After serving the Guttenberg Police Department for 22 years – with 11 years as a patrol officer, nine years as a sergeant and two and a half years as the town’s lieutenant – Joel Magenheimer was promoted to the rank of captain at Guttenberg’s last council meeting.
Director of Public Safety Michael Caliguiro said at the Feb. 23 meeting that Magenheimer was one of the most dedicated lieutenants he has ever worked with, and since working with him, he has realized how much he cares about the residents and public safety.
“He’s a great guy, and my wife wonders why I spend so much time up here,” said Caliguiro. “She thinks I have a girlfriend; I’m with Magenheimer.”
Magenheimer thanked his wife Debbie for always standing by him, and thanked his two daughters, five grandchildren, the Police Department, friends, and residents.
“I stand here extremely honored,” said Magenheimer.
More than 100 residents and family members packed into Guttenberg’s council chambers to see Magenheimer, Sgt. Juan Barrera, and Police Officer Joseph Keselica receive their new badges.
Mayor Gerald Drasheff said that it was essential for the department to fill these ranks.
“We’re in a difficult time in our country, [and] we all know that you can’t turn on a television or radio or pick up a newspaper without reading about bad news, and it’s particularly gratifying to be able to see these promotions tonight,” said Drasheff. “I think it reminds me that despite what’s going on outside of this building, life has to go on.”
Other officers promoted
Drasheff said that it was necessary to fill the rank of sergeant after one of the veteran officers retired.
Juan Barrera has been a Guttenberg police officer for 12 years and is in charge of the department’s investigative unit.
He is married with two children, and his brother is a police officer for West New York. Barrera attended both St. Peter’s College and Kane University.
Joseph Keselica, who has been on the force for the last two and a half years as a special police officer, was promoted to the full rank of officer at the ceremony.
Drasheff said that the department is really able to see what an individual is made of when they work as a special officer. After being able to evaluate Keselica for a few years, Drasheff said that the department was confident in him because they’ve “seen him out in the streets.”
After the police promotions, Caliguiro announced that January’s officer of the month was Investigator Michael Meawad, for his work in cracking a graffiti case two months ago that led to four arrests.
150th town anniversary
Drasheff announced that the town will be celebrating its 150th anniversary on March 9, and that a small ceremony will be held at Anna L. Klein School to kick off celebrations that will go well into the summer.
At 9:30 a.m., students will recount Guttenberg’s history, and long-time residents of the town will be invited to the celebration.
“We hope this to be a memorable year and for everyone to have an appreciation for the history of Guttenberg,” said Drasheff.
Bids for park; grant money
The council also announced at the meeting they are officially accepting bids for the future waterfront park and hope to award a contract in March.
The council also passed a resolution to apply for $5 million from the Hudson County Open Space Trust Fund for the design and construction of a community center, to be located where a city-owned apartment building currently stands at 300-302 68th St.
A few tenants still remain in the building, which eventually will be torn down if funding for the center can be secured. Drasheff mentioned during the caucus that a tenant has not been paying their rent and that their security deposit had already been taken for back rent by the previous owner of the property. Town Attorney Charles Daglian said that if the rent payments weren’t up to date he would take the individual to court.
The town also applied for $750,000 from the open space trust fund, which would be put toward refurbishing a baseball/softball field that the town leases from North Bergen in James J. Braddock Park.