The Courier-News from Bridgewater, New Jersey • Page 13

Peace from within Indian practice helps people pick foods to keep body in balance Page B-4 Courier Neius -J DC SECTION' TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2003 UJ amp pd ssQf 7' SCHOOLS' ELECTIONS 20 Westfield targets growing enrollments Three three-year terms and one one-year term on the Westfield Board of Education will be filled in the April 15 election. Incumbents indicated by an asterisk (). Candidates for three three-year terms: Name: Beth Cassie Age: 40 Address: 700 Glen Westfield Length of residency: Six years Occupation: Independent management consultant Location of workplace: Westfield Political experience: Appointed to Board of Education in September Community activities: PTO member and volunteer at both children's schools Candidate's top three issues and position in each: 1. To maintain excellence of Westfield's schools by meeting the needs of all students: The board is looking for ways to do this better by investing in Differentiated Education, a new approach to teaching at different levels in one classroom. 2.

To develop a strategic plan to address growing enrollment: Previous boards have done the planning to build additions. The tactical side has been handlea, but the board must deal with the strategic side of how to run the schools with many more kids. The board is assessing results at the high school and will distribute -a community survey'in the spring. 3. To improve communication between the board and the community: The board should actively involve community members and attentively listen to their views.

The board is accessible bye-mail; the challenge is to work out a more comprehensive way on how to handle inquiries and comments. The board needs a key communicator to the public. She favors assigning a board member to be a first-response person. STAFF PHOTOS BY KATHY JOHNSON Donna Conigliaro appears in court Monday in Somerville. Conigliaro and her husband, Giovanni, are accused of unlawfully taking their three boys from a foster home in Florida.

Fla. couple just want to be home with children, lawyers say. By CRISSA SHOEMAKER Staff Writer Hoping to be reunited with their children, a Florida couple accused of taking their three boys from foster care and bringing them to North Plainfield said Monday they want to return to Florida as soon as possible. Giovanni Conigliaro, 55, and his wife, Donna, 39, were arrested by North Plainfield police near the home of Jasmin Hishmeh, Mrs. Conigliaro's mother, on March 8, two days after authorities say they assaulted their sons' foster mother and snatched the three boys, ages 4, 6 and 8.

They are charged in Florida with interfering with custody, assault and burglary. On Monday, the couple appeared separately with different attorneys before Superior Court Judge Edward M. Coleman in Somerville. Mr. Conigliaro waived ex-tradition during a short hearing in which his attorney, Assistant Deputy Public Defender Robert Gaynor, said his client wanted to return to Florida "as soon as possible." "That's what I'd like to do, yes," Mr.

Conigliaro told Coleman. Mrs. Conigliaro, who cheerfully said hello to Hishmeh as she was led into Coleman's courtroom by. Somerset County sheriff's officers, will return to Florida within the week once she's released from the jail, said her attorney, Steven Lieberman. Lieberman asked Coleman to allow his client to get a bail bondsman to post her $50,000 bail, a request which the judge granted.

But Coleman ordered Lieberman back into court in two weeks with proof that Mrs. A' WW 'UM i Jl A- I Jl aLBfff in -into Giovanni Conigliaro stands before Judge Edward M. Coleman in Somerville. Jasmin Hishmeh, Mrs. Conigliaro's mother, appears in court with her daughter.

Conigliaro has gone back to Florida. If she hasn't, her bail could be revoked and a warrant issued for her arrest. Mrs. Conigliaro remained in the county jail Monday evening. The boys were taken from their parents following a January traffic stop in which Mrs.

Conigliaro exhibited bizarre behavior, including pleading with the officer not to kill or rape her, authorities said. On March 6, the Conigliaros followed their children's school bus to the foster home and took the boys, police said. The children were returned to the Name: Kimberly Rhodes Age: 41 Address: 10 Webster Place Length of residency: Seven years Occupation: Structured finance consultant Location of workplace: Westfield Political experience: Board of Education member for three years; chairman of facilities committee for two years; member of finance and town liaison committee; served on policy and long-range planning committee; liaison to township recreation committee Community activities: Current treasurer, Junior League of Elizabeth-Plainfield; treasurer and president-elect, Westfield Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta; former treasurer, Women's Club of West-field; member, Optimist's Club; Recording Secretary of Franklin School PTO; co-director of the LOGOS program for children at Westfield Presbyterian Church; worked on district strategic plan as citizen; member of Citizen's Advisory Committee to school board in 1998 Candidates top three issues and position on each: 1. To see successful completion of the high school addition: The first phase will be complete at the end of April, the second phase will be done before school opens in the fall and the rest will be finished by next year. The school completed additions to the elementary school in time to handle more children.

The high school i addition will be finished as they enter high school. 2. To continue the amicable relations between board of education and the unions: She hopes the administrator's contract under negotiation will be set-1 tied quickly and as fiscally responsible as the teachers' contract was settled last year. 3. To continue a rich and varied curriculum while handling the enrollment situation.

custody of Florida's Department of Children and Families more than a week ago, an agency spokeswoman said. Mrs. Conigliaro realized that the only chance of being reunited with her children was returning to Florida voluntarily, Lieberman said. She would not be a flight risk, he said, adding that she and her husband did not take the children on a "hide-and-seek mission," but rather fled to her home Man accused of sex with teen FRANKLIN (Somerset) The night supervisor at a residential facility for at-risk teens had sex with a teenage resident, police said Monday. Asif Tallo, 23, of 119 Melrose Ave.

in Irvington was charged with sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, both second-degree crimes. Tallo was a night supervisor for First Concern, a Woodbridge-based nonprofit organization that runs a house in Franklin. Officials with First Concern did not return a phone call Monday. Police said Tallo and the girl had sex on March 13. The incident was reported to authorities by the Division of Youth and Family Services on March 19, and Tallo was arrested Friday on the charges.

First Concern helps teenagers between 16 and 18 years old adjust to life on their own as they come out of the state's foster-care system, according to the organization's Web site. Crissa Shoemaker Stop leads to weapons charges BRIDGEWATER A Branchburg man was charged with weapons possession after a police officer stopped him near Bradley Gardens school, authorities said. Brian Bergstrom, 21, of 76 Bluegrass Blvd. was arrested Saturday night. Police said an officer saw him parked in the school's parking lot around When the officer drove up to him, Bergstrom drove away, prompting the officer to pull him over, authorities said.

Bergstrom appeared nervous and when asked, told the officer he had a pocket knife and brass knuckles in his car, authorities said. It is illegal to possess brass knuckles in New Jersey. Bergstrom also had three outstanding warrants for traffic offenses and his license had been suspended, police said. Crissa Shoemaker A no-show day for Patriots BRIDGEWATER The first day of tryouts for i Sparkee and General Admission of Somerset Patriots' fame was fit for neither fans nor mascots. On Monday, no fans who would be mascots braved the chilly weather to dance on the clubhouse, run around the bases or do the other wild things a mascot is expected to do during the baseball season.

Patriots' spokesman Marc Russinoff said mas-, cot tryouts at the ballpark are by appointment only, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m, through Friday. He said Monday was a no-show for those eager to be Sparkee and General Admission, the Patriots' other mascot. The team's first home game will be an evening event on May 6. The mascots are expected to entertain fans during home games, participate in on-field promotions and attend community events year-round.

To reserve an audition time, call Dave Gambrill at (908) 252-0700, Ext. 209. Tony Sdafani GOT A TIP? For questions or comments, you can e-mail us at or call (908) 707-3121. THISSECTION Designed and copy edited by Chris Hermosilla, Todd Ritter, Brooke Sample and Susan Kay Smith. County may supply new bridge in Bedminster I Original plan to move older span may cost too much, officials say.

By LARRY HIGGS Staff Writer BEDMINSTER Mayor Joseph Metelski's idea to recycle an obsolete railroad bridge for use by pedestrians and bikers could instead Eet the township a new span om Somerset County. Metelski lobbied the county and NJ Transit last month to have the Hogback Bridge, which carries the railroad's Gladstone Branch over the North Branch of the Raritan River, relocated to Kline's Mill Road, where a span damaged in a 1995 storm was demolished. "It saves a historic bridge town of North Plainfield, where police were waiting for them. "She's extremely attached and devoted to her children," Lieberman said as Mrs. Conigliaro sat next to him, nodding her head in agreement.

"The only way she will be reunited with these children is to go back to Florida." Crissa Shoemaker can be reached at (908) 231-9665 or discuss the possibility of adding a pedestrian bridge to the county's capital budget with the freeholder board. See BRIDGE, Page B-2 event, "Where Oh Where Has the Easter Bunny Gone?" Children will meet storybook characters such as Little Red Riding Hood, Alice and Wonderland and Goldilocks in their adventure to find the Easter Bunny. The event is at 1 1 a.m. Satur-dayin the Lord on the first floor. The Easter Bunny takes up temporary residence in center court on Saturday morning as well.

He will be available for pictures from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday. After his first day at the Commons, the bunny's hours will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.

to 6 p.m. on Sundays. STAFF PHOTO BY KATHY JOHNSON Bedminster Mayor Joseph Metelski has asked county officials to use the aging Hogback Bridge to replace a span destroyed by a storm in 1995. The county says building a new bridge would be less expensive than moving the old one. Name: Anne Riegel A Age: 41 Address: 18 Manchester Drive Length of Residency: 10 years Occupation: Former investment analyst Political experience: Member, board of education, three years; current board vice-president and chairwoman of the finance committee; member of policy and curriculum committee; former chairwoman, long-range planning committee, two years; citizens advisory board member for school bond in 1998 Community activities: Jefferson School, PTO board member, five years; PTO co-president, two years; former board member Jewish Community Center, five years Candidates top three issues and position on each: 1.

To meet the needs of students with different learning styles and abilities: The board is working on staff development for Differentiated Instruction, a three-year initiative. Teachers are given tools to meet the different abilities of kids in the same class through different assignments. The whole class is working on the same task, but focusing on different aspects according to their abilities. 2. To meet rising enrollment needs: The board must find ways so kids don't get lost in a high school with larger enrollment.

The school needs more extracurricular activities such as athletics, music and theater. This year, the school added assistant coaching positions because the teams are bigger. I 3. To develop a budget to reflect the values of the community: The board must make investments in technology, continue to update the curriculum and provide staff training and new textbooks. The school should continue to add classes at the high school that reflect needs, such as graphic arts and writing classes.

and locates it where the Kline's Mill was built during the American Revolution," Metelski said. The 112-year-old Hogback span is obsolete as far as railroad use is concerned. Commuter trains have to slow to 10 mph to cross it. Last November, NJ Transit's board of directors approved a $2.6 million contract to replace it. NJ Transit officials wrote Metelski and told him removal and disposal of the old bridge falls to the contractor now working on the job, M.J.

Paquet Inc. of Palisades Park. Even if they agreed to give the bridge to the county, moving and transplanting it might be more difficult and costly than building a new one, said Michael Amorosa, county engineer. "The bridge NJ Transit wants to replace has a se- include Menlo Park Mall and Woodbridge Center. There are no new details on the restaurant tenant that will take the former First Place spot.

Mall management said an announcement about the new restaurant will be made in a few weeks. Several new carts will line the Common's walkways this month. On the first level in center court, Mobile World will sell cellular service and accessories. Just off center court, Easter Bunny to spring up at Commons vere slant at the angles it crosses the stream," he said. "The concept is admirable, but cost-wise, we probably could do it cheaper with a prefabricated truss bridge." Amorosa said he has to Tomorrow's Heirlooms features hand-crafted jewelry such as earrings, necklaces and bracelets.

While in the Macy's wing on the first floor, Lilly's will offer unique gift items from its cart. On the second floor, Hidden Valley will offer natural oils, soaps and lotions from its cart in the Blooming-dale's wing. Looking for a low-maintenance pet? Crab World will be selling live crabs complete with a personal house at its new cart on the second floor near Lord Taylor. It's only a few more weeks until Easter, and that famous bunny has disap- eared. Children can help find im at a Premier Kids Club Editor's note: This is an installment of "Mall Watch" an update on events, stores and news about Bridgewater Commons.

Check the Courier News on the first day of every month for the latest information about the mall. By NICOLE MORELLA Staff Writer BRIDGEWATER A trendy women's fashion store will join the third floor, and the Easter Bunny will hop into center court this month at the Bridgewater Commons. Wet Seal, a young women's clothing retailer, will set up shop in the former Lechter's space on the third level of the mall. Other Wet Seal locations in New Jersey Name: Kenneth Sumner Age: 38 Address: 429 First St. Length of residency: Two years Occupation: College professor, Montclair State-University Location of workplace: Montclair Political experience: None Community activities: McKinnley School PTO executive board, one year Continued on Page 6-2.