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New UC police chief sworn in Friday
A swearing-in ceremony was held for Brian Barrett as he assumed the position of Union City’s chief of police on Friday at the Union City High School auditorium.
Brian Barrett, 53, is a life-long, fifth generation Union City resident. After graduating from the former St. Joseph’s of the Palisades High School in 1976, he began working as a volunteer auxiliary police officer in North Bergen on his 18th birthday.
Barrett moved on to work as a Union City public safety operator and dispatcher for three years, after which he was hired from the civil service list as a police officer and began patrol. In 1987 he was assigned to the detective bureau, and in 1991 he was promoted to sergeant.
He rose through the ranks from lieutenant to captain, received numerous valor awards and commendations from agencies including the FBI, county prosecutor, and Port Authority Police, and was eventually appointed as acting police chief in October of last year after former Chief Charles Everett resigned.
WNY mayor fires construction official; escorted out of Town Hall by police
West New York Mayor Dr. Felix Roque fired a town construction official via letter on Jan. 19, according to town officials.
The letter claims that the fired official took a one-week vacation without informing the appropriate officials in the Building Department, “which is under my directive,” Roque stated in the letter.
The official was escorted from the building by police the same day. Town Attorney Gilberto Garcia said Monday that the escort was necessary because the official had filed a lawsuit against the town last November, based on “several different allegations,” so they had to be careful.
“Given the situation that exists, we thought it was a cautious move to prevent discussions or arguments,” Garcia said.
“He had reckless behavior combined with a cowboy attitude,” Roque said of the fired official Monday. “The fact that he takes off and doesn’t notify his superiors is an act of insubordination.”
He added, “as the mayor and a military man I will never tolerate that from a public servant. There are laws and we have to follow them; the taxpayers’ money is at stake and I will defend every penny.”
UC Performing Arts Center to hold Valentine’s Day concert
The City of Union City will present “ROMANCE:” an evening of Jazz, Boleros and Bossa Nova, featuring singer Annie Kozuch. She will be accompanied by Frank Ponzio on piano, Sean Harkness on guitar, and Samuel Torres on percussion.
The concert will be held Thursday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. at the Union City Performing Arts Center located at 2500 Kennedy Blvd. Admission is free and parking is available at the 23rd Street Parking Deck located on 23rd St. between Summit & Kerrigan Avenues.
Susan G. Komen Foundation to hold race for the cure
Approximately 10,000 people – including runners, walkers, visitors, volunteers and staff – are expected to be on site for the 2012 Komen North Jersey Race for the Cure on Sunday, May 6. Race Day activities will include a 5K timed run, a 5K walk and a 1.5 mile walk.
On Sunday, registration opens at 7:30 a.m., the 5K Timed Run starts at 8:30 a.m., and the 5K/1.5 Mile Walk starts at 10 a.m. at the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex in West Orange.
There will be a special Survivor Tent, Survivor Procession and Ceremony, an Expo area with free giveaways, an I AM THE CURE booth to learn more about breast self-awareness, food, a Komen for the Cure merchandise tent, and a Kids for the Cure area with face painting, a Moon Bounce, sand art, clowns and a coloring station.
Throughout the day, the ultimate American show band “The Infernos” will be performing from the main stage.
Since its founding in 1997, Komen North Jersey has awarded over $13 million in local community grants, and has directed approximately $5.9 million to the national Susan G. Komen for the Cure Grants Program for breast cancer research.
Online registration is now open. For additional information, to register, volunteer, start a team, or make a donation, visit www.komennorthjersey.org/race, or call (908) 277-2904, ext. 14.