Check out the WNY debate at www.hudsonreporter.com
Last week, The Hudson Reporterhosted an election forum for West New York, attended by all 10 candidates on the two major slates running for Board of Commissioners/mayor this May. Independent candidate Ercides Aguasvives was also invited to attend but did not respond.
Each slate responded to five questions regarding some of the pertinent issues the town is facing including gang violence, the local business district, and whether the commissioners should get their own city vehicles.
In West New York, the voters will pick five commissioners, and those commissioners will choose a mayor from among themselves. Voters can choose five commissioners from among all of the candidates running and do not need to pick five candidates from one slate exclusively.
Check out the video online next week at www.hudsonreporter.com to find out where your candidates stand on the issues, and join the discussion by commenting on the video. The election will be held on May 10.
Campaign contributor chalks illegal $7,400 donation to ‘ignorance’
After West New York Mayor Silverio “Sal” Vega sent out a press release yesterday calling upon his challenger in the May election, Dr. Felix Roque, to return an illegal campaign contribution from a corporation for $10,000 or face legal issues, Roque’s campaign manager called acceptance of the contribution “an honest mistake” and said that they had already decided to return the check to the contributor.
Roque’s campaign manager, Joe DeMarco, said that the contribution, issued in the form of a company check, had left them with the impression that it was a contribution made by several members of the corporation.
State election law limits the amount of a contribution from an individual or a corporation to $2,600.
The contributor, Dr. Antonio Gines, said that he had “mistakenly” written the $10,000 check from his corporation, nursing care company Mi Casa Es Su Casa in Saddle Brook, and only learned that it was illegal after Roque’s campaign manager, Joe DeMarco, attempted to return the $7,400 surplus.
Gines chalked the illegal amount up to his “ignorance” of electoral regulations as a man “not involved much in the public.”
When DeMarco went to hand back the illegal amount, Gines reissued three equal, separate checks to each of three candidates on the Together We Can Team within the requirement of election law.
Gines, a close friend of Roque’s, wanted to dispel any thoughts that Roque might need to resort to illegal means to raise funds.
“Dr. Roque doesn’t need the job of mayor for the money. He has no need to be a politician,” he said. “He’s doing it for the right reason…it’s one of the few times I’m seeing this in my life, and that’s why I’m supporting him.”
UC Easter Egg Hunt to be held April 23
Union City Mayor Brian P. Stack and the Board of Commissioners announce that the City of Union City will be holding its Annual Easter Egg Hunt for children age 10 and younger on Saturday, April 23 at noon at the Jose Marti Freshman Academy on Summit Avenue and 19th Street in Union City.
The event will feature an egg hunt, face painting, rides and activities, and entertainment. All children must be accompanied by a parent.
WNY Spring Spectacular Car Show to be held April 30
West New York Mayor Silverio “Sal” Vega and the WNY Board of Commissioners present the West New York Spring Spectacular Car Show: Classic and Modern Automotive Lifestyle on Saturday, April 30 at 55th to 59th Street, Jackson Street. This is an event for the entire family. Kids, jumpies, and vendors are welcome.
Roll in is from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and show hours are noon to 5 p.m. Over 60 Vehicle Class Awards and Prizes will be presented.
Register online at www.jerseyautoshow.com. Vehicle registration is $20, and motorcycle registration is $15.
NHCAC offers free oral cancer screenings this month
Free oral cancer screenings will be available in Union City this month as part of National Oral Cancer Awareness Month. The dental health care professionals of North Hudson Community Action Corporation (NHCAC) will provide the free screenings.
The Union City screenings will take place May 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 407 23rd Street.
“We are participating in this national effort to bring attention to oral cancers, which struck 37,000 Americans last year alone. An oral screening can help prevent mouth, throat, tonsil and tongue cancers,” said Christopher F. Irizarry, NHCAC president and chief executive officer.
For more information, please contact Joe Lauro at (201) 819-2596.
NJMC presents ‘Birds of Meadowlands’ Talk April 20
Jim Wright, who runs the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission nature blog – www.meadowblog.net – will present a free talk and slide show on the birds of the Meadowlands as part of the Bergen County Audubon Society’s monthly meeting, which will take place at the Meadowlands Environment Center in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst on Wednesday, April 20 at 8 p.m.
The ‘Birds of Meadowlands’ Talk, which is open to the public, will feature some unusual and once-endangered birds, along with color photos that Jim has taken in the Meadowlands in the past three years. Jim will also include photos of other critters he has seen along the river and its marshes, from Diamondback Terrapins to Fiddler Crabs. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or (201) 636-4022.
Earth Day Bird Walk with the NJMC and BCAS
NJMC and BCAS will hold their free two-hour Earth Day Bird Walk on Friday, April 22 at 10 a.m. as part of the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission’s Earth Day celebration at DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst. The walk starts outside the Meadowlands Environment Center at 10 a.m., and participants will walk around the square-mile park, looking for spring arrivals and other birds.
Check meadowblog.net for last-minute weather updates. Participants will have to sign a standard liability release for this event. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or (201) 636-4022.
NJMC to Host Green Fashion Show and Sale
The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) will hold its Green Fashion Show and Sale on Sunday, May 1, with the latest eco-friendly, natural, and organic fashions, food, jewelry, and health and beauty products. The event is scheduled for 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the NJMC Meadowlands Environment Center. Fashion shows, featuring professional models and NJMC staff and their children, are scheduled for 1:45 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.
The free show features innovative green fashions and accessories for toddlers to adults, more than a dozen door prizes and Whole Foods gift bags for the first 100 guests.
For more information, contact Brian Aberback at (201) 460-4619 or brian.aberback@njmeadowlands.gov.