Friday, March 19, 2010
They agree that these are hard choices, even with different perspectives on the cuts.
Charging into change just a few months in office, Gov. Chris Christie's proposed state budget has Cranford seniors around town talking today. Many of those who voted for him admit they considered him the "anti-Corzine" and knew only that he had been a corruption-busting U.S. attorney under President George W. Bush. With the release of Christie's budget recommendations, he has established himself as something of a political pugilist. It's become clear that what's in store for New Jersey residents includes deep cuts and no apologies. Even the "budget-in-brief" is 148 pages, so here is a short-list of the points most relevant to seniors: After talking to several Cranford seniors, there is no consensus as to how well these measures may address…
Check back next week for the latest in Cranford sports.
Spring training continues as we catch up with boys lacrosse coach Al Reinoso and players Michael Sheehan and Will Bender. We also take a look back at the Nike Nationals and get the inside scoop from Cranford's newest All-American track stars Kelly Burke and Natalie Englese. Track coach Peter Kane discusses their success in Boston.
Proposed cuts threaten research databases, inter-library loan system, circulation materials and town funding.
Gov. Chris Christie's proposal won't just affect town and school budgets. The Cranford Public Library is feeling the heat with Wednesday's proposed elimination of its reference database and interlibrary loan funding, as well as a 50 percent cut to state aid. CPL is also facing a bill that looks to get rid of the annual minimum requirement for municipal funding. This would make the library's share of municipal funds completely up to the Cranford Township Committee. Submitted to the New Jersey Assembly on Tuesday, the bill A255 calls for the elimination of the 1/3 mil requirement. This requirement establishes a certain annual minimum funding level for a town's public library. Towns can fund above the minimum, which is not uncommon, but they …
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-74.304065
Cranford Public Library
224 Walnut Ave
/articles/christie-cuts-would-kick-library-system-back-to-the-stone-age
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Thursday, March 18, 2010
The state releases the specifics on aid cuts to municipalities Thursday afternoon.
The state Department of Community Affairs announced Thursday afternoon that Cranford will lose close to $750,000 in state aid this year. These reductions are relatively close to what the municipalities had been expecting. The township was anticipating a 15 to 20 percent drop in state aid. The actual drop, from $3,646,401 last year to $2,900,712 this year, is 20.44 percent. The aid this year will include $176,502 in consolidated municipal property tax relief and $2,724,210 in total energy tax receipts. "The budget that the governor outlined is not a surprise," said Mayor Mark Smith. "Taxes cannot continue to increase, and spending must be reduced. The strategy is to force reductions in spending at the local level. The changes in education …
Cranford's lacrosse team takes its first step towards the season opener.
The boys' lacrosse team took advantage of the perfect 70-degree weather Wednesday afternoon to test their skills in an early season scrimmage against Columbia High School of South Orange-Maplewood. The teams decided not to keep score while playing their full rosters, which gave the coaches a chance to assess their talent and to begin getting their players into game shape. "As you can see, we need a little conditioning work," said head coach Al Reinoso, who started the program six years ago and has led them to three conference championships. "Each guy only had a quarter or two of work, so we have to get in better shape." "Today was the first time we got everybody together as a unit," said senior Steve DiGiovanni. "We tested our skills, what…
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-74.312251
Cranford High School
201 W End Pl
/articles/lacrosse-team-gets-into-game-shape
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DPW crews are working to repair potholes across Cranford.
They come in all sizes and shapes – large, circular and deep or small, jagged and shallow. They're potholes, they're all over Cranford and local crews with the Department of Public Works are trying to keep up with all the repairs. Mayor Mark Smith said crews are first filling in the biggest potholes – the ones that create the most hazards for drivers. Smith said approximately three DPW crews have been out on the streets this week. "We're doing the best we can to get them [the roads] back in decent shape," Smith said. The town has been receiving calls from residents notifying officials of potholes across the area. But no accidents have been reported due to the potholes, according to Lt. Joseph Van Bergen in the traffic division of the …
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-74.31689
/articles/potholes-potholes-everywhere
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The school district's state aid cuts were much steeper than expected.
SCHOOLS|Yesterday
State Education Commissioner Bret Schundler on Wednesday defended the governor's significant cut to New Jersey school districts' state aid, telling reporters that previous Democratic administrations and the loss of $1 billion in federal stimulus funds are partly to blame for the reduction. Cranford will lose nearly $2.5 million in state aid, but could also receive $4.2 million in other aid. Gov. Chris Christie presented his budget address Tuesday afternoon, indicating that school districts would not lose more than 5 percent of their total budget. In a conference call with reporters, Schundler said that districts had been told to anticipate this reduction in aid. "Districts had the understanding that it would be 15 percent and it is a …
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Cranford is looking at a 78 percent cut in state aid.
The Cranford School District will lose close to 78 percent of its state aid, according to information released by the state Department of Education Wednesday afternoon. Cranford will lose nearly $2.5 million in state aid, but could also receive $4.2 million in other aid. Gov. Chris Christie presented his budget address Tuesday afternoon, indicating that school districts would not lose more than 5 percent of their total budget. Earlier in the day Superintendent Gayle Carrick said she was waiting for official word on how much money the district would lose in the 2010-11 budget. Up until now, the district had been preparing its budget with the expectation that it would lose 1o to 15 percent of its expected state aid. Now that $2.5 million has…
They defeated Montgomery 23-20 to earn the bronze medal in the state tournament.
Parents and players braved the driving rain and wind this past weekend, and the dedication paid off, as the New Jersey Hawks basketball team defeated Montgomery 23-20 to earn the bronze medal in the state tournament held at Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville. The two-day event featured teams from all over the state. The Hawks, coached by Bob McAuliffe and Tom Wisniewski, have a number of Cranford players on their roster, who were proud to bring home the bronze to their home town. Editor's Note: Author Mike Curci's son is on the team. Send your sports updates to whitney@patch.com.
Kelly Burke and Natalie Englese received high school track's highest honor.
Thanks to outstanding performances this past weekend at the Nike Indoor Nationals in Boston, the town of Cranford has two high school All-Americans to call their own. Senior Kelly Burke and junior Natalie Englese needed to finish in the top six in their respective events to receive high school track's highest honor. It started when Burke finished second in the triple jump at 39'6.5", a personal best and a Union County record. "Kelly has worked very hard throughout her high school career to achieve what she has achieved," said Cranford head coach Peter Kane. "Her jump of 39'6.5" is the fourth best indoor jump ever in New Jersey. She deserves every award she earns because of her work ethic and dedication. I'm very proud of her and very happy…
