ERIC SUCAR staff Kids run around the Kid Zone at the New Jersey Youth Soccer Organization Expo held at the NJ Convention Center in Edison on Saturday. The expo included coaching workshops, various vendor exhibitions and more than a dozen clinics throughout the day. More ... Spending plan stresses austerity, looks for ratables Choi plan hopes to stabilize property taxes over the next three years BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       Edison Mayor Jun Choi's proposed threeyear spending plan is being touted as the bitter medicine the township needs. The malady? To Choi and his supporters, outof control property tax rates and a bloated municipal government. The cure? A proposed $115,425,700 for the township's fiscal year 2008 bud... More ... Weighting for a win Local teen hopes to break power-lifting record at state competition BY JAY BODAS Correspondent       Most days after school, Woodbridge High School senior Tony Malave can be found at the Metuchen YMCA, sitting on the bench. On the bench press, that is. "Right now I bench a maximum of 485 pounds, but my goal is to hit 500 pounds at competition," Malave said. More ... Acting superintendent looks forward to looking forward Says longtime experience in district will help him be quality administrator BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       EDISON - John DiMuzio has been very busy. Although he has been acting superintendent of Edison's school district for only a month and a half, his schedule is already nearly filled to the brim. More ... Council introduces 2-cent tax increase to pay twp. bills Resolution is first official action of four new council members BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       EDISON- Township residents may be receiving a slightly heftier tax bill the next time around, after the Township Council during a special meeting on Jan. 3 introduced a resolution that would increase the levy to $1.01 per $100 of assessed property value, an increase of 2 cents. More ... County gov't feels new year will be taxing Freeholders sworn in at re-org; director calls for necessary tax reform BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer       EDISON - Middlesex County Freeholders Stephen J. "Pete" Dalina, Christopher Rafano and Blanquita Valenti were sworn in as members of the board during the freeholders' reorganization meeting Friday, held at Middlesex County College in Edison. More ... Metuchen police apprehend suspect in burglaries BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       METUCHEN - The keen eye of an area resident led to the arrest of a 49-yearold Edison man, who allegedly was found in possession of over 150 stolen items that he admitted he stole over the past several months from Edison and Metuchen residences, including recent Christmas decorations that were sto... More ... No grappling with good taste BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       METUCHEN - Not only did the Metuchen Grapplers get a new space at Camp Kiddie Keep Well in Edison for the 2007-08 season, but they also got a professional chef. As the Grapplers played their first match on Dec. More ... Township man arrested for allegedly assaulting police BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       EDISON - A township man was arrested after allegedly assaulting two Edison police officers responding to a disorderly conduct call at 1604 Route 27. Sgt. Robert Dudash, public information officer for the department, said that theman, John James Faracy, 36, was "clearly intoxicated" when police ar... More ...