Not with my money they didn’t!
A resident of Xchange at Secaucus Junction was angered to learn recently that she and her neighbors had been credited with buying a new fire truck for the town – to the tune of $29,000.
At a Town Council meeting held earlier this month, while reporting on the purchase of the truck, Councilman and Fire Department liaison Jim Clancy said “the residents of Exchange” had put up the money to buy a small fire truck that can better navigate the narrow streets within their housing development.
But the resident challenged this account in an e-mail to the Reporter, writing: “As a resident of the Xchange, we were never asked to donate for a fire truck. Even if we were (through some random intercom message…which is how the Xchange management likes to communicate), I HIGHLY doubt we would have raised that kind of money.”
When pressed about the source of the money last week, Clancy clarified that the $29,000 came from “Halpern,” as in Jeremy Halpern, vice president of Atlantic Realty, who also heads Fraternity Meadows. Fraternity Meadows, a subsidiary of Atlantic Realty, is the developer of the Xchange project.
No laughing matter
On Friday, April 23, at around 7:45 p.m., officers from the Secaucus Police Department shut down an illegal club on Meadowlands Parkway, according to town officials.
About 200 would-be patrons stood outside 24 Meadowlands Parkway waiting for a comedy show that was scheduled to begin later that evening.
“The building owner tried to get [state and local approvals] for this to be a club, but she was denied,” said Mayor Michael Gonnelli.
The owner, the mayor added, does not have a liquor license. However, when cops entered the building, they discovered a bar. A buffet had also been set up for the event.
About 600 tickets were sold for what was billed as a comedy show featuring Earthquake, a popular comedian, Gonnelli said.
“People had bought tickets through TicketWeb, and they were expecting as many as 800 people,” he added.
No arrests were made and the 200 or so patrons who arrived early left peacefully, according to the mayor.
Town officials were alerted to the show after a resident drove past the building and noticed a marquee outside advertising the event. This resident then called Gonnelli, who alerted the police department.
The building owner is now facing more than $30,000 in fines, according to Gonnelli.
Correction
Our publication incorrectly identified the winner of the “Best Single Ad Any Size, Multi-Spot or Full,” created for Bayonne Medical Center by The Hudson Reporter. The award winning ad, “David vs Goliath,” was in fact designed by Spot On! Creative Group LLC. of Montclair, N.J. We apologize for any confusion and congratulate Spot On! Creative Group on their campaign.
“We appreciate the honor and are proud of our team for conceiving and producing this compelling ad,” said Kevin Riedy, partner and creative director.
Blood drive
Community Blood Services will hold a blood drive on Thursday, May 20 at the Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center to help meet the needs of area patients who require transfusions.
All blood types are needed, especially Type 0- and 0+. Healthy individuals between the ages of 17 and 75, who weigh at least 110 pounds can give blood. Donors should eat a moderate meal before donating and must bring a photo ID that includes their signature. All donors will also receive complimentary cholesterol and glucose screenings.
To schedule an appointment to donate, please call Community Blood Services at (201) 251-3703. The Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center is located at 1379 Paterson Plank Road, Secaucus.
Driver safety class for seniors
The AARP, Liberty Health, and Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center will again offer New Jersey residents a Driver Safety Program.
The course, which will include classroom instruction on defensive driving and other techniques, has the potential to both reduce points on drivers licenses, with the approval of NJ Motor Vehicles, and could also earn a participant a rebate from auto insurance companies.
Although AARP is co-sponsoring the program, participants do not need to be members of the group to take part in the course.
The next course will take place on Tuesday, May 18 and Thursday, May 20 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center, 55 Meadowlands Parkway, Secaucus. There is a $12 fee per person and attendance is required both days for any of the benefits to be valid. For more information, call (201) 392-3266.