Union City chief may be entitled to $150K payout
Two weeks ago, Union City Police Chief Charles Everett retired just before a report was released alleging that he manipulated the way off-duty security jobs were given out so that he and other police superiors could get the top assignments.
Several months ago, News 12 New Jersey aired a segment stating that Everett had earned big payouts by watching the school district’s athletic fields. The TV station alleged that Everett was paid for some shifts when he was not working. After that report aired, the city of Union City hired an investigator to follow up.
Just as that investigator’s report was set to be released two weeks ago, Everett announced that he was retiring. Later that day, the report came out alleging that Everett manipulated the off-duty assignments so police superiors could get the top choices.
Over this past weekend, News 12 revealed new information about the issue.
In a televised report, their reporter said Everett may be entitled to a $150,000 payout for hundreds of sick days he did not use. The report also asked the question of whether Everett may be required to reimburse taxpayers if it turns out he was paid for shifts he did not work.
The station obtained lists of officers who were paid for shifts including the athletic fields. In some cases, the station reported, officers – including Everett – appeared to be paid twice for the same work on the same date.
In addition, the documents said that Everett was paid to work shifts watching the athletic field for two days in a row during a massive January blizzard, when police would have been working extra hours due to the storm.
Mayor Brian Stack was interviewed for the report and agreed that it seemed strange that the top cop would have been watching the athletic fields during the storm.
Although the city’s report has been released, the Attorney General’s Office is reportedly also investigating this matter.
UC and WNY to honor vets
Union City will host a Veterans Day ceremony at Ellsworth Park at 23rd St. and Palisade Ave.
On Friday, Nov. 11 at 9:30 a.m.
West New York will honor its veterans during a ceremony at the Veteran Memorial on Blvd. East and 54th St. on Fri., Nov. 11 at 2 p.m.
Hudson County polls open on Nov. 8
Voters throughout Hudson County will go to the polls on Nov. 8 to elect a number of county and state officeholders. The positions up for grabs are county executive, county register, three state Senate seats, all six state Assembly seats, and all nine Board of Freeholder seats. Only two of the freeholders face competition this time around. Each legislative district has one state senator and two assemblymen.
State Sen. Brian Stack (who is also Union City mayor) is among those up for re-election. For more on the election, see Al Sullivan’s story on cover.
The most prominent countywide election will see County Executive Thomas DeGise, a Democrat, facing Republican Stephen DeLuca for a four-year term as county executive.
To find your local polling place, visit https://voter.njsvrs.com/PublicAccess/jsp/PollPlace/PollPlaceSearch.jsp.
Advanced Physical Medicine Center holds Thanksgiving food drive
The Advanced Physical Medicine Center of Fairview has announced the launch of its 19th annual Thanksgiving food drive to benefit the Fairview welfare department. Donations of non-perishable food items will be collected from Tuesday, Nov. 1 through Tuesday, Nov. 15 at the Advanced Physical Medicine Center at 222 Bergen Blvd. in Fairview.
“We urge local residents to contribute whatever they can to this worthy cause by donating non-perishable food including canned and dry goods such as vegetables, soup, instant potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy and stuffing mix,” said Dr. Arber, clinical director of the Advanced Physical Medicine Center. “During these tough economic times, this is one small way to make a big difference in the lives of our neighbors who need it most.”
Dr. Arber and his team can be reached at (201) 945-BACK. For more information, visit www.201945BACK.com.
West New Yorker Sal Valenza named Healthy Schools Program Champion
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation announced that Sal Valenza, food service director of the West New York School District, as a Healthy Schools Program Champion on Oct. 25.
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program—founded by the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation—supports the work of more than 13,000 schools across the country as they strive to make their campuses healthier places to learn and work.
Each year the Healthy Schools Program selects a handful of its most effective advocates to serve as Healthy School Champions for the year, motivating and leading students and staff toward healthier school environments and serving as national spokespeople for the Healthy Schools Program.
AMCC will provide local disposal sites for dangerous prescription drugs
The American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC) will hold a public health initiative event to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug abuse in Hudson County on Sat., Nov. 12.
The New Jersey event is being coordinated by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, Sheriffs’ Association of New Jersey, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
According to AMCC Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the PDFNJ, Angelo M. Valente, “the goal of this community based public health initiative is to inform New Jersey families of the need to dispose of their unused, unwanted, and expired medicine because these excess medicines can be a danger lurking in the family home.”
Residents in any county of New Jersey who want to dispose of their unused, unwanted, and expired medicine should visit www.americanmedicinechest.com to find their local collection site.