WNY Rec Dept. workers arrested in alleged no-show scheme
West New York Recreation Director Tim Nagurka has been charged by the local Police Department with authorizing payments to town employees who allegedly were no-shows at job locations in the West New York area.
The arrest of the director came days after local police arrested West New York residents Ramon Felix and David Almonte, two recreation employees who had been under investigation by the Police Department for their alleged involvement in the scheme.
Nagurka is charged with paying over $15,000 to employees who never showed up for work since the beginning of the year, according to Police Director Michael Indri.
Indri said that Nagurka was released on $10,000 bail after being charged with fourth degree crimes of theft of service and falsifying records. The two other employees also have been released on bail, according to Indri.
The investigation revealed that Almonte and Felix were paid for Little League games they allegedly never umpired. A few coaches in the league told investigators that the two men never umpired games in West New York, according to a release issued by Assistant Town Attorney Joe Demarco.
In addition to receiving payments for umpiring, Almonte also allegedly received a $400 salary for work at the Recreation Department during hours he was taking classes at Memorial High School, according to Demarco. Almonte was a senior.
Demarco said that Nagurka was suspended from his job July 22 without pay, pending further investigation.
Local post offices slated for closing
Over 3,000 post offices across the country face a potential closing in an effort to cut costs, according to a list published by the United States Postal Service.
The USPS could close 50 post offices throughout New Jersey, including the Taurus post office at 6406 Bergenline Ave. in West New York; the 45th Street post office at 4535 Bergenline Ave. in Union City, the Summit Avenue post office at 720 Eighth St. in Union City, and the Bergenline post office at 2100 Bergenline Ave. in Union City.
Local Assemblyman Ruben Ramos has written a letter to the USPS protesting the potential closures in his district.
For a full list of potential closures in New Jersey, see http://about.usps.com/news/electronic-press-kits/expandedaccess/states/newjersey.htm.
National Night Out against crime
Union City and West New York are both scheduling events for the National Night Out Against Crime this coming Tuesday.
Union City Mayor Brian Stack and the Board of Commissioners invite everyone in the community to celebrate on Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on 22nd Street from New York Avenue to Summit Avenue.
At that time, different community organizations will be handing out valuable information. Various musical groups, free rides for kids, and free hot dogs and soda will be served. For further information, contact City Hall at (201) 348-5757.
West New York will host their National Night Out against crime at local senior citizen buildings, as has been done in previous years. Locations and time of event is currently being formulated. For more information, call (201) 295-5200.
First Sunday of the Month Nature Walk
The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society are hosting a free two-hour guided nature walk through the square mile DeKorte Park, observing egrets, herons, migrating shorebirds and butterflies. The walk will begin outside the Meadowlands Environment Center at 1 DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst on Sunday, Aug. 7 at 10 a.m.
To RSVP, contact Don Torino at (201) 230-4983. For event updates, visit meadowblog.net.