Union City mourns 6-month-old girl killed in freak accident
A Union City family was posing for a photo at the zoo in Central Park with their 6-month-old daughter Saturday when a tree branch suddenly fell on them, killing the girl instantly.
The baby’s mother, Karla Del Gallo, 33, tried to get away from the falling branch, but it was too late. The baby, Gianna Ricciutti, was not moving after the branch fell on the pair. The two were posing while the father, Mike Ricciutti, 41, was trying to take a picture, according to news reports.
The mother was in stable condition.
A nearby nurse performed CPR on the scene, but was not able to resuscitate the infant. The baby was pronounced dead at New York Presbyterian Hospital.
Several tree limb accidents have injured and killed people in New York City this year.
UC native named poet laureate
According to the New York Times, internationally renowned and two-time Pulitzer Prize winning poet W.S. Merwin – who grew up on the corner of Fourth Street and New York Avenue in Union City – was to be announced as the nation’s poet laureate on Thursday by the Library of Congress.
Merwin succeeds Kay Ryan as the nation’s 17th poet laureate.
Over the past six decades, the Union City native has written over 30 books of poetry, translation, and prose.
In 2006, Merwin was immortalized on the streets of Union City when officials dedicated the area of Fourth Street where he once lived “W.S. Merwin Way.” At the dedication he read his poem “Before the Flood,” which mentions his Union City home.
Merwin, 82, now lives in Hawaii on a former pineapple plantation on top of a dormant volcano.
WNY PD announces promotions
On July 1, five members of the West New York Police Department were promoted during a ceremony at the West New York Middle School gym. Lieutenant Santiago Cabrera was promoted to Captain, Sergeant Edmond Monti Jr. was promoted to Lieutenant, Officer Sammy Lara was promoted to Sergeant, Officer Jackson Perez was promoted to Sergeant, and Officer Jose Arroyo was promoted to Sergeant.
According to a press release from the town, the promotions of highly-qualified officers are part of a solid strategy of keeping the town safe and secure. All of the newly promoted officers will be giving up their salaries differential for a year.
Block party and concert to be held for residents
A neighborhood concert and block party will be held on July 6 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on 49th Street between Palisade and Hudson avenues in Union City.
There will be live music by “Rumba & Fuego,” clowns, a show and activities for kids, and free hot dogs and soda. Admission is free and chairs are provided. Everyone is invited to attend.
New art exhibit at UC City Hall
The city of Union City will host their July art exhibit at the Union City Art Gallery at City Hall on July 7 at 6 p.m.
The event will feature a live music performance and an art exhibit by artists Benjamin Roman, Fernando Santos, and Alma Peralta. Refreshments will be served and admission to the event is free.
The Union City Gallery at City Hall features different artists in monthly exhibits. Artists that would like to be included in future exhibits should contact the Union City Office of Public Affairs at (201) 348-5746 for more details.
Senior Citizens will have their own day at the Pool
July 7 will be Senior Citizens Picnic Day at the Pool from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Firefighter’s Memorial Park Swimming Pool, Palisade Avenue and Ninth Street in Union City.
The event is free to all seniors residing in Union City. Attendees should bring their swimsuit and a towel, a free lunch will be provided.
Senior transportation will be provided beginning at 9 a.m. from various locations throughout the city.
For more information, call the Senior Affairs Office at (201) 348-5701.
Police Officer examination applications available in UC
Eligible residents can apply to become a member of the Union City Police Department by picking up the application at City Hall to initiate the testing phase of the evaluation process. Completed applications must be received at the application processing center by Aug. 31.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and cannot be over 35 years of age as of Aug. 31, 2010. Applicants must be citizens of the United States, must be high school or vocational high school graduates, or possess an approved High School Equivalent Certificate, possess a valid New Jersey driver’s license, and successfully pass thorough medical and psychiatric screenings.
Hospital bill sponsored by Stack approved by Senate
A bill introduced by NJ State Sen. and Union City Mayor Brian Stack earlier this month related to hospital disclosure – after his mother had problems with a hospital during her radiation treatment – was approved on Monday by the full Senate.
The legislation will require hospitals to hold quarterly public board meetings with time set aside for public participation.
“Hospitals, especially those receiving taxpayer funding, should be accountable to the community members they serve,” said Stack in a press release statement. “The board meetings required under this bill will ensure just that, giving residents more regular access to top hospital officials and providing them an opportunity to ask questions or voice concerns about care.”
Stack introduced the bill (S-2020) after discovering first-hand the difficulty of getting answers from a local hospital, that cancelled his mother’s radiation treatment for lung cancer the morning of her appointment.
After making several phone calls, the senator learned he was unable – in his individual capacity – to address board members at Hackensack University Medical Center to inquire about hospital policy. Stack said he believes countless others are experiencing similar problems at hospitals across the state.
“I’m particularly concerned about some of our most vulnerable residents who have nowhere to turn when they encounter roadblocks in their attempt to get information,” said Stack in the release. “Attending a public board meeting would be a last resort, but at the very least it would provide a method of recourse for people who are stonewalled.”
Current state law requires hospitals to hold just one public meeting a year. The bill would require all hospitals receiving state or federal funding to hold a quarterly public meeting of their boards of trustees. They would have to provide public notice of the meeting at least 14 days in advance by posting a written notice in a public location of the hospital and on the hospital’s Web site.
The Senate approved the bill by a vote of 36-3. It now heads to the Assembly for consideration.
Volunteers sought to help abused and neglected children
Hudson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is currently recruiting volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children. CASA and its volunteers speak for children in court, serve as fact finders for the judges and safeguard the interests of the children while they are in the foster care system.
Information sessions regarding the program and the role of its volunteers will be held on July 13 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Room 901 of the Hudson County Administration Building at 595 Newark Avenue in Jersey City.
For more information, call (201) 795-9855, e-mail mveenhof@hudsoncountycasa.org or visit www.hudsoncountycasa.org.