Healthcare Opinion -- Westfield Leader

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Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES OUR 119th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 45-2009

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Skibitsky Defeats Brennan; GOP Fanwood News Increases Majority on Council By MICHAEL J. POLLACK and MAGGIE DIGGORY

1959

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

WESTFIELD – Celebrating at Echo Lake Country Club (ELCC) after a

of Fanwood Plains

victorious Tuesday evening, Republicans will now enjoy an 8-1 majority in Westfield. The GOP kept the mayor’s seat and won three of four council races, picking up a seat in Ward 4.

Winning re-election, Mayor Andy Skibitsky carried 63 percent of the Westfield vote (7,076), with Democrat Bill Brennan pulling in the remaining 37 percent (4,205). Two Republican newcomers will join Mayor Skibitsky on the council; in Ward 1, Sam Della Fera received 58 percent of the vote (1,684), while Democrat Janice Siegel pulled in 42 percent (1,205). Mr. Della Fera replaces Sal Caruana, who did not seek re-election. In Ward 4, fellow Republican newcomer Keith Loughlin (1,503) was elected by a 52-48 percent margin over incumbent Democrat Tom Bigosinski (1,371), who won by a single vote in 2005 over Republican Eric Leuthold. “Eric lost by just one vote,” Mr. Loughlin said during his remarks. “This victory is yours, too, along with mine.” Running unopposed, Vicki Kimmins, a Republican incumbent in Ward 2, received 1,811 votes. The sole Democrat to emerge victorious, incumbent David Haas (1,456) will return to the council to represent Ward 3 after winning by a 56-44 percent margin over Republican newcomer Tom Delaney (1,138). Westfield Republican Chairman Jon Bramnick, who won re-election himself on Tuesday night to the state Assembly, said the Republican slate remained victorious because of its members’“honesty and effective leadership.” Calling the night “bittersweet” because of Mr. Delaney’s defeat, Assemblyman Bramnick said to Mr. Delaney, “I know you’ll be back.” Third Ward Councilman Mark Ciarrocca, who served as campaign director for Mayor Skibitsky, recognized Asm. Bramnick and said the Republican ticket’s success is a “reflection of Jon’s leadership.” “We did not have all the results we wanted…but we are elated by the work of all five candidates. They showed what good government means to Westfield,” Mr. Ciarrocca added. Mayor Skibitsky, with his children and wife Debbie at his side, thanked the citizens of Westfield for “recognizing the results of the first term.” “It’s very humbling to win again, and by an overwhelming majority,”

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Proposed Health Care Measure Is Harmful to NJ

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Below are four ar with four definitions – The others are made enough to discern this Rep. Leonard Lance ew Jersey 908-518-7733 tion? If you can guess on TRIUMPH...Republican Governor-elect Chris Christie and his Lieutenant Governor running mate, Kim Guadagno, salute the crowd at their election headquarters in Parsippany Tuesday night following their victory over Governor Jon Corzine. guess. If you get two 76 Later this week, members of the U.S. insurance coverage without raising taxes, vidual. Bramnick, Munoz Win in Dist. 21;If you get thre House of Representatives will be asked to rationing care or putting the government 908) 232-0473 you get all four – You vote on legislation that dramatically rebetween patient and doctor. The Republiat Re-elected in Dist. 22 free time! vamps our nation’s health care system. Green, can reformStender bill includes medical liability In the neighboring 22ndwords District, Christie’s victory over Democratic All and co Democratic incumbents Linda Governor Jon Corzine, Mr. Bramnick The bill is H.R. 3962, the “Affordable reform that will seek to end junk lawsuits 24,133, and Jerry AREA — Republican Assembly said, “In a democracy, when you’re in Stender of Fanwood, come from the boa position of power, you have to de- Green of Plainfield, 23,667, survived members Bramnick (LD-21, a to Health Care for America Act.” that Jon force doctors practice defensive waged by Scotch Plains Westfield) and Nancy Munoz (LD- liver. And one thing about Americans, a close battleDeception. whether in New Jersey or Wyoming, if Republicans Martin Marks, 21,810, Summit) easily won re-election up This 1,990-page, $1.055-trillion Demo- 21, medicine driving health care costs. Tuesday by defeating Democrats you don’t deliver, they’ll get rid of the former township mayor, and WilGruman liam “Bo” Vastine, 20,737. care ifallow you’re a DemoBergen of Springfield and you. They don’t cratic health care proposal unveiled last Bruce The GOP alternative will famiMr. Marks, whoAnswers previously ran un- to last wee crat, Republican or Independent.” Norman Albert of Cranford. MANAGER Mrs. Munoz said,health “This is the first successfully for state Senate in 2003 Mr. Bramnick and Mrs. Munoz, week by Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi is a mea- thelies and businesses to buy insur1. Intima speaking to – The inn widow of Assemblyman Eric election I’ve won outside of a pri- and for Congress in 2008, L. Bartiromo supporters at the Sun Tavern in mary, andwhile I believe [the late Assema trauma surgeon who died lines sure that raises individual and business Munoz, ance across state also allowwall of an artery Fanwood, said it was “disappointing following emergency cardiac surgery blyman] Eric was with us tonight.” G PRODUCTION to have come up short,” but noted that “I businesses feel I’m channeling Eric. He’d April, received 43,261 and 43,361 taxes, and reduces funding for Medicare. invotes, ing individuals, small and trade 2. Sbirro respectively, to Mr. Bergen’s be so proud. I will continue to do the he and Mr. Vastine had outpolled Mrs. – A mem GOP JOY IN WESTFIELD...Second Ward Councilwoman Vicki Kimmins, top, Stender in her hometown of Fanwood. hard work and continue [to supportpur23,306 and Mr. Albert’s 22,806. The bill, if Andy signed associations to pool together and P. Connelly who ran unopposed, shares in the election celebration with Mayor Skibitsky into law, will be in Italy Mr. Marksforce said he hoped Mrs. Mr. Bramnick, the Republican initiatives that adhere to] his values. Tuesday night at Echo Lake Country Club in Westfield. Asm. Jon Bramnick (LDStender, Mr. Green and the DemoHe would be so happy,” Mrs. Munoz deputy whip, won a fourth term in the G & OPERATIONS harmful to New Jersey’s taxpayers, sechase health insurance at lower prices. 21) of Westfield, bottom, and Asw. Nancy Munoz (LD-21) of Summit also are 3. Prink cratic majority in next year’s state– To dress said. “He told me a year and a half Assembly, while Mrs. Munoz won pleased with their winning votes. Legislature “realize the grave situabefore he died that if anything firstAnd full term. the alternative reform billhap-proand businesses. As such, I will vote herCelebrating 4. Sonsy – Lucky, p at the Echo Lake Coun- pened to him, he wanted me to serve tion this state is in.” Mirabelliniors Named NewPelosi’s health care bill. tryvides in his place. I believe this their is the rightown He said he lamented “not having Club in Westfield, Mr. with Bramnicktools against Speaker states to create worked extra hard” to unseat incumsaid, “We are extremely pleased that thing for me.” m/subscribe Mentioning the Lunsford Act in bents have expressed confidence in Mayor in Mountainside But make no mistake – I support health voters innovative reforms that expand access to who he said “do not work on TYPHI [what we believe is] ethical and re- particular, she said her husband your (the voters’) behalf.” “Mountainside is a great borough,” “fought for the vulnerable and cared Mr. Vastine, making his first run for ay) – $20 sponsible leadership.” careMr.reform. health care while lowering costs. Coughing up or Mirabelli said after taking his oath. the fact that he and Speaking after Republican Chris tremendously for others... I share his elective office, said1. MOUNTAINSIDE – The “Mayor Viglianti was the heart of this Mr. Marks, in the face of being outvalues and am just as passionate about Like the majority of my colleagues, I These are ideas that have strong, bipar2. A disease of the g Mountainside Borough Council on community, and I will continue to do a those initiatives,” she said. numbered in Democratic voter regisClark,steps Rahway Mayors Tuesday officially named former Coun- great job, as he did for so many years.” Democrats, however, maintained tration and outspent in advertising, did tisan support but are absent from the stand in support of common-sense by bleeding or hemor cil President Paul Mirabelli as its new Councilman Turner, who has served control of the General Assembly and “as well as we did speaks of frustration mayor, replacing six-term Mayor Rob- 18 years on the council, will fill Mr. will continue to hold a 48-32 advan- and the trouble this state is in.” Call for RVSADemocrats’ Oversightnew reform health-care legislation. A relapsing feve ert Viglianti, who died of cancerto lastbroaden Mirabelli’s seat as council president. access and respontage, although one GOP seat was Union County 3. Republican Chairmonth. The GOP will soon convene to select a “How many of the mayors had taken vacant headed into Election Day. The man Phil Morin called the MarksofHefocusing onalsofiscally responsiblenominee solutions that the rising cost a tour ofInstead 4. An ticket.” infection caus Along with Mr. Mirabelli, Councilto fill the vacant seat address on the RVSA’s facility?” stated Democrats Vastine team “a tremendous control the Senate, men Glenn Mortimer and Keith Turner council. Calls to Asw. Stender seeking com— At a press conference that “if they really want oversight, which was not up for election this of health care. ceremony will heldCLARK sible have bipartisan supof byblood – the senior-most members of the counA formal swearing-in yourselfreforms a commissioner.”that Mr. year, by a 23-17 margin. ments were ting not returned press last Wednesday, three mayors, make cil – were nominated for the vacant take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, No- Sal Bonaccorso of Clark, James Chin acknowledged that Rahway’s The 21st District includes deadline. reform ought to include port, the Democratic leadership hasandchoJUSTE AU position by the local GOP committee. I believe vember 24. Special elections will be Kennedy Mr. Kennedy, had served for a Westfield, Cranford, Garwood Michael J. Pollack contributed to of Rahway portand John mayor, Mr. Mirabelli steps into the mayoral held next November to fill the remain- McCormac of Woodbridge, called for time as a commissioner, a point also Mountainside. this story. sen a Kennedy path atthat ignores good ideas from allowing to committee keep totheir 1. A soldier, especia role after 12 years as a councilmanability and ing time– on Mr. Viglianti’s mayoralpeople and an oversight by Mr. the press watch the made two years as council president. Mr. Mirabelli’s council terms. of the Rahway Valley Sewer- conference. Seats; health insurance whetheractions they change the Republican side Hak, of the Sluka aisle. Win GW 2. A close fitting co When contacted by The Westfield age Authority’s (RVSA)jobs board of Leader, RVSA Executive Director commissioners. we prepare and vote on theRe-election move to a different And inno onefol- MichaelAsBrinker revealed thatto debate 3. A decree or sente Mr. Bonaccorso, comments Democratsor Maintain 9-0 state. Villaggio Loses lowing an October 28 press confer- among RVSA’s management and should be denied coverage for preexistSpeaker’s health The Garwood Borough Council will “nobody was invited” to thecare plan, I remain hopeence, described the concept of the board, 4. An ethical or mo c environment, the oningFreeholder now have two Republicans, four Demosaid Majority Bd. committee as “not looking to be criti- press conditions. fulconference. that Mr. theBrinker Republican alternative crats and Democratic Mayor Dennis THPHL GARWOOD — Tuesday night wasplan making her first run for elected of- cal, but to be helpful.” Mr. Kennedy New Jersey regulations do not allaws creat- low borrowing through state pro- a split vote for the Garwood Council, McCarthy. merce is reassessfice, the garnered 47,842 and common-sense 49,097 commented that the 1947 will getthan full andSo, complete consideration Yet call for Councilman-elect who ran and with incumbent Democrat Keith Sluka, for longer 20 years. ing authorities makehealththem “very in- grams 1.Hak,An uproar; clam MOUNTAINSIDE — Union votes, respectively. Independent can- dependent from municipalities.” A according to Mr. Brinker, the au- 666, and Republican Tim Hak, 676, lost a bid for a seat on council in 2008, Hope Thompson, 3,958, and one that our nation County Democrats posted their care 15th didates reform should be and a vote. told The Westfield Leader that he has, winning the two three-year terms on thority, under pressure from muquestion about the legality of such a Vomiting blood input. consecutive victory in the seven-can- Karen Gielen, 3,389, both of committee was responded to with a nicipalities, was forced to borrow the borough council. Mr. Hak defeated “always respected”2.Councilwoman ran on a line with Plainfield didate race for three seats oncan the Plainfield, Itrates is rather thethan only care reform meaafford. Villaggio’s work but there is “alincumbent Democrat Kathleen the sub-health comment that the recommendations at market 3.thatBlindness of Chosen Freeholders on Tues- mayoral candidate Deborah Dowe. efforts Board by towns of the panel would be non-binding. market rates in the state program to Villaggio, 658. Republican candidate ways room for change in any town.” Surrogate James LaCorte of Eliza- like-minded day night and will continue to hold a This week, He thanked the people of Garwood I joined memsure that improves what is working in our Jim Matheson lost his bid for a seat on extend the debt to 30 years. Mr. McCormac said anything more 4. Whooping cough majority when the board reorga- beth, a Democrat, won a third, five- would require a change to the RVSA Mr. Brinker also said RVSA’s 2009 the council with 655 votes. term with 58,239 votes to Reuld be a 9-0 benefit to nizes in January. Democrats havebers held year operating budget of $15.4 million is bylaws. of Congress in introducing the “Medihealth care system and fixes what is broDEDOL publican Art Zapolski’s, a Linden atall nine seats since 1998. Both Rahway and Woodbridge re- spread among roughly 100,000 housetorney and retired colonel in the Celebrating their victorycal at Rights Thisin yields an operating cost sewerage from both holds. and Reform ceive Act” – aservices fiscally ken a fiscally responsible manner with1. Feeling no comp rain ridesL’Affaire areFinefree Caterering on Route United States Air Force Reserves, the Middlesex County Utilities Au- portion of RVSA’s charges of about 46,891. 22 in Mountainside were Freeholders per home before industrial use or increasing our everthority (MCUA) and RVSA, and both $154 responsible alternative health-care reform out raising taxes 2. Lacking muscle o With the GOP showing optimism Al Mirabella of Fanwood, herwood Scanlon Station in Deborah of a victory this year, Mr. Mirabella had prepared comparison charts. A is deducted. Mr. Brinker also said this of Union and Freeholderroughly doublesdebt when debt ser- deficit. chart provided by Woodbridge cost measure that reduces costs and expands growing and 3. Untidy or dirty called his party’s campaign “hard” Elect Mohamed Jalloh of Roselle. showed MCUA’s fees to Woodbridge vice is added in. They received 57,193, 57,359, and but expressed his appreciation for the rising from nearly $2.1 million in lunch in Cranford, RVSA member municipalities are 4. Apathetic; disint 53,866 votes, respectively. Republi- support the Democratic candidates 2005 to just over $3.1 million in 2010 subject to a 4 percent annual cap to

merce on

Fred Lecomte for The Westfield Leader

By ERIC D. WILDSTEIN

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

David Samsky for The Westfield Leader

By PAUL J. PEYTON and FRED ROSSI Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

itan rate

By WAYNE BAKER

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

By LAUREN S. BARR

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

By SARA MAGNOLA AND FRED ROSSI Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

received in their efforts. cans Anthony a Garwood counPage 4 Sytko,Thursday, November 5, 2009 The (based Westfield Leader and The Scotch Fanwood AW their Plains budgets,– he said, but TIMES costs such on estimates). hen continue to cilman, andon Nicole Cole of Fanwood, During the same period, the chart as debt service and insurance are exshows RVSA’s fees rising from just cluded. Mr. Brinker said the operatPlains–Fanwood News had From the Capitol $2.75 million to just shy of $6 ing portion of RVSA’s budget could then The take Westfield the Leader The Scotchover million. The chart shows the total dropped by $75,000 from 2008 to CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

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