we allowed political pessimism to stifle our instincts to try and make our hometown a better place. It is time for the public to become aware of issues, discuss some potential solutions and envision Clifton Tomorrow. Please consider all that has been written here and on pages 28 to 47. Do any of these ideas make sense? Are they practical?

Are we too late or on the cusp of a new tomorrow? I look forward to reading your comments.

What Do You Think?

What are your ideas on how our community will meet the challenges of Clifton Tomorrow? Write to us. We want to discuss and publish your suggestions. Please be sure to include your name and phone number.

Clifton Merchant • January 2005

5

Greco Appointed City Manager: In a late evening 6-1 decision, with Councilwoman Gloria Kolodziej casting the lone dissenting vote, the City Council appointed Interim City Manager Al Greco as Clifton’s ninth city manager at its Jan. 4 meeting, effective immediately.

Greco took over as Interim City Manager when former City Manager Barbara Sacks resigned on Nov. 16.

He also served as Interim City Manager after City Manager Bob Hammer’s death on Dec. 20, 2002 and was thought to be the front runner for the position until Sacks was hired in Sept. 2003.

Greco has worked for the city since 1996 as its Health Officer and Director of Human Services. Previously he was employed as Health Officer and Director of the Mid-Bergen Regional Health Commission in River Edge for 18 years and was Assistant Health Officer in Teaneck for five years before that.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Master’s degree in Social Science from William Paterson University.

“My colleagues have spoken but I think that the public’s best interests would have been better served by broadening the talent pool,” Kolodziej said. “Mr. Greco doesn’t have the experience or education we advertised for (when Barbara Sacks was hired).”

Said Greco: “I’m happy that the majority of the Council supported my appointment. I hope to live up to all their expectations, including Councilwoman Kolodziej’s.”

Police Chief Outlines Manpower Needs: Police Chief Robert Ferreri presented ambitious recommendations for meeting the Clifton Police Department’s manpower and organizational needs to the City Council at its Jan. 4 meeting. These recommendations, which were based on a self-assessment conducted by the department, are as follows: • Expand the Table of Organization to increase staff consistent with the needs defined in this self-assessment.

• Restructure the Command Staff to ensure the effective and efficient management and administration of the department.

• Establish a separate Internal Affairs and Inspectional Services Division.

• Increase the Table of Organization in the Communications Center and establish the position of Public Safety Telecommunicator Supervisor.

• Establish a Street Crimes Unit within the Department.

• Establish the position of Deputy Chief.

The Council agreed to form a subcommittee, consisting of Mayor James Anzaldi and Councilmen Steve Hatala and Don Kowal, to study the Chief’s recommendations in order to determine what can be done within the budgetary constraints set by the state’s 2.5% budget cap.

Although a source suggested that Ferreri is looking to add 42 staff to the department, Ferrari told us that “it’s not true that I requested 42 people. That may be an optimum number, if you add up the recommendations throughout our assessment, but it’s up to the subcommittee and the Council to determine the actual number of people that may be added.” Currently there are 156 employees of the Clifton Police Department, Ferrari said.

At the Council meeting, Ferrari noted that demands on officers’ time have escalated because of the growing number of 911 hangups (4,000 in the past year), false alarms from home alarms systems, highway accidents and domestic violence calls.

Coupled with the increase in shopping centers. housing developments and gang activity, police resources are strained.

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January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

Clifton Merchant Magazine 1288 Main Ave. Clifton 07011 Tom.Hawrylko@Verizon.Net

Letters to the Editor Barbara Sacks’ ‘Exit Interview’ in our December edition generated comments and some long letters. Here are edited versions of two of those missives...

As South Brunswick chief of police, I worked with Barbara Sacks during her 10-month tenure as township manager.

“In South Brunswick,” Sacks is quoted, “I did question the personal use of city vehicles—for vacations or for going to other jobs. A very politically influential and active police chief there complained to a councilman about my looking into this.”

Sacks’ “looking into” was a document alleging my command staff and I had acted unprofessionally and accused us of criminal conduct.

I asked the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office to look into the matter.

An investigation found our vehicle use in accordance with township policy.

Sacks was not happy with the findings. She wrote to the New Jersey State Attorney General, reiterating her accusations and adding others. At the Attorney General’s request, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office conducted another extensive investigation.

Not surprisingly, it found the allegations baseless and without merit. Not long after, Sacks resigned.

Michael D. Paquette Chief of Police South Brunswick Police Dept.

The Botany Village Task Force is comprised of about 20 members who have worked since June 2003 to improve our district. On their behalf, let me respond to comments made by Barbara Sacks.

Sacks is quoted as saying: “I met with these people last summer. I asked them for documentation that Botany residents were in favor of the SID (Special Improvement District). They assured me that residents did support the SID but they couldn’t document it.”

Task force representatives did meet with Sacks and Mayor Anzaldi.

We informed Sacks that we had signed statements of support. Of the 104 properties within the proposed SID district, 33 percent of owners signed the statements.

Sacks also said, “(The) November 15 meeting... was standing room only.” The meeting was held in the council’s caucus chambers (a small room) and many people attended for other reasons.

She noted,” (Property owners and residents) were vehemently opposed.” They were approximately 25 people who wanted to speak to the council about the creation of the SID. Three were opposed. Six task force members, both tenants and property owners, spoke in favor of the district.

The council, as Sacks noted, responded in a “democratic” manner and chose to “table” the matter.

They requested the Botany Task

Force convene (its fourth community meeting) to answer questions and make the case again for a public/ private partnership to improve Botany. That meeting will be held January 12, at 6:30 pm at Johnny’s Tavern, which is at the corner of Parker and Ackerman. All are welcome to attend.

Sacks stated she believes a SID is not the answer to Botany’s problems.

We believe the road to improve Botany will be paved with many solutions. We believe that a SID is the way to go. To the mayor, council, and our neighbors, give us a chance to make a difference.

We wish Barbara Sacks well in her next job.

Joe Nikischer Vice Chairman Botany Village Task Force Clifton Merchant • January 2005

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Issues that shaped the city this past year...

2004

School 17 opened on Sept. 2, 2004, in the Botany/Lakeview section, the first new Clifton school constructed in 40 years. This past April, voters approved funding of a pilot full-day kindergarten there, the first in our city’s history. The Board of Education is expected to offer voters the option to expand the program to more schools this coming year, as they seek to pass the third budget in a row.

he following pages provide a month-by-month look at the issues that shaped Clifton during 2004.

Dominating local news was the continuing controversy over where to build a new 1700-student school to relieve chronic overcrowding at CHS and the city’s two middle schools.

Clifton’s rapidly disappearing open space and other environmental concerns also remained hot topics in town, as a gaping hole in the side of Garrett Mountain, caused by the clear-cutting of trees to make way for a massive condominium complex, continued unimpeded.

Other top stories included the resignation of City Manager Barbara Sacks, and the continued lack of answers regarding uses for the 35 acre former Athenia Steel factory.

T

by Joe Torelli with Joe Hawrylko

2005

...and their evolution & impact in the new year

8

January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

Casey Casperino gets cut for Locks of Love

Ellen DeLosh on Clifton issues

January & February

Then…

‘Retail Follows Rooftops’ was the lead story in Clifton Merchant Magazine as the start of a new year promised expansive economic growth, particularly on the west side of town. For the third consecutive year, the city added over 500,000 square feet of new commercial space in 2003 and the prospects remained bright for 2004.

Clifton’s continued growth caught the attention of the banking industry, which looked to capitalize on the city’s economic strength.

New banks sprung up during 2003, led by the construction of Banco Popular on Main Ave. and Commerce Bank on the Clifton

Ave. extension. Additional banking facilities were planned for other areas in the city during 2004.

At the intersection of Allwood Rd. and Bloomfield Ave., construction on the Allwood Roundabout, pictured above, which started in mid 2003, was halted due to weather concerns.

Marianne Reilly gives belated Christmas gift

Delawanna saw the old Bradlees shopping center on Main Ave., which is now anchored by Kohl’s Department Store, continue to undergo renovations. Across the street, Carmen Maggio, former owner of Rowe-Manse Emporium, proposed that the commercial property he owns on Clay St. be converted into retail.

Athenia Mason Supply owner Ken Kievit was forced to relocate his company when NJ Transit refused to renew the lease at his Clifton Terrace location. NJ Transit needed the Clifton Terrace site for an expanded train station parking lot. Kievit invested more than $1 million to purchase and renovate 4.5 acres near Lakeview Ave. in order to stay in Clifton. However, he was unsuccessful in seeking finan-

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cial help from both NJ Transit and local and state governments to activate a defunct rail line on the property critical to his business.

The Board of Education and the City Council held their third and final joint meeting to consider proposed sites for a new middle school. The two bodies released a statement saying they had reached a consensus on a location, but did not reveal the site. However, Clifton Merchant Magazine learned that the agreedupon site was Schultheis Farm, located off of Grove St. Councilman Frank Gaccione continued to voice uncertainty about the need for the school, once again stating his belief that stronger effort to remove illegal students would relieve the chronic overcrowding at CHS and the two middle schools.

City Manager Barbara Sacks was assigned the task of trimming the 2004 municipal budget.

The status and future of the near six acre Schultheis Farm, located on Grove St. and running along Route 46 East, once considered for a school site, is still uncertain.

Her goal was to reduce the proposed $167.40-per-household tax increase while providing more services at less expense.

C&L Developers, who planned to build eight single family homes at 76 Grove St., ran into more resistance from local residents.

Area homeowners asked that a bar-

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However, when built, the barrier would leave 11 feet of orphaned land to maintain, for which neither side was willing to pay. The issue was referred to the Planning Board for resolution.

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January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

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Feb 04

Red Hat Society’s new city chapter

Banco Popular opens 2nd Clifton branch

Nina Velez performs at Luna Rossa Jazz Club

…Now A new 55,000 square foot Acme supermarket opened in February in the historic Styertowne Shopping Center to get the city off to a strong start in 2004. The ultra-modern facility is the latest in a number of major additions and enhancements for the landmark shopping center.

Spencer Savings Bank has announced plans to build a branch on Van Houten Ave., on the site of the Window Mill. A second Commerce Bank facility is also being built on Clifton Ave. in the downtown shopping district.

On Route 3, Shorewood Packaging sold a portion of its property to Liberty LincolnMercury which built a spectacular new four-star showroom on the site.

The manufacturing plant itself has been demolished and the property is being rezoned for retail use.

At the corner of Passaic Ave. and Allwood Rd. in Rosemawr, Togar Corporate Suites purchased the old Brogan Cadillac building and began construction on a long-stay corporate hotel for business executives. Target date for completion is September or October 2005.

Mayor James Anzaldi cutting the ribbon at the grand opening of ACME on the lower level of the Styertowne Shopping Center.

After nearly two years, construction of the Allwood Roundabout is nearing completion with only a few minor details remaining.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment considered and denied plans to rezone the Clay St. property for use as retail space.

Despite continued talks with NJ Transit, and a number of meetings with local and state governmental agencies and elected officials, Athenia Mason Supply owner Ken Kievit has received no financial

support to activate the half-mile rail line on his property. Kievit’s decision to remain in Clifton after being forced to move prevented 50 jobs from leaving the city.

A decision on where to build the much needed school for 8th and 9th graders has still not been finalized.

According to state law, the next possible date for a referendum is September 2005.

Board of Education President Joseph Kolodziej said he believes that if a referendum is successful at

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that time, a target date of September 2008 for occupancy of the new facility will be attainable.

The budget adopted by the Council in June raised property taxes by $97.59, or 7 percent, for homes assessed at the average of $173,852. The budget required to run the city in 2004 was $76.6 million, with about $45.5 million of that coming from taxes.

No decision has been reached on who is responsible for maintaining the buffer zone between the eight new homes under construction at 76 Grove St. and the property of existing homeowners.

March & April

Then…

Amid much fanfare, Governor Jim McGreevey arrived in Clifton in late February to present the Boys’ & Girls’ Club with a check for $97,000 for its after school program. Although the funds were greatly appreciated, Clifton Merchant Magazine lamented the fact that Governor McGreevey did not travel just a few blocks further to view the crowded hallways at CHS. Residents were urged to petition the Governor to remind him of the chronic overcrowding in our two middle schools and at CHS. In March, we took a comprehensive look at the proposed $109 mil-

lion 2003-2004 school budget and its impact on taxpayers. A comparison of per-pupil spending for each town in Passaic County was provided, along with a review of the federal and state mandates that continue to drive school costs ever higher.

To garner support for passage of the proposed $109.4 million education budget, schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice prepared two special reports for Clifton Merchant Magazine readers in April.

In the first, he stressed the importance of full-day kindergarten classes for the city’s children. Dr. Rice presented statistics illustrating that students in fullday kindergarten programs experience substantial achievement gains over students who attend half-day classes only. He noted that the proposed budget included funding to pilot full-day kindergarten classes at Clifton’s new School 17 in September. In a companion report, Dr. Rice exam-

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January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

Mar 04

Clifton Public Schools: Will the Budget Pass?

ined the cost per pupil expended by school systems throughout the state. He noted that although Clifton ranks 103 out of 107 in per pupil spending among the eight Northern New Jersey counties (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Union, and Warren), students’ performances on standard tests rank well above national and state averages.

Dr. Rice emphasized that passage of the proposed budget would help improve those results and enhance the overall quality of education.

The nine candidates running for the three open seats on the Clifton Board of Education were interviewed before the election. Each answered questions about their qualifications, escalating school budgets, test scores and school overcrowding.

School 13 celebrates 80 years with a party

NY Jet Dave Szott visits his hometown

Assemblyman Peter Eagler went on the record to talk about a variety of topics, including state mandates, property taxes, possible solutions to illegal students, school overcrowding, and his take on why Clifton doesn’t need a new school.

…Now

The hotly debated federallymandated No Child Left Behind act was given special attention because of its many seeminglyimpossible-to-achieve objectives, and because it is severely underfunded by the US government.

Unlike 2003 when voters resoundingly supported the school budget presented to them by the Board of Education, they approved the 2004 budget by the razor-thin margin of just three votes.

Approval didn’t come until two weeks after the polls closed when the counting of provisional ballots reversed an apparent 10-vote defeat announced on Election Day. The provisional ballots—votes cast during an election but certified afterward—made the

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April 04

Karin Christiaens Optimist Honoree

difference. The Passaic County Board of Elections counted the 23 provisional ballots, bringing the final tally to 2,493 votes in favor and 2,490 against. Passage of the budget referendum resulted in an additional tax levy of $92.2 million for Clifton taxpayers – a $232 increase in the property taxes paid on a home assessed at the city average of $173,900.

Clifton’s Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Michael Rice, was obviously pleased with the results.

He called the reversal of the defeat a “victory” for the city’s more than 10,000 schoolchildren.

A special ballot question authorizing $541,000 in additional taxes for school renovations and repairs was also made official, passing with a final vote of 2,852 in favor and 1,853 against.

1459

Lee’s Hawaiian Islander remains a city eyesore

Elected to three-year terms on the nine-member Board of Education were former member Norman Tahan (2,042votes), and newcomers Kim Renta (1,897 votes) and Keith LaForgia (1,865 votes).

Juliet Rave & others named CHS scholars

May & June

Then…

May and June were dominated by the continuing controversy concerning school overcrowding and where to locate new facilities to alleviate the problem.

Despite their initial support, the City Council hung the Board of Education out to dry for a second time on the issue of where to build the much-needed new school for 8th and 9th grade students.

Even though it was the Council that had recommended Schultheis Farm as the preferred site during secret Board/Council meetings, when faced with heavy opposition from city residents (highlighted by a petition containing nearly 4,000 signatures), Council members did an abrupt about-face.

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January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

May 04

Memorial DayTribute Clifton Vets Honored

Their 7-0 vote agreeing not to pursue purchasing the farm mirrored an earlier vote in which they opposed Latteri Park as the site for the school. In both cases they disregarded the recommendations of a two-year study conducted by a special citizens’ committee appointed by the Board.

In addition to Schultheis Farm and Latteri Park, the Council and Board considered other notable properties such as Dundee Island, Brogan Cadillac, Mayer Textile Machine Corporation, Pope John Paul II School, and the former Athenia Steel site.

Although the City Council voted 6-0 not to support construction at Latteri Park, it continued to be considered a viable alternative because it was the only potential property already owned by the Board.

Ken Kurnath ends 15 year Bd. of Ed. tenure

Flying Mueller Bros. in CHS benefit gig

Due to overcrowding, CHS social studies teacher Christopher Henry instructs his first three classes of the day in a cafeteria.

On June 1, Superintendent Rice presented another Board plan—a proposal to tear down School 14 on St. Andrews Blvd. and replace it with a 1700-student middle school.

The plan called for School 14 stu-

dents and teachers to be educated in modular classrooms (trailers) that would be located at Latteri Park from Sept. 2005 until the completion of the new school building in Sept. 2007.

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June 04

CHS Class of 2004 graduated June 21

The second part of the plan was to have one of the two Mayer Textile buildings on Brighton Rd. ready to accept 500 CHS students in Sept. 2006. However, the owners of Mayer Textile stated previously that they had no intention of selling the building to the Board of Education. Replacement of School 14 and the purchase and renovation of the Mayer Textile building both would require voter approval.

Irate residents in the School 14 area questioned the logic of razing and replacing an existing school while the Board already owns Latteri Park, property that was donated to it more than 50 years ago for the express purpose of building a school. They further questioned the Board when estimated costs were made known— the School 14 project would cost

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$1.5 million more then the Latteri Park solution and they vowed never to let the proposal pass.

Responding to the second part of the Board’s plan, Mayer Textile

Ron Anello named CHS Football Coach

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as a school annex. The fliers urged both businesses and residents to oppose the plan and to call the mayor and other city officials to voice their concerns.

In news unrelated to overcrowding, the NJ Dept. of Education honored School 13’s ESL/bilingual instruction as a model program in the state. The DOE noted how the school’s bilingual program emphasizes speaking only English in the classroom unless students need clarification in their own language.

In other unrelated news, the Discount Furniture Mart on Rt.. 46 announced that it was going out of business due to the death of its original owner. The announcement came just five months after the Acme supermarket that had been located in an adjacent strip mall closed its doors. Acme moved to a brand new 55,000 square foot facility at the Styertowne Shopping Center. In addition to offering sav-

ings on home furnishings, Discount Furniture Mart, which opened in 1978, served as the community focal point for collecting donations for Ground Zero workers immediately following the 9/11 attacks.

…Now In response to overwhelming citizen opposition to the School 14 proposal, members of both the Board of Education and the City Council quickly pulled their support for the plan. The city was left with, essentially, only two viable alternatives for a new school – the Board-owned Latteri Park, or the city-owned Athenia Steel site, neither of which is without problems.

Plans to build on Latteri Park have already met strong resistance from citizen groups, while soil contamination on the Athenia Steel property has yet to be remedied.

Despite the efforts of company owners, and three council members, voters approved a December

Poll worker Genevieve Puzio, left, and voter Irma Gerardis at CCMS on Dec. 14, the day Cliftonites passed the referendum authorizing the Board of Education to purchase and covert the Mayer Textile building into a school.

referendum to purchase the Mayer Textile building at 290 Brighton Rd. for $15.1 million. The building will be converted into an annex for 500 high school students by the beginning of the 2006 school year.

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January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

July 04

Nancy Read becomes an Episcopal deacon

The referendum passed with 3,109 voting in favor and 1,441 against. The cost to the Clifton school district will amount to $11.1 million of the total, with the other $4 million provided by the state. The taxpayer contribution, which amounts to $28 a year for a home assessed at the city's average of $173,000, was not expected to increase tax bills due to the expiration of outstanding debt from past projects.

The two adjacent retail properties on Rt.. 46 that were home to an Acme supermarket and the Discount Furniture Mart remain unoccupied.

Owners and managers of nearby retail establishments say they have experienced as much as a 50 percent drop in business as a result of losing the two anchor stores.

July & August

Then…

Information obtained by Clifton Merchant Magazine from the New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) did not bode well for those who supported building a new school on the Athenia Steel property.

Dutch Hill Residents share stories, pride

New city Planner Dennis J. Kirwan.

The DEP ruled that soil contamination throughout the entire site must be addressed concurrently, and that limited, piecemeal proposals for remediation were no longer acceptable.

Members of the City Council and some Board of Education commissioners had hoped that a plan to decontaminate a portion of the property for a new school would be acceptable.

The state awarded Clifton a second $600,000 Green Acres grant to be used exclusively to convert a portion of the Athenia Steel site into a park and public recreation area.

An earlier grant in the same amount was to be used for engineering and

Bishop of Paterson Frank Rodimer retires

design plans for the park. The area on the 35-acre property designated for public recreation use is separate from the proposed school site. None of the state grant money may be used for the school.

Governor James McGreevey signed legislation placing new restrictions on the use of surplus school budget dollars for building maintenance and repair. Schools’ Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice called the legislation unfair and said that Clifton would join other districts in efforts to have it amended.

A state arbitrator ruled against a request by rank-and-file Clifton police officers for a shift-schedule change. PBA Local 36 had asked that its members be allowed to lengthen their workdays to 10-hour shifts while working for four consecutive days, followed by four days off. A counter offer to work five consecutive days with two days off, followed by another fiveday week with three days off was rejected earlier by PBA. Dennis J. Kirwan of West Milford was hired as a full-time Clifton City Planner, filling a role that had been performed by a consulting firm for many years.

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January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

Aug 04

Nick Marchisello again elected FMBA president

Old Camp Clifton memories stoked

EPC Chair Al DuBois resigns in protest

One of Clifton’s oldest businesses closed its doors for good when Avato’s Department Store on Valley Road announced that it was going out of business after 71 years. First opened in 1933, the store had been family owned and operated for three generations.

Thousands of trees have been clear-cut on a 98 acre tract of land which straddles the West Paterson and Clifton border to make room for 810 units of housing.

Merchant Magazine in August.

Peter Both, a member of Friends of Garret Mountain, noted that since the K. Hovnanian Companies began bulldozing the moun-

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tain a little more than a year ago, more then a dozen species of birds no longer frequent the area.

The magazine also took a closer look at the situation on Dundee Island, one of the few remaining areas of dwindling open space left in the city.

The owner of the property, Akbar Ghahary, plans to expand his Safas Corporation business on a portion of the land there, and sell the remaining acreage to Clifton. The city, which already owns two acres of land, has wanted to purchase the remaining acres for some time to develop a nature preserve.

Al Dubois, a 16-year member of the Clifton Environmental Protective Commission, announced his resignation from the Commission. Dubois said that he could “no longer serve on an Environmental Protective Commission that hasn’t protected anything and is ignored, forgotten about, and never asked to interact with the City Council.”

On a tragic note, the devastating effects of the war in Iraq hit home when the US Army announced that Clifton native, Michael Y. Tarlavsky, a captain in the 1st

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…Now Despite the DEP ruling on the Athenia Steel property, Board of Education President Joseph Kolodziej has not abandoned hope that the site can still be used for a new school. Recent meetings between DEP representatives and members of the joint Board of Education/City Council committee were deemed, “cordial” by Mayor James Anzaldi.

A spokesman for K. Hovnanian said that the clear-cutting of trees on Garret Mountain “should not have happened.” He was unable to quantify the number of trees removed but said the company will be planting 600 shade trees, 860 flowering shrubs, and 1800 evergreen trees as development progresses.

The $600,000 state Green Acres grant will continue to sit in a city bank account, said Mayor Anzaldi, until the issue of a new school site

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is settled. The City Council will hold onto the funds until it is determined whether or not a portion of the Athenia Steel property can be used for the school.

September & October

Then…

The issue of what to do with Bellin’s Pool, a downtown Clifton landmark since 1930, arose when its owner, George Bellin, announced that he wanted to sell the property. Though he had inquiries from numerous buyers, Bellin couldn’t commit because his

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Batallion, 5th Special Forces Group, was killed when his unit was attacked by enemy forces in Najaf on Aug. 12. Tarlavsky, a 1992 CHS graduate, became the first Cliftonite to die in the war. He left behind a wife and 11-month old son.

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property is zoned for redevelopment, which gives the city a say in how it can be used in the future.

The Board of Education and the City Council met with environmental specialists to learn how long it might take to rid the northern portion of the Athenia Steel site of contaminated soil. The city has offered the board an 11-acre portion of the 35-acre property for construction of a 1,700-student school in exchange for Boardowned Latteri Park.

Board President Joseph Kolodziej announced plans to petition the state DEP for a conditional waiver on the contaminated Athenia Steel property so that a referendum to build the school could be prepared in time for the April school board elections.

Clifton public school students achieved significant gains in statewide standardized testing performance. Students at the fourthgrade level realized a 5 percent improvement over their 2003 results in both math and language arts, while more than half of all eighth-graders scored at or above required proficiency levels in mathematics. The state's benchmark for

Janet Mozolewski walks for a cure

Halloween Parade and Harvest Fest

While the city considers development and redevelopment plans for Main Ave. at the Passaic border, George Bellin, owners of Bellin’s Clifton Swim Club on Main Ave., pictured above, awaits and may again open for another season this May.

eighth graders requires that only 39 percent pass the math exam. For the high school proficiency exam, more than 70 percent of CHS Juniors scored at or above state levels in mathematics, an increase of 12 percent over last year’s results.

The city received an $800,000 grant from state Green Acres funds to be used for acquiring the remaining available acreage on Dundee Island. With the state funds and additional money from Passaic County, Clifton plans to transform the site into a natural preserve open to the public.

The city lost a court battle to the House of Fire Christian Church over the building of a church in the middle of a residential neighborhood near and around Grove St. at the Montclair border. When neighbors complained about the church’s intentions, the Clifton City Council toughened zoning regulations and the Board of Adjustment rejected the church’s plan. The church sued, and the court found Clifton’s handling of the project to be “tainted.” It sent the matter back to the Zoning Board and ordered the city to pay the church’s legal fees of $24,000.

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Nov 04

Veterans Parade along Main Ave.

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…Now Regan Development Corp., the company that built a 125-unit senior citizens’ apartment building on a portion of the Athenia Steel property, is performing a feasibility study to determine if a similar project is suitable for the Bellin Pool site.

Meanwhile, some members of the City Council have expressed an interest in buying the property and operating it as Clifton’s first municipal pool, and a study is underway.

The city is currently appealing the state court’s ruling concerning the House of Fire Christian Church. The Council and Planning Board believe they have acted in accordance with state laws concerning the establishment of local zoning regulations.

November & December

Then…

Responding to a formal request from the Clifton Board of Education, the state Department of Education (DOE) said it would not grant early approval for a referendum to build a school on a portion of the Athenia Steel site. The Board had asked the DOE to

Former City Manager Barbara Sacks

approve the referendum if the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) failed to respond to the school proposal within 45 days. In denying the request, the DOE cited its concerns about unknown levels of soil contamination on the property.

City Manager Barbara Sacks, who had been criticized by several City Council members during her brief tenure, resigned on Nov. 16.

She said that her leaving was amicable, though council members Ed Welsh and Frank Gaccione had openly clashed with her at council meetings. Welsh and Gaccione

CHS Students react to DuBois’ resignation

spearheaded a request for Sacks to undergo a performance evaluation, something that had never before been required of a city manager.

The city received a surprise gift from the state government in the form of two grants totaling $115 thousand. $80,000 was designated for a park for handicapped and disabled people, with the remaining monies slated for road and sidewalk improvements.

Led by teacher Angela Jones, students at CHS raised $1,250 for the widow and son of Captain Michael Y. Tarlavsky, the first Clifton native to die in combat in the Iraqi war.

Clifton was awarded an $800,000 environmental grant from Passaic County. When combined with the $800,000 received from state Green Acres funds earlier this year, the city will be able to buy 4.25 acres of land on Dundee Island from the Safas Corporation.

The property is adjacent to three acres of city-owned land where officials want to establish a public park and wildlife sanctuary.

Fire destroyed the building that housed the landmark Avato’s Department Store that had closed

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its doors for good earlier in the year. The Sal & Phil Zisa Barber Salon, located next door, also suffered damage when the fire spread through an adjacent wall.

A group known as the Botany District Task Force initiated action to establish a Special Improvement District (SID) in the historic district similar to the one created in Downtown Clifton.

Business owners and residents would pay a 7.7 percent tax to set up the SID. The money would be used to enhance security and improve conditions in the area, making it more attractive for shoppers and investors.

…Now

Councilwoman Gloria Kolodziej says she is concerned that the Council has yet to publicly discuss a permanent replacement for former City Manager Barbara Sacks, who resigned in November.

While city Health Officer Albert Greco has been appointed interim city manager, Kolodziej cautioned that some of her colleagues have already made up their minds to hire him permanently.

Kolodziej said that she disapproves of such behavior and that she prefers to do things in public.

While many Botany Village merchants and business owners favor the formation of a Special Improvement District (SID), some residential

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property owners are not as enthusiastic. They say they shouldn’t have to pay extra taxes for services the city is supposed to be providing to them. The group is hosting a meeting on Jan. 12 to discuss options.

In an unexpected move two days before Christmas, NJ Transit informed the City Council that it was no longer interested in building a huge bus garage on Kuller Rd. City and county officials joined area residents in expressing outrage when NJ Transit first announced its plans for the bus depot more than two years ago.

In its letter, the agency cited local and environmental concerns as its reasons for abandoning the proposed $77 million 313,000-square-foot depot. The depot would have housed between 250 and 350 buses for fuel, repair and daily overnight parking.

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John Ciccone, Logistics Manager for Benjamin Moore Paints on Kuller Rd., points to the vast parking lot which was being eyed for purchase by NJ Transit.

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January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

Federal Mortgage Offers Senior Citizens A Reverse Mortgage

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or some 32 years now, Anthony A. Accavallo, shown here, has been helping make the American Dream become a reality, right here in Clifton.

As President of Federal Mortgage & Investment Corp. at 1111 Clifton Ave., Clifton, he and his firm have written millions of dollars worth of mortgages which have allowed people to purchase homes. And while that work has been fulfilling, Accavallo said he is getting his greatest satisfaction these days by helping senior citizens with reverse mortgages.

A reverse mortgage is a special kind of mortgage loan for seniors. “It is a safe, easy way to turn your home equity into tax-free cash,” he continued.

“Unlike a home equity loan, you do not have to make monthly payments.

Instead, a reverse mortgage pays you.

More importantly, you do not have to repay the loan for as long as you live in the house. It’s a great way to keep your home and get money from it at the same time.”

The name “reverse mortgage” describes exactly what the mortgage is — it is the exact opposite of a conventional mortgage. That is, with a conventional mortgage the borrower pays the lender but with a reverse mortgage, the lender pays the borrower.

In the past, a senior citizen in need of money would have to take out a loan against their house and immediately start making monthly payments again or sell their home.

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But a reverse mortgage allows seniors to borrow against the equity they already have in their home... and they never have to make a monthly payment.

Each reverse mortgage candidate is required to attend a free counseling session with a local independent housing agency approved by FHA (Federal Housing Administration).

Candidates are encouraged to bring other family members with them to help in the decision-making process.

“This process ensures that the borrower understands the program fully and aides them in determining whether or not a reverse mortgage is for them,” said Accavallo.

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You must repay the loan if you no longer live in your home.

In the event of your death, your heirs can choose to repay the loan and keep the house or sell the house and repay the loan, What are interest rate charges & fees?

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New Year, New Ideas Clifton Officials Discuss Goals, City’s Future

by Fran Hopkins lifton has undergone remarkable change. From its beginnings as a farming community and textile manufacturing center to today’s eclectic mix of urban and suburban neighborhoods, old-fashioned Mom and Pop shops and some of the biggest chain stores in the country, Clifton today would be virtually unrecognizable to its founding residents: our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.

But some things haven’t changed. Clifton remains a wonderful city—amazingly diverse people, many with deep roots in the city, and an incredible array of lovely and lively neighborhoods, shopping opportunities and recreational activities. We have a welldeserved reputation as an excellent place to live and work and raise a family; all of us share a common desire to preserve and protect that reputation for future generations – for our children and grandchildren.

After 88 years as a city, just about all of Clifton that can (and should) be developed has been.

Our schools, our neighborhoods and our streets are full. The city is in transition: instead of boundless growth and development, we’re now implementing planned growth and redevelopment.

C

28

January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

The dangers of excess development, overcrowded schools, illegal housing units, and deteriorating neighborhoods threaten our city’s future. These problems call for an end to the old ways of thinking and the beginning of new ideas for Clifton.

Just as Clifton’s concerns in 1917 were entirely different from those the city faces today, our ways of thinking about and addressing Clifton’s needs must evolve as the city itself evolves.

As the fifth year of the 21st century begins, it’s an appropriate time to talk with city officials about what lies ahead for Clifton.

What are their plans for 2005 to help ensure a promising future for the city? What do they see as Clifton’s top-priority concerns and what will they do to address them?

What is their vision for Clifton going forward? Fran Hopkins spoke with many of our elected and appointed officials to discuss their goals as we enter the new year.

Joe Kolodziej, President Board of Education President Joe Kolodziej identified lack of space in the upper grades as the top challenge the school district faces in 2005. “The biggest problem is still our overcrowded conditions at the middle schools and high school.

Clearly, the conversion of the Mayer building is a big first step in the right direction, but it is not a solution by itself,” he said.

Kolodziej remains optimistic that the northern portion of the Athenia Steel property will be that solution. Under a ‘best case scenario’ he outlined, it’s possible for the property to be tested, cleaned and for a school to be built in time for a Sept. 2008 opening.

To meet this deadline, Kolodziej said that the board must make a decision about the site for a 1700-student grades 8-9 school ‘in the first half of 2005.’ Since the district generally requires six months from the date a decision is made to build a school and the date the proposal is placed before voters in a referendum, and since the state permits ‘special school elections’ only on certain dates in Jan., March, April, Sept. and Dec., this means that a decision must be reached no later than June in order for a referendum to be held in Sept. or Dec. 2005.

However, even Kolodziej is prepared to consider a ‘Plan B’ should the ‘worst case scenario’ occur and

Council members (from left) Don Kowal, Ed Welsh and Frank Gaccione were contacted numerous times for their comments but did not respond to our calls.

Joe Kolodziej

it becomes apparent that the district’s timeline cannot be met with the Athenia Steel property.

Other possibilities that Kolodziej would explore, should Athenia Steel not pan out, include: • An idea presented in Clifton Merchant Magazine that City Hall become the grades 8-9 school, with municipal offices relocated to Downtown Clifton, the police headquarters moved to Lakeview and the fire department moved to Botany Village;

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“The Board needs to work better as a ‘committee of the whole. Personalities and egos need to be checked at the door; this is about kids, not politics and political connections.”

–Board of Education Vice President Jim Leeshock

• An idea proposed by City Clerk Dick Moran that CHS be relocated to Christopher Columbus Middle School, with an additional building constructed at the CCMS field and connected to the present structure via bridges; middle school students be relocated to the present High School building; and Woodrow Wilson Middle School be used to house grades 8-9 or grades 6-7; • Purchase of the Globe Products site at 750 Bloomfield Ave. Another problem for the district (in fact, for all NJ public school districts), Kolodziej said, is Senate Bill 1701, a law enacted last June that places constraints on school budgets for the purpose of creating short-term property tax relief.

“If S-1701 is not amended, the district will be placed in the position of reducing staff at a time when enrollment is increasing and if this comes to pass, many of our gains over the past two years will be wiped out,” Kolodziej said.

Conversion of the Mayer building into a high school annex to open in Sept. 2006 “will be a daunting task to meet the timeframe of 18 months,” Kolodziej said.

“The continued improvement of test scores and the continued expansion of pilot programs should also be goals,” Kolodziej said.

“Our college credit program at Montclair State University is a fine example of ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking. Exploring offering some sort of alternative education program 30

January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

for some of our more challenged students is also an ‘out-of-the-box’ approach that can reap big rewards for our district,” Kolodziej said.

The Board president would also like to see the expansion of full-day kindergarten, currently being piloted at School 17, to more of Clifton’s 14 elementary schools in 2005.

Jim Leeshock, Vice President “The pressing problems for the district are the upcoming construction at 290 Brighton Rd. and the necessity for space to alleviate the overcrowding at the middle and high schools,” said Jim Leeshock, Board vice president. “I think we’ve made the case for space; now we need to follow through. The referendum approval was the beginning and the overwhelming support of the public needs to be carried over into the second phase of the solution.”

Leeshock is proud of the district’s accomplishments and would like to expand on those during 2005. “My goals for the district are pretty straightforward: to continue the good work we are doing. I think we have accomplished some great things in my two-and-a-half years on the Board.

“We have a strategic plan; the advice and recommendations of the curriculum management audit; and a group of Board members who are kid-oriented,” Leeshock continued.

“Let’s face it, we have a responsibility to the taxpayers, yet an even greater one to the children. We

Jim Leeshock

need to constantly think out of the box to solve the issues before us quickly and efficiently.”

The Board vice president is also concerned with upper grade overcrowding and wants to solve this problem in the new year. “We all know the time the ‘space issue’ has already consumed,” Leeshock said.

“It will continue to be the main focus until we get all the info about Athenia Steel. New ideas, properties, old ideas, everything will need to be an option in order resolve this issue,” he added.

However, Leeshock said, “I’m not fully committed to Athenia Steel yet (as the site of the 1700student grades 8-9 school). There are access questions and we don’t know yet if it can meet our timetable. I would support Latteri Park as a last resort. We need a Plan B and a Plan C.” Finally, Leeshock commented on his hopes for 2005: “The Board needs to work better as a ‘committee of the whole. Personalities and egos need to be checked at the door; this is about kids, not politics and political connections.”

“I also think that developers should be required to pay for school construction and finance the additional school burdens created by their developments.”

–Marie Hakim

additional school burdens created by their developments,” she said.

An interesting idea proposed by Hakim is that of a “master plan” for the school district. “We need to develop a thorough master plan that meets the district’s educational and

facilities goals,” she said. “This master plan must be driven by a comprehensive approach to educational adequacy and be in concert with Clifton’s master plan. We must seek opportunities for joint development with the city.”

☛

Marie Hakim

Marie Hakim “The school district’s most pressing problems are finances, facilities, academic achievement, and illegal students,” said Marie Hakim, a Board member since 1990.

Hakim suggested many ways in which the district can keep school costs and taxes down. “We must continue to seek funds from the state, federal government, and corporations, as well as alternative funding, including grants and subsidies. We should lobby for real property tax reform that removes local education from the property tax burden. We can minimize expenses and seek increased shared services with the city. For example, snow and trash removal, health services, and so on,” Hakim said.

Hakim often suggests novel approaches at Board meetings and shared some. “We should take advantage of free consultants in budgeting and planning, for example, the Center for Architecture and Building Science at NJIT offers free consultations in facilities planning.

“I also think that developers should be required to pay for school construction and finance the

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What exactly is “joint development”? “We must find ways to utilize space, sites and buildings, such as the use of existing non-school buildings and the construction of joint use buildings with public and private institutions and businesses.

Shared facilities can enhance neighborhood revitalization and save tax dollars,” Hakim explained.

Hakim outlined her goals for 2005, which include 1) annual registration for all students at all grade levels, in order to ensure that only Clifton residents attend Clifton schools; 2) development of a school district master plan; 3) pursuit of property tax reform and of legislation that benefits Clifton (and conversely, opposition to legislation that will have a negative effect on the schools); 4) pursuit of alternate funding methods (e.g., joint cityschool district ventures; seeking additional state funding and other grants and subsidies); 5) development of “smaller learning communities” such as magnet and academy schools; and 6) continued academic advancement in the Clifton schools.

“My vision is to develop a comprehensive master school plan, affordable to the community, and in concert with the municipal master plan: quality education and quality facilities with fiscal responsibility,” Hakim said.

“My goals are to continue to keep the district moving forward by passing a third budget in a row...”

–Keith LaForgia

Keith LaForgia On the opposite end of the tenure spectrum from Marie Hakim is Keith LaForgia, elected just last April to the Board, who cites overcrowding as the most pressing issue. “As we all know, there is a two-part plan to address this problem. The first part was passage of the Mayer referendum on Dec. 14.

The second part is finalizing a site for the new grades 8-9 junior high school,” La Forgia said.

LaForgia admits that he originally believed that Latteri Park was the appropriate site for this school.

“After getting elected and having access to all of the information, I have changed my opinion on this site. First, the size school that is proposed, in my opinion, is much too large to fit on that site. Second, I believe that we will need major road reconstruction to be able to handle all of the added traffic being brought into the area.

Defending his change in position, LaForgia stated, “Some people may call that flip-flopping; but I choose to call it making a more educated decision once having all of the facts. Being asked to choose a site when running for an

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elected office, without having all of the facts, is wrong.”

LaForgia described his goals for the school district in 2005. “My goals are to continue to keep the district moving forward by passing a third budget in a row. We must also be vigilant in tracking down illegal students. We must continue all of the great programs that we offer our children, such as the Marine ROTC and the career intern program. It’s also going to be very important to expand our pilot full-day kindergarten.” LaForgia said.

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“The majority of the Board is hanging on for an ‘act of God’ to clean up that toxic waste dump known as Athenia Steel.”

–Norm Tahan

Norm Tahan Board member Norm Tahan also cited S-1701 as a major problem.

“If we have to formulate our budget based on the 2% cap in the law [reduced from 3%], we will have a difficult time operating next year.

The lobbying that Clifton, as well as other districts, are doing should at least put S-1701 on hold. So we should be OK for the next budget year,” Tahan said.

Tahan remains frustrated at the slow progress of the Board’s selection of a school site. “Obviously overcrowding at the middle and high school level is a paramount problem. That the Board gives the residents and students lip service that we are doing something to quell this problem is a bunch of baloney,” Tahan remarked. “Since I was elected to the Board [in April 2004], besides the successful Mayer referendum, we are no closer to solving the overcrowding problem than we were in April.

“The majority of the Board,” Tahan continued, “is hanging on for an ‘act of God’ to clean up the toxic waste dump known as Athenia Steel. I have no doubt that it will be clean one day, but we don’t have time to wait four to five years for that—and hello boys and girls!—that’s how long at the minimum it will be before a school will be opened at that site,” Tahan said.

Tahan doesn’t hide his hopes that there will be turnover on the board as a result of the April election, in which Board members Hakim, Leeshock and Traier will be up for 34

January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

reelection. “If in April, we gain two more Board members who are willing to make a decision based on the current information, and approve the [Community Advisory] Committee’s recommendation, then I will put forth my motion to build the school on Latteri Park, the site that many citizens want the choice to select,” Tahan said.

Another critical need, Tahan believes, is the construction of elevated walkways between the four wings of CHS to eliminate the crush of students and staff that occurs when classes change. “This should be done over next summer and be ready for the 2005-2006 school year,” he said. “We have dragged our feet on this issue for 12 years. The situation has become dangerous and this is an easy and cheap remedy,” urged Tahan.

Speaking of goals for 2005, Tahan said, “I have no personal goals for the district; the goals of the board as a whole are the important thing. Hopefully in April two members who can make a school site decision based on the information we have now will be elected.

Then this city will move forward instead of sitting at the fork in the road, waiting for God to be driving the tow truck.”

Tahan said that he’s looking into fuel cell power “as an alternative to standard electrical supply. I have been in touch with a community college that has gone this route. It is the wave of the future and we need to get on it soon.” He said he will propose this to the Board soon.

Norm Tahan

John Traier John Traier, who said last month that he was undecided about running for the Board again in April, said that he has since made the decision to run for reelection.

Traier views overcrowding as the most pressing issue. “My goal for the new year is to have a referendum before the voters by December,” he said.

He also alluded to alternate possibilities as to where to locate 1700 8th and 9th graders. “My hope is that there will be one location, but I’m flexible. There could be one 89 school on one side of town and another 8-9 school on the other.

“But voters want us to be financially prudent and cost-effective,” Traier, an accountant, noted. “I look to our education experts—the superintendent, assistant superintendent and principals—to tell us what’s best for the kids.”

Traier sees other issues confronting the burgeoning Clifton schools. “I’d like to see more connecting with students, more individualized learning and smaller learning communities,” he said. “Using

“I look to our education experts—the superintendent, assistant superintendent and principals—to tell us what’s best for the kids.”

–John Traier

Kim Renta

John Traier

the new technologies like ‘smart boards,’ teachers can more effectively teach to students at different levels in the same class.”

Like many of his colleagues, Traier also cited S-1701. “We have referendums to let the people decide what districts should spend. We shouldn’t have artificial limits imposed by the state,” Traier said.

Another goal of Traier’s is to raise the high school’s ranking in the New Jersey Monthly list of the best public high schools. “We are often judged as a district by how we rate against other districts,” Traier said. “CHS has moved up the list, from 251 in 2000-2001 to 223 in 2002-2003. With our continued improvements in standardized testing, we should be able to move up the list incrementally,” Traier said.

“I’d like to make this a district people want to move in to, not out of.”

Kim Renta believes that with the passing of the Mayer building referendum on Dec. 14, the first piece of the puzzle is in place to deal with the overcrowding. “In the coming weeks, the Board will be focusing on selecting an appropriate site for the 1700-student junior high school, one that makes fiscal sense and one that considers what is best not only for the students, but for the future of the city as well,” Renta said.

“I feel that Athenia Steel is a natural choice for the new junior high school,” Renta continued. “It is a very large site and the City has offered the Board 11 acres to use exclusively for the school…The preliminary environmental testing has been quite positive and if we can facilitate the clean-up in a timely manner, I feel it will be a terrific location.

“In the event that Athenia Steel does not work into our desired timetable,” Renta added, “I think many of the recent ideas brought to us by some members of the public are interesting options should we need to choose an alternative.”

Renta also expressed concerns about S-1701. “Without it being repealed or modified considerably,

S-1701 will hinder the progress we have made in the past few years and may eliminate some of the programs we wish to expand, including full-day kindergarten”, she said, adding it may also cause the district to eliminate teachers and increase class sizes.

Renta believes that there is a misconception about the quality of the Clifton schools.

As a mother of two small children, Renta said it bothers her to hear people talking about the schools in a negative way. “Clifton has a great deal to offer its students.

Clifton High School, despite its overcrowding, is a fabulous learning institution and because of its size, can offer many things that other schools do not,” Renta said.

She pointed to the Advanced Placement (AP) program, which enables high school students to earn college credit, and to a

☛

“I feel that Athenia Steel is a natural choice for the new junior high school. It is a very large site and the city has offered the Board 11 acres to use exclusively for the school.”

–Kim Renta

Kim Renta Clifton Merchant • January 2005

35

“I think the Board has to come to an understanding between the members that Athenia Steel is a pipe dream.”

–Lizz Gagnon

number of other innovative programs at CHS, such as career internships, a junior ROTC program and college classes at Montclair State.

Likewise, Renta said the offering in extra curricular activities are also vast, from clubs and organizations to the athletic programs and the renowned Mustang Band, a source of pride for all of Clifton.

Renta listed a number of goals for 2005. “We need to begin the purchase and renovation of the Brighton Rd. high school annex in order to make our scheduled opening for Sept. 2006. We also need to put a 1700-student school site on the ballot for the Clifton voters to approve to make our desired opening in Sept. 2008.

Renta would also like to see continued improvement in standardized testing scores during 2005 and expansion of all-day kindergarten beyond School 17, an issue which will be presented to voters later this year within April’s budget.

1317

Lizz Gagnon Although Lizz Gagnon is happy that Clifton voters approved the Dec. 14 referendum on the 500-student high school annex, “this just buys us some time,” she said.

During 2005 it’s urgent, she believes, to “move on.”

“I think the Board has to come to an understanding between the members that Athenia Steel is a pipe dream,” Gagnon said. “We must move on together to find a suitable alternative—we must move on from Athenia Steel. I was willing to keep an open mind regarding the property, but months have gone by now without a single move. Yes, we have meetings, but nothing is being done to push for cleanup,” she said.

But Gagnon isn’t necessarily convinced that Latteri Park is the right location for the school either.

“I hate to see a park taken. I want the board to look at alternatives ‘outside the box.’ It’s time.”

What does Gagnon have in mind? “Maybe looking into other

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Lizz Gagnon

grade structures; maybe bringing all the special students— for example, English as a Second Language and Arabic students—back into programs in their home schools, instead of sending them to schools across town,” Gagnon suggested.

“Then we could possibly have room in our neighborhood schools to bring back the sixth grades.

“Also, we should look into the concept of using Main Memorial Park in front of CCMS,” Gagnon said. “We could add onto CCMS with a walk over. Or how about my idea of renting rooms for administration and selling School 6 to a developer to convert it to shops or offices?

Being so close to the train station is a plus and we could get top dollar for it now. Or how about city hall?”

Gagnon favors the Globe Products location on Bloomfield Ave. as a site for the grades 8-9 school. “I still love the idea of Globe,” she said, “although it too is contaminated; but we could macadam it all and build up.”

Gagnon’s other plans for 2005 include a review of the student dress code. She intends to invite Officers Bill Gibson and Bill

☛

30 Years of Sharpening Service t was a cold day in January when Cutter’s Edge Sharpening Service opened its doors in Clifton on January 6, 1975. After years of gaining knowledge and sharpening his craft in machine tool shops, automotive repair and most of all working with his dad Harry, a carpenter, David Feinberg knew it was time to start his own sharpening business. “Cutting tools are a big part of many types of trades and learning the basics from the beginning and from craftsmen like my dad was extremely important,” reflected Feinberg.

Many years ago, steel saw blades were the mainstay of the small shop. A variety of automatic saw grinders, file and setter machines were used. Hand filling was an every day job down at Cutter’s Edge Sharpening Service. “Today, carbide tip saw blades are a big part of our shop,” noted Feinberg, “only the finest diamonds are used to sharpen our carbide saws and tools and we use plenty of coolant so we don’t overheat the edges.”

Over these past 30 years, Feinberg said the business expanded in many ways and the sharpening industry has grown with the times. These days, his clients include surgeons, hospitals and mortuaries to butchers, carpenters and local industries.

Homeowners are another big group of clients. Cutter’s Edge sharpens everything from scissors and knifes to garden tools and old push lawnmowers. “Customers can have their knives sharpened so they can shave the hair off your arm or trim a turkey like a master chef,” said Feinberg.

Often, customers bring in tools by the bucket load. “By the time I finish, they are better than new,” Feinberg said, explaining that his service includes cleaning, lubricating and adjusting as well as sharpening edges.

Beyond service, Cutter’s Edge sells some of the finest cutting tools available such as Buck Knives, Freud Carbide Saw Blades, and a line of Freud Dick Knives for professional use.

There is also a large selection of scissors, pinking shears, and products from well-known manufacturers such as Wiss, Ginger, Mundile.

Feinberg said that to celebrate his 30 years in business, he is offering a 30 percent discount on all in stock knives during the month of January and invites customers to visit his shop and look at the selection.

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“I think that each of our locations should be assessed to determine if improvements are needed.”

–Jim Smith

Hernandez to some of the meetings to advise the dress code committee about student dress as it relates to gang colors. She’d also like the district to review the school cafeterias’ offerings to ensure that Clifton students aren’t being offered an excessive amount of unhealthy “junk food.”

Jim Smith After more than 10 years on the board, Jim Smith is frustrated at the Board’s lack of a decision on a grades 8-9 school site. “Every time we get close to a solution, we’re stopped because of the location, or the community, or the Council,” he said. “In January I’m going to recommend to the Superintendent that we reconvene or form a new Community Advisory Committee to get everyone involved in coming up with a viable location,” Smith said. “For a committee made up of all interest groups to come together is of major importance.”

Smith acknowledged that there are “huge time constraints” if a Community Advisory Committee

were to reconvene or be reformed, but he doesn’t believe that the Board should “just settle and pick anything.”

A new committee, Smith believes, should meet regularly – perhaps monthly or every other month – to work to find solutions to various district problems, not just a school site.

In any case, Smith said, “The Board must come up with new ideas; I don’t think either Latteri Park or Athenia Steel is the appropriate location,” Smith said. “We won’t find an ‘ideal’ place, but we need one that’s more acceptable.”

Asked what sites he prefers, Smith, like Gagnon, mentioned Globe Products. “It’s got plenty of space, the Latteri neighborhood supports Globe, access is good. It has definite environmental issues, but it could be cleaned up.

“Athenia Steel is too close to the high school and to the seniors’ complex,” Smith said. “I believe in my heart that more people would support Globe than Athenia Steel.”

Jim Smith

As an alternative, Smith also likes the Howe Richardson Scale property off Van Houten Ave. “It’s a huge property, it’s vacant, and it’s set back from the road. It has good access. The city wouldn’t like it – it has other plans for it. It wants to bring a ratable in there,” Smith said.

“But many on the Council didn’t like the Mayer building either.”

Another idea of Smith’s is to publicize to city residents that they can leave money and/or property to the district in their wills. “I’ve read about two districts in South Jersey that do this,” he said. “If a property isn’t good for a school, it could be sold to buy something else.”

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on the school district’s buildings and grounds. “I think that each of our locations should be assessed to determine if improvements are needed,” Smith said. “The stadium, for example, is in dire need of renovation and repair.”

Jim Anzaldi, Mayor “Like most of North Jersey, cars and traffic are an issue,” said Mayor James Anzaldi. Because it’s too costly to do traffic studies of the entire city all at once, they will be done “section by section” in 2005.

“We may get state money for traffic flow improvements,” he noted. Specifically, Anzaldi mentioned “signalization adjustments” on Main Ave. and left turn signals at Clifton and Paulison Aves. as ways to ease traffic and congestion.

Besides traffic, the mayor said “taxes have increased, mostly for schools and state mandates.” For the city’s part, it’s working to minimize tax increases by seeking state and county funding for projects and by increasing ratables.

“Our ratables are going up every year now,” Anzaldi said. One idea the city is pursuing is taking

☛

During her year-plus tenure as Clifton’s city manager, one of Barbara Sacks’ accomplishments was to secure a $562,000 grant from the NJ Board of Public Utilities (BPU) last June to help fund the installation of solar panels on the roof of city hall.

Sacks said that the city stood to save $78,000 or more a year in energy costs after 4-5 years because the panels would supply as much as half the municipal building’s electricity.

While Sacks worried that the project might be abandoned with her resignation, at the moment, at least, it’s still under consideration by the Council.

Sacks’ first concern was that the bids received for the panel project would be allowed to expire on Dec. 12; if they expired, the bidding process would need to be repeated. But interim city manager Al Greco said that the bids have been extended for 60 days.

The solar panel project was on the City Council’s Dec. 21 meeting agenda, when the Council heard from representatives from PSE&G and from Gale Associates, the architects who designed the project, Greco said.

At that meeting, “The Council authorized our bond counsel to move forward with creating a bond to pay for the balance of the project – the $400,000 portion that the city would be responsible for,” Greco said. The next step will be for the Council to vote on the bond, which Greco said would occur at either the Jan. 4 or Jan. 18 Council meetings. “If the Council approves the bond, the project will go forward,” he explained.

But at least some on the Council are not completely sold on the idea. Mayor James Anzaldi denied that the city would realize any savings from a limited switch to solar power. “The solar grant is only partial funding. The city has to pay the rest. (The project) is environmentally good, but the costs are a wash,” Anzaldi said.

When we noted that Sacks had said that the money could come from ‘old appropriations’ – money that the city had set aside for other projects but not used – Anzaldi said, “We may want to use that money for other things.”

Councilman Stefan Tatarenko advocates a cautious approach.

“The Council has many questions,” he said. “We have to evaluate the costs 10, 15, 20 years from today, for replacement of panels and maintenance,” he said.

“We’d be the first municipality to do this – why haven’t other municipalities done it?” Tatarenko continued. “That’s why we want to evaluate it carefully.”

But the Council needs to complete its evaluation by June, when the grant itself is set to expire.

Clifton Merchant • January 2005

39

“One of my plans is to propose that the city adopt campaign finance reform, similar to reform that the state has adopted.”

–Gloria Kolodziej

an old industrial building, “say, 50,000 square feet, and making it four or five smaller companies,” Anzaldi explained.

In other cases, Anzaldi said, new housing can be created. “You can’t necessarily take an old industrial building and make it retail because it would create traffic problems for the neighborhood. You could create two-bedroom condos or housing for people over 55; neither of these generally attract people with children, so they won’t add to the school population.”

Thanks to the city’s Master Plan, Anzaldi asserted, “Everything happens with a great deal of thought.”

The mayor expressed a willingness to look at ‘new ideas’ brought to the city by citizens. “Look at Downtown Clifton,” he said. “The idea of the green awnings came from citizens. It makes things look better.” That and the city’s efforts to enhance cleanliness and safety have enhanced the area’s attractiveness to shoppers, he said.

On the topic of safety, he said that crime in Clifton is on the decrease.

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As far as Botany Village, Anzaldi said a SID (Special Improvement District) will be created this year. “The Main Ave. SID was done without residential and non-profit assessments,” Anzaldi said. “Botany residents didn’t want to be assessed. So the Botany SID will be set up the same way.”

There will also be continuing efforts to improve neighborhoods throughout the city and to seek out and eliminate illegal dwellings, Anzaldi said.

The mayor is pleased with the city’s efforts to preserve open space for the future. “You can’t look back to when lands weren’t preserved,” he said. “You must look ahead.”

Anzaldi described the city’s purchase of the 35-acre Athenia Steel tract in 1999 as “one of the city’s greatest accomplishments.” “We’ll be able to create necessary recreational facilities for Clifton,” he said. He noted that the city’s engineering department is looking at concepts for creating additional access to the property whether or not a school is built there.” www.patersonsuburbanautomotive.com

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Gloria Kolodziej

He also pointed to the preservation of 17 acres above Thomas St., near Paterson, and to the city’s purchase of several acres of Dundee Island property from Safas Corp. owner Akbar Ghahary.

Gloria Kolodziej Long-term Councilwoman and former Mayor Gloria Kolodziej doesn’t hide her disillusionment with the current state of city politics.

Still dismayed by the resignation of Barbara Sacks at a Nov. 15 meeting which Kolodziej wasn’t able to attend and having had her request to table the discussion of Sacks’ “review” turned down by Mayor James Anzaldi, Kolodziej has some goals for 2005 that are sure to shake things up.

“My goal is to restore the integrity of this form of government,” Kolodziej said. “One of my plans it to propose that the city adopt campaign finance reform, similar to reform that the state has adopted.

I’d propose a limit of, perhaps, $12,000 as a cap on spending. I’ve talked to many people who would make great councilpeople but they tell me, ‘I can’t afford to run

☛

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“We should have more community meetings with residents to get input from those who live in a specific area. They know the pluses and minuses of the area and can add valuable input to the process.”

–Steve Hatala

for Council.’ It shouldn’t cost $40,000 or $50,000 to run for Council.” Council members are paid $4,000 annually for the position; the Mayor earns $4,500.

“Another thing I want to do is request an update from our Law Department; an opinion about what this (council-manager) form of government allows and doesn’t allow. Everyone (on the Council) says they’re fine with this form of government, but I believe that some people are crossing the line,” Kolodziej said.

Kolodziej is also concerned with overdevelopment in the city.

“According to the Master Plan, people can build what they want on their property, as long as it’s zoned for what they want to do. But the Board of Adjustment makes a lot of exceptions,” Kolodziej said.

“The Board of Adjustment can make exceptions to the Master Plan, but is supposed to grant exceptions sparingly.

“And why do some developers and some attorneys seem to have carte blanche and others don’t?”

Kolodziej asked. “Now that the meetings are televised, the people see what’s happening and they don’t like it.”

Kolodziej wanted the Council to set goals and objectives when Barbara Sacks was first hired so that Sacks would know what the Council wanted her to do. “But the Council didn’t want to,” she said.

42

January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

Sensing Kolodziej’s discouragement, we asked if she plans to run for Council again in 2006. “I will absolutely run again,” she said. “I am totally appalled by the power politics that’s going on in Clifton.

I’m not going to back down from speaking the truth as I see it.”

Steve Hatala Councilman Steve Hatala sees a number of problems confronting Clifton, the most pressing being “the current space problems facing the school district.” “The Council and the Board of Education need continual dialogue to solve this issue,” Hatala said. “The education system is a key component of attracting middle class families and businesses to the community and in keeping existing families in the community.”

Hatala believes that the city must grow the ratables base. “We face challenges in competing with other communities for solid ratables, especially commercial and industrial ratables. We have many services and infrastructure needs.

We must attract non-residential rateables in order to stabilize the growing residential tax bill so that we can keep Clifton affordable for our seniors and working families.”

As part of this goal, Hatala proposed something he called “minimaster plans.” Neighborhood by neighborhood, Hatala said, the city must take stock of the current situa-

Steve Hatala

tion in each individual neighborhood and make plans for what those neighborhoods should look like in the short-, medium-, and long-term.

“We should have more community meetings with residents to get input from those who live in a specific area. They can add valuable input to the process,” Hatala explained.

Another idea of Hatala’s is to create a city task force made up of members from the Council, Planning and Zoning Boards, Administration, city employees, the public and the Board of Education, “This group would be formed to discuss the issues facing the community and to forward recommendations to the appropriate parties,” Hatala said. “The issue-solving must be a joint effort, where every aspect is considered and community buy-in is garnered.”

He also thinks that efforts to control illegal housing need to be increased. “The pinnacle of any community is the control and enforcement of zoning, building and safety codes,” he said. “This should be an objective of the Administration and the Council.

We need to put our collective heads

Will Dundee Island be Open to the Public in 2005?

Stefan Tatarenko

together and foster a plan of action, whether it would be tougher standards, more inspectors, changing the procedures of how we do things.

This should be an objective not only in 2005 but on an ongoing basis.”

Finally, Hatala wants to see a continuation of the present infrastructure initiative. “We have many roads, sewers and homes in need of repair and/or renovation,” he said. “We need to keep on track with the current program. This also includes our parks, libraries and capital equipment needs.”

Stefan Tatarenko Councilman Stefan Tatarenko identified the appointment of a new city manager as his most immediate focus this year but said issues related to development top his agenda.

“We must limit development within the law,” he said. “We also need to be selective as to what we allow. For example, the old Lee’s Hawaiian Islander—developers are interested in it; I think that an upscale restaurant there would be ideal. I don’t want to see a fast food place or a ‘Quick Mart’ there.”

Tatarenko said he expects new city planner Dennis Kirwan

☛

In a piece of outstanding news for those who cherish Clifton’s open spaces, Clifton received an $800,000 grant from the Passaic County Open Space Fund last month to be used towards the purchase of a portion of Dundee Island. Together with another $800,000 in funding secured in Oct. from the state’s Green Acres Program, the two grants equal the $1.6 million purchase price for the 4.25 acres that the city has sought to purchase from the property’s owner, Dr. Akbar Ghahary of Safas Corp.

Clifton Mayor James Anzaldi confirmed that the purchase price of the Dundee acreage will be ‘100% funded’ by the county and state grants. “Then we’ll look for grants to do something with (the property),” he said.

“The city has signed a contract and we may be closing within the first 15 days of Jan..,” said interim City Manager Al Greco.

According to a Dec. 22 press release issued by the Passaic County Freeholders, the county money is for the acquisition of 4.25 acres on Dundee Island, which “will become a wildlife sanctuary of 7.5 acres. Price: $1.6 million. Green Acres funds: $800,000. Passaic County Open Space Fund will provide $800,000.”

The roughly three-acre piece already owned by the city has been closed to the public because of lack of maintenance and safety concerns. But with the addition of the new acreage, Greco hopes to open a Dundee Island nature preserve to the public in 2005.

There’s already a ‘green walkway’ on the piece of the property Clifton owns now, Greco said, that was put in by the state Department of Transportation at the completion of the Rt. 21 project, but a fence blocks its use. Describing plans for the property, Greco said, “We’ll have a nature walk, a monument to Dundee Island that explains its history, and keep the rest as a sanctuary.”

In Aug. 2004 the Merchant reported that the city was seeking Green Acres money and that Ella Filippone, Executive Administrator for the Passaic River Coalition, was looking to Passaic County for additional funding. Former City Manager Barbara Sacks said in Aug. that, once the property was purchased, “We’d sit down with the Passaic River Coalition to determine the best way to make it into a nature preserve. We’d like to obtain Green Acres funding for preserving the land as well.”

Although it’s hard to picture a ‘wildlife sanctuary’ in Clifton, Dundee Island, a 13-acre piece of land surrounded on three sides by the Passaic River near Garfield, is largely undeveloped and forested, with numerous trees flourishing on the river banks and many species of waterfowl and songbirds making their homes there. “Clifton is overdeveloped and we’re very concerned,” Councilman Stefan Tatarenko said. “We’re making sure that open space is acquired.”

Clifton Merchant • January 2005

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“We need to address the substantial physical needs of our facilities. Schools 9 and 13 just turned 90 and School 11 is 100 years old.”

–Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael F. Rice

to provide leadership on such emerging projects. “He will evaluate parts of the community and make recommendations. He’ll review the Master Plan and update it as needed. He’s here to keep the city focused,” Tatarenko said.

Neighborhood commercial districts are another priority of the second term councilman. “We’ve addressed Main Ave., Van Houten Ave. and Market St. and need to look at Lexington, Lakeview and Botany in 2005.”

Senior housing, recreational facilities and open space are also on his agenda. Over the last few months, there has been talk of the city purchasing the 71 year old Bellin’s Pool on Main Ave. Some on the council want it for senior housing, others say it should remain a community pool.

Tatarenko said he wants to study both options and offer a recommendation early this year.

“A community pool could also be located at the Athenia Steel property,” where recreation facilities are planned already, Tatarenko offered, “but this would have to be part of the planning process.”

Regarding schools, Tatarenko was among the council members opposed to the purchase of the Mayer property on Brighton Rd. as a CHS annex. “The citizens have spoken and selected Mayer (for a high school annex),” Tatarenko conceded. “Now the issue is, where do we put the 1700-student school? He is opposed to both Latteri Park and

Athenia Steel as a site and reiterated his choice is Globe Products on Bloomfield Ave. “It’s got the acreage and location. It’s costly, but it’s something that we’ll live with for 50 years so I think it’s worth the expense.” he said, adding the property purchase alone could cost from $50 to $60 million.

The City and School Board could work together to bond for the purchase and construction, Tatarenko said. But such an undertaking will be costly and come with a significant tax increase. How will the elected officials sell it to the taxpayers in a city known for its frugality?

“It is complicated and it is big but a project like that is the salvation of the city,” Tatarenko concluded.

“Fifty years from now residents are not going to look at what it cost but what a beautiful decision we made.”

Dr. Michael F. Rice, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Rice explained that the Clifton School District developed a five-year strategic plan in 2003 and that the four main goals of that plan are ongoing ones and continue to be addressed. “The goals are 1) facilities, 2) student achievement, 3) communication and partnership, and 4) citizenship,” he said.

For 2005, however, the two major challenges will be space and student achievement. “In 2002, we broke ground for School 17 and realized improvements in academic achievement. In 2003, we investigated school sites. In 2004, we finished School 17 and saw higher student achievement. We also nar-

Dr. Michael F. Rice

rowed the list of school sites and passed a referendum. “So these two challenges are multi-year challenges,” Rice explained.

Related to the ‘communication and partnership’ goals, Clifton Schools partnered with the International Institute of New Jersey to help assimilate immigrants and refugees into an Englishspeaking society, Rice noted. A state grant provides for tutoring for both children and their parents who need extra help learning English.

Another ‘partnership’ example is the provision of after-school programs by the Boys and Girls Club.

Expanding gains in student achievement correlates to a number of things, including the district’s ongoing revision of its curriculum guides. “More than half of them— 130—have been revised over the past 16 months,” Rice said.

Another factor is the increase in the number of Advanced Placement courses as well as the number of students who take those courses.

On the horizon in the 2005-2006 school year, related to the ‘citizenship’ goal, Rice said that a new ‘character education” curriculum will be implemented.

☛

Clifton Merchant • January 2005

45

“We want to continue to attract new businesses while being mindful of our neighborhoods.”

–Interim City Manager Al Greco

Rice noted that, in addition to the continuing focus on high school improvements, there will be increased attention to K-8 student achievement, noting that new curricula in language arts, mathematics, and science have been introduced.

Looking ahead to the new year, Rice said, “we need enough space at the middle school and high school levels so that they’re not overcrowded, so kids feel less anonymous and we’re better able to meet individual needs.

“We need to address the substantial physical needs of our facilities.

Schools 9 and 13 just turned 90 and School 11 is 100 years old this school year,” Rice said. “We need to invest in these schools so that they will continue to be the wonderful facilities they are for many more years to come.”

Third, Rice said, “We lag behind virtually the entire rest of our neighboring communities because we have no full-day kindergarten [except for the School 17 pilot]. So in the 2005-2006 school year, Rice hopes to expand full-day kindergarten to some elementary schools.

“Our success is also a function of community support,” Rice concluded. “What we know about schools is that when communities support schools, children and schools benefit enormously. And as a result, the communities support themselves too.”

Al Greco, Interim City Manager Appointed interim City Manager after Barbara Sacks’ resignation in November, Al Greco said that one of his objectives is to “act as a consensus builder for the community.”

Greco named a number of issues that Clifton needs to address in 2005, including “siting for a school; illegal housing; resolution to the Athenia Steel situation; and working with the Botany Village SID.” He’d also like to see a redevelopment plan created for Lexington Ave., from Nash Park to Clifton Ave. “There will also be a lot of contract negotiations coming up with city employees,” Greco said.

“In January, I will reconvene the Illegal Housing Task Force,” he said. “I want to see what recommendations they’ve come up

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Al Greco

with and what’s needed to implement them.” Greco noted that illegal housing only “compounds the issue of school overcrowding” and wants to make sure that illegal housing ordinances are enforced.

He’d also like to see progress with the Athenia Steel property.

“We have a $600,000 Green Acres grant for a park and improvements there,” he said. The property must still be cleaned of contaminants from the former steel factory by its prior owner, National Standard/Davis Wire, before the city can proceed with these plans.

Greco wants to move forward with infrastructure repairs: “Roads, parking lots, sewers.” Another goal is to open Dundee Island to the public. “It will be kept as a nature sanctuary,” Greco said. “The city has taken a big step towards preserving the ecology of the river in the area.” He’d also like to see some county Open Space Trust Fund money used to reinforce the retaining wall along the brook at Ravine Park off Grove St. In the area of economic development, Greco said, “We want to continue to attract new businesses

Peter Eagler

while being mindful of our neighborhoods.” As an example, Greco indicated that new industries could be brought to Kuller Rd. and Brighton Rd. “Harry Swanson (Clifton’s Director of Economic Development) is very good at attracting new business,” Greco said.

Considering Greco’s plans for 2005, we asked him if he’s feeling confident of securing the position of City Manager. “That’s the decision of the Mayor and Council,” he replied. As for his vision for Clifton’s future, Greco said, “I want Clifton to prosper, to enjoy the benefits of the redevelopment we’ve had over the years, and to continue to grow. I want it to remain a place where people want to live and that they want to visit.”

Assemblyman Peter Eagler Peter Eagler is a lifelong Clifton resident, a former Councilman and is currently both a Passaic County Freeholder and NJ Assemblyman.

“I think that Clifton should continue to look at shared services with other towns,” Eagler suggested.

“There are state funds available if services are shared – incentives from the state for towns to share services.”

He mentioned leaf pickup as an example. “There are new Federal guidelines about what can go down storm drains. So instead of piling leaves for pickup at the curb, we may have to bag leaves. Bagging may be less costly because the leaves won’t blow all over the place and less money will be spent on DPW overtime.”

He was enthusiastic about the fact that the city obtained state and county grants for the purchase of Dundee Island. “Clifton should also look for smaller project that they can get grants for, for example, park improvements.”

Eagler would like to see the city “put the Open Space initiative back on the ballot and push it.” Clifton voters have twice rejected the initiative, which requires the collection of an additional tax from property owners for a fund for purchase of open space. “If we want to save trees, we have to have money available to do that,” Eagler said. “We can’t just put it into the tax bill.”

Eagler believes that Clifton should also continue what he called “the search for senior housing.”

“It’s unfortunate that seniors have to leave Clifton because they can’t afford to live here,” he said.

Regarding the Athenia Steel school site debate, Eagler said he was one of the attendees at the

Trenton meeting of city and district reps with the DEP on Nov. 9 and intends to help find a resolution.

Eagler also hopes that, in 2005, the city will use the $250,000 in grant money from the state for Main Ave. improvements that it received in 2003. Why hasn’t it been used? “That’s a good question,” Eagler said.

He said he is also working with the NJ Dept. of Transportation to allow the city to plow the Clifton Ave. extension. “That portion of Clifton Ave. is a state road and the state plows it,” Eagler said. “But they do the highways like Route 46 and Route 3 first and they only plow it once. And as a state road, Clifton’s not allowed to plow it.”

Eagler also addressed the relationship between the Board of Education and the Council. “There has to be closer cooperation,” said Eagler, a three-term council member from 1990-2002.

“I think that everybody should start working together,” he continued. “There should be a lowering of voices and a little more listening by the City Council. This is not just about the political interests of a few. The Council has to listen to the needs of the town. I can’t tell you how many people have come up to me and said, ‘What’s going on with the Council?’”

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Still Possible But Far From Solved

Athenia Steel School?

by Fran Hopkins

A

lthough the Board of Education continues to wait for additional information before it can decide about the suitability of the Athenia Steel property as a school site, the property’s destiny as the future home of a 1700-student grades 8-9 school is by no means a foregone conclusion.

For one thing, four of the current nine Board members—Marie Hakim, Norm Tahan, Lizz Gagnon and Jim Smith—don’t favor it as a school site.

For another, at least one other Board member, Jim Leeshock, remains uncommitted, depending upon whether the property can be cleaned up in time for a school to be open in Sept. 2008.

And the snail-like pace of progress on Athenia Steel and the school site selection process in general is likely to become a school Board election issue, with three seats up for reelection in April.

Assuming the reelection of Marie Hakim, a Board member since 1990, the election of just one new anti-Athenia Steel board member could tip the scales against the site’s selection.

Back on Nov. 9, representatives of the city and the school district met with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in Trenton to submit the Remedial Investigation Workplan (RIW) for Athenia Steel, along with an application for a state grant to pay for environmental testing of the site.

48

January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

Joe Kolodziej, Board of Education president, said that the city has not yet heard back from the DEP, but expects to hear something within 60 days of that date; in other words, any day now.

In the meantime, Kolodziej confirmed that city attorneys met on Dec. 7 with representatives of Davis Wire (the owners of the property, with whom the city has a contract to purchase it).

“The DEP would like the RIW to be submitted by Davis Wire to maintain the chain of accountability,” Kolodziej said. “The city discussed this with Davis Wire and it appears that they will submit the RIW.” He said that the resubmission of the RIW would not re-set the 60-day DEP review clock back to zero.

Kolodziej said the timeframe is realistic because, of the total of 44 ‘areas of concerns’ (i.e., contamination or possible contamination) on the Athenia Steel property, he said that only two are on the northern portion. Only one was located on the southern portion, the site of the seniors’ complex, he added.

‘Best Case’ Timeline Despite the many uncertainties still surrounding the property, Board President Joe Kolodziej believes that the former Athenia Steel property can become a school by Sept.

2008. As outlined by Kolodziej, the sequence of events would need to be as follows (dates are approximate): Jan. 9 ’05 – NJ DEP approves city’s Remedial Investigation Workplan (RIW) for the property.

Feb. 28 ’05 – All parties involved — Council, Board, NJ DEP, Davis Wire— ‘sign off’ on plan.

Apr. 15 ’05 – Testing of Athenia Steel property completed and results available.

May 31 ’05 – Cleanup plan for northern portion (i.e., school site) submitted to DEP.

Groundwater and Central Portion Cleanup

June/July ’05 – Cleanup plan for final portion submitted to DEP.

In addition, Kolodziej explained, “The DEP’s main concern is the groundwater, not the soil.” If the testing demonstrates that the soil isn’t the cause of the groundwater contamination, then Kolodziej said that the DEP would be willing to subdivide the northern portion from the central portion and issue an

July 31 ’05 – DEP approves cleanup for northern portion.

Aug.-Oct. ’05 – Northern portion of property declared cleaned.

Nov. ’05 – DEP would issue ‘No Further Action’ (NFA) letter for northern portion.

Dec. ’05 – School bond referendum on Athenia Steel.

NFA letter for the proposed school site only, which would allow construction to proceed.

Kolodziej said that groundwater remediation required by DEP is something that can be done before, during and after the school is built.

“It could take years. it can be an ongoing process,” he said.

He explained that the process involves the addition of chemicals to and/or filtration of the water; but it poses no harm to anyone. “The water table is 35 feet down,” he said.

“It would be no hazard to children.”

Or to seniors, or to users of the proposed recreational facilities, since the groundwater under the entire property must be remediated.

Groundwater remediation is underway right now in Clifton at such sites as the DPW garage and CCMS, Kolodziej said.

There is still the issue, however, of the source of the groundwater contamination, a source of which has yet to be determined.

☛

Approval of Railroad Grade Crossing May be Another Challenge to Athenia Steel Access

O

ne way to add another entrance/exit to the Athenia Steel property would be to purchase private property on Paulison Ave. and create an access road. Such a road, however, would need to cross railroad tracks that run behind existing businesses.

But such crossings, called grade crossings, pose safety issues. In fact, both the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and the NJ DOT discourage the creation of new grade crossings.

A memo from Ron Ries of the US DOT stated, “…new crossings, especially on main lines, should not be considered unless there is no other viable alternative and then, consideration should be given to closing one or more existing crossings.”

We also spoke with Todd Hirt, Project Engineer with the NJ DOT. “Our policy is the same as the Federal one,” Hirt said. “We’d like to see no new grade crossings, but if there is going to be one, we’d like to see a one-to-one exchange. A new grade crossing increases the liability for the railroad, so if one is also closed, then there’s zero increase. “It’s also NJ Transit policy that one has to be closed in order to create a new one,” Hirt said.

We mentioned that the Clifton crossing was being discussed for the purpose of creating access to a school. “That’s dangerous,” Hirt said.

“In NJ there are pedestrian accidents every year at grade crossings.”

Hirt gave examples of recent DOT decisions on new grade crossing applications. “In Perth Amboy, we approved one because there was a need for it and there was no old one to close. We denied one in Ocean County because it was within 500 feet of another one and they weren’t willing to close it,” Hirt said.

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This column was originally started by our founder, the late Murray Blumenfeld.

In his spirit, we continue its publication.

F

irst and foremost, we would all like to wish our readers a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

May all your dreams come true for the year 2005.

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and Chanukah.

Wow ~ what a busy season it was!

Thanks to the staff for a job well done! It was so nice

According to Kolodziej, Davis Wire believes that the contamination is coming from somewhere else – i.e., that another property owner is causing it and is therefore responsible for cleaning it up. But if Kolodziej is correct, this issue should not interfere with the construction of the school. What about the cleanup of the central portion of the property?

“We’d be able to start building the school on the northern portion of the property while the central portion is being cleaned,” Kolodziej said.

He estimated that it would take 12-14 months to remediate the central portion and that its cleanup would be completed before the school opened.

Noise and Access Issues

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Besides cleanup of the property, the other concerns that the board identified last year were noise and access.

“We can locate the gym and cafeteria of the school — noisy places anyway—by Parkway Iron,” Kolodziej said. Parkway Iron crushes junk automobiles and metals for scrap metal.

As for access, Kolodziej said that a traffic study of the area will be a priority for the city early in 2005.’

Currently there’s only one road in and out of the property, at Clifton Ave. Kolodziej estimated that the time required to create additional access roads from Colfax and/or Paulison Aves. would be three to 10 months.

We asked how the addition of access roads would be paid for. “Access roads may be included as part of the referendum, or they may be paid for by the city,” Kolodziej said.

Who’s Paying for What?

Kolodziej said that the city wants TRC Raviv, the environmental consulting firm that prepared the RIW, to do the testing of the property.

Although the city has not yet heard back from the DEP about its Nov. 9 application for a grant to pay for

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the testing, Kolodziej said that they were told in the meeting that the ‘money is there’ and that the city’s grant application should be approved.

We asked Mayor James Anzaldi about the Dec. 7 meeting between the city attorneys and Davis Wire.

“The legal department asked Davis Wire if they would authorize us to do the investigation,” said Anzaldi. “They want to cooperate with us.”

If for some reason the grant application to pay for the investigation is not approved, then Davis Wire would have to pay for the testing, Kolodziej said.

“After the holidays,” Kolodziej said, “the city’s legal department will sit down with TRC Raviv and Davis Wire to write to the DEP about who’s doing what. The DEP meets once a month and we expect the plan to be approved.”

It’s not known yet, Kolodziej said, who will actually do the cleanup. “I’m sure that will be the subject of negotiations,” he said.

As for paying for the cleanup, Davis Wire is responsible for it, but is there enough money available to cover the costs?

“There’s $2.5 million that the city has in escrow for the purchase of the property and a $1.4 million bond,” said Kolodziej. “That’s $3.9 million that’s available to pay for the cleanup.” And if that’s not enough?

“Then the DEP would go to Davis Wire and tell them that they have to buy a bond for the additional cost of the cleanup,” Kolodziej said. “Davis Wire knows that the DEP can force them to do that.”

So if things go as Kolodziej hopes, then the extent of the contamination of the northern portion of the Athenia Steel site and what it will take to clean it up should be known right around school board election time in April. It remains to be seen whether his fellow board members, new board candidates, and Clifton voters will be as patient as he is.

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Mayer Passes; Part 2 is Vexed

by Fran Hopkins

S

ix months of lobbying for Clifton’s endorsement of a 500-student high school annex at 290 Brighton Rd. culminated last month with overwhelming voter support for the Board of Education’s plan.

‘Overwhelming’ is a relative term, of course; only 11 percent of Clifton’s approximately 41,220 registered voters cast their ballots on Dec. 14. But those who did cast a ballot approved the ‘Mayer referendum’ by more than two to one: 68 percent of the 4550 voters favored the idea and 32 percent opposed it.

The turnout may have been small, but the margin was enough to authorize the Board to move forward with the first part of its two-part plan to solve overcrowding in the Clifton public schools.

“Thanks to everyone who supported (the referendum),” said Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice at the Dec. 15 Board meeting the day after the referendum. “Today we met with the architects to plan a 500-student school—not trailers.” Rice spoke with us recently about the ‘next steps’ for the high school annex project. “We met with architects the day after the election to begin more detailed planning,” Rice said. “We’re working on scheduling what’s going to happen and when between now and Sept. 2006 (the projected opening for the annex).”

In conjunction with the architects and the state Department of Education, the district is putting together the specifications for the project, which will then go out for bid “in a few months,” Rice said.

The district’s attorneys will also meet with Mayer’s attorneys to negotiate the details of the purchase of the vacant former textile factory.

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Cannici Issue Draws SRO Crowd The Dec. 15 meeting featured a standing-room-only crowd because of erroneous rumors that CHS principal William Cannici was in danger of losing his job. Both CHS student Ashley Gagnon (Board member Lizz Gagnon’s daughter) and Angela Collucci Jones, a teacher at the High School, spoke in support of Cannici.

In addition, Councilmen Ed Welsh and Stefan Tatarenko took the mike to endorse the principal, a 39year employee of the district.

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After the public comment portion, Board President Joe Kolodziej advised the crowd, “The rumor that Mr. Cannici is being removed is completely false.”

John Traier, a member of the Board’s three-member Education Committee (others are Kim Renta and Jim Smith) that heard a grievance brought by Cannici, later said, “There’s been a public swirl of misinformation about this. It’s a management issue that’s easy to resolve. It’s a contract issue, an administrative issue, and it won’t affect (Cannici) in a negative way. I’m hoping that it will be resolved in January.” Similarly, Kolodziej told us, “Mr. Cannici's job was never in jeopardy. Nor is it in jeopardy.”

While Mayer Textile Company still operates out of 310 Brighton Rd., their property at 290 will be converted into a school.

Residents Opinions on Part 2 At both the Dec. 1 and 15 meetings, residents continued to express their opinions about the Board’s lengthy search for a site for a 1700-student grades 8-9 school.

Former Board member Ken Kurnath stepped to the microphone and blasted the Board on Dec. 1. “The (Community) Advisory Committee’s recommendation fell on deaf ears,” Kurnath said, referring to the Committee’s recommendation in Sept. 2003 that the school be built at Latteri Park. “Why are you interested in a property that’s adjacent to railroad tracks, a car wrecking place and a seniors’ complex?” he asked, describing the Athenia Steel site. “It’s ludicrous to place a grades 8-9 school next to the high school,” he continued. “It will only be used because of politics.”

At the Dec. 15 meeting, resident Tom Fieldhouse asked the Board to consider the ‘Dick Moran’ proposal (see July 2004 Merchant Letters to the Editor), which calls for relocation of CHS to Christopher Columbus Middle School, construction of an additional threestory building on the field across from CCMS with connecting walkways, making the current High School the Clifton Middle School for grades 8-9, and locating

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Real Estate Closings Carl G. Zoecklein Attorney at Law

grades 6-7 at Woodrow Wilson Middle School. “I think this is a good solution to school overcrowding,” Fieldhouse offered.

The Clock Is Ticking Now that part one of the overcrowding solution is underway, the Board will be focused on selecting a site for the grades 8-9 school during the first half of 2005.

The fact is that a choice must be made by June if a school is to open in Sept. 2008 (the previous goal of a Sept. 2007 opening was missed when the Board made no decision last June). The Board will meet this month on Thurs., Jan. 13 and Weds., Jan. 26 at the district’s administrative offices at 745 Clifton Ave. Besides the Board’s need to implement a long-term solution to school overcrowding, three members – Jim Leeshock, Marie Hakim, and John Traier – are up for reelection in April. Time is running out and frustration with the slowness of the site selection process is evident among both Board members and the public. So it’s likely that the Board’s performance over the next several months will directly affect that election’s outcome.

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From Clifton Stadium to Super Bowl XVII

by Jack De Vries

I

n the early seventies, Bob Holly learned of the great athletic history he was about to become part of.

“Clifton was a tremendous place for sports when I was growing up,” says Holly. “As far back as Little League, I was aware of those who came before me—guys like Dale Oosdyk and Ken Ritoch, and players that came before them, like Wayne Demikoff. Clifton’s coaches were also legendary. It was something to be part of that tradition.”

A tradition Holly would only add to.

After an outstanding high school career in three sports, he would star at quarterback for Princeton University, setting Ivy-League passing records.

But perhaps an even bigger claim to fame would come during his NFL career, as Holly became Clifton’s lone native to play for a Super Bowl team. Ray Malavasi, who will be profiled in the Feb. issue, coached the L.A. Rams to Super Bowl XIV. A backup quarterback with Washington in 1982-83, he was a member of the Redskins squad that defeated Don Shula’s Miami Dolphins, 27-17, in Super Bowl XVII. Holly was also there when the Los Angeles Raiders, 38-9 defeated Washington in Super Bowl XVIII. Growing up, Holly was like many of his friends, dreaming of someday playing in the big game while competing at Clifton’s Albion Park.

“We’d grab our mitts,” he remembers of those days, “and head for the park. We’d play ball all day. The only thing we cared about was making it home before our fathers in time for dinner.”

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First a Mustang At Clifton High, Holly became a part of the storied Mustang tradition he had admired as a boy. He was a three-sport star, attaining AllState, All-County, All NNJIL honors in football, All-County, All NNJIL in baseball, and starring on the basketball team.

“My dad was a great influence on me,” Holly says, “and so was my uncle, Rich Pezzolla. I also had great coaches—Bill Vander Closter in football, Bob Castronovo, John Kostisin, and Dick Tarrant in basketball, and Gerry Mangini in baseball.

Lou Poles, who I met when I was ten or eleven and saw a lot of through American Legion baseball, became another friend. I also enjoyed competing with guys like Nick Poulis and Scott Oosdyk. Scott and I also played together at Princeton.”

“Bob was a meticulous player,” remembers Vander Closter, “with a lot of athletic savvy. He not only knew his role, but the role of entire team. He never missed a day of practice and was always prepared.

In fact, his mother told me that each morning, he packed his gym bag the exact same way. Bob was also an outstanding passer and runner, though we didn’t use him on the ground much-just a lot of ability.”

“He was like a sponge,” says Castronovo of his former shooting guard. “When you spoke to him, you knew he was listening, absorbing the information. He was a tremendous young man and an absolute pleasure to coach.”

Holly feels Clifton’s athletic program did an excellent job in preparing him for the challenges that loomed ahead.

“Playing in a big program before a packed stadium,” Holly explains, “gets you comfortable with atten-

tion and teaches you the focus needed to succeed at the next level.”

Holly’s next level was playing for Princeton University, where he also excelled. His 1981 effort during his senior year against Yale was one of the greatest individual performances in collegiate history.

During the Nov. 11 game, Holly threw for a Princeton and Ivy League record 501 yards, completing 36 of 57 passes. He also tossed four touchdowns and ran for the winning score on the final play as Princeton defeated Yale, 35-31—

the Tigers first win over their longtime rivals in 14 years.

The Big Jump After graduating from Princeton, Holly began his climb to the NFL. “The NFL scouts started visiting during my senior year,” Holly says.

“During tryouts, I began to prove my ability—though my first camp didn’t go so well. But what helped me was Princeton had prepared me emotionally and intellectually to compete. “I always had confidence in my football ability, but, because I had achieved academically,

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I knew life went on if I didn’t make the NFL. That took a lot of pressure off me, and I played well.”

After being drafted and signed by the Redskins, Holly made the team as a rookie quarterback.

“The jump to the NFL,” Holly notes, “is bigger than moving up from any other level. The competition is pretty serious. You’re playing with people who are very good at what they do.”

As quarterback Joe Theismann’s backup, Holly also had to adjust to his role of a non-starter.

“Being an NFL backup quarterback is not an easy job,” says Holly. “Each week, you prepare physically and emotionally to play in Sunday’s game, but you never really practice the plays and skills you’ll need to be successful when you do get a chance. Much of what the backup does is lead the scout team, trying to give the regulars a sense of what the other team’s offense will be like.”

Holly accepted his position, standing on the sidelines and watching his team march toward the championship. Though he didn’t play in either Super Bowl, the memories of his team’s great victory and crushing defeat remain fresh in his mind.

“The Super Bowl is a grand event,” Holly describes.

“It’s hard for a fan to imagine the excitement and pressure leading up to the game. “During my first Super Bowl, I remember thinking, ‘Last June, I was writing my thesis at Princeton. Now, I was part of a Super Bowl team. Guys who played 10 or 15 years in the NFL never get the chance to be part of something like this.’ I was extremely fortunate.”

Holly’s Redskins featured some incredible performers, including Theismann, John Riggins, and a beefy offensive line known simply as “the Hogs.” Led by Riggins’ 166 rushing yards, Holly watched his teammates cruise to victory as they shut out Miami in the second half for the win.

“When you become champions of the NFL,” Holly says, “you’ve earned it—it’s a tremendously difficult accomplishment. We were all extremely proud of what we had done.

“To make things more exciting,” he adds, “the game was played in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Ca., and it became a Hollywood-like event. I remember sitting at the banquet table after the game and seeing people like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ted Koppel—it seemed every celebrity who was a football fan was there.”

Holly and the Redskins made it back to the big game the next year, but the result was far different.

58

January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

“Last June I was writing my thesis at Princeton. Now I was part of a Super Bowl Team.”

–Bob Holly, CHS ‘78 and backup QB to Joe Theismann

“We were favored going into the Super Bowl,” he says about the game won by the AFC Wildcard Los Angeles Raiders. “We had gone through the season a dominant 14-2, but the Raiders did a better job and beat us.

“While most of the team was disappointed, we figured we’d be back. Our team was young and most of the guys were nearing the peak of their careers.”

The Redskins did win another Super Bowl in 1988, but Holly was not part of the team. He was traded in 1984 to the Philadelphia Eagles, then joined the Atlanta Falcons at midseason.

He spent 1985 with the Falcons before his career ended.

“I was working for Wall Street firm during the offseason,” Holly explains. “While commuting from New York to my home in Connecticut, the driver of the car I was riding in got into an accident, and I was hurt.

Because of my injuries, I wasn’t able to pass the team physical, and my career was over.”

Continuing Success Today, Holly lives in Darien, Conn., with his wife Victoria and their children, daughter Kendall, and son Patrick. He works as a managing director for the financial securities firm, Bengal Partners, handling fixed income securities.

While Holly doesn’t get back to Clifton often, the people living there are never far from his thoughts. To the athletes continuing the tradition he was so proud to be a part of, Holly offers this advice: “Work on things you can control. While you can’t make yourself grow an extra five inches, high school athletes can develop the work ethic that will serve them well in every walk of life.

“What made things easier for me was concentrating on my academics. That took the pressure off, knowing I had other options. Becoming a NFL player is an extremely hard thing to do. These are not average guys playing out there. Succeeding in sports and the classroom gives athletes many choices beyond the playing field,” says Holly.

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A Good Neighbor Indeed ––––––––––– Story by Joe Renna –––––––––––

A

t age 81, Emil Stoy was about to lose his home.

The retired Passaic County Sheriff’s officer had just lost his wife Ann, who had suffered a stroke and spent the past 98 days in the hospital. Married for 55 years, the Stoys were longtime Clifton residents, moving to Richfield Village in 1952, and then purchasing a house in 1955 on Elmwood Dr. Faced with Ann’s medical bills and living on a fixed income, Stoy was nearly out of options. He fretted that he might soon be looking for a new address.

However, he did have an asset to help him... one he had never considered. To retain his home, he could use the power of his house’s cash value.

“My brother Frank,” said Stoy, “had seen the advertisement for Anthony Accavallo’s company, Federal Mortgage & Investment Corp. (FMI), in Clifton Merchant Magazine and thought I was a candidate for a reverse mortgage.”

Accompanied by Frank and his wife, Stoy went to Accavallo’s Clifton Ave. office to learn about the process where homeowners (age 62 and up) can continue living in their homes for the remainder of their lives. By drawing on their house’s market value, qualified borrowers can receive money in a lump sum, over time, or a combination of the two.

“The first day I met Tony,” said Stoy, “he noticed that I had a problem with a bloodshot eye. It turns out he had the exact same problem once and gave me the medication to take care of it.

60

January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

Emil Stoy and Tony Accavallo at Stoy’s Elmwood Dr. home.

“I thought, ‘He worries about me like I was his family. This is a man I can trust.’”

Stoy authorized Accavallo to go ahead with the reverse mortgage.

Unknown to both men, the process would take nine long months.

Because a reverse mortgage is an FHA loan, it is contingent on an appraisal and termite inspection.

When the inspector examined Stoy’s property, he found structural damage caused by termites. The cost to remedy the problem: $10,000.

“In the past,” Stoy explained, “paint never stayed on the wall.

Now I knew why. Moisture in the wall caused by the termites prevented it from staying.”

Without the money to make repairs, Stoy’s problems had worsened. Not only was his reverse mortgage application in jeopardy, but he was now facing the prospect of selling a home with a termite problem.

However, Accavallo persevered.

“Tony knew about CHIP, the Clifton Home Improvement Program,” Stoy said. “that provides grant money for senior citizens.”

With Accavallo’s help, Stoy qualified and received the $10,000 needed for repairs through his hometown. The interior front of Stoy’s house was refurbished, which included beam replacements and new studs and insulation.

For Accavallo, who kept frequent contact with Stoy throughout the repairs, personalized service is the rule rather than the exception at FMI. In business for 35 years and located in the same building for the past 25, he treats his customers as “neighbors,” and prides himself on serving a second generation of homeowners.

“I’m getting calls,” Accavallo said, “from the children of people whom I’ve done business with more than 20 years ago, looking for their first home mortgage. And that feels special.”

Accavallo sees his service of helping people buy their own home as part of “the American dream.” Reverse mortgages ensure the that dream never ends. Accavallo predicts they will become more invaluable as the Baby Boomer generations ages.

“There are preconceived notions of what reverse mortgages are stemming from 15 years ago, when the program was introduced,” he said. “These notions are no longer accurate. Over time, program glitches were worked out and now we have a product that is very favorable for the homeowner.”

Combined with his knowledge, Accavallo’s longevity is a rarity in his industry.

“This is a service industry,” he noted, “and so when (the housing market) is hot, like it’s been for the last few years, a swell of new brokers appear to make the quick money. Now that the market has cooled a bit, they’re off selling the next hot item.”

Customers like Stoy appreciate that Accavallo is there for the long-term and always ready to help, whatever the situation.

“If we were the same age,” Stoy laughed, “Tony and I would’ve been best buddies. I can’t thank him enough for what he’s done. I’m so relaxed now that I’m set for the rest of my life.”

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ow did Amanda Curtiss spend part of her summer vacation? By helping to navigate the Navy Sea Cadets training ship, the USS Grey Fox, through the waters of Lake Michigan.

And on weekends, you might find her aboard an ice-breaking ship, the US Coast Guard cutter, Sturgeon Bay, churning down the Hudson River.

Pretty impressive for a 17-yearold CHS student—one her commanding officer, US Navy Lt. Charles Springer, describes as “a rare kid—one who constantly strives to go ‘above and beyond,’ and is adaptable to any situation.”

Curtiss, a senior, has participated in Clifton’s ROTC program for three years and is a member of the Sea Cadets, a US Navy program for 11- to 17-year-olds, for the past five.

She is currently a petty officer 2nd class and will be promoted to midshipman this month.

“I rely on Amanda heavily,” said Springer. “She realizes to be a good leader, she must also be a good follower.”

Curtiss trains for duty aboard the USS Ling, a WWII submarine that’s part of the New Jersey Naval Museum in Hackensack. She’s trav-

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his year’s CHS Prom Fashion Show is Feb. 6 at 2 pm in the JFK Auditorium. Models, some of whom are pictured here, will be styling in gowns provided by Angelica Fashions and tuxedos from Deluxe Formal Wear, both in Downtown Clifton.

Hair styles are provided by salons such as Infatuation on Market St, and Hairworks, Urban Oasis and Lunar E Clips. During intermission a hypnotist/ comedian, Dr. Level, will provide some fun and ‘levity’.

The public is invited to attend.

Tickets are $5 and all proceeds go to defray the cost of Project Graduation.

The goal of this 16th annual event is to provide a safe, drug and alcohol-free environment for CHS seniors on the biggest night of their lives. On graduation night, after the ceremony, students meet back at CHS and board buses for a nearby resort. Chaperones accompany about 450 seniors for the all-night gathering.

Arrival time is about 11 pm. Once the students are in, the exit doors are monitored and they’re prohibited from leaving the premises. Inside, there’s swimming, dancing, basketball, tennis, food, refreshments and plenty of fun. The Project Graduation entourage departs the resort at 6 the following morning and returns safely to Clifton.

For more info, call volunteer chair Maryann Cornett at 973-779-5678.

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Clifton Merchant • January 2005

63

Inexpensive Fun • $8/Family of 4

Please Contribute $100 & Become One of our 21 Sponsors

Parent/Child Games Big Screen TV’s Food, Soda Open Gym

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S

uper Bowl Sunday is Feb. 6 and for the seventh year, the Clifton Rec Dept., CASA, Clifton Merchant Magazine and 21individual sponsors host Clifton Super Bowl Family Day. Beginning at 5 pm at the Boys & Girls Club, this is an alcohol free party with things to do for every member of your family. Open gym offers basketball shooting, whiffle ball, football toss and floor hockey. Two super sized TV’s broadcast the big game, and there is plenty of soda, pizza, hot dogs and refreshments.

For more details regarding the event, call Clifton Rec at 973-470-5958.

21 Club

Your Support Is Needed!

Checks should be made payable to:

Clifton Recreation Dept., Mail to:

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6)

note: Super Bowl Party

Clifton Merchant Magazine 1288 Main Ave. Clifton, NJ 07011 Questions regarding donations?

Call Tom Hawrylko @ 973-253-4400

Jim & Rita Haraka & Family RJR Electrical Contractors Applebees of Clifton Brookdale Shoprite Les & Dot Herrschaft Barbara Dougherty in memory of Henry Dougherty

7) Clifton Firefighters FMBA Local 21 8) Optimist Club of Clifton 9) Surrogate Bill Bate 10) Abundant Life Chiropractic Center, LLC Vincent J. Malba, DC 11) Clifton Moose Lodge #657 12) 13) 14) 15) 16) 17) 18) 19) 20) 21)

21 Sponsors are needed!

Please call Tom Hawr ylko 973-253-4400

January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

Gambling Problem? call 1-800-Gambler or visit

www.800gambler.org 1714

January 14, 15, 16, 17 National Guard Armory, 450 Western Ave., Morristown Don’t Miss the $25,000 Solar Electric System Giveaway

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$1 OFF 1 Admission With This Ad Clifton Merchant • January 2005

65

The art of winemaking will be celebrated and for a lucky few, rewarded, at Corrado’s Home Winemaking and Brewing Center’s 6th Annual Amateur Winemaking Competition on Jan. 13 at 6 pm at the Venetian in Garfield. Vinters from throughout the area go to this event to showcase their best blends.

But beyond the winemaking, this is an event that would make Bacchus smile. The Corrado Family hosts a reception in which attendees sample a wide variety of food and commercially produced wines. Cost for the reception is $60 and for those who attend, it will be well spent.

For info, call 973-340-0848.

Some of the medal winners from the Corrado’s Home Winemaking and Brewing Center’s 5th Annual Amateur Winemaking Competition. This year’s event is Jan. 13 at 6 pm at the Venetian in Garfield. While the vinters sure enjoy themselves, those who attend the reception have an equally good time sampling homemade and commercial produced wines and an endless buffet.

Eddie Maldonado, owner of Head Spins, recently relocated his salon from Main Ave. to 560 Clifton Ave., near the intersection of Fifth Ave. Call him at 973-773-3200

Attorney Ricky E. Bagolie of Bagolie Friedman, LLC, has relocated his firm to the Five Corners Building, 660 Newark Ave., Jersey City. Bagolie, who is also president of the Clifton Passaic Chapter of UNICO and an officer in the Passaic County 200 Club, can be reached at 201-656-8500.

S ACRED H EART S CHOOL 43 Clifton Ave. Clifton • 973-546-4695 Continuing a Half Century of Quality Catholic Education Pre-School to 8th Grade • Middle States Accredited • State Certified Child Care (all year round, 6:30 am- 6 pm) • Full Day Kindergarten • Full Day Pre Kindergarten – Pre-School

• Hot Lunch Program • Modern Air Conditioned Facilities • State of the Art Computer Labs

www.sacredheartclifton.com 66

January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

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Open House: Jan. 31 - Feb. 4 • 9:30am - 11am

Gloria Martini, at right, of the Martini Foundation, visited the Passaic County Elks Cerebral Palsy High School on Main Ave. to present a donation for the school’s technology lab. She is seen with staff and students of the CP High School, which operates a successful adaptive augmentative computer lab.

Students are instructed to develop workplace readiness skills as they learn the telecommunications technology. The school has an enrollment of 89 who attend ungraded classes according to their abilities. A second school is located on Union Ave.

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Josephine Scavone of the Clifton Savings Bank was appointed to a three year term as a director of the North Jersey Regional Chamber of Commerce. Appointed to one-year terms to the executive committee are: Robert B. Puleo, Chair Richard DeLuca, Vice Chair Howard Bersch, VP, Special Events Lou March Sr., VP, Govt. Affairs James Palmer, VP, Membership Leonard Carlucci, VP, Treasurer Thomas Mayes, VP, Internal Affairs For info on the Chamber, located here in Clifton, call 973-470-9300.

St. John Kanty Elementary School Learning to Love, Loving to Learn Middle States Accredited

37 Speer Avenue Clifton, New Jersey To register your child call:

973-773-8090 1640

Clifton Merchant • January 2005

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by Tom Hawrylko

T

hanks to the stormy political events in Ukraine over the last few months, many now understand that Ukraine is a free and independent nation, not a region of Russia. Because of the intrigue following October’s presidential election, people across the globe have kept up with developments in Ukraine, a country most could not identify just a few weeks ago.

As an American of Ukrainian descent, I too followed the aftermath of the October and November fraud filled elections, horrified by the poisoning of opposition candidate Victor Yushchenko. I watched news reports of how he became disfigured yet bravely persevered through his pain to promote his democratic ideals.

I read how Ukrainians from all walks of life responded to Yushchenko’s call for peaceful demonstrations and watched as they arrived by the thousands to ‘tent city’ in the center of Kyiv, the nation’s capital.

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January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

From here in Clifton, it was inspiring to see democracy unfold, so inspiring that I (as did fellow Cliftonites Orest Temnycky, Jerry Fedun, Jerry Kuzemczak and Mike Celuch) volunteered to be among the 12,000 International Election Observers to help ensure a fair and democratic process on December 26.

From the streets of Kyiv to the villages surrounding the small city of Hadiach in the Poltova region where I worked on election day, I was part of history and have never witnessed anything more inspiring than the Orange Revolution.

In the city, people walked or rode bicycles along icy roads to cast a vote. In the village of Rozbyshivka, I met a teacher, Kateryna Kulyk, who used the events as an essay subject. “I am proud that this was a peaceful event and happy that the world has recognized and respected Ukraine,” one student wrote.

“These events have shown that Ukraine has grown as a nation.”

Kulyk was proud of her students and concluded: “Over the last three weeks, Ukraine has grown to understand democracy.” And thanks to the peoples’ perseverance, the world has watched Ukraine’s evolving democracy in admiration.

A photo of Vicktor Yushchenko before and after the poisoning in September.

About Ukraine Population: 47,732,079 Ethnic division: Ukrainian, 77.8 percent; Russian, 17.3 percent Size: 233,089 square miles. The second-largest country in Europe.

Total Gross Domestic Product: $260 billion Annual Gross Domestic Product Per Person (income): $5,400 Ukraine: East and West The west is the country’s agricultural base, with rolling wheat fields and other crops. Ukrainian is the main language. For much of the 17th and 18th centuries, western Ukraine was dominated by Poland. When Poland was partitioned in 1793, Ukraine was united with Russia. The east contains the country’s industrial base and because Russia dominated the east in the 18th century, Russian is still widely spoken. Coal mines and factories dot the provinces, particularly the Donetsk area.

History: Ukraine was the center of the first Slavic state, Kyivan Rus, which during the 10th and 11th centuries was the largest and most powerful state in Europe. Weakened by internal quarrels and Mongol invasions, Kyivan Rus was incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and eventually into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

A new Ukrainian state, the Cossack Hetmanate, was established during the mid-17th century after an uprising against the Poles.

During the latter part of the 18th century, most Ukrainian ethnographic territory was absorbed by the Russian Empire.

Following the collapse of czarist Russia in 1917, Ukraine was able to bring about a short-lived period of independence (1917-1920), but was reconquered and forced to endure Soviet rule that engineered two artificial famines (1921-1922 and 1932-33) in which more than 8 million people died. In World War II, German and Soviet armies were responsible for some 7 million to 8 million more deaths.

Independence was officially declared on August 24, 1991.

Clifton Merchant • January 2005

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Revolution Timeline Oct 31: First round of presidential election. Yushchenko and Yanukovych are the top finishers.

Nov 21: Runoff election.

Yushchenko supporters pour into the streets.

Nov 22: Election monitors declare ballot flawed.

Nov 23: Vote count gives Yanukovych an insurmountable lead. Demonstrators fill streets of Kyiv and demand Yushchenko be the winner.

Nov 24: Central Election Commission declares Yanukovych the winner, with Yanukovych getting 49.46 percent and Yushchenko getting 46.61 percent. Protesters by the tens of thousands mass in Kyiv. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell says the U.S. cannot accept the election result as legitimate.

Nov 25: Ukraine’s Supreme Court blocks inauguration of Yanukovych and agrees to hear arguments that the vote was tainted.

Nov 27: Ukrainian parliament declares presidential vote invalid. European Union calls for new elections.

Nov 29: Kuchma calls for a new election. Demonstrations continue.

Dec 1: Several European governments send envoys to try to solve crisis.

Dec 3: Supreme Court declares runoff election invalid and orders a repeat vote to be held by Dec 26.

Tens of thousands of opposition supporters mass in Kyiv’s main square, cheering, waving flags and chanting.

Dec 8: Parliament passes a wide-ranging reform bill, paving the way for a Dec. 26 re-run of the election.

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January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

Dec 9: Government employees return to work after opposition demonstrators scale down their protest in Kyiv.

Dec 11: Yushchenko's Vienna doctors confirm after exhaustive tests that he was poisoned with a form of deadly dioxin.

Dec 24: Campaigning ends at midnight, with both candidates confident of victory.

Dec 25: Constitutional Court strikes down reform restricting home voting; election officials say vote will proceed.

Dec 26: The third and decisive round of the presidential poll proceeds smoothly. As the counting begins, it appears that Yushchenko is set to win.

Dec 27: With nearly all votes counted Yushchenko’s lead becomes unassailable, but Yanukovych says he will never concede defeat, claiming election abuses.

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Clifton Merchant • January 2005

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Catholic Schools Week T

here are many Catholic elementary schools in Clifton and secondary schools nearby which share the religious values which emulate the teachings of Jesus. Catholic Schools Week is an annual national celebration of the role that Catholic elementary and secondary schools across the community play in providing a values-added education for America’s young people.

Many of these institutions, which are previewed on this and the following pages, will host open houses during Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 30 to Feb. 4. And make a special note: Feb. 4 is National Appreciation Day for Catholic School teachers. In total, there are 163,004 teachers working in America’s Catholic Schools.

Saint Paul School, at 1255 Main Ave., in Downtown Clifton, will begin the week on Jan. 30 with a Sunday Liturgy followed by an Open House. To showcase the school, the oldest in the city, tours of the facility will be offered throughout the week. Students will participate in a variety of activities and events all week long, said Principal Christine K. Ross. Throughout the week, national and community leaders, as well as faculty, clergy and students will be celebrated. “We invite all to join us anytime during the week to see why Saint Paul School is ‘the Place to Be,’” said Ross. For info, call 973-546-2161 or email stpaulschool@aol.com.

St. John Kanty School, at 37 Speer Ave., in Athenia, offers a full-time Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade program of classes in one of the newest school facilities in the area. The facility offers a high school regulation-sized gym, spacious classrooms, modern computer lab, hot lunch program and early morning and after school care. Sister Barbara Ann Kemmerer, principal, said parents and prospective students may visit from 9 am to 2 pm on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 with evening hours from 7 to 8 pm on Feb. 2. “St. John Kanty educates its students using the most challenging methods of instruction in an atmosphere embedded upon a belief in strong value and service to others,” said the principal. For more details, call 973-773-8090.

☛

St. Brendan School Fundraiser • For Info Call 973.772.1149

Home Improvement Tricky Tray Come & “Do It Yourself” & Win Prizes Sunday, Jan. 30 at 2pm

The Wayne Manor Rt. 23 South, Wayne

$

30 Includes: • Sheet of Tix • Door Prizes • Dinner

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January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

1574

Many of our Clifton students in the new PC Amphitheatre

Come visit Paramus Catholic and see for yourself why Clifton is the #1 town attending Paramus Catholic High School.

• 100 of your Clifton friends and neighbors attend Paramus Catholic • Small class size (average of about 25); no class more than 30 • Total of approximately 400 work stations; student to computer ratio of less than 4:1.

• New weight training/conditioning field house, track, and stadium • 27 instructional rooms added in recent years, including newly opened wing • 105 courses including 11 AP and 27 Honors level • Class of 2004 earned over $16,000,000 in scholarships/grants

New air bubble over tennis courts creates a winter activity venue.

OPEN HOUSE Wednesday Jan. 26, 7 - 9 pm 425 Paramus Road • Paramus, NJ, 07652 • 201.445.4466 www.paramuscatholic.org Clifton Merchant • January 2005

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Sacred Heart School, 43 Clifton Ave., extends its hospitality to families beyond what is expected of an ordinary school. Its New Jersey State certified Child Care Center is open to students from pre-school through 8th grade, allowing working parents to entrust their children to the same caring environment in the morning and afternoon that they value during the day. The Child Care Center is even open on snow days, and a summer camp is also offered. Call 973-546-4695.

St. Brendan School, 154 E. First St., values the loving Christian environment it creates, providing the same values and attention children receive at home.

Every classroom now has a Smart Board in use. St. Brendan received the 2004 Best Practice Award from the Diocese of Paterson in recognition of its Big Brother Big Sister Program and has also received Middle States certification again. The school offers grades Pre-K through 8. Call 973-772-1149.

St. Andrew The Apostle School, 418 Mt. Prospect Ave., with over 50 years of tradition, provides a great environment to learn while keeping its curriculum and materials up to date. New textbooks and software, combined with professional development training for faculty at the Diocesan Life Science Academy, provide students with a high standard of education, over 50 years in the making. Registration is taking place now for next year. Call 973-473-3711.

St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic School in Passaic offers Pre-K to 8th grade in a setting rooted with traditional values, principles and ideals of the UkrainianByzantine Rite. St. Nicholas staff utilizes standardized testing scores and provides an education infused in a religious atmosphere. In addition to the core curriculum, other courses include religion, computer, music, library skills and physical education to enhance their academic knowledge. A hot lunch and an after school program for students are offered. Call 973-779-0249, e-mail for info at StNickUkr@yahoo.com or go to home.catholicweb.com/stnicholasukrainian.

St. Philip The Apostle School, 797 Valley Rd., treats each child as an individual. The focus here is to offer well-rounded intellectual and moral lessons, where religious values are melded with academic principles to provide a high standard of education. St. Philip has received both the Best Practice award and the Star School award from the Diocese of Paterson, in recognition of its programs that encourage multiculturalism and talent. Call 973-779-4700.

Students from St.Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic School.

St. Clare School, 39 Allwood Rd.,incorporates computers and other specialized equipment into its lessons.

With science labs and an integrated technology lab, students are constantly challenged to use tools beyond ordinary textbooks and No. 2 pencils. By the 8th grade, students are able to put together presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint. Call 973-777-7582.

Open House Monday, Jan. 10th 6:30pm - 8pm 154 East First St. • Clifton

973-772-1149 www.st-brendan.org

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January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

• Meet the Faculty • Visit the Classrooms • Speak with Parents • View a Smart Board Presentation 1574

continue to be an important part of the curriculum. Prospective students may arrange a day-long visit to Paramus Catholic, where they will be accompanied by a PC student and follow his/her schedule of classes. An open house is on Jan. 26 at 7 pm. Call 201-445-4466.

Immaculate Conception High School in Lodi preserves the females-only educational environment that studies have shown encourage academic success and strong leadership. For more information, call 973-773-2665.

Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey is a secondary school for young men, grades 9 through 12. Founded in 1915, by the Salesian Society of St. John Bosco, a religious order of priests and brothers, the school is situated on a park-like, 35 acre campus. Don Bosco Prep is solidly founded on Catholic philosophy and St. John Bosco’s system of education, based on ‘reason, religion and kindness.’ The schools athletic reputation is known as its academic standards. For more information, call 201-236-1395.

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Saint Paul School Academic Excellence in a Christian Atmosphere

Paramus Catholic students.

Paramus Catholic’s programs are rigorous, challenging, and designed for highly motivated and academically gifted students, said James P. Vail, president of the co-ed high school. Courses in religion, history, languages, science, and the arts are standard for all students.

However, there is also a strong emphasis on community service.

As part of their religion courses, each student is required to complete community service hours.

Weekends retreats are offered oncampus to teach students to get involved with their community.

The Paladins compete in football, hockey, soccer, track, basketball, swimming, wrestling, lacrosse, volleyball, bowling, cheerleading, and dance. A recently completed air bubble over the four tennis courts provides for winter activities and a new fieldhouse, track and stadium were added last year.

Arts programs–from musical production, to band, choir and videography—are also offered and

1255 Main Ave • Clifton

973-546-2161 www.stpaulschoolclifton.org • stpaulschool@aol.com

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

Pre-K through Grade 8 Morning Care Starting at 7:30am Aftercare Daily until 6:00pm & on Half-Day Sessions Departmental Junior High School Maximum Ratio of 25 Students to 1 Teacher

Registration Begins in January

Open House: January 30, 2005 12:30-2:00pm Come Visit St. Paul School Today!

Clifton Merchant • January 2005

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Visit us in Downtown Clifton: 1103 Main Ave • 973-473-4999

We Don’t Sell Parts… …We Sell Service Machine Shop On Location No Order Too Large Or Small FREE DELIVERY

Two Stores In Clifton 973-473-1997

973-473-4999

802 Van Houten Ave • Clifton Mon-Fri 8-6pm • Sat 8-5pm • Sun 9-1pm

1103 Main Ave • Downtown Clifton Mon-Fri 8-6pm • Sat 8-5pm • Sun Closed

Our Other Locations: 201.843.8040

201-845-8353

136 Essex St • Rochelle Park Open Sundays

101 Route 46 West • Saddle Brook Open Sundays

201.391.3333

973-857-2600

5 Hawthorne Ave • Park Ridge New Location

614 Pompton Ave • Cedar Grove New Location

201. 261.0411 59A E. Ridgewood Ave • Paramus New Location

973.338.9292 1278 Broad St • Bloomfield New Location

973-694-2228 1168 Hamburg Turnpike • Wayne New Location

973-423-1700 93 Goffle Rd • Hawthorne New Location 1036

Visit us in Athenia: 802 Van Houten Ave • 973-473-1997 76

January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

School Five HSA will host a Tricky Tray on Jan. 28 at 6 pm at the Boys & Girls Club. Admission is $10 which includes cake and coffee, however those attending are advised to BYOB, as well as food and snacks.

Tables are assigned first come, first serve, and can accommodate 10 to 12 guests. For info, call Kim Draney at 973-278-2749 or Judy Bassford at 973-278-6496 to reserve a table.

The Marching Mustang Band will host its 4th Annual Beefsteak at the Boys & Girls Club on Jan 14 at 6 pm. The cost is $30 for adults and $25 for children. All proceeds will go toward the Band’s trip and performance at the Winter Carnival in Quebec. Call Greg Lake at 973-7721798 or write glake20804@aol.com.

School 11 HSA hosts a Tropical Paradise Tricky Tray on Feb. 20 at 2 pm at the Wayne Manor. Tickets are $25 and include dinner and one sheet of small prize tickets. Tables of 10 are available but must be purchased in advance. Doors open at 2 pm.

Goodie bags, door prizes, 50/50, weekend getaways and a Las Vegas trip will be awarded. For tickets, call 973-546-0758 or 973-546-5111.

Clifton Moose Lodge 657 presents a benefit dinner and comedy show on Feb 19 with proceeds to support Parkinson’s Disease research. Three stand-up comedians will be the featured guests and promise a night of fun. Doors at the Clifton Moose Lodge on Main Ave. will open at 6:30 pm and the ticket price is $15, adults only. Dinner includes chicken served over linguine with cream sauce and vegetables. There will be a cash bar.

Anyone who wishes to contribute a donation to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation can mail checks to Tom Miller, 45b St. Andrews Blvd., Clifton 07012. For tickets or more info, call Miller at 973-471-2157 or during the day at 973-881-4173.

ty NJ n u o C c Passai

Drills program, players of all skill levels learn fundamental soccer concepts through a structured series of drills and exercises. Camps will be held from January through March and then again March 28 to May 27.

A one-time fee of $65 cover eight sessions; participants receive a tshirt. Call 973-334-0207 or email vespignanisoccer@aol.com.

CHS Grads may purchase old Clifton yearbooks dating as far back as 1925 by contacting the Clifton Education Foundation.

Prices vary based on the condition of the book. To purchase, send your name, address, phone number and graduation year to: Clifton Education Foundation, P.O. Box 2071, Clifton, NJ 07015.

The Passaic County Student Film and Video Festival is on April 16 at the Passaic County Community College Public Safety Complex, 300 Oldham Rd., Wayne. The event is a juried exhibition of works created by students who live or attend school in Passaic County. Deadline is Feb. 1. Films will be evaluated in two categories—high school students and college students—with prizes in each category. Call the County Economic Development Office at 973-881-4427 or e-mail ecodev@passaiccountynj.org.

St. Brendan’s Tricky Tray with a home improvement theme is Jan. 30 at the Wayne Manor. The $30 package includes dinner, a sheet of tickets and door prizes. Seating is limited. Call 973-772-1149.

Coach Joe Vespignani of the CHS boys’ soccer team hosts a winter soccer camps for boys ages 4-14 in cooperation with the Clifton Stallions Soccer Club at Clifton School 13. Through the Skills and

Michael L. Covin Jr. of Boy Scout Troop 40 at St. Brendan’s Church attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He is pictured with his parents Marianne and Michael. The CHS senior has earned 30 Merit Badges, and for his Eagle project, he designed, engineered and led a crew that built a 3-tiered choral riser for the students at St. Brendan’s Elementary School. The project took over 70 hours to complete.

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Clifton Merchant • January 2005

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The 10th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Jazz Festival and Dinner is on Jan. 15, 6 pm to midnight at the Church of the Assumption, 35 Orange Ave., Clifton.

Featured performers will include June Bady and Quartet, Madam Pat Tandy, Joy Foster, Lady Cici Williams’ Jazz Just-Us Band, Loretta Bradley, Jazzy Bear and Friends, Najah Aziz and the Sensational Wonders. Tickets are $35 and may be purchased at the Record City stores in Passaic and Paterson. For more details, call Seifullah Ali Shabazz at 973-478-4124.

The Polish Society of St. John Kanty Church presents its Oplatek fundraising dinner dance on Jan. 8 at 7 pm in the parish center, 39 Speer Ave. Tickets are $50 which includes a dinner catered by Teddy's. Call 973-779-4102.

Members of the Clifton Association of Artists host an art show and sale through Jan. 29 at the Clifton Main Public Library. From oils and watercolors through pastels, graphics and photography, virtually all media is represented, displayed, framed and ready for sale.

View the show through Jan. 29 during regular library hours. For info, call 973-772-5500.

Dip & Tackle Best Dip Contest sponsored by the Clifton Rec Dept. invites chefs to showcase their favorite chip dip recipe. Prepare your best and bring it to the Clifton Super Bowl Family Day on Feb. 6. Entrants must drop off their dip at 5 pm and judging takes place at 6:15. Gift certificates to the top three dips. Call 973-470-5956 for details.

Great Dentistry at Affordable Prices

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One visit Root Canal therapy Same day emergency visit Crowns and fixed bridges All surgical procedures Removable dentures We speak Russian, Ukrainian, Polish • Cosmetic fillings • Gum treatment • Implants

TENAFLY ENAFLY PEDIATRICS EDIATRICS 1135 Broad St., Suite 208 • Clifton • 973-471-8600 Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 5 pm Wednesday 8:30 am – 8:30 pm (for check-ups, too!)

Sunday 9 am – 12 noon • www.tenaflypediatrics.com

Dr. Maury Buchalter

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• • • • • •

Blesing’s Hardwood Floors of Clifton will be among the 125 exhibitors at the Garden State Home Design & Landscape Show at the Morristown National Guard Armory on Jan. 16-19. Landscapers, builders and contractors will transform the Armory into a Total Home Remodeling showcases. See page 65 for discount coupon.

PRESTIGE DENTAL 849-859 Clifton Ave. (across from City Hall)

We welcome new patients in Clifton and our other locations!

973-778-0013 Dr. Edward Doktorman,D.D.S. 1312

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January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

Tenafly 32 Franklin St 201-569-2400

Fort Lee 301 Bridge Plaza N. 201-592-8787

Paramus 26 Park Place 201-262-1140

Oakland 3 Post Road 201-651-0404

The New Jersey Auto Show is the only auto show in the entire state of New Jersey to display the all new 2005 model year, all under one roof. Now in its 15th year at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, AUTO EXPO will again be a diverse showcase of over 200 new-model, foreign and domestic cars, trucks and SUV’s.

At AUTO EXPO, leading automobile manufacturers, their local dealers and dealer associations will be displaying the new 2005 model year with elaborate factory displays and rotating turntables.

In addition to the new vehicles, The New Jersey Auto Show also offers attractions like an up-close opportunity to see star-powered muscle cars from Hollywood and strolling tv cartoon characters who will meet, greet and take free pictures with the kids.

The idea is to keep every member of the family involved in the automotive shopping experience.

The New Jersey Auto Show opens at the Meadowlands Exposition Center on Jan. 22 and runs through Jan. 30. Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for children while toddlers under 4 are admitted free.

Use the discount ticket on page 59.

AUTO EXPO 2005

New Jersey Auto Show

The Red Tomato from “Starsky & Hutch” Direct from Hollywood comes the original car from this year’s hit movie “Starsky & Hutch”. Based on the classic 1970’s hit series, this dynamic duo of detectives also had one of the most popular shows on television.

The star of the show was the red Ford Gran Torino, also known as “The Red Tomato”. It will be on display at AUTO EXPO 2005, along with other attractions, such as “The Batmobile”. Call 201-223-1000 for ticket info.

Clifton Merchant • January 2005

79

Birthdays!

Shaun LaGala ............................

Connie Zangara ........................

Chrissy Cetinich ........................

Amanda Esposito ......................

Kristin Reilly..................................

Steven Hrina ..............................

Rosalie Konopinski ....................

Ray Krenc ..................................

Emily Zawicki ..............................

Mohamad Bekheet ..................

Missy Fierro..................................

Alexander Ortiz ..........................

Gay Eaclie..................................

Larry Homsany ..........................

Theresa Albanese......................

Amanda Curtiss ........................

Ariana Hryckowian....................

1/1 1/1 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/3 1/3 1/3 1/3 1/5 1/5 1/5 1/6 1/8 1/9 1/9 1/9

Joseph Perzely .......................... 1/9 Stefan Tatarenko ...................... 1/9 Fatma Bekheet........................ 1/10 Ronald Calo ............................ 1/10 Richie DeMarco ...................... 1/10 Katy Sokolik .............................. 1/11 Nicole Unis................................ 1/11 Megan Duffy............................ 1/12 Daisy Colman .......................... 1/13

Happy Birthday to Maggie DeMolli who turns 23 on 1/3

Joe Musleh .............................. 1/14 Mark Stuart .............................. 1/14 Kyle Santiago .......................... 1/15

Open your heart and your home.

Susan Hernandez ....................

Jennifer Montanile ..................

Steve Nikithser Jr. ....................

Matthew Soprano ..................

Anna Tatarenko ......................

Kim Barilari ................................

Erica Pangilinan ......................

Lindsay Dueben ......................

Luke Falzo ................................

Blanca Olave ..........................

Payton Bogatch ......................

Douglas Ciallella ....................

Matthew Gorun ......................

Cindy Hawrylko ......................

Daniel Shackil ..........................

Alexander Stransky..................

Catherine Coloccia................

Larissa Unis................................

Susan Angello ..........................

Robert Duffy ............................

Ashley Gagnon ......................

Debbi Koch..............................

Michelle Nahass ......................

Karen Rice................................

Nicholas Grippo ......................

Scott Crawford ........................

Robert C. Henn........................

Stephanie Smith ......................

Laura Kuruc..............................

Sean Sabo................................

Lisa Paitchell ............................

Jessica Sonn ............................

1/16 1/16 1/16 1/16 1/17 1/18 1/19 1/20 1/20 1/20 1/21 1/21 1/21 1/22 1/22 1/24 1/24 1/24 1/25 1/25 1/25 1/26 1/26 1/26 1/27 1/28 1/28 1/28 1/30 1/30 1/31 1/31

hair nails color

1385

Many children are waiting for very special foster families...

Financial Assistance & Free Training Available

Call toll-free: 1-800-837-9102 N E W

J E R S E Y

To qualify to be a foster parent, you must be at least 21 years old, have a steady source of income and adequate space in your home.

www.fostercare.com 80

January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

1284

Call Keri at 973.365.0220 to make an appointment.

88 Market Street, Clifton

Your Future Begins @

PCTI PASSAIC COUNTY TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

Adult Education 45 REINHARDT ROAD • WAYNE

Programs:

Adult Learning Center:

Adult High School:

Adult students are able to complete their High School education and receive a High School Diploma. This program is fully approved by the New Jersey Department of Education and the Passaic County Technical Institute Board of Education.

FREE to all interested adults. Call (973) 389–4101.

Apprenticeship Program: Carpentry, Electrical, Machine Shop, Plumbing and Heating are available.

For information call (973) 389–4101.

Evening Trade Courses: • ACCA Refrigerant Handlers Certification • Accounting I & Automated Accounting/ Excel • Administrative Medical Assistant • Adobe Photoshop • Advertising Art and Design • Auto Body I & II • Automotive I & II • Bass Fishing • Blueprint Reading I & II • Cabinet Making • Cisco Academy-CCNA Certification • CNC Lathe, Basic & Advanced • Computer Aided Drafting Basic & Advanced • Computer Keyboarding • Computer Repair • Computer Survival Toolkit • Culinary Arts-soup to nuts • Engineering Drawing • Electricity I & II • Electronics I & II • Excel • Firemen’s Licenses: Black Seals, Blue Seal & Red Seal

We offer Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language, Civics Education, and courses to earn a GED. For information call (973) 684–0106.

GED Testing Center: Take the State GED Tests at Passaic County Technical Institute. For information call (973) 389-4388.

Licensed Practical Nurse Program: Passaic County Technical Institute also sponsors a year long full–time days Practical Nursing Diploma Program which prepares the student to sit for the New Jersey Board of Nursing Licensed Practical Nursing Exam.

Call for brochure... (973) 389-2020.

• Food Service • Graphic Design • Heating • Home Remodeling & Improv.

• House Framing I & II • Housewiring • Industrial Wiring I & II • Intro to the Internet & E-Mail • Intro to Computer Programming • Intro to the Web Page Design • Machine Shop I, II, & III • National Electric Code • Nurse Aid • Personal Computer • Plumbing I & II • Plumber’s License Prep • Power Point • Preparation for a Career Position in Graphic Design • Refrigeration I,II & III • Small Engine Repair • Sign Language • Skin Care • Welding Basic or Advanced • Word 2000 / XP

1228

In-Person

Registration Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 6:30 - 9 pm January 11, 12 & 13

For Info, Call (973)

389-4101

CLASSES BEGIN JAN. 24TH Clifton Merchant • January 2005

81

The year 2005 is a special milestone for many, but a historic one for Clifton’s Joseph Frost, who turned age 100 on Jan 1.

Born in a Passaic home, Frost is one of eight children. His father Phillip came from Austria and mother Bertha immigrated from Hungry.

“My father was a tailor in New York City,” Frost recalled, “then a food merchant and a butcher.”

In 1923, the Frosts moved to Clifton, settling on Van Houten Ave. During World War II, Joe Frost served in the U.S. Navy as a dental technician, stationed in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. “Before they shipped out,” Frost said of the swabbies, “we checked their teeth so they could eat over there, and make dentures if need be.” Later, he served in Guam in the dental unit.

Returning to the states, Frost joined his brother Harry at the Frost Family Market on Van Houten Ave., where they worked together for 30 years.

Joseph Frost

The Frosts were famous for their fresh kielbasa made Thursdays.

Above the market, their brother Michael practiced dentistry.

Still living alone and caring for himself today, Frost cited the computer as the greatest invention he’s seen (“It changed the world,” he stated) and the airplane as having the greatest impact (It made the world so small,” he marveled).

An avid fisherman and Mets fan, Frost cannot pick one athlete as the

Dr. David R. Moore, Chiropractor

greatest, saying, “I saw Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, and Babe Ruth. I didn’t see that much difference in their abilities, only in the records they set.”

As far as presidents, Frost said Franklin Roosevelt was the best of the 18 during his lifetime. “He made it good for a lot of people,” he said. “Social Security is the greatest thing. Roosevelt also encouraged the unions. People once worked 12-hour days; the unions changed that to eight-hour-days.”

A lifelong bachelor (“I never met the right women,” he said, “at least one I could live with.”), Frost has simple rules for living a long life. “Don’t overeat,” he warned.

“Stay active, don’t sit around. I walk two miles a day. When it’s bad weather, I stay home.

“I tell people the secret of long life is getting up the next morning.

To make sure I do,” he laughed, and then concluded: “I drink a lot of water before I go to bed.”

www.fitspine.net

Pictured (left) with Dr. Moore is patient of the month, Tom Moore.

Tom incorporates Chiropractic care with a steady workout program and proper nutrition. We hope a healthy lifestyle that includes Chiropractic is one of your New Years resolutions!

Tue • Thu • Sat Elmwood Park Athletic Club 690 River Dr • Elmwood Park • 201.794.0155

Sports Injures • Car Accidents Family Practice 82

January 2005 • Clifton Merchant

1576

Mon • Wed • Fri Chiropractic Health Center 241 Crooks Ave • Clifton • 973.253.7005

all the dental Care your Family needs under three roofs!

tHe appreHensiVe patient

pOller dental GrOup

dental Care FOr COWards

dentistry WHile yOu sleep

629 Clifton Ave • Clifton

470 Clifton Ave • Clifton

973-777-7364

973-546-6977

C

459 Chestnut St • Union

908-686-5868 • Brand New Facility • Tooth Whitening & Bleaching • Implants & Crowns • Dentures & Repairs • Oral Surgery & Periodontics • Root Canals Director: Dr. Christopher Kutney, DMD Dr. Richard Poller, Director Dr. Michael Ayoub, Orthodontist Spec #5147

in

Dr. Cory Wanatick, Spec #3888 Board Certified Periodontist Dr. Andrew Maron, Oral Surgeon Spec #3814

COmplimentary implant COnsultatiOns

lo M

We offer Special Attention for our Senior Citizen friends

seCOnd OpiniOns WelCOme Hours: mon-Fri 9am-8pm • saturday 9am-3pm emergencies seen same day

70 OFF $200 off BraCes $

$

exam • Cleaning Full mouth X-ray

Fi r st Ti me Pat i ent s Onl y • Regul ar $235 Mention This Offer When Setting Appt.

Not valid with other offers or discounts.

Cash, Check, or Credit Cards Only. Exp. 03/15/05

lumaarch lumaarch Whitening Whitening I n as l i t t l e as 30 mi nut es i n our of f i ce.

Now j ust $399• Regul ar $599 Mention this offer when setting appt.

Not valid with other offers or discounts.

Only Only

99

per per month month

Ret ai ner s & Cl ear Br aces addi t i onal .

Mention this offer when setting appt.

Not valid with other offers or discounts.

Cash, Check, or Credit Cards Only. Exp. 03/15/05

s!!

Celebrating 100 Years of Serving our Community

s

East Ridgelawn Cemetery... ...invites you to visit our Mausoleum on Main Avenue to see the inspirational art adorning our new building. Within the Mausoleum, our artist has painted a serene and peaceful view, entitled ‘Eden’, pictured above, where visitors can pause to celebrate the lives of those who have passed.

At the Mausoleum...

Visits are unlimited and unaffected by the weather. Crypts are located in the building and convenient for elderly and handicapped.

Mausoleum entombment provides greater Peace of Mind & Security.

• non-sectarian • niches

• mausoleum • garden graves

• monumental graves • no obligation pre-need counseling • financing available one-year at no interest on easy monthly plans

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/05

East Ridgelawn Cemetery 255 Main Avenue, Clifton, NJ 07014 for more information with no obligation call:

973.777.1920