Poll generates response, more conversation
Last week, the online version of the story “To ‘V’ or not to ‘V’ – Free vaccinations offered, controversy continues” included a poll on our website asking readers: Do you think parents should be able to choose which vaccinations their children receive?
Over 200 people responded to our unofficial poll and several left comments on the issue as well. You can check out the results at www.hudsonreporter.com. Look for the story under “Union City News” or “West New York News.”
Polls will continue to be added to Reporter articles covering hot topics, so be sure to check out our website every week to give your vote and voice your opinions!
Sen. Stack drafts legislation for uniform costs to obtain hospital records
The office of State Sen. Brian Stack announced on Aug. 17 that has Stack drafted legislation to help give patients access to copies of their hospital treatment records at more uniform, reasonable costs.
Specifically, the bill creates a fee structure in accordance with the Open Public Records Act. Currently, the law says that “reasonable” fees may be charged, which creates differing fees and lacks regulation, as no specific fee amounts have been mandated by law.
“My office was receiving reports of hospitals charging different fees for the same types of information,” said Stack in a released statement. “In some cases, the fees were exorbitant.”
According to a press release, the bill provides that a general hospital may require that requests for a copy of the patient’s treatment record at the hospital be in writing.
The hospital is not to charge an amount that exceeds $0.75 for the first through the 10th page, $0.50 for the 11th through the 20th page, and $0.25 for all pages over 20.
The hospitals may also charge postage as applicable and an additional fee (which exceeds the rates above) for the reproduction of x-rays or other material that cannot be routinely copied or duplicated on a commercial photocopy machine.
But the additional fees for such items can be no more than the actual cost of reproducing those materials or any fee charged to the hospital to retrieve those materials from another person or entity, as applicable.
Stack said that the proposed fee structure is designed to assist patients who need to gain access to important records regarding their healthcare without encountering excessive fees to obtain that vital information.
HC arts organizations awarded over $200K in grants
At its annual meeting on Aug. 17, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts announced the award of $249,973 in grants to Hudson County arts organizations, programs, and projects for Fiscal Year 2011. The recipients included Park Theatre Performing Arts, Inc. in Union City ($17, 283), Jersey City Museum ($77,211), The Kennedy Dancers ($15,000), the Actors Shakespeare Company at New Jersey City University ($13,642), Thomas A. Edison Media Arts Consortium ($15,928), Schola Cantorum on Hudson ($9,630), and a matching grant to the Hudson County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs ($101,279).
In total, the council awarded $15,560,823 in grants throughout the state to support nearly 800 arts organizations, programs, projects, and artists in every county across the state. The Council receives funding in direct appropriations from the State of New Jersey through a dedicated Hotel/Motel Occupancy fee as well as grants from the National Endowment for the Arts.
For more information about the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, please visit www.njartscouncil.org. Further information regarding the arts is found on an interactive web site (http://www.jerseyarts.com) and available on a toll-free hotline (1-800-THE ARTS).
St. Augustine’s invites Hudson County community to feast
On Aug. 29, St. Augustine’s Church in Union City will hold their annual feast honoring their patron saint, Saint Augustine, with events from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The parish invites residents from Union City as well as the neighboring communities of West New York, Weehawken, Hoboken, and North Bergen.
There will be music, food, folkloric dances, games, and prizes. An anniversary mass will also take place at 5:30 p.m., celebrated by Bishop Thomas Donato DD, regional bishop of Hudson County.
A 50/50 will also be held with all proceeds going toward the renovation of the church.
The events will take place in the church’s parking lot. The church is located at 3900 New York Avenue in Union City.
For more information, contact the parish at (201) 863-0233.
‘Rosario and Her Stars’ return to UC for Concert
The City of Union City will present the show Rosario and Her Stars in concert, a beautiful and fun show for children, on Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. at Juan Pablo Duarte Park, New York Avenue and 33rd Street in Union City.
Admission is free and refreshments will be served. Everyone from the community is invited to attend.
UC to host first ever film premiere in the city
This week, MeLu Films announced the upcoming world premiere release of the film “Vampire in Union City,” an independent art film filmed entirely on location in the City of Union City.
On Sept. 7 at 7 p.m., a free screening for general audiences will be held at the Union City Performing Arts Center, 2500 Kennedy Boulevard as part of Union City’s Celebrate Art Month. Admission to the screening will be free and refreshments will be served.
“Vampire in Union City” is a production of MeLu Films in conjunction with El Gitano Discreto Productions.
In the film, a demented man obsessed with death and the living dead roams the City of Union City presuming his lecherous quest can be satisfied. His loneliness and vagabond state leads him to complete insanity and desperation.
“Vampire in Union City” is directed by Lucio Fernandez and written by Gerard Karabin with concept by Lucio Fernandez. It features various prominent artists from the Union City artist community and surrounding areas including Amado Mora, Frank Bernal, Jay Gonzalez “The Actor of Poetry”, Ana Unna, Elmer Salmeron, Lisbelkis Santana, Rosalia Castro, Leonel “Papo” Ortega, Priscilla Arevalo, Lilia Veiga, Laura Chaneski, Saulo Diaz, Jose Muñoz, violinist Eric Grossman, and TapOlé Dance Company, among others.
The film will premiere in Union City prior to being submitted to horror film festivals worldwide.
For more information, visit www.UnionCityPAC.com.
Sheriff announces ‘Click it or Ticket’ results
Hudson County Sheriff Juan M. Perez announced recently that the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office brought in the most seat belt summonses in the state during its “Click it or Ticket” campaign.
Sheriffs wrote 2,133 tickets between May 24 and June 6.