A Lasting Memorial for SP's Victims of Sept. 11

The final morning of a stormy April 2011 contained the same azure skies as Sept. 11, 2001, and provided a fitting backdrop to a solemn ceremony held outside the Scotch Plains Municipal Building. Less than two days before President Barack Obama announced that U.S. special forces operating in Pakistan had killed Osama Bin Laden, steel recovered from the World Trade Center was presented to the township by Port Authority Commissioner Anthony Sartor for the creation of a monument honoring the three Scotch Plains residents – Matthew Horning, 26, James Walsh, 37, and Mark Rothenberg, 52 – killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which left more than 3,000 people dead.

Scotch Plains police, fire and emergency medical personnel transported the 10-foot beam in a motorcade that led from the Southside Firehouse to the front steps of the Municipal Building, where a podium and chairs had been assembled for the ceremony. An American flag, suspended from the ladders of two fire trucks, waved amid the treetops as bagpiper Al Gonzales, a retired New York City policeman who responded to Ground Zero, played Amazing Grace to mark the start the ceremony.

After a short introduction by Mayor Nancy Malool, Sartor was the first to speak. He delivered a short speech that touched on the Port Authority’s 90th anniversary – it was founded April 30, 1921 – his 37 years as a Scotch Plains resident and the events of Sept. 11.

“It is a day that everyone will always remember where they were and what they were doing,” Sartor said. “What we are doing now will be a constant reminder of that tragedy.”

Malool, who next took the podium, thanked Sartor profusely. “We could not have done what we are doing without his help,” she said.

She also recognized the members of the township’s newly-created Sept. 11 Memorial Committee, including Township Manager Christopher Marion, his assistant, Madeleine Rutkowski, Police Chief Brian Mahoney, Sgt. Ernie Hernandez, Fire Chief Jonathan Ellis, Rescue Squad Captain Daniel Sullivan, Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School principal David Heisey, Township Zoning Officer Robert LaCosta, Business and Professional Association president Lisa Mohn, business owner Tom Donatelli, firefighter Charlie Mecca, Rescue Squad member Rob Jabstrebsky and longtime resident and volunteer Don Wussler. Hernandez, Ellis, Sullivan, officer Brian Cheney, firefighter Carmen Grausso and public works employees Eugene di Quollo, Alton McCoy and Randy Grizzard retrieved the steel from JFK International Airport on Wednesday.

"This steel represents so much. I find it remarkable that this piece of metal can evoke so many emotions,” Malool said. “But it is a symbol of our national pride, our hope, faith, and our resilience. At the same time, it embodies so much sorrow.”

The residents who died on Sept. 11, she continued, “were our neighbors and our friends. Through this monument, we hope to honor their memories and celebrate their lives. We also hope to pay tribute to all those who were lost that day and to celebrate those who survived.”

Diane Horning, whose son, Matthew, worked as a computer-programmer for Marsh and MacLennon, which had offices in the North Tower of the World Trade Center, offered heartfelt thanks to the township and the Port Authority.

“Matthew loved this town and I hope this memorial monument will give us all a place to sit in quiet reflection remembering the good in these three men and the good in this town that has chosen to honor them,” Horning said. “I am grateful that Scotch Plains has given us a place, without any commercialism for respectful and fitting remembrance and reflection.”

She noted that Matthew’s sister, Dana, named her newborn son Christopher Matthew. “He couldn’t have the first name of Matthew, because there could only be one Matthew,” Horning said.

Walsh, a computer programmer with Cantor Fitzgerald, was also in the North Tower when it was struck on Sept. 11. Rothenberg, an entrepreneur, was on United Flight 93, which crashed in rural Shanksville, Pa.

After the speeches, Reverend John Nielsen delivered an invocation and benediction, and as Gonzalez played “Going Home” on the bagpipes, the ceremony's attendees followed a fire truck as it pulled the steel to the Rescue Squad building, where the beam will be stored as the monument is constructed.

The monument's design, which was unveiled Saturday, calls for the beam to be split in two, with each piece rising from a pentagon. The monument will be located on the Alan M. Augustine Village Green, located adjacent to the Municipal Building, and officially dedicated Sunday, Sept. 11.

Christie Chief of Staff at Westfield Library

Richard Bagger looked at home Wednesday night at the Westfield Memorial Library – fitting for a lifelong resident and former mayor of Westfield, but perhaps less so for Gov. Chris Christie’s chief of staff. Bagger’s lecture on Christie’s economic policy – the latest installment to the library’s Lee Hale Lecture Series – came nearly a year to the day that the governor announced plans to slash state library funding by 74 percent. This apparent irony, however, went largely unacknowledged. Rather than focusing on budget cuts, Bagger’s presentation, and the questions that followed, centered on how the Garden State can attract more industry.

“We continue to economically lag behind our neighbors and other states, which holds back growth and job creation,” Bagger said. “Our tax burden is the highest in the country and way too reliant on the highest earners.”

Bagger’s comments were greeted with nods and applause from members of the audience, which measured about 100 people.

“I think he’s building a climate that will keep businesses here,” said Westfield resident Judith A. Sheft, associate vice president for technology development at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. “I am a little concerned in the short term that some tech companies may take advantage of the lower costs in Pennsylvania.”

Mountainside resident Rene Dierkes added, “He takes a complicated subject like government spending and budgets and puts it in terms that make it interesting for the average person,” he said.

Bagger, who attended Wilson Elementary School, Roosevelt Middle School, Westfield High School and Princeton University, got his political start as a member of the Westfield Planning Board. Still in his 20s, he went on to become a town councilman, and subsequently served as mayor from 1991-92. A graduate of Rutgers Law School, Bagger served as assistant general counsel for Blue Cross/Blue Shield and worked as an attorney for the Newark-based law firm McCarter and English. He next served as senior vice president for worldwide public affairs at Pfizer Inc., a position he held for 16 years, before Christie came calling after winning the governorship in November 2009.

“I did not expect to be the job I am in, but Chris can be very persuasive,” Bagger said with a smile.

By that time, Bagger was no stranger to Trenton. He had served in the Assembly from 1992 to 2002 – the last four years as chairman of the Appropriations Committee – and in the Senate from 2002 to 2003. But working in the executive branch, he said, proved far different from working in the legislature.

“You see things from two completely different vantage points. It’s almost like being in Trenton for the first time,” Bagger said.

The position of chief-of-staff carries with it myriad responsibilities, but Bagger said he was appointed in large part due to his fiscal expertise. Working as a volunteer in the months between Christie’s election and inauguration, Bagger combed hundreds of pages of state expenditures. In the course of his research, he said he came to realize that because New Jersey’s gubernatorial election occurs one year before the elections in most other states, the Christie administration would face financial challenges that other new governors would not encounter for another year.

“New Jersey had an acute case of what was affecting other states,” said Bagger, who compared his early duties to that of a new management team trying to turn around a fiscally ailing company.

Bagger concluded his talk, however, by expressing optimism for the state’s financial future. “The good news is that a lot of states are following our lead and we are showing it can be done,” he said. “The big test is staying with the next few years.”

He also heaped praise on local officials. “As a Westfield resident, I think the mayor and the town government has done an excellent job of maintaining services even though they have had to do with much less state aid,” Bagger said. “They have been creative and efficient and should be proud of the job they are doing.”

Fastballs and Gefilte: Blomberg

Fastballs and Gefilte: Yankees' 'Designated Hebrew' Talks Baseball and Religion at Movie Screening

Former Bronx Bomber Ron Blomberg was joined by author Dan Schlossberg at the AMC Loews Theatre in Mountainside on Tuesday.

By David Lazarus | Email the author | April 6, 2011

The weather was frigid on the first Tuesday night of April, making the AMC Loews Theatre in Mountainside a much more appropriate place to watch baseball than Yankee Stadium. A small but enthusiastic and knowledgeable group of baseball fans attended the penultimate night of the JCC-sponsored Jewish Film Festival where the documentary “Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story” was shown. Most of the audience came to meet and schmooze with former Yankee star Ron Blomberg, who was also featured in the movie and afterward spoke to the audience about his experiences of being a Jewish professional baseball star. Blomberg was joined in the question-and-answer session by author Dan Schlossberg, who co-authored Blomberg’s autobiography, “Designated Hebrew: The Ron Blomberg Story.”

“It’s a little too cold to play baseball tonight. I’m a Southern boy and I like warm weather,” said Blomberg, who played from 1969-77 for the Yankees and proudly wears his World Series championship ring from 1977. Blomberg finished his career with the Chicago White Sox in 1978. Blomberg has a long association with the JCC through his Baseball Camp run in association with NJY camps.

The movie was the second installment of the JCC of Central New Jersey’s three-part film series, which started March 31 with the Israeli film “The Matchmaker,” and concludes April 13 with the Argentinean film “Anita.”

The crowd that attended Tuesday contained a cross section of people, many wearing Yankee caps. Among the attendees was Adam Sackett of Scotch Plains, who brought his four year old son.

“I am hoping he can make it through the movie. He really likes baseball,” said Sackett, who, midway through the movie, became a bed for his tired son.

Although injuries ultimately shortened Blomberg’s career as a player, they also presented him the opportunity to take his place in history. In 1973, Blomberg was slated to start as the Yankees’ first baseman in the team’s season-opener at Boston, but suffered a pulled hamstring during Spring Training that prevented him from taking the field.

Manager Ralph Houk, loath to lose Blomberg’s bat, assigned him to the newly created position of designated hitter. Because the Yankee-Red Sox game was the first American League contest to start that day, Blomberg became the first designated hitter in history to come to bat. He drew a bases-loaded walk from Red Sox hurler Luis Tiant, and proceeded to go 1-3 on the game, which the Yankees lost 15-5. After his hamstring healed, he switched between right field, first base and designated hitter.

“I liked being DH when I did it. You would take your at-bat, and then you could go back into the clubhouse to get something to eat while you were waiting to bat again,” chuckled Blomberg, who also referred to DH as Designated Hebrew.

A three-sport star in high school, Blomberg was the first athlete to ever be named a Parade All-American in football, basketball and baseball. Among his 150 basketball scholarships was an offer to play for the legendary John Wooden at UCLA, where Blomberg would have been a part of three straight NCAA championship teams. He also had over 100 football scholarships, including the chance to play wide receiver for Bear Bryant at Alabama. But Blomberg opted for baseball, where the Yankees had made him the top pick in the 1966 draft.

“It was actually an easy choice,” Blomberg recalled. “What left-hand power hitter wouldn’t want to play at Yankee Stadium?”

Like many Jewish professional athletes, Blomberg experienced anti-Semitism during his career, but growing up in Georgia had prepared him for much of what he was to encounter, he said. Blomberg said one of his most memorable at-bats came in a September game, in which his hit clinched a Yankees victory just before sunset and the start of Rosh Hashanah.

“That was going to be my last chance to bat and I made the most of it,” Blomberg recounted. “After that they always called me the Sundown Kid.”

Long after he stopped playing baseball, Blomberg said that he experienced one of his greatest athletic thrills as manager of the Bet Shemesh Blue Sox in the Israel Baseball League in 2007.

“I learned that managing is pretty intense. There is so much to know but the most important thing is knowing your personnel and what their strengths and weaknesses are. I guess I did okay,” Blomberg said.

“I have been very blessed in life to do exactly what I wanted to do,” he concluded. “I greatly appreciate that my parents let me follow my dreams and if I could tell anything to the parents out there with young children is to let them find out what their passion is and pursue it to the fullest.”

For State Champs SPF Boys Swimming, Victory is a Long Time Coming

Scotch Plains Fanwood junior Greg Baliko was not sure of the exact score when he entered the pool for the 100-yard breaststroke. He only knew it was a huge race that could decide whether the Raiders would hold off Princeton and win their first state title.

So Baliko did what he has been doing all season, and when he touched first in 59.93, he helped bring Scotch Plains to the necessary 86 points to clinch a the victory as the Raiders defeated Princeton 90-80 on Sunday, February 27th in the NJSIAA Public B Final at The College of New Jersey in Ewing. Scotch Plains, winless in six previous appearances in a state championship meet, was making its first state final appearance since 2001.

“I was too busy warming down after the 200 freestyle relay to even know the score,” Baliko said. “I just knew we were getting close and that I needed to win that race. When I finished the race and looked at the time I was very pleased. Then I looked over to the side of the pool where I saw Joe Dunn give a fist pump and yell ‘STATE CHAMPS BABY’ in my direction. This is when I gave my own fist pump and went wild.”

“It was great to have the meet in hand before the final relay,” Scotch Plains Fanwood Swim Coach Jessica Hulnik said. “Princeton still had all of their top guys for that last relay, and while I am sure our guys would have won it if they had to, it was nice that we didn't have to worry about it.”

“Finally, after three years of anticipation for the 2010-2011 year it had all worked out in our favor. The training that went in was intense, but in the end it was all worth it,” added Baliko, who also celebrated his 17th birthday the day of the meet.

“Truthfully I kept forgetting that it was my birthday” Baliko said. “All I was focusing on was the meet. When the 27th would come up I would always say ‘oh yea state finals right?’ Sometimes people would have to correct me about my birthday instead. I really could not have asked for more on that day. The victory was the best present I could have ever thought of. We knew this year was our best shot at the title and we took it.”

“It was actually brought up after the Mountain Lakes meet that we would be swimming on Greg's birthday,” Hulnik said. “We all told him Happy Birthday before the meet. I don't know about further motivation, but it seemed like a great coincidence to win a state title on your birthday. Kind of a really cool present.”

For Hulnik, it was as if time had stood still. The victory came almost exactly six years to the day she had coached the Raider girls to the school’s first state title by defeating Princeton 95-75 in the NJSIAA/Public B championship, also at The College of New Jersey. And just like 2011, their semi final victory was 93-77 over Mountain Lakes.

“It’s a little freaky isn't it? It is interesting that the same programs which were strong back then are still strong now. It says a lot about the success of those programs. Princeton and Mountain. Lakes are top notch programs and they seem to be in the mix every year,” said Hulnik, who joins a shortlist of coaches who have won both a boys and girls state title.

“This one is not much different from the girls. Both teams swam really well and came into the meet ready to swim fast and win,” she added.

The Raiders broke the meet open with a 1-2 finish from sophomore Ryan Gadjzisz (4:45.55, No. 4 in the state) and Mike Napolitano (4:45.64, No. 5) in the 500 freestyle and a 1-3 Scotch Plains finish in the 200 freestyle relay. Baliko (22.04), Dan Napolitano (22.07), Gadjzisz (22.83) and Joe Dunn (21.57) won the relay in 1:28.51 and helped Scotch Plains claim a commanding 70-54 lead. Gadjzisz has added another elite swimmer to the lineup and become dominant in the 200 and 500 yard free style.

“Ryan has swum the two longest events every big meet and has been so consistent,” Hulnik said. “He also has been great on relays. He gets right out of the 500 and goes right into the 200 free relay and is still fast. He is swimming with so much confidence this year and has become one of the go to guys on the team.”

In addition to winning the 100-yard breaststroke, Baliko also took first in the 200 yard individual medley. Not only is Baliko a great swimmer, but the junior is the unquestioned team leader and sometimes like a second coach—factors not lost on an appreciative Hulnik.

“Greg is extremely versatile and always puts the needs of his team before his own,” Hilnik said. “He is excellent with our younger swimmers and is always giving technique advice and race strategy to help out. He is truly a student of swimming. Like many of our guys, he can handle multiple events with short rest.”

“I always try to help out my team mates with stroke technique as much as I can because I know it is so simple and extremely beneficial,” Baliko said. “Coming from a swimming family, my dad has helped me a lot with technique since I was young and it is something that has stuck with me through the years. The least I can do for the coaches is be an extra pair of eyes, underwater as well, and try and help out the team.”

Baliko broke a long streak of outstanding local swimmers who had attended St Joe’s of Metuchen in order to attend SPF.

“St. Joes didn't do much recruiting to get me,” he said. “I met the coach at a family friend's party and he asked me if I was thinking about coming. I had it set in my mind that I did not want to go, so politely I told him I wanted to stay in public school and that I liked SPF. One of my good friends, who swims on FSPY with me would always tell me how amazing we could be if I came and the Napolitanos stayed, but I had my heart set on SPF the entire time.”

In addition to seniors Mike and Dan Napolitano, the Raiders will also have to replace free stylers Mike Pesin and Jason Shaub, and versatile Mike Rizzo.

“While Mike and Dan account for a lot of first place points and will be greatly missed, we don't win a state or county title without those other three seniors,” Hulnik said. “All of these guys have been a huge part of this team for the past several years. In addition to their swimming talents, they are great role models for our younger swimmers and they really get into the team competition. So much so that instead of doing homework or class work, they are also researching rivals and trying to come up with line-ups to beat our opponents. It’s like having several coaches sometimes. These guys really just get into it. They all will be missed next season.”

Hulnik, who teaches Physical Education at a K-8 parochial school in South Brunswick, completed her 16th year as swim coach at Scotch Plains. A completive swimmer since 8th grade, she swam collegiately at Lock Haven University in PA for four years.

“I wasn't very good,” she said. “But I eventually found a role as someone who could pick up those 4th and 5th place points, and I loved just training and being a part of the team. I started coaching at a summer swim club [Springwood in Colonia] back in 1990. They were very patient with me as a first time coach and I learned a lot from my years there.”

The Raiders completed a perfect season against other public schools. Their one loss this season to Pingry, a private school, penalized the Raiders in the state rankings and dropped them from second to fifth, where they currently reside. Despite defeating Bridgewater at their home pool, the Raiders fell behind them after the Pingry loss. While the Raiders would have liked a chance to repeat their earlier success, Baliko and his team can relish a great victory.

“Swimming against Bridgewater is always extremely fun because of the fast and intense atmosphere,” Baliko said. “Bridgewater is fast every year and is recognized for that. When we swam them this year I think that it showed a lot of people that they aren't the only ones who have a fast team. We are happy to be recognized as a team that competes with Bridgewater and always love to race them. I am sure next year will be just as close and fast.”

Baliko, unlike last year, will savor the end of this season and hesitates talking about next year for a short time.

“Of course all of the juniors and younger athletes have begun thinking about next season and if we have a chance to win again,” he said. “The conversation comes up, but we always remind ourselves that we need to live in the moment, right now, and cherish the victory as we have it.”

Leader of the Pack : Fanwood resident David Bell will serve as Grand Marshal of Union County's St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday.

When Fanwood resident David Bell kicks off the 15th Annual Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday as its Grand Marshal, he will do so nearly 50 years to the day after his grandfather, George Bell, served as Grand Marshal of the Newark St. Patrick's Day Parade. But continuing a family legacy and representing Fanwood are only two of the many reasons that Bell will be beaming with pride as he leads the parade along a 1.5-mile walk through the streets of Union. Bell, a New Jersey State Police detective sergeant for the past 22 years, will be walking at the head of a large contingent of state troopers.

“I am a proud representative of my fellow troopers at the parade,” Bell said. “They, too, feel the honor. We will have the largest contingency of troopers at the parade yet.”

This year’s parade is dedicated to the New Jersey State Police, which is celebrating its 90thanniversary. The event is also dedicated to the memory of Trooper Tommy Hanratty, who was struck and killed by a vehicle while conducting a traffic stop on Route 78 in Union County in April 1992.

Bell was a childhood friend of Hanratty, whom he described as “like a brother to me.” He said he named his first son after the fallen trooper.

“Tommy fought to achieve the job of trooper for the sole purpose of helping people. He sacrificed his life doing this,” Bell said. “I am so proud of the parade for recognizing and honoring his life.”

Bell said he was stunned to be selected as Grand Marshal of what has become the largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New Jersey. “When my grandfather was Grand Marshal, it was, basically, the only parade in the State of New Jersey at the time,” he said.”

Bell grew up in Elizabeth, but his family traces its roots to Counties Mayo and Roscommon in western Ireland. He said he has been of a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick (FSOSP) for 20 years.

“The FSOSP are a group of Irishmen joined from all walks of life and banded together for the betterment of Union County youth and families in need of aid,” Bell explained. “Our President is Robert Coloney, president of the Center for Hope Hospice. This should give you an indication of the men that represent this fine organization.”

Bell will be joined in the parade by numerous members of his family, including his wife, Kathie, and his children: Tommy, a senior at St. Joseph’s Prep in Metuchen, Jenny, a junior at Union Catholic High School, and Ryan, an eighth-grader at St. Agnes Grammar School in Clark.

“Aside from my children being born, this is one of the truly great honors of my life. I am proud and humbled to lead the tribute to St. Patrick here in Union County,” Bell said.

The day starts with a Thornstick Mass at 9 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church in Elizabeth, followed by a welcoming reception. The celebration starts at noon with pre-parade festivities at Morris and Suyvesant Avenues in Union, proceeded by the start of the parade at 1 p.m. sharp.

The parade will begin at Morris Avenue, then proceed east along Morris Avenue and end at Roosevelt Avenue. For more information about the parade and the day’s events,

Big Fish: SPF Boys' Swimming Sits Atop State

Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School has the top swimming team in the state among public schools. The phrase bears repeating because it doesn’t quite sound right. What about the usual suspects like Westfield, Bridgewater, the Cherry Hill schools and Mountain Lakes?

They are all looking up to the Raiders, whose latest impressive 87-83 victory at previously second ranked Bridgewater on Wednesday January 19 vaulted them from fifth to just behind state number one Christian Brothers Academy.

“Being considered the best public school in the state is truly incredible,” Scotch Plains junior Greg Baliko said. “Coming from freshman year, where we didn't make it more than a few meets into states, to last year losing to Mountain Lakes in the semi- finals, and finally coming to now, I feel like we really built up. We knew we were going to be strong this year, but we knew that everyone else would be as well. I simply want to hold that [state] title and keep on winning meets.”

In December, Scotch Plains dusted-off long-time nemesis Westfield, once the perennially-acknowledged king of New Jersey swimming, 109-61 and now sets its sights on the Union County championships next Saturday at Rutgers. The Raiders will be heavily favored to wrest the title from Westfield, which claimed its 11th straight team title last year with 442 points and has won 48 of the last 49 championships. And as previous experience has demonstrated, Scotch Plains’ defeat of Westfield during the regular season does not guarantee a win at counties.

“Our guys are too smart to ever overlook a strong program like Westfield or any other team for that matter or take the opportunity to win a county for granted,” said Scotch Plains Coach Jessica Hulnik, who coached the Raider girls to the state titles in 2005 and 2006. “They know they have to earn it.”

Baliko agreed. “Beating Westfield like we did was huge but we also beat them last year and did not win the counties,” he said. “Westfield is not going to give up their title without a fight and Summit is good, too.”

Baliko has won four county individual titles in two years, and he holds the county record in the 200-yard individual medley. In the team’s meet against Bridgewater Wednesday, Baliko won two thrilling duels against Victor Luo, first in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:08.43 – just 1.28 seconds ahead of Luo – and then in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:06.65, only 0.33 seconds faster than Luo.

Baliko’s signature event, the medley, underscores his strength across all four competitive strokes. “What makes Greg such a good medley swimmer is that he does not have an off stroke and he can stay with an opponent in their best stroke,” Hulnik said. “Also, his back half of the IM is so strong.”

That ability likely stems from Baliko’s long experience swimming the medley. “The individual medley has always been a part of my swimming career,” Baliko said. “When I started swimming the medley, I realized that it was my favorite event because I got the chance to do each of the strokes, which I liked. It really is hard to train for because there is a focus on all of the strokes, but once you get a feel for the IM, it’s hard not to love it.”

Joining Baliko as a two-time winner against Bridgewater was rapidly-improving junior Joe Dunn, who swept the 50- and 100-yard free style. A fine individual and relay swimmer his first two years, Dunn is now a threat to win his specialties at the county meet.

“Joe has been solid for us in the sprint events this year,” Hulnik said. “He has really come into his own and has been a great influence on all of our swimmers with his work ethic and attitude.”

The Raiders also earned victories from senior Dan Pesin in the backstroke and Ryan Gajdzisj in the 500-yard freestyle. But the key to their victory was their depth in picking up key fourth, fifth and sixth places.

“Nick Sorace [breaststroke], Ryan Henkels [sprint freestyles], Austin Englehardt [breaststroke], Jeff Peart [distance free], Jason Shaub [sprint free], Mike Pesin [200-free, 100-backstroke], Mike Rizzo [fly and IM], Dan Pesin [backstroke and IM] and Keith Montiero [fly and backstroke],” Hulnik said. “Many teams would kill to have any of these guys as their top lane swimmers. They have been so consistent and so strong for us this year. When you win a meet by four points it is a full team effort. No one's performance can be overlooked or understated.”

Baliko added that much of the team’s focus also stems from his teammates’ mental determination. “Our practices this year are not so much different then other years, but the focus at them from the swimmers is,” he said. “We have always trained hard, but the focus this year is like none other. I feel that the loss to Mountain Lakes last year truly made everyone put their heads down and figure out what they have to do better in order to win. I really believe that the team's focus has brought us to new heights that we have never experienced before.”

One of the more impressive aspects of the Bridgewater win was that the Raiders brought home the victory without first-place finishes from either Mike Napolitano or his brother, Dan, arguably the two fastest swimmers on the team. The brothers, twins in their senior year of school, battled Brian Barr, one of the top swimmers in the state.

“They both did a great job and continue to be two of the finest swimmers we have ever had,” Hulnik said. “Mike was most swimming back to back, from the butterfly and pretty much right into the 500. Not an easy thing to do especially when it’s against one of the top teams in the state.”

The Napolitanos transferred from St. Joseph’s of Metuchen three years ago, which tipped the swimming balance of power to Scotch Plains and ended a long trend of top SPF club swimmers taking their talents elsewhere. While always taking the attitude that you cannot make excuses for swimmers who decide to compete elsewhere, Hulnik is clearly happy that Scotch Plains is holding on to their talented young swimmers.

“The last few years, we have been successful,” she said. “Most people want to be a part of that.”

Baliko added that the team has been on a mission all season since its heartbreaking 85.5-84.5 decision to Mountain Lakes in the state semifinals. The Raiders had rolled to their first sectional title since 2003 with a 95-75 victory over Summit, but the Raiders clearly do not want to stop until they win the elusive state title.

“Last year was obviously a crushing defeat late into the season against Mountain Lakes. On the bus ride home we decided that next year we would redeem our previous loss,” Baliko said. “This year it really does seem like we are on a mission to get back at what we left last year. Our goals have been simple; win one meet at a time. Of course in the backs of our minds we are all thinking about the state Championship, but we try to focus on each meet as they come.”

He added that he’s not worried about “peaking” too early. “Our coaches know exactly what they’re doing with our training,” he said. “They have all of the time for rest and taper scheduled out. Since we keep training through the meets, we know we haven't peaked yet since we haven't been rested. I have full confidence that our coaches have all of our taper and rest fit and scheduled perfectly.”

Hulnik also expressed confidence. “As a coach you are always concerned both when they swim too fast and too slow,” she said. “The important thing is that they don't seem too worried about it. Everyone top to bottom seems to be swimming well right now.”

The article has been revised to reflect the following clarification made Jan. 24:

A previous version of this article stated that Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School is in second place in New Jersey. It is in second place among both public and private schools, but in first place among public schools. The lead and headline were amended to reflect this clarification.

One Year After Earthquake, Haitian Family Finds Hope in Scotch Plains

The six inches of snow that fell Tuesday night did not make Jan. 12, 2011 a day to savor, especially for those used to tropical temperatures. But for the Blanc family of Scotch Plains, it marked a vast improvement over what they experienced exactly a year ago, when they lost all their possessions in the earthquake that destroyed much of their hometown in Haiti.

As they experience their first northeast winter amid a relentless parade of cold and snow, the three Blanc children and their mother said they consider themselves lucky. They were among the few to escape Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, which still has not recovered from the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that killed an estimated 230,000 people, injured another 300,000 and left more than one million homeless.

“It is a very sad day for us because so much of what we knew is lost forever,” said Judeling Blanc, 21, the eldest Blanc child. She said she was in a classroom at her college when the building collapsed.

At their modest Scotch Plains apartment, Blanc looked out her window at the furious storm. “It was late in the afternoon and all of a sudden the building shook and the next thing you knew we were all in rubble, fighting for our lives,” she said. She was extricated by classmates and teachers. Today, she is taking English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at Union County College’s Cranford campus, and said she hopes to enter the school’s nursing program next year.

Stephan, now 17 and a senior at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, said he was at home at the time of the earthquake and managed to run outside just before their home collapsed into rubble. His mother, Guegheling and younger brother, Jonathan, were on their way home and had to dodge falling debris, Stephan said.

Having lost their father in October of 2009 to cancer, the family was left homeless and slept on the ground in a park with thousands of other families. Fortunately for the Blancs, their uncle, Winchell Alce, had left Haiti several years ago and settled in Scotch Plains. When the earthquake struck, Alce worked with the Red Cross and Haitian Embassy to bring the Blancs to the United States.

Because of their visitor’s status, they did not qualify for any governmental assistance. Alce, who has a wife and two young daughters and works three jobs, was able to temporarily house the Blancs in his small apartment. He said, however, that his landlord told him the living arrangement was untenable. It was at this desperate time that Alce’s church, St. Bartholomew’s of Scotch Plains came to his assistance. The small parish elicited a church-wide donation of food, clothes and money, which has helped the family with rent and utilities for a small apartment in which they now reside. Guegheling has been volunteering at St. Bartholomew Academy since last fall, and has applied for a green card for her and her two sons that would allow them to stay in the country.

“Our faith calls us to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless,” said Father John Paladino, St. Bart's pastor. “We have a family within walking distance of our church that has suffered greatly and is in desperate need. The people of St. Bartholomew parish have done much to assist the Blancs during their immediate crisis but, much is still needed to sustain this wonderful family.”

Paladino added that he and the family are working with an immigration expert and an attorney to expedite the green card application. “It remains slow and arduous, to say the least,” he said.

Nevertheless, Stephan has made an impressive adjustment to New Jersey life. Last spring, he made the honor roll and completed an Advanced Placement French class. He currently plays on the junior varsity basketball team and this summer, attended the Junior Academy for Law Enforcement Explorers. He attends regular training meetings with the Explorers at the Scotch Plains Police Department. He said his ambition is become a medical doctor and return to Haiti to help his countrymen.

“Everybody has been great to me since I have come here. I have been made to feel welcome at my high school, church and around town,” said Stephan Blanc.

Jonathan, the youngest at 9 years old, is attending St. Bartholomew’s Academy for free, where he is in the fourth grade. A gifted math student, he is receiving special assistance with language. Like most other nine year olds, Jonathan loves to play baseball, soccer and ride his bike. This summer, he joined Stephan at the Scotch Plains Police Junior Academy and received his first communion at St. Bartholomew’s this past spring.

The Blancs said they realize that a year later, things still remain extremely grim for those still in Haiti. About one million Haitians remain homeless or stranded in camps of varying conditions. Jobs remain sparse, violence is on the rise and rubble still litters city streets. Few buildings have been rebuilt, including the presidential palace.

“It is hard to reach many of the people we know,” Judeling said. “Communication is not easy and many of them have moved.”

Paladino expressed concern about the Judeling’s green card application. “It's really a big commitment on the part of a parish community to ‘adopt’ an entire family,” he said. “So much of what we take for granted is an expense. The parish has been generous thus far, however if they don't get [the immigration documents needed] to find employment, I am concerned that we will not be able to continue to support them as we are now. Any help from the community would be appreciated.”

The Blancs marked the anniversary with a combination of sadness for the past and hope for the future. But there is at least one thing about the northeast that Stephan can live without.

“I don’t like the snow,” he said. “I wish it would get warmer.”