Bayonne development lawsuit trial sent to Essex County
Superior Court Assignment Judge Maurice J. Gallipoli took it upon himself to relocate the court trial for a lawsuit brought by a would-be developer against the Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority, citing a possible conflict within the court.
Fidelco Bayonne Realty of Millburn and Roseland/Bayonne of Short Hills filed a suit against the BLRA last month, claiming the sale of three development districts at the former Military Ocean Terminal will prevent Fidelco from being able to develop high end real estate for another portion of the MOTBY. The suit also contends that the BLRA failed to make the necessary zoning changes to allow Fidelco to pursue other options.
Gallipoli shifted the case to Essex County Superior Court because Hudson County Superior Court Judge Mark Baber is the husband of Peggy Baber, a sitting member of the BLRA.
Joseph Wigdor dies
Active even during his long illness, Joseph Wigdor – third generation Bayonne jeweler — died at 73 in St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston on April 23.
Wigdor, who supplied Bayonne High School with class rings, also gave a yearly scholarship.
Born and raised in Bayonne, Wigdor ran Wigdor’s Diamond Jewelers at the corner of 21st Street and Broadway until 1997, when he sold the property for the potential development of a movie theater.
He later regretted the sale and sought over the next decade to get the property back in hopes of rebuilding the business his grandfather, Isaac Wigdor, established in 1889.
Since 1978, Wigdor, a former president of the New Jersey Jewelers Association, annually presented Miss New Jersey with a pendant during a gala send off to the Miss American Pageant.
Two years ago, he entered the Petridis hot dog eating competition – an annual tradition in Bayonne – as the oldest contestant in the contest’s history. He finished third.
Hoboken Hospital Authority inches closer to sale of HUMC to Bayonne group
The only things that stand between the sale of the Hoboken University Medical Center from the Hoboken Municipal Hospital Authority to a group from Bayonne are public hearings and the state’s blessing.
Last week, the authority voted unanimously to execute an asset purchase agreement with HUMC Holdco, a group that has common ownership with Bayonne Medical Center. The agreement also ended the exclusive negotiation period, which began in early January.
However, before the sale is complete, there will first be public hearings, and the potential new owners will need to acquire a certificate of need from the state.
Some hospital workers in attendance at the meeting on Wednesday night inquired about their job security. HMHA Chairwoman Toni Tomarazzo said the potential new owners will maintain at least 75 percent of the current employees, and will recognize the current unions.
The city took over the hospital in 2008 after voting to guarantee $52 million in bonds, saving it from closure. However, Mayor Dawn Zimmer, a member of the authority, has said it should be a priority for the city to sell the hospital to a private buyer to remain an acute care facility, and also to relieve the city of its bond obligations. The hospital has experienced financial losses, and was recently the recipient of $7 million in state aid. The goals for the sale are to maintain an acute care service facility, relieve the city of its debt, preserve jobs, and meet the goals of the New Jersey Department of Health for delivery of health care.
Under the terms of the agreement, the new owners would be required to maintain the facility as a hospital for at least seven years.
The proposed deal totals $91.7 million in deal considerations, including a $51.6 million payment in cash to extinguish the city’s bond guarantee. Under the proposed deal, $20.9 million will be spent on investments in the hospital, and $19.2 million will be spent on “other deal considerations,” including accounts receivable, payments, and liabilities assumed as part of the transaction.
BHS Hall of Fame honors four alumni
Bayonne High School is scheduled to honor four alumni at its Hall of Fame ceremonies on April 27, along with the National Honor Society/Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, at 8 p.m. in the Bayonne High School Auditorium.
The late John McQuilla Jr., Class of 1939; Stanley Gutt, Class of 1988; Elliot Willensky, Class of 1961; and the late Dr. Ross Simpson, Class of 1937; are being honored.
McQuilla, who passed away on Sept. 11, 2010 at St. Joseph Hospital in Wayne, is being honored for his involvement in civic, religious, and community organizations. He served as past chairman of the Bayonne Planning Board, former chair of the local chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the NACCP, and the Bayonne Youth Center. A prominent member of the Wallace Temple AME Zion Church in Bayonne, he held several volunteer posts, including superintendent of its Sunday school and as a teacher.
Gutt, a former high school hockey star, excelled in soccer and basketball. He was recognized for his contributions to athletics when his hockey jersey was retired and hung above the ice rink behind Bayonne High School.
Willensky was a music coordinator for television and Broadway shows, and wrote songs for stars such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Smokey Robinson.
Simpson, a founding member of the Simpson-Baber Foundation for the Autistic, served as a professor at the New Jersey College of Medicine and Dentistry. He also served as an U.S. Army surgeon during the Korean War.
Harbor alarm wakes residents in Bayonne
An alarm that went off by mistake at 2:30 a.m. and continued until about 4:30 a.m. on early Easter morning prompted hundreds of calls to the Bayonne police. The emergency alarm located at the Port Newark Marine Terminal on the other side of Newark Bay apparently malfunctioned.
Kittens need homes
Springtime has brought Bayonne a number of kittens that need homes and care.
“We have been inundated with calls for help with kittens,” said Kathy Henderson, founder of the Bayonne Feral Cat Foundation. “As I am sure you know, it is kitten season everywhere. In this particular situation, we have two stray mothers and two litters for a total of 11 kittens born in one yard, and the homeowner is frantic. We are in desperate need of donations for their medical care, along with spay/neuters for the adults as well as the kittens as soon as they are old enough. Also, if anyone is willing to foster them, as they are living in makeshift boxes in the yard, that would be a big help.”
For more information, contact the Bayonne Feral Cat Foundation, P.O. Box 4111, Bayonne, N.J., 07002; call (201) 437-3232, email Twiggycat@aol.com, or visit www.bayonneferalcatfoundation.com.