The Central New Jersey Home News from New Brunswick, New Jersey • 1

nn TO JXIUU 1 7 MWSjCvT it NJOVYUOtil.MJlU' Community newspapers of excellence since 1879 1 111 JaRSf "A 1 April fools! President Clinton jokes with media. A7 tables turned: Cyber-stalkers are now being stalked. B9 APRIL 2, 1997 STORE PRICE 35 CENTS ON THE INTERNET: www.tbnt.com MM Top court to review report By SHARON SEITZ STAFF WRITER Ellis Island and New Jersey, perfect together. That's what a special master appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court concluded yesterday when he declared that all but a few acres of Ellis Island are indisputably in New Jersey, and not in New York.

"I have concluded that New Jersey has established her territorial claims," wrote Paul R. Verkuil in his "Final Report of the Special Master." The former law professor was charged with gathering evidence in this case brought by New Jersey in 1993 to challenge the Empire State's jurisdiction over most of the historic 27.5-acre island. It remains to be seen probably SEASON Ellis Island, a national landmark long claimed by New York City, lies mostly within New Jersey boundaries, a court-appointed expert said yesterday. 3 Capital punishment Devils beat the Washington Capitals, 1-0. Dl more than a year from now whether the nation's highest court will uphold the special master's recommendation.

Verkuil was unavailable for comment Gov. Christie Whitman, however, was quick to respond to the good news, holding an afternoon press conference in Trenton with New Jersey Attorney General Peter Vemiero. "This doesn't need to be a rivalry it's not flipping the bird, shall we say, to anyone in New York," she said. "This is a recognition of New Jersey's place in history." Added Verniero: "If the court upholds the special master's report, then essentially all of New Jersey's laws would apply to the island. Our taxpayers would benefit from any tax Please see Master, page A6 IN FULL 1 i'-4.

-v V- Southern Middlesex, Somerset Counties 30 K5TP all AM A New Jersey Barriers: More than 200 demonstrators yesterday protested against new immigration laws outside the federal building in Newark, page A3 Sorry: The owner of a Lakehurst diner who told a blind couple their guide dog couldn't stay with them while they ate apologized yesterday, but the couple said they'll continue with civil-rights charges against him. page A3 Double triple: A survey of automated teller machines in New Jersey found an increase in the number that impose two fees for each transaction, a consumer group announced yesterday. PAGE A3 Nation Drawing the line: President Clinton, who scored political points in taking on the tobacco industry, has shifted his sight to liquor distillers' TV ads. PAGE A7 Jury selection: Oklahoma City bombing suspect Timo-fhy McVeigh continued his vigil in court as potential jurors were interviewed in and out of the court- room. PAGE A8 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will Jake his proposal for "fast-jfrack" negotiations with the Palestinians to the White Jlouse next week in a joint Effort with President Clinton to reopen Mideast peace alks.

PAGE AS Region Joint court? Sayreville jnd South Amboy have agreed to consider combining municipal courts, which could benefit both municipalities financially, said Sayreville Borough Administrator Joseph D'Arco. page bi Ultimatum: Rep. Bob Pranks, R-7th is giving the Federal Aviation Administration a month to do something about air noise in Central New Jersey or else. PAGE B3 New Brunswick Going up: Property taxes Would rise by about $90 for the typical New Brunswick homeowner under the budget the City Council will introduce tonight. PAGE Bl 00092 094347 The Home News Tribune Apr.

02 1 Ellis Island i i 1 Within NJ jurisdiction Within NY i i jurisdiction i 4 Manhattan Jer Ellis Island ri Liberty Island Governors Island Mile Staff graphic BUDGET UNVEILED DOT to stop biting off more than it can chew By GREG TREVOR STAFF WRITER If state officials promise to build a road or rail project in a given year, they should do a better job of keeping their word, New Jersey's new transportation commissioner said yesterday. As he released the state's $1.8 billion transportation construction program for the coming budget year, Commissioner John J. Haley Jr. announced he has sharply scaled back the practice of "overprogram-ming." That occurs when the state budgets more transportation projects than it can pay for. The practice sures that the state spends all its available transportation money each year even if some projects are delayed by local opposition, environmental concerns or other issues.

Haley's predecessor, Frank J. Wilson, last year budgeted road and rail projects worth about $300 million more than the state could afford. This was no secret; Wilson and other transportation officials acknowledged the practice. But local leaders still complained when they Please see DOT, page A6 CIVIL SUIT NEXT Old Bridge By LONNIE MACK STAFF WRITER James Plungis yesterday was found not guilty in the death of 20-year-old Timothy Moglia, who was hit with a cymbals stand during a September 1994 brawl at Club Bene in Sayreville. Tears of joy flowed on one side of the courtroom and tears of anger on the other when a Superior Court jury announced the acquittal.

Plungis, 29, of Old Bridge hugged family members. "I love you, Jimmy, I love you, Jimmy. Justice has prevailed," said Plungis' father, with his Weather Sunny: Breezy and milder. High in the mid- to upper 50s. PAGE A2 SWING James Plungis, right, said he was being attacked by more than 20 people that night.

"I didn't swing (the cymbal stand) to kill anybody." joe Mclaughlin Staff Photographer TANYA BREENStaff photof raphef OUTSIDE HELP SOUGHT Officials: First aid in need of aid fast By SANDRA KOEHLER STAFF WRITER Franklin officials are considering using an outside agency to provide daytime assistance to first-aid volunteers in the township, particularly the northern end. Councilman Harry Weber said that as a result of discussions at a meeting on emergency medical services held Monday night, the township is looking into having an outside entity assist in calls from 6 a.m. to 6 p.tn., FRANKLIN particularly in MaoMMBma the area from DeMott Lane to the New Brunswick border. This area is served by the Franklin-Somerset and South Bound Brook Franklin squads. "Their calls have gone through the roof," said Weber.

"They need a breather. They're getting snowed under." The problem is, said Weber, that most volunteers have day jobs, which makes it hard for them to be available. Another problem is a significant population increase that has raised the call volume. According to a study performed by Public Management Group, the number of EMS calls increased by 27 percent between 1991 and 1995; in that same period, the calls for the South Bound BrookFranklin area rose by 140 percent. Weber said things are still in the "talking stages." He said the township doesn't want to pay for the service; it wants an agency that can provide a good response time, and it wants the agency to be equipped to cover more than one call at a time.

He said now the committee is waiting for proposals from those -agencies, two being Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick and Clays Ambulance Please see Aid, pageA2 Tomorrow Ethics replies: How our readers picture RELIGION J- 1 a flltj, The Associated Press Wade Boggs hits a first-inning single against the Mariners in last night's Yankees season opener in Seattle. It was opening day nationally, with the Mets playing in San Diego. SEE STORY, PAGE Dl in Club Bene death man cleared voice breaking. Moglia's parents were upset "Be proud," said the father of the South Amboy victim. "Be proud that your son killed my little son." Sheriffs officers quickly stepped in and asked the Plungis family to remain in the courtroom until the Moglias had gone.

The Plungis family continued its emotional celebration in the courthouse corridor before leaving. The legal fight now moves to civil court; the Moglias are seeking Please see Death, pageA2 Hi-" PRESST0! 545-6000 Pro Sports touch 8800 High School Sports touch 8802 Lottery touch 2500 Popular Categories touch 1300 24-hour electronic information Inside today Editorial A10 Neighbors B6 Business B9 Food CI Obituaries B7 Classified C4 Kid Stuff C12 Sports Dl Comics Dll Local Report Television D9 Crossword Dll Lotteries A2 Datebook B8 Movie Times. CI 1 WorldNation.