The battle for use of this Dwasline Road property continues.
Rosemawr synagogue
hits snag
(By Adam Greenberg- July 3, 2009)
CLIFTON - A proposed Orthodox synagogue in the city's Rosemawr section that's drawn strong opposition from neighbors has hit a snag.
The city Planning Board did not hear the application Thursday night, removing it instead from the agenda after the city zoning officer wrote that the project should be judged by the Board of Adjustment, which would postpone the hearing to July 15.
The reason given was that the site plan does not meet the conditional use requirements for parking.
But Frank Carlet, the lawyer for Congregation Shomrei Torah of Passaic/Clifton, argued Thursday night that the Planning Board should review the site plan because it met all requirements, including one for parking and interior landscaping.
"We'll go to court," he said. "They're dead wrong."
The Orthodox Jewish congregation is seeking to build a synagogue and ritual bath for women.
"The report from the planning board consultant, [Jill Hartmann], is that we didn't meet two conditions, so she said we have to go in front of the Board of Adjustment. She's mistaken, so we're going to take the matter to court," Carlet said.
The first condition not met, Carlet said was the seating requirements. He said that's because parts of the building can be used at the same time as sanctuary. "We said we wouldn't use them at the same time, but [Hartmann] ignored it," the attorney said.
CLIFTON – The top 10 students of Clifton High School's 2009 class are an eclectic group comprised of a trio of future engineers, a potential captain of industry, an aspiring novelist, a couple of best friends and several future doctors.
"Marianna is going to be world renowned," ninth-ranked Michelle Piekarus said of valedictorian Marianna Atiya. During her high school career, the top-ranked senior of this year's class volunteered her time at her church, St. Joseph's Hospital and the CHS media center. Though she was the president of the Academic Decathlon and received prestigious honors from the National Honors Society and the National Merit Scholarship, her fellow top-10 classmates applaud her ability to remain humble.
"She is amazing," fifth-ranked Natasha Desai. "She's very smart but also very grounded." Atiya, who will study biology at
ColumbiaUniversity
and hopes to eventually enroll in medical school, said she found her inspiration from her parents, her sister, her church and Jesus Christ.
"When I first met Sijun, I was like 'who is this scrawny little Asian kid,'" Atiya laughed while reminiscing about Sijun Yang, her closest friend and this year's salutatorian. "We've been best friends for 11 years - since second grade - and she's one of the most loyal people I know. I wouldn't be the person I am today if it wasn't for her," she added. The second-ranked student was described by the group as "versatile" and someone who "can do anything." Yang, who was president of Botany Club and ranked in the top 10 percent in biology in the state last year, also ran cross country for two years and devoted over 400 hours of her time to an internship at St. Joseph's Hospital.
When asked what wisdom she would pass down to incoming freshman looking to achieve such academic heights the often sarcastic Yang advised them to "get enough sleep," before more seriously recommending students learn to "manage [their] time." Artistic and outgoing, the Cornell-bound Yang said she plans to pursue an engineering degree but said she would decide on her major "at the last minute." She said she is most proud of the fact that she was able to make her parents proud.
CLIFTON – Police are warning residents, especially the elderly, to beware of scams after three City women were targeted, one of them loosing thousands of dollars. Detective Capt. Robert Rowan the three women were all targeted by men who called them on their house phones. He said between Feb. 18 and June 3, an 81-year-old woman lost thousands of dollars to a scammer who promised to pay down her credit card balance. Rowan said the victim received a call on Feb. 18 from a man who said his name was Peter Seemore with an organization called the National Currency Recovery Group and promised to shrink her credit card debt with just a few payments from her made out to him. The Clifton resident sent money to an address in South Carolina, New York and Canada via Western Union, Rowan said, adding her credit card balance remains the same.
Two other Clifton women did not fall for scams, Rowan said.
An 88-year-old Clifton quickly reported a “lottery” scam to police on June 1.
Rowan said the Hazel Street resident received a call from a man claiming to work for the government and informing her that she had won the $1.5 million “government award.” The caller, Rowan said, told the woman that all she’d have to do to get her winnings was to pay $150. The caller told the Clifton resident he would meet her at her home to pick up the money, and at that point the woman called police and reported the incident. She was advised that the call was a scam and not to give any money. The 88-year-old received a second call from the same man who said the winnings had gone up to $2 million and she’d be required to pay $200 in order to claim it, then asked for her bank information. The woman did not reveal any information and did not pay the ‘fee’.
A 93-year-old Clifton woman was the target of another unsuccessful scam on June 4.
The woman’s niece telephoned police and reported her aunt had received a call from a man who identified himself as Jim Wakefield of the FBI and asked for a donation, said Rowan. The caller, Rowan added, told the elderly Clifton woman that he would go to her house the next morning at 10:30 a.m. to personally pick up the check.
Two detectives arrived at the woman’s home and waited for the caller to arrive, but he never did, Rowan said. The next day, on June 5, the elderly woman received another call from the same man, who when questioned even gave a badge number to prove he was legitimate. Rowan said the man told the Clifton resident that he was going to be working on a case and that she should transfer her donation to him right away and to not tell anyone what she was doing. The woman, Rowan said, did not send money.
Clifton High School graduated 709 students last Friday night.
(by Tony Gicas- July 3, 2009)
CLIFTON – After an hour of penetrating rain, thunder and nearby lightning put its commencement ceremony in doubt, the class of 2009 eagerly scurried through the damp tunnels of Clifton Stadium like a hungry football team preparing to face its next challenging opponent — life after high school.
Last Friday, as the 6:30 start time approached for their graduation,
Clifton
High School ’s seniors found themselves barricaded inside
Christopher
Columbus
Middle School ’s second floor classrooms and not outside awaiting their diplomas, as they had envisioned.
Parents, friends and district officials wandered around outside carrying umbrellas and peering upward with skeptical eyes as torrential rain poured over the school’s grounds.
And though the rain began subsiding around 7 p.m., City school administrators looked beleaguered each time a bolt of lightning touched down nearby. There was some question as to whether there would be any graduation at all because no rain-date was available and officials questioned whether an indoor ceremony could accommodate the night’s 709 graduates as well as the substantial audience.
As luck would have it, the dark, ominous clouds directly overhead began to disperse and a bright sky overtook the initially dreary evening.
Following a brief announcement, the gates to the stadium swung open as mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and friends of CHS students battled their way toward a good seat.
Quickly, the event’s organizers tidied up the venue, wiping down seats and handing out graduation pamphlets. By 7:15 graduates began funneling their way underneath the stadium and into their seats on the track’s infield grass.
Steven Joseph Sinopoli writes about his wild past in his new book.
(by Adam Greenberg -staff writer - July 3, 2009)
CLIFTON – Talk of "the mob" conjures visions of racketeering, guns, wise guys, sharp suits and violence for many, but not for Steven Joseph Sinopoli who thinks of stars when discussing "mobsters."
Sinopoli, who is an astrologer and founder and owner of the Academy of Astrology in Clifton, has penned a book he said is full of true stories about his life and the "mob."
"The book is just what it says it is: A strange journey," Sinopoli said. "It starts with my early days as a kid, talks heavily about my interactions with the mob and eventually leads into how I got where I am today."
Sinopoli said the only reason he wrote and released the book is because "all of the mob guys have passed on," adding that one life story in particular was his primary inspiration.
"I had a friend who was a money launderer," Sinopoli said, adding "I call him Mr. Slick in the book."
Mr. Slick had a girlfriend Sinopoli calls Ava in the book, named after the actress Ava Gardner. "Let’s just say I got involved with her when I shouldn’t have," he said.
Sinopoli said other fascinating stories fill the book, some "x-rated," including various scenarios in the 1970s through 1990s involving astrological counseling for mob figures and celebrities.
The book is also filled with interesting predictions, including a particular friend who Sinopoli eerily surmised would die within two years. The mere foretelling ended a 35-year relationship.
At just under 200 pages, Sinopoli said the book is as fast-paced as it is entertaining; however, he still feels there is a greater underlying message.
"Astrology is not a subject to be treated lightly," Sinopoli said. "If people would use it more, they would realize their lives would become much easier.
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