November 8, 2007 Hawthorne Press Zakaria re-elected; Peralta wins in Prospect-Park Council race Councilman Adnan Zakaria, who was elected to a one-year term last year, was the top vote-getter Tuesday for Prospect Park Council. His running-mate, Cristina Peralta, who beat current Councilman Radhames Capellan in the June Primary, won with 355 votes. Republican Thomas Magura, a former councilman, narrowed the gap, losing by 86 votes. He garnered 271 votes while his running-mate, Custodio Rodriquez received 253. Magura and Custodio won in District 3 where they received 85 and 84 votes respectively compared to 75 for Zakaria and 72 for Peralta. The results don't change the make-up of the all-Democrat dominated governing body but do tighten the grip of Mayor Mohamed Khairullah. Capellan has voted with the three others to form the investigation committee and other issues opposed by the mayor. With Peralta, the balance is expected to shift to 3-3, opening up opportunities for the mayor to cast the deciding vote. October 24, 2007 Herald News Prospect Park municipal elections by Heather Kays POLITICAL MAKEUP: MAYOR: Democrat COUNCIL: Six Democrats AT STAKE: Two three-year council terms. The seats are held now by Democrats Adnan Zakaria, who is seeking reelection, and Radhames Capallan, who is not seeking another term. THE CANDIDATES: COUNCIL/REPUBLICAN Thomas F.X. Magura of North 8th Street is retired from Delta Air Lines and has worked for the Bergen County Vocational Tech/Special Services school. He is a former borough councilman and school board member. He is single. Magura is a University of Tennessee graduate and did graduate work at William Paterson University. He is a member of the Prospect Park Republican Club, American Legion Post 240 and the state and national Education Associations. He has served on the state and Passaic County School Board Associations and the Passaic County Community College board of trustees. Custodio Rodriguez of North 10th Street works in business administration. He is married and has two children. COUNCIL/DEMOCRATS Adnan Zakaria* of North 11th Street works for Drakes Bakery in Wayne. He is married with three children. He earned an associate's degree in Syria. Zakaria is a member of the Circassian Benevolent Association and the Prospect Park Democratic Club. Cristina Peralta of North 13th Street is a financial representative for the Clifton-based Collaborative Support Program of New Jersey. She is married with two children. She attended university in the Dominican Republic. She is a member of the Prospect Park Democratic Club and is coordinator of the Mayor's Wellness Campaign. THE ISSUES: Tilcon Quarry development: Zakaria, Peralta and Rodriguez said the quarry should be developed as a mixed commercial and residential area. Developers are considering building a residential/retail complex on the site when the quarry ceases operating in a few years. Magura, who supports developing the land solely for commercial use, said the borough could not support the population increase from potential new housing and would need to expand school services. Rodriguez said a new combined zone would promote a clean, safe environment. Zakaria and Peralta cite Prospect Park's remoteness from major highways as a reason commercial planning alone would be difficult and say it would provide little incentive for attracting out-of-towners. Peralta said a mixed housing/commercial zone would provide the best taxpayer benefits. Insufficient parking: Democratic candidates say residents have encouraged them to pursue the creation of designated parking spaces and zones to alleviate the borough's parking crunch. Peralta favors overnight parking restrictions in town. Rodriguez said more parents should drop children off at school earlier in the morning to reduce traffic tie-ups and to keep parking available. Magura said there are no quick-fixes for Prospect Park's parking woes, with the most serious parking challenges below 8th Street. He said ridding the area of illegal housing would free up space as would encouraging private development of better housing, driveways and garages. Curfew enforcement: All four candidates support continuing a strict borough curfew policy. Democrats see it as a quality-of-life issue in which residents are safeguarded and violators are dealt with quickly. Zakaria said Prospect Park's youths need to be protected from "any bad elements that might guide them in the wrong direction." He said borough police have shown discretion in dealing with violators. Peralta said curfew enforcement should continue "because it protects the community and minors by keeping youngsters off the streets." Magura, who says he campaigned for the creation of a curfew before it became an ordinance, described it as a tool for protecting children. "Enforcing minor offenses stops bigger problems," Magura said. "That is why New York City is safe and Paterson is not." Rodriguez said unless tickets are issued for minor offenses and the strict curfew is enforced, "it will become a town without respect and everyone will do the same thing." REGISTERED VOTERS: Undeclared: 1,119; Democrats: 1,608; Republicans 409. Total: 3,136 October 23, 2007 Herald News Committee to investigate threats by Heather Kays After months of Councilman Amer Haobsh complaining of threats, intimidation and attempts to sway votes by Mayor Mohamed Khairullah, the Borough Council has launched a probe of the allegations. At last week's meeting the council established a committee to "investigate matters relating to: acts of intimidation, direct and indirect threats to elected officials about their votes and voting process for upcoming elections," according to the resolution. While the resolution does not specifically name a target of the investigation, talk of such a committee has been floating around the borough for weeks. Since July, Haobsh has made many attempts to bring the issue to the forefront, including sending letters to the editor at local newspapers as well as going to his council colleagues for help. But until now, nothing has happened. In one of several letters Haobsh sent to the Herald News that have not been published to date, he accuses Khairullah, a borough employee and a borough police officer of confronting him outside his home and threatening not to vote for him in the next election if he did not do a personal favor for the mayor. "If you don't come up here and help us with this apartment the mayor just rented, we are NOT going to vote for you next election'," the letter which was faxed on July 30 stated. "My first thought was, the nerve of this autocratic mayor, the audacity, and the effrontery of her (the borough employee) and him (the police officer) talking to a council member with such corrupt statements of intimidation is utterly immoral and most unethical. "This man is vindictive and nefarious in his actions and the great people of Prospect Park should be aware of his guile and chicanery methods," the letter to the editor continues. Haobsh, whose council term does not end until 2008, said he feels that the borough employee was persuaded or influenced by the mayor to make such statements. "I believe (the borough employee) was influenced by him to say the things she said," Haobsh said in a telephone interview Monday. "She obviously felt empowered by standing next to him. I've never seen a subordinate or lower-ranking official speak to a superior that way." But according to Khairullah the conversation took place across the street, outside his apartment, and he and the people with him were eating ice pops and invited Haobsh to join them. "Eventually someone other than myself made the comment 'if you don't come help us we're not going to vote for you," Khairullah said Monday. "No one went to his house and threatened him with anything." Khairullah repeatedly said the situation is a First Amendment issue. "Everybody has the right to their freedom of speech whether they mean it or whether it's a joke," Khairullah said. Haobsh made the motion, which was seconded by Councilman Radhames Capellan, to establish the committee at the Oct. 15 meeting. Haobsh, Capellan, Councilwoman Esther Perez and Council President Radhames Fahmy all voted in favor of establishing the committee. Councilmen Richard Eschique and Adnan Zakaria voted against the measure. According to the resolution, Fahmy will serve as committee chairman and Perez and Capellan will fill out the panel. The resolution, effective immediately, grants the committee as much time as it needs to accomplish its purpose and "all the powers enumerated by law." The committee will report its findings and recommendations to the council once the investigation is complete. On Monday, Haobsh refused to answer questions about whether the mayor had directly threatened him. Khairullah also refused to disclose the name of the borough employee who was with him that day. Both men said they were satisfied that they would be vindicated by the committee. "I'm very confident that there is no issue," Khairullah said. "In fact, I'm not even being investigated as far as I am concerned. From the wording of the resolution the council is investigating whether this is a municipal matter or not." Haobsh said, "I am 100, no I am 1,000 percent confident of my words and of the experience I had with those people." October 2, 2007 Borough may staff Board of Health by Heather Kays The mayor and Borough Council are one step closer to replacing the disbanded Board of Health since one of the four members who recently resigned has agreed to come back. Mayor Mohamed Khairullah said Monday that Janet Guariglia, who resigned, has agreed to return to the board after meeting with the mayor, a member of the council and the council president. He said he has also received a letter of interest from another resident and verbal expressions of interest from several others. During a telephone interview, Khairullah said he would present the names to the council at its Monday night work session. "I'm going to present to the council today who I have in writing," he said. "I am going to ask for the council's advice." The board disbanded after an argument between welfare director Andre Greer and board member Elizabeth Kalk at a Sept. 11 Board of Health meeting. Police responded to the incident, and all four members gave letters of resignation to Borough Clerk Yancy Wazirmas. Wazirmas said there was already one vacancy on the board prior to the resignations. Former president Gerda White listed "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for leaving the board, while Kalk, Carol Smith and Guariglia did not list a reason. Khairullah remained hopeful there would be a Board of Health as of October's council meeting. "At this point even if we fill it partially, it's better than having an empty board," Khairullah said. "We have to replace the entire board now, so we might as well do it right." October 4, 2007 Hawthorne Press Who will handle sanitation issues without a Board of Health Now that the entire Prospect Park Board of Health has resigned, residents want to know what will be done to deal with sanitation issues in the community. Letters of resignation of all four members were included in the list of communications on Monday's worksession agenda. "I ask you to decline to accept their resignations and to get them back," said Tom Magura, Republican candidate for Borough Council, at the October 1 meeting. Referring to Welfare Director/Board of Health Secretary Andre Greer, Magura said, "You should get rid of this fella " claiming that he was not doing his job. "His remarks were inflammatory against the people of this town and the women of this town, "said Magura. George Aupperlee, whose wife Ann held Greer's position until she retired in 2006, said "My wife offered to meet with him when he took over. She waited here twice for meetings and he never showed." The resident noted that a food handler's permit in a local food store "has a May 2007 expiration date. He's not doing his job." "I agree with you 100%," said Council President Hassan Fahmy. He said that a meeting had been held with Councilman Radhammes Capellan, himself and three of the Board of Health members. "Two of them said their resignation is final," said Fahmy. "We're still working on the case," added Capellan. "We had meetings with the ladies and we had a meeting with the gentleman from the welfare department." "Why did the entire Board of Health resign. Why is there no response," questioned borough resident Betty Van Eeuwen. Fahmy answered that since Greer has only three months left on his appointment, "some propose we let him stay on and not attend meetings." The council president said it appears that only the Board of Health has the authority to appoint its secretary. Before he could elaborate Borough Attorney Denis Murphy advised them to cease talking about this in public, saying the issue would be discussed later in executive session. August 1, 2007 The Record Cops beautify Prospect Park Road by Heather Kays Four volunteers took time off from police work and school vacation to plant flowers in large terra cotta pots on the borough’s busiest thoroughfare Wednesday. Officers Walter Richmond, Gena Manga, and PBA President and Detective Steve Damiano worked from 10 a.m. until around noon planting the flowers in eight pots on North Eighth Street. Police Chief Frank Franco’s 11-year-old son Christopher also volunteered to help plant the flowers. “The PBA took it upon themselves to go and buy the flowers Tuesday,” Chief Franco said. Passers-by in cars rubbernecked watching the volunteers as they worked. Several residents stopped to compliment the group as they dug holes for the 24 reddish peach begonias and eight tall green blades of foliage. The volunteers joked as they sweated in the midday blazing heat and stale air. Both the police chief and PBA president expressed their gratitude for the fact that the town is small enough and the department works together well enough that they are able to take part in beautification efforts such as this. Chief Franco praised the PBA while the PBA credited Franco with the idea. "They want to make the town beautiful,” said Franco. “They care about where they work.” July 27, 2007 Barriale worth his weight in silver by Heather Kays <>Some things just come naturally. Case in point: Even as a child, Schools Superintendent James Barriale knew he was destined to teach. At 10 years of age, Barriale would spend hours helping schoolmates struggling to read. What started out as homework groups between friends quickly became one-on-one tutoring sessions. "I found myself working with them instead of going outside to play sports or watch TV," said the Wayne resident, who is celebrating his 25th year with the district. Barriale, 54, whose first job in the district was as vice principal of Prospect Park Public School in 1982, served as principal at the same pre-K through eighth-grade school for 20 years before becoming the schools superintendent five years ago. Barriale's colleagues went all out this month to commemorate his silver anniversary. At a Board of Education meeting in June, every board member, the principal and business administrator spoke of Barriale's dedication. A party, complete with a cake, was held before the meeting. Barriale was presented with a plaque. A bulletin board in front of Prospect Park Public School singing his praises remains on North Fifth Street. He also received a clock, picture frame and ornament from the teachers association; a dozen individual gifts from teachers; and more than 25 cards. Board member Jay Birch glows when he speaks of Barriale. "He's a human dynamo," Birch said Thursday. "He has endless energy. He still gets a twinkle in his eyes when he proposes a new program for the children." Barriale is credited with starting a number of programs, including those for gifted and talented students, peer tutoring, and one for autistic students. He began as an English-as-a-second language teacher at Manchester Regional High School and is an adjunct professor at Passaic County Community College with degrees from Montclair State and Fordham universities. Barriale's contract as schools superintendent expires in 2010. Birch, who has known Barriale for more than 20 years and has severed two terms on the board, raved about his skills as a negotiator. "I have never met anyone who was able to consistently get cheaper costs and freebies for the school the way he does," Birch said. "It's phenomenal. I have to take him with me when I go to buy a car." Albert Demarest, the school board president who has worked with Barriale since he was hired in 1982, said that he has been invaluable to the district. "James knows how to handle the diversified school because he is bilingual and he gets along with all of the students," said Demarest. "He's always involved and never acts like he is above anybody." Barriale works for a one-school district of 845 students and receives $168,800 a year. Frank Belluscio, director of communications for the state School Boards Association, said that while it is not unprecedented to remain in a small district for so many years, he finds it somewhat unusual. "Many people do look to advance themselves from a small district to a larger district," said Belluscio. "A lot of it comes down to the relationship between the superintendent and the board of education." Barriale said getting along with the board of education, teachers and parents means more than a paycheck or promotion. "I wanted school to be a part of my life, and since the age of 5, it has been," Barriale said. "I have no regrets." July 5, 2007 Hawthorne Press State Gives Four Years For Repayment To North Haledon Four weeks after a face-to-face meeting with three local mayors, State Commissioner of Education Lucille Davy has rendered her decision on what to do about North Haledon's overpayment of Manchester school taxes. The communication, dated June 29, came two days before the school district's 2008-9 fiscal year commenced on July l. At issue is $812,210 which North Haledon overpaid in the tax levy for 2006-7 and will pay for 2007-8. Davy is giving Prospect Park and Haledon four years to make up their underpayments starting in 2008. Prospect Park's total share is $549,624 and Haledon's is $262,586. North Haledon Mayor Randy George, who had offered to allow the payments to be paid without interest over two years, was upset that the state doubled the time period. "If New Jersey expects North Haledon to be a bank, then as long as we have to wait for our money, we should be allowed to collect interest," said George. "New Jersey made the mistake" referring to the wrong formula provided by the state. Rather than accept the decision, the mayor said he plans to file suit over the money owed to his community. Haledon Mayor Domenick Stampone and Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah had taken the position that since the state made the mistake, New Jersey should provide the fundingg to pay for the error. At Monday's worksession, Khairullah put his hopes on the last sentence of Davy's letter. "We are actively working on a plan to identify some state assistance and the repayment schedule will be adjusted if it becomes available," it stated. "We will try to find state money to pay North Haledon," said the mayor. When Councilman Amer Haobsh asked how likely it was that state funding would come through, Khairullah responded, "We need to get our state delegates to work for us. Now that they (the state) put it on paper, it strengthens our case to get state aid." He noted that since the payments don't start until 2008-9, that give time to look for funding options. The mayor noted, "I think we made a strong case for our taxpayers ... Our point was that this was a mistake by the state. We can't come up with all the money at once. Our budgets are already set. To come up with $850,000 in two years would be impossible." "We're very happy that we don't have to pay this year," said Stampone. "In that sense, it's a short-term victory because our 2007 budget is already put together." The Haledon mayor said he is still holding out hope for some type of legislative solution to the funding issue for the regional high school. "We're working with Senator Girgenti and Assemblywoman Pou to get their input and hope that they can pledge to get a solution for Haledon and Prospect Park," he concluded. June 7, 2007 Hawthorne Press Khairullah team prevails in Prospect Park Primary The Khairullah team prevailed in the Prospect Park Democrat Primary on Tuesday. Councilman Adnan Zakaria won the nomination with 436 votes and his running mate, Cristina Peralta received 432 votes. Councilman Radhammes Capellan had been ousted from the ticket and mounted a challenge with Lydia Morales. Running on the Prospect Park Democrats Future line, Capellan received 246 votes and Morales, 217. Mayor Mohammed Khairullah is now poised to take over the Democrat Party's leadership. All eight of the county committee seats went to the candidates on the party line. A total of 768 voters, including 151 who cast absentee ballots, were cast. On the Republican side, which was uncontested, BOE member Tom Magura garnered 60 votes and his running mate, Custodio Rodriquez, 54. June 2, 2007 The Record Tax gold glitters for borough in quarry plan by Paul Brubaker Paul "Jay" Birch has high hopes for the development of the deep quarry in his 1.2-square-mile hometown. "It could be a financial blessing, and we could use one," Birch said Friday. "With no ratables, we're in trouble." His feelings were aligned with the intentions behind a proposed plan that was unveiled on Friday to transform the 79-acre, 106-year-old quarry into a wellspring of new tax dollars for the borough. Birch, a Board of Education member, was among those who gathered at a quarry-side news conference to hear details about "The Canyons at Prospect Park" project. The high-density project includes 795 one- and two-bedroom condominiums and 21,600-square-feet of retail space with lakes, a swimming pool and community center. The conceptual design was created by Jerry Rumplick, an architect with developer Carriage Hill Associates Inc., of Hicksville, N.Y., the contract purchaser of the property. The sale price of the property was not disclosed. William A. Paturalski, general manager for Carriage Hills Associates, said the condos would be sold at fair market price. Tilcon New Jersey, the company that has owned the quarry since the 1980s, is expected to cease operations by December 2009 to allow construction to begin in 2010, Mayor Mohamed Khairullah said. But even as millions of new tax dollars are anticipated with the impending construction, there were concerns about the project's effect on the community. "I don't think the borough can absorb the additional population," said Thomas Magura, a longtime resident and a Republican Borough Council candidate. "It will create problems with services. We're a small town." Khairullah said half of the condos would be restricted to people age 55 and older, and gave assurances there would be public comment opportunities for residents in addition to the hearings scheduled before Planning and Zoning boards that are expected to begin in a month. "Everything is open for discussion," he said. "We will work it out together as a community." Khairullah was clearly excited about the more than $3 million he estimated the development would bring into borough coffers. "It used to be a rock mine for Tilcon, but it's a gold mine for us," Khairullah said. "It might even reduce taxes." North Haledon Mayor Randy George, who presided over the nearby development of a 101-acre quarry into 287 town houses and 14 single-family homes, said the coming windfall for Prospect Park may be smaller than expected. "It's not the panacea for everything," said George, who recalled a series of unexpected expenses for North Haledon – including a $375,000 fire truck – that were tied to the new ratables. On the other hand, the borough could be in a position to collect impact fees from the developer. Eileen Swan, executive director of the New Jersey Highlands Council, said if the borough were designated as a receiving area, it could collect as much as $15,000 per unit. The additional tax revenue could help assuage anxieties such as those held by Haledon Mayor Domenick Stampone, who was bracing himself for traffic jams resulting from Prospect Park's added population. "You have to look at it as a regional area," Stampone said. "We all impact each other." Khairullah agreed that the three Passaic County communities -- Prospect Park, Haledon, and North Haledon -- were interconnected. "I definitely understand his concern. We are going to address it," Khairullah said. "At this point, it's only an announcement." May 26, 2007 The Record Mayor makes town a sanctuary by Paul Brubaker Shortly after Mayor Mohamed Khairullah honored those in the armed forces who sacrificed their lives for their fellow Americans, he signed an executive order Friday night, upholding the rights of those seeking to live in America. The so-called "sanctuary" order is the first of its kind to be issued in Passaic County and is modeled after an order signed by Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer in December 2004. The four-page document is largely symbolic, but runs counter to recent ordinances adopted by other municipal governments restricting the rights of unregistered immigrants. It invokes a U.S. Supreme Court ruling stating that undocumented aliens are protected by the U.S. Constitution and are entitled to the full benefit of municipal services without showing proof of immigration status. The order also prohibits police from asking immigrants for documentation in situations such as traffic stops. "Basically, what we're saying is, 'This is the job of immigration officials,'" Khairullah said. "We're a municipal government. We're not going to interfere with the immigration issue. We're telling our employees to treat everyone the same." After perusing a copy of the Trenton order on Friday, Police Chief Frank Franco said the measure would not affect police department operations. "This is what we are doing anyway," Franco said. At least seven New Jersey municipalities are considering similar executive orders, said Romi Herrera, of the Peruvian American Political Action Committee, who helped negotiate the Prospect Park agreement. The sanctuary agreements are an effort to counteract a wave of recent local legislation aimed at restricting the rights of illegal immigrants in cities such as Hazelton, Pa., and Riverside, N.J. In both cases, local ordinances attempting to restrict the hiring or renting of apartments to undocumented immigrants have been ruled unconstitutional -- but are still tied up in legal challenges. An effort under way in Morristown seeks to deputize the township's local police to enforce immigration law. Those are the types of initiatives that backers of the sanctuary measures say they are trying to counteract. But Councilman Richard Esquiche said the mayor's executive order signed on Friday was not in response to actions in other communities, but rather to the growing ethnic diversity he sees within the borough. "It's more of a reminder to the residents of their human rights," Esquiche said. Staff writer Samantha Henry contributed to this story. May 26, 2007 The Record Vehicle a symbol of past sacrifices by Paul Brubaker Atop a rocky summit in Hofstra Park, veterans and residents joined dignitaries Friday night to remember the fallen and the survivors of the United States' battles for freedom around the world. This year's Memorial Day observance was marked by the dedication of a decommissioned U.S. Army M-114 personnel and reconnaissance carrier from the Vietnam War. "It means a lot to the American Legionnaires who fought in the war with one of these things, and now we're getting to see one in our own town," said Eddie Vander Ploeg , commander of American Legion Post 240. Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-Paterson singled out World War II Veteran Chris Vander Gaag to represent the significance of the day. "When we look at you and look at your brothers, we understand what our commitments and responsibilities are," Pascrell told the elderly soldier who had served on the Italian front. "We owe you a tremendous debt," he said "It is really you who built this country." Behind the congressman was the freshly painted, 6.5-ton carrier on the clearing of a ferrous rock local folks have dubbed, "The Lookout." The view of Manhattan was instrumental to military surveillance in World War II, according to longtime resident Ilene Potoak. It was also where townspeople searched the skies for aliens during Orson Wells' infamous radio drama "War of the Worlds" in 1938, and where residents watched the real-life horror of the World Trade Center attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Potoak said. The site's historic significance made it the perfect place for the military vehicle, said Police Chief Frank Franco. Efforts to bring a military vehicle here as a tribute to the borough's veterans began two years ago following a conversation with Mayor Mohamed Khairullah, Franco said. Technically, the apparatus is on loan to the borough at no cost. Franco said the only municipal money spent was $650 for a commemorative plaque to be affixed to the vehicle. "We wanted to do something nice for the veterans," Franco said. May 10, 2007 Hawthorne Press Prospect Park man charged with receiving stolen property A 25-year-old Prospect Park man has been charged with receiving stolen property, which was traced back to burglaries in Haledon and Paterson. The incident began on May 2 when Sgt. William Rausch observed Damon Ladlee at the corner of Haledon Avenue and North 8th Street with four juveniles. It was 12:15 pm and the officer wanted to find out why the teens weren't in school. As he approached the group, the officer saw a bulge in Ladlee's rear pocket. Rausch called for back-up and two officers arrived to assist him in questioning the youths. A patdown of Ladlee revealed numerous pieces of jewelry in his pockets. The suspect alleged that the goods had been given to him by two of the juveniles. The officers then brought the group to police headquarters and contacted Haledon police about a robbery that had been reported there that morning. Haledon Detective Chris Lemay responded to Prospect Park headquarters and determined that two of the youths matched a description that had been given by the victim. The Haledon incident was reported at 208 Belmont Avenue around 9 am. The victim was arriving home when she saw the two black youths carrying a safe as they exited her house. Two Haledon youths, ages 15 and 16, who are brothers, were turned over to Lemay and the 15 year-old was charged with burglary and theft. As the Prospect Park investigation continued, the detectives asked Ladlee if he had any other items and the suspect agreed to go to his home at 242 North 10th Street. At this location, the officer found a Sony Playstation with controls and two games which Ladlee alleged had been given to him by two of the youths. Paterson police were contacted due to a burglary that had occurred at 230 Clinton Avenue in that city. The jewelry, recovered from Ladlee, was shown to this victim, who identified all the items as those taken from her home. The jewelry included five gold bangle bracelets, two gold baby chairs one gold charm, three small gold hoop earings and one gold necklace, total value about $200. A Prospect Park 2002 school ring was also recovered. The total value of the Playstation 2 was listed at 350. After Ladlee was charged with receiving stolen property, he was arraigned by Judge Joseph Perconti, who set bail at $5000. He was then turned over to Paterson detectives. Authorities were contacted at Manchester Regional High School and confirmed that two of the youths had been suspended from school earlier that day. The 15-year-olds, both from Prospect Park, were released to their mothers. Since they had been suspended from school, they weren't charged with violating the borough's curfew ordinance. Prospect Park special policeman wants his job back A special police officer in Prospect Park, who claims he was forced to resign, has rescinded his resignation and wants his part-time job back. At Monday's meeting of the Borough Council, Leelon Webb presented a petition with 67 signatures of residents to support him. Webb was the borough's recreation director in 2006, a job he had to give up on January 1 when he was appointed a special police officer. As a special police officer, Webb says he usually works between two and eight hours a week. The rest of the time, he volunteers to patrol borough streets. "I think I was treated unfairly and unjustly," said the Hopper Street resident. The officer alleges that on April 24, Police Chief Frank Franco approached him to inquire why Webb had not informed the department that he had been fired from his job in the Paterson School System. "It's not in my contract that I had to inform him (the chief)," said Webb. "It's a personal matter between me and my family." Webb was a school safety officer at Kennedy High School. A March 7th letter gave no reason for the termination and the matter is now in arbitration. The officer is credited by many residents with having excellent rapport with the juveniles in the borough. "Whether you pay me or not, I'll volunteer," he said. "I love my job and I'm great at my job ... all I care about is this town." "No one can force a person to do anything," responded Councilman Hassan Fahmy. "I was told that if I did not resign, I would be terminated or be brought up on departmental charges," answered Webb. Webb contends that he had previously received praise from the police chief as a great officer who works well with kids. Franco told The Press, As far as I'm concerned, he resigned and that's it." Mayor Mohamed Khairullah spoke at the meeting that he was responding against the advice of our attorney. "This was a resignation letter from an adult and if there is any complaint, it should go through proper channels. The decisions were made by adults. This is the end of the story," said the mayor. "He's the best thing that ever happened to this town," said Lita Lewis about Webb. "He did the baseball program and spent out of his own pocket. He deserves a fair hearing. He deserves another chance." Brian Byer said, "I'm here to show support for Leelonn Webb. He's great with the kids. I know what kind of guy he is." A recent incident with kids congregating on the corner of North 12th Street and stated Ilene Potoak. "There was a good fight in progress and when Leelon responded, the kids said, `It's Webb, disappear'. He's the only person the kids listen to." "I have no political agenda," stated Doreen Harris. "I'm here for Leelon Webb. The eighth graders are a handful. They respect him." She urged borough officials "to give him a proper hearing." Dave Vander Wall reminded Khairullah that under Prospect Park's ordinance, the mayor "has the right to hire and fire and this goes directly to Leelonn Webb's case." Khairullah, whose Democrat slate faces a Primary challenge from an insurgent team of Capellan and Lydia Morales, accused Vander Wall, their campaign manager of "spreading a political agenda." April 19, 2007 Hawthorne Press Ceiling collapse in Prospect Park by Ilene Potoak A ceiling collapse was reported in Prospect Park due to Sunday's storm. Around 5 pm, Pedro Leon, a tenant at 309 North 8th Street, flagged down a patrol car. Leon told the officer that the ceiling of his apartment had collapsed due to a leak from the roof. Special Police Officer Michael Phillips entered the dwelling and observed that water was coming into the second floor apartment, running down the walls to the first floor, causing a ceiling to come down. Construction Official Dave Heerema said there was a great deal of water damage on the second floor and about two inches of water in the basement. Police evacuated the Monage family, consisting of flive people, the second floor tenants and Leon and four of his family members. The residents gathered some belongings and went to stay with relatives. Water had begun to pour through light fixtures creating an unsafe condition. Officials notified PSE&G to shutoff power to the house. The house is owned by Leslie Barrical of Belleville, who was cited last December for an illegal basement apartment. She was fined $1200 and had to pay restitution to relocate the tenant. Prospect Park budget defeat a shock "We're shocked," said School Business Administrator Matthew Lynaugh about the defeat of the Prospect Park local school budget. The $2.4 million levy had no increase in taxes but lost by 18 votes, 127-99. In the race for the Board of Education, incumbent Paul "Jay"' Birch was returned to office with 206 votes. Former school trustee William Willemsen was elected over incumbent Fehmi Khairullah by eight votes, 156-148. A total of 286 voters participated in Tuesday's election. Manchester Regional High School The regional school budget was defeated in North Haledon and Prospect Park but passed in Haledon. The final results were 586 "yes" and 389 "no." Prospect Park voters: Yes-65, No-158. Gallagher, Sawey, Potoak named volunteers of the year John Gallagher of Hawthorne, George Sawey of North Haledon and Ilene Potoak of Prospect Park were named "Volunteers of the Year" by the John A. Girgenti Civic League. From the other towns in the 35th legislative district, the winners are William Gilligan of Glen Rock, Robert Coyle of Totowa, Alunzo Moody and Maria Magda of Paterson. A dinner to honor the recipients will be held Tuesday, May 15 at 7 pm at The Carriage House in Tatowa. "This year we had dozens of wonderful nominees," said the senator. "The selection committee had a difficult time sorting through the many qualified nominees. Those selected truly represented the spirit of volunteerism that our civic league tries to promote." April 12, 2007 Hawthorne Press Another Democrat Primary in Prospect Park In a repeat of last year's Primary Election, Prospect Park Democrats are facing a fight for Borough Council candidates. This year, an insurgent slate, known Prospect Park Democrats' Future, is challenging the Passaic County Democratic Organization Inc. Councilman Radhammes Capellan is seeking reelection on the insurgent slate. His running mate is Rev. Lydia Morales. Running on the party line are Councilman Adnan Zakaria with Christina Peralta. In an added dimension, all eight county committee positions are up for grabs and the outcome of this race could determine who will be the Prospect Park Democrat Leader. The current Borough Democrat Leader, Councilwoman Esther Perez, says she's upset that Capellan was not selected by the screening committee. "We always supported the incumbents," she said. "Councilman Capellan has worked hard for the borough. Serving on the Borough Council is a learning process and he has been working hard. We had been working as a team until this happened." Dave Vanderwall who is running for one of the county committee seats with the Future slate, said the word was out in January that Mayor Mohamed Khairullah intended to drop Capellan from the slate. "They (the county committee) voted last week but that was just for show. This had already been decided," he said. Zakaria said when the county committee screened candidates, he received eight votes; Peralta four, Maria Rivers two votes and Capellan, one vote. "I thought it would be me and him," he said of Capellan. He refuted the statement that the mayor had manipulated the process, saying the votes speak for themselves. Neither Khairullah nor Capellan could be reached for comment. The Republican slate features perennial candidate, Thomas F.X. Magura, a member of the school board and Custodio Rodriquez, who ran unsuccessfully for Borough Council in 2006. March 15, 2007 Hawthorne Press Homeowner Faces Fine After Fire Displaces 10 People On N. 10th Street A house fire at 334 North 10th Street in Prospect Park was caused by an overloaded electrical circuit. Fire Chief Douglas Struyk said the blaze broke in the third floor where a couple was using a space heater for their sleeping quarters. The temperatures were in the teens around 9:30 pm when the fire ignited on March 6. A second floor tenant, Henry Vargas, had run outside and flagged down a patrol car driven by Officer Brian Koppenal. The top floor of the structure was engulfed in flames and heavy smoke was coming out of the upper floor. All 10 residents were out of the house when firefighters arrived on the scene. Fire Prevention Official Dave Heerema said Lucercia Martinez lived on the first floor with her four children. Five adults resided on the second floor with sleeping quarters on the third floor. Heerema has issued a summons to the building's owner, Juan Abarca, for not obtaining a certificate of occupancy for the second and third floor. The Paterson landlord faces a fine of up to $1250. Struyk said the fire was knocked down quickly and brought under control within 20 minutes. Mutual aid was provided by Paterson which sent an engine and a truck to the scene and by Hawthorne which sent an engine with the FAST Team. Haledon and North Haledon Fire Department stood by the two borough firehouses. "It was a good stop," said the fire chief about the effort. "It was a job well done." He thanked the mutual aid companies for their response and praised the Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary for braving the cold to serve refreshments to the emergency responders. According to Heerema, all of the residents have been displaced. The fire damaged the roof and the side wall of the upper floors. All three floors sustained water damage. January 24, 2007 The Record Park lover carves out niche of natural beauty by Paul Brubaker Ilene Potoak said she is often mistaken as a homeless person at her outpost high up on a hill in Hofstra Park. But Potoak, a borough resident of more than 30 years, has become a caretaker of a roadside swath of the park she and her band of volunteers have adopted since last May. "I came up the one day and just sat down started pulling weeds," said Potoak, as she stoked the fire in her small stove outside her makeshift tent of blue and green tarps. "All of a sudden I have a second person, a 16-year-old who just sat down and started yanking (weeds)," she said. The teenage boy was soon followed by other passers-by during the following weeks that helped transform a 25-yard stretch of overgrown weeds into a carefully crafted natural exhibit, Potoak said. Potoak's efforts have gone beyond the annual park cleanups that are held in May in which volunteers clean winter debris from the playgrounds and ball fields in the park's lower end. Borough officials cite her as an example of the volunteerism needed in the small community. "I just sat down and started doing, and people just started helping out," Potoak said, adding that a total of 23 volunteers contributed to the beautification. Pathways have been forged where waist-high brush once stood in an area flanked by a 78-acre quarry and a wooded spot Potoak said is protected wetlands. Granite and mineral stones found in the ground have been polished and identified on mounted displays. Wooden signs distinguish red maple trees from silver maples. Flower beds have been dug awaiting inhabitants coming in the spring. People have donated pavers, shale and cedar fencing - anything that could help in the beautification of a small piece of the 27-acre public park. The total cost of the project so far: $18.36, mostly spent on twine and Miracle-Gro, Potoak said. "Everybody says, 'Why do it? People are going to destroy it,'" Potoak said. "And it's just the opposite that's happening." Don White, one of the volunteers and a borough resident of 68 years, gauged the project's success by the response from the public. "More people are coming up now," White said. "It's just made a big difference with the town's people." Mayor Mohamed Khairullah said Potoak's conservation background and 32 years as a Cub and Boy Scout leader were among the reasons she was given permission to spruce up the park, even though she holds no official authority. "As far as I can see, she knows what she is doing," Khairullah said. "Obviously, any modification of the park has to go through the municipality. But this is really simple beautification. She's taking initiative." Councilwoman Esther Perez, who was named chairperson of the Borough Council's Parks and Recreation Committee on Monday, said there have been some discussions about appointing Potoak as park commissioner. "It's nice that we have someone who cares as much about the park as Ilene does," Perez said. But Potoak wasn't gunning for a job when she began pulling weeds in May. She was more mindful of a muscular disability that forces her to use a crutch as she makes her way through the nature garden she started. "When you get stuck you start thinking, 'What if you can't do it tomorrow?'" Potoak said. "And then you start thinking, 'What have I left behind?'" But Potoak prefers to keep her handicap in the background of the project, hoping people will derive another message from her effort. "Everybody can do something to make the community better," Potoak said. January 22, 2007 Herald News Borough can't afford officer at school by Karen Keller Police Officer Amar Singer has been removed from duty at the local elementary school because he's too expensive, Mayor Mohamed Khairullah said. Singer makes about $90,000 a year, Khairullah said. He started working for the school about five years ago, after the borough was notified it had been approved for federal money to pay for Singer's salary. But the grant money lasted just a couple of years. Since then, the borough's had to pick up the tab, Khairullah said. "We have to be mindful of the financial situation of the municipality," Khairullah said. Khairullah said he wants to replace Singer with someone less expensive. Most New Jersey schools don't have a police officer, and the ones that do are generally high schools, said New Jersey Education Association spokesman Steve Wollmer. School Superintendent James Barriale said initiating a bond of trust between children and police early on smoothes the way to a positive relationship with police during the high school years. Barriale said he's thankful that the borough paid for Singer for the past few years. He'd like Singer to be replaced, but understands to the borough's financial constraints, he said. "I understand the dilemma and they understand ours," Barriale said. Singer was a nurturing figure who talked to students about conflict resolution and was not viewed merely as a disciplinarian, Barriale said. He said Singer will be missed. "Officer Singer was extremely valuable," Barriale said. Singer's last day was Friday, the same day Barriale was notified that Singer would be removed. Singer is now on patrol duty, Khairullah said. Police Chief Frank Franco was not available for comment before the weekend. January 20, 2007 Herald News Prospect Park funding ballclubs by Paul Brubaker This spring, the borough's young sluggers and base-demons could be sliding across the plate in their hometown. Youngsters between 7 and 14 years old registered this week for what some residents regard as the borough's first municipally funded baseball and softball teams. Awilda de Jesus, who signed up her 10-year-old son, Adrian Perez, Thursday night, was one of the many parents who said the sports program was a necessity. "It's very good for the kids so they don't end up watching TV all day," de Jesus said. Hugo Montoya, 32, the borough's recently hired recreation director, said the focus of the program will be to instill the love of the game in his players. "What I try to teach kids myself is, basically, you don't have to win all the time. It's just fun playing the sport," said Montoya, who has lived in the borough four years and is a former catcher and shortstop. Once rosters are filled, the borough's teams will begin practicing in March in order to be among the approximately 60 teams competing in the Paterson Old Timers Midget Baseball League in April. Montoya said he hopes to have enrolled enough players to have a team in each age group in the league: pee-wee for 7- to 10-year-olds; midget for 10- to 12-year-olds; and pony for 13- and 14-year-olds. Among the many details Montoya is considering as he establishes the program is whether to use wooden or aluminum bats. Many of the kids signing up on Thursday night said they had no preference, including Ariostos Rodriguez, 11. "I bat with any kind of bat," said the young Mets fan who idolizes Jose Reyes, the team's slick-fielding shortstop who hit 19 home runs last year. But choosing wood or aluminum has become a decision of greater consequence since June 2006, when 12-year-old pitcher Steven Domalewski of Wayne was struck by a line drive hit by an aluminum bat. The impact to Domalewski's chest came during the millisecond between heartbeats, sending the boy into a coma. As Domalewski has been recovering, state lawmakers are considering banning aluminum bats, which proponents say can send a baseball into play at faster speeds than wooden bats. It will cost Prospect Park about $5,000 to launch the baseball and softball programs, Montoya said. Most of that money will go toward equipment and fees to the Paterson league. The $25 registration fee parents paid per child covered the cost of a player's uniform. Jose Diaz, Midget League president, said league fees will cover insurance for the players. Borough officials are hoping that parents volunteering to umpire games will save additional costs. In 2006, Mayor Mohamed Khairullah, a Democrat, campaigned on a platform of providing new recreation programs for the borough's youth as alternatives to the potential pitfalls on borough streets. Apparently, the state-imposed 4 percent cap on property tax increases won't prevent baseball from coming to the borough. "This year we're going to increase the budget for recreation by 50 percent to allow for the expansion of the program," Khairullah said Thursday. That would jolt the allocation from $25,600 in 2006 to $51,200 this year, based on the 2006 $4.5 million municipal budget. Al Demarest, a 33-year resident of the borough, has traditionally been a critic of new municipal spending. But this time, Demarest said he had to give Khairullah credit. "These kids are getting something," Demarest said. "I don't mind paying to do something for the kids." January 10, 2007 The Record
Holy books inspire unity by Karen Keller And there they were. A Bible and a Quran, propped up and centered on the dais, for the first time ever in the borough. "It was the most powerful image. I was looking at it and thought, 'Wow, that's amazing,'" said Borough Clerk Yancy Wazirmas. In the midst of a nationwide debate over whether Muslim politicians should be able to take the oath of office on the Islamic holy book, borough leaders and residents sent the message that all religions should be treated equally. Last week, a conservative radio talk show host made national headlines when he criticized Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., the nation's first Muslim congressman, for taking his oath of office on the Quran. But on Friday night in this ethnically diverse borough, ceremonies during the annual reorganization meeting went off without a hitch. Three borough officials and a police officer set their right hand on the Quran as they promised to fulfill the duties of their job. In the audience sat Don White, a borough resident of 68 years. "Everybody's entitled to their religion," said White, who's watched as the percentage of Caucasians in the historically all-white borough has plummeted -- from 88 percent in 1990 to 61 percent by 2000, according to the U.S. Census. "A holy book is a holy book," said Eileen Potoak, another audience member. The officials who swore on the Quran were Passaic County's first Muslim mayor, Mohamed Khairullah, Councilman Hassan Fahmy, police Sgt. Ammen Matari and Wazirmas. Never before has the borough sworn in as many as four Muslims, according to former Mayor Will Kubofcik. Borough officials said it wasn't clear who the first Muslim was in Prospect Park to swear on the Quran. Two Muslims served on the borough council during the 1990s, but neither man could be reached by telephone to confirm. Statewide, it's also unclear where or when the first Muslim swore on a Quran for an oath of office, said Samer Khalef, a member of the board of the New Jersey chapter of the Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee. "We've had so few Muslims become elected that it's never come up," he said. Passaic County's population has the second-highest percentage of Arab-Americans in the nation, at 2.19 percent, according to Jennifer Kauffman, spokeswoman for the Arab American Institute in Washington, D.C. Kauffman cautioned not to confuse the term Arab with Muslim; in fact, most Arab-Americans are Christian, she said. No law stipulates that oaths of office must be taken on the Bible or any other holy book. Khairullah said it was his idea to display the Quran and the Bible together "as a show of religious unity," he said. No special stand was purchased -- they propped up the two books on the name plate of a borough lawyer who wasn't there. "We improvised," said Khairullah. Muslim mayor avoids mixing politics, religion by Maya Kremen The mayor's voicemail is full of pleas. Two residents want handicapped parking permits. A man who's moved out of state is trying to pay parking tickets. And there's a woman facing eviction. His cellphone buzzes. The office phone rings. He picks it up. "Hey, what's up," Mayor Mohamed Khairullah says. "Assalam alaikum. I got your e-mail." Khairullah, 31, set a precedent in November by becoming the state's first elected Arab-American Muslim mayor. Now he's all about proving that, like any good politician, a Muslim can serve the public without mixing religion into it. You'll find the Quran in his office. But it's wedged between essential reading for this job: a municipal manual and a flood insurance study. Deliver the goods to everyone, and then you can exert personal perspective. It's a strategy he imparts to other Muslims and Arabs. "You need to be sitting at the table with the decision makers; that's how you get involved," he tells them. "But we should never forget that we are Americans before anything. We work through the larger community first." But to get to where he is, Khairullah weathered trouble specific to being an Arab Muslim politician after 9/11. He has been called a "betrayer" and had his remarks on the Palestinian situation come back to bite him. Of late, he says, he's learned to temper public stands on hot topics, especially after seeing Sami Merhi of Clifton, a Lebanese American, dumped by Democrats as a 2006 freeholder candidate. Merhi had reportedly said at a function that he couldn't see the similarity between Palestinian suicide bombers and the 9/11 hijackers. "For me and for anyone else of Middle Eastern descent who wants to get into politics, it comes as a learning experience," Khairullah said. "Politicians need to watch what they say -- it's plain and simple." Besides the political fray, there have been personal tough times: his father's death when he was just 20, and raising a young son after divorce. And there, his faith has pulled him through. As mayor, though, Khairullah can't help but operate beyond faith. Besides the residents' pleas this particular day, there are checks to sign for a seniors' luncheon, and a streetscape project in danger of going over budget. "Your mailbox is full," his voicemail says. "What else is new?" he asks. Khairullah's family came to town after living in Syria, Saudi Arabia and Queens. He was 16, and he worked hard at assimilating, always carrying an English phrasebook. After his father, a body shop owner, died of a heart attack, the family struggled. But, borrowing money from an uncle, Khairullah managed to go to William Paterson University. By then, he already knew he was destined for politics. His epiphany had come as a highschooler when he saw a council campaign sign for Khalil Kasht. Khairullah recognized the name as Muslim and thought, "If he could do it, maybe I could." That seemed especially possible in Prospect Park. It's Passaic County's smallest town, but its residents include Hispanics, African-Americans, Turks, Albanians, Arab-Americans, Circassians, and the descendants of Dutch settlers. It's a place where the supermarket signs say "Halal Meat" and "Se Habla Espanol." Khairullah, a Democrat, showed early political savvy in his election to council. As a volunteer firefighter, he had gotten fire department support by pledging to deliver on new radios. As councilman, he allied with Mayor William Kubofcik. "The political game has a lot to do with loyalty," Kubofcik says. "There were times things needed to be done, and he stayed the course with my agenda." When Kubofcik left town in 2005, Khairullah was appointed his successor. Since then, Khairullah has tried to balance ethnic concerns. He has attended Latino Police Organization events, and hired the first African-American police officer. He helps Arabic-speakers with immigration problems. It's not just the right thing to do, its good politics, he concedes -- "It's the humane thing. And if you're thinking about it politically, you're building up credit." Still, he hasn't muted his heritage as part of his public persona, and that's drawn opposition. In late 2005, when he was cast as Kubofcik's successor, anonymous mailings called him a "betrayer living among us." Political foes also faulted him for speaking at a pro-Palestinian rally, and attending a meeting of Arab-American leaders who called on the U.S. to broker peace between Lebanon and Israel. "You got a sense he was supporting groups that were not particularly popular, that wouldn't be popular with anyone," said Thomas F. X. Magura, a Republican who ran against Khairullah. "He's taken a lot of positions that are not really in the best interest of the community." Khairullah fired back -- even offering a $1,000 reward for information about the fliers' author. And in November, he won overwhelming election as mayor. "People who stand strong continue to be successful," Khairullah said. "I could have said, 'I don't want to go through these attacks,' and given up. But I said, 'I'm going to swallow it and move on.' " That thick-skinned approach is an example for other Muslim and Arab politicians, said Aref Assaf, president of the Denville-based Arab-American Forum. "It's the first step in many we have to take," Assaf said. "We have cocooned ourselves in our own ethnic enclaves because we're fearful of the challenges that lurk out there." In the end, beyond the issues of ethnic sensitivity are the hard fights familiar to every local politician, like Magura's current claims that the mayor is running up debt and letting the town look grimy. Khairullah said his best moment in public life wasn't becoming the first Arab-Muslim mayor. It was presiding over the borough's first Christmas lighting last year. Town hall already displayed symbols of other religions, including a crescent during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. But Khairullah wanted all included. "People will say, 'Why would a Muslim mayor put a crescent and not a Christmas tree?' " he said. "If I want to promote something, I have to lead by example. It was the logical thing to do." |
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