City reaches agreement with fire unions, pending council approval
After working without a contract since 2007, the local fire department unions reached an agreement with the administration of Mayor Dawn Zimmer on a new contract last week.
“This agreement is fair to both our employees and taxpayers,” Zimmer said in a statement. “Our firefighters have been working without a contract since 2007, and for the first time in years, they will now have a fair contract going into the future.”
The local fire unions are IAFF Local 1076 and 1078.
The agreement has been ratified by both union memberships, and the City Council will be asked to review and vote on the agreement at Monday night’s Council meeting, according to a city release.
The new six-year contract is effective from Jan. 1, 2007 through Dec. 31, 2013.
The retroactive pay increases and insurance and vacation day concessions that were negotiated mirror those agreed to with the police unions earlier this year. The retroactive pay will be paid over three years from 2012 to 2014, according to a city release.
Zimmer said the city will also look to make critical repairs to local fire stations through bonding. However, recently her council foes have stymied her attempts to bond.
RE/MAX Gold Coast Realty hosting third annual Turkey Dinner Drive this week
RE/MAX Gold Coast Realty in Hoboken is hosting their third annual Turkey Dinner Drive. Last year, the agency fed 54 local families and this year their goal is to feed 75 families in need.
They are looking for the following donations for the Turkey Dinner Drive: turkeys (10-15 lbs.); stuffing (14 oz.); boxed mashed potatoes (15.3 oz.) and canned whole potatoes; canned vegetables including French cut green beans, peas, carrots and corn (29 oz.); canned cut yams (40 oz.); chicken broth (48 oz.); cranberry sauce (16 oz.); gravy mix (1.2 oz) or jarred gravy (16 oz.); mushroom soup (10 oz.); canned French fried onions (1 can); spices including Thyme, pepper, rosemary and parsley; large oval roaster pans; and Martinelli’s sparkling cider. Entenmann’s apple or pumpkin pies (please check dates) and fresh vegetables are being accepted from Nov. 19 to Nov. 21 only.
Monetary donations of $50 are also being accepted.
Donations can be dropped off from Nov. 14 to Nov. 21 at the RE/MAX Gold Coast Realty office at 56 Newark St. in Hoboken. Drop off hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pickups of donations may also be scheduled. Pick up dates and times are Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Nov. 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
For more information, contact RE/MAX Gold Coast Realty at (201) 795-0100.
Hoboken Volunteers to host fundraiser on Nov. 19 to benefit shelter
Hoboken Volunteers, a local organization run by Councilman Tim Occhipinti, will host the “Beer, Bites and Bands Fall Fundraiser” on Nov. 19 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Hoboken Elks Lodge (10th and Washington streets) to benefit the Hoboken Shelter.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door or online by visiting HobokenVolunteers.com.
The event will include live music by Hoboken band Gravy Train, hors d’oeuvres provided by Hoboken Volunteers and local event planner Melissa Weiss, and New Jersey’s very own brewed beer donated by the NJ Home Brewer’s Association, whose former president and now current member, Brian Boaks, reached out to Hoboken Volunteers to provide help for the event.
“Unfortunately, hunger has doubled in Hoboken in the past five years,” said Jaclyn Cherubini, executive director of The Hoboken Shelter. “In 2005, we served 55,000 meals and by the end of this year, we expect to serve 120,000 meals.”
Mile Square Theatre to perform at Metropolitan Museum of Art on Nov. 19
Hoboken’s local production company Mile Square Theatre will present “The Garden of Rikki Tikki Tavi” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Nov. 19 at 3 p.m.
“We like to do plays for young audiences that have some depth to them,” said artistic director Chris O’Connor in a release. “(Plays) that show characters that are struggling with things, have values, friendship…and generosity.”
Adapted for the stage by Y York, this funny tale of cooperation and growing up is for audiences of all ages.
Tickets are available at MetMuseum.org.
Historical Museum’s ‘Galapalooza’ raises approximately $100K
The Hoboken Historical Museum drew a capacity crowd to the W Hotel ballroom on Nov. 4 to celebrate its 25th anniversary. GalaPalooza25 raised approximately $100,000 to help fund museum programs.
The website for the event even includes a Hoboken trivia quiz. Take the quiz at www.GalaPalooza25.com. The site, which will eventually merge with the museum’s own website, www.HobokenMuseum.org, is loaded with interactive features that highlight Hoboken’s rich past and the museum’s contributions to the community.
Judy Torres of WKTU visits Hoboken High School club
Judy Torres, the popular entertainer and DJ for WKTU in New York City, visited the Hoboken High School Hispanic Culture Club on Oct. 27 as part of the “Hispanics in Our Community” lecture series for students.
The lecture series helps students find out more about subjects that affect the Hispanic community, according to a release from the Hispanic Culture Club.
Torres told the club that she battled weight challenges over the years and was bullied in high school, but she overcame that by believing in herself and her passion for music, according to the release.
Torres also told students that when she first broke into the music scene she was asked to change her name to hide her ethnicity, but she refused to do so.
“My name is Judy Torres and I am proud of that,” Torres said, according to the release.
Torres’ speech centered upon a positive self image, pride in self, pride in the community, anti-bullying, and pursuing dreams, according to a release.
Torres finished her lecture with pictures with the students and will send autographed pictures to the club. On Oct. 30, the Hoboken High School club even got a shoutout on the radio as she mentioned her visit.