Town employee hits Weehawken with sex discrimination suit
Assistant Recycling Coordinator Pilar Bardroff, with her attorney, Louis Zayas, filed a lawsuit against the Township of Weehawken on Jan. 9 for alleged sex discrimination, hostile work environment, whistle blowing, and civil rights violations.
The suit states that Bardroff, a municipal employee of the town since 1992, applied for the recycling coordinator position after the former coordinator retired in 2007, but she was allegedly denied. The suit says a new male coordinator was hired in 2010 despite Bardroff’s repeated requests and acquired recycling certification, and that though her duties are similar to those of the current coordinator, his salary exceeds hers by approximately $30,000 per year.
Bardroff also claims that her office at the Department of Public Works is allegedly in violation of several health codes and that she has been treated several times by a doctor for petroleum fumes, multiple insect bites, chemical smells, and lack of heat.
The suit also claims her office is in view of “obscene and offensive graffiti” consisting of two drawings of male and female sexual organs, and that the township has allegedly refused to clean it up for three years.
In the suit, Bardoff also alleges that her locked file cabinet was broken into and that her personal mail has been withheld for over a year as part of her coworkers’ alleged attempts to “isolate her, creating a hostile work environment in retaliation for her complaints.”
“I haven’t seen the lawsuit. I see Pilar all the time and she’s never said anything to me except about wanting more money,” Mayor Richard Turner said.
As a sign of the tough economic times, he said, “these lawsuits all come down to people needing more money. Every lawsuit you see against municipalities has the same standard language.”
Turner said the town’s attorneys will “sift through the facts and fiction to deal with the case.”
Story Time Tuesday to hold registration
Registration for the second session of the Weehawken Library’s Story Time Tuesday will begin on Thursday, Jan. 19 at 9:30 a.m. There are only seven spots available that will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
The program is for 2- to 4-year-old Weehawken residents only. It takes place from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays.
The library recommends in-person registration, but it may be done by phone by calling (201) 863-7823.
Book club for infants and parents
The Weehawken Library invites new parents to join them for a new monthly book club program called “Bottles, Binkies, and Books.” The program is designed to encourage reading to and interacting with infants and provides new parents with a place to gather, discuss, and learn about various issues and obstacles they may face.
Interested parties are invited to the library on Friday, Jan. 20, Feb. 10 and March 9 at 10 a.m. and should bring a towel or yoga mat.
For further information, contact Donna at the library at (201) 863-7823.
Weehawken Weekenders to hold bingo bonanza
The Weehawken Weekenders will hold their Lucky Leap Year Bingo Bonanza at the Royal Manor in Garfield on Feb. 29. The price per person is $45, which includes music by Peter Lieberman, comedy by Uncle Floyd, a family-style dinner, transportation, and gratuity.
For more information, call the Weekenders at (201) 319-6059.
Senior Center to hold feng shui seminar
Weehawken’s Senior Nutrition Center will hold a “Feng Shui for Health & Harmony” seminar on Thursday, Jan. 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for residents ages 17 and up.
The seminar will present crystals as tools for meditation and contemplation and how they can enhance personal energy.
To register, call the recreation department at (201) 319-6061 or email recreation@weehawken-nj.us.
Weehawken’s ‘Lizard Guy’ is back
The Lizard Guy will return to the Senior Nutrition Center at 203 Highwood Ave. with a plethora of creepy-crawly critters on Thursday, Jan. 26 between 6 and 7 p.m. Children and adults alike are welcome to partake in the educational fun.
Registration to be held for free performing arts classes
The Grace Theatre Workshop, Inc. will hold registration for its professional theatre training program for children ages eight and up from Monday through Thursday, Jan. 23 to Feb. 3 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Jose Marti Freshman Academy, 1800 Summit Ave., Union City.
The workshop will provide free ballet, jazz, hip hop, salsa, tap/rhythm, singing, and acting classes.
To register, children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Registration fee is $25 per student, but classes are free and open to all Hudson County residents. All of the instructors are professional performers. Adult classes in Salsa dancing are also offered at no cost.
For information, call (201) 864-7149 or visit www.GraceTheatre.com.