Cranford Life - September 2022

State budget to provide funding for flood mitigation in Cranford

By Patrick Tagerty Staff Writer

Plans to address harsh flooding in the township of Cranford are moving forward following the passing of New Jersey’s state budget, which grants $1.8 million for Cranford flood mitigation efforts.

In addition, two new subcommittees were organized in the township to further help identify and solve problems related to flood mitigation and stormwater runoff. Mayor Kathleen Miller Prunty said in a press release that the goal of these subcommittees will be to search for ways to lessen the threat of floods on both a local and statewide level.

“We understand there is a great deal of work to be done throughout town, and that’s why we are tackling flooding on various fronts instead of just relying on a regional solution,” Prunty said. “We believe that every improvement will make a difference.”

The efforts come after historic flooding in the area last year during Tropical Storm Ida, which left local homes inundated and destroyed. Elsewhere in New Jersey, 29 people were killed during the deluge. The township is eager to ensure catastrophe does not strike the area again.

“This is the fourth major storm that has devastated our town in just 25 years,” Prunty said shortly after Ida ravaged Cranford. “Our community needs help. We’re not the only ones, but we need help immediately so residents can rebuild and get their lives back together.”

One project, funded partially via the $1.8 million from the state, is the Southside Stormwater Improvement Project, which was pitched by the township back in April of this year. The project focuses on a 50-acre area in Cranford that includes High Street, South Union Avenue, Retford Avenue and Walnut

Cranford Mayor Kathleen Miller Prunty speaks at Cranford High School on June 30 as Gov. Phil Murphy unveils the state’s $50.6 billion budget, which includes funding for flood mitigation efforts in Cranford.

Avenue — four roads that have been repeatedly inundated by floodwaters from the Rahway River.

The project, proposed by engineering firm Mott MacDonald, will be completed in two phases and includes an express sewer and pumping equipment for moving floodwater out of residential areas. The first phase of the project will be funded by the state. The second phase, costing $1 million, will be funded through the township’s capital budget as well as through a contribution from a private developer on the land.

“Having a proposed plan with cost esti-

mates strengthened our funding request and demonstrated our readiness to implement a project,” Prunty said. “Securing this funding demonstrates the importance of collaboration and partnership in local government.”

The township subcommittees have proposed other solutions as well, though most of the projects have yet to be fully funded and are on a smaller scale. During a meeting in June, the stormwater infrastructure subcommittee gave recommendations to the township on the basic maintenance of river banks, levees, basins and drains. It also proposed the repaving of certain parking lots in the area with a more permeable material to reduce runoff during storms.

Stormwater infrastructure subcommittee Chairperson Ann Dooley said in a press release that the process for implementing solutions is complex, as the township will have to work with surrounding municipalities to cut down on the risk of floods effectively, especially where the Rahway River is concerned.

“The township must get cooperation from Union County to accomplish the necessary improvements, like removal of trees and growth that sometimes create dams adding to flooding,” Dooley said in a press release.

Essex County townships too will need to be involved, as the Rahway River begins there and flows through towns such as Maplewood and Millburn before making its way to Cranford. Essex County towns through which the Rahway River runs were also severely affected by Tropical Storm Ida.

Mitigation efforts are being made on the state level as well. The state-regional planning subcommittee, the second of the two new groups formed, is working with a coalition of towns along the Rahway River

Cranford’s library opens Native Seed Library

Cranford Public Library has opened a Native Seed Library.

The library opened with a celebration on Saturday, June 25.

Community members participated in a variety of arts and crafts for creators of all ages and picked up free seeds.

Library employees were joined by members of the Green Thumb Garden Club, the Hanson Park Conservancy, the Native Plant Society of New Jersey and the Garden Club of Cranford.

The seed library is open during library hours.

Community members are invited to take the seeds that they need, no more than three packets per week, and grow them at home.

This project was funded by a grant from New Jersey American Water.

Above left, Deb Ellis from the Native Plant Society of New Jersey’s Essex County chapter sits behind a table at the opening of Cranford Public Library’s new Native Seed Library. Above center, Ellen McHenry, left, and Kathy Murray of the Green Thumb Garden Club and Hanson Park Conservancy attend the opening of Cranford Public Library’s new Native Seed Library. Above right, the Native Seed Library is located in the repurposed card catalog in the front of the Cranford Public Library.

At right, Carolyn Dittmar, Lise Sulley and Veronique Paillard-Baumann of the Garden Club of Cranford stand together at the opening of Cranford Public Library’s new Native Seed Library.

Photos Courtesy of Lauren Antolino

Insider NJ releases its ‘LGBTQ-plus Power List’

By Yael Katzwer Editor

Insider NJ has released its 2022 “LGBTQ-plus Power List,” which features 100 spots for the most politically influential members of the LGBTQ community in New Jersey.

“There’s a pronounced and conspicuous glass ceiling for LGBTQs in New Jersey politics,” the introduction to the list reads. “Sure, the gatekeepers are happy to have us as ‘the help’ on campaigns and in government positions. But when it comes to elected office, opportunities are paltry because the gatekeepers and party bosses of New Jersey politics still very much prefer a status quo that’s overwhelmingly heterosexual.”

The point of this list is to recognize members of the LGBTQ community who contribute greatly to their local communities, the state of New Jersey and the country.

“The elected officials on this year’s list — mayors, commissioners, councilmembers alike — have already demonstrated that LGBTQs can win,” Insider NJ political reporter and columnist Jay Lassiter wrote. “Since losing his first election in 1994 for freeholder, Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora has compiled a 12-1 win-loss record. Passaic County Commissioner Bruce James is undefeated on Election Day with a 5-0 record. Likewise Rebecca Williams, Union County commissioner and former councilwoman, remains undefeated on Election Day with a record of 40. Even this year’s top Republican, Assemblyman Don Guardian, holds a winning record, 2-1, against the South Jersey Democratic machine, the most well-funded political organization in the state.

“My point is that LGBTQ candidates are tough and resilient. When given a chance, LGBTQs have long demonstrated the ability to run and to win,” he continued.

Some Union County notables made the list this year. Union County Commissioner Chairperson Rebecca L. Williams tops

this year’s Out 100 Power List. Chosen by her colleagues this year to chair the county board, Williams was administered the oath of leadership by state Senate President Nicholas Scutari. Williams’ goals include better internet connectivity for Union County’s residents, as well as a renewed focus on mental health and social service programs. Prior to serving on the county board, Williams served on the town council in Plainfield.

“Throughout her career, Rebecca Williams has worked admirably to promote progressive and responsible economic policies, expand and conserve public parks, bolster employee protections and enhance local communities,” Gov. Phil Murphy said. “Her distinguished leadership and advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQIA-plus community in particular is why I selected her as a recipient of the Champions of Equality Award just a few short years ago. Her involvement in honoring transgender icon Marsha P. Johnson — also a native of Union County — with a statue in Elizabeth is just one of the many ways she has worked to honor this vibrant community and its meaningful history.

“Her new role as chair of Union County’s board of county commissioners is well deserved and will facilitate her ongoing efforts to improve the lives of countless

Union County residents and members of the LGBTQIA-plus community across our state,” Murphy added.

Coming in at No. 41 is Rahway Councilwoman Danni Newbury, who represents the town’s 5th Ward and also runs the Union County Office of LGBTQ Affairs, the first countywide government-run organization to support the LGBTQ community.

“Danni is the model public servant, the model wife, the model mother to her two beautiful girls, and a model friend to those lucky enough to know her,” Linden Councilman John Francis Roman said. “She continues to be a role model to our youth and to all those she serves as councilwoman in Rahway.”

Among the notable individuals who made the list on the state level is New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette, the first openly gay man to serve in a gubernatorial cabinet in New Jersey’s history. Experienced as a toxic injury and brownfields redevelopment lawyer, LaTourette, who took the No. 3 spot on the list, was a newcomer to state government when he joined NJDEP as its top legal counsel in 2018, quickly moving up the agency’s leadership ranks, eventually becoming commissioner in 2021.

“What every last one of us has in com-

mon is the environment we share. Red or blue doesn’t matter,” said LaTourette, the father of two who married his longtime partner earlier this year. “It’s all green — if we do it right.”

Coming in at No. 20 is former military officer Brenda “Sue” Fulton, the chairperson and chief administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. Fulton was the first, and for a while the only, LGBTQ cabinet member in the Murphy administration.

Former Gov. Jim McGreevey took the final No. 100 spot.

“Most of us know him as New Jersey’s 52nd governor, but for the 8,500 clients he serves at the New Jersey Reentry Corporation, Jim McGreevy is a mentor and a lifeline helping to end the revolving door of prison recidivism in New Jersey,” according to the list’s biography of McGreevey, who also chairs the Essex County Correctional Facility Civilian Task Force.

Lastly, the list gives an honorary spot to “anyone closeted.”

“Even in the year 2022, the closet remains a lonely, damaging place. With all the recent advances on LGBTQ rights, it’s easy to forget that there’s still plenty of anti-LGBTQ stigma out there,” Insider NJ wrote. “We will always bear witness to that loneliness and suffering on this list.”

NJ Transit board approves local and community transportation programs

On July 20, the NJ Transit board of directors authorized the expenditure of $63.4 million in federal and state funds to implement local transportation programs for fiscal year 2023, providing critical services for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, the economically disadvantaged and rural residents. Each of the programs extends or complements existing NJ Transit services.

“This funding will continue to support mobility throughout New Jersey and fill the gap in areas where critical needs for transit services currently exist,” New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner and NJ Transit board Chairperson Diane GutierrezScaccetti said. “These programs will benefit our most vulnerable residents who live in our state’s rural areas and inner cities.”

“We are grateful to our board for approving this critically important program, which will provide a transportation lifeline to senior citizens, people with disabilities and the economically disadvantaged,” said NJ Tran-

sit President and CEO Kevin S. Corbett. “Through this program, NJ Transit will distribute federal and state funds to existing local transportation services, helping to maximize access to public transportation for every New Jerseyan.”

NJ Transit partners with all 21 New Jersey counties to fund community transportation programs. These programs assist a variety of private nonprofit organizations, counties, municipalities, county improvement authorities and NJ Transit in meeting the mobility needs of New Jerseyans who depend on public transportation.

These programs include:

• $30.9 million from the Casino Revenue Fund to operate the Senior Citizen and Disabled Resident Transportation Assistance Program.

• $13.9 million for Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 programs, which provide federal funds for operating expenses as well as the purchase of vehicles and related equipment by private nonprofit agencies and designated public entities. This includes $2.8 million in state

funding to support local matching fund requirements.

• $6 million for FTA Section 5311 programs, which provide federal funds for capital, administrative and operating assistance for public transportation services in and between small urban and rural areas of New Jersey. This includes $2 million in state funding to support local matching fund requirements.

• $173,743 in federal funding for the Rural Transit Assistance Program, which provides training and technical assistance for small transit operators receiving funding through NJ Transit’s local programs.

• $818,833 for FTA Section 5311’s Rural Intercity Bus Transportation Program.

• $5.5 million for the New Jersey Jobs Access and Reverse Commute Program, under which counties provide public transportation services to help residents obtain community transportation to employment opportunities.

• $6 million in other funds passed through to subrecipients.

From left, Union County Commissioner Chairperson Rebecca L. Williams, NJDEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette, Rahway Councilwoman Danni Newbury and former Gov. Jim McGreevey are among the notables on this year’s Out 100 Power List.

Former state senator advocates for Ukrainian orphans

Former state Sen. Raymond Lesniak united with female entrepreneurs at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster to shed light on the plight facing Ukrainian orphans in Poland and to form a Ukrainian orphan advocacy group.

“The orphans of Ukraine, many who are now living as refugees in Poland, need America’s compassion to make a true difference,” Lesniak said. “Families here in New Jersey and across America are ready to adopt them, but bureaucratic regulations in Ukraine stand in the way. We must come together and work to ease the adoption processes so these children can be welcomed into loving American homes.”

Lesniak said that Ukraine has stopped processing adoption applications and that, even if adoptions were to resume, they would require a prospective adoption family to go to Ukraine. Since Ukraine is on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Do not travel” list, the adoption process has crawled to a halt. If Ukraine restarts the adoption process, doesn’t require applicants to come to Ukraine and allows virtual judicial hearings, hundreds of Ukrainian orphans in orphanages in Poland will have an opportunity to have a new family in America.

According to UNICEF, the war in Ukraine has created a direct threat to the lives and well-being of Ukraine’s 7.5 million children. Orphans, who have been evacuated from Ukrainian orphanages, temporary homes and rehabilitation centers, are among the many children who have fled to Poland since the start of the war in February.

“I am so proud of the Polish people, how they have opened up their homes, their schools and their jobs to refugees of Ukraine,” said Lesniak. “It’s very heartwarming.”

Born into a working-class Polish immigrant family in Elizabeth, Lesniak fought for social justice in the Garden State during his 40 years serving as a state legislator. Among the causes he championed are the landmark Industrial Site Recovery Act, the abolition of the death penalty, and the establishment of marriage equality and animal protection laws, including one prohibiting the sale of ivory.

Karolina Dehnhard, a lawyer focusing on matrimonial law and international business transactions law, and the managing director of the international transactions group at Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper PC, recently united with Lesniak to help orphaned Ukrainian children living in Poland. Dehnhard was born in Poland. Long before the war in Ukraine started, as an international family law attorney, Dehnhard said she often faced difficult questions from her clients about why adopting children from Poland, Ukraine and other parts of Eastern Europe was so difficult.

“This is one issue that both political parties can work together to resolve,” Dehnhard said.

Dehnhard brought this issue to Lesniak because of his reputation for getting things done. With an extensive knowledge of the inner workings and challenges of the Ukrainian orphan issue in Poland, Dehnhard is working with Lesniak to collaborate with Polish, Ukrainian and American officials in an attempt to restart the adoption process.

A former Ukrainian rhythmic gymnast, Liliya Downs, joined the orphan advocacy group. She has been trying to adopt a child from Ukraine for many years, but burdensome requirements have stood in the way. “I have enough love in my heart to share,” Downs said.

Five years ago, Downs and her husband, James, lost their own child, Aleksandra, to sudden infant death syndrome. Since then, Downs, who immigrated to the United States from Ukraine a decade ago, has always hoped to adopt a child from her homeland. “Kids need families; we need kids. The process should be much easier,” Downs said.

Realtor and inventor Zana Zeynep Ekemen, who immigrated to the United States in 1992 from Turkey, also attended the Bedminster event. “These orphans need our help. I’m delighted to help give them an opportunity to have a loving fam-

ily here in America,” Ekemen said.

Heather Choi, originally from Korea, hosted the luncheon. Choi is the founder of the Show Me Your Heart Foundation, which has already raised significant funds for the Ukrainian people since the war with Russia broke out. “We can make a difference in these children’s lives,” Choi said. “There is no better cause than helping children have

a new life with a loving family.”

“I thank Heather, Zana, Liliya and all the luncheon participants who will join with Karolina and me to work with legal and political officials in the United States, Poland and Ukraine to address the existing adoption laws and advocate for key changes necessary to streamline the process and turn the tide for the children of Ukraine,” Lesniak said.

Photos Courtesy of the Association for International Medical Cooperation

Above left, Karolina Dehnhard and former state Sen. Raymond Lesniak unite at Bedminster on Friday, July 8, with bipartisan support for Ukrainian orphans in Poland. Above right, a Ukrainian orphan departs his homeland for Poland as a refugee.

Cranford finds funding for flood mitigation

to advocate for a flood-control project to be helmed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The USACE is expected to visit Cranford sometime this summer in advance of a public community meeting that will be held around the end September, according to Prunty.

The USACE project is a long time coming, with advocates from towns along the Rahway River. In January, the USACE announced its allocation of funds of $1.5 million to complete the flood protection feasibility study it had started after Tropical Storm Irene back in 2011.

Surrounding communities, especially Cranford and Springfield, have suffered severe, widespread flooding on numerous occasions in recent decades — including during Tropical Storm Floyd in 1999 and Tropical Storm Irene— displacing residents and causing more than $100 million in property damage.

The USACE previously evaluated 21 alternatives. According to the Mayors Council Rahway River Watershed Flood Control, the USACE is currently further evaluating the proposal to develop upstream storage at the Orange Reservoir in the South Mountain Reservation through a bypass that meets federal standards, dredging or changing the dam.

The Mayors Council preference has been a bypass that could lower the water in the reservation either seasonally or prior to a major storm. Such peak storm storage would directly benefit Millburn, Maplewood, Union and Springfield.

Upstream storage is required for downstream improvements to provide additional downstream river capacity. The downstream improvements included increasing the height of the Lenape Park embankment dams, 1.5 miles of natural channelization through Cranford and flood mitigation measures in the city of Rahway.

Another stormwater infrastructure subcommittee presentation is planned for Aug. 8, when more solutions to the flooding are expected to be discussed. There is much work ahead, but Prunty said she was confident in the township and its ability to work with the state and other municipalities to see this problem solved.

“We know there is a great deal more that needs to be done in other areas of Cranford, and we are working to define additional projects,” Prunty said. “But we view this as a great start and look forward to building on this collaboration for future projects that will bring relief to Cranford’s residents.”

File Photo

Following Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, downtown Cranford was underwater, a result of flooding from the Rahway River.

DCA opens public comment for Hurricane Ida recovery

On Aug. 17, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs opened a 30day period for people to provide public comment on the Hurricane Ida Recovery Action Plan, which details how the state proposes to utilize $228,346,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds to help households and communities recover from the remnants of Hurricane Ida, which hit New Jersey last September. The public comment period will run through Sept. 16 and will include in-person public hearings in Manville and Newark, which were among the municipalities hardest hit by Ida.

The plan was developed in consultation with residents, county and municipal officials, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders in New Jersey, as well as with input DCA received from thousands of people who completed the Hurricane Ida Registration Survey.

The public comment period presents another opportunity to provide feedback on the action plan and the proposed use of funds. DCA will review and consider all comments received during the public comment period and incorporate responses to each comment into the action plan prior to submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for review and approval. Comments could lead to changes in the way the state proposes to use the funds.

“The Hurricane Ida Action Plan being

released today for public comment is part of my administration’s Ida recovery strategy, which builds on investments made earlier this year in residential property buyouts and home elevations to better protect families and communities from severe storms,” Gov. Phil Murphy said. “Considerable thought went into the action plan, particularly on ways to promote resiliency and ensure equitable access to recovery assistance. We encourage people to review the action plan and we look forward to hearing what they have to say about the plan.”

“We recognize that, for some areas, recovery from the catastrophic flooding and tornadoes caused by Hurricane Ida will take years. We also understand that $228 million is not nearly enough to address all the storm damage,” said Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who also serves as DCA commissioner. “Our goal in developing the action plan was to address the highest-level needs in vulnerable communities with an eye to mitigation and resiliency. Unfortunately, these severe storms keep happening with more frequency and we must prepare and protect ourselves in this new reality.”

The state proposes to allocate $152 million to housing programs that help homeowners restore their storm-damaged homes; supplement rental housing costs for low-income rental families impacted by Ida; provide zero-interest forgivable loans to owners of rental properties that

require rehabilitation as a result of storm damage; subsidize the development of resilient and affordable housing in lower flood-risk areas; and buy out residential properties located in flood-prone areas. An additional $1 million is proposed to provide supportive services, such as housing counseling and legal aid to renters and homeowners impacted by Ida.

The state also proposes to allocate $58 million to infrastructure programs that help impacted communities become more resilient to current and future natural hazards, protect publicly funded recovery investments in impacted communities, and fund the non-federal cost share for state and local facilities eligible under FEMA’s Public Assistance program.

The state additionally proposes to allocate $6 million to planning programs that develop a statewide housing mitigation strategy tool to assess the housing stock in disaster-impacted and at-risk areas and that build on the existing efforts of Resilient NJ, a climate resilience planning, guidance and technical assistance program set up following Superstorm Sandy to support local and regional climate resilience planning.

Pursuant to HUD guidelines, at least 80 percent of the CDBG-DR funds must be spent in counties most impacted and distressed by Ida, including Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Passaic, Somerset and Union. The remaining 20 percent of funds may be used in other Ida-

impacted counties, including Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Morris and Warren. Under the guidelines, at least 70 percent of the total CDBG-DR funding must go toward projects that directly benefit lowand moderate-income residents or investments in infrastructure that serve a majority of these residents.

The proposed action plan may be obtained in English and Spanish at https://www.nj.gov/dca/ddrm/plansreports/index.shtml on DCA’s website.

The public hearings on the action plan will be held: Thursday, Sept. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Manville High School auditorium, 1100 Brooks Boulevard in Manville; and Monday, Sept. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. at New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Campus Center Ballroom, second floor, 150 Bleeker St. in Newark.

Aside from providing comment at the public hearings, people may also submit their comments through the DCA website at https://tinyurl.com/ywh286nf, by email to DisasterRecoveryandMitigation@dca.nj.gov, or by mail to the attention of Constituent Services, Division of Disaster Recovery and Mitigation, NJ Department of Community Affairs, 101 S. Broad St., P.O. Box 823, Trenton, NJ 08625-0823. All comments must be received on or before 5 p.m. on Sept. 16 to be considered.

DCA will submit the action plan to HUD no later than Sept. 28 for review and approval.

Perrotti’s Quality Meats, at 23 S Union Ave in Cranford, has been in its current location for 55 years David Perrotti Sr and Mario Perrotti, brothers from Italy, opened the business in October 1967. Nick and Dave Perrotti took over in 2015

Perotti’s traces its roots to 1957, when David and Mario Perrotti immigrated to the United States from Vallata, Italy, at the ages of 10 and 12, alongside their parents and seven siblings, where they settled in Elizabeth. The two brothers began working at a local, old time pork store, where they learned the art of butchering and the meat market industry Little did they know that they would become lifelong business partners. In the fall of 1967, David and Mario opened Perrotti’s Quality Meats, with the hope of turning their newly found craft into a business of their own More than 50 years later, their business still operates on the corner of S Union Avenue and Cherry Street in Cranford

At Perrotti’s today, they pride themselves in being a family owned and operated business that treats its loyal customers like part of the family The sons of David Perrotti, Dave Jr and Nick Perrotti, have earned the responsibility of taking over the family business, with an eye toward keeping the old world butcher shop a part of the community for the next 50 years.

Always an active member of the community, Perrotti’s Quality Meats sponsors numerous charitable endeavors, including the Jaycees/St Michael’s Church, St Michael’s Feast, the Cranford Fire and Police departments, football at all schools, the Rescue Squad, Special Olympics, the Firecracker 4-Miler and T ball.

Through the years, Perrotti’s Quality Meats has changed by becoming not just a full-service butcher but also by offering a wide variety of prepared foods The original service as a full-service butcher has been maintained, in addition to employee recipes and traditional food

Customers continually praise the business for providing great service, delicious food and having an informative staff

Perrotti’s has been helping local families and businesses celebrate milestones for decades. If you need a caterer for a large party or event, view Perrotti’s catering menu and give them a call or send them an email to start planning your next party or event

Perrotti’s Quality Meats is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a m to 6 p m , and Saturday, from 9 a m to 5 p m , and can be reached by calling 908 272-4980 or visiting its website at perrottiscranford com

Owners Nick and Dave Perrotti

Darren, Tony, Jim,Nick, Dave

Photo by Rick Gerritty

Photo by Rick Gerritty

Spotted lanternfly update: Act now to prevent breeding

Spotted lanternfly infestations begin with the appearance of small, beetle-like nymphs in the spring, which transform into large, destructive hopping insects over the summer.

“The spotted lanternfly is a widespread problem in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the surrounding region. Everyone can help reduce the infestation by taking steps to limit their chances of breeding this fall and by reducing their preferred habitat,” Union County Commissioner Chairperson Rebecca L. Williams said.

During the last year, the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation has been working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station to assess various methods for locating and trapping lanternflies and preventing egg masses from hatching. Circle traps were set up in the Watchung Reservation and they have already caught thousands of spotted lanternflies.

Union County has also assembled staff from the Department of Parks & Recreation, the Bureau of Shade Tree & Conservation, the Bureau of Mosquito Control, the Bureau of Geographic Information Systems and the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County to focus on fighting the infestation, and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture has awarded Union County a grant to fight the spotted lanternfly on a countywide basis.

The Union County Office of Public Information will provide updates on the work of this task force and will continue to provide guidance on spotted lanternfly control for residents. A dedicated page on

the county website for spotted lanternfly news and updates has been set up at ucnj.org/slf.

Residents are advised to stomp on any lanternfly they see now.

Residents with trees on their property can use circle traps to catch nymphs in the summer and mature lanternflies in early fall. Lanternflies are known to feed on the sap of 70 different trees and plants, but the ailanthus tree, or tree of heaven, is their preferred host.

Note that sticky tape and glue traps should never be used, because they can ensnare birds and beneficial insects. Circle traps are widely available online. They can also be made at home with simple materials. For more information about circle traps and other environmentally safe methods of trapping nymphs and mature lanternflies, including a link for instructions on do-it-yourself circle traps, visit ucnj.org/slf.

Residents can also reduce the preferred habitat for spotted lanternflies by arranging to have ailanthus trees removed from their property. Because the ailanthus tree is an invasive non-native species, removing it can enable more diverse, native species to grow while also reducing breeding opportunities for the spotted lanternfly. However, property owners are advised to consult a professional landscape or tree service to remove ailanthus trees. Sprouts and small saplings can be pulled up by the roots, but larger ailanthus trees require professional treatment with an herbicide to prevent them from growing back in greater numbers after cutting.

Union County Local Arts Program grants are accepting applications

The Union County Board of County Commissioners has announced that applications for 2023 Local Arts Program grants are now being accepted by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, a division of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.

“Union County’s Local Arts Program grants help the organizations in our community sustain their operations and continue to bring high-quality programming to our residents, and it also enables other organizations to provide arts programming. We encourage eligible organizations to apply,” Commissioner Chairperson Rebecca L. Williams said.

Qualifying nonprofit arts organizations can apply, as well as libraries, schools and local government offices.

Two types of grants are available according to the LAP:

• General Operating Support grants are available to arts organizations. The maximum request is $12,000.

• Special Project grants are available to both arts organizations and non-arts organizations producing an arts project, such as a performance series. The maximum request is $6,000.

To be eligible for funding, applicants must be based in Union County and arts

activities must take place in Union County during 2023. Grants will be awarded to applicants who demonstrate a high degree of professionalism in arts programming.

Full details, including eligibility requirements, application components and other information, are outlined in the complete LAP guidelines at https://tinyurl.com/27ky6rhf.

All application materials must be submitted online by Wednesday, Sept. 21, through the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs grant portal.

To obtain the link to the grant portal and begin the application process, applicants must first send the name of their organization by email to Martha Sturm, LAP grant coordinator, at msturm@ucnj.org and culturalinfo@ucnj.org. Use both email addresses to ensure a timely response. For questions about the LAP grant program, contact Sturm at 908-558-2552 or msturm@ucnj.org.

Funding for this grant program is provided by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner of the National Endowment for the Arts. For information about all grants administered by the Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, visit https://tinyurl.com/27ky6rhf.

Photo Courtesy of Tina Casey

The preferred habitat of the spotted lanternfly is the ailanthus tree, or tree of heaven. Property owners are advised to consult a professional landscaper or tree service to remove ailanthus trees on their property.

Cutting them down is ineffective, as the tree will sprout more growth around the trunk and continue to attract spotted lanternflies.

Acting attorney general establishes Reproductive Rights Strike Force

In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overruled Roe v. Wade, which had upheld the constitutional right to abortion, acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced July 11 the creation of a Reproductive Rights Strike Force, comprising officials from the Department of Law & Public Safety. The strike force will include representatives from the Division of Law, Division of Criminal Justice, Division of Consumer Affairs, Division on Civil Rights, the New Jersey State Police and the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor.

The strike force will initiate civil and criminal enforcement actions and develop other strategic initiatives to protect access to reproductive health care and abortion care for New Jersey residents and residents of other states who travel to New Jersey to access such care. The strike force will work with the office of the attorney general to coordinate enforcement actions across the entire Department of Law & Public Safety.

“A woman’s right to choose what happens to her own body is a fundamental measure of freedom in a society and it must be protected if we are to uphold the founding principles that all Americans are entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” Lt. Gov. Sheila Y. Oliver said.

“I commend acting Attorney General Platkin for taking this necessary action to not only protect, but to enforce, the rights

and freedoms of women and care providers in New Jersey.”

“The Supreme Court’s right-wing majority opinion in Dobbs is a devastating setback for women’s rights in America and will harm millions throughout the country,” Platkin said. “But make no mistake: Abortion remains legal in New Jersey. The Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act, signed into law this January by Gov. Murphy, protects the right to choose to terminate a pregnancy in New Jersey. And legislation signed into law by Gov. Murphy earlier this month provides additional critical protections for individuals who seek to access reproductive health care services in New Jersey. The strike force we are creating today will ensure that these laws are enforced to the full extent possible, and that we use every available resource to protect access to abortion care in New Jersey.”

The strike force will use available civil and criminal enforcement tools to protect the right to obtain abortion care in New Jersey, including by holding accountable individuals who threaten or intimidate patients or providers at clinics that provide reproductive health care; by holding accountable individuals who violate patient confidentiality requirements; and by developing strategic initiatives and undertaking investigations to help secure the private data of patients and providers and to limit the sharing of personal health-related data with third parties.

IN MEMORIAM

• BIAGO – Anthony J. Sr., of Mountain Top, Pa., formerly of Cranford; June 28. U.S. Army veteran, financial vice president, husband, father, grandfather, 84.

• BURDETT – Daphne Noel, formerly of Cranford; June 18. Secretary at Trinity Episcopal Church, Cranford. Widow, grandmother, great-grandmother, 95.

• DICKSTEIN – Michael, of Atco, formerly of Cranford; July 26. Educational professional. Brother, uncle, 61.

• ELLIS – Jacquelin Marie, of Cranford; May 27. Lifetime member of Cranford First Aid Squad. Widow, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, 88.

• EVERS – Robert A., of Cranford; July 15. Member of Navy Seabees, carpenter with Local 715 in Cranford. Brother, cousin, 86.

• GONCALVES – Marie, of Cranford, formerly of Elizabeth; July 3. Waitress, hostess. Widow, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, 80.

• MCGEEHAN – James F., of Cranford, formerly of Roselle; July 3. Korean War veteran, widower, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, 89.

• ROBINSON – Shirley, of Cranford; June 13. Mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother, 78.

• ROSENBLUM – Gail H., of Cranford; Aug. 19. Retired teacher, supplemental teacher, business owner. Widow, mother, grandmother, 84.

• SALES – Barbara Jean, of Cranford; June 18. Mother, sister, grandmother, 83.

• SCHNEIDER – Margaret Doyle “Marge,” of Cranford, formerly of the Bronx, N.Y.; June 27. English teacher, widow, grandmother, great-grandmother, 95.

• STANIER – John H. “Jack” Jr., of Union, formerly of Bound Brook; July 24. Navy veteran, Cranford police officer. Brother, uncle, granduncle, 73.

• WILLIAMS – Thelma, of Cranford; June 15. Widow, mother, 95.

In Memoriam is a monthly feature compiled by the news staff from various sources. We also provide the opportunity for families and funeral directors to publish a more extensive, special notice about their loved one called an obituary. These notices are published on our website immediately and then in the next edition of this newspaper. To place a paid obituary send an email to obits@thelocalsource.com or fax to 908-688-0401. Family and friends’ submissions must include sender’s name, address, phone and the name of the funeral home. Call 908-686-7850 for assistance.

Rather than hitting the beach or hanging out with friends, 45 teens from throughout Pennsylvania and North Jersey, including from Cranford and Westfield, devoted part of their summer vacation to completing a range of community service projects for a camp offered by the Archdiocese of Newark’s Office for Youth & Young Adult Ministry during the last week of July.

This year’s Summer Service Week saw the high school–aged youths volunteering at various archdiocesan sites that required assistance, such as St. Rose of Lima Church in Newark, St. Leo’s School in Elmwood Park, St. Michael Convent in Newark and Sacred Heart Church in Bloomfield. At many of those locations, the teenagers swept floors, painted walls, landscaped yards, removed garbage and performed other much-needed upkeep. They also packed meals, inventoried food and sorted clothes for people in need at St. Ann’s Soup Kitchen in Newark and at the Father English Consumer Choice Food Pantry in Paterson. Some even created birdhouses for Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East

Hanover, which will display the birdhouses as a way of comforting mourners.

After each day of work, the teens returned to the St. John Paul II Youth Retreat Center in Kearny to discuss their experiences. On two occasions, Auxiliary Bishops Gregory J. Studerus and Michael A. Saporito met the youths, leading them in prayer.

“We’re living in a world where it’s all about ‘me,’ but the Summer Service Week is the complete opposite of that,” said Rich Donovan, the youth office’s associate director for events and training, who pointed out that the experience was particularly eye-opening for this year’s participants because none had ever joined the camp before. “By helping others, these teens went on a journey that has made them view the world and themselves differently. They appreciate things more. Instead of going in the fridge and complaining that there’s nothing to eat, they’ll think about the people they made food for who really don’t have anything. And hopefully that will inspire them to look into how they can serve their own communities.”

Teens landscape the yard outside St. Rose of Lima Church in Newark.

Photos Courtesy of the Archdiocese of Newark

Students make University of Vermont dean’s list

The following Cranford students have been named to the dean’s list for the fall 2021 semester at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vt: Emma DeBole, professional nursing major, College of Nursing and Health Sciences; and Casey Benderoth, environmental studies major, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources.

To be named to the dean’s list, a student must have a grade-point average of 3.0 or better and rank in the top 20 percent of their class in their respective college or school.

Students on Susquehanna University’s dean’s list

Susquehanna University, in Selinsgrove, Pa., has announced that the follow-

ing Cranford students were named to the dean’s list for the fall 2021 semester: Amber Martino, majoring in communication studies and philosophy and a member of the Class of 2023; and Alyssa Fiebiger, majoring in music education and a member of the Class of 2023.

The dean’s list recognizes students who achieve a grade-point average of 3.4 or better out of a possible 4.0 for the semester.

Dean’s list includes locals at Quinnipiac University

The following students from Cranford were named to the dean's list for the fall 2021 semester at Quinnipiac University, located in Hamden, Conn.: Zachary Carter, Connor Gorman, Tessa Maloney and Harrison Pollack.

To qualify for the dean’s list, a student must earn a grade-point average of at least 3.5 with no grade lower than a C.

Full-time students must complete at least 14 credits in a semester, with at least 12 credits that have been graded on a lettergrade basis, to be eligible. Part-time students must complete at least six credits during the semester.

University of Rhode Island names locals to dean’s list

The University of Rhode Island, in Kingston, R.I., has announced the fall 2021 dean’s list. It includes, from Cranford, Abby Ahern, Alexa Cafiso, Caitlin Chiodo, Lily Collyer, Liam Fitzpatrick, Colleen Gosselin, Lily Gudoski, Juliana Marcotrigiano, Jennifer Newport, Anthony Noce, Kara Piatkowski and Kathryn Scheremet.

To be included on the dean’s list, a fulltime student must have completed 12 or more credits for letter grades, which are grade-point average applicable during a

semester, and achieved at least a 3.30 quality-point average. Part-time students qualify with the accumulation of 12 or more credits for letter grades, which are GPA applicable, earning at least a 3.30 quality-point average.

Brown earns faculty honors at Georgia Tech

Kylie Brown, of Cranford, earned the distinction of faculty honors for fall 2021 at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Ga. This designation is awarded to undergraduate students who have earned a 4.0 academic average for the semester.

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Despite loss of talented senior class, Cougars still expect to win

By JR Parachini Sports Editor

CRANFORD — The Cougars took a big hit when last year’s talented senior class graduated. The group included quarterback Shane Van Dam; running back Colin Murray; wide receiver Will Gallagher; and standout linemen Kevin Shriner, Matt Fries and Geoffrey Gretta.

Cranford High School must also do without the services of Villanova University commit Kyle Fay. Ranked as one of the top senior offensive linemen in New Jersey, the 6-7, 285-pound Fay, playing basketball, suffered an ACL injury in Cranford’s Union County Tournament loss to Linden High School at the Thomas G. Dunn Sports Center in Elizabeth on Saturay, Feb. 19.

He had surgery in April and will, unfortunately, miss his senior season. Fay should be on track to play for his first year at Villanova.

Despite being hit hard by graduation on plenty of other occasions, Cranford has set a standard that has now reached a second decade. The Cougars have managed to finish better than .500 every year since 2010 and have qualified for the playoffs every season since 2011.

Cranford’s program has also captured three state championships in the playoff era, all coming in North 2, Group 3. Cranford captured the section for the third time last year and did so with a perfect 11-0 record that saw the Cougars outscore their three sectional opponents

by a combined score of 143-54.

“This is a new year, and we have guys getting their first opportunities,” head coach Erik Rosenmeier said. “They may have played on other Cranford teams in the past but just didn’t get the chance to play on last year’s team.

“Someone said at our Ramapo scrimmage that we gave a good effort but that

we might be a year away. We’re at the stage with our program that we expect to win now. We expect to be good. ‘A year away’ is not in our mentality.”

Succeeding Van Dam at quarterback is Liam Godwin, who played at wide receiver and in the secondary on defense last year and is also Cranford’s place kicker and punter, one of the best in the area. Godwin made 46 of 48 extra points a year ago and also kicked two field goals, his longest one good for 28 yards.

Rosenmeier knew, once the 2021 season concluded, that he would be giving Godwin “the keys to the car as Cranford’s next quarterback.”

“This was not a decision made in May or June,” Rosenmeier said. “Liam is arguably our best athlete. He immediately began to put a lot of time in a position he had not yet played.

“He’s worked diligently at it. We’re happy with the way he’s thrown the ball so far.”

Godwin is also one of Cranford’s two cornerbacks, along with senior Jake Carter. They are two of Cranford’s five returning starters, including senior center linebacker Ryan Heesters, senior halfback/middle linebacker Shane Kanterman and senior tailback/free safety Ryan Lynskey. Carter also starts on offense as one of Cranford’s slot receivers.

“Lynskey is a returning starter at safety and will get a big part of the carries on offense,” Rosenmeier said. “He’s a great leader and is also a National Honor Socie-

ty student, with academic interest from Carnegie Mellon University and Colby College.”

Kanterman was one of the most prominent junior standouts in the area last year, and his name came up quite often when a teammate would talk about the player with the most presence on the field.

“Shane led the team in tackles last year and will get a big part of the carries on offense,” Rosenmeier said. “He is also extremely strong, a great leader and an NHS student. The service academies have shown interest.”

Heesters was on Cranford’s high-profile offensive line a year ago and is regarded as one of the top centers returning for 2022.

“Ryan will have to lead an inexperienced but hard-working group,” Rosenmeier told Cranford Life about Cranford’s new offensive line.

Rosenmeier said Carter is “our leading returning receiver with big-play capabilities. He will also figure heavily in the secondary.” Carter is also a standout in baseball, which he plans to play in college.

“We have worked hard to develop a culture of multisport athletes that take pride in representing the Cranford community,” Rosenmeier said.

Another key player is senior halfback/nose guard Jake Carvalho.

“Jake played significant minutes at halfback last year and will do so again,” Rosenmeier said. “He’s extremely strong

Photo by JR Parachini

Cranford head coach Erik Rosenmeier, above, has now guided the Cougars to three state championships, all in North 2, Group 3.

Cranford looking forward to another successful season

and has bench pressed 330.”

For the second straight season, Cranford will open at home against North Hunterdon High School. Last year, the Cougars staged quite a comeback to win the contest 43-37 in overtime. Cranford came back from a 16-point deficit by scoring two 8-point touchdowns in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter, which ultimately forced overtime.

“We pride ourselves on being mentally tough, physically strong and focused on the success of the program,” Rosenmeier said. “We embrace the challenge of maintaining that success each and every year.”

C Ryan Heesters, senior, 6-0, 220

C Ryan Turnamian, junior, 6-3, 185

G Ben Fossella, junior, 6-0, 295

G Ryan Klimko, junior, 6-2, 215

T Thomas McCarthy, junior, 5-10, 220

T Colin Podeszwa, senior, 5-11, 185

L Sean Riley, junior, 6-0, 175

L Luciano Fiorenza, sophomore, 6-2, 175

Slot Jake Carter, senior, 5-9, 170

WR Declan Quigley, senior, 5-10, 175

WR John Attebury, senior, 6-2, 170

QB/PK Liam Godwin, senior, 6-3, 185

QB/Slot Tyler Veltre, sophomore, 6-1, 180

HB Jake Carvalho, senior, 6-0, 220

HB Andrew Wozniak, junior, 5-10, 215

HB Ryan Carracino, junior, 6-0, 225

CB Jake Carter, senior, 5-9, 170

FS Ryan Lynskey, senior, 5-10, 190

SS Lucas Caldwell, junior, 5-9, 170

SS Christian Moroses, junior, 6-1, 175

SS Tyler Veltre, sophomore, 6-1, 180

CB/P Liam Godwin, senior, 6-3, 185

Returning starters: Kanterman, Lynskey, Godwin.

2022 Cranford Cougars football schedule

Sept. 2: vs. North Hunterdon, 7 p.m.

Sept. 10: at Summit, 2 p.m.

Sept. 16: at Woodbridge, 7 p.m.

Sept. 23: vs. St. Thomas Aquinas, 7 p.m.

Sept. 30: at Rahway, 6 p.m.

Cranford senior Kyle Fay, No. 67, above, will unfortunately miss his senior year, as he is out with an ACL injury he sustained during last year’s basketball season. He has given a verbal commitment to continue playing football in college at Villanova University and is on track to be healthy for his freshman season next year. Fay was considered one of the top returning offensive linemen in the state.

Cranford is situated in the Big Central Conference’s United Gold Division this year, along with St. Thomas Aquinas, Rahway, Scotch Plains–Fanwood and Summit high schools. Cranford’s four nondivision games will be against North Hunterdon, Woodbridge, Linden and North Brunswick high schools.

The Cougars captured the BCC’s Division 4 title last year with a perfect 7-0 league mark.

“We are focused on team goals and program success first and foremost,” Rosenmeier said. “Everything else is secondary.”

Cranford’s spread offense

T Tyler Egan, senior, 6-1, 230

T Max Melchiorre, senior, 5-11, 200

G Dylan McDonald, senior, 6-0, 215

G Julius Bryam, junior, 6-0, 290

TB Ryan Lynskey, senior, 5-10, 190

TB Shane Kanterman, senior, 5-11, 225

Returning starters: Heesters, Carter, Godwin.

Cranford’s 3-3 stack defense

The first three are the two starting ends and the nose guard, and the second three are the two starting outside linebackers and the starting middle linebacker. The other five starters on defense are the two cornerbacks, the free safety and the two strong safeties.

E Andrew Wozniak, junior, 5-10, 215

E Amari Petgrave, sophomore, 6-1, 215

NG Jake Carvalho, senior, 6-0, 220

E Dylan McDonald, senior, 6-0, 215

OLB Ryan Carracino, junior, 6-0, 225

MLB Shane Kanterman, senior, 5-11, 225

MLB Dylan Jones, sophomore, 5-10, 170

OLB Ryan Heesters, senior, 6-0, 220

Oct. 7: vs. Scotch Plains–Fanwood, 7 p.m.

Oct. 14: at Linden, 7 p.m.

Oct. 21: vs. North Brunswick, 7 p.m.

Head coach: Erik Rosenmeier, 18th season

2021 Cranford Cougars, 11-1

H: Cranford 43, North Hunterdon 37, OT

H: Cranford 45, Summit 8

A: Cranford 49, Iselin Kennedy 20

H: Cranford 20, Scotch Plains 6

H: Cranford 27, Colonia 14

A: Cranford 38, Woodbridge 28

A: Cranford 42, Linden 13

A: Cranford 26, Montgomery 14

H: Cranford 56, Demarest 26

H: Cranford 42, Pascack Valley 7

H: Cranford 45, Sparta 21

N: West Morris 53, Cranford 14

Head coach: Erik Rosenmeier, 17th season

Photo by JR Parachini

Company inks more than 20,000 square feet of leases

Signature Acquisitions, owners/managers of Class A suburban office space, has announced it recently completed more than 20,000 square feet of new office leases and renewals at Parkway Commerce Center in Cranford and Clark. These office buildings offer easy access to the Garden State Parkway and on-site property management and ownership.

An 8,774-square-foot lease at 100 Walnut Avenue with Loop Capital, a client-focused investment banking, brokerage and advisory firm, was the largest of four new leases at Parkway Commerce Center, an eight-building office campus spanning 820,000 square feet located in Cranford and Clark. Other new leases within the campus include LogicFold for 2,563 square feet, Indigo Risk for 1,741 square feet and M&D Capital NY for 1,330 square feet. Additionally, Allstate and Bayada Health renewed their leases for 3,734 and 2,704 square feet, respectively.

Sandy Monaghan, senior vice president and director of leasing at Signature Acquisitions, said, “As businesses continue to adjust to the evolving wants and needs of their workforces, we see a corresponding increase in demand for Class-A office space across our portfolio. Our continued success in retaining current tenants and attracting new tenants speaks to our immense confidence in our portfolio’s ability to fulfill the desires of the workforce and provide businesses with a first-rate corporate environment to call home.”

Photo Courtesy of Dan Johnson