The Central New Jersey Home News from New Brunswick, New Jersey • 2

NORTH PAGE B2 Home News Tribune THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1998 LOCAL Police Briefs! RAMP: Neighbors help disabled woman, 81 Cop will pay parking ticket issued to toy-collection van By GEORGIA EAST STAFF WRITER Police Sgt. Leo Armenti doesn't want to be remembered as a Scrooge this season. Two weeks after ticketing a South Amboy woman who was loading toys bound for needy children into a van parked in the fire lane of the Toys Us on Route 35 in Hazlet, Armenti said he's willing to pay the fine himself. "I know they think I'm a Grinch," said Armenti, "but I was just doing my job." That's just one of the names he was called by people passing by, as he cited Lisa Winkler during a toy-buying run for the Old Bridge-based Christmas Fund For Needy Children charity. Winkler and her family bought about $4,000 worth of toys for needy children at the Toys Us Dec.

7. She said the manager gave them the OK to park in the fire zone, and that they parked close to the store to make it easier to load the packages. On her way out, she saw Armenti writing the summons. "We were dumbfounded," said Winkler, who along with her mother and sister tried to persuade the officer not to give them a ticket. "Out of all the people, we thought, 'Why she said.

Armenti said he was patrolling the area around 10 p.m. when he noticed the van parked in the fire zone. He said he issued the summons because the van had been there about 45 minutes, and that he hadn't seen anyone going back and forth. At the time, Armenti said, he told them they were still violating the law and that he had to do his job. When Winkler and family realized that Armenti was still writing the ticket, things got a little per-sonaL Her mother, Winkler said, went up to Armenti and said, "Can I shake your hand? I never shook the hand of a Scrooge before." But in the the spirit of the season, and in an effort to let the whole thing pass, Armenti said he would take care of the $41 summons.

"If they come down to the court, I'll pay it," said Armenti. Winkler said she now feels relieved. The toys, she said, were delivered to families in the Middlesex County area yesterday. the project, they donated the pressure-treated wood and hardware, with a value of $800. Overall, they estimate ramp would have cost $2,000 to $2,500 if the Kozmas paid to have it built Michael Marchese is partners with Lopardo in a deck-building business, Wood Works Custom Decks, so they have the expertise, including realizing that a building permit from the township can take weeks.

But township officials took heart when Lang told them the story and gave the approval on Thursday after it was submitted Wednesday, followed by an inspection of the footings, or foundation, on Monday. Lisa Lang's brother, Rich Lang, helped with those footings. "The township bent over backward for me," Lang said. The ramp was substantially complete by about 1 p.m. yesterday, with the removal of more sidewalk than expected turning up as the only hitch, and not a big one.

Lang and Michelle Marchese, Michael's sister, cooked ziti and other food for the workers. "I'm glad that they're doing this," said Kay Kozma. "They're nice people around here." From Page Bl Aside from Christmas spirit, there were some practical reasons to get the ramp done now. "We had to do it right away, especially with the snow and ice," said Lisa Lang, who spearheaded the project. Lang, who lives across the street, usually helps Ernie Kozma help his wife, whose hips are failing, out to the car.

Lang said she couldn't stand hearing Kay Kozma, who is 81 and a severe diabetic, yell in pain every other day as she was basically carried down the stairs. "When you live by somebody, you can't just sit back and watch somebody go through this," Lang said. She noticed the need about two weeks ago, when the weather started to turn cold. She said she's amazed that it came together so quickly. "I don't know if its Christmastime or whatever," Lang said.

"I asked God for this." At first they were going to collect money among neighbors to pay for the ramp. But when Joe and John Dobr-zynski of 18 Lumber heard about MAYOR PUSHES WATERFRONT AREA Multiplex noncommital MOVAD NEW MU5EUM SAF1RO'" The legendary dial with its solitary dot framed by new squared lugs. Flat sapphire crystal. Black calfskin strap. Swiss quartz.

Water resistant to 99 feet. Available in polished stainless steel, or with rich 1 8K gold micron finish. His or hers! By MARCY BEHRMANN STAFF WRITER While the parent company of Amboy Multiplex Cinemas might be interested in talking with officials about moving to another location in the borough, the company is happy with its site between routes 9, 35 and the Gar SAYREVILLE den State Park- way. "We have a very successful operation in our present location and a lot of loyal moviegoers who might be disappointed if we were to move," said Dana Wilson, a spokeswoman with National Amusements, the Massachusetts-based parent company of Amboy Multiplex Cinemas. Wilson said the company is considering expanding and renovating its facility but does not have a time line for the improvements.

VISA William irt fZJU I Sayreville Mayor James Zagata announced at a Planning Board meeting this month that the theater might be interested in moving. Borough planners suggested that the theater lot be added to the Waterfront Redevelopment Area in the northeast section of the borough, where the former NL Industries plant stands. "I went in and spoke with them, and they said they are evaluating what they want to do in the future," Zagata said. The theater manager gave Zagata the name of a contact at the corporate headquarters, who Zagata hopes to speak with after the first of the year. Some residents worry that council Democrats have a deal with Sayreville Shopping Plaza LLC principals to relocate the theaters to Sayrebrook Towne Center at Washington and Ernston roads.

An official from Garden Commercial Properties, the management company that rents store space in Sayrebrook Towne Center, said in November that it would like to add R. Stanley Rahway POLICE ARE LOOKING for the man who drove a 1998 Audi off a dealership lot after disabling the; salesman by kicking him in the1 groin, authorities said. The robber walked into the Bell Audi showroom on St. Georges Ave. at 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday and asked to see a car, police" said. j. When he was shown a 1998 dark green Audi A6 Quattro, valued at approximately $36,000, he, kicked the salesman between th legs. The robber then took off in the car, heading northbound on St. Georges Avenue, according to police.

The salesman, 38, did not re- quire medical attention. Two -other salesmen were present but' no other customers. The robber was described as a 140-pound black man, about 30 years of age. The stolen car had no plates, police said. The crime isf; being considered a carjacking.

South Plainfield A 31-YEAR-OLD MAN suffered burns to his face and hands when a short sparked a flash fire in an electrical panel at a New Market Avenue company yesterday, police said. Jim Brabazion of Runnemede was flown to Robert Wood John son University Hospital in New-, Brunswick yesterday afternoon police said. He was listed in serious condition last night, a nurs" ing supervisor said. Brabazion, an employee of Diversified Electric, was working--on an electrical panel when -J there was a flash fire around 2:16 p.m., police said. The South Plainfield rescue squad and fire department as well as Mercy 6 responded to the scene.

Old Bridge MORE THAN $1,000 in ciga- rettes was stolen from a Route Sf south gas station early yesterday, police said. Police went to Raceway Gas Station around 12:20 a.m. be- cause a burglar alarm was sounding there. They found the front door kicked in and candy racks in the office area knocked over; cartons of cigarettes and rolls of quarters were on the floor, police said. The manager of the gas station told police that 35 cartons of Marlboro cigarettes, worth a little more than $1,300, and about $120 in quarters were missing.

Woodbridge A BACKPACK containing $327 was robbed from a woman in the parkinglot of the Bradlees strip mall in Hopelawn, police said. The 32-year-old woman told police a young man grabbed the backpack from her arm at about 11 a.m. Friday and ran toward Route 9 northbound. In addition to cash, the back- -pack had the victim's credit card, checkbook, driver's license, medical card, and miscel-'. laneous items, police said.

Compiled by JoSeph Picard, Michelle Sahn and Sakina Spruell PROBATION FOR THEFT 2 teens sentenced for robbing cash EDISON: Two township teen- agers who robbed a third teen of $5 at knifepoint were sentenced '1 to three years' probation Tuesday, authorities said. Lee Stephens, 15, of Washington Avenue and Michael Cooke, 17, of Windsor Road were cruising along Route 27, near Knapp Avenue, around 9 p.m. Oct. 24 when they stopped and robbed a 15-year-old at knifepoint, said Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Kuberiet. They were arrested later that night after another couple they allegedly harassed reported their vehicle's license-plate number to police, Kuberiet said.

The two were held at the I Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Center until their sentencing Tuesday. Both pleaded guilty earlier this month to armed robbery and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, Kuberiet said. '-t Stephens and Cooke were given credit for the time they had served. Both were sentenced by Superior Court judges to three years' probation, counseling, 100 hours of community service and obeying a curfew, according to Kuberiet. jr Dore Carroll Attorney at Law Perth Amboy (732)442-3020 Free consultation El Abogado Habla Espafiol Former Social Security staff attorney Admitted in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia on moving a movie theater to the strip mall.

Approximately 60 percent of the stores in the mall are vacant. But Zagata said yesterday that the only possibility would be for the cinema to relocate somewhere in the 910-acre redevelopment area. "It would only make sense for them to move within the redevelopment area to a better location with better accessibility," Zagata said. Plans for the area include space for a commercial entertainment area, and the theater might do well in such a location. Amboy Multiplex Cinemas is, flanked by several motor lodges and motels.

A restaurant used to operate on the site, but it closed years ago, officials said. While the planner did suggest that the cinema site be added to the redevelopment area, no action has been taken to include the lot. The Borough Council likely will discuss the redevelopment plan at its Jan. 4 meeting and could take up the cinema issue at that time, Zagata said. BELLS From Page Bl break constantly and he's patched up several already.

"I would hate to see them go or go mechanical," Harding said. "It's really rare to see bells that are still played by hand. A lot of churches use remote controls these days." Harding said he has been working with the church to raise money for the needed repairs. He guesses they would need about $20,000 to $30,000 to get the bells back into shape. In the meantime, Harding plans to enjoy their sound as long as he can.

Tonight he will play "starting at about 10 all the way up until midnight Mass." "I'll be up here, probably in jeans and a T-shirt working up a sweat and loving every minute of it," he said. CASE From Page Bl both men will be placed back on the force without affecting the new officers. The two veteran officers also tried to block the appointment of the six new officers in Superior Court 'on Dec. 16, but the motion was denied. The two former officers are waging their fight at a time when a consultant has issued a stinging report-describing a police department abused for 12 years by retired Chief Joseph Sica; his brother, Mayor Peter J.

Sica, who is leaving office at the end of the month, and suspended interim Chief Dennis Nagy. Michael Hack, who was named the borough's acting chief two weeks ago, plans to retire early this year. The Borough Counl has said it plans to name a police director. 441 MENLO PARK MALL, EDISON, NJ 08837 TEL: (732) 494-81 81 FAX: (732) 494-81 01 From Now Until Christmas We Will Be Open MON SAT to SUN to MOVADO. MUSEUM OLYMPIAN'" The renowned dot dial teamed with a bold new sculpted sport link bracelet.

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Needy Cases all you have when hinkof you're asked to give. V) This holiday season, give to the Needy Cases Fund and help thousands of Central New Jersey residents in need. For more information about the Needy Cases Fund, call Joanne Tartaglino, Community Relations Manager, Home News Tribune, at (732) 246-5500, ext. 7461 Home tr Amount enclosed News TUibune deductible) State Yes No person and company phone number: Phone CO Home News Tribune, East Brunswick. NJ 08816 Needy Cases (contributions are Your Name I Address CityTown I I Does your employer offer matching gifts? I If YES.

please list company name, contact Employer Contact Person I Please mail donations to: Needy Cases. 35 Kennedy tax 441 MENLO PARK MALL, EDISON, NJ 08837 TEL: (732) 494-8181 FAX: (732) 494-8101 From Now Until Christmas We Will Be Open MON SAT to SUN to 700pm.