The Belleville Times from Belleville, New Jersey • 1

Sheriff's Party Political Wars see below High School Honor Roll see page 8 tt7 tr7 4 Mii (TiM mriru iir in hi ii i sx ws bmmtMhvtllb tec WBBIi 35 81th Year No. 1 Publication Pizzi: 'Just another meaningless vendetta Fornarotto: 'Next election will be war, war, Pictured at a recent meeting of the Sheriffs Citizen Advisory Council on Drug and Alcohol Abuse are Sheriff Thomas D'Alessio, Debbie Meola of the Belleville Board of Education, Belleville Mayor Michael Pizzi, Chairman Joseph Miele of the Governor's Advisory Council and Freeholder President Joseph Parlavecchio. (See story on page 3) An Orechio ty. Board president Anthony D'Agostino said he considered the party political and told board secretarybusiness administrator Edward Appleton that the board would not pay for the tickets. The board's policy on attendance and reimbursement is based on whether the event is "educationally sound to attend," D'Agostino said.

The party combined the CCB's Christmas party and their presentation award for "Outstanding Citizen of the Year." Joseph Celfo, CCB president, and Florence Pentol, CCB member, each addressed the board. The CCB members said they felt the board should have been better represented because the event was held to honor a 14-year-old Belleville student for her outstanding volunteer, work. D'Agostino said he had no knowledge of the award present, tion. With the exception of Yanuzzi, all the other board members said they knew nothing of the event. Thursday, December 21, 1989 ney, had been directed to bring the matter to a head, due to the pressures being applied by the citizenry, according to Pizzi.

Fornarotto stated that he was hoth 'shnrWfH nnrl nnnnllp.ft whfn at a public meeting, Cozzarelli called him both a 'moron and a "I sent a letter to Mayor Pizzi asking him to take disciplinary action for belittling a commission-er and for putting on this outrageous demonstration of a public character assassination. I asked for a public apology, a reprimand by the Board, and a suspension for three days without pay for Mr. Cozzarelli." Mayor Pizzi said that he did not feel in anyway obligated to respond to Fornarotto's letter. "During that meeting, Commissioner Fornarotto had badgered and belittled both Mr. Cozzarelli's work as township attorney and Mr.

Cozzarelli's ability to do his job. He pushed Mr. Cozzarelli over the brink, and I believe the response was justified," said Pizzi. "We have a township here of 45,000 people, and forthreeyears I've been preach--ing unity and to put aside personal reelings. I hat is the only way we can properly serve the people here.

But Fornarotto has nothing but a personal agenda here, and continues with this meaningless vendetta to the detriment of everyone." Fornarotto stated that he was tired 'of being the goat' for Pizzi's non-action on such things as the Community Mental Health Services contract. "I believe we should help this project and get them the money thpu npH Knt Pi77t HiH nnthino witn the contract sent mm. ne nas been holding back payment, not me. The only thing I questioned was the meaning of the word 'service', and when Alice Ricci, the Executive Director of CMHS, answered my question, the contract went to the Mayor," said Fornarotto. Pizzi countered with the fact that the contract arrived at his desk 'about a month ago, unsigned by him.

He is the head of the Depart-' ment of Public Affairs, and the contract is no good without his "At the last meeting, when this was raised, he opted to table it I again," said Pizzi. "These people haven't been paid for their work since 1988, and it is still not com- (continued on page 8) 'bah, humbug! 'to 'political' party Board says By Anthony Buccino The Board of Education voted 5-2 not to reimburse trustee prove himself. And, I will be especially glad that Township Attorney Frank Cozzarelli's office will be eliminated, because we need a new man in that job." Mayor Pizzi, in a telephone conversation with the Times Monday evening, stated that "I do not know what he means by a 'war', but I have no intention of running an election campaign like that. All of this is a personal attack on both myself and the Township Attorney that has been going on for close to three years. It all stems from the 'conflict of interest' case he lost due to the fact that he wanted to hold on to his job as -an inspector, as well as commissioner, and an independent judge gave him an unhappy choice." Fornarotto stated that he was in office for 'over a year before anybody decided that he might be in conflict by holding down the two jobs.

He said that it all came from his objections to, and investigation of, the approved garbage contract by the Board. "I will not tolerate any back room deals at the expense of the taxpayers in Belleville," Fornarotto said. "I am a candidate of the people, and fight for them. I wanted that contract investigated and the other commissioners did nothing." Pizzi responded by saying that Fornarotto never shared with either himself or the other commissioners what his objections were to the garbage contract. "The lowest bidder on the contract was awarded the job," Pizzi said.

"Fornarotto never told us what he didn't like about it. What he did do, though, was to hire a lawyer out of his own pocket to 'look into it. Does that sound like the responsible act of an elected public official?" Pizzi also stated that the matter of Fornarotto's 'conflict' case had been pending from the moment of his election, and citizens 'kept coming to the public meetings and asking when it was going to be "An independent judge gave Commissioner Fornarotto a choice," said Pizzi. "He also had to choose between his $29,000 a year job as a township inspector, or the $6,000 a year job as a commissioner. He' couldn't have both.

It was his choice to give up the job as inspector, and he has held it against me and Township Attorney Cozzarelli since." Cozzarelli, as the township attor Holiday church services In a personal interview with both Commissioner Joseph T. Fornarotto, and with Mayor Michael P. Pizzi, the TIMES was made privy to the on-going infighting which has given the Belleville Board of Commissioners a rocky past three years. Commissioner Fornarotto, in a weekend interview at his Department of Public Affairs office, stated that the next change-of-govern-ment election would be "an outright war. I'm glad of the upcoming change to a Council form of government," said Fornarotto.

"It will allow us to get rid of all the commissioners and other town officials and start anew. We'll have four Ward Councilmen, and three At-Large. I believe my constituents are the entire town of Belleville, so I will be running At-Large." Fornarotto pointed out that the elected Council will then choose a Mayor from among their number. "This election will be a case of facts, facts on which to prove yourself.5 I don't think Mayor Pizzi can Pentol said she delivered tickets -to the board office along with a letter describing the event as a presentation to the student. When she had not heard if any were attending, Pentol said, she called Appleton's office for clarification.

Appleton said he contacted D'Agostino the day before the party. Appleton said D'Agostino considered the party a political event and the board should not pay for any members' ticket. Pentol said later that the board was confusing the CCB with the Citizens for a Better Belleville. She said the CCB is not a political organization. Belleville Commissioner of Parks and Public Property Vincent Frantantoni told the board to see what recycling help is available from the township before im- plementing its own plan.

Frantantoni said a 40 ft. recycling container for school use was turned away from the high school. The board had not authorized placement of the container, Ap-oleton said. Frantantoni saiH his recycling department would like to. work with the board.

The recently negotiated scavenger contract includes picking up recyclables in the town's business district. State funds are available through his department for recycling containers that could be used in classrooms, Frantantoni said. D'Agostino said the board should look into taking advantage of what is being offered. Free bike contest winners The winners of the Free Bikes for Christinas contest, sponsored by the Belleville Times, Orechio Publications TV, and the K-Mart Belleville Store were Adam Raione and Michele Fatovic. Adam is four years old, and Michele is nine.

Both children were indeed happy that Santa visited them early this year, and both thanked all the sponsors for having such a wonderful contest. Richard Yanuzzi for his $20 ticket to the Concerned Citizens of Belleville Annual Christmas Par- ship service. Fewsmith Presbyterian Church 444 Union Ave. Dec. 24, 10 a.m., morning service.

8 p.m. Candlelight Service with hymns by the choir. Belleville Assembly of God 174 Holmes St. Dec. 24, 10 a.m.

Special Christmas Eve service with choir and soloist Liz Coco. Pastor will preach. New Year's Eve 7:30 p.m. a Watchnight Service. Silver Lake Baptist Church 166 Franklin St.

Dec. 24 at 11 a.m. service will include special music and the Pastor's sermon will be "What If Christ Never Came. 6 p.m. a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with the First Baptist Church, Bloomfield.

Belleville Reformed Church Main and Rutgers Street, Dec. 24, 9:30 a.m. Sunday School Christmas program. 1 1 a.m. Worship.

7:30 p.m. Candlelight Service. Montgomery Presbyterian Church-638 Mill St. Dec. 24, 10 a.m.

Final Living Advent Calendar presentation and worship service. A luncheon will be served to all worshipers. 8 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church Joralemon and New Street.

Dec. 24, 10 a.m. Normal church service. 11 p.m. Candlelight Christmas Eve Service with soloist and choir.

St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church 155 William St. Dec. 24, 5:30 p.m. Mass will include Family Liturgy geared for children.

1 1:30 p.m. Readings and Carols followed by Midnight Mass. Dec. 25, the following Masses will be offered: 7, 8:30, 10, 11:30 a.m. and Spanish Mass at 1 p.m.

Wesley Methodist Church 225 Washington Dec. 24, 10 a.m., Christmas Eve Worship Service. 1 p.m. Korean speaking wor (mm-. DULY A.

Orechio (center), owner of Orechio Publications TV, takes the oath of office Dec. 14 as commissioner of the Passaic Valley Sewerage Authority from Essex County Assignment Judge John Marzulli. Holding the Bible is Essex County Sheriff Thomas J. D'Alessio. Shown receiving awards for valor in action are Belleville policemen Daniel Valese, Anthony Tucci, Craig Mack, Vincent Celfo and James Giuliano.

On the left is Mayor Michael Pizzi and on the right is Chief George Lister..