MIDWEEK BRIEFS

6/18/09

Share ‘green drinks’ with environmentalists

The Hoboken Quality of Life Coalition’s Committee for a Green Hoboken has invited everyone to join them for their second Hoboken Green Drinks event.
Every month, people who are interested in environmental issues meet up at informal sessions known as Green Drinks. Expect a lively mix of professionals from business, non-profits, academia, and government. It’s a great way of catching up with people you know and also for making new contacts. Everyone invites someone else along, so there’s always a different crowd, making Green Drinks an organic, self-organizing network. These events are very simple and unstructured, but many people have found employment, made friends, developed new ideas, done deals and had moments of serendipity. The next event is June 16, 6 to 8 p.m., with drink specials. Place is the Dubliner, 96 River St. (at First) in Hoboken, on the second floor.
For more information please feel free to email me julietecza@gmail.com.

County furloughs rescinded

Furloughs scheduled June 29 for Hudson County employees were rescinded today, according to a notice sent to each employee by Patrick Sheil, personnel director. Employees protested at the June 11 meeting of the Hudson County Freeholders. The county had proposed the furloughs to coincide with Gov. Jon Corzine’s proposed furloughs of state workers. The county effort was expected to save as much as $300,000.

Secaucus tax office investigation continues

Members of the Secaucus Town Council were briefed last week on the status of an investigation being conducted into the Secaucus Tax Collector’s Office. Three weeks ago, an audit discovered monetary discrepancies in that office, and Tax Collector Alan Bartolozzi was suspended with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.
The probe will attempt to determine whether the discrepancies are related to Bartolozzi or simply a bookkeeping matter.
Bartolozzi, who did not respond to several calls to his Secaucus home last week seeking comment, has been the town’s tax collector since 1985.
The discovery of the irregularities also coincided with the introduction of a new in-house computer system, which may have helped catch discrepancies in the Tax Office.
Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio has also confirmed that he has met with a representative from a town employees’ union in connection with the ongoing investigation.
At present, the investigation remains based in Secaucus and is not a criminal investigation. DeFazio said he has met once with Town Administrator David Drumeler and expects to meet again in the coming weeks with him and auditors from Suplee, Clooney & Company, the external auditing firm currently reviewing the Tax Collector’s Office.

Healthcare workers reach tentative agreement with Bayonne Medical Center

Negotiations between the healthcare workers’ union representing 850 workers and Bayonne Medical Center finally produced a tentative agreement Sunday night, after two months of negotiations, three extended contract deadlines, and a three-day lockout of workers ended by political pressure and an inadequate staffing plan by the hospital.
“This agreement reflects the determination of our members at Bayonne to insist on standards for their working conditions and for patient care,” said Ann Twomey, president of the statewide HPAE. “We significantly improved on proposals turned down by the members only 10 days ago.” The tentative agreement maintains seniority rights and severance pay in case of layoffs for members, and establishes a new 3-year contract. The details will be withheld until the tentative agreement is presented for a vote by the members of the Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE) on Thursday.

Culinary Arts Scholarships available

Scholarship funding is available for qualified students to participate in the newly expanded Restaurant Operations Program, a partnership between Hudson County Community College Culinary Arts Institute and the Jersey City Employment and Training Program (JCETP). The initiative is designed to train students, ages 18 to 24, who have their high school diploma or who have a GED.
Students who successfully complete the program will earn eight college credits that can be applied to an Associate’s degree from the college and will be awarded a Certificate of Completion from the HCCC Culinary Arts Institute. Students can also receive ServSafe certification from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.
HCCC’s Culinary Arts Institute is one of just two programs in the New York City area to be accredited by the American Culinary Federation Accrediting Commission.
Those interested in applying are encouraged to contact JCETP at (201) 217-7141, or by visiting their offices at 895 Bergen Avenue in Jersey City. Classes begin in July.

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