Hoboken residents can apply for FEMA assistance from Irene
Help from Washington, D.C. is on the way. Residents of Hudson County can now apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following the damage from Hurricane Irene.
Affected residents and businesses are advised to document the damage to their homes or businesses with photos or video, and also keep a list of items that have been damaged or destroyed, according to a press release from the city of Hoboken.
Federal assistance may include temporary housing, repair, replacement, or other needs such as Disaster Unemployment Assistance and Small Business Administration disaster loans, according to the release.
To apply for federal disaster assistance, go to www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or call 1 (800) 621-FEMA (3362).
Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss should call 1 (800) 462-7585.
Specialists are available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. until further notice.
When applying for help, residents will need their social security number, current and pre-disaster address, a contact number, insurance information, total household annual income, a routing and account number from their bank, and a description of losses that were caused by Hurricane Irene, according to a release.
Free health screenings at Hoboken High on Sept. 17
The Hoboken High School Hispanic Culture Club, in conjunction with Jersey City Medical Center, will host free medical health screenings for all members of the Hoboken community on Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of Hoboken High School located at 900 Clinton St.
The event is one of many that the HHS Hispanic Culture is holding to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed annually from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
In June, Jersey City Medical Center officials unveiled the hospital’s new Mobile Health Screening Unit, the first vehicle of its kind in Hudson County.
The 33-foot-long custom-built vehicle has two private exam rooms, a restroom, and a waiting area. It is also handicapped accessible, according to a release.
Three to four employees will staff the vehicle, which will serve underserved parts of Hudson County and offer blood pressure checks, cholesterol tests, HIV screenings, diabetes tests, and mental health checks, among other tests.
The unit’s services are available free of charge and are fully-funded by a grant from New Jersey’s Department of Health and Senior Services, according to Matthew Zysman, counseling and testing site coordinator, at JCMC and Christopher Munoz, teacher at Hoboken High School. All members of the Hoboken Community are welcome.
Court case between municipal worker and Parking Director dismissed, official says
The court case between a municipal worker and Hoboken Parking Director Ian Sacs was dismissed by a Weehawken judge earlier this week, Sacs confirmed on Wednesday.
In March, a municipal employee and Sacs filed claims and counterclaims after an alleged high-profile incident in City Hall that led to the two being arrested by Hoboken police.
Sacs had come across a city bus that was parked but running with the keys still in it, according to a police report. He then drove the empty bus to the municipal garage. At City Hall, an altercation ensued between Sacs and the driver of the bus in which Sacs alleged that he was assaulted by the man, according to a report.
The driver’s personal keys were also on the key ring, which led to the municipal employee to file charges of harassment and theft.
After the incident, Sacs said he did not wish to file a complaint with police, but he learned that the municipal employee decided to file charges. The two were subsequently arrested.
The case became a political talking point at the time, as the incident occurred just a month and a half before a heated council election. Supporters of Mayor Dawn Zimmer took Sacs’ side, while opponents took the side of the bus driver.
The case was transferred to Weehawken because it involved two city employees.
Court officials in Weehawken and Hoboken did not comment when asked about the case on Thursday.
‘Mitzvah Day’ scheduled for Sept. 11
The United Synagogue of Hoboken, Hoboken Housing Authority, and the Hoboken Public Library’s Project Read Book Outreach Program are hosting “Mitzvah Day” on Sept. 11.
The event will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Mama Johnson Field, on the corner of Fourth and Jackson streets. The event will include health tips and nutrition information. At the field, there will be a breakfast station where kids will learn how to properly start the day, a smoothie station, Wii games and more.
An obstacle course will be set up on the field to emphasize the importance of fitness and exercise.
Adults and children will also have the opportunity to fill out an application for Hoboken library cards, participate in a contest and go home with some free giveaways. For more information, call (201) 798-0370.
‘Back to School Green is Cool’ held on Sept. 17
The Hoboken Housing Authority, Quality of Life Coalition, Hudson County Sewerage Authority, Hudson County Improvement Authority, and Hudson County Freeholder Anthony Romano are hosting the “Back to School Green is Cool” event on Sept. 17 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Parents and children are invited to come down to Mama Johnson Baseball Field (Fourth and Jackson streets) to enjoy music from a DJ and free giveaways.
Influential Woman Speaker Series kicks off on Sept. 14
The Hoboken Chamber of Commerce’s “Influential Women Speaker Series” will begin on Sept. 14 when Alice Gast, the president of Lehigh University, will speak in Sinatra Park at 6 p.m.
The event, which runs until 9 p.m., will include an outdoor tent, wine, and cheese.
The event is free for Chamber of Commerce members and $15 for non-members.
The Influential Speakers Series was developed as an ongoing event to feature prominent and energetic female business women with a story that inspires, according to a release.
Clinton Street at 14th Street to be closed to traffic permanently
Due to construction on the 14th Street Viaduct, Clinton Street will be permanently closed to through traffic at 14th Street beginning on Monday, Sept. 12, according to the county.
The viaduct project includes renovations and the addition of park space underneath the road. For updates on the project, visit 14thStreetViaductReplacemen.com.