Union City elected Commissioner and Hudson County Freeholder Tilo Rivas was born in the Dominican Republic to loving parents Maria and Inocencio, now deceased, and came to Hoboken in 1970, and moved to Union City in 1992. Commissioner Rivas also tells us that he has a sister Angela and a brother Celso who still live in the Dominican Republic, and a brother Antonio who lives in Union City. Freeholder Rivas further tells us that another sister Vilia, and a brother Hernan, like his loving parents, are also both deceased. Presently, he is married to his lovely wife Marianela, and he has two sons Kenneth and Daniel, from a previous marriage. Commissioner and Freeholder Rivas tells us that he is employed in private industry for Kraft Foods in East Hanover, N.J. which is part of the Nabisco company and Maxwell House, which was formerly in Hoboken. Thus, Commissioner/Freeholder Rivas is currently a research and development team member for the Growth Group of Kraft Foods, Inc., as he is officially situated management-wise!
A former member of the Union City Board of Education for one year, Commissioner Rivas became elected to the Union City Board of Commissioners in 2002, in charge of the Department of Public Affairs. As of 2006, he became in charge of the Department of Public Works, and enjoys the new assignment. In 2004, he was elected to the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and currently serves as the board’s vice chairman. Now as an elected city commissioner and county freeholder, this columnist asked him hypothetically, that if he stayed in Hoboken, and never moved to Union City, what direction would his career have taken him??? Commissioner/Freeholder Rivas wondered himself at the question, but is glad that the direction led to elected office(s), because this is where he has done the most good in people’s lives, and he cares deeply about helping people better themselves, and helping them as their elected public servant! Service to the people he represents means a lot to him, and he does not want to let them down!
When asked about his freeholder duties, Freeholder Rivas states that he has been working with the Freeholder Board as chairman of their Educational Committee, and has been working on getting a Hudson County Community College site in Union City, and is hopeful that construction will be completed by September, 2009 at Kennedy Boulevard and 47th/48th streets. Furthermore, he is hopeful that a library at the college site will be used for the community too, meaning Union City, North Bergen, West New York, and all of North Hudson County. Moreover, he is also looking forward to a Walking Bridge to the Light Rail Station/Connection for the community to use! Meanwhile, Freeholder Rivas is also hopeful in his pursuit of building a Pedestrian Bridge on Kennedy Boulevard and 32nd Street, from Union City to North Bergen, so that people can travel safely from one shopping area to another. This Hudson County Freeholders Project is in its planning stages right now, Freeholder Rivas states!
When asked about leisure time, if any, Commissioner/Freeholder Rivas has been a Judo Instructor for 20 years at the Myma Ryu School in the Bronx, New York City, as well as in New Jersey. Commissioner/Freeholder Rivas proudly states that he holds a First Degree Black Belt in Judo; a Sixth Degree Black Belt in Ju Jitsu; and a First Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, and works-out at his private gym in the privacy of his own residence! As for music, he likes classical music, Latin music, and the music of Andrea Boccelli andSarah Brightman. As for community awards, Commissioner/Freeholder Rivas states that he was the recipient of the Save Latin America Award in 2006, and really identified with it! He has also received an award from the Dominican Republic for Excelling in Working for Committees Overseas! As for the city of Union City administration, he is proud to be part of it, as they all work together for the common good, especially in recreation projects for the community! They are a team, exclaims Commissioner Rivas! So readers, why is Tilo good medicine??? Well, Commissioner/Freeholder Rivas tells us that the word “tilo” is the botanical name of a “healing plant,” that is used to heal anxiety, and thus, he is well named, as he likes to heal problems in his community. Therefore, Commissioner/Freeholder Tilo Rivas is Good Medicine for Union City and Hudson County! TILO, all the best!!! ………
Secaucus residents Sofia Soto, and Kristina Vega, were recently named to the dean’s list at Fairleigh Dickinson University/Teaneck Campus. Leaders of tomorrow, make us proud!!! ……
Isabel Nieto Canon of North Bergen, wife of Adrian Cepero, and daughter of Andres and Blanca Nieto, has been inducted into the Beta Alpha Phi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, which is the oldest honor society serving two-year colleges. Congratulations! ……
Reverend James P. Whelan, pastor of Saint Lawrence Roman Catholic Parish in Weehawken, has been appointed Dean of the Hudson Central Deanery, Deanery 9, for a 5-year term, announced Archbishop John J. Myers, of the Archdiocese of Newark. Best wishes Father Whelan! ………
West New York elected Commissioner Lawrence Riccardi tells us that he and his lovely wife Diane will be celebrating their 39th wedding anniversary this June 28, 2009. Many happy returns of your day!!! ………
Former Guttenberg Mayor Anthony Ralffaele and his lovely wife Rose, this past month on May, 2009 celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary, and once again received another fruit basket from Guttenberg School Teacher Bruce Nicoletta, who never forgets their anniversary! To the Raffaeles, may you both have many, many more anniversaries!!! ………
Readers, recently a reader asked this columnist if I knew of a good mathematical astrologer who they could contact? Well, I do know of a former Bayonneite, who also traversed Union City and West New York during his Hudson County days, and is now the founder of the Academy of Astrology in Clifton, N.J. His name is Steven Joseph Sinopoli, who has studied the subject for over 32-years! He has also been on television and radio. He can be reached at 1-(973) 778-1232. By the way, to the lovely lady who asked for this information, as well as my own astrological sign; well, I am an Aries! Best wishes in you quest!
And so it goes …… until next time …… see you around town …… MATT
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*(Readers who would like to contribute to this column can do so, by mailing your news items, along with your name, address, and telephone number to Matthew Amato, columnist, c/o The Hudson Reporter, 1400 Washington St, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030.)*