Check out our website for Stack/Scarafile forum
Last week, The Hudson Reporter hosted its spring 2010 election forum for Union City. A video of the forum is now available at www.hudsonreporter.com. Residents can watch it and leave comments.
Originally, the two men would have been in the same room, answering questions and then rebutting each other. Due to legal claims and civil actions between incumbent Mayor Brian Stack and challenger Frank Scarafile, Mayor Stack’s attorney sent a letter stating that for legal reasons, he advised his client to decline the request for a public debate with his opponent. Scarafile was still willing to debate even though Stack was not.
In order to make sure that both men answered the questions, The Reporter invited both to participate at different times.
Both candidates received the same series of questions and were given two minutes to respond. In addition, they were also given the opportunity to make a two-minute opening statement and a two-minute closing statement at the end.
Days after the debate, Vision 4 Union City Commission candidates Frank Scarafile and Julio Fernandez held a press conference regarding the issue of campaign tone. They complained about “extremely negative” fliers against Scarafile that they said were being mailed to residents in Union City and in Little Ferry, where Scarafile is the schools superintendent.
The election will be held on May 11.
Local shelter featured on Oprah
Palisades Emergency Residence Shelter (PERC) Shelter in Union City was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show on Tuesday in a segment focusing on Malaak Compton-Rock, wife of actor Chris Rock.
Mrs. Rock, known for her philanthropy, visited PERC Shelter along with daughters Lola and Zahra, to highlight the growing problem of the working poor.
The Rock family, who reside in Bergen County, donated and served food at PERC’s nightly Community Dinner, provided toiletry kits, and met with family shelter residents. Lola and Zahra gave toys from their own playroom to benefit local children.
The shelter recently completed a special project for the 2010 U.S. Census to make sure the homeless and displaced were counted.
In addition to working with those at the shelter, Thomas Harrigan, PERC program director, accompanied census workers to visit and count unsheltered people living in outdoor locations in Hudson County.
Last month, the center announced the appointment of a new executive director, Emory A. Edwards from Jersey City.
For more information on the shelter, call (201) 348-8150.
Halt to alleged drug deals on wheels
Police in West New York have reportedly busted a drug dealer who was allegedly operating out of a van on a local street corner on April 9.
A newspaper report said that after receiving a tip about a suspicious van, police set up surveillance in the area of 58th Street and Palisade Avenue, where officers observed a man allegedly conducting a drug deal from his van.
According to the report, the man admitted to selling heroin when he was stopped by police and allowed police to search his van (which was later confiscated), where they found 33 bags of suspected heroin, three hypodermic needles, and 83 methadone pills.
The mobile drug dealer was charged with distribution of heroin, possession of methadone with intent to distribute, and other drug related charges, the newspaper said.
Fundraiser to be held for Autism Awareness
Hudson County Community College’s Beta Alpha Phi chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society will hold a luncheon, “Raise Your Fork Against Autism,” on April 24 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 161 Newkirk St. in the College’s Culinary Arts Institute/Conference Center. New Jersey has the highest autism rate in the country.
All proceeds will benefit the nonprofit organization, Autism New Jersey. Founded in 1965, the organization provides several services, awareness building, and community outreach partnerships.
For more information on Beta Alpha Phi’s “Raise Your Fork Against Autism Luncheon” and to secure tickets, please contact the Hudson County Community College Foundation office at (201) 360-4006 or email Dr. Lloyd Kahn at lkahn@hccc.edu.
Senior trips announced
The West New York Senior Association has announced the following events: May 13, Salute to Big Bands of the 1940s at Royal Manor, bus leaves Hudson Hall at 10 a.m. The cost is $42 for members and $45 for non-members. On June 17, Empire Club Anniversary Party with music by Peter Lieberman. Bus leaves Hudson Hall at noon. Cost for members is $30, for non-members $32.
NJ Transit fares going up, but some good news
Last week NJ Transit’s board of directors approved far increases and service cuts throughout the system. However, some increases that had been planned were scaled back.
Rail fares will go up by 25 percent, while bus and light rail fares will see a 10 percent increase.
The cuts and fare hikes are part of the transit agency’s plan to close a $300 million deficit. About 200 transit employees also will be terminated under the budget-cutting measure.
The changes, which will take effect on May 1, will generate about $140 million in revenue, according to a statement from NJ Transit.