The West New York Tigers returned victorious from the Dale Murphy World Series in Michigan last week, and were honored at a town meeting.
The baseball team for 13-year-olds entered the competition in Battle Creek, Mich. two weeks ago. They placed fourth out of 22 teams that competed.
West New York’s Dale Murphy League got their shot at the World Series title after winning the state championship in Jersey City this past July.
“We won five straight games in the series,” said Head Coach Lou Nagurka. “This is the furthest any team I have coached has gone.”
The team was able to get to the World Series in Michigan thanks in part to donations and funds raised by the administration and the residents of West New York.
The team had to raise over $20,000 in order to meet the expenses for the trip. The city was able to raise $4,000 for the bus trip and lodging. The coaches, who will be getting reimbursed once the fundraising is completed, paid for the rest. Donations are still coming in to reach the $20,000 goal.
“This is outstanding,” said Nagurka. “I am born and raised here in West New York, and it’s just amazing to see how the mayor and the town came together like this.”
One more honor
At last Wednesday’s monthly Board of Commissioners Meeting, the township gave the Dale Murphy Baseball League one more honor for all their achievements this passed season.
Mayor Silverio “Sal” Vega and the Board of Commissioners gave each player a medal and certificate of appreciation for all their hard work and dedication. The team was also presented with a trophy.
“We have to support our kids and local athletics,” said Vega two weeks ago. “They’ve made West New York very proud, and we want to give them this great opportunity.”
“It’s still unbelievable that we got to the final four, but with the team we had [this year] we expected to go far,” said Cesar Valero, catcher.
“I thought we were going to go all the way, but it feels really great [to have this honor],” said Brian Cuevas pitcher/shortstop.
“It just makes me look forward to our team next year and to see what we can do,” said Valero.
SIDEBAR Business at the commissioners’ meeting
After the honors were given out to the Dale Murphy League last week, the West New York Board of Commissioners went on with business as usual.
There were a total of 29 resolutions presented on the consent agenda, which included a resolution for a $24, 275 per month contract renewal to Waste Management for recycling, hauling, and disposal of recyclables.
There was also a resolution for professional services agreement between the township and the Hudson Regional Health Commission for Community Development Block Grant Rehabilitation Program, which provides environmental investigations related to lead based paint and performing lead paint inspections, risk assessments, lead hazard screening and clearance testing.
The health commission will be paid an annual sum of $4,800, which will be paid out in quarterly payments of $1,200.
There was also a resolution authorizing the mayor and the business administrator to request $133,250 Urban Enterprise Zone funds for Bergenline Avenue Renovation Installment Loan payment, which is a $2.2 million loan the UEZ requested in 1998 for sidewalk renovations to Bergenline Avenue.
In addition, there were also resolutions for the sale of abandoned vehicles to West Side Auto Wreckers totaling $824, and a resolution for site improvements to McEldowney Park totaling $105,100.
There were also resolutions approving professional service agreements between the township and eight legal firms. Those contracts were advertised and narrowed down from a list of 50 interested firms.
There was also a resolution amending a temporary city budget for 2008, requesting additional temporary appropriations for its Fiscal Year 2008 Current Fund Operating Budget. The total amount requested is $1,040,975.85, which is spread out between the Departments of Public Affairs, Public Safety, Public Works, plus other expenses.
According to Mayor Vega, the temporary budget is in place until the full city budget for Fiscal Year 2007-2008 can be introduced hopefully by November.
All resolutions were unanimously agreed upon, with the exception of a resolution to relocate a bus stop on Boulevard East at 60th Street from the southwest corner to the northwest corner. The resolution was tabled by the board pending further study. Jessica Rosero can be reached at jrosero@hudsonreporter.com