St. Peter’s Prep student dies after swim meet
JERSEY CITY — An 18-year-old swimmer from Saint Peter’s Prep High School collapsed and died last week after competing in a swim meet in Jersey City, NJ.com reported. B.J. Giannone was a senior from Mountainside. Principal Robert Reiser told the media that there was a medical professional at the scene and that Giannone was taken to Jersey City Medical Center where he died.
Though the cause of death is unknown, it was reported that he fell face down after competing in a 200-meter event.
State Sen. Stack: I’m ‘utterly disgusted by actions of ex-wife’
UNION CITY — State Sen. and Union City Mayor Brian Stack released a letter and newspaper ad this week blasting his ex-wife, who once served as a city official in Hoboken and now works at a Union City day care center, for actions revealed in last week’s Fox 5 news “Shame on You” segment that also pointed a finger at Stack himself.
In the segment, reporter Arnold Diaz provided extensive coverage questioning the use of city cars by Stack and by Stack’s ex-wife, Katia Stack. A public safety vehicle that was forfeited to the city was shown being used by Katia Stack in her job at a local private day care center, which rents space in a Union City-owned building for free. Katia Stack was also utilizing the car for personal driving, and was apparently using city gas, which her husband has since demanded she reimburse the city for.
Stack himself said in the program that he didn’t approve of city vehicles being used for those reasons, but was later shown being driven around in a city vehicle by a City Hall employee.
Diaz also said in the report that once he started asking more questions, police began confronting the producer, and Stack stopped talking to him.
In Stack’s letter this week, he says he doesn’t approve of his ex-wife’s actions, nor of the news report.
“These reports were extremely negative and slanted,” he writes. “I take my public service very seriously. While we were once married, years ago, we endured a divorce and do not maintain contact. As you read this, please put yourself in my place as it relates to aspects of my life, both political and personal.”
He adds, “I have always worked to save money for the taxpayers. That is why I was so shocked and appalled when I learned that city gas was being used in a vehicle that Katia was using.”
He also blames political opponents for the media report: “Also, it is widely acknowledged that my political opposition pitched falsehoods about this story in order to hurt and embararass me.”
He said, “While you know I am utterly disgusted by the actions of my ex-wife, it is evident that outside political forces continuously use means to attack me.”
The letter was paid for by Stack’s organization, Union City First, and not with taxpayer funds. It will appear in the Union City Reporter as an ad this weekend.
High school teacher allegedly slaps student
NORTH BERGEN – According to a source, last week a North Bergen High School teacher allegedly slapped a student for misbehaving.
According to North Bergen Township Spokesperson Phil Swibinksi, the teacher, who was not identified, has been indefinitely suspended with pay due to the incident. He said that there is no other official comment at this time.
To find out more about this incident, check back here at www.hudsonreporter.com and read this week’s North Bergen Reporter. – Tricia Tirella
Exhibit makes Hoboken a bit sweeter
HOBOKEN – The Hoboken Historical Museum, located at 1301 Hudson St., kicks off their newest exhibit this week, “A Sweet History of Hoboken.”
On Sunday, Feb. 6 at 4 p.m., the Historical Museum will present a “History of Chocolate” talk and tasting event by chocolate historian and Hoboken resident Maricel Presilla. The event is open to the public and the museum is requesting a $5 donation.
“It’s such a rich (and tasty) history. The Museum has traced a history of the city from its earliest days through its many commercial bakers, candy manufacturers and family-owned bakeries, including a smorgasbord of different immigrant groups’ food customs,” according to the museum’s website.
The exhibit is expected to run until at least the beginning of the summer.
For more information, visit http://www.hobokenmuseum.org/
NJMC presents ‘Animal Junction’ Feb. 5
The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission is offering “Animal Junction: The Zoo that Visits YOU” on Saturday, Feb. 5 at 1 p.m.
Open to all ages, “Jungle Joe” of the Bucks County Zoo will give participants an up-close look at the wildly cool and unusual traits of 15 live animals, including mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. Admission is $5 or $4 for members.
The event will take place at Meadowlands Environment Center at 2 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst. For more information, go to www.njmeadowlands.gov/ec or call (201) 460-8300.