Greco retires as Weehawken Library director after 17 years
On Sunday, Nov. 20, Weehawken Library Director Phil Greco was joined by Mayor Richard Turner, library staff, family, and friends to celebrate his retirement after 17 years of dedicated service. Turner presented Greco with a celebratory plaque and food and beverages were served.
Donna Morris, the library’s “Story Time” program coordinator, read a poem she wrote for Greco thanking him for his hard work, including the humorous line: “So now he has decided to start the next chapter of his life — we’re really happy for him, but feel sorry for his wife.”
A self-proclaimed avid reader, Greco began his career with the library in 1994 working part-time in accounting before Turner enlisted him to replace former Director Margaret Grazioli. Greco came in during a huge period of transition for the library.
The Weehawken Library, which was once a mansion, was in a severe state of disrepair when Greco started. The second floor had been closed off, it wasn’t yet handicap accessible, and it was going to have be shut down if repairs were not made.
“The library was no longer the center of the community — it was a small space just jammed with books,” Turner said.
Greco oversaw the entire overhaul. With the help of $2 million in grant money and donations, the library was renovated and an addition was added (which is now the new children’s room). Two antique fireplaces and several stained glass windows were uncovered, a parking lot was added, and the library joined the BCCLS library inter-web system. Residents had places to sit, read, research, and study where there was no room before.
Librarians Holly Pizzuta and Kelly Fitzgerald will follow in Greco’s footsteps as co-directors of the library. They will continue the legacy for the town’s 6,000 card-carrying members.
Memorial to be held for Weehawken artist/activist Wadia
Renowned Weehawken artist and environmental activist Judith Wadia died Nov. 7 after a long battle with cancer.
Known to all as Judy, she left behind a lasting legacy of mosaic, stained glass, and other artwork in public places, houses of worship, and private homes throughout the tri-state area. Her work can be found at www.judithwadia.com.
In addition to her artwork, Judy was an avid community activist. As a young mother of two children, she was featured in a front page article in the New York Times Metropolitan section for her work organizing “the Mothers Underground” – an organization that worked to make Washington Square Park more child-friendly.
She led a campaign that contributed to the adoption of the New Jersey Arts Inclusion Act of l978. The act encouraged the commission and installment of numerous works of art in state-financed construction projects.
As vice president of the Weehawken Environment Committee during the time when the waterfront was being developed, Wadia worked to preserve the views from the Palisades and wrote the proposal that led to the adoption of a zoning ordinance that required waterfront buildings to implement rooftop landscaping.
She is survived by her husband, Pheroze; children Anna and Darius Wadia, and their spouses Carl Haacke and Rebecca Traister; grandchildren Evan and Matthew Haacke and Rosie Wadia; brother and sister-in-law David and Alice Botkin, and her art-assistant and friend Miro Matusek; to name a few.
A public memorial to celebrate Judy’s life and work will be held at the Weehawken Elks Lodge at 2 50th St. on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m.
Although all who wish to come are welcome, the family requests that attendees email their RSVP, including number of guests, to wadiafamily@hotmail.com by Nov. 30.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of Judy’s favorite charities: Meals on Wheels, The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund, Oxfam, or the Green Gorillas.
Christmas party for Weehawken seniors
Mayor Richard Turner and the Township Council invite Weehawken’s Seniors to the Annual Christmas Party held at The Landmark on Dec. 16 at noon.
Please call the Senior Center to sign up or for transportation at 201-319-6060.
Former Assemblyman 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.