MIDWEEK BRIEFS

JERSEY CITY – A member of the board of Jersey City’s Liberty Humane Society – which runs an animal shelter in Jersey City that has been the subject of controversy lately – has filed a complaint against a Sussex County man whom he alleges made threats against the board on Facebook.
Over the last few months, the shelter has faced criticism from people who say they have euthanized too many animals, including those that some families have actually attempted to adopt. Shelter directors say the animals euthanized were too dangerous or could not be adopted for other reasons.
The board member who filed the police complaint did so on Nov. 15. He said that in late August, information posted on a Facebook page, the now-defunct “Liberty Humane Society uncensored,” made him feel that his family was in danger. An investigation determined that the threats were made from an AOL account.
A court date of Nov. 29 has been set for the Sussex County man.
“It is shameful that [the man], and those who affiliated themselves with him, chose to use threats to kill or harm board members, staff and their families,” said LHS President Alfred C. Martino. “This was not a question of free speech, but of harassment, designed to instill fear and intimidate us. Our board, staff and volunteers are working hard to serve the Jersey City and Hoboken communities, and have the welfare of our animals at heart, first and foremost. We should not now, or in the future, have to endure this kind of abuse.”
The shelter handles stray animals picked up in Jersey City and Hoboken. Until last year, there were two shelters in Jersey City, but the former SPCA shelter was shut down after state and local inspections showed poor conditions. The animals there were brought to the LHS shelter, which was founded years ago by volunteers.
With the troubled economy, more people have been giving up animals, and most Hudson County towns have faced a problem due to the dearth of shelters in this area to deal with the county’s strays.
For an update on the LHS situation, watch the Jersey City and Hoboken

Woman apparently commits suicide at Pier C in Hoboken

HOBOKEN – Police said Monday that a 40-year-old Belleville woman died this past Saturday after jumping into the water from Pier C, the new park in Hoboken.
The woman was born in Gujarat, India, but lived with her husband and children in Belleville, according to information on the internet.
A service was scheduled for this past Monday at Garden State Crematory, 4101 Kennedy Blvd., North Bergen, NJ at 1 p.m.

Secaucus warehouse employees bound, injured in robbery

SECAUCUS – The Secaucus Police Department this afternoon confirmed the arrest of two individuals in connection with an attempted robbery this morning at the Restaurant Depot at 777 Secaucus Road.
According to Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Corcoran, six Restaurant Depot employees were overpowered and then bound by two suspects at around 6:08 a.m. Monday morning. One of those beaten, according to Corcoran, sustained a cut to his forehead and the back of the head. He was treated at Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center and released.
The would-be robbery was interrupted when another employee arrived for work, saw what was taking place, and alerted police.
The two suspects – Manuel Cavero Lopez, 46, of Jersey City and Victor Pagan, 49, of Bayonne – were apprehended by Secaucus Police officers, with assistance from NJ Transit Police, according to Corcoran.
One Secaucus Police officer injured his knee during a pursuit of one of the suspects. An NJ Transit officer also sustained a sprained ankle. Corcoran said the Secaucus Police officer is “fine.” He did not know the status of the NJ Transit officer.
Lopez and Pagan, who are currently in the custody of Secaucus Police, have been charged with robbery, aggravated assault, and making terroristic threats.
Restaurant Depot sells wholesale supplies to restaurants, caterers, and other food service businesses. – E. Assata Wright

PAC announces 2010 ‘Art for the Park’ fundraiser

Park PAC is proud to announce its second annual “Art for the Park” fundraiser with a community day event and silent art auction. The events will take place at the Park PAC, 560 32nd St. in Union City.
The community day event will take place Dec. 4 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the main lobby. There will be vendor tables, music, food, beverages, arts and crafts, raffles, and performances by Boy Chief 69, belly dancer Caridad Rivera, and many others. There is a suggested donation of $5 at the door to benefit the Children’s Art Program.
The silent art auction will take place Dec. 4 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and will feature works of internationally renowned artists such as John “Crash” Matos, jewelry designer Javiera Magaly, photographer Alexander “Zeus” Huezo, and many other upcoming artists. Music will be provided by DJ Ziggy Roman. All proceeds from art sales and donations support the 2010 Children’s Art Program.
For more information, contact Lily Arango at (201) 238-0025 or e-mail her at art4park@hotmail.com.

‘Green Friday’ Nature Walk and Talk to be held Nov. 26

On Friday, Nov. 26, New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and Bergen County Audubon Society will hold a “Green Friday” Nature Walk and Talk, with the walk from 10 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. and the talk from noon to 1 p.m.
In this free program at DeKorte Park, participants will explore the Marsh Discovery Trail, looking for waterfowl and raptors, and explore other parts of the park as time allows. A bring-your-own brown bag lunch in the Meadowlands Environment Center’s Visitors Center follows. Participants can attend either or both events. Participants will meet outside the Environment Center at 9:45 a.m.
Check meadowblog.net for last-minute weather updates. To reserve a spot, contact Jim Wright at jim.wright@njmeadowlands.gov or call (201) 460-2002.