Former Assemblyman Manzo to release info about supposed prosecutorial misconduct in NJ corruption investigation
Former Assemblyman Lou Manzo, who was among those arrested last July in a major government political corruption sting known as “Operation Bid Rig,” said last week that he will hold a press conference Monday to make accusations against the federal government related to their investigation.
Forty-four political and religious leaders, most from New Jersey, were arrested in the sting operation.
The press conference will be held at 11:30 a.m. in Jersey City and will include “Presentment of evidence documenting issues of prosecution misconduct in the Bid Rig III investigation and prosecution,” according to a press release.
Manzo told the Hudson Reporter newspapers (www.hudsonreporter.com) last week that his evidence relates to donations by U.S. Attorney Chris Christie for his gubernatorial campaign, allegedly from attorneys working on the sting. The sting ultimately made Christie’s Democratic gubernatorial opponent look bad.
Hudson County history event
The Hudson County Chamber of Commerce is running a special Hudson County History Series with the first event highlighting “The History of Jersey City” at The Beacon condominiums, 4 Beacon Way (at Montgomery Street and Mill Road) in downtown Jersey City. The event will be held on Tuesday, March 23 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The evening will consist of a historical restoration tour of The Beacon, a collection of art deco buildings built in the 1930s to serve as the Jersey City Medical Center before being converted into an award-winning, luxury mixed-use development. The tour will be given by Ulana Zakalak, the development’s Historic Restoration Consultant.
The tour will be followed by a book signing by Cynthia Harris and Leon Yost, co-authors of the 2010 book “Changing Jersey City: A History in Photographs,” and a lecture on Journal Square history, “A Suspended Place,” given by Dr. Eric Friedman.
Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served. The registration fee is $25 for Hudson County Chamber of Commerce members and $40 for non members. Payment is required upon registration. Convenient valet parking will be available for $5. To register, contact Janet Estremera at (201) 386-0699, ext. 27; email janet.estremera@hudsonchamber.org or visit www.hudsonchamber.org
U.S. Census Q&A at public libraries
The Jersey City Free Public Library presents the U.S. Census at the Main Library and the five Regional branch libraries at selected times and dates in March and April. Census representatives will staff the tables to answer any questions the public has about the upcoming 2010 U.S. Census forms that will be arriving in mid-March.
The March schedule is as follows:
Monday, March 22: 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Greenville Branch Library, 1841 Kennedy Blvd. and Heights Branch Library, 14 Zabriskie St.; 2-5 p.m., Glenn D. Cunningham Branch Library, 275 Martin Luther King Dr. and Five Corners Branch Library, 678 Newark Ave.; 5-8 p.m., Main Library, 472 Jersey Ave.
Tuesday, March 23: 1-4 p.m., Miller Branch Library, 489 Bergen Ave; 5-8 p.m., Greenville Branch Library.
Wednesday, March 24:1-4 p.m., Five Corners Branch Library and Main Library: 5-8 p.m., Glenn D. Cunningham Branch Library and Miller Branch Library.
Thursday, March 25: 5-8 p.m., Heights Branch Library.
Monday, March 29: 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Greenville Branch Library and Heights Branch Library; 2-5 p.m., Glenn D. Cunningham Branch Library, Five Corners Branch Library and Main Library.
Tuesday, March 30: 1-4 p.m., Miller Branch Library; 5-8 p.m., Greenville Branch Library.
Wednesday, March 31: 1-4 p.m., Five Corners Branch Library, and Main Library; 5-8 p.m., Glenn D. Cunningham Branch Library and Miller Branch Library.
Museum presents art workshops
Jersey City Museum is holding Adult Workshops at JCM starting this coming Saturday, March 20. In this series of three workshops, participants will explore the museum’s current exhibitions, have the opportunity to learn art-making techniques, and discuss issues in contemporary art with professional artists in a small-group setting.
The program’s schedule is as follows:
• Life Drawing with Michelle Loughlin, director of Education and Public Programming at JCM; Saturday, March 20, 1 to 4 p.m.
• Painting Tips and Techniques with Jennifer Mazza; Saturday, March 27, 1 to 4 p.m.
• Photo Talk with Roger Sayre; Saturday, April 24, 1 to 4 p.m.
The program will take place on select Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. in March and April, 2010. Admission is $5 per person for members, and $7 per person for non-members. Pre-registration required. Call (201) 413-0303 Ext. 116 or email nstoler@jerseycitymuseum.org to register.
Christ Hospital to host annual public meeting
Officials at Christ Hospital invite the community to attend it’s Annual Public Meeting on Wednesday, March 24 from 5:30-7 p.m. in the hospital’s staff room, at 176 Palisade Ave., Jersey City.
Peter Kelly, president and CEO; Rev. Geoffrey Curtiss, chair, Board of Trustees, and other hospital leaders will provide information about hospital services, recent achievements, and will discuss current challenges and new opportunities.
Members of the public will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback. Registration is not required for this FREE event, but those interested in attending are kindly asked to call (201) 795-8619 by March 22, as seating is limited. Light refreshments will be served.
Free screening/counseling for depression
The Metropolitan Family Health Network will hold free screening/counseling for depression this Thursday, March 18, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at its clinic, 935 Garfield Ave., Jersey City.
For further information or to make an appointment, call Elsa Arellano, LCSW (201) 478-5882.