Former UC Mayor Rudy Garcia’s license suspended following DWI in Hoboken
Former Assemblyman and Union City Mayor Rudy Garcia had his license suspended for 90 days in Hoboken court this past week, stemming from a driving while intoxicated charge from Sept. 15, according to a published report.
In court, Garcia’s attorney, Christopher Patella of Bayonne, showed repair records for Hoboken’s Breathalyzer machine that indicate that the machine may not have been working correctly when Garcia’s blood alcohol level was measured, according to the article. However, Garcia pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated based on “observation only,” according to the report.
Garcia is currently a partner in a lobbying firm in Trenton.
PERC accepting donations and volunteers; holding annual holiday fundraiser
The Palisades Emergency Residence Corporation requests donations of non-perishables and paper goods for the upcoming holiday season. To make a donation or inquire about volunteer opportunities, or for more information, call PERC at (201) 348-8150.
PERC will also hold its annual holiday fundraising party at Antonia’s By the Park on 9011 Palisade Ave. in North Bergen on Dec. 6 between 6 and 9 p.m.
In addition to Italian hors d’oeuvres created by Chef Antonia Vene and a beer tasting provided by New Jersey Beer Company, “Through My Eyes: Views of Homelessness and Home”—a photography exhibit created by former and current PERC guests—will have its premiere.
Tickets cost $50. Call (201) 348-8150 or email events@percshelter.org for more information.
UC schools receive public safety grant
The Union City Board of Education has received a $ 74,000 grant to conduct a districtwide safety assessment from the New Jersey Schools Boards Association Insurance Group.
“Keeping our students safe is always a top priority for us, and with this grant we’ll be able to assess our current security system and make any changes that may be necessary,” said Superintendent of Schools Stanley Sanger.
The district-wide safety assessment will include video surveillance, door-access control, and hand-held radio frequency.
The New Jersey School Boards Association Insurance Group is a non-profit public entity established in 1983 that provides a wide variety of insurance services to public and charter schools districts in N.J. They will award $5 million in safety grants to members across the state in 2011.
Ex-Sires fundraiser/real estate mogul Rene Abreu released to halfway house
After spending approximately seven years in federal prison for bank fraud, Rene Abreu, a former political fundraiser and former Hudson County-based real estate and mortgage lending mogul, was transferred approximately two weeks ago to a detention facility within the New York Community Corrections Management system. His projected release date from the center is Feb. 22 of 2012, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Abreu, a Cuban immigrant, was a Fort Lee resident and self-made millionaire who owned several local businesses, including Abreu Real Estate, the Mortgage Pros, Inc. and RLA Homes on Bergenline Avenue in Guttenberg.
Abreu was also a top fundraiser for current U.S. Rep. Albio Sires, the former state senator and former mayor of West New York. According to the 2010 book “The Jersey Sting,” federal prosecutors “didn’t really want [Abreu]. They had told Abreu repeatedly that they had a Get Out of Jail Free card waiting for him if he would roll over on Sires. Abreu wouldn’t.”
In August of 2004, U.S. District Judge Joseph Greenaway sentenced Abreu to 7.25 years in prison–the maximum allowed–for real estate schemes involving his companies and bank fraud. He was convicted on 21 out of a 28 count indictment, including conspiracy to commit mail fraud, conspiracy to defraud Hudson United Band by engaging in a fraudulent check-kiting scheme, and conspiracy to structure currency transactions.
In addition to serving time, Abreu was ordered to pay $200,000 in fines and $499,000 in restitution.
West New York P.S. 2 to hold book fair fundraiser at Barnes and Noble in Edgewater
West New York’s P.S. 2 PTO will hold its first in-store book fair fundraiser at the Barnes & Noble in Edgewater Commons on Dec. 3 and 4.
A percentage of all on-site weekend sales and online sales made from Dec. 5-8 (with school I.D. #10594398 provided at checkout) will help provide school books and reward gift cards for students.
The school’s chorus will perform on Sat. at 11 a.m. and various teachers (including Superintendent John Fauta) will read to students hourly from 12 to 7 p.m. There will be kindergarten “Story Time” at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
For more information, email wnyps2@gmail.com.
Emaciated dog thrown in trash and then rescued
Hope, a 4-year-old boxer-pitbull mix, was found emaciated and unable to stand among piles of garbage surrounding a trash receptacle by Union City police officers on Nov. 9. Members of local rescue group, TLC Rescue, Inc., were notified the next day and brought the dog to the Secaucus Animal Hospital.
Thanks to the generous donations made by members of City Hall, all of Hope’s medical bills were paid for and she was made well enough to go home with one of the hospital’s veterinarian technicians until she finds a permanent home.
For more information about Hope and TLC Rescue Inc., call (201) 988-6518.