What do you really think of young leaders?
The online version of the story “Nothin’ but a number – Young residents take on government responsibilities despite age” on Sept. 12 included a poll on our website asking readers: Do you think age matters when it comes to government leadership?
Several people responded to our unofficial poll with their opinion, and you can check out the results at www.hudsonreporter.com. Look for the story under “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!
WNY teen faces trial as adult for murder
A West New York boy who was charged in a fatal beating earlier this year will be prosecuted as an adult for the murder of 29-year-old Abraham Rivera of West New York.
This week, Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio confirmed that West New York resident Kevin Linares, who is now 17, is being charged as an adult in the case.
Rivera, who worked as a busboy at a restaurant in Union City, was found bloody and unconscious in the early hours of June 6, without identification and his pockets turned inside out, outside of an internet café located on 61st Street.
It is believed that he was walking home from his Saturday night shift when he was attacked.
Rivera sustained blunt force trauma to the head, neck, and face, and died within hours of being taken to the hospital.
Four days later, the teenage suspect turned himself in after a massive search had been launched, and he was charged with felony murder and robbery.
Now being prosecuted as an adult, the teen will face more severe punishment if convicted.
Although at one point during the investigation DeFazio had mentioned other young individuals may have been involved in the attack, on Thursday he said that Linares is the only individual charged and investigators do no anticipate any other arrests in the matter.
Vega cries ‘deadbeat’ in WNY; Roque retorts with hand-delivered check
The West New York Democratic Committee released a statement Wednesday alleging that Dr. Felix Roque, who led the recall effort by the Together We Can group in West New York earlier this year that ultimately failed, has not yet paid $2,652 in legal fees that a New Jersey Superior Court ordered Roque to pay in August.
However, Roque responded on Wednesday afternoon by saying that he received the letter ordering the payment on Aug. 31, and paid it two weeks ago on Sept. 8.
“I am calling on Mr. Roque to live up to his legal obligations and pay this bill immediately,” said West New York Mayor Silverio “Sal” Vega in a released statement that Vega called a “friendly reminder.”
“He is showing himself to be nothing more than a deadbeat,” continued Vega. “Not only should he pay the monies ordered by the judge, he should also reimburse West New York for the nearly $100,000 of hard-earned taxpayer money he wasted in this ridiculous recall fraud.”
Upon hearing Vega’s statement, Roque offered to stop payment on the first check and personally carried it to Town Hall.
“This is more like a political ploy to tarnish my image,” said Roque. “Mr .Vega must be very desperate or the town is in crisis due to his ineptitude.”
Roque added that he still plans to run for mayor of West New York in 2011.
Classical concert and historic marker unveiling to be held on Saturday
On Sept. 25 at noon, Union City will honor entrepreneur, artist, and Union City resident William Joseph Peter with a historical marker unveiling ceremony at Hudson Avenue and Peter Street, where the William Joseph Peter Brewery was once located.
Friends and family of William Joseph Peter will be present, and live music will be provided by the Alan Quinn Orchestra.
The event marks the fifth historical marker placed in Union City to honor those persons who have made historical contributions to the city and to society as a whole.
And at 7 p.m. on Saturday night, award-winning pianist Juan Carlos Escudero will perform classical compositions as well as some jazz and contemporary selections during a free concert in the Union City Performing Arts Center, 2500 Kennedy Blvd.
Free parking will be available at the 23rd Street Parking Deck.
Everyone in the community is invited to attend both events.
Registration begins for free performing arts classes
The Grace Theatre Workshop, Inc. will hold registration for its professional theatre training program for children ages 10 and up on Sept. 28, 29, and 30 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Jose Marti Freshman Academy, 1800 Summit Ave. in Union City.
The program provides unlimited free classes in ballet, jazz, flamenco, salsa, tap/rhythm, singing, and acting.
To register, kids must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Due to a limited amount of open spaces, only kids who demonstrate true interest and commitment to the program will be accepted. All classes are free, and no special clothing or equipment is needed; however there is a registration fee of $25 per student.
Adult classes in salsa and acting in Spanish are also offered at no cost.
For more information, call (201) 864-7149 or visit www.GraceTheatre.com.
Genealogical society to hold meeting at history fair
The Hudson County Genealogical Society proudly announces that the annual “Family History Month” meeting will be held in conjunction with the Hudson County History Fair, which will be held on Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Hudson County Community College Culinary Building, 161 Newkirk St. in Jersey City.
The speaker for the meeting will be Tony Lauriano, who will be speaking from 11 a.m. to noon on “Writing Your Family History.” Attendees are suggested to arrive at least 15 minutes prior. For further details about the fair, visit www.HudsonCountyNJGenealogy.org.
UC announces dates for neighborhood public safety meetings
Union City will be holding various “Special Public Safety Neighborhood Meetings” throughout the city in the coming weeks, which all residents are invited to attend.
The meetings will provide an opportunity to discuss the latest developments surrounding public safety initiatives in Union City communities, crime prevention, as well as personal and property protection. The meetings, which will last approximately one hour, will be held on the following dates at these locations:
Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. at Bella Vista Apartments Recreation Room, 522 22nd St.; Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at Robert Waters School, 2800 Summit Ave.; Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. at Jefferson School, 3400 Palisade Ave.; Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. at Pavilion at Union City Housing Authority, 39th Street and Kennedy Boulevard.; Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. at Roosevelt School, 4507 Hudson Ave.; Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. at Islamic Education Center, 4613 Cottage Pl.
For more information, call (201) 348-5755.
Board of Commissioners continues roving meetings
Upcoming meetings of the Union City Board of Commissioners will be held on the following dates and at the following locations. All residents are encouraged to attend and voice their concerns and offer suggestions.
Oct. 5 at 7 p.m., Robert Waters Elementary School, 2800 Summit Ave.; Oct. 19 at 7 p.m., Jefferson School, 3400 Palisade Ave.; Nov. 3 at 7 p.m., Roosevelt School, 4507 Hudson Ave.
For more information, call (201) 348-5755.
UC “Vampire” continues its bite
“Vampire in Union City,” an independent art film shot completely on location in Union City, is getting ready for its worldwide tour of film festivals by taking a bite out of the “Big Apple” with a screening at the Queens Museum of Art, located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in New York City on Oct. 10 at 5:30 p.m.
A question and answer session with the creators of the film will follow the screening.
Locally, the film will also air on Cablevision Channel 19 for four consecutive Sundays at 11:00 p.m. beginning on Oct. 3.
For more information, visit www.MeLuFilms.com.
Panasonic to host local electronics recycling collection
On Saturday, Oct. 2 Panasonic will host a free consumer electronics recycling collection event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Panasonic will accept a broad range of electronics, including TVs, VCRs, stereos, video monitors, computers, printers, cell phones, and other items at its corporate campus, located at 50 Meadowlands Parkway in Secaucus.
Regional Fire once again cannot hire
North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue (NHRFR) has again been barred from hiring after a U.S. District Court Judge reversed a previous decision in a NAACP lawsuit, decision the company’s lawyer said will be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals.
NHRFR Chairperson and Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner said the company had been hoping to hire by the end of this year, so they could be prepared for summer overtime. He said these plans would now have to be reevaluated according to the new court decision, which once again mandates that the Regional must hire from a tri-county list. They can only hire from a Civil Service Commission list that includes Hudson, Bergen, and Essex County residents.
NHRFR covers the five North Hudson towns of North Bergen, Guttenberg, Union City, West New York, and Weehawken.
The NAACP sued the NHRFR in 2007 alleging that its requirement that its members live in the towns it serves unfairly discriminated against African-Americans.
Turner said it is unfair that residents and taxpayers of North Hudson would now not be able to compete for jobs. He also said a clearer policy on residency restrictions is needed. NHRFR Attorney Thomas R. Kobin said the judge’s decision was a double standard, since many communities from Bergen and Essex County, like Newark, Hillside, and East Orange, have their own residency requirements in place.
“We are very disappointed in the judge’s ruling and the fact that he changed his mind from the previous ruling, and we find it a little bewildering that we have to deal with the flip-flop,” said Turner.
The new decision resurrects a preliminary injunction against hiring imposed in February 2009. After NHRFR appealed his decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals, the case was remanded back to Debevoise.
He vacated the preliminary injunction and gave NHRFR the power to hire in April. However,
Kobin said that recently NHRFR had made a motion for summary judgment in the NHRFR’s favor, but Debevoise instead granted a partial summary judgment to the NAACP, reinstituting the hiring freeze.
Kolbin believed the Regional had a “sound basis” to appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals within the next week or so.