AH, SPRING – The dogwoods of Hoboken are flowering again. Pictured: Hudson Street.
Check out our website for the debates
Last week, The Hudson Reporter hosted an election forum for West New York’s mayor/commission candidates and three forums for the Hoboken City Council candidates. The resulting videos are on the right-hand side of www.hudsonreporter.com.
The candidates responded to questions about taxes, use of town vehicles, crime, and rent control.
The Hoboken City Council has nine members, six of whom represent wards. (The three at-large seats are up at the time of the next mayoral election in 2013.)
The candidates in the Hoboken race were asked some serious questions and one wildcard one to see how they think on their feet. Wildcard questions included “What song would represent your campaign,” “What’s a serious personal challenge you have faced?” and “Where would you bring out-of-town guests first if they visited Hoboken?”
To watch the forums, click the website.
Woman allegedly runs scam, posing as homeless mom
A 42-year-old North Bergen resident was arrested by police after she allegedly cashed more than $11,000 in checks, funds which belonged to an account of a woman who had previously taken her in when she was homeless, police said.
Lt. Christopher Brignola said that Lily Villarroel was arrested on April 10, concluding a investigation stemming back from Feb. 3, when a 66-year-old North Bergen resident called them.
According to the victim, she had received a phone call from Valley National Bank after two checks for $10,000 and $1,500 were cashed at the bank, which she had no knowledge of.
“These checks were evidently made out to [Villarroel],” said Brignola.
The victim told police that Villarroel showed up on her doorstep on Dec. 26 with a small child, claiming that her husband had left her and she had no place to go. The woman allowed Villarroel to live with her for a month, until she said that her boyfriend had found her a new apartment on Jan. 31, 2011 and moved out. Since then she had not heard from her.
Police believe that Villarroel allegedly stole the checks while she was living with the woman and allegedly made them out to herself and cashed them a month later.
Villarroel was charged with unlawful taking and forgery and her bail was set at $2,500.
Local theatre troupe hosts awards
The Park Players, a Hudson and Bergen County theatre group, held their Fourth Annual Mikkie Awards for Excellence recently, in which cast members are nominated by audience members throughout their season for awards such as best actor.
North Bergen residents Kay O’Reilly and Mariette Ng, for the performances in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” and “Godspell” respectively, won best featured actresses in a tie. Ng also was named the best choreographer for her work in “Godspell.”
Kay Koch, of Jersey City, was named best actress for her role in “Godspell,” and Patrick Noble, of Jersey City, won best featured actor for his part in “Forum.”
Many others won awards at the event held at Antonia’s by the Park in North Bergen last Sunday.
Emergency funding available for PSE&G customers
Customers who are struggling to pay for their winter heating bills will have until May 2 to file for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds.
Those have already qualified for this assistance this past winter may no longer qualify for it again, but may be eligible for an additional $450 to be applied toward their utility bill.
To see if your household qualifies under the guidelines and where to apply, visit www.pseg.com/help or call 1(800) 510-3102 Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Applications are also available at the PSE&G’s 16 walk-in customer service centers listed on your bill.
Customers who apply for LIHEAP help are automatically screened for the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ Universal Service Fund (USF), a program that could take up to $150 off of their bill each month.
Those who do not qualify for assistance may visit www.pseg.com/help for other forms of assistance.
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.
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.