Operator of Hoboken’s hospital begins bankruptcy proceedings
HOBOKEN – As the sale of the Hoboken University Medical Center draws nearer, the non-profit organization that manages and operates the hospital, Hudson Healthcare, Inc., has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
The voluntary petition for bankruptcy was filed in United States Bankruptcy Court on Aug. 1. The estimated number of creditors is listed on the document as 1,000 – 5,000, and there are between $10,000,001 and $50,000,000 in estimated assets and estimated liabilities.
Creditors include PSE&G, the Hoboken Parking Authority, the city of Hoboken, the North Hudson Sewerage Authority, and UMDNJ.
The acting CEO of HUMC and CEO of Hudson Healthcare, Inc. Vincent Riccitelli said in a release that the bankruptcy proceedings do not mean the hospital is closing, but instead called it “a constructive step toward completion of the sale of HUMC and the eventual wind-down of HHI.”
“Assuming the transfer occurs as planned, it will benefit all stakeholders, promote public health and safety, maximize value for all creditors and smoothly transition operations to the new ownership group,” he said.
Riccitelli also said “it will be business as usual at HUMC, with no interruptions in patient services and no impact on hospital employees of medical staff during this transitional period.”
The transfer of ownership is expected to occur in mid-to-late September, according to a release.
The HHI is represented by Joseph DiPasquale of the West Orange law firm Trenk, DiPasquale, Webster, Della Fera & Sodono, P.C. The terms of the contract were not readily available.
See this weekend’s Hoboken Reporter for more on the situation. – Ray Smith
JC police shoot, kill suspect after foot chase
JERSEY CITY – A Jersey City police officer shot and killed a suspect following a foot chase that began near 543-547 Martin Luther King Blvd. early Saturday morning, according to published reports.
Police were called to the area after neighbors reported hearing gunshots.
The suspect was allegedly armed when the foot chase began. At some point during the pursuit, the suspect, whose identity the Reporter has yet to confirm, allegedly pointed a firearm at a police officer.
The officer responded by firing his weapon. The suspect was hit several times.
The suspect, reported to be a 28-year-old Jersey City man, was later pronounced dead. – Assata Wright
American Red Cross announces Braille transcriber classes
The American Red Cross of Northern New Jersey will offer free classes for volunteer Braille transcribers.
The 20-week course will include a two-hour class and about 12 hours of homework weekly. Upon completion of the course, class members can submit a trial manuscript for Red Cross certification, which will allow volunteers to prepare Braille textbooks for blind children.
The class will be held in two locations. The first will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. at 209 Fairfield Road in Fairfield. The second location for the class will be in North Haledon and begins on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 1 p.m.
For more information, call Nancy Jost at (973) 797-3359.