The Daily Journal from Vineland, New Jersey • 1

Cocscn cndi fcplisns Sacred Heart girls lose to Holy Spirit CI N. J. SUES NISSAN State says high-end headlights INSTANT JUNK MAIL IM spam, called "Spim," has found your computer are hottarqets for thieves fjir( as rr: Tech Page -B1 EE MM1 MMML www.thedailyjournal.com Tuesday, March 9, 2004 50 cents 1 Jersey Fresh Festival founder dies Your Complete News Source For Vineland, Millville and the region iriSIDE TODAY i amiss when D'Alessandro, known for his promptness and perfect attendance, failed to show up for work Monday morning. His white hair and raspy voice were floor mainstays. For the past nine years, D'Alessandro had worked in the Community Development Office.

It was a sec teers and financial support In bidding it goodbye, D'Alessandro candidly admitted he would miss the event But he noted the festival would leave a legacy. Its proceeds more than $100,000 funded college scholarships for Please see FOUNDER on A2 paid homage to the homegrown and homespun. The annual salute to agriculture bloomed into one of the area's major attractions, luring crowds of more than 7,000 to Giampi-etro Park each August About a week ago, D'A-lessandro announced he was ending the tradition because of a lack of volun ond career for the retired tilesetter's union member. "I'm terribly saddened by his passing," Mayor Perry Barse said. "He was an outstanding public servant" D'Alessandro was a man with "tremendous heart," Barse added.

D'Alessandro founded the Jersey Fresh Festival two decades ago, which A) CP Baltimore's Inner Harbor Tragedy Teachers picket over contracts By DEBORAH M.MARKO Staff Writer dmarkothedailyjoumal.com VINELAND Jersey Fresh Festival founder Vic D'Alessandro died Sunday at his home, just a week after dismantling his signature summer event He was 73. His City Hall colleagues suspected something was By LISA GRZYB0SKI StafnVriter lgrzyboskithedailyjournal.com VINELAND The cheery waiting room filled with colorful furniture and merry clown figurines didn't match the somber mood that cloaked Pediatric Associates on Monday. Red, tear-swollen eyes abounded, flower bouquets arrived and a consistent trickle of people passed through the medical practice's doors to offer the staff condolences like mourners attending a wake. JoAnn Pierce the office manager who. was personnel, payroll, computer technician, stockroom supplier and mother figure all rolled into one had tragically died Saturday during a family day trip to Baltimore, and her 30-year-old daughter, Lisa, remains in critical condition.

They were among 25 people traveling on a Seaport Taxi pontoon boat in Baltimore's Inner Harbor when a powerful gust of wind sacked it, tossing passengers and crew overboard into frigid, 40-degree water. Thus far, JoAnn Pierce of Vineland is the accident's only fatality although crews equipped with dogs, sonar equipment and helicopters spent all day Monday searching a area of Baltimore Har- Please see PIERCE on A2 (J -r '(( "1 rvV -rv wL JL I Vic D'Alessandro ual employees would get based on their experience and education level. The district has been assertive about the guide-linea Last fall, it charged that newer teachers weren't treated as well as veteran MEA members. Union and board negotiators met last Thursday to discuss the guidelines and are scheduled to convene again on Wednesday. Gay couple marry in New Jersey By JOHN CUR RAN Associated Press Writer ASBURY PARK The state attorney general's office will go to court this week to attempt to stop same-sex marriages from taking place in New Jersey.

Attorney General Peter C. Harvey told The Associated Press on Monday night that his office will seek an injunction to stop the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The attorney general's comments came hours after a gay couple were married in City Hall on Monday. The couple were issued a license by city officials who claim New Jersey law does not explicitly ban such unions. In a short 330 pm ceremony attended by about 10 people, Louis Navarrete and Ric Best, both of Asbury Park, tied the knot in City Council chambers after Deputy Mayor James Bruno performed the marriage.

The two had paid $28 for a marriage license on Friday and waited the requisite 72 hours, according to Laura Jewell, a spokeswoman for City Clerk Dawn Tomek. Monday's wedding was the first gay marriage cer -emony performed in New Jersey. Six other applications for same-sex weddings are pending, city officials saii 4 Wre proud that New Jersey is at the forefront of the marriage equality movement," said Steven Goldstein, New Jersey campaign manager tor-Lambda Legal, a cay- Marketing move for Millviile Planning Director Kim Warker has good news for Millville's advertising exposureJA3 LOCAL Their hair is combed and smiles bright for Dane Barse school por-traits7A3 WEATHER Clouds take over the region's skies today with possible flurries. High STATE A girl is reunited with her mother after being raised for six years by an alleged kidnapperA4 NATIONWORLD Iraqi leaders agree to an interim constitution, but their differences remain strongVAS Heart attack victims should try to keep cholesterol lowA8 BUSINESS Can Martha Stewart restore her tarnished What does jail have in store for the domestic OPINION The state Legislature needs to get the gears in motion on real ethics reformA9 0SIWARIESA4 Nicholas Anastor, 89 Bernice Aaronson, 76 Richard Callahan, 77 Ada Caraballo, 83 John Olivetti, 93 Kristine Sanchez, 32 I TODAY'S EDITION ANews BLiving CSportsClassifieds I HIGHLIGHTS DearAbby .....82 Businessstocks A6-7 Comics B4 Movie B5 Neighbors B3 A9 run thedallyjournal.com By JOSEPH P. SMITH Staff Writer jsmiththedailyjournal.com MILLVILLE The city's teachers union is picketing city schools in a show of impatience over the pace of contract talks.

The pickets began before Monday's classes and will continue daily at all schools for an indefinite period. Each day's picket will be held in the 30 minutes before classes start Millville Education Association president David Hitchner said the step was ordered after the union's members were polled last week. "They wanted to be a little more demonstrative," Hitchner said. "It's just informational picketing. We're not disrupting work." Since March 1, members also have been boycotting volunteer after-hours events.

The MEA's 900-plus members have been without a contract since last summer. Members also rallied at Board of Education meetings in the fall and distributed fliers at back-to-school events. Superintendent G. Larry Miller declined to comment specifically on the latest pickets. "The administration and the school board both want as quick a settlement as possible that is an equitable and fair settlement to all parties involved," he said.

The MEA and the district reached a tentative contract deal on Feb. 9, agreeing on salary increase levels, benefits and working conditions. Teachers would get an average 5 percent annual pay hike over three years. Support staff would receive slightly more. The last matter on the table is designing salary guidelines, which lay out how much money individ- Staff photoCt9 Matthew white home Submitted photo courtesy of South Jersey Healthcare JoAnn Pierce of Vineland was known to be a great motivator who took on the role of mother figure to many around her.

She died Saturday after a water taxi capsized in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. For a report on the ongoing investigation, see A5. Millville planners mull over proposal for historic site at municipal airport activist organization. 1 Rut Harvpv said nftmfei' 16101 jvV ly, to clear other areas for development John Jones, director of engineering for the DRBA, said the idea grew from a plan to build several aviation hangars and related offices at the airport The first such facility, a one-tenant hangar, is now home to Air Castle Corp. A second facility, this time a multi-tenant hangar, was completed late last year but is not occupied.

Jonos said the proximity Please sec HISTORIC on A2 By JOSEPH P. SMITH Staff Writer jsmiththedailyjournal.com MILLVILLE City planners were introduced Monday night to a general proposal for a historic area at the municipal airport The Delaware River and Bay Authority, which operates the airport for the city, has been looking at whether to formally designate such an area since 2001 The idea would make it easier to preserve historic sites but, just as important Staying fit sex marriage licenses aren't worth the they are printed on. Such couples are "being sold a dream Harvey said. "They're being told they have a license that means something, when in fact it means nothing. Sacred Heart graduate Krystee Mosley, 19, of Buena Vista is "just visiting for the week," but she made time to wor1 out Monday at The Firm.

Mosley, a student at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut, is being spotted by vineland police Officer Ron Farabella. ijillliilllji Staff graphicJohn Elbertson.