Every week, Patch takes a look back at what made headlines in Union County. Read on for town-by-town coverage.
Cranford
The clock is ticking. In less than one month, Cranford voters will be asked to head to the polls and cast their votes for the on the Township Committee. This year's race will see Mayor Dan Aschenbach and fellow Democrat Tom Hannen face opposition from former candidate Andis Kalnins and his Republican running mate Lisa Adubato Nesi. A candidates forum is scheduled for Oct. 18 at town hall at 8 p.m.
Find out what's happening in Westfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
New Providence
Find out what's happening in Westfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In June, council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing a non-binding referendum question on the November ballot that proposes amending the existing “Open Space ordinance to allow the funds to be used for acquisition of open space and improvements to recreation facilities.” On Wednesday night, a few dozen community members attended a public forum to learn more about the upcoming Open Space referendum. The forum had a panel made up of Borough Attorney Carl Woodward, Councilman Alan Lesnewich and former Recreation Master Plan Chair Arlene Regan, who answered questions from the community. The forum moderators were Paul Jeffrey, the former Chairman of the Open Space Committee and Kevin Carroll, former Recreation Chairman. To read more about the forum, .
Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Miceli and the district's Anti-Bullying Coordinator and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Deborah Feinberg presented New Jersey's new Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act to 11 members of the community on Wednesday evening. , Feinberg and Miceli explained the new process of investigating incidents of bullying. Miceli said because New Providence has already adopted such strong anti-bullying policies and procedures, the changes that had to be made revolved around certain protocols. So far this school year, the Superintendent said there have already been 13 reported cases of bullying, but only two have been substantiated. Miceli suspects that this unusually high number is due to the fact that students and staff are now aware that the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights states that those who fail to report an instance of bullying can suffer severe consequences.
Berkeley Heights-Mountainside
On Monday, October 10, the Berkeley Heights Communications Committee hosted a Berkeley Heights Township Council Election Debate. Viewers can watch a replay of the debate on Comcast Channel 34 and Verizon FIOS channel 47. check your local listings for times.
Two media outlets – Patch.com and The Alternative Press.com asked the candidates to provide their viewpoint on various topics that are of significance to this Township. The Berkeley Heights Communications Committee was the Moderator.
In other news, the Gov. Livingston girls' tennis team continued their fine season with a 3-2 victory this afternoon in the state sectional semi-final played at the Inman Sports Club in Edison. The Lady Highlanders, ranked # 16 in the Star Ledger poll, improved their record to 12-2, and will look for a third consecutive sectional state title when they face fourth-ranked Holmdel on Monday afternoon.
Key wins against Rumson came from 2nd singles player Laura Tierney, 2nd doubles combination Kat Tischenko and Colleen Chou, with the deciding point being won by freshman Alyssa Lopes at 3rd singles. Lopes was down 4-1 in the second set and according to head coach Bill Meakem, "showed poise and maturity far beyond her years" to stay composed and win five straight games to win the second set and the match 7-5, 6-4
Scotch Plains-Fanwood
Engineer Pleads Guilty in Schools' Contract Scandal: The construction engineer arrested in March for allegedly arranging thousands of dollars in kickbacks, rigged bids and fraudulently inflated costs on contracts he recommended to local school districts over a nine-year period pleaded guilty Wednesday to a second-degree offense of making false representations for a government contract.
Kenneth Disko, 48, of Mountainside, admitted in Union County Superior Court to orchestrating bid-rigging and kickback schemes as the contracted engineer or engineer/architect on record for the Scotch Plains-Fanwood, Westfield and Tinton Falls school districts. He faces three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $50,000.
Charges are pending the suspended business administrator of the Westfield School District and the three contractors who were charged along with Disko in March. .
Clark
The Olweus program is a research-based, school-wide, systems change program that has proven effective at reducing rates of bullying; the program was designed to improve peer relations and make schools safer.
With three sun-shining days, the weather couldn't have been better for the 5th annual UNICO Italian Feast. Whether they were drawn in by the lights of the ferris wheel against the night sky or the smell of zeppoles frying, the crowds came out in full force to the parking lot of the Municipal Building on Westfield Avenue in Clark. and our behind-the-scenes look at the most critical part of any feast
