HOBOKEN BRIEFS


Prescription drug savings program coming to Hoboken

A new prescription drug savings program will launch this week in Hoboken, according to a city press release.
The Coast2Coast Rx card will allow all city residents to participate in the program and “save on the cost of their medications.”
The city was approached by the Heinz Foundation to discuss the program, and Hoboken jumped on board. The official announcement and launch of the program will come on Jan. 25 at 10 a.m. at City Hall.
“There are no eligibility requirements, so the Rx card is expected to have a sizeable impact on uninsured residents, residents facing high insurance deductibles, and will allow savings for persons in need of prescriptions not covered by their current plans,” said Heinz Foundation President Jeffrey Lewis in a release.
Cards will be distributed free of charge at most participating pharmacies, government offices, libraries and health facilities, and may be used at all pharmacy chains and most independent pharmacies in Hoboken, and throughout the nation, according to a city release.
“With healthcare costs on the rise, prescription drug discounts will help ease some of the financial burdens Hoboken families are facing at a time when they need it the most,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer in a release. For more, see next weekend’s Hoboken Reporter
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Former Councilman Schaffer sentenced to 18 months in prison

Michael Schaffer, a former 2nd Ward councilman who was also a campaign aide to former Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and fined $4,000 on Tuesday afternoon for conspiracy to commit extortion.
Schaffer admitted in court in June that he accepted three unlawful cash campaign contributions for Cammarano totaling $15,000 from a government witness, who purported to be a real estate developer. After Cammarano was mayor, Schaffer said he also accepted a $10,000 cash contribution from the cooperating witness. The arrests were part of a statewide sting operation into political corruption, “Operation Bid Rig.”

Rising Tide Capital announces upcoming orientations

Rising Tide Capital assists entrepreneurs in the preparation of setting up, operating and improving small businesses. The following are upcoming orientations that are open to the public: Jan. 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at CEUS, 4511 New York Ave., Union City, and Feb. 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Hoboken Business Center, 50 Harrison St., Hoboken. Call (201) 432-4216 for more information.

Resident chosen to lead Hoboken Young Republicans Club

James Sanford, 27, was elected chair of the Hudson County Young Republicans on Jan. 13.
“I am grateful for the enthusiasm and support of the people who elected me,” Sanford said in a press release. “I am also thankful for the opportunity to build upon the many accomplishments of outgoing Chairman Fernando Uribe. I appreciate his many years of service to the organization. Together we will strengthen the Republican Party in Hudson County.”
Sanford made headlines in Hoboken last fall when he filed to run in the 4th Ward election in November, but quickly pulled out of the race.
Sanford is a graduate of Berkeley College, where he received a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

people charged in massive FBI crackdown on mobsters

Approximately 127 people were arrested in a massive FBI roundup of suspected mobsters that started on Thursday. The Wall Street Journal said those implicated included “91 members of organized-crime families and their associates. Among those charged include Luigi Manocchio, the former boss of the New England mob; Benjamon Castellazzo, the acting underboss of the Colombo family; Richard Fusco, the Colombo family’s consigliere; and Joseph Corozzo, consigliere of the Gambino family.”
Fifteen of those charged are from New Jersey, but not from North Hudson. Several from Kenilworth and points west were charged.
U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman stated: “According to the charges unsealed today, organized crime still has a grip on the New Jersey waterfront. Workers should be free to pursue an honest living without being worried that their own union representatives will shake them down.”
The charges include racketeering, conspiracy, extortion of union members, bookmaking, extortionate collection of credit, and other various gambling charges.
The government’s case is being jointly prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of New Jersey, in Newark, and the Eastern District of New York, in Brooklyn.

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